Samarkand
Male Domination in Samarkand
In 11th century Samarkand, powerful male figureheads controlled regions. Politically, these strong male leaders controlled all aspects of daily living within the region of their domination and molded society to ways that they saw fit. Culturally, women were unable to show their faces and were forced to cover with their faces with veils and cover the rest of their bodies with long dresses so as not to show themselves to any men. Generally in this region, the suppression of women and allowing them to think and act on their own free will has been part of Samarkand culture for generations. Samarkand by Amin Maalouf accurately shows how during this time, women such as Jahan, Shireen and even the Sultana were dominated by men.
Jahan is probably the most male dominated character in the novel. From her entrance into the novel, she is already being subject to humiliation and used to boast male dominance over women. After she recites her poem in the court of Nasr Kahn, he allows her to take as many coins as she can fit in her mouth. This is done in front of the whole court of Isfahan, again displaying the submissiveness of women in Samarkand and displaying total male control over women. Not only is this showing male domination over women, but this is also displaying a certain political dominance of the Kahn to his people. Jahan’s participation in the court of Nasr Khan was an example of male dominance. The gesture that her purpose in Samarkand was to entertain men and humiliate herself in the court for the amusement of the men observing showed the oppression of female citizens in Samarkand. Even as confidante to the Sultana, Jahan was unable to be seen in front of men or able to uncover herself. She was also unable to express views of her own and was seen as nothing but the voice of the Sultana, again displaying a sense of uselessness toward women. Jahan can also be seen as the perfect example of male domination in
In 11th century Samarkand, powerful male figureheads controlled regions. Politically, these strong male leaders controlled all aspects of daily living within the region of their domination and molded society to ways that they saw fit. Culturally, women were unable to show their faces and were forced to cover with their faces with veils and cover the rest of their bodies with long dresses so as not to show themselves to any men. Generally in this region, the suppression of women and allowing them to think and act on their own free will has been part of Samarkand culture for generations. Samarkand by Amin Maalouf accurately shows how during this time, women such as Jahan, Shireen and even the Sultana were dominated by men.
Jahan is probably the most male dominated character in the novel. From her entrance into the novel, she is already being subject to humiliation and used to boast male dominance over women. After she recites her poem in the court of Nasr Kahn, he allows her to take as many coins as she can fit in her mouth. This is done in front of the whole court of Isfahan, again displaying the submissiveness of women in Samarkand and displaying total male control over women. Not only is this showing male domination over women, but this is also displaying a certain political dominance of the Kahn to his people. Jahan’s participation in the court of Nasr Khan was an example of male dominance. The gesture that her purpose in Samarkand was to entertain men and humiliate herself in the court for the amusement of the men observing showed the oppression of female citizens in Samarkand. Even as confidante to the Sultana, Jahan was unable to be seen in front of men or able to uncover herself. She was also unable to express views of her own and was seen as nothing but the voice of the Sultana, again displaying a sense of uselessness toward women. Jahan can also be seen as the perfect example of male domination in