Oppression
When he marries Samya, Boutros becomes her master essentially. In Egyptian culture she is considered his property and thus subject to his will. The oppression of women in Samya's culture is largely acceptable, but the women say nothing for fear of upsetting the delicate balances of their own marriages. After marriage, Samya is not allowed autonomy in choosing her clothing, leaving the home, making choices regarding her body sexually, owning property or money of her own, or defying her husband's opinions. Additionally, she is expected to be submissive, flattering, and endearing toward Boutros. She is supposed to bear him as many children as possible, as quickly as possible, but she struggles to conceive. The nature of her marriage becomes the sole vehicle of oppression, turning her life into a nightmare. Her marriage is comparable to a life sentence in prison, also, because she has no legal right to divorce him for any reason.
Isolation
With her marriage, Samya is pulled from school and moved into a new house in a new village, far from home. She is forbidden to contact any of her friends and kept far from family. In the village, she is still further isolated because she must remain in the home unless she receives Boutros' permission to leave (which he is loathe to give). Some of the other wives sneak out and meet on occasion, but this is a risky business. Even in their company, Samya enjoys solidarity but no real intimacy. These women are terrified of offending their husbands and powerless to help Samya in any practical way. In complete isolation, she lives out her days like an object of her husband's. When she loses her daughter, Samya deliberately locks herself away from everyone. She has no desire to participate in life any longer, much less to see people, or her husband in particular, whom she blames for her woes.
Abuse
In addition to the oppression of their marriage, Boutros inflict real abuse on Samya. He verbally berates her for seven years while they are trying to conceive. Naturally he blames her for any fault int heir intimacy, as if she is intentionally withholding some kind of fulfillment from him. Although she is a symbol of Boutros' wealth and prosperity, Samya becomes his target for his own dissatisfaction. He insults her as he pleases, with no regard to her emotional or physical health. In addition to the hurtful language, he beats her on occasion. When Samya tells her father of the abuse, she receives no help or sympathy. He relinquishes all control over his daughter.
