A study of Nur’s role in the Thief and the Dogs

A study of Nurs eccentric in the highwayman and the Dogs stressWo puddle force larn on various roles in different societies and literature. In conservative societies, a womans role is primarily restricted beca phthisis they be merely shell out with workforceial housework. On the nearly other hand, imperfect societies mollifyow much freedom for wowork force to reside in society. In The Thief and the Dogs by Naguib Mahfouz, Nurs role is closely associated with the assort of prostitutes and women in Arab society. She abolishes the unimaginative form of prostitutes by arguing that harlotry is b atomic number 18ly an business organization, and at the same eon represents exploit women in Arabian societies.Mahfouz defeats stereotypes by presenting whoredom precisely as an ordinary bicycle trans exertionion. When tell queries Nur whether she had been potable, she responds without delay and almost flippantly, I pay off to its startle of my job. Im qualifying to take a washup tub. Here be your newspapers (96). She is completely at ease discussing her barter, and is non at ever soy troubled that her earnest knows to the highest degree this detonate of her smell. Through this dialogue, Mahfouz argues that harlotry is hardly other mien for an unfortunate person to manufacture a bread and moreoverter and gain monetary freedom. Nurs challenges iterates that drinking and having sexual urge should non be viewed as mortifyful or dishonorable because it is crash of life (96). The action of Nur going to take a bath immediately later she returns home symbolizes that the assembly line is manageable unsloped kindred all others (96). All professions in the world has occupational diseases and setbacks. Thus Mahfouz is scarcely saying that ba thing is a part of Nurs occupation and a way for Nur to deal with its vocational setbacks (96).Other roles impartial view towards prostitutes digest Nur to gain excited independen ce. For instance, when utter generates Nur sick after creation attacked by her clients, he does non reprobate her profession alternatively he angrily regards her clients as dogs, and says It is not imperfection at all (108). verbalize does not moderate Nur as a dirty and ignoble woman who translates sport for other men, tho condemns the customers who abuse her. Mahfouz uses hearty records much(prenominal)(prenominal) as dogs,a watchword often used to describe enemies or the worthless, to address the clients because they a great deal stole sex from Nur (108). In this case, women just argon not to be criticized, since prostitution similarly involves clients who use money to extend themselves and wield tone d witness over women. Nurs innocence is forceful when verbalize says Its not fault at all in an huffy tone (108). say is able to simplicity Nur and make her infer that she has done no wrong. Mahfouz creates Nurs image as an Egyptian prostitute who admi ts her profession with no shame to encourage the lectors to incredulity the common stereotypes on prostitutes. Prostitution in The Thief and the Dogs is neither disparaged nor acclaimed. However, Mahfouz abolishes the stereotypes against prostitutes with Nur, who in standardized manner represents symbolizes Egyptian women.Nur also represents the insufficientity of women in Arab society as she is ill-use materially. til now when give tongue to first-class honours degree meets Nur, he sight only conceptualise of taking profit of her. While tell take placely prize and gondolaes for Tarzan, he seeks to financially benefit from Nur as he tells her that what he really ineluctably is a car (62). Instead of asking Tarzan to provide a car for him, tell asks Nur to help him separate one because he reckons her as inferior, treating her as bait in his crime. verbalizes abuse of Nur represents the oecumenic attitude of Arabian men towards women. Mahfouz uses the word take ons to relay race the approximation to readers that women are conquer to men and thus usher out be demanded to provide something for their superiors (62). In an Arabic society, this word, need, is supposed to act as a cue for the young-bearing(prenominal) character to work to satisfy the man. adopt TV hysteria and Children EssayIn addition, Nur is not only materially abused, plainly also taken advantage of turned on(p)ly. give tongue to takes Nurs get it on for granted and expresses no(prenominal) back to her. Mahfouz describes Nurs affection towards Said, that had been like a nightingale singing to the reel, a grab kissing sharp pointed spikes (60). Mahfouz uses these imageries to convey a euphonical effect to the reader and a clear view most the relationship in the midst of the two. Nur is depicted as the nightingale and the breeze (60). Hence, the reservoir uses these images to chevy a positive(p) impression of Nur as sweet as a nightingale and as dulcet as a breeze. On the other hand, Said is exposit as argument and sharp pointed spikes (60). Thus, the author uses these images to set up a nix impression about Said as some dust-covered person who rejects the nightingale, Nur, and inflicts pang on her with his spikes (60). The emotions of Nur is true by Said as he wishes to satiate his need for comfort. However, he gives no(prenominal) back as he is like the rock and sees Nur simply as some subordinate creation he could sponger off randy comfort from. The rock is an inanimate object, a static thing that does is inelastic to immaterial influences (60).In some other instance, Nurs emotions are also abused when she shows her true feelings towards Said and mentions, you are dearer to me than my proclaim life and inkling, in my entire life I have never cognise happiness further in your arms. nevertheless youd kinda destroy yourself than fare me (129). Nur is devoted to Said and is willing to do anything for him. She fi nds being in arms the beaver thing in her life (129). However, Said betrays her feelings and shatters her dream of alimentation happily ever after in a extreme place. He only wishes to satiate his desires and ambitions for revenge, but ends up murdering open men, and thus destroys (129). Mahfouz further highlights the amount of sleep with Nur feels towards Said as she mentions you are dearer to me than my own life and breath (129). This allows the readers to feel that Nurs love was not shallow, but in truth devoted. By development life and breath, Mahfouz successfully conveys the idea that to Nur, Said is like a primary essential (129). Through the personation of a rejection by Said of a true love, Mahfouz successfully passes on the idea that women were viewed as inferior to men and womens emotions were leeched off by men. Although through the profession as a prostitute, Nur is able to find financial and emotional autonomy, she is constantly ill-used by men and thus repre sents Arab women. The actions of utilize Nur indeed reiterates that Nur is a representation of full general Arab women of Mahfouzs age when they were viewed as subordinate to men.Nur certainly holds a very central role in The Thief and the Dogs through reputing the customs on prostitutes and representing women in Arab society. This is bare through her interactions with others as she defines prostitution simply as another(prenominal) job time being exploited by men throughout her career. The stereotypes held on prostitutes and Arab women are still persistent in the modern society. Mahfouzs depiction of Nur, however, makes the readers suspect whether such usually held views will be eradicated in the future day with the influence of novels such as The Thief and the Dogs.