The Manifestations of Feminist Discourse in Jabbar Jamal Gharib's The Age of Bilquis' Weeping

Abstract

This novel represents a historical period in Iraq, portraying a set of social traditions across two different generations: one that does not adhere to social traditions and another that strongly believes in them. It reveals two distinct cultures: a Kurdish culture and an Arab culture, both of which have influenced the younger generation. The novel depicts the ancient era in a modern way, shedding light on various traditions within Kurdish society that have led to the oppression of Kurdish individuals. Not only females but also males have often been the primary victims of these traditions. However, in the current study, the focus is specifically on women and their rights, examined through the lens of feminist theory. This is a new attempt to explore the ideological implications of feminist discourse in Jabbar Jamal Gharib's novel The Age of Bilquis' Weeping. The study focuses on the dark and hidden aspects of Kurdish culture, particularly the injustices and oppression faced by women, who are treated as an oppressed class within society. It also highlights the most prominent challenges and hardships women endure. In our research, we aim to determine whether the author is addressing aspects of Kurdish culture, violations of women's rights, or aiming to raise awareness about the rights and freedoms denied to Kurdish women, and whether the author supports these rights. This article extensively discusses various perspectives on feminist discourse, including the concept of patriarchy, the commodification and exploitation of women, the oppression of women, discrimination based on skin color, and differences in social class—many of which are reflected in the novel.