Status In Alifa Rifaat's The Collector Of Treasure

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Recommended: Social class and social status

When compared, the messages of “The Collector of Treasures” written by Bessie Head and “Another Evening at the Club” written by Alifa Rifaat have corresponding messages although the perspective of these messages is not always the same. These pieces stem from different cultures which values can influence how the theme is applied. These themes surround the influences of society, status, and the truth and the impact that each have on a person’s life. First and foremost, is the role of status’ influence on people's’ lives. Status controls how far up in the world a person may travel up in rank as those higher have more opportunities than those lower. The two perspectives of status come from the common theme that status can ruin people's lives …show more content…

Suddenly she became aware of his presence alongside her” (Rifaat 58). Samia is a lower class girl who has just married an upper class man to increase her status. Although Samia has risen in class she is no longer happy with her life due to the control of her husband to keep up their image as not to tarnish their status. This dynamic demonstrates how a sacrifice must be made in order to support oneself. Samia had to give up her happiness in order to be financially stable as well as lose her chance at true love through this arranged marriage. On the other hand, the approach of how a low class position can be affected by their status is seen in “Another Evening at the Club” . The caste level is viewed through Dikeledi’s description of her family’s financial situation as the author notes, “But in spite of all her hoarding of odd cents, towards the end of the year she was short on R20.00 to cover the fees… Banabothe passed with a grade a Grade A”(Head 35-36). Access to education can open the door for those of a lower class as the experience can lead them into higher paying job field which can boost their class. Dikeledi’s children live in a household without their father …show more content…

The perspectives on this issue are varied as the degree of decline is different as situations are more severe in one case over the other. Severity of the issue is apparent as Paul, Dikeledi’s neighbor, stands up for her against her husband’s taunts by saying, “Banabothe wouldn’t be there had you not procreated him, Garesego, so it is your duty to care for him. Besides, it’s your fault if your wife takes another man. You left her alone all these years”(Head 37). Garasego left his wife several years ago for another woman and recently he returns to her life and judges her decision to be doing work in another man’s home and being compensated for it. He left her without reason and she had to find a way to support the children he created with her. The truth revealed is in the comparison of the lives they live as he was being selfish and putting his desires before his family she is doing all to support the family he left behind. This further proves the point that Garesego deserves the fate he will receive and although married Dikeledi is no way responsible for be hospitable towards him. To further drive this point, the truth revealed in Samia’s situation can lead to a loss in the social caste levels. The dire need to bury the secret of the lost ring shows how their position could be in danger as her husband explains, “It’s downright ludicrous. Listen, there’s nothing to be done but give it

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