Full Description
Learn how the seclusion of women can be used as a feminist defense against exploitationand as an empowering force
Internationally acclaimed author Ann Chamberlin's book, A History of Women's Seclusion in the Middle East: The Veil in the Looking Glass is a critical interdisciplinary examination of the practice of seclusion of women throughout the Middle East from its beginnings. This challenging exploration discusses the reasons that seclusion may not be as oppressive as is presently generally accepted, and, in fact, may be an empowering force for women in both the West and East. Readers are taken on a controversial, belief-bending journey deep into the surprising origins and diverse aspects of female seclusion to find solid evidence of its surprising use as a defense against monolithic cultural exploitation.
The author uses her extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern culture, language, and even archeology to provide a convincing assertion challenging the Western view that seclusion was and is a result of women's oppression. A History of Women's Seclusion in the Middle East goes beyond standard feminist rhetoric to put forth shocking notions on the real reasons behind women's seclusion and how it has been used to counteract cultural exploitation. The book reviews written evidence, domestic and sacred architecture, evolution, biology, the clan, the environment for seclusion, trade, capital and land, slavery, honor, and various other aspects in a powerful feminist argument that seclusion is actually a valuable empowering force of protection from the influence of today's society. The text includes thirty black and white figures with useful descriptions to illustrate and enhance reader understanding of concepts.
A History of Women's Seclusion in the Middle East discusses at length:
prehistoric evidence of seclusion
the sense of honor in the Middle East
a balanced look at the Islamic religion
the true nature of the harem
the reasons for the oppression by the Taliban
the positive aspects of 'veiling'
seclusion as a defense against capitalist exploitation
and other challenging perspectives!
A History of Women's Seclusion in the Middle East is thought-provoking, insightful reading for all interested in women's history, feminism, and the history and culture of the Middle East.
Contents
Foreword (Peter Lamborn Wilson)
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Seclusion at Work
Examples
A Return to the Taliban
Chapter 2. Ancient Veiling
Artistic Representation
Written Evidence
Chapter 3. Domestic Architecture
Chapter 4. Architecture: The Sacred
In the Sacred Storehouse
Sacred Pegs
HRM
Chapter 5. Balance in the Paleolithic: Sacred Time, Space, and Persons
Chapter 6. Evolution
Chapter 7. Biology
Chapter 8. The Clan
Chapter 9. Environment for Seclusion
Chapter 10. Trade
Chapter 11. Capital and Land
The British Parallel: Enclosure
Chapter 12. Liberation of the Individual
The Hunger for the Individual
The Urban Mesopotamian Clan
How Mesopotamian Culture Effected Individual Alienation
The Personal God
Chapter 13. Cities of Power
Chapter 14. Vernacular Gender
Chapter 15. Slavery
Chapter 16. Honor
Chapter 17. Masscult
Chapter 18. Women's Tongue
Chapter 19. For Men Only
Chapter 20. The Fate of Seclusion in the West
Chapter 21. Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
