A Woman Is No Man

Fareeda and Sarah argue about why Sarah can’t go to the store alone. Again, Fareeda cites the “this-is-the-way-the-world-works” argument. She despairs over Sarah’s rebellious nature, fearing she will forget her culture entirely and become fully American. Over dinner that night, Khaled and Ali argue over Ali’s education. Ali is not invested in college and doesn’t see the point of it, but Khaled wants a better future for his son. Education, he claims, is the path to that better future. Fareeda experiences a rare moment of empathy for her son. Despite Khaled’s lectures about how hard he has worked to send Ali to college, Fareeda knows that Ali is too removed from his parents’ struggles in the refugee camps to understand Khaled’s anger. Fareeda suggests Khaled hire Ali to work in the family deli. When Khaled objects, she reminds him that it was she who was responsible for saving the money that brought them to America and allowed Khaled to open his first business. Khaled feels Fareeda spoils their sons. He wants Ali to go to college so he isn’t “stuck behind a cash register” (202). Fareeda responds to her husband’s anger by eating, an unhealthy habit, she knows, but “[a]t least eating felt good” (203).