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Monday, 9 September 2024

Eternity poem by Arthur Rimbaud complete Summary and Analysis

Eternity


Arthur Rimbaud's poem "Eternity" is a complex and thought-provoking meditation on time, life, and transcendence. The poem reflects Rimbaud's deep concern for life, communicating a mystical vision of eternity and a simultaneous fascination with human experience Through vivid imagery of the sea, the sun, and the passing of day and night, Rimbaud analyzes and delves into the cyclical nature of life and the desire to transcend the simplicity Let us draw attention to it.

Eternity poem by Arthur Rimbaud



It has been found again.
What? – Eternity.


The opening line creates an apocalyptic atmosphere. The speaker announces "found again," referring to the discovery or rediscovery. The repetition of the word "again" suggests that eternity is not something newly discovered, but something always there, rediscovered or remembered This moment of insight is presented as something essential and perhaps unknowable—the experience of revelation or of the findings.

The immediate answer to the question "What?"—"Forever"—indicates the central idea of ​​the poem. Eternity is introduced as a rediscovered concept, but the brevity and delivery of the answer suggests something enigmatic: Rimbaud, using this casual question-and-answer format, constructs and performs the elusive nature of eternity itself emphasis on the mystery, such as inexplicability or capture.

It is the sea fled away
With the sun.


Here Rimbaud introduces one of the poem’s central images: the sea and the sun. He describes eternity as “sea and sun escape,” capturing the ephemeral nature of sea and sun, often associated with greatness, power, and endless cycles Sea and sun are essential elements of nature , and represents great and uncontrollable forces , always present but constantly moving and changing The phrase “flee” refers to something as permanent as the sea and the sun, ever receding and inaccessible This image of the sea and the sun fleeing together can be interpreted as a metaphor for the passage of time—day and night cycle, . life and death. Eternity in this sense is not an unchangeable state, but something dynamic and invisible, constantly drifting away as the sea and sun move across the sky This demonstrates how infinity is a paradox in Rimbaud’s view: it does not have edge and fleeting, always present but always present beyond our comprehension.

Sentinel soul,
Let us whisper the confession
Of the night full of nothingness
And the day on fire.

The speaker addresses the “sentinel soul,” suggesting a soul that is watchful, guarding, or keeping vigil. This metaphor positions the soul as a sentry, standing on the threshold of existence, observing the passage of time and the flow of life. The soul, in this context, is aware of the deeper truths of existence and eternity but remains silent or only “whispers” these truths. The “confession” that the soul whispers refers to an acknowledgment of the nature of existence—specifically, the emptiness of night (“full of nothingness”) and the intense, burning nature of day (“on fire”). Night is portrayed as a void, a time of emptiness and absence, while day is described as overwhelming, filled with fire and intensity. These contrasting images represent the extremes of existence: the void of nothingness and the overwhelming presence of life and activity. By calling this a “confession,” Rimbaud suggests that these truths are difficult to accept or articulate. The soul acknowledges the harsh realities of existence—the emptiness, the burning intensity—without fully embracing or confronting them. The whispering tone also conveys a sense of secrecy or reluctance, as if these truths are too profound or painful to be fully expressed.

From human approbation,
From common urges
You diverge here
And fly off as you may.


These lines suggest a departure from conventional human experience. The speaker addresses the soul, encouraging it to break free from "human approbation" (the approval or validation of others) and "common urges" (the ordinary desires and instincts of human life). This departure represents a form of transcendence, where the soul escapes the limitations of human existence, with its need for approval, conformity, and base desires. The phrase "fly off as you may" conveys a sense of freedom and release. The soul is urged to leave behind the constraints of human life and ascend or "fly" into a higher realm of existence. This reflects a key theme in Rimbaud’s work: the desire to break free from the mundane, to transcend the ordinary and access a higher, more profound experience of life or reality. This flight of the soul symbolizes a departure from the material world and a movement toward the eternal, the infinite.


Since from you alone,
Satiny embers,
Duty breathes
Without anyone saying: at last.


These lines contain more enigmatic imagery. The phrase “since from you alone” suggests that the soul, or perhaps eternity itself, is the source of a deeper truth or essence. The image of “satiny embers” combines softness and fire, suggesting that there is a quiet, glowing truth within the soul—something that is both delicate and burning. Embers are the remnants of a fire, and the description of them as “satiny” evokes a sense of softness, fragility, and beauty, yet they still retain the capacity to ignite. The mention of “duty” breathing from the soul without anyone saying "at last" implies that the soul fulfills its purpose or duty without external validation or recognition. The soul’s duty is inherent, self-sustaining, and does not require acknowledgment from others. This reflects a sense of inner purpose or destiny that exists beyond human approval or recognition. The soul, in its connection to eternity, operates on a different plane from the human world, where actions are often measured by external rewards or validation.


Here is no hope,
No orietur.
Knowledge and fortitude,
Torture is certain.


These lines introduce a darker, more nihilistic tone. The statement “Here is no hope” suggests that in the realm of eternity, as Rimbaud conceives it, there is no hope for change, progress, or salvation. The word “orietur” is Latin for “he shall rise” or “it shall arise,” often associated with the dawn or new beginnings. By stating “no orietur,” Rimbaud denies the possibility of renewal or rebirth in eternity. Eternity, in this vision, is static and unchanging—there is no new beginning, no dawn to break the cycle of existence. The mention of “knowledge and fortitude” as leading to certain “torture” underscores the existential tension in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that understanding the truth of existence (knowledge) and enduring it (fortitude) leads to suffering. There is a kind of existential torture that comes with the awareness of the nature of eternity and the futility of human existence. This suggests that the pursuit of knowledge and strength, while noble, inevitably leads to suffering in a world where eternity offers no escape or consolation.

It has been found again.
What? – Eternity.
It is the sea fled away
With the sun.

The poem closes by repeating the opening lines, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time and existence. Eternity is once again equated with the image of the sea and the sun, suggesting that this vision of eternity—fleeting, ever-receding, and elusive—remains constant. The repetition reinforces the idea that eternity is both found and lost, ever-present yet beyond reach, much like the sea and the sun, which are eternal forces but constantly in motion.



Themes and Symbolism

1. Eternal and transcendental:

Rimbaud’s vision of eternity is unruly and contradictory. Eternity is not a static, unchanging state but something that is constantly moving, like the sea and the sun. This reflects the idea that eternity is cyclical, ever present, but also temporary and unattainable. The speaker’s desire to transcend human limitations and reach eternity is central to the poem, but this crossing creates its own existential complications

2. The nature of the soul:

In this poem, the soul is depicted as a guardian of deeper truths. He captured the emptiness of the living and its ignorance of the complexity of the self. The soul strives to free itself from the constraints of human existence and desires, but this freedom comes at a price: the realization of futile hope and suffering.

3. Nihilism and Social Misery:

Rimbaud’s poetry reflects a sense of the emptiness of life, which denies hope, renewal and redemption. The realization of eternity leads to suffering, because the soul is forced to face the static, unchanging nature of life. But there’s also a sense of acceptance—infinitely gained, even if it’s not what was expected. Conclusion: In "Eternity," Arthur Rimbaud offers a profound philosophical and mystical reflection on the relationship between time, life, spirit and eternity Through vivid depictions of the passing of the sea, the sun, day and night on, Rimbaud explores the cycle and unpredictability of eternal life, as well as the suffering of life that leads to knowledge and enlightenment

Sunday, 8 September 2024

Gazal for the girl in the photo poem by Shadab Zeest Hashmi summary and analysis

 The poem uses rich imagery and metaphor to show the struggle and strength of a young woman named "Sharbat Gula", presumably from a war-torn region, Afghanistan. The poem explores themes of loss, identity, and the impact of war on personal and cultural history.

Gazal for the girl in the photo poem by Shadab Zeest Hashmi


The poem is divided into five stanzas:

Stanza 1:

"You became the girl with the piercing eyes when you found your country swiped by a stranger"*

The first line sets the tone, highlighting the girl’s transformation due to the traumatic loss of her homeland. Her "piercing eyes" suggest an intense and deep-seated grief or anger. The "stranger" who "swiped" her country likely represents an invader or occupying force. At that time, Afghanistan was invaded by Russia. So, Afghanis were forced to live in neighborhood countries, as she had been found in Pakistani aid Camps.

"In Kabul snow, a missile turned your mother onto coal; your last tears were wiped by a stranger."

This line vividly depicts the brutality of war, where a missile strike kills her motherland, turning it into "coal," symbolizing death and destruction. The phrase "your last tears were wiped by a stranger" suggests that the girl has been left alone, and any comfort she receives is from an unknown person, not her loved ones. There is a chance that they might have been killed by invaders.

Stanza 2:
"A garden once hung from your name like the perfume of wild apple blossoms phantom tulips"

This stanza shifts to a more nostalgic tone. The "garden" hanging from her name symbolizes a once beautiful and thriving life, filled with the scent of "wild apple blossoms" and "phantom tulips." This could be a reference to her lost home or past, which was once vibrant and full of life.

"In the refugee camp, are you Sharbat Gula, liquor of flowers, or a number typed by a stranger?"

Here, the poem contrasts her former identity with her current situation in a refugee camp. Sharbat Gula, a famous Afghan refugee known for her striking green eyes, symbolizes displaced people's iconic suffering and resilience. The girl is asked whether she retains her unique identity ("liquor of flowers") or has become just another statistic, "a number typed by a stranger," dehumanized and reduced to a faceless figure.

Stanza 3:
"Your eyes teach cold flint ignites a flare, how a father’s bones become an orphan’s roof"

This stanza reflects the wisdom and strength that the girl has gained through her suffering. "Cold flint ignites a flare" suggests that her hardships have sparked a fire within her, symbolizing resilience. The phrase "a father’s bones become an orphan’s roof" evokes the idea that even in death, her father’s legacy or memory provides some form of shelter or protection for her.

"History writes itself clear as cornea, your green glare---- no whitewashing, no hype is stranger."

This line emphasizes the importance of the girl’s story in history. Her "green glare" is a powerful image, symbolizing clarity and truth. The poem insists that her experience cannot be "whitewashed" or altered by propaganda; it’s a raw and undeniable truth.

Stanza 4:
"Pity the empire that failed to decipher the disdain in your eyes, the hard stare of war"

This stanza criticizes the imperial powers or invaders who failed to understand the girl's deep resentment ("disdain") and the toll that war has taken on her. Her "hard stare" symbolizes the harsh realities of war that she has endured.

"Pity the first world’s pity, the promise of friends who show up as every type of stranger."

The poem expresses a sense of irony or frustration with the so-called "first world" countries, whose pity is seen as hollow or superficial. The "promise of friends" refers to the unfulfilled promises made by these nations, who are "strangers" to her, offering little genuine support or understanding.

Stanza 5:
"Zeest, return to the arms of memory, the riddle of its minefields, velvet lullabies"

The final stanza calls for Zeest to return to her roots, to her memories, even though they are fraught with danger ("the riddle of its minefields") and trauma. Yet, these memories are also comforting, like "velvet lullabies," soft and soothing.

"To the lilt of this land, its lyrical storms, its bells and bagpipes, you’re no stranger"

This concluding line is a tribute to her deep connection with her homeland, despite all she has lost. The "lilt of this land" and "lyrical storms" symbolize the rich culture and history of her country, with its "bells and bagpipes" representing its unique traditions. Despite being displaced, migrants remain deeply tied to their homeland; she is "no stranger" to it, indicating that her identity is still strongly rooted in her origins.

Overall, the poem paints a poignant picture of a young girl’s life altered by war. It navigates through her memories, identity, and the external forces that have shaped her reality, while simultaneously highlighting her strength and unbreakable connection to her homeland.

Overall, the poem is a poignant portrait of a girl whose life has been transformed by war. It draws on her memories, her identity, and the outside forces that shaped her reality, and it also reveals her strength and unbreakable ties to her homeland.

Sunday, 11 August 2024

Christmas Letter to My Sister poem by Maki Kureishi

Christmas Letter to My Sister poem by Maki Kureishi


Stanza 1:

Each year I decorate a Christmas tree 

 With trinkets from Bohri Bazar, Germany, Japan. 

 You’ll send home more from China 

And Korea to please my daughter.

Christmas Letter to My Sister poem by Maki Kureishi


The speaker describes the annual tradition of decorating the Christmas tree in this stanza. The tree is adorned with ornaments collected from various places like Bohri Bazar, Germany, and Japan. The sister sends additional decorations from China and Korea, especially to delight the speaker's daughter. These trinkets symbolize the connection between the siblings despite their geographical separation and the continuation of traditions that tie them together.


Stanza 2

Each year I hang the glitter
Of our children up again.
Mother kept our own tree secret 
Until Christmas Eve, when, doors thrown down wide, 
It started us—a dour 
Cypress from the garden, now enchanted 
Bearing its fragile globes and stars 
Like goblin fruits. I use


This stanza reminisces about the past, specifically how the speaker's mother used to keep their Christmas tree hidden until Christmas Eve, creating a magical reveal. The tree, described as a "dour cypress" from the garden, was transformed into something enchanting with its delicate ornaments. The phrase "goblin fruits" suggests a sense of wonder and otherworldliness, highlighting the magical atmosphere their mother created during Christmas.


Stanza 3:

A less dramatic Casuarina pine, 
As you plant spices in Cologne, but though 
Your backyard's fertile as a flowerpot, 
They’ll not grow native yet are native 
To the private landscape where we lived ,
alien and homegrown. Often


Here, the speaker contrasts their current Christmas tree, a less dramatic Casuarina pine, with the cypress tree from their childhood. The sister is mentioned planting spices in Cologne, which are foreign to the region but native to their shared childhood landscape. This reflects the idea of being "alien and homegrown"—a metaphor for their cultural identity, being rooted in one place but growing in another.


Stanza 4:

As a Christmas treat the Raja sent 
 His official elephant. We were shipwrecked on. 
When the haunches rose like a trial wave 
We learned to brace and sway. 
Still practiced in equipoise 
I teeter safe, and brace to my uncertainties 
Survive, Anglo-Indian as a dark bungalow 
You, among buildings that cut down our elephant to size, play house—never at home.


This stanza recounts a vivid memory of a Christmas treat from their past: a ride on the Raja's official elephant. The experience is described as if they were shipwrecked, with the elephant's movements compared to a rising wave. The speaker reflects on how this taught them balance and resilience, skills that continue to serve them in navigating life's uncertainties. The reference to "Anglo-Indian as a dark bungalow" suggests a mixed heritage and a sense of survival within a complex identity. The sister, in contrast, lives in a place where their shared past ("the elephant") is metaphorically diminished.


 Stanza 5:

Always the long, repeated journeys looking for something you've left behind. 
When we meet, all the doors swing open 
for this is where we live; and this old child 
are empty, echo to our timid 
 grown-up voices; and this old child, 
who lifts a broken-toy face, is she 
you or me? Only our scars mark where we built 
our personal and nursery planet. Still,


The sister is described as being on constant journeys, searching for something elusive, perhaps a piece of their past. Despite these searches, when they reunite, it feels like home again, with doors metaphorically swinging open. The "old child" refers to the remnants of their younger selves, now reflected in their adult lives. The "broken-toy face" symbolizes the wear and tear of time, and the question of whether this child is the sister or the speaker underscores the shared scars and memories that have shaped them. Their "personal and nursery planet" refers to the world they built together as children, a private universe that still lingers in their lives.

 Stanza 6:

we’ve kept the knack. I, middle-aged, fidget 
with make-believe; you, homesick and not eager to come home. 
are foreign everywhere. Live European, 
stay haunted by the image of that makeshift geography we share.


In this stanza, the speaker acknowledges that despite the passage of time and the changes in their lives, they both still retain a "knack" for make-believe—the ability to escape into imagination. The speaker is middle-aged and still engages in make-believe, while the sister is homesick but reluctant to return home. The sister is described as feeling "foreign everywhere," living a European life but still haunted by the shared, improvised geography of their childhood.


 Stanza 7:

So come December, I wish you peace with faith in make-believe: 
and deck my inny tree
 with blobs of cotton wool. Perhaps you stand 
before a frozen pane, indifferent to carols,
 snow, your fire tree; watching that large ghost, our elephant, lumbering by.


The final stanza is a Christmas wish from the speaker to their sister, wishing her peace and the ability to believe in the magic of make-believe once again. The speaker decorates their tree with cotton wool, a simple and imaginative gesture. The sister, possibly standing before a frozen window, is imagined as being indifferent to the typical Christmas symbols—carols, snow, and the fire-tree. Instead, she is haunted by the memory of their shared past, symbolized by the ghost of the elephant from their childhood.

This summary captures the essence of each stanza, emphasizing the themes of memory, shared heritage, cultural identity, and the enduring power of imagination in maintaining a connection across time and distance.

Thursday, 8 August 2024

Gangrene poem by Taufiq Rafat summary and analysis

Gangrene poem by Taufiq Rafat summary and analysis:

 The speaker introduces a twelve-year-old boy who was brought to him for help. A boy from the speaker's ancestral village had broken his wrist when he fell while flying kites. Despite the injury, the boy remains quiet and modest, possibly more concerned with the lost kite than the injury itself.

Gangrene poem by Taufiq Rafat


 The village wrestler initially treated the boy, who acted as the local bone setter. After a quick examination, the wrestler assured the family that the injury was just a fracture and would heal soon. But the bones didn’t heal, and the boxer continued to reassure his family, even as his condition worsened.  As the boy's condition worsened and his skin began to turn black and smelly, the family became very depressed. They eventually sought the speaker's help in the city, hoping for better medical attention. The spokesman took the boy to the Mission Hospital, where the surgeon promptly diagnosed gangrene and recommended amputation. The speaker was already aware of the seriousness of the situation and was concerned.

 The boy’s family, especially his father, reacted angrily and refused to accept the surgeon’s suggestions. The father, indignant and grief-stricken, rejected the idea of amputation, arguing that a son with one arm was useless. Despite the speaker's pleas, the family decided to leave the hospital instead of trusting the village wrestler or seeking help elsewhere. The speaker felt a deep sense of helplessness and shame as he learned that the boy died during surgery later that day.

Taufiq Rafat's poem "Gangrene" explores human suffering, cultural beliefs and the disastrous consequences of ignorance. The poet uses narrative structure to describe a boy’s terrible injury and its misinterpretation leading to his premature death. It further discusses other issues such as traditional versus modern medicine, the limitations of rural medicine, and the psychological cost of incapability and guilt. By using intense imagery, cultural allusions, and emotional depth, Rafat provides a powerful comment on connecting fate with tradition in life.


 Narrative Structure & Characterization:


The poem is set up in free verse which enables Rafat to create an account that is both chatty and confiding. This storyteller which seems to be some relative of the boy tells these events from an aloof tone but also at times from an emotionally stirred point of view. Such narrative structure develops a sense of predestination and foreboding as one follows the boy’s journey from injury to demise.

The boy's father is portrayed as arrogant and stubborn, whose refusal to accept modern medical advice stems from a deep-seated fear of disability and social stigma His temper at the suggestion of the types offered for mutilation reflects a cultural attitude that values the whole body over life, a tragic irony Rafat makes through his father’s ultimate decision to leave the hospital emphasize.


Cultural Conflict and Traditional Limits:

One of the central themes of "Gangrene" is the conflict between traditional and modern methods of medicine. The wrestler represents a traditional healer, whose methods are based on a combination of custom, experience, and community beliefs. In rural areas, such accounts are often the first point of contact for medical information, due to accessibility and community reliance but the limitations of traditional knowledge are understood from a robust point of view while emphasizing the dangers of such trust. The speaker, who appears to be more educated and aware of modern medical practices, represents a bridge between the traditional and modern worlds. His proximity to the mission hospital suggests that he is a part of the modern medical system, yet he is also deeply connected to the rural community from which the boy comes. This dual identity makes the speaker's position particularly tragic, as he is painfully aware of the boy's worsening condition but powerless to convince the family to accept the necessary treatment.

The surgeon at Mission Hospital is portrayed as a "greedy, unscrupulous butcher," revealing the potential pitfalls of modern medicine as his work lacks compassion or understanding of the patient's cultural context. It is easy for them to reject his counsel


Images and Icons:

Rafaat uses powerful imagery to convey the position of the child and the emotions of the characters. The description of the boy's limbs as "black and beginning to stink" is a visceral image of the gangrene that set in, symbolizing widespread death and decay This image is a function of the boy's modesty and humility contradicting previous depictions of her, emphasizing the tragedy and the story of the situation

The dog mentioned earlier symbolizes the boy’s lost childhood and carefree life before the accident. The fact that the boy cared more for the lost peacock than for injury shows youthful innocence and suspicion, and makes his fate all the more heartbreaking. 

The child's mention of "dijin power" reflects cultural beliefs that often influence medical decisions in rural communities. The wrestler’s supernatural ability to describe the boy’s condition demonstrates a rejection of medicine and superstition, a theme that runs throughout the poem and when this belief in the supernatural gives the community comfort, ultimately prevents them from understanding their true nature child's illness

Emotional Resonance and Issues of Guilt and Helplessness:

The poem is helpless on the part of the speaker. Despite all efforts to save the child’s life, he or she is unable to overcome the cultural and emotional barriers that prevent the family from receiving necessary treatment This helplessness is compounded by deep guilt when the speaker feels responsible for not being able to do more. The final lines of the poem, where the speaker reflects on the "lovely spring day, fresh after rain," highlight the cruel irony of life going on as usual while the boy's life is tragically cut short.

The father's anger and refusal to accept the amputation are also deeply tied to themes of guilt and grief. His insistence that a one-armed son is useless reveals a profound fear of disability and social ostracization, but it also suggests that he is grappling with the unbearable possibility of losing his son entirely. His anger at the suggestion of amputation is partly an expression of his sadness and guilt over the boy's situation, a way of protecting himself from the overwhelming pain of the situation of the s


conclusion

Taufiq Rafat's "Gangrene" is a powerful examination of the consequences of grief caused by ignorance, cultural norms, and traditional restrictions through vivid imagery, nuanced characters, and an emotive story Rafat is the suffering of the child and a touching portrayal of those around him and their helplessness emotional devastation The Poem's Function as Commentary Rafat's ability to weave these themes together makes "Gangrene" a haunting and evocative work stimulating on many levels.

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Navigating Absurdity and Existentialism in 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'

In the fantastic world of Gabriel García Márquez's magnum opus 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', readers are immersed in a realm where the real and the absurd intermingle seamlessly, and existential questions is great in the lives of the characters Let us delve deeper into the heart of this phenomenon a novel that invites us to contemplate the circulation of nature and discover the complexities of isolationism, abstractionism and broken existentialism on its pages.
Gabriel García Márquez's masterpiece 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' stands as another narrative beacon, weaving a striking, captivating canvas of magical realism that captures the essence of human emotion and struggle It is a place as mysterious as the stories that unfold in it With exotic and delicate dance moves, Marquez creates a world in which the surreal is real, and phenomena mirror the human soul.




Deeper into the novel, we find a complex exploration of human desires, fears, joys and sorrows. The characters are written with dreams and despair outside of Macondo, unique yet reflective of the world beyond their borders Each member of the Buendia family brings to life an aspect of Marquez’s vision—loneliness, desire, longing, and the search for meaning a it does not cease in inexplicable. Tradition shines beyond the confines of ordinary life and presents love, power, fate and the inevitability of time as the fabric of life. Marquez invites us to consider the inevitability of life cycles, where each generation faces its own challenges and discoveries.




Combining the personal and the universal, Marquez achieves a remarkable history that corresponds to the essence of what it means to be human. The Buendia family's generational journey is not only their story but a sobering page for us to view our own lives on, and through 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' with its complexities and contradictions above all, we are gently reminded of the deeper and more enduring understanding, connection and ultimately shaping our lives.

In the heart of Macondo, Gabriel García Márquez reveals a world filled with the sounds of futility, where the efforts and aspirations of its inhabitants collide against seemingly insurmountable walls of fate and meaning Together they dance a delicate ballet of dreams and fantasy are connected as their lives flow into a realm where the extravagant often overshadows the ordinary, and they are poignant reflections on the human condition.




In Macondo, the absurdity of human life is not only background but a living presence, a breath that connects with the characters in a deeply personal way the Buendia meets them inexplicably they were incomprehensible at every turn in their efforts to understand and govern their world. The patriarch, Jose Arcadio Buendia's focus on medicine and the supernatural, and his offspring's repeated forays into civil war and love affairs that defy the constraints of time and morality show a ceaseless struggle against an unknown and insignificant universe They do so.




Marquez delves into the abstract rather than succumbing to despair with a strong empathy for his character’s plight. Immersion in absurdity—whether in an attempt to defy a predestined fate or in poignant moments of resignation—reveals the multifaceted way in which individuals encounter a world of absurdity emotionally navigated and it is out of this incredible loneliness and folly that Marquez creates a disturbing and deeply human storytelling masterpiece.

Abstraction in Macondo is not merely a philosophical challenge but a lived experience inscribed in the city's landscape and the souls of its inhabitants Through Buendia's narrative, Marquez invites us to consider his travels through the material of our lives wonder, and it inspires compassion, which heartily encourages an understanding of the vanity that is central to human life. Within the woven fabric of 'A Hundred Years of Solitude', its explorations of human existence manifest in an acknowledgment of magical realism, providing a unique lens through which we are invited to explore the depths of human existence in. Gabriel García Márquez skillfully blurs the distinction between the mysterious and the mundane, creating a world in which the bizarre is a natural part of the fabric of life, and the search for meaning in social chaos is depicted.




Characters like Jose Arcadio Buendia with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and Remedios Beauty, whose otherworldly presence defies their standards of reality, are poignant examples of the novel’s search for social knowledge Their journeys never the complex dance between the pursuit of purpose and routine has manifested the ineffable nature of life that Marquez orchestrates so beautifully.

This delicate connection between magical reality and social themes opens the door for readers to reflect on their own lives. In a magic-filled reality that confronts our search for meaning, the inevitability of loneliness, and the complexities of life that define the human experience—and sometimes ways to evade it—marque is not immune from questions of the often complex purity that underlies our lives.




Macondo life reminds us of the beauty and tragedy that accompanies our deeper search for meaning. It is here in the fantastic world that Marquez has created that we receive a generous invitation to explore the social questions that haunt us and shape our thinking, guided by his gentle, empathic storytelling. In 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Gabriel García Márquez explores loneliness in-depth and presents it not only as a physical condition but as a deeper part of the human condition Through the interconnected lives of the Buendia family, Márquez reveals how loneliness shapes their identity This has revealed insight is empathy and honesty, acknowledging the pain of loneliness and understanding the need to understand oneself and the world.

Characters in Macondo experience loneliness in various forms—from the loneliness of an alchemist lab to the loneliness of leadership or unrequited love, each instance of loneliness forms a thread in the larger fabric of the novel, and it reveals how isolation is a curse and a catalyst for introspection and development Contemplative Solitude, in the midst of its many solitary combat campaigns, becomes a poignant space in which to contemplate the circular nature of violence and seek meaning in.

Marquez’s treatment of loneliness is set in a caring and sympathetic tone that recognizes the inherent human need for solitude, and the deep sadness that exists in its absence in the ma. However, also an acknowledgment of the role of solitude in the journey of self-discovery and presence. Through their time alone, the characters confront their fears, desires, and life’s deepest contradictions. This introspection often leads to a clear, though sometimes painful, understanding of their place in the world.In 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Gabriel García Márquez explores loneliness in-depth and presents it not only as a physical condition but as a deeper part of the human condition Through the interconnected lives of the Buendia family, Márquez reveals how loneliness shapes their identity This has revealed insight is empathy and honesty, acknowledging the pain of loneliness and understanding the need to understand oneself and the world.

Characters in Macondo experience loneliness in various forms—from the loneliness of an alchemist lab to the loneliness of leadership or unrequited love, each instance of loneliness forms a thread in the larger fabric of the novel, and it reveals how isolation is a curse and a catalyst for introspection and development Contemplative Solitude, in the midst of its many solitary combat campaigns, becomes a poignant space in which to contemplate the circular nature of violence and seek meaning in.

Marquez’s treatment of loneliness is set in a caring and sympathetic tone that recognizes the inherent human need for solitude, and the deep sadness that exists in its absence in the ma. However, also an acknowledgment of the role of solitude in the journey of self-discovery and presence. Through their time alone, the characters confront their fears, desires, and life’s deepest contradictions. This introspection often leads to a clear, though sometimes painful, understanding of their place in the world.In 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Gabriel García Márquez explores loneliness in-depth and presents it not only as a physical condition but as a deeper part of the human condition Through the interconnected lives of the Buendia family , Márquez reveals how loneliness shapes their identity This has revealed insight is empathy and honesty, acknowledging the pain of loneliness and understanding the need to understand oneself and the world.

Characters in Macondo experience loneliness in various forms—from the loneliness of an alchemist lab to the loneliness of leadership or unrequited love, each instance of loneliness forms a thread in the larger fabric of the novel, and it reveals how isolation is a curse and a catalyst for introspection and development Contemplative Solitude, in the midst of its many solitary combat campaigns, becomes a poignant space in which to contemplate the circular nature of violence and seek meaning in.

Marquez’s treatment of loneliness is set in a caring and sympathetic tone that recognizes the inherent human need for solitude, and the deep sadness that exists in its absence in the ma. However, also an acknowledgment of the role of solitude in the journey of self-discovery and presence. Through their time alone, the characters confront their fears, desires, and life’s deepest contradictions. This introspection often leads to a clear, though sometimes painful, understanding of their place in the world.In 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Gabriel García Márquez explores loneliness in depth and presents it not only as a physical condition but as a deeper part of the human condition Through the interconnected lives of the Buendia family , Márquez reveals how loneliness shapes their identity This has revealed insight is empathy and honesty, acknowledging the pain of loneliness and understanding the need to understand oneself and the world.

Characters in Macondo experience loneliness in various forms—from the loneliness of an alchemist lab to the loneliness of leadership or unrequited love, each instance of loneliness forms a thread in the larger fabric of the novel, and it reveals how isolation is a curse and a catalyst for introspection and development Contemplative Solitude, in the midst of its many solitary combat campaigns, becomes a poignant space in which to contemplate the circular nature of violence and seek meaning in.

Marquez’s treatment of loneliness is set in a caring and sympathetic tone that recognizes the inherent human need for solitude, and the deep sadness that exists in its absence in the ma. However, also an acknowledgment of the role of solitude in the journey of self-discovery and presence. Through their time alone, the characters confront their fears, desires, and life’s deepest contradictions. This introspection often leads to a clear, though sometimes painful, understanding of their place in the world. Weaving loneliness into the very fabric of Macondo and its inhabitants, Marquez creates a narrative of the nature of human loneliness and a compassionate insight into how it shapes our lives Let us also look at the poignant painting, which challenges us to think about it us personal encounters in isolation and how it has shaped us.




Within the rich tapestry of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Gabriel García Márquez gently, caringly folds the idea of ​​abstraction, history and the cycle of nature, and guides us through the opulence of the Buendia family a it is tan and in Macondo evolution. It highlights the wonderful insight that despite our best efforts, history has a way of revealing itself in the seemingly infinite. Marquez is a world where the absurd is the best, where the great struggles and accomplishments of the Buendias are destined to be relived by their descendants Interesting and tragic, this cycle affects the belief in absurdity if it exists in a world where human desires and suffering seem to It shows sympathy. He shows us that in the incessant repetition of history, the Buendia family’s desperate hope to overcome the tragic outcome is a poignant commentary on human resilience and the search for understanding.

Macondo’s depiction of the world as a microcosm allows readers to reflect on their own lives, seeing the patterns and cycles we all go through. Through the lens of abstraction, Márquez encourages a compassionate understanding of our efforts to break away from the chains of historical repetition, urging us to find comfort in our shared human experiences. This narrative style allows us to explore deep abstraction without losing the sympathetic heart that binds us, and encourages us to consider not only the cyclical nature of history but the beauty we find in our demographics we also explore meaning and implications together In the midst of the abstract.




In the complex universe of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Gabriel García Márquez constructs moments of pure unspoiled relation between vast landscapes of abstraction and existentialism and forms this transitory moment in which characters and, vicariously, readers find deep comfort. With its infinite power to transcend the material realm, love emerges as a beacon of hope in a world where reason often eludes reason. Through the tender relationships that blossom in the harsh soil of Macondo, Marquez demonstrates how empathy, understanding and compassion can brighten the darkest corners of our lives. The story suggests acts of kindness, familial bonds and romantic revivals not only as relaxation, but as the very essence of making sense of life amidst the confusing chaos of life.

Additionally, the characters highlight the quiet but overwhelming rebellion of the storm of their lives Their determination to find happiness, foster moments of clarity and relationships, and keep alive the flame of hope is a testament to the indomitable human spirit Imbues that within the maze of abstractions exist paths guided by human connection and the enduring light of love to a moment of understanding and peace. In 'One Hundred Years of Loneliness', Gabriel García Márquez deftly explores the complex dance between memorable moments and its profound impact on the essence of identity In the captivating world of Macondo, people characters are constantly interacting with their past, while memories weave the fabric of their present, their future shaded with hope, regret and longing This delicate image of interaction reflects the cyclical nature of life, somewhere with individual and collective histories leaving indelible marks on a sense of self.




Marquez uses memory not only as a repository of events but also as a living, breathing medium that organizes characters, their actions, and their fates Common names and fates across generations emphasizes before us the idea that who we are cannot be separated from the events that evolved , and that their inevitable fate reveals the complex ways in which memory and time conspire to shape the course of human existence. Through the prism of magical realism, Marquez allows us to see time as fluid rather than linear, with moments from the past appearing in the present and future imbued with the rhythms of history. This sense of time challenges the characters to confront the shadows of their ancestors, forcing them to question the true nature of being: are we inheriting something, are we creating something, or perhaps a mixture of both?

In this narrative realm, Marquez offers a gentle, sympathetic look at how our memories and the passage of time shape our sense of self and our place in the world. It is a bittersweet symphony of life, where memory is a poignant reflection of the music that guides the dance of life. The profound impact of ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ extends beyond its pages, into the divide between modern literature and philosophy. Gabriel García Márquez’s philosophy, blending magical realism with profound themes of abstraction and existentialism, not only forged new paths in history but encouraged a deeper, more compassionate engagement with the mysteries of human existence very contained And there are countless experiences that can be found illustrative.




While readers of all backgrounds and ages find solace and inspiration in Marquez’s work, the novel’s themes of loneliness, the search for meaning, and human relationships resonate more deeply with each passing generation Evidence has there. With 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Marquez has given us a priceless gift: a mirror that reflects our collective soul, generously conveying the beauty and tragedy of trying to make sense of a world that is often impossible explanation of the. This enduring legacy inspires heartfelt and internal conversations with each other, reminding us of the indelible impact of storytelling on the fabric of contemporary thought.





Saturday, 3 August 2024

snake poem by Taufiq Rafat stanza wise explanation and analysis

Snake poem Summary Stanza-wise 

Snake poem by Taufiq Rafat


Stanza 1: Introduction and Setting

"It was summer in the hills and I was eight. 

The cottage we had rented for the season was a hundred feet below road level,

 and a long winding gravelly path, pocked with stones, led to it."

These lines introduce the time and setting. The summer in the hills suggests a warm, perhaps idyllic environment. The speaker's age—eight—implies a youthful innocence and curiosity perspective, which can influence how they perceive their surroundings.  The cottage is "a hundred feet below road level" emphasizing its secluded and somewhat remote location. This detail contributes to a sense of isolation or separation from the outside world, setting the stage for a more personal or introspective experience. The description of the path as "serpentine" suggests it winds and twists, which can create a sense of mystery or unease. The path being "pocked with stones" adds a rugged and uneven quality, reinforcing the idea of the journey to the cottage being somewhat challenging or rough.

In the context of Rafat's poem, these lines likely serve to ground the reader in a specific setting that influences the mood and the events that follow. The remote and winding path might symbolize the journey of exploration or discovery that the speaker, in their youth, is about to undertake. The setting helps frame the experiences and encounters described in the poem, including those involving the snake, which can be a metaphorical or literal element in the narrative.

Stanza 2: The Ball Game:

On sunny days, I rolled a ball down the path from the very top, 

and I would run after it, heel-weighted to try and catch it before it got too far. 

The point I had caught at the earliest was marked with a boulder with white veins. 

I was furious because the record still stood at the first day's attempt."

  • In these lines, the speaker recalls a childhood game played on sunny days at the cottage. They would roll a ball from the top of a winding path and then sprint after it, trying to catch it before it rolled too far. The furthest point they successfully caught the ball was marked by a boulder with distinctive white veins. Despite their repeated attempts, the speaker is frustrated because their best performance—catching the ball at the earliest point—has not improved since their first day of playing. This highlights their ongoing struggle to surpass their initial achievement and adds a layer of determination and frustration to their nostalgic recollection.

    Stanza 3: Daily Routine

    Afternoons, when the others were away,

     riding, playing cards, and picnicking,

     I would take up the ball and make my dozen tries.

     I had limited myself to this number to be fair to the record.

     Half an hour later I would come back to my room, 

    put away the ball, scrape the mud from my knees,

     and shouldering my roller skates, start off for the rink."

    In the afternoons, while others were occupied with various activities like riding, playing cards, or picnicking, the speaker would devote time to their game with the ball. They would make up to twelve attempts to improve their record, a limit they set to ensure fairness to their previous best. After finishing this routine, the speaker would return to their room, clean the mud from their knees, and then prepare for a different activity by putting on their roller skates and heading to the rink. This routine underscores the speaker's dedication to both their game and their roller skating, illustrating a structured approach to balancing their pursuits and interests.

    Stanza 4: The Incident

    "Passing the boulder with the white veins,

     I would give it a baleful eye-cornered glance.

     But this particular time, it was towards the end of our stay,

    the ball simply kept rolling and rolling,

     and I charged desperately after it, 

    heedless of the menace of being tripped by a stone,

     and in places I remember it could have been dangerous,

     but I was afraid of losing the ball, 

    and was perhaps annoyed by its elusiveness.

     Anyway, I followed it as fast as I could, when the expected happened:

     it missed a turn sharper than usual, and disappeared over the edge into a khud."

    As the speaker passed the boulder with the white veins, which marked their previous record, they cast a resentful glance at it. On this particular occasion, towards the end of their stay, the ball continued to roll uncontrollably down the path. The speaker chased after it urgently, ignoring the risk of tripping over stones and navigating dangerous spots in their frantic effort to catch it. Their determination to retrieve the ball, coupled with frustration over its elusive nature, drove them to follow it as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the ball veered off course and fell over the edge into a khud (a steep ravine), marking a dramatic end to their pursuit.

    Stanza 5: The Descent

    "As luck would have it, it was the deepest,

     darkest, deadliest khud of all in the high hill-town. 

    But I was so mad at that stubborn ball,

     I only hesitated a moment, then started down the khud.

     There was no path at all for who would want to go down that sinister hill-side. 

    Only a boy who has lost a ball, or his mind, or both. 

    Gripping the nameless evergreens which covered the slope,

     I kept going down and down, and the slope seemed endless."

    The speaker, filled with frustration over their elusive ball, watches as it rolls uncontrollably and eventually disappears into a khud, a steep and treacherous ravine. Despite the khud being the most dangerous and forbidding one in the area, the speaker, driven by anger and determination, immediately descends into it. There is no established path, making the descent perilous and seemingly endless. The speaker navigates the slope by clinging to the evergreens, driven by their desperation to retrieve the ball, illustrating their reckless determination and the overwhelming challenge of the descent.

    Stanza 6: Encounter with Fear

    "It was clammy and dark like all khuds,

     but I was blinded by passion, 

    and even forgot it was snake-infested. (I could not stand snakes. 

    I still lived with the terror of being chased by one in our valley house;

     my brother heard my screams;

     he killed it with a stick, and buried the pulpy carcass in a rose-patch.

     I avoided the place as long as we lived there.)"

    The khud, being damp and dark, added to the daunting and treacherous nature of the descent. However, the speaker's intense passion and frustration over the lost ball caused them to overlook the fact that the khud was also infested with snakes—a fearsome detail for them. The speaker recounts a past trauma involving a snake that had terrified them at their valley house, where their brother had to intervene by killing and burying the snake. This past experience left the speaker with a deep-seated fear of snakes, which they had avoided for as long as they lived in that house. Despite this fear, their desperation to retrieve the ball made them momentarily forget the danger posed by the snake-infested khud.

    Stanza 7: The Snake

    "I was there at last, at the bottom of the khud,

     and began to look for the ball poking with a stick that I broke off a bush, 

    when a snake slithered past me into a cleft.

     It was dark there, but not too dark to recognize that slimy form.

     I was petrified. I know I did not scream. 

    When life returned to my limbs,

     I started clambering up the slope with a haste that encumbered traction, 

    forgetful of the ball, forgetting everything, but the desire to be out again."

    Upon reaching the bottom of the khud, the speaker began searching for the ball using a stick they had broken from a bush. Suddenly, a snake slithered past them and disappeared into a crevice. Despite the darkness, the speaker could clearly identify the snake’s slimy form, which paralyzed them with fear. Unable to scream, they were overwhelmed by terror and quickly began scrambling up the slope, their haste making it difficult to gain traction. In their panic, they forgot about the ball and everything else, focused solely on escaping the khud and reaching safety.

    Stanza 8: The Return:

    "Somewhere along the way I must have wept, 

    for my cheeks were tear-stained when I reached the top.

     Quickly I entered the cottage by the back door, 

    went straight to the bathroom and washed,

     and after changing clothes, picked up my skates, and left."

    As the speaker finally made their way back up the khud, they realized they had been crying, as evidenced by their tear-stained cheeks. Upon reaching the top, they hurriedly entered the cottage through the back door, went directly to the bathroom to wash up, and changed into fresh clothes. Afterward, they collected their roller skates and left, seemingly in an effort to escape the traumatic experience and regain a sense of normalcy.

    Stanza 9: Symbolic Act

    "When I reached the boulder with the white veins,

     I wrenched it from its place like a bad tooth, 

    and carried it painfully, for it was heavy,

     to the spot where the ball vanished,

     and heaved it down to keep the lost ball company forever and ever."

    Upon reaching the boulder with the white veins, which had marked their previous record, the speaker felt a deep sense of frustration and finality. They forcibly removed the boulder from its original position, carrying it with difficulty due to its weight, and placed it at the spot where the ball had disappeared into the khud. The speaker then threw the boulder down the ravine, symbolically consigning both the boulder and the lost ball to remain together in the depths of the khud for eternity, marking the end of their pursuit and their emotional turmoil.

    ANALYSIS:

    "Snake" is a richly detailed narrative that explores themes of childhood obsession, fear, and the confrontation with danger. The poem's structure in free verse allows for a natural, story-like progression that mirrors the narrator's reflective and meandering thought process. 

    Theme of Obsession: 

    The boy's repeated attempts to break his record by catching the ball signify an obsessive nature. He sets strict limits on himself (a dozen tries) and is determined to surpass his initial achievement. This obsession is highlighted by his frustration at being unable to beat his first-day record, which he marks with a boulder with white veins. The boulder becomes a symbol of his unfulfilled ambition and the challenge he has set for himself.

    Theme of Fear:

    Fear is a central theme in the poem, manifesting in the boy's past and present experiences. The boy's fear of snakes is deeply ingrained, stemming from a traumatic incident in his valley house where a snake had chased him, and his brother had to kill it. This fear resurfaces when he encounters the snake in the khud, causing him to abandon his quest for the ball and hastily retreat.

    Theme of Confrontation with Danger:

    The poem vividly describes the boy's reckless descent into the khud, driven by his determination to retrieve the ball. The khud is depicted as a perilous place, "clammy and dark," and "snake-infested," emphasizing the danger he willingly faces. This confrontation with danger is a pivotal moment in the poem, marking a turning point where the boy's obsession is overridden by his primal fear.

    Symbolism:

    Several symbols enrich the narrative. The ball represents the boy's ambition and desire for achievement. Its elusiveness mirrors the boy's struggle to reach his goals. The boulder with white veins symbolizes the boy's initial success and the challenge he sets for himself. Its removal and subsequent throwing into the khud signify the boy's acceptance of his limitations and the relinquishment of his obsessive pursuit. The snake is a potent symbol of fear and danger. Its appearance triggers a flight response in the boy, highlighting the intensity of his fear. The khud itself stands for the undefined, as well as represents the boy’s daring to go there even against all odds a childlike adventurousness and an inevitable face-off with frights.

     Psychological Insight:

    The poem gives psychological insight into the boy’s mind giving readers a feel of how intense his emotions are and the impact past traumas have on him. The boy's obsession with baseball also reveals his need for control and accomplishment. This fear of snakes is a reminder that childhood wounds never heal completely; growing up does not erase what happened in earlier years.

    Imagery and Tone:

    These images employed by the poet create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. The gravely path, dangerous khud, snake descriptions are particularly noticeable hence make us feel we are there. Playful but serious to scared is how we can describe this piece therefore indicating different emotional stages of the protagonist.

    Structure and Style:

    With its open-form structure, this poem unfolds like a tale before our eyes – it has an easy rhythm that echoes how the young narrator thinks. Because it lacks regular rhyme or meter, the poem reads like natural speech. It features enjambment and highlights the importance of continuing a sense of urgency from start to finish just as the unending pursuit of their score helps them escape danger later on. The powerful narrative poem of “Snake” captures the contradictory emotions and experiences of childhood. With its vibrant imagery, symbolism and psychological insight, the work addresses themes like obsession, terror as well as how to face danger. 

    The author’s intention to portray a common aspect of man’s journey for ambition amidst apprehension is seen in the boy’s attempt to reach his acme by meeting a snake. This poetry reveals the encounters that make us realize who we are and what our world can be when metaphorically broken down into pieces; this might have happened with someone else.

    Thursday, 1 August 2024

    Detail summary of the novel Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Sadawi

     Nawal El Sadawi was an Egyptian feminist writer, political activist, and physician. She has written many books on women in Islam, their suppression in the name of religion, and their discrimination on gender basis. This novel is a memoir of her non-fiction writings. Firdous is the protagonist of the novel 'women at point zero', a prisoner in the Qanatir prison. She is the primary narrator of the story. She is the actual woman whom Nawal El Sadawi’ met in the Qanatir prison when she was researching the prison abilities of a group of women prisoners accused of various offenses.

    Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Sadawi

    At the beginning of the novel Firdous appears as a silent character who does not want to meet anyone and when the author shows her desire to meet a

    She refuses to meet the author because she suspects that 'Nawal El Sadawi' is a member of the authorities. Firdous has been imprisoned in 'Qanatir prison' as she has killed a man and she feels no guilt for her crime. The author suspects that Firdous is accused of a crime, but she is not a criminal. She says,

    “To be honest, I do not feel she is a murderer. If you look into her face, her eyes, you will not believe that so gentle a woman can commit murder.”

    Firdous is a young woman who tells her life story to the author who is a secondary narrator of the novel. She tells her how as a child she survived and from her childhood since now what sort of life she has spent. By birth she belongs to a lower middle class, from her Secondary School Certificate she comes from a middle class, and afterward, when she becomes a prostitute, she puts up expensive clothes and makeup making her appearance as if she belongs to an upper-class family.

    She is innocent by nature but her sufferings and society's behaviors change her into a cold-blooded and thick-hearted woman.

    In her childhood, she was deprived of parental love. Her father used to offer 'Friday prayers' and being a religious person, he beats up his wives. He was not interested in his children, he never took interest in children’s hunger rather he used to satiate his stomach or hunger. Once Firdous; asked her father for a coin but he beat her and gave her brutal punishments. He was harsh towards her but gentle towards money as he never played with his children rather he preferred to play with coins and money to feel pleasure. His children go to sleep without eating anything but her wife saves food for him. He beats his wives over female children and loves them when he becomes the father of a male child.

    Firdous in her life does not get anything from her father except a ‘piastre’ after doing labor work as a child,

    “On the occasion of the Eed El Sagheer, I said to my father,” “Give me a piastre”. He said, “ Do you ask for a piastre? Go and clean under the animals and load the ass and take her to the fields. At the end of the day, I shall give you a piastre’. And, when I returned from the fields at the end of the day, he gave me the piastre.”

    Her mother also beaten when she lost a piastre in the market. She learned that money is much more valuable and reverent than a human being.

    In her childhood, her friend ‘Mohammadain’ played with her “Bride and Bridegroom”. He used to play with her until sexually assaulted her until his father called him from the fields to go home now. After her father's death, her ‘uncle’ took her with him built up a sexual relationship with her, and then sent her to a school. Her life of deprive of true parental love and when her uncle marries a rich woman, she becomes unbearable for her and her uncle puts her into a school hostel. She started reading books in the library and read a lot of books on History and Rulers. She comes to know that,

    “ I discovered that all these rulers were men. Whatever they had in common was an avaricious and distorted personality, a never-ending appetite for money, sex, and unlimited power”

    Her goal is to become a doctor, an engineer, or a leader. Once at night when she is sitting in darkness her teacher 'Miss Iqbal' approaches her and asked her and asks her why she is sitting alone and what sort of problem she has. S he feels deep intimacy with her and finds a ray of motherly love. However, after that meeting, she does not give her any specialty and treats her like all the other students. On the day of the ‘Prize distribution ceremony’ no one came to receive her prize she gained a second position in school and seventh countrywide’, Miss Iqbal came to the stage to receive it. after that day, she did not see her and bade farewell to the school.

    She returns to her uncle's house, where there is no room for her and she sleeps on a sofa outside their bedroom. All the day she has to work in the kitchen and take care of her aunt and her child but she remains unhappy with her.

    For huge money in dowry, they fix her marriage to a sixty-year-old man “Sheikh Mahmoud”. She decides to flee from home and experiences an extremely unfavorable environment for a lonely girl outside the home. She again runs back to her uncle's house. She accepts her fortune and marries Sheikh Mahmoud’. He used to live with her 24/7 hours and beat her up on minor mistakes. She cannot eat well with him as he keeps an eye on her plate all the time. She complains to her Uncle about his husband’s harsh treatment, and he simply tells her, that all men often beat their wives, her wife says,

    “It was precisely men well versed in their religion who beat their wives. AA virtuous woman was not supposed to complain about her husband. Her duty was perfect obedience.”

    Eventually, she decides to leave him to get rid of oppression and violence. She runs from home and reaches a cafe-house where she asks a waiter for water and the manager of the cafe-house takes her to his home and provides her refuge. She sees his real face when she tells him that she will soon leave him to find a job. He exposes himself by revealing his hideous attention towards her, slapped on her face, beating her severely and he seduces her daily and his friends are also her rapists. His name is “Bayoumi”. She escapes from his house by taking help from a neighbor woman and flees from Bayoumi' s flat and is once again caught by a policeman at night, who seduces her by promising money and does not give even a single penny.

    A woman named “Sharifa Salah El Din” comes to her and tells her how precious and expensive Firdous is. She takes her with her home and makes her a prostitute. Sharifa tells her that,

    “They’re all the same, all sons of dogs, running around under various names. MAHMOUD, Hassanein, FAWZY, Sobri, Ibrahim, Awadain, Bayoumi.”

    ‘Sharifa’ uses her as an item, and generates a huge amount by selling her body. FIRDOUS is a victim of a brutal society where is is used as an entity by both sexes, but majorly her dignity is exploited by men. Her innocence fades, and ‘Sharifa” advises her that,

    “You must be harder than life, Firdous. Life is very hard. The only people who live are those who are harder than life itself.”

    Prostitution was her profession and she never gave extra time to any of her customers. A journalist, whose name is "Di'a" sarcastically says to her that her work is like a clinic and she is like a doctor. The main difference is doctor's profession is ‘respectful’ whereas her profession is not respectable. The words are not respectable and are like a knife to her ears and head. She flees from there and finds a job in a reputed company. There she observes the exploitation of female employees by the higher officials or authorities.

    “I came to realize that a female employee is more afraid of losing her job than a prostitute is losing her life.”

    She is considered the most respectable employee in the office because she has gained nothing by sleeping with higher authorities

    One night when she stands alone in the office front ground, one of her fellow employees, ‘Ibrahim’ came forward to her, and asks the reason for her sadness. When she tells him nothing, she feels tears in her eyes, however, she feels the same vibes that she had in the company of Miss Iqbal’.

    “I could feel it somewhere in my being, like a part which had been born with me when I was born, but had not grown with me when I had grown. Or like something I had known before being born and left behind.”

    “Ibrahim”  is a short, stocky man, with rather fizzy black hair and black eyes. She falls in love with him and he is the first man to whom she falls in love in her whole life. After that night they do not talk to each other but inwardly her love for him grows. She does not express her love. He is the Chairman of a revolutionary committee and raises his voice for justice and abolition of privileges enjoyed by management as compared to the worker.

    One day when is waiting for a bus, ‘Ibrahim’ comes near to her and asks whether she will go directly to her home or would like to take him somewhere for a while, She replies that she wants to take him. He expresses his feelings to her and the same she does.

     She tells him about her past. On the third day of their relationship, he takes her with him in a small house and spends a night with her. Both of them give themselves to one another in a warm embrace.

    Firdous becomes relaxed after falling in love with him. One of her colleagues asks her that there is an inner glow on your face, what is the reason behind that glow and she tells her that she is in love and the glow on her face is the glow of love. Her colleague replies to her,

    "Your poor, deluded woman, do you believe that is any such thing as love?"

    Firdous doesn't believe in her arguments and ignores her. She does her level best to defend Ibrahim as he is looked at like other men, but his nature is different. He is fine and revolutionary. He is the only one from whom she can feel love vibes and to whom she is impressed because he is fighting for Justice. She replies to her colleague,

    "But he's a revolutionary. He's fighting for us and for all those who are deprived of a decent life."

    Her colleague further argues with her and speaks to her that what he is saying is not true and you are living in illusions. But Firdous ignores her. She was shocked on the l day when she observes that Ibrahim behaving like a stranger and does not recognize her in the party crowd. The words she listens to in the crowd are like knives to her ears and head. She hears that,

    "He got engaged to the chairman's daughter yesterday. He's a clever lad. And deserves whatever good fortune may come to him. He has a bright future to look forward to, and will rise quickly in the company ."

    She leaves the office that day with a broken heart and runs through the streets. She is like a dead body because there is no desire, fear, or hope left in her body. As a prostitute, she has fallen from the status of human being but it is the love that makes her a human being. But it is the love that gives her dignity back and that helps her to forget her miserable past. It is the love that gives her a new life. But now she has nothing, with the loss of love, she has lost everything.

    I fear nothing, I am free."

    Ibrahim was also an illusion. He was also like the other men. He has  deceived her,

    " Revolutionary men with principles were not really different from the rest. Revolution for them is like see for us. Something to be abused. Something to be sold."

    She is different from the word dignity. So she starts prostitution once again. This time she becomes a successful prostitute. She asks for money of her choice as well as the quality of time that she lets anyone touch her. Once a politician from a foreign state came to her country and he wanted her but she refused. Local officials threaten her and  Police come to arrest her because she's doing prostitution. She hires a lawyer and spends over him heaps of money and court releases her as a 'Respectable Woman's. She learns that everything is possible through money.

    "Now I had learned that honour required large sums of money to protect it, but this large sums of money couldn't obtained without losing one's honour."

    She is much experienced at that time and has learnt many lesson from life. She learns that her profession is created by men, not by women. Furthermore, all women are prostitutes of men, women are married and they give themselves to men at cheaper prices they also suffer from male dominance, violence injustice, and oppression like their mothers as she herself experienced as a wife of Sheikh Mahmoud. Prostitutes are free in their choices and they give themselves at higher prices.

    "I preferred to be a free prostitute, rather than one enslaved woman."

    Then another man whose name is 'Marzouk'

    Comes to her and speaks to her that he is a pimp and he is here to protect her. She refuses and says that she needs not to be protected by a pimp, he proposes to her but she rejects his proposal. He is dangerous in the sense that him lot of prostitutes work and he has connections with higher authorities, doctors, lawyers, and everywhere.

    "I realized (that)I was not nearly as free as I had hitherto imagined myself to be."

    He argues with her for hours but she refuses to become his slave as to her a woman should be free and she is free. When the pimp finds her obstinate and sees that she is going to leave the apartment and find a job through her secondary school certificate, he slaps her, but now she has no fear of anything. She raises her hand higher than his and slaps back on his face with her full power. He has a knife in his pocket but she is quicker than him and snatches his knife from her pocket.

    "I raised the knife and buried it deep into his neck, pulled it out of his neck and then thrust it deep into his chest, pulled it out of his chest and plunged it deep into his belly., I stuck the knife into almost every part of his body. "

    Finally, she kills him and goes into the street. She is walking like a princess hence, she is relaxed, peaceful, and free. A foreign prince comes near to her in a luxurious car and asks her for sex. She demands three thousand and he accepts it. When he gives her money, she shatters it into pieces. The Arab prince is shocked by her actions and thinks that she is a princess but he considers her a prostitute. She tells him that she is not a prostitute and her father is king by his actions, but he doesn't teach her how to kill someone. She abruptly slaps him and he becomes afraid of her. He begins shouting for help and his guards call the police and she is arrested by the Police immediately. Police have cuffed her and put her into prison. They call her a criminal and she replies,

    "My mother was not a criminal. No woman can be a criminal. To be criminal one must be a man."

    She further says that,

    " I am saying that you are criminal, all of you: the father, the uncles, the husbands, the pimps, the lawyers, the doctors, the Journalists and all men of all professions."

    happily embraces the gallows. Nawal El Sadawi says,

    "Her voice was not silent, but it's echo remained in my ears,"

    She further says that,

    "I realized that Firdous had more courage than I."

    To conclude, we can say that 'Woman at Point Zero' is a voice of oppressed, suppressed, and exploited women, who have no hope of getting justice from men. Firdous is the representative of an Arabian woman minority, who is disappointed by her society. She is the voice of truth that is harsh. She is the woman to whom death is more pleasurable but life is strangled. She is the voice that echoes how women's dreams are buried in the ground eventually making a woman harder than men, and their fearlessness leads them to end their innocence to kill any man. She is a character who has exposed the moral corruption of men and exposes how men misuse their authority to let down women by raping them just for the sake of their pleasure and honour. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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