In what way can we consider Woman at Point Zero a novel about empire?

Novel by Nawal El Saadawi

"Woman at Point Zero" is a novel about a woman's constant search for acceptance in society. She endures physical changes, changes in location, and foremost- emotional changes. The way she perceives society is constantly changing, and every time she is convinced to try something new, in order to become more accepted in society, she has to face the truth that she isn't respected, and thus she starts the cycle searching for respect once again. Only until she decides to face death she is no longer uncertain about her position in society, and only then she accepts her place and decides to end her search for acceptance. Throughout the novel Nawal El Saadawi's use of metaphor and imagery is constantly evident, and it helps promote the incentive Saadawi has in mind for the reader to acknowledge. (Tierney, 27)

The opening of the novel is from the narrator's perspective, where we learn she is an educated professional. She is very persistent in wanting to see Firdaus at first, but 'all attempts were of no avail'. Being refused and rejected by Firdaus affects her confidence and she begins questioning herself. The narrator is unable to comprehend as to why such a woman she has not even met can make her feel this way, which anticipates the reader into finding out more about this woman. By Saadawi positioning an educated, worldly woman (the narrator) against a woman who seems to have nothing, she is asking us to judge what constitutes knowledge and justice. Firdaus ultimately has a truth: a truth which cannot be learnt or discovered, but only experienced. (Thomas, 17)

Firdaus, the protagonist of the novel, is first introduced to us through the thoughts of the narrator. Immediately, we learn Firdaus is a murderer, yet there is something much more intriguing about her. Saadawi repeatedly emphasises how 'she was not like any other female murderers in the prison'. This captivates the reader and is effective in drawing the audience into the novel. We yearn to learn more about this mysterious woman who seems so determined to die, yet has this extraordinary history and aura about her. (Quine Features, 41)

She is portrayed as very remote and detached, refusing all visitors, and does not fit the stereotype of a murderer. Saadawi writes: 'If you look into her face, her eyes, you will never believe that so gentle a woman can commit murder'. This is very effective as the reader realises instilled, underlying stereotypes and prejudices of their own. We learn Firdaus is quite distinctive and holds her own judgements. She clearly does not conform to people's expectations of her, which again entices the reader to attempt to understand her.

When the narrator is finally allowed to see Firdaus, there is a very dramatic introduction: 'her eyes were composed, controlled, like a knife cutting deep down inside, unwavering'. The use of the graphic/visual simile and the listed one word adjectives has a ...