of this belonged to the wife; if the marriage ended, she could collect her share. If the husband died while married, the wife got one-third of her husbands property.
Re-marriage after widowhood was very common, and some gravesites indicate three or four marriages between one people. Therefore, the status of women in
ancient era can be said as a good condition because Egyptian women in ancient era are free to do anything. They also have the same status with men. A wife does
not need to ask for a husband’s permission if she wants to do something.
2.3.6.2 The Status of Women in Modern Era
There is no clear explanation from the experts about timeline of modern Egyptian era. However, Scaruffi 1999 states that modern Egyptian era began
around 1100s. It was began with Christian Crusaders from Europe which invaded Egypt. In other words, it can be said that modern Egyptian era was began after the
ancient era ended, that was around 640 AD p. 1. Amin 1995 states that “when people talk about Middle-Eastern countries
including Egypt, what they have in mind is that a woman was man’s slave, and the man was the ruler’s slave; he was the oppressor of his wife in his house and he
was oppressed by the ruler when he left his house” p. 7. The fact is that women status in ancient and modern era is very different. Amin 1995 adds that “in
modern era women cannot do anything freely” pp. 10-12. Everything is under the men’s control. Violence, abuse, and oppression can be found everywhere.
Women do not have enough power to make use of their right in the household and society. They are really considered as the lowest part of the society. On the
contrary, men are able to do anything that they want. A man may hit his wife if he
thinks that she makes mistakes. Therefore, it really proves that Egyptian women in modern era considered do not any right.
According to Scaruffi 1999, the changes from ancient to modern Egyptian era happen in some aspect. Life in modern Egypt is a study in contrasts,
especially in Cairo, where the constant blasting of the car horns and the loudspeakers of its thousand minarets proclaim both the hectic present and the
contemplative past. Modern skyscrapers, highways, a subway system, hotels, restaurants, advertising and western clothing blend together with ancient
pharaonic ruins, Islamic mosques, Coptic churches, Middle Eastern garb, bazaars and the odor of cattle in a unique mosaic of life in modern Egypt. I once witnessed
a huge caravan of farmers, donkeys and camels making a right turn on a principal Cairo avenue.Life in modern Egypt is a study in contrasts, especially in Cairo,
where the constant blasting of the car horns and the loudspeakers of its thousand minarets proclaim both the hectic present and the contemplative past. Modern
skyscrapers, highways, a subway system, hotels, restaurants, advertising and western clothing blend together with ancient pharaonic ruins, Islamic mosques,
Coptic churches, Middle Eastern garb, bazaars and the odor of cattle in a unique mosaic of life in modern Egypt. I once witnessed a huge caravan of farmers,
donkeys and camels making a right turn on a principal Cairo avenue.
2.4 Theoretical Framework
There are two problems discussed in this study. The first is the figure of Firdaus as the main character. The second is Firdaus’ experiences with men which
