"DARKNESS, DIRT, DEVIANCE"--AND DADDY : PATRILINEAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THE NEGOTIATION OF WOMANHOOD IN THE LITERATURE OF MIDDLE EASTERN AND ARAB-AMERICAN WOMEN

Abstract

This thesis explores both works of fiction and non-fiction through which several Middle Eastern and Arab-American women writers have rebelled against traditional religious and ethical standards of their cultures in order to assert their individuality and independence. The writers represented--Darina Al-Joundi, Fadia Faqir, Lucette Lagnado, Elif Shafak, Teresa Nicholas, and numerous short story writers--adeptly display how the worlds of Middle Eastern and Arab-American women often extend beyond the expected roles of wives and mothers, often at the encouragement of their non-traditional Middle Eastern fathers. In several of these works, women flout gender and societal expectations despite enormous pressure to hold to traditional values; sometimes, women rebel against the wishes of their fathers (and brothers) or, in some cases, they rebel because of a lack of male influence in their lives.