Social, Cultural And Social Changes In Kim Barnes's In The Kingdom Of Men?

3304 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Industrialisation and society

Barnes writes her novel exploring different Arab issues from a western point of view. In an email to the researcher Kim Barnes writes: In the Kingdom of Men, does indeed take place right at the time when the Kingdom and Aramco are in the throes of great change: nationalization and attention to unfair labour practices imposed upon the Saudis (and other Arabs) as well as the six day war…. It is fictional, of course, and the characters are not real people, but I did many years of research, and many of the situations and events are based on historical information….The story is meant to represent many aspects of the social, cultural and psychological changes of the time 1960s. [Characters] discuss issues of class, race, power and politics. (Barnes, “Rewrite: In the Kingdom of Men” email) The third …show more content…

Thus, one can say that Munif’s Cities of Salt was among the first to discuss the issue of urbanization scornfully and as a tragedy. Like Abdelrahman Munif, Kim Barnes’s In the Kingdom of Men incarnates the disastrous consequences of oil wealth. Barnes reflects on the social, cultural and political changes that occurred in Saudi Arabia after oil discovery through the story of a young American woman, Gin, who leaves the dusty farmland of 1960s Oklahoma to follow her husband to the oil fields of Saudi Arabia where she faces a life that she has never imagined to live. “She finds a world of wealth, glamour, American privilege, and corruption” (Barnes, Home Page). In an email to the researcher Kim Barnes comments: Gin observes and interacts with a Saudi driver and translator whose story is meant to represent many aspects of the social, cultural and psychological changes of the time (1960). They discuss issues of class, race, power and politics. (Barnes, “Rewrite: In the Kingdom of Men”

Show More
Related

  • John Updike’s A & P, Richard Wright’s The Man Who Was Almost a Man, and James Joyce’s Araby

    1298 Words  | 3 Pages

    Joyce, James. “Araby”. The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction. Eds. R.V. Cassill and Richard Bausch. Shorter Sixth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2000. 427 - 431.

    Read More

  • In A Scattered Protest, Saudi Women Take The Wheel

    1693 Words  | 4 Pages

    This is a culture based text on Saudi woman are not allowed to drive and how they are treated when they do. Again men are treated and also looked at as a higher more trust worthy person or driver in this case. In Saudi the men are supposed to be the only ones allowed to drive so when woman are seen driving visa process control was questioned and woman were scared after her arrest. But on the other side there are some men in Saudi that to agree that woman should be able to drive. “”Bravo to the women!” the prince said in an interview. “Why should woman drive in the countryside and not I the cities?””(MacFarquha and Amer, 126) This could be a potential sign that men are maybe starting to gradually understand woman and what their life is like. I also believe that since a remark such as this is coming from a prince it could affect the views of more people. “We want to drive today, tomorrow, and every day – it’s not a one-day show. We want to make it a norm.” said professor Kashgary. (MacFarquhar and Amer,

    Read More

  • Analysis of "Kite Runner"

    1157 Words  | 3 Pages

    Miller, M.T. (2008, January 5). ‘The Kite Runner’ Critiqued: New Oriantalism goes to the Big Screen [Msg 1].Message posted to http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f18/kite-runner-critiqued-new-orientalism-goes-big-screen-32097/.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein and Araby

    1485 Words  | 3 Pages

    Joyce, James." Araby". Theory into Practice. Ed. Ann B. Dobie. Toronto: Nelson Thomson, 2002.230-233. Print.

    Read More

  • Pillars of Salt, A Woman of Five Seasons and A Balcony Over the Fakihani

    3145 Words  | 7 Pages

    To many eyes, the women’s liberation movement in the Middle East is nothing more than a mere façade. The solidification of women’s rights in writing means very little when actually put into play, women still continue to be trampled on in all walks of life, behind closed doors and tinted windows. This is especially true of the three novels:

    Read More

  • The Decline of Chivalry Explored in Araby and A&P

    1205 Words  | 3 Pages

    Joyce, James. “Araby.” The Norton Introduction to Literature, Shorter Eighth Edition. Eds. Jerome Beaty, Alison Booth, J. Paul Hunter, and Kelly J. Mays. New York: W.W.Norton.

    Read More

  • Not Your Typical Arab Male Stereotype

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a culture where stereotypes are so common and thrown left and right, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say “That guy looks suspicious” or “You’re such a FOB.” However, we must be careful when it comes to these remarks or stereotypes because we must remember that what we are doing is simply feeding more into a closed minded society and contributing to the derogating of a mixed society. In all three novels, Throne of the Crescent Moon, Anatomy of a Disappearance, and Lebanese Blonde, all three male Arab characters have shown that they go against this grain of the stereotypical Arab male gender/ culture. Whether it’s Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, the ghul hunter in the city of Dhamsawaat, who’s simply trying to rewind after a hard days of work and enjoy his tea; Or Nuri el-Alfi, the young boy with an odd fascination for a woman who becomes his step-mom with a father who can only be described as mysterious; Or Samir Tammouz, the reluctant individual who never quite seemed to fully grasp what he was getting himself into till it was too late. These three Arab male characters in all three novels are distinct in their own way and that’s what separates them from the mainstream stereotypes of the Arab male gender/ culture.

    Read More

  • Race, Class, and Gender: The Critical Race Theory

    2511 Words  | 6 Pages

    Sabbagh, S. J., & American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee, W. C. (1990). Sex, Lies, & Stereotypes: The Image of Arabs in American Popular Fiction. ADC Issue Paper No. 23. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

    Read More

  • Influence of Cultures on The Thousand and One Nights

    1440 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pinault, David. "The Thousand and One Nights in Arabic Literature and Society." Journal of the American Oriental Society 119 (1999):536-537.

    Read More

  • The Power of Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini

    2126 Words  | 5 Pages

    Critics have already begun a heated debate over the success of the book that has addressed both its strengths and weaknesses. The debate may rage for a few years but it will eventually fizzle out as the success of the novel sustains. The characters, plot, emotional appeal, and easily relatable situations are too strong for this book to crumble. The internal characteristics have provided a strong base to withstand the petty attacks on underdeveloped metaphors and transparent descriptions. The novel does not need confrontations with the Middle East to remain a staple in modern reading, it can hold its own based on its life lessons that anyone can use.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Imperialism In Lawrence Of Arabia

    1012 Words  | 3 Pages

    The film Lawrence of Arabia illustrations the experiences of a man’s exploration of places he has never been before, both on the globe and within his own mind. The leading role is sent to the Middle East during World War One, his experiences there are display disputes that are still prevalent in today’s world. The issues dealt with by the Arabians in the movie and the continued problems in present day Middle East are consequences of European domination. This control is executed through the idea of imperialism or, a countries attempt to expand their power, usually done by means of colonization, in an effort to strengthen their own countries livelihood. The conquest of Arabia by the British was the beginning of the political issues today in the

    Read More

  • The Fight for Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia

    1914 Words  | 4 Pages

    At the height of the Arab Springs movement conflict began to boil over into Saudi Arabia causing the women in this country to realize that this was their opportunity to radically speak up against the injustices they faced, one of the major issues at the forefront of their concerns being their right to drive. In response to this outcry King Abdullah, the King of Saudi Arabia, granted women the right to vote in 2015 and to become members of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia also referred to as the Shura Council. This caused the rest of the world to ponder his intentions in doing so. In this paper I will be exploring if in fact this really is a giant leap forward towards women’s rights or merely a gimmick for the monarchy to keep power in the increasing volatile Middle East or, both. In an effort to answer this question I will be discussing the public opinion of King Abdullah’s decision , the recent Arab springs movement in Saudi Arabia and the case of Manal al-Shariff , which led to the w...

    Read More

  • Women of the Middle East

    771 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Women of the Middle East have played substantial roles for their corresponding countries since the advent of colonialism in the region. Middle Eastern women have worked in all types of fields including medicine, education, agriculture, government, private sector, and even defense. They have kept roofs over their family’s heads while their husbands were away in wars, or even in foreign countries to work in jobs that they could not find in their own countries. The roles of women in the countries of Yemen and Oman are no exception, but while they still find ways to contribute to their country, they care constantly stereotyped, discriminated, and ridiculed by men who are known and unknown to them. This paper will discuss the individual contributions of the women living in Yemen and Oman, and will discuss in further state laws and cultural norms that are affecting the women living in these countries today.

    Read More

  • Military Operational Environment

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    Currently, the government of Saudi Arabia controls the economy by limiting foreign investors and regulating business within its borders. Oil accounts for the majority of the country's income, accounting for 90 percent of export revenue and 80 percent overall (“Saudi Arabia,” n.d.). Prices over $105 per barrel is required for the budget to remain balanced. The current drop in oil prices places a strain on the Saudi Arabian economy; expansion into the bond market somewhat eases this strain (“Saudi Arabia,” n.d.). A McKinsey Global Institute report states that Saudi Arabia can double its GDP and create millions of jobs by changing its economy from a government centric style to “a more market-based approach” (Al-Kibsi et al., 2015). "Despite cuts and financial challenges, ongoing internal and external concerns are driving an increase in defense spending” (Hedges, as quoted by Mustafa, 2015). The last half decade has seen the defense budget of Saudi Arabia growing at a rate of 19 percent a year (Mustafa, 2015). This shows that the military, despite the economic downturn, continues to play an important role in the Saudi Arabian

    Read More

  • Last Scene Underground And Menoret's

    1084 Words  | 3 Pages

    The final manifestation of disenfranchisement in the Middle East is the disenfranchisement of the youth. In some of the region’s countries, especially in Iran and Saudi Arabia, there are many laws that impact the youth more than they would impact any other group. In Varzi’s Last Scene Underground, and Menoret’s Joyriding in Riyadh, both authors try to portray how the laws of Iran and Saudi Arabia have dramatically curtailed the freedom and rights of their countries’ youths. When examining Menoret’s work, he explains how the Saudi religious police are quick to investigate and quell any youth gatherings that occur in the city. A gathering of young peoples is seen as a threat by the state because the government is scared that the youth might be

    Read More

More about Social, Cultural And Social Changes In Kim Barnes's In The Kingdom Of Men?

Open Document