Taylor, Richard C., 1956-Benenhaley, Anne Z.2015-02-022015-02-022015http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4644This 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.  77 p.dissertations, academicWomen's studiesMiddle Eastern studiesBrothersChildlessnessIncestMental illnessPatriarchyRapeFathers and daughters in literatureBrothers and sisters in literatureAbsentee fathers--In literatureMiddle Eastern literatureArab American women--In literatureArab American women--FictionWomen--Middle East--FictionAl-Joundi, Darina, 1968- --Criticism and interpretationFaqir, Fadia, 1956- --Criticism and interpretationLagnado, Lucette--Criticism and interpretationShafak, Elif, 1971- --Criticism and interpretationNicholas, Teresa--Criticism and interpretationGolley, Nawar Al-Hassan, 1961- --Criticism and interpretationAdnan, Etel--Criticism and interpretationṬūqān, Fadwá--Criticism and interpretationJoseph, Suad--Criticism and interpretationMaster's Thesis