In the short story, "A Wife for My Son" by Ali Ghalem
In the short story, a wife for my son by Ali Ghalem; a harsh life is depicted as women try to fight with their societal struggles. It portrays men as superior to women and shows Fatiha, a young girl being groomed for a marriage without her consent. It is clear from the women talks that they were aware of the troubles they face as a result of harsh traditions that had been going on with very few people standing up for their rights. Fatiha does not want to get married in such a manner. She wants to go to school and work. She wants to make her own decisions, but she faces obstacles that make her quest to achieve her goals harder.
The first obstacle: Traditions
The first obstacle she faces is traditions that are not in line with her aspirations. Fatiha's mother had gone through the same, and she seems not to have any problem with the traditions worsening the situation. Her mother wishes that Fatiha would be okay with it too and just accept her fate. Similarly, her teacher Madame Suissi knew very well she wanted to be a teacher but never said a thing to her father. These are the two people Fatiha hoped would fight for her. At the table, we see her father Mr. Kaddour trying to justify this act and her mother Houria and her teacher staying silent as it was the general rule that whatever the father decided had to happen.
The second obstacle: Fear
The second obstacle Fatiha experience is fear. She is a young girl who has big dreams, but she lets other direct and shape her future. Women around her are singing and dancing to the marriage tune, but her mind is scrolling with wishes of a better profound life. To make matters worse, she is getting married to someone she does not know at all. She has only heard of him, and she has directions of what she should do as a wife. Her mother is submissive to her husband, and she fears for the fate of her young daughter whom she'll miss once on the other side. Fatiha wanted to talk, but fear consumes her.
The third obstacle: Education
A third obstacle Fatiha experience is that of education. Women in this society are not given the same right to education as men. There is a big gap in gender equality as seen from Mr. Kaddour statement that marriage is more important than school to a woman, and that a woman is not supposed to get employed if there is a man who is unemployed. Madame Suissi could only wish that Fatiha’s husband would be more understanding. Hoping that she would be free from prejudices petrifying women’s desires and dreams. Women in this society have opinions that with education life would be better.
In conclusion
In conclusion, such struggles are still experienced by women in some societies across the world, and they have to work twice as hard to achieve success. However, it would be ignorant not to appreciate the progress that has been achieved in the quest for gender equality in the modern society and the impact it has had on women lives. Fatiha lived at a harsh time, but her endurance and that of other women is an indication of their strength.
