Representation of Gender Stereotypes in Ehsan Abdolqoddus’ Zavjat Ahmad

The media has always played a key role in influencing public opinion. Representation is one of the important means with which media achieves its highest influence. Representations can only deliver a series of versions of reality. Each of these versions is materialized in a way to persuade readers/audiences that it only can deliver the ultimate truth. Repetitions and generalizations are two representational strategies with which stereotypes can be formed. In the media and literature of any nation, a number of stereotypes exist. These stereotypes are reflective of their society’s status, and at the same time can actively affect the society. As a result, the rapport between the society and the emergent stereotypes are mutual, and none of them can be regarded as the determining instance over the other. Considering the above-mentioned facts, the present research analyzes the gender stereotypes in Ehsan Abdolqoddus Zavjat Ahmad. Through its descriptive-analytical method, the study claims that as a prominent Egyptian writer, Abdolqoddus has heavily utilized gender stereotypes for conveyance of his ideas. Presenting a successful woman against the male characters of the novel is one way Abdolqoddus has used and challenged the gender stereotypes of Egyptian society Unlike the abstract cry of feminists for annihilation of gender stereotypes, Abdolqoddus has focused on both the limitations and opportunities such stereotypes can deliver for both men and women of a traditional Egyptian society.