The Body as a Site for Trauma and Memory in Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi

Abstract

This paper examines Nawal El Saadawi's Woman at Point Zero to show how it offers a powerful exploration of the female body as a site for trauma and memory. Through the experiences of Firdaus, a woman imprisoned for killing her pimp, the novel digs into the ways in which women's bodies are constructed, controlled, and exploited in patriarchal societies. The paper delves deeper into the manifestations of trauma depicted in the novel with emphasis on how Firdaus’ body is utilised. Basing on Caruth’s Trauma Studies, a critical look at trauma manifests in the novel is seen. Using close reading, this paper examines the female body as a central metaphor in Woman at Point Zero to shed a light on the complex relationship between trauma, gender, and power. The body is portrayed as a site for trauma through physical abuse, sexual exploitation and commodification. It is depicted as a site for memory through embodied experiences and scars. However, it is also used as a tool for resistance against patriarchal domination. These findings imply that the female body is symbol that captures the complexities of trauma, gender, and power within patriarchal societies. It serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the idea that a body can be used for challenging oppressive structures.