Dependency becomes the key in the nameless protagonist’s relation with men. However, the society does not have the same perception as her. Her transgression of leaving her husband is seen as a disruption against the social norms operated in her society. A patriarchal society will not allow such conduct and so does her family (78). However, she decides not to give up and stands to face the battle against the society. Still, she longs for a figure who can complete her. A conflict happens inside her as she questions and reviews her life experience. It is interesting how this nameless protagonist holds conversation between her and her conscience. As she gains the self-consciousness, she is able to get her feet back on the ground. Our protagonist …show more content…
The nameless heroine is clearly projected as a mature and fearless female who strives alone and lives independently on her own. Conversely, Layla is depicted as a young woman who is psychologically unstable therefore she needs the support of others, in this case, her peers. This is not to say that Layla is not independent as the nameless heroine. But somehow she has different circumstance which affects how she works on things in her life. Like the nameless protagonist’s husband, Layla also finds Isam considers woman as property. She could not accept this as she believes man and woman relationship as equal. Isam feels insecure as he always demands Layla to confirm that she belongs to …show more content…
Yet, Isam betrayal shocks her the most. Layla almost lets herself committed a suicidal attempt. Compared to the nameless heroine, Layla is considered more melancholic about her feeling.
But what Layla found so painful was Isam’s behavior. Why he acted still as if he sincerely loved her! It bewildered her. How could he possibly love one woman with his soul and another with his body? And anyway, what about that other woman? Had it never occurred to him that she was a human being too? That he had harmed her bodily and emotionally, that he had threatened her humanity? No, clearly it had not occurred to Isam, not at all (157)
Thinking about her relationship with Isam, Layla also unravels the fact that Isam has hurt another woman. To some degree, the readers can see Layla builds a kind of woman solidarity. Such thought is important in constructing a feminist consciousness. The same feeling of being betrayed and used by man, the same feeling that they have become the victim has given Layla a different perception in seeing man and woman relationship where she can obviously see that women here are the one who