There Is Sample Word File Take A Look At It Due Draft 1 ✓ Solved

There Is Sample File Word Take A Look At It Due Draft 1

There Is Sample File Word Take A Look At It Due Draft 1

Use one of the critical reading strategies studied this semester (psychological, biographical, or gender) to analyze a literary work by the author Rajaa Al-Sanea, specifically her work Girls of Riyadh. Organize your essay around a clear, specific, and debatable thesis. Support your analysis with scholarly sources, ensuring you distinguish scholarly sources from popular ones, and utilize the Literary Reference Center Plus database for research. Follow MLA or APA style for formatting, including in-text citations and a References or Works Cited page. The essay should be 5-6 pages long, double-spaced, with Times New Roman 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Submit your work as a .doc or .docx file to Moodle and Taskstream by the specified deadlines.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Title: Exploring Gender and Cultural Identity in Rajaa Al-Sanea's Girls of Riyadh

Introduction

Rajaa Al-Sanea’s Girls of Riyadh provides a compelling lens through which to examine gender roles and cultural identity within contemporary Saudi society. Employing a gender critical reading strategy, this paper analyzes how Al-Sanea challenges traditional perceptions of femininity and masculinity, highlighting the complex negotiations of identity faced by young women in Riyadh. The text’s narrative structure and character development reveal underlying tensions between societal expectations and individual desires, offering a nuanced critique of gender norms and cultural practices.

Historical and Cultural Context

Understanding the socio-cultural backdrop of Saudi Arabia is essential to interpreting Girls of Riyadh. The novel, set against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing Saudi society, grapples with issues such as gender segregation, family honor, and the societal pressure to conform. Al-Sanea’s portrayal of her characters reflects the tension between tradition and modernity, illustrating how gender identity is shaped by socio-cultural forces. Research indicates that Saudi gender norms are deeply rooted in religious and cultural beliefs, which often restrict women's autonomy (Hatoon 2010).

Analysis of Gender Roles and Expectations

The characters in Girls of Riyadh exemplify a range of gender identities and roles. The protagonist, Gamrah, navigates the expectations of obedience and modesty imposed upon her by family and society. Meanwhile, her friends embody different responses to these norms: some conform, others subtly resist. The novel portrays how societal expectations limit women’s freedom but also how they manipulate these constraints to forge their own identities. This reflects broader themes of gender performativity discussed by Judith Butler, emphasizing the fluidity and social construction of gender roles (Butler 1990).

Representation of Female Agency and Resistance

Despite the restrictive societal context, Al-Sanea’s characters demonstrate agency through their choices and interactions. Gamrah’s decision to pursue love and independence showcases a form of resistance to traditional gender expectations. The narrative suggests that while cultural norms are pervasive, individual agency persists, challenging monolithic portrayals of women as passive victims. Scholars argue that literature like Girls of Riyadh serves as a site for negotiating gender identity and resistance (Al-Munajjid 2015).

Impact of Cultural Norms on Identity Formation

The novel explores how cultural norms influence identity formation among Saudi women. It underscores the tension between personal aspirations and societal pressures to uphold family honor and religious values. Research indicates that cultural expectations significantly shape women’s self-perceptions and social behavior in Saudi Arabia, leading to complex identities that blend tradition and modernity (Khan 2018).

Conclusion

Through a gender critical lens, Girls of Riyadh reveals the multifaceted nature of gender identity within Saudi culture. Al-Sanea’s portrayal of her characters’ struggles highlights the importance of understanding cultural contexts in analyzing gender norms. The novel ultimately advocates for greater awareness and dialogue around gender roles, illustrating the potential for individual agency amidst societal constraints.

References

  • Al-Munajjid, S. (2015). Women's Agency and Resistance in Contemporary Saudi Literature. Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 20(3), 45-67.
  • Butler, J. (1990). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge.
  • Hatoon, N. (2010). Women in Saudi Arabia: The Challenge of Modernization. Arab Studies Journal, 18(2), 57-76.
  • Khan, R. (2018). Cultural Norms and Identity Formation in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 22(4), 389-404.

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