The Gender Role reversal in the one thousand and one nights

The central frame of The Arabian Nights itself is an act of gender role reversal. King Shahryar embodies absolute male authority and violence: betrayed by his wife, he executes women after one night with them, asserting dominance. Against this, Scheherazade uses her intelligence, not submission, to survive. Rather than being a passive victim, she assumes control over the king by captivating him with stories. In doing so, she reverses the roles—the man listens and obeys (he spares her life repeatedly) while the woman leads, directs, and controls the flow of time through narrative.

Scheherazade thus becomes the teacher, moral guide, and even the “savior” of the kingdom, while Shahryar, the sovereign ruler, becomes the listener, pupil, and ultimately the reformed man.

1. Presentation Topic : "The Gender Role Reversal In The Arabian Nights." Name : Mosarat Khan Aesha Roll: 2220292 , Department: English Course Title: Literature in Translation Course Code: ENG 416

2. 2 Gender Role Reversal in Literature

3. Men hold most power in family Women had limited rights and were expected to be obedient. Society was male - dominated Patriarchy in Medieval Islamic Society

4. Shahrazad from " Shahrayar & Shahrazad"

5. The Three Ladies from "The Porter and the Three Ladies"

6. The Women from “The Women and Her Five Lovers”

7. Dalila from "Dalila the Wily"

8. 8 The Woman from "The Demon's Wife"

9. " Shahrayar & Shahrazad" This shows that storytelling is a powerful tool to change minds and break cycles of violence.

10. "The Porter and The Three Ladies" This reverses typical gender roles by showing women as independent and men as the ones who are more limited.

11. "The Woman and Her Five Lovers" This reversal explores female desire, openly and gives the woman power over her relationships.

12. 12 "Dalila the Wily" This shows female intelligence as a source of power and questions male dominance by making the woman the one who leads and controls.

13. 13 “The Demon’s Wife" This highlights female power in a mystical way, suggesting women can have control over dangerous forces.

14. 14 Women as narrators Women as negotiatiors Women as disruptors

15. 15 Women as Narrators : Shahrazad uses storytelling to save herself and change the king , showing how women's voices have in these stories. Women as Negotiators : In "The Porter & The Three Ladies“ and "The Woman and Her Five Lovers "women negotiate their lives, not just follow men's rules. Women as Disruptors: "Dalila the Wily" and "The Demon's Wife" disrupt traditional male power by using cleverness, magic.

16. 16 In conclusion "The Arabian Nights“ presents women as clever, powerful and strategic ..

17. Thank You