Uncovering the Complexities of Islamic Patriarchy in Jean Sasson's Desert Royal: A Feminist Perspective

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate how the Islamic practices of polygamy, early marriage, and the hegemony of Islamic doctrine subjugate and subordinate female characters in the novel Desert Royal. The paper analyzed the plight of female characters from the perspective of Islamic feminism to identify the crucial factors that led to their extreme subjugation. The approach used is the perspective of Islamic feminism, which helps in understanding the impact of Islamic practices on women's lives. The study found that the female characters in the novel are subjected to various harrowing experiences, including forced marriage, unequal treatment by their husbands, and institutionalized discrimination. It also highlights the pervasive influence of Islamic doctrine in Saudi Arabia and its impact on women's empowerment and freedom. The study concludes that the female characters in Desert Royal are subordinated, excluded, and alienated, and their lives prove that they are subaltern people in an Arabic land that is under the grip of Islamic patriarchy. The total separation of daughters from decision-making sections hinders the growth of the women's movement.