Abstract
This paper is a critique of conventional gender roles in Tawfiq Al-Hakim’s The Song of Death. The research presents Hakim’s challenge to the masculinity especially in Arabian Islamic culture that is guided by revengeful motive of mother. Being a woman, Asakir is guided by the patriarchal motif of revenge i.e., an eye for an eye. It is Asakir, a widow who ironically thinks that version of masculinity has to be preserved by her in order to do so she makes her son Ilwan take revenge on his father’s murderer but in vain. Ilwan is represented as one of the modernists guided by social norms, decorum and laws. In order to critique the conventional notion of masculinity, the research makes use of theoretical insights of Judith Butler, Judith Halberstam and some ideas from others. Finally, the research concludes that Hakim is critical of conventional masculinity. The mother is presented as a strong advocate of masculinity but her failure at the end of the play ironically displays the implacability of gender-based roles in modern society like that of Cairo.
Highlights
This project dealing with the social issue like status quo, focuses on Tawfiq alHakim’s The Song of Death which challenges the conventional masculinity
It is very important to bring the lines here from the play to prove, how the old generation of people are static and blind in their traditional beliefs affirming gender role, Asakir proves this in the following conversation: Asakir: You are talking the language of books
Killing of Ilwan by Simeida is the proof Hakim presents very tactfully to critique the conventional masculinity that is based on revenge
Summary
This project dealing with the social issue like status quo, focuses on Tawfiq alHakim’s The Song of Death which challenges the conventional masculinity. The play is a story of revenge and a generational conflict between a mother and her son in the Egyptian family. The kind of conflict between old generation and new one is set between mother and son as the representative of the two different generations but it is Ilwan, who seeks the total change and hopes to lead other people towards modernism.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
