Feminist Criticism
Reading "Scarborough" by Catherine Hernandez Through a Feminism Lens
Feminism is when both male and females have equal rights. It is a human movement to change perspectives and create better standards for females in society. Through a feminism theory, the novel "Scarborough" by Catherine Hernandez allowed me to better understand and grasp the struggles that individual females faced in the book. Ms. Hina and Edna are two great examples of the lack of equality portrayed; both hard working females who come from different backgrounds.
To begin with, the novel portrayed the struggle of Ms. Hina who is a Pakistani muslim women that religiously chooses to wear a hijab. Being the only women and muslim worker at the daycare, Ms. Hina goes through several daunting experiences. Trying to fit in is not easy when individuals such as Cory create barriers. Cory brings her daughter to daycare as he works; unable to provide care during the day. When bringing Laura to the daycare. The idea of a woman who wore a hijab was causing Cory frustration. Nonetheless, When Ms.Hina tried to be nice and caring towards his daughter, he kept Laura close to him “trying to keep his daughter away from the smell of curry, likely from that Paki teacher” (Hernandez chapter 13). The discrimination against muslim women was greatly displayed, the lack of equality is seen as parents avoid being in contact with a muslim women. Like every other woman at the daycare, Ms.Hina was trying to do her job yet the hijab created obstacles for her to do so
Next, Enda is a nail salon worker who works hard everyday to support her son and herself. Due to the violence and abuse faced during her marriage, she decided to leave her husband as he demonstrated mental illness. It was causing barriers and problems for both Bing and Edna. Working at a low paying job as a salon worker, Edna does not make much, however she strives to provide the best for her son. Bing watched how mom struggle to work long hours at the salon where he resides after school hours. Once Bing was doing his homework to see “Ma held the white lady’s foot inches from her eyes, peeling the woman like a damaged carrot.”(Hernandez chapter 12). The frustration and despair that Bing sees is overwhelming. Seeing the hard efforts put into working and creating a better life, Bing strives to do well academically. As a single parent, Edna is a hardworking woman who breaks barriers of the needs of a man. Society portrays that men are the only source of protection and security, however this is false. Enda is an immigrant woman who is creating a better life for her and Bing is doing well raising her son and making a better life for both of them.
As shown above, feminism is about equality of both genders in society and creating better standards. The book portrays two hard working immigrant women who were making a better life in Scarborough. Mr. Hina being harshly discriminated towards her religion made her inferior to others. As a muslim women, she endured struggle of being accepted within society. Edna, who is a hard working single parent, shows that women can also conquer and achieve success. Through a feminism theory, I am able to realize the struggles that women face on a daily basis disregarding ethnicity and religion.
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