Abstract

From the womb of suffering and oppression, the cry of women rose and formed the feminist movement with its various currents. Feminism sought to change traditional thinking and prevailing social systems that consider women far from decision-making and destiny-making. Feminist propaganda and attempts bore fruit, and most women were affected and went beyond their narrow scope, becoming a global movement. Muslim and Arab women were dazzled by this rising wave, and its features appeared in appearance and appearance, and were deposited in poetry and literature. Hence, this research attempts to address the novel “The Impossible” using the descriptive analytical method, and feminist theory in criticism and analysis. The research results show that the novel "The Impossible" explores the role of women who try to change traditional social systems in a conservative society. The female character "Fatima" appeared with revolutionary and rejecting steps, trying to extend her control and assert her individual independence. Moreover, the heroine could not stand the concept of guardianship and the guardianship of men in the family, so she focused on achieving financial independence and ensuring her absolute freedom. She wanted Hilmi to avoid male jealousy, not link honor to women, and give them freedom of action and choice. The female body is represented as a source of power and control over others, and it was a means of gaining men through excitement and sex, and a victim of brokenness and objectification in the heroine’s character.
Keywords: Social system, Family system, Fnaism, Mustafa Mahmoud, Novel of the Impossible.
 
Extended summary
 

Introduction

The feminist movements emerged as a powerful outcry against the suffering and oppression endured by women throughout history. This burgeoning wave sought to challenge the traditional mindsets and prevailing social systems that excluded women from decision-making and determining their own destinies. Although these efforts received mixed responses ranging from rejection to acceptance, they ultimately grew into a widespread cultural movement embraced by youth and intellectuals alike. Notably, the influence of feminism became evident in the Islamic world and particularly in Arab societies, manifesting in literature, poetry, and social behaviors. Mustafa Mahmoud, a committed writer and thinker who critically engaged with Western philosophical theories, utilized literature and thought to address social issues concerning women. This study aims to examine Mustafa Mahmoud’s novel "The Impossible" through a descriptive-analytical approach and feminist theory to explore women’s struggles against traditional social structures and the repercussions of these struggles on individuals and society.

Materials & Methods

This research employs a descriptive-analytical method aimed at systematically collecting, organizing, and analyzing relevant textual materials. The data were gathered through a close reading of Mustafa Mahmoud’s novel "The Impossible" alongside reviewing theoretical sources on feminist theory. The study conducts a content analysis of the literary texts to identify feminist themes, portrayals of women’s status, and their actions against social constraints. The theoretical framework is grounded in feminist criticism and literary studies, allowing an exploration of the various dimensions of women’s resistance in the narrative and the subsequent social and cultural implications. This approach enables a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between literary changes and social phenomena, highlighting the impact of the feminist movement in lesser-studied literary works.

Research findings

The novel The Impossible by Mustafa Mahmoud vividly portrays the multifaceted struggle of women within a traditional and conservative societal framework, emphasizing feminist efforts to transform entrenched social and family systems. The protagonist, Fatima, embodies feminist ideals through her revolutionary attitude and actions, most notably her divorce as a direct challenge to the prevailing patriarchal family structure. Fatima rejects the dominant model of marriage grounded in male authority and female submission, advocating instead for an equitable family dynamic based on mutual respect, shared responsibilities, and individual autonomy. She fiercely disputes the notion that family roles must be predetermined or unequally distributed, emphasizing financial independence as a critical pathway to women's liberation. Moreover, the novel critiques inherited moral codes that sustain male dominance, revealing how such ethical frameworks constrain women’s freedoms and perpetuate gender inequality. Fatima’s confrontations with these norms, including her rejection of socially imposed loyalty and fidelity standards, reflect a broader feminist critique against patriarchal ethics designed to suppress female agency. Concurrently, Fatima advocates for new relational paradigms that promote emotional and social equality between genders, although her own contradictory desires for affection underscore the complex negotiation between tradition and modernity.
The corporeal dimension plays a pivotal role in illustrating power dynamics, as Fatima uses her body both as an instrument of empowerment and as a site of conflict within social and intimate relations. Her engagement in multiple physical relationships symbolizes a form of resistance against objectification and societal constraints; however, it also reveals the psychological ambivalence and alienation experienced by women navigating spaces defined by male-centric values. This embodied tension highlights the novel’s exploration of sexuality as both a domain of agency and vulnerability.

Discussion of Results & Conclusion

The Impossible presents a nuanced feminist critique of entrenched patriarchal structures, revealing the persistent challenges women face in achieving social, familial, moral, and bodily autonomy within a conservative context. Fatima’s journey underscores the necessity of profound systemic change rather than mere incremental social participation. Her assertion of financial independence as a foundation for autonomy aligns with feminist theories that stress economic empowerment as a cornerstone of gender equality. The novel also problematizes inherited moral values, illustrating how patriarchal societies construct and enforce ethical codes that confine women’s agency. By advocating for the redefinition of values such as fidelity, honor, and gender norms, the narrative aligns with feminist calls for a comprehensive moral reordering that equally encompasses men and women.
Importantly, the portrayal of the body as a contested site of power reveals critical insights into the intersections of gender, sexuality, and identity. Fatima’s use of her corporeality challenges traditional gendered perceptions yet simultaneously exposes the emotional costs and social repercussions of such transgressions in a restrictive environment. The resultant psychic dissonance and social alienation illustrate the complexity of feminist liberation as both an external and internalized struggle. In conclusion, Mustafa Mahmoud’s The Impossible brings to light the imperative for radical transformation of social, familial, and ethical institutions to realize gender equality. The novel advocates for dismantling male-dominated systems and constructing new frameworks that acknowledge women’s full humanity, autonomy, and rights. These findings contribute to feminist literary criticism by highlighting the persistent tensions between tradition and emancipation, as articulated through narrative, character, and symbolic use of the body.