The short story "Another Evening at the Club" by Alifa Rifaat illustrates the limited roles that women like Samia had during this period. Their primary role was to serve as the perfect trophy wife for their husbands and to bear children. The story is set in Egypt during an era of arranged marriages, where Samia lacks autonomy and obeys her husband's every command. She was selected by Abboud Bey to be his spouse when she was young.
Samia's life revolves around her marriage as she relies completely on her husband. In those times, women commonly entered into arranged marriages where their husbands were selected for them. "Only a few years ago, she saw him for the first time at her father's house and they exchanged glances that evaluated her beauty and determined its worth, before arranging the dowry" (36
...6). This situation left Samia without many rights and she was treated as if she were an object of ownership.
Despite lacking control over her own marriage, Samia is expected to maintain happiness in it. She is deeply attached to Abboud Bey, as is customary in her society. When she misplaces her ring, she chooses to wait for Abboud Bey to handle the situation. According to the text, she "decided to do nothing and await the return of her husband from work" (369). In a cruel turn of events, Abboud Bey points fingers at their maid, physically assaults her, and later has her apprehended and subjected to further beatings by the authorities.
Samia feels uneasy in this situation but remains silent because societal norms dictate that she should support her husband. When he removes his hands from her, she starts
trembling uncontrollably. Afraid that he might realize this, she stands up and walks towards the window with purposeful steps (372). Despite her fear of him and his behavior, she portrays a facade of happiness in her marriage.
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