critical paper
...e could when she was alive. She took full responsibility for raising Son Jara; she follows him into exile and protected him from malevolent spirits. Sugulun was able to mold Son Jara into the future ruler he was going to become. Molding and reprogramming are also characteristics that Shahrazad from Thousand and One Arabian Nights possessed. Being able to reprogram a man of high status or high stature is something that only a female with strength can complete. Shahrazad was able to reprogram Shahrayar by healing his mistrust he had for women. She was able to beguile him into not thinking of his past short comings with woman, by leaving him to indulge in her stories. She was willing to risk her life for the well being of her fellow women as Sugulun was willing to risk her life for Son Jara. A woman is strong when she has the ability to manipulate those around her. Manipulation is exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage. In Son Jara, as well as Arabian Nights, woman use brain power to get what they want done. In both tales, even though the men are powerful and have absolute rule, they all at one time fall victim to the cunning ways of the woman. Son Jara’s sister, Sugulun Kulukan influences her brother’s enemy to blurt out his own weaknesses. Only a conniving and manipulative female can be able to make a man feel comfortable enough to show his weaknesses. Like in Arabian Nights, Shahrazad uses procrastination to overcome the kings hate for women, in the same action saving the women in the kingdom. In these epic tales, sexuality and seduction are two important strengths that make women powerful. Son Jara’s sister utilizes her womanly charms in the fight against her brother’s enemy (Norton, 1464). Sugulun is able to seduce Susa Mountain Sumamuru into releasesing the directions on how he can be defeated. While Sugulun used her sexuality for good, it still was still able to cripple a powerful man. The situation in Son Jara is very similar to Shahrayar’s wife and concubines. Through sexual infidelity, Shahrayar’s wife and concubines were able to turn him into an insecure, cynical, sociopath. To make certain that another mishap doesn’t fall upon him again, he marries a virgin and kills her after they have sex. This is clearly the sign of a distraught and emotionally scared man. In both stories the woman, through their sexual prowess, are able to defeat powerful men and leave them emotionally, mentally or physically damaged. Son Jara and Arabian Nights are both two stories with women ...