A Sister To Scheherazade by Assia Djebar

A Sister to Scheherazade by Assia Djebar
Introduction:
Assia Djebar's A Sister to Scheherazade is a powerful novel that explores the lives of women
in a patriarchal and postcolonial society. The title references the legendary Scheherazade
from One Thousand and One Nights, symbolizing storytelling as a form of survival. Djebar's
narrative focuses on women’s voices, often silenced by societal and cultural norms, and
shows how they reclaim their identities through writing and storytelling.
Plot Summary:
The novel revolves around two sisters, Isma and Hajila, who represent different responses to
the oppressive forces of patriarchy.
 Isma: She is educated and uses her voice to challenge the traditions that confine
women. She reflects on her past experiences and the trauma of being a woman in a
male-dominated society.
 Hajila: In contrast, she represents the more traditional, silent woman who initially
conforms to societal expectations. Her journey in the novel is one of gradual
awakening as she begins to seek her own freedom.
The narrative alternates between their perspectives, exploring how each woman navigates her
relationship with men, society, and her own identity.
Key Themes:
1. Patriarchy and Female Oppression:

o The novel highlights the rigid patriarchal structures that limit women’s
freedom, particularly in Islamic societies. Isma and Hajila's lives are shaped
by male control, and they struggle against the cultural expectations of
submission.
o Djebar critiques practices like veiling and seclusion, which are used to keep
women confined to the private sphere, preventing them from participating
fully in public life.
2. Voice and Silence:
o A central theme is the contrast between voice and silence. Isma represents the
woman who speaks out, who resists through her words, while Hajila initially
embodies silence. However, Hajila’s journey in the novel is about finding her
own voice and breaking free from the constraints that silence her.
o Djebar uses this theme to show how storytelling and writing are powerful tools
for women to reclaim their agency and challenge oppression.
3. Female Solidarity:
oAlthough the sisters have different paths, the novel underscores the
importance of solidarity between women. Their connection, despite their
differences, reflects the shared struggle of women in a patriarchal society.
o The bond between women becomes a source of strength, offering hope for
resistance and change.
4. Colonialism and Identity:
o Djebar also weaves in themes of colonialism, reflecting on how colonization
has affected women’s identities. The legacy of colonialism complicates the
women’s fight for freedom, as they are caught between the forces of both
patriarchy and the postcolonial state.
o The novel addresses how women’s identities are shaped not only by gender
but also by the broader political and historical contexts of colonization and
independence.
Symbolism:
 Scheherazade: The reference to Scheherazade is crucial, as she symbolizes the power

of storytelling to survive in a male-dominated world. Just as Scheherazade told stories
to avoid death, Djebar’s women tell their stories to resist cultural and societal death—
the erasure of their voices.
 The Veil: The veil is a recurring symbol in the novel, representing both protection
and oppression. For some, it symbolizes modesty and tradition, but for others, like
Isma, it is a tool of control that silences and restricts women’s mobility.
Writing as Resistance:
In the novel, writing and storytelling are portrayed as forms of resistance. Through the act of
telling their own stories, the female characters resist the narratives imposed on them by men
and society. Djebar herself, as a female writer from Algeria, uses her work to challenge the
cultural norms that silence women.
Conclusion:
A Sister to Scheherazade is a profound exploration of women’s struggles in a patriarchal and

postcolonial context. Djebar uses the stories of Isma and Hajila to illustrate the tension
between tradition and modernity, silence and voice, oppression and resistance. The novel
calls attention to the importance of women reclaiming their voices and identities, offering a
powerful critique of the systems that continue to marginalize them.

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A Sister to Scheherazade by Assia Djebar

1. Patriarchy and Female Oppression:

 Scheherazade: The reference to Scheherazade is crucial, as she symbolizes the power

A Sister to Scheherazade is a profound exploration of women’s struggles in a patriarchal and

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