Politics of Desire in Ahdaf Soueif's In the Eye of the Sun

Shihada, Isam M. (2010) Politics of Desire in Ahdaf Soueif's In the Eye of the Sun. Nebula.

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Abstract

In Ahdaf Soueif‟s "The Eye of the Sun", the protagonist Asya's emotional journey sheds light upon many sensitive and complicated issues, such as desire, sexuality, love and mutual understanding, all of which constitute the basis for a healthy relationship and a solid viable marriage. Furthermore, this article focuses on serious questions posed by Asya's story. Do married Arab women have the right to speak out about sexual needs? Can marriage based only on love ensure happiness? Should or can the married woman feel only for her husband even if she feels lonely and sexually unsatisfied or should she suffer in silence to uphold a socially sanctioned marriage? The patriarchal Egyptian society from where Asya comes, holds certain views concerning marriage, fidelity, infidelity, love and feelings rooted in economic, legal, and political structures, as well as social and cultural institutions that oppress women through the assertion of male power, dominance and hierarchy. In other words, Aysa's journey moves through the complex process of unfolding desires, sexual, social, economic, and political and how this is shaped by the character herself and all that surrounds her. Keywords: marriage, Soueif, the eye of the sun, fidelity, desire, patriarchy

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