19 Each stratum is different. Kraus et.al states that social class can influence
the social outcomes of each class. The outcomes are the accessibility to power and position, their daily life manner, and the opportunities they have 992. Therefore,
the manners and customs of the Egyptian people of each stratum are also presented. By knowing the manners and customs of each strata, we can find the different
manners of each stratum and how society treatment through each strata. These parts are important in this study. Since society can trigger someone to do something,
Firdaus struggle of living and the society treatments through the social strata which she belongs must be one of her reasons of searching of the freedom that she might
not accept before.
2.3.3.1 Egyptian Higher and Middle Classes
The higher and middle classes in Egypt are those who come from a wealthy and well educated family. The man of the higher classes in Egypt is commonly
honored with the appellation of the sheikh, prefixed to his name. The word sheikh literally refers to an elder or an aged person but it is often used as a synonym of
mister. However, it is more particularly applied to a learned man or a reputed saint Lane 135.
The family of the higher and middle classes in Egypt may consist of various classes. The man, or the husband, is the master of the family. The master of the
family is the highest parson on a family upon all. After the master of the family, there is the hareem or the females of a house. The hareem may consist of three
classes. The first are the wife or wives; with four as the maximum number. The second are the female slaves and the concubines. The third are the female free
servants. Though they are respectable and rich, wives of higher and middle classes
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
20 still have obligations to their husband. If they want to eat, they must wait until their
husbands finish their eating. They also order to serve his husband; such as fill and light his pipe, make coffee and prepare his food Lane 136.
The wealthy Egyptian enjoys luxurious things. Men of high classes can enjoy expensive things such as coffee and pipe. Women of high classes generally
use perfumes and cosmetics. Many of them also have a habit of chewing frankincense to fragrant their breath The pipe, cup of coffee, cosmetics and
perfumes are considered as luxury things which can only be afforded by the high classes Lane 137.
Husband and wife of the high class rarely spend time together. The master
of the family rarely eat together with his family unless on some occasions Lane 145. They also prefer to have separate bed and sleep alone Lane 157.
2.3.3.2 Egyptian Lower Classes
Lower social class is associated with low income and assumed as the subordinate rank Kraus et.al 992. The lower classes in Egypt consist of Fellaheen
or agriculturists. Most of them live in great towns, few in the smaller towns, and some on the villages. Commonly, they work as tradesmen, artificers, servants, or
labors. Their earnings are very small and insufficient to supply them and their families with the cheapest necessaries of life Lane 199.
The women of the lower classes have many responsibilities on their life. Some of them work harder than the men. Once they are married, instead of
working, they still have to take care of their family. Women in the lower classes often get bad treatments from their husband
rather than them on the superior classes. Most of the time, a poor woman is not
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21 allowed to eat with her husband. When she goes out with him, she generally walks
behind him. If there is something for them to carry, usually the wife will carry it unless it is a light thing such as a pipe or a stick. Some poor women in the town
keep shop, sells bread or vegetables which give them some money as much as or even more than their husbands can give to the support their families Lane 199.
2.3.3.3 Egyptian Children
