Discuss how such differences if at all influence the character’s sense of self and their evaluation of societal expectations.  Do you believe such works can influence other women and men to view their social roles in a different light or reinforce their existing passivity?

Conflict and Conformity

In this module gender roles and expectations reveal profound situations, beliefs, and journeys of self-discovery. Point of View in all literary works is often telling of characters’ roles in society and their often increasing awareness of their unease at such roles.

1. Considering the varied journeys and experiences of at least two of the works in this module, explore how point of view from the male’s perspective such as Rushdie’s ” The Perforated Sheet” (1947) and another work written by or from the female’s perspective (such as Al-Shaykh’s “The Women’s Swimming Pool”(1945) reveals conformity or conflict with their society.
2. Discuss how such differences if at all influence the character’s sense of self and their evaluation of societal expectations.  Do you believe such works can influence other women and men to view their social roles in a different light or reinforce their existing passivity?