The Isolation Of Firdaus

The pivotal theme of isolation and alienation from mankind highlights Firdaus's indifference, even disdain towards human society. Firdaus’s bold opening statement has lucratively proven a unique outlook of Firdaus’s life “Let me speak. Do not interrupt me.” (1) The rigorously crafted manipulation of short sentences not solely fastens the pace of the extract, yet conjointly builds up the chronological train of thought throughout the extract. The passage begins with short sentences, that sets the scene for Firdaus's imminent recognition, conjuring up an anticipated environment. It ends with much lengthier and irregular sentences, this reordering of syntax echoes the unexpectedness of the events that shall proceed, enhancing Firdaus’s emotions.
“Each time I picked up a newspaper and found the picture of a man who was one of them, I would spit on it”, throughout this line, Firdaus is rendered as an indelicate, abnormal figure that has wholly repudiated the influence of human civilization. Nonetheless within the next paragraph, “ I am just one woman…I was only a successful prostitute’’, this presents Firdaus to be rational and collected, she is not mentally disordered, yet simply extraordinarily committed to the existentialist cause. “And no matter how successful a prostitute is, she cannot get to know all the men”, this reveals Firdaus’s finding, the accent is in “no matter” and the “men” which has continually been a part of Firdaus, it was then did she perceive her existence; Firdaus’s intensification in self acquaintance, has escorted her in the direction of her distinctive mission. This is an instant of epiphany, anagnorisis for Firdaus as she discerns her principal
“And because I am a woman I have never had the courage to lift my hand.” The repeated nature of ‘I am’ appear as though Firdaus, a typical Arabian women, is in no virtue in acclaiming the power and the status of that of men’s. The repeated triplets, “only my make-up, my hair and my expensive shoes were ‘upper class’” further accentuates the extent in which a stereotypical Arabian woman yearn for the highly valued facets in life, respect and courtesy. The reference to superficial physical features further underlines the uncivilized and primitive society. The constant reference to the androgynous physique such as ‘eyes’, ‘lip’ and ‘hair’ carries the purpose of highlighting the shared features of both genders, thus reiterating women’s lust for gaining the equal superiority and authority as men in society. The prevailing theme of impartiality combined with the regurgitations of superlatives, ‘most expensive’ and ‘best’, act as a flowing commentary in criticizing a typical political situation of an Arabian