Sultanas Oppressive Dream

To be a man according to Sultanas Dream is to be inferior, to be used and neglected. In

Sultanas Dream, the idea of womens oppression is basically reversed and oppressed onto men.
While also, subtly comparing and contrasting the differences in male and female oppression.
The ideas and themes of the overall story is based around a feminist utopia, where male
oppression is normal. Women do not only feel confident enough to do as they please in this
utopia; they felt comfortable expressing and simply being themselves no matter how assertive,
sexual, smart or unintelligent they might be. Sultana dreamed of this land better known as
Ladyland, that empowered women to the extent that they were in fact encouraged by certain laws
to live their life to its full potential, and have as many opportunities as possible. Especially,
opportunities not offered in the current society where Sultana resides.
In Sultanas Dream, men practically take on the role of women in Sultanas ideal place of
residence, Ladyland. It is the definition of a truly feminist society, only encouraging male
oppression as well. Feminism, the utter belief in the power of women, not meant to oppress men,
but to be equally treated and valued. Although, in Ladyland the men have no say in their life
whatsoever, they do as their told and obey the orders that their superiors, (women) give them. In
fact, when Sultana was brought to attention of her surroundings and the reality of male
oppression, she was astonished and very unaccustomed to its impact on the overall quality of life
for both women and men. She explained her emotions more thoroughly as she stated, How my
friends at home will be amused and amazed, when I go back and tell them that in the far-off.
Ladyland, ladies rule over the country and control all social matters, while gentlemen are kept in
the Mardanas to mind babies, to cook, and to do all sorts of domestic work; and that cooking is
so easy a thing that it is simply a pleasure to cook.(8) For example, when she first arrived she

had no clue that men could be so inferior and unauthoritative. Therefore, Sister Sarah had to
explain the circumstances in which people lived in Ladyland: O, I see my mistake, you cannot
know our customs, as you were never here before. We shut our men indoors. (5) Although, the
oppression men had to endure was unethical and unfair, they could easily have been compared to
slaves. However, they did not have to face the same objectification of being sex objects as
women have to undergo in the real world.
Of course, no dream can ever be too perfect when reality is far from it. Of course this not
only figurative, but literal dream of Sultanas was impaired. There were still living men that
ridiculed women and thought low of their abilities. Ladyland was not the only society that
somewhat flourished, there was also a civilization of men that were fairly violent and laughed at
the advancements and overall intelligence of the government of Ladyland. Their disrespect and
ridicule was shown, While the women were engaged in scientific research, the men of this
country were busy increasing their military power. When they came to know that the female
universities were able to draw water from the atmosphere and collect heat from the sun, they
only laughed at the members of the universities and called the whole thing a sentimental
nightmare (13) Due to their persistent sexist views, women still had to fight for not only their
rights, but power over these men who undermined their authority. A meeting of a number of
wise ladies was held at the queens palace to advise as to what should be done to save the land.
Some proposed to fight like soldiers; others objected and said that women were not trained to
fight with swords and guns, nor were they accustomed to fighting with any weapons. A third
party regretfully remarked that they were hopelessly weak of body. (13) Finally, even though
women had an extreme change in authority and power, they were still facing some of the same
challenges they would normally in our sexist societies today.

Sultanas dream, consists of a variety of different, but very complex societies, although
the story has a subtle but very obvious comparison between the oppression of women, and the
oppression of men. Meanwhile, the women face oppression in both the world Sultana lives in, as
well as the world that Sultana dreams of. All the same, the oppression women faced was
exemplified as being incapable, sex objects. Although, the oppression men faced, was as if they
were unintelligent and only capable of handiwork. Both of these untrue oppressive ideals, were
demonstrated throughout the entirety of Sultanas Dream.
In conclusion, this story deeply explains a feminist run society that in addition oppresses
men, and subtly compares and contrasts the differences in male and female oppression.
Although, bringing to light how women might feel subconsciously towards men when living and
enduring such a repressive way of life. It also creates a new perspective in Sultana's mind of how
the world can be run and how she can express her wants, needs, desires and herself. Overall, this
story has a bias towards men due to the harsh and merciless way that Sultana had experienced
their presence in her life.