Auntie Unlike Sharma And Shabanu example essay topic

545 words
Shabanu Essay In the novel Shabanu, by Suzanne Fisher Staples, women are portrayed in two distinct ways: obedient and rebellious. The obedient women would include Phulan, Mama, and Auntie. Rebellious women would consist of Sharma, Fatima, and, of course, Shabanu. The protagonist Shabanu, portrays herself as a rebellious woman. Shabanu constantly disobeys her father.

In the beginning of the novel, Shabanu attempts to retrieve her camel Mit hoo so he will not be harmed by Tips, another camel. Dadi tells her No several times but she insists. Dadi is furious, ? Don? t ever disobey me? (27). Dadi shakes her so hard that her head flies back and fourth.

Shabanu gets home and while she is making chapati es Auntie says to her, ? Shabanu, you are wild as the wind, you must learn to obey. Otherwise? I am afraid for you?

(28). Another example of Shabanu's rebelliousness is when she throws water on the landlord. Nazir Muhammad and his men say the want to? claim? Shabanu and her sister, Phulan. Shabanu becomes disgusted and decides to throw her head forward, causing the water jug on her head to spill over the embankment and Nazir Muhammad. Sharma, Shabanu's aunt, is a very rebellious woman as well.

Sharma is described as bold, ? Most men don? t like her and are afraid of her? (98). Sharma cares about Shabanu and tries to look out for her. Although Sharma had no intentions of causing Shabanu danger, she gave her some very dangerous advice.? You try to make him happy so he can? t bare to be away from you a single moment.

If he treats you badly, come stay with us? (209). Auntie, unlike Sharma and Shabanu, portrays an obedient woman, with morals. Auntie is traditional, and often criticizes Mama for having no sons in the family.? If God had blessed you with sons, we wouldn? t have to break our fingers over wedding dresses?

(3). Auntie looks down on Shabanu for being? boy like?? A young lady shouldn? t go with her headdress uncovered. You? re too old to act like a boy? (33). Mama is obedient as well.

Mama slaps Shabanu as a consequence to non-traditional views. Mama accepts that Dadi takes care of the? manly? problems such as the selling of the camels. Being the man, Dadi also takes care of the dangerous situations, like getting grandpa after the sandstorm. Mama makes all of the food for Dadi, while at the same time she is setting an example for Phulan and Shabanu.? Mama ignores her (Auntie) and sets the silk aside, for Dadi will come home soon from tending the camels and he? ll be hungry? (3).

In Shabanu the women are either obedient and rebellious, traditional and progressive, or passive and aggressive. You could almost say those labels are equivalent to good and bad. The obedient women, as well as the men, were disappointed and ashamed of the rebellious women. They were looked at as rejects.