In the third section of In Search of Fatima the tone of somberness really stands out. After returning to the Arab world in search of companionship and understanding but not finding much, Ghada describes her insecurities,"Two years in the Arab world had not helped me find my roots. Rather I began to fear that I had none to find, at least not in the places where I had sought them." (page 420). It is evident that Ghada has really lost her way, she does not know where to call home or what to identify herself as. Ghada is unable to pick up on many Arab social norms because of her vast exposure to the English culture and yet cannot fit in in England because of her loyalty to the Palestinian struggle. The truth is that Ghada doesn't have a home, she doesn't fit. Because of her homelessness Ghada is understandably displaced.
My favorite part of the whole book is the footnote that is on page 292 that describes her run in with Zoe Steiner years after their initial headbutting, "Zoe and I met again by chance in 1983. She was a dentist and I a practicing GP. We fell upon each other and embraced like long lost friends. She invited me to her home (also in Golden Green) where she introduced me to her Orthodox Jewish husband. Over a kosher meal, we reminisced over that incident in our childhood and shook our heads at the passions we had both felt." Despite how much I disliked Zoe Steiner's actions and rooted on Ghada, I recognize the incident as a painful memory for both girls. The fact that they met again and were able to come to terms with each other and the situation is so remarkable because rarely does such an opportunity come up. The anecdote of their future meeting allowed me to understand the initial situation more, because they ended at peace I didn't feel like I had to chose who was right/wrong, but rather I was able to recognize the causes for both of their actions.
Iris, this footnote stood out to me as well (almost as much as the actual fight between the girls surprised me). I am very impressed that two women who clearly hated each other previously were able to reconcile decades later over a cup of tea. Originally, they had been so stubborn about their own opinion,
ReplyDelete" 'So I am going to ask you Ghada, to say you're sorry for what you said and did to Zoe.'
'I won't!' I said defiantly.'She's got to say sorry first for what she wrote about me.' Miss Leah tried again to much tut-tutting from Zoe's parent's but I held my ground" (292).
It's interesting how two women who hurt each other physically and emotionally have the capacity to forgive and move on, and even become acquaintances. While I do understand it would be almost impossible for Israel and Palestine to ever agree on the land division, the violence that is being used currently is unnecessary. The incident between Ghada and Zoe proves, however, that it is possible for two people of polar opposite backgrounds can get along and forgive. I hope we witness less violence and more discussion about the conflicting points of view on this issue. Clearly, in Zoe and Ghada's case violence only led them to both getting in trouble. When they talked about their childish ways decades later, however, they established a more stable relationship and understanding of the other side. One can only hope we learn soon that it is not the more powerful group, with more weapons, and attack plans that deserve the land. War only proves which group is stronger, but a debate (or discussion) is an opportunity for the deserving side to show why they should win, and they can do it using words not violence.
For the comment, find someone who has a different idea than you do about the tone, or about some other part of the book in their second paragraph. Add to their evidence, or challenge their idea by countering it with evidence of your own.