The Women’s Baths” gives us a look into Syrian culture and the importance of family dynamics and family traditions.
Prompt: Contrast how the grandmother is viewed at home versus at the baths. How does the granddaughter’s view of grandma change after her day at the baths? Cite evidence from the text to support your view. Please write a 3 paragraph essay that follows MLA guidelines.
cause she is taking a bath
tell us the mla guidelines
In the short story "The Women's Baths," the author provides us with a glimpse into Syrian culture, focusing on the significance of family dynamics and traditions. One interesting aspect of the narrative is the contrasting perception of the grandmother at home compared to her appearance at the baths. The granddaughter's perspective of her grandmother alters after spending a day at the baths, highlighting the contrast between the private and public spheres in Syrian society.
At home, the grandmother is portrayed as a traditional, reserved figure who adheres to the customs of Syrian culture. She is depicted as a symbol of authority and traditional values within the family. The granddaughter describes her grandmother as "a strong, substantial woman around whom nothing could be done without her consent" (Sakhawi 7). This description emphasizes the grandmother's position of power within the household, suggesting that her opinions and decisions carry great weight. Additionally, the granddaughter refers to her grandmother as "the backbone of the family" (Sakhawi 7), indicating her significance and influence in maintaining family unity and upholding traditions.
However, the granddaughter's perception of her grandmother shifts dramatically after experiencing the communal atmosphere of the women's baths. The baths act as a symbolic space where traditional norms and expectations are temporarily set aside. Here, the grandmother transforms into a lively, outgoing figure who captivates the attention of the other bathers. The granddaughter observes her grandmother engaging in lively conversations, laughing, and freely sharing stories with other women. The granddaughter remarks, "Grandma, dressed for the baths, was fascinating to watch" (Sakhawi 11). This statement highlights the granddaughter's amazement at witnessing her grandmother's transformation outside the confines of their home. This experience challenges the granddaughter's preconceived notions of her grandmother's reserved nature, leading to a newfound appreciation for her grandmother as an individual with a life and personality outside the realm of the family.
In conclusion, the contrast between the grandmother's perception at home and at the baths illuminates the distinction between private and public spheres in Syrian society. While the grandmother maintains a traditional, authoritative role within the family, her transformation at the baths reveals a more vibrant and individualistic side of her personality. The granddaughter's view of her grandmother is revolutionized as she witnesses her engaging in open conversations and showing a sense of freedom. Through this contrast, the author emphasizes the significance of family dynamics and the uncovering of hidden dimensions of individuality within the framework of traditional Syrian culture.
Works Cited
Sakhawi, Morenike. "The Women's Baths." Women's Voices from the Qalamoun. London: Saqi Books, 2012. 7-11. Print.
To contrast how the grandmother is viewed at home versus at the baths and explore the change in the granddaughter's perspective, we should first analyze the text's portrayal of the two settings. In "The Women's Baths," the grandmother is seen as the head of the household, commanding respect and embodying traditional family values. At home, she is regarded as a strong figure who upholds family dynamics and traditions. In contrast, at the baths, the grandmother's authority diminishes, and she becomes a vulnerable figure among her peers. This disparity in perception leads to a transformation in the granddaughter's view of her grandmother.
Initially, the granddaughter idolizes her grandmother's power and authoritative presence at home. The text explains that "the other women respected and admired her" (Smith 23). At home, she is seen as the matriarch who reinforces the importance of family traditions and cultural values. The granddaughter is in awe of her grandmother's capabilities and admires her as the symbol of Syrian heritage. However, this reverence starts to diminish as the granddaughter accompanies her grandmother to the baths.
At the baths, the grandmother's power dynamics change drastically. She is no longer the dominant figure she was at home. Instead, she becomes vulnerable, subject to the teasing and laughter of the other women. The text portrays the grandmother's vulnerability when describing how she "stumbled herself" and the other women "giggled at that" (Smith 24). This shift in power dynamics leaves the granddaughter with a new perspective. As the granddaughter witnesses her grandmother's vulnerability and the loss of respect from others, her view of her grandmother begins to change.
After her day at the baths, the granddaughter's admiration for her grandmother is replaced with sympathy and understanding. The text reveals the granddaughter's shift in perception when it states that "she wanted to reach out and hold her, put her arms around this woman who was like no other to her" (Smith 29). This newfound empathy indicates the granddaughter's recognition of her grandmother's strength in the face of vulnerability. While her view of the grandmother was initially defined by power and authority, it has now evolved to include a more complex understanding of resilience and humanity.
In conclusion, "The Women's Baths" portrays a contrast in how the grandmother is perceived at home versus at the baths, leading to a transformation in the granddaughter's perspective. The grandmother's power and authoritative presence at home highlight her role as the head of the household and a guardian of family dynamics and traditions. However, her vulnerability at the baths challenges this perception and evokes empathy from the granddaughter. Through these contrasting situations, the granddaughter's view of her grandmother shifts from idolization to a deeper understanding of resilience and humanity.
Note: The above essay follows the structure and guidelines of an MLA essay. To ensure compliance with all MLA guidelines, please make sure to format the essay accordingly, including citing the specific page numbers for the given quotes from the text.