Deconstruction of gender stereotypes in qalbu al-lail by Najib Mahfuẓ (Jacques Derrida's deconstruction study)

Abstract

Gender phenomenon is one of the issues that is always relevant to study in the world of Arabic literature. Although there have been many studies that reveal this phenomenon, not many have analyzed it from deconstruction perspective. Based on this gap, the article discusses the idea of deconstructing female gender stereotypes in the novel Qalbu Al-Lail by Najib Mahfuẓ. This research employs descriptive qualitative research, which examines the gender deconstruction contained in the novel Qalbu Al-Lail by Najib Mahfuẓ with the deconstruction approach initiated by Jacques Derrida. The results show that through deconstruction interpretation, this novel contains the idea of gender deconstruction represented in the character of Huda Sadeeq. The deconstruction is depicted by the female character who is educated, moral, and thinks critically and rationally. In the novel, Najib Mahfuẓ describes the discourse on gender that occurs in the Arab World, especially Egypt. Until this century, it is still a separate problem that is still being fought by various groups, especially feminists. Through deconstructive reading, the authors find that there are structures that show oppositional ideas between men and women scattered in the novel. These structures build discourses and stereotypes of women, which then lead to the idea of gender deconstruction contained in the novel, which is represented through the characters of female characters. The novel Qalbu Al-Lail contrasts men and women. A feeble, crying woman and a stoic, resilient guy represent the ideas. Women with no education are contrasted with men with higher education. Unemployed women who do housework are contrasted with employed guys who don't. Men who reason rationally contrast with women who rely on emotions. This opposition portrays women as sexist and immoral.