In general, feminism refers to a campaign that advocates equality for all women. The meaning of feminism in the Islamic faith is slightly modified. Islamic feminism is based on the same beliefs but with a slightly different interpretation, which results in a different outcome. One Thousand and One Nights and the Arabian Nights frame story express feminism. The book starts with an almost misogynistic perspective, which is a prejudgment against women. This can make the message about feminism difficult to grasp. The early stories are rife with misogyny, but it is important to the feminist views expressed throughout the book. Shahrazade uses many stories to promote feminist themes. Ali Baba’s tale and the Forty thieves is another story that reflects the ideals feminism in Islam. Morgiana is a young slave girl who is the protagonist, but she isn’t given credit as such. The frame story and Ali Baba both begin with tales that are misogynistic. As the stories progress, they portray feminist ideas as seen through the actions of Morgiana and Shahrazade.
One Thousand and One Nights begins with two cuckolded brothers who rule their respective countries. Shahrayar finds out from his queen that she has cheated upon him. He then orders the vizier (in Arabian Nights 12) to kill the woman. Then, he decides to take a new bride every day in order to kill her the following morning. This misogynistic attitude is evident in the first pages of the book. The book will progress and this will play a part in the feminist portrayal of the women. Sharyar continues with his horrendous practice until Shahrazade, the daughter of his vizier, decides to take action and try to stop him. Shahrazade’s father was opposed to her taking the role of the next bride, but Shahrazade felt she had the ability to do so. She volunteered and took on the role. Shahrazade came up with a genius plan. She told a story each night and stopped just when the king became curious. That way, the king allowed her to live one more night so she could tell the stories. Shahrazade’s plan was brilliant. She would tell a story every night and stop just at the king’s peak of curiosity. The king would then let her live for one more day so she could continue telling stories. The feminist perspective is expressed in these stories by this element. Shahrazade’s stories in the beginning portray women as bad, but it was only to manipulate the King. Shahrazade is a powerful woman, but she still manages to outsmart a powerful king. Shahrazade’s ability to manipulate and outsmart the King, along with her being considered intelligent and learned, is a key factor in creating a positive view of women in this book. The forty thieves were out to ruin his wealth and life, but he is associated with them. Morgiana saves Ali Baba, manipulating and controlling the robbers. Morgiana’s intelligence and talents are not revealed until the end of the play. She is first portrayed as a slave. Kasim, the master of the forty thieves (Ali Baba) has a “…clever female slave named Morgiana. Morgiana has more intelligence than the male characters. Morgiana’s plan of confusing the thieves as to which doors had been robbed and those that hadn’t is a good example. It is clear that she has the ability to confuse and manipulate men, as her character ends up saving Ali Baba’s wealth as well as his life. Ali Baba’s hero status is more prominent than Morgiana’s. Ali Baba saves Morgiana but does not do the saving. This story displays traditional Islamic values through feminism. Although Morgiana does have her moments as a hero, these are lost at the end, when the reward is to be a woman. “…when the guest revealed his dagger, he said thank you; the nephew then married her …”. Morgiana’s character is positive, even though she doesn’t get the full recognition and respect for what she did to protect the town against robbers and Ali Baba.
The Arabian Nights depicts Shahrazade a powerful female figure who is known for her knowledge and ability to tell stories. The reader can connect this to the overarching theme of feminism. The same theme is evident in the characterizations of Morgiana and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, where a strong female character portrays a hero. Shahrazade isn’t the main character in either tale, which proves that Islamic feminism still views women as submissive. They are seen as being second to men. Shahrazade & Morgiana are able to prove to their readers that even though they are female, they do not need a guy to make them a heroine. Shahrazade’s ability to deter Shahrayar from killing another woman (herself) is what makes her a hero in the Arabian Nights frame story. Morgiana was also empowered by Ali Baba’s life and the town’s escape from further robbery. None of this could have been achieved without her clever idea to put marks on all the doors to confuse the burglars. Morgiana’s and Shahrazade’s ability to fool men is a major trait they share. They both appear smarter and more capable. Shahrazade avoided being killed by Shahrayar through her stories, while Morgiana managed to devise a plan and marry rich, allowing her to escape slavery. Morgiana demonstrating to the reader that she’s just as capable of succeeding and becoming a heroine, as Shahrazade did in delaying the death of Shahrayar by capturing him with her stories is a good example of literature reflecting feminist viewpoints.
Morgiana and Shahrazade are both examples of feminism, previously defined as the promotion of equality between men and females in various aspects of their lives. Morgiana in Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves and Shahrazade in Arabian Nights are both women who are heroes of their own stories. But they do not have the same role as the protagonists. The frame story is filled with stories where women are shown as being evil. This is due in part to the traditional Islamic values of men and society, which make them think women should be submissive. Both stories have the female characters Morgiana, and Shahrazade, being subjected discrimination and stereotypes because of their gender. However, both characters overcome these stereotypes to show readers that they are heroes who, despite being wives, mothers or slaves as well as daughters, are still able to make a difference in the world. The frame story of The Arabian Nights or Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves are not feminist pieces at first glance, but by analyzing the actions of Morgiana, Shahrazade and other characters in these stories, we can conclude that they have hidden feminisms within them.
