Women’s Needs and Aspirations in Leila Aboulila’s The Translator

Abstract

The research tackles the portrayal of women's needs and aspirations in Leila Aboulela's The Translator. This literary work is considered ideal for the study because it depicts the journey women take to achieve what they want in life. The research aims to explore the depiction of the female characters while they strive to secure their needs and achieve their aspirations. In other words, the research seeks to investigate the way Muslim female characters endeavor to live and obtain their rights promised to them. The research used analytical and interpretation approaches to study the novel thoroughly. It examines the aspects of space, Aspirations, needs, and convictions. The research is divided into three chapters two conceptual parts that discuss the concepts related to the study and an analytical chapter about the novel. The research explores the protagonist's aspiration to change her situation, but her goal of becoming a strong, assertive woman is not achieved. However, her needs are eventually met when she remarries a non-Muslim man who converts to Islam. The research emphasizes the efforts of Islamic feminism to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women, highlighting the rights provided by Islamic teachings that are often overlooked by society and traditions.