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The Oppression Of Women In The Arabian Nights

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Oppression of women in the Arabian Nights
The Arabian Nights is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales enjoyed and passed down for centuries. The tales showed a diverse portrayal of women in society. While some tales tried to give women a major role in society, some showed women’s oppressive state in most Middle Eastern communities. One of the most significant examples of the oppression of women in The Arabian Nights is the tale of “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.” In this story, the character of Princess Badroulbadour is objectified and reduced to a prize to be won. She is forced to marry Aladdin, a commoner, against her will and is used as a tool for Aladdin’s advancement. The story reinforces that women object to being won and used …show more content…

The women are treated as disposable objects without value beyond their physical beauty. This story looks into women from a stereotypical angle of unfaithfulness and how men should take charge and apply dominance if they are to get loyalty and submission. In “The Story of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Peri Banu,” the character of Peri Banu is portrayed as a prize to be won by Prince Ahmed. She has no agency or voice in the story and is only valued for her …show more content…

The tales reinforce those men are the dominant gender and that women must submit to male authority. It reinforces gender roles and creates a society where men have power and control over women (Mehdi, p.564). Women’s oppression in the tales is also significant as they create the image that women cannot make decisions independently. By portraying women as passive and submissive, the tales create a society where women are not encouraged to pursue their goals and aspirations. It can harm women’s mental health and well-being and contribute to a society where women are oppressed and

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