Exploring womanhood in George Eliot novels [Archives:2007/1112/Local News]

SANA'A, Dec. 16 ) She could be viewed as a philosopher ahead of her time. George Eliot, a controversial writer in the19th century explored the concept of women and men as human beings regardless of gender stereotyping.

“Her philosophy on humanity has influenced her attitude and treatment of women issues in her novels. She treated women as a sexless human being. And advocated for a relationship between women and men that is not based on their gender, but rather based on humanity,” says the now Dr. Mohammed Al-Qadhi, who had just been awarded PhD degree in English literature from University of Sana'a.

Al-Qadhi's research investigates the question of womanhood in the novels of George Eliot, and explores the concept, which she defined as religion of humanity.

Although she wrote during the peak of the feminist movement in Europe, she did not try to idealize women. Which is why her controversial philosophies, at the time, were heavily criticized. According to Al-Qadhi, who had chosen this study because of his admiration of Eliot's philosophy, she was trying to intellectualize and philosophize fiction.

“I hope that this is a significant contribution to the literature of George Eliot. This is not a gender study per say, but deals with gender issues in George Eliot writings. I feel her view of women and men as androgynous beings is sophisticated and good for humanity at large,” Dr. Mohammed Al-Qadhi said.

George Eliot, whose real name was Mary Ann Evans, was a journalist and an author in the nineteenth century. There are many explanations as to why she had used a male's name in her novels. One of which, according to Dr. Al-Qadhi is to avoid the prejudice she could have faced as a female author.

“We in the modern times need such kind of androgynous thinking because, we don't need more conflicts between men and women. There is a man in every women and women in every man,” He commented.

Mohammed Hatem al-Qadhi, was awarded his PhD degree last Thursday. The

Thesis was entitled “A Study of Womanhood in the Novels of George Eliot””.

The examination committee was composed of Prof. A. K. Sharma