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G&S Typesetters PDF proof A P P E N D I X Translation of the Introduction to the Arabic Edition of Memoirs from the Women’s Prison by Nawal el-Saadawi Introduction Because I was born in a strange time, when a human being is driven to prison because one has got a brain that thinks; because one has a heart that palpitates to truth and justice ; because one writes poetry or fiction; because one has published scientific or literary research, or an article which shouts out for freedom; or because one has philosophical inclinations. Because I was born in such a time, it was not strange that I was taken to prison. For I have committed all the crimes altogether . . . I have written stories, novels, and poetry ; and published scientific and literary research, and articles that call for freedom. And I have philosophical inclinations. But the greatest crime is that I am a free woman at a time when they want nothing but woman servants and slaves; and I was born with a thoughtful brain when they are trying to deform minds. Myfatherwasfree,andsowasmymother.Sincechildhoodfreedomcirculatedinmy veins together with my blood. I saw my mother rebelling and rejecting the military authority of her father; I saw her flying into a rage when her husband shouted at her. I also saw my father angrily rising against the government and against the British. My poor, peasant grandmother I heard singing against brutality, poverty, and unhappiness. My brother was older than me. When he raised his hand to slap me, I raised mine higher and slapped his face. He did not try again. When my first husband wanted to deny my existence, I canceled him out of my life. When my second husband shouted: “Me or your writings!” I said: “My writings!”; and we separated. When the minister of health trembled, shouting: “Obedience or sacking!” I answered: “Sacking!”; and I lost my job. And when Sadat said: “Freedom is stirring and so are justice, prosperity, and peace”; I said: “Where is freedom when people are chained, and censorship is like a sword on thoughts and minds? Where is justice or prosperity when the poor are getting poorer and the rich richer while piling up the millions? Where is peace when trade in weapons is increasing and the war in Lebanon is getting more brutal?” I have never played the game of politics or parties or the media, ever in my life. Nor election, nor women’s societies under the presidency of rulers’ wives. Even my medi185 10-T2696-APP 8/14/03 5:16 PM Page 185 G&S Typesetters PDF proof cal profession I have renounced. I saw doctors buying villas and erecting buildings with the blood of the sick and the poor. People are getting ill because of poverty, starvation , and oppression; and in the world of medicine, there are no pills to cure such diseases. I have no weapon left but the pen to defend myself, my freedom, and the freedom of the human being everywhere. I have nothing but the pen to express the tragedies of the poor, women, and slaves; and to tell people that I hate tyranny but love justice, and that I respect the human being and do not participate in referendums, nor listen to the radio or to superstitions, and I close my door to the servants of the court. I do not offer sacrifices of thanksgiving. I obey nothing but my own mind. I do not write anything except my own opinions. I do not walk in processions. I do not belong to a band. I do not attend social parties. I do not wear makeup like women of the harem and do not use American shampoo. I do not drink Israeli beer. And it sickens me if I read newspapers. Perhaps for this reason, they broke down my door by armed force and drove me to prison. I was not shocked, for truth, in the time of lying, cannot be left free. I was not frightened but angry, and I refused to open my door for them quietly. I refused to hide in the dark without a noise, or in the silence without a voice, or to be driven to prison or to death without a rage of anger! I was not ashamed, but proud, why not be proud? A whole police state fears me, an unarmed woman, whose fingers touched nothing but the pen. To this extent they fear my words on...

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