A Woman Is No Man

Reading has a restorative power for Isra. Sarah’s books lift her spirits, although the triumphs of the fictional heroines sometimes depress her because she fears she will never overcome her own fears like they have. Overall, though, reading ignites a spark in her, a hope that maybe she deserves happiness after all. Sarah has also begun bringing Isra picture books to read to her daughters. In these moments, Isra finally feels like a worthy mother. She thanks Sarah for bringing happiness back into her life. If drinking gives Adam the same sense of elation she gets from books, then she understands why he indulges. One night over dinner, she impulsively asks Adam what makes him happy. After his initial shock that anyone would care to ask, he confesses that walking across the Brooklyn Bridge just before dawn reminds him that “at least I am here, in this beautiful country, at least I have this view” (211).

While celebrating Eid al-Fitr in the park, Fareeda badgers Isra about having another baby. Isra, for the first time, openly disputes her mother-in-law. She’s tired, she says. She wants to wait. She already has three, and “I’m the one who has to raise them” (213). She secretly delights in her small act of defiance. When Fareeda presses Adam about another child, Isra can see her husband’s pent-up resentment, and she knows he will likely beat her that night.

Deya shares a disturbing memory with Sarah. In the memory, Deya is young, and Isra picks her up from school. Some male classmates wave goodbye, saying, “See you tomorrow” (216). Shocked that her daughter is speaking to boys, she says “Did I raise a sharmouta?” (216), which translates to “whore” or “slut.” Although Sarah can’t imagine Isra would ever use that word, Deya swears the memory is true. Later that evening, Isra tells her that she is pulling her and Nora out of public school and enrolling them in Islamic school instead.

Sarah asks Deya about her last memory of her parents. She recalls an outing to the park—Isra, Adam, and all four sisters—but no additional details. Deya grows frustrated with Sarah for not providing more answers; in a moment of exasperation, she asks why Sarah didn’t do more to help Isra if, as she claims, they were close. Sarah responds that she asked Isra to run away with her, but she refused. Once again, Sarah tells Deya that she wants to help her, but Deya must decide to help herself first.

Isra is pregnant with her fourth child, and she worries it’s yet another girl. Sarah tries to convince her that the child’s sex is not within her control, but that simple truth does little to allay Isra’s fears. She feels that, with so little in her life to call her own, she has nothing to give to her children. When Sarah presents her with a choice of new books, Isra declines them all, telling Sarah she wants to read a book “about what it really means to be a woman” (223).

Fareeda, concerned that Sarah has not been “seen” enough to attract potential suitors, begins taking her daughter to run errands. Fareeda sees in her 16-year-old daughter a reflection of herself as a young girl before age and diabetes took their toll. Fareeda also keeps a watchful eye on Isra and Sarah’s friendship, hoping Isra’s compliance will rub off on Sarah. Despite Sarah’s protestations that she’s too young to get married, Fareeda persists in entertaining suitors.

Deya sits with Nasser one last time, and she informs him that she’s not ready for marriage; she wants an education and a career. Nasser’s progressive façade crumbles as he suggests that it’s “natural” for the woman to raise the children, and she couldn’t do that if they both had jobs. Deya vents her frustrations and asks him if his father beats his mother. Offended, Nasser retorts, “just because your father beat your mother, that doesn’t mean every man beats his wife” (231). Nasser then suggests that Adam had a good reason for beating Isra. When Deya demands an explanation, Nasser apologizes and leaves.

The summer has passed without a single marriage proposal for Sarah. While Fareeda had hoped Umm Ahmed’s son might be interested, in her heart she knows Umm Ahmed has a different idea of proper marriage material. Sitting with Nadine, she realizes how much she dislikes Omar’s wife. She sees her as too entitled, not knowing her place. When Nadine suggests that Fareeda will miss Sarah once she’s married, Fareeda dismisses the idea. Once Sarah’s married, she believes, she belongs to her husband; he is her new family.

Deya confronts Sarah about Nasser’s accusation that Adam beat Isra. She demands to know the truth. In response, Sarah gives her a newspaper article. Deya glances at it and then flees the bookstore in tears.