Blog #10-Introducing the characters

In the beginning of the novel, Nawal El Saadwai, or the psychiatrist, is one of the main characters. In addition, Firdaus is also a main character, who is introduced and most mentioned in the novel. The psychiatrist was interested in a case study so she started researching neuroses of women prisoners, this is how she came to meet Firdaus, who was also a prisoner at that time. She was convicted as a murderer, who would be sentenced to death. She was very anti-social and she did not care about anything because her death was approching to her very soon, which was the next day. Her uncle is introduced in the begining and throughout the novel. He is very religious and he is a Muslim. However, despite his strong religious belief, he molests her and touches her. Whenever he hears someone approching, he would wuthdraw his hand. This tells me that he knows it is wrong to do such a thing, but does it anyway because he feels like it. Firdaus does not seem to take any action regarding this because he is her uncle and he is providing her education, so she thinks it is okay because he is much older than her and is more 'mature." Her uncle not only lives with Firdaus but also lives with his wife and this is not acceptable.