"Symbolic Interaction in the Novel 'Two Women in One Woman' by Nawal El Saadawi and 'sahme man' by Parinoush Saniee Based on George Herbert Mead's Theory."

Abstract

Introduction

Nawal El Saadawi and Parinoush Saniee are two prominent contemporary writers from the Arab world and Iran who have deeply explored social, cultural, and gender issues through their works. El Saadawi, an Egyptian writer and physician, is known for her critique of patriarchal structures and her efforts to give voice to Arab women, particularly in Two Women in One Woman, where she portrays the struggle of female identity against social constraints. Similarly, Saniee, in her novel Sahme Man (Sahme man), delves into the complexities of women’s personal and social identities within Iranian society.
Symbolic interactionism, as formulated by George Herbert Mead, offers a useful analytical framework for these novels by emphasizing that identity and meaning are socially constructed through interaction and the use of symbols. This study explores how social and cultural interactions shape the minds and selves of the female protagonists—Bahiyya Shaheen and Ma’soumeh—and how these interactions contribute to the redefinition of womanhood in their respective cultural contexts.
 

Methodology

This study applies George Herbert Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism as a sociological and interpretive framework for literary analysis. The research follows a qualitative, descriptive–analytical approach, relying on close reading of the two novels to identify how the concepts of mind, self, and society manifest in the protagonists’ experiences. The method involves comparative interpretation, focusing on the interaction between individual consciousness and social structures, as expressed through language, symbolism, and interpersonal relations. By tracing the processes through which meaning is created and identity is reshaped, the study seeks to uncover the sociocultural mechanisms behind the transformation of female subjectivity in both narratives.
 

Discussion

An analysis of Two Women in One Woman and Sahme Man through the lens of symbolic interactionism reveals that female identity in both works emerges through dynamic social and cultural interactions. In El Saadawi’s novel, Bahiyya Shaheen actively resists patriarchal norms and uses language as a liberating symbol, transforming from a submissive Me into an agentive I Her engagement with the generalized other leads to a redefinition of her womanhood. In contrast, Saniee’s Ma’soumeh begins as a passive subject constrained by traditional expectations but gradually gains self-awareness through her lived experiences and encounters with other women. In both narratives, symbolic communication and social interaction drive the evolution of identity and consciousness. The comparative perspective highlights that both authors use the mechanisms of symbolic interaction to move from depictions of female passivity toward the creation of self-aware and socially active women, though within distinct cultural and ideological contexts
 

Conclusion

Findings based on Mead’s theory indicate that mind, self, and society play fundamental roles in shaping individual identity. In Two Women in One Woman, Bahiyya Shaheen’s active mind allows her to transcend cultural constraints, leading to self-realization and redefinition through collective action. Conversely, in Sahme Man, Ma’soumeh’s awareness remains constrained by oppressive social forces, resulting in isolation and resignation rather than transformation. The comparison demonstrates that while both characters face similar societal pressures, their differing capacities for symbolic engagement and mental reinterpretation produce divergent paths of identity formation. Ultimately, the study underscores that the active interaction between mind and society is essential for achieving self-awareness and redefining feminine identity in contemporary Arabic and Persian literature.