Nonnatives are given very different interpretations of the west through various forms of text. The tales of The Arabian Nights translated by Husnin Haddowy depict the culture through translations. These tales have been sent around the world to be translated many times by different countries and cultures, further changing the true meaning of Arabian culture. In past centuries, women were treated as property and looked down at. They were often compared to men and discriminated against. This aspect of Arabian culture is shown in many different forms of literature. This culture developed a hierarchy, leading the men to be on top and the women to be much farther below. They were treated very negatively and even sexualized. This condescension of women diminished their roles in the society and overall culture. 

Present in most cultures around the world, especially the west, men were held on a pedestal. They were the head of the household and the most important in their society. Everyone looked up to the men. They defined their standard for life and success. On the contrary, women had no power, no respect and most definitely little to no role in society. In western America, women had roles dictated by men. Such roles included them only appealing to the men. Their lives were dictated by the needs of the men. The following quote, “and saw how much they had stacked of wine, meat, fruits, nuts, sweets, fresh herbs, candles, charcoal and the like for drinking and carousing”, shows that the man viewed these women as his servant. They were carrying food for the people and the man included that in his description of the women. This fits with how the rest of the cultured view women. Arabian women had very few freedoms and they did as the men told them. They were ordered to carry food so that is what they did. The end of the quote states “and the like for drinking and carousing”. It can be inferred that drinking is also another thing the women are allowed to get involved in. Women are supposed to be a “fun time”. They aren’t to be taken seriously so the men enjoy spending time with them and socializing. The men encourage the hierarchy and poser divide by making stereotypes against women. 

Building off the claim that women are in existence for the benefit of men, women are always expected to have a man in mind to please. The Arabian culture represented in the tales diminishes the individuality of women. Women are allowed to be present for themselves and not go on with life for the pleasure of men. Women then and now deserve the right to be their own person. In addition, “without seeing any man around, he was very astonished and stood there”, implies a shocked reaction of the man when the women were simply carrying food for themselves and not for any man. They were doing something on their own and it confused the man. This tiny bit of self sufficiency shows so much more than implied. The man was shocked the women could exist without the men. The fact that  women were walking somewhere with another woman and not interlocked arms with a man caused so much confusion. It is astonishing to see the cultural norms of that time. The man in this quote is most likely an Arabian man who grew up with the morals that women that exist for the sole purpose of men. Everything they do is for the men, with the men and to the men. “…but I have been wondering about your situation in the absence of anyone to entertain you.” The most agitating part of this quote is the word “entertain”. He is implying that women are either children or dogs but insinuating that men need to make them happy or busy. Women are not allowed to have emotions driven from an internal source. The man was looking for a man, stating that it would be weird for a woman to be walking alone. The power divide between men and women is very prevalent because the men “own” women. These quotes accurately show how the men view women and the fact that women can’t live individually. 

The culture presented in the West shows the maltreatment of women and the way men overlook them. Men have all the power in their culture. “For as, a table needs four legs to stand on, you being three, likewise need a fourth”. This quote metaphorically shows that women need men for support and to “complete” them. A table wouldn’t be complete with 4 women, because a man always needs to be included. The tables describe that women have no freedoms so the men need to overcompensate for them. In this context, the table is used to symbolize a strong relationship, culture and world; and that men are needed for all of this. 

“The pleasure of women is not complete without men”. The divide between men and women is depicted in that women exist for men. This shows the power the men had over the women because women were not their own people but men were. In this quote, women are sexualized by stating that the only pleasure a woman can have is something only a man can give them. In their culture, women were viewed to only exist in a sexual manner. They didn’t have jobs and didnt have individuality. Men are powerful and dictate what others can and can’t do. They have the most power in Arabian culture. Woken unfortunately don’t have the privilege to be their own people. 

Men are the stepping stones of their culture and the women are just their distractions. The tales of The Arabian Days demonstrates the lack of power of women and the clear hierarchy created in their culture. The West had very distinct differences between the roles of men and women. Women were sexualized and used to please the men. The negative connotation was accurately conveyed to readers and translators.