Woman At Point Zero

IB English Paper 2

Significance of Bildungsroman structure

Firdaus recounts her life as she grows up
This creates a more intimate feeling between Firdaus and the reader as the novel itself is too short to build up a relationship

Structure of Woman at Point Zero

Frequent paragraph breaks as the story continues to increase the pace for the reader
It also more accurately emmulates the recounting nature of the text

El Saadawi starts by telling us how the story ends - that Firdaus ends up in prison, This puts more emphasis on Firdaus’ journey rather than the destination

Trust

Broken many times throughout the novel, the sense of building trust and breaking trust

Appearance vs Reality - many characters seem to want to help Firdaus but end up hurting her instead.

Feminism

Dynamics of Gender inequality and links to authors purpose

Hierachy

Social and familial hierachy

Class superiority

Education

Lack of
Importance
Implications

Power

How it is gained and taken away
Ownership

Human Rights

Links to global issues

Freedom

What does it mean for the individual - we all have our own definitions of freedom
Oppression and control

Self discovery

Bildungsroman
Through hardship is when we discover ourselves
Reflecting as we near death

Ownership

As she grows up she is property of her father, then her uncle, then her husband, Bayomi, Sharifa.
When she is in full ownership of her own body she feels the most free.

Eyes symbolism in Woman at Point Zero

Used as a way of comparing and contrasting Firdaus’ close relationships vs a strained one.

Money symbolism

Bildungsroman emphasises how Firdaus discovers the power of money when she moves to Cairo.

El Saadawi explores how money is given to the unworthy and makes evil/despicable seem respectable.

Books Symbolism

Symbolises the kindness of her uncle
Allows Firdaus to realise that there is more in the world then her poor village and family
Uncle gives up books for wealth and status when he marries her boss’s daughter
Represent a potential for a better life

Secondary School Certificate

Excels in school, evidence of intellect and a source of pride
Symbolises thwarted hopes for the future

The sea symbolism

Demonstrates how she feels powerless at times

Rebirth

Symbolises new chapter in her life - emphasises the journey

Eyes and Bayomi

First “calm and resigned”

Quote with theme of Power, injustice, opression

“Every man I did get to know filled me with but one desire: To lift my hand and bring it smashing down on his face.”

Firdaus is expressing her anger and frustration at the world. The word “desire” acts as foreshadowing as it reveals that she has taken control of her desires, emotions and choices.

Quote with the theme of Freedom, captivity, feminism

“Men force women to sell their bodies at a price, and the lowest paid body is that of a wife.”

Firdaus realises that she has more freedom than other women being a prostitute because she charges men for her body. This way she is earning money which is granting her more freedom in her life.

The word “enslaved” explores the theme of captivity and being held against her will and helps the audience realise that despite her unfortunate circumstances, she is in a much better position than other women.

Quote that shows feminism, oppression, courage and power (about truth)

“I am speaking the truth. And truth is savage and dangerous”

Short sentence used for more impact and highlights Firdaus’s defiance to the opression she faces.
She uses plain language to explicitly show the reader the importance to her of writing this novel. Encourages reader and showcases Firdaus as a figure of empowerment in the novel.

Quote that shows hope and education

“I have my secondary school certificate”