In her essay “From Women's Prison: Third World Women's Prison Stories,” Barbara Harlow argues that solidarity that transcends race, gender , class, and other social factors Categories are a vital component in the fight against oppressive forces. She further states that Firdaus' affiliation with the psychiatrist in Nawal El Saadawi's novel Woman at Point Zero ultimately allows Firdaus to share her story and become part of the collective struggle against "the authoritarian political structures and patriarchal hierarchies of Egyptian society " (Harlow, 512). . However, throughout the novel, Firdaus continually turns to prostitution as a way of life, and it is her decision to become a prostitute that raises the question of whether Firdaus can truly challenge the social order of her society. For example, Harlow argues that Firdaus objectifies her body and sells it in a way that places her in a subordinate role to men. Conversely, it could be argued that, as a prostitute, Firdaus gains more power and independence than other women in her society. Ultimately, Firdaus gains a degree of power and independence by proving to herself that she "owns" her body and that she determines her own destiny. Therefore, Woman at Point Zero challenges "the social order that has assigned women a subordinate position under the control of her male partners" (Harlow, 512) as Firdaus controls the ways in which she uses her body as a prostitute to gain power . and independence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The first time Firdaus becomes aware of her power is when Sharifa introduces her to prostitution. Sharifa is the one who, through the skillful application of cosmetics, helps Firdaus see her inner beauty and strength. Firdaus says that Sharifa opens her eyes to the invisible features of her face and body, making her more aware and understanding of them. And it is with Sharifa's help that Firdaus discovers that he has “black eyes with a brilliance that attract other eyes like a magnet” (Saadawi, 58). Beauty for Firdaus is a way in which she manages to control her body. For example, a man does not determine how Firdaus' hair will be combed, what clothes he will wear, or how makeup will be applied. Rather, Firdaus herself determines her appearance. Therefore, Firdaus uses her beauty as a way to attract and titillate the men in her society. And while he is with Sharifa, Firdaus discovers that she determines his own worth. Instead of seeing his big, round nose, Firdaus begins to see it with the “fullness of a strong passion that can turn into lust” (Saadawi, 58). She begins to embrace her looks, which in return increases her self-confidence, something she once lacked in childhood. By embracing her beauty and increasing her self-esteem, Firdaus is able to gain power and control, thus challenging the assertion that men have control over women. Although Firdaus learns to appreciate her beauty under Sharifa's guidance, Firdaus decides to leave because she realizes that she needs to earn money if she wants to gain her own power and independence. And it's not long after leaving Sharifa that Firdaus sleeps with a man who gives her a ten pound note. This is the first time that Firdaus realizes that to gain power, independence and respect he must acquire a lot of money. When Firdaus goes to the restaurant and gives the waiter the ten pound note, she is treated with respect, and realizes that it is the first time in her lifewho eats “without being watched by two eyes that stare into [her] plate to see how much food [she] took” (Saadawi, 71). The waiter even bends over the table with a movement of “respectful humility” (Saadawi, 71 years old) while collecting Firdaus' money. This demonstrates Firdaus' control over him, which in return gives her a feeling of power and superiority that she has never felt before. Meeting the waiter also helps Firdaus understand how to use her body in a way that will allow her to acquire enough money to live independently. Firdaus' apparent control also supports the claim that Woman at Point Zero challenges the social order that traditionally places men above women. After leaving the restaurant, Firdaus begins to believe in herself: she stops bowing her head or looking away. Instead, he walks the streets with his head held high and his eyes looking straight ahead. He even exclaims: “My steps hit the ground with force, with a new euphoria” (Saadawi, 73). As men pass her on the street, Firdaus uses her control by refusing the men's invitations. She repeatedly murmurs no, which leaves them perplexed. One of these males insistently asks Firdaus: "Well, why not?" and Firdaus confidently replies: “Because there are many men and I want to choose who to go with” (Saadawi, 73). As an independent prostitute, Firdaus begins to choose which men to sleep with and which men not to sleep with. He also decides the food he eats and the house he lives in. For this reason Firdaus begins to believe in his own independence. In prostitution, Firdaus' body becomes hers, with which she can do as she wishes. Firdaus also has free time to go to the cinema and read books. She uses her free will, which once again challenges the assertion that men have control over women. Despite Firdaus' successes as an independent prostitute, her power is challenged when her friend Di'aa declares that Firdaus is not a "respectable woman" (Saadawi, 76). However, because Firdaus is so determined to be a respectable woman, she decides to look for work in an office instead of on the streets. Firdaus gets a job but then realizes that the men in the office think they can take advantage of her by increasing her salary. Firdaus despises them for thinking such a thing, saying that “the price of my body is much higher than the price that can be paid with a salary increase” (Saadawi, 81). She believes that as a prostitute she was regarded with much more respect and valued more than all the workers. Firdaus states that she “feels sorry for other girls who are so naive as to offer their bodies and physical efforts every night in exchange for a meal or a good annual report” (Saadawi, 82). Unlike these women, Firdaus does not allow men to break her pride. For example, none of the referees are able to force Firdaus to bow his head or lower his eyes to the ground. Although Firdaus manages to maintain control as an employee, she decides that prostitution might be a safer path to dignity and self-determination than the "respectable" life of an office assistant. After leaving her job, Firdaus returns to the life of an independent prostitute, where she continues to challenge the social order while gaining even more power than before. She is soon paid the ultimate price, becoming so successful that she gains the power to hire any servant to wash her clothes or polish her shoes. Firdaus even donates money to a charity and has her photo printed in the newspaper, where it says she is a “citizen with a sense of civic responsibility” (Saadawi, 100). Using her body as a prostitute again,.