Essay Questions

Who is Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and what is her significance in the 'Turkish Letters?'

Lady Mary is an honorable English author married to Edward, a dignitary and British Diplomat to the Ottoman Empire. Lady Mary is significant because 'The Turkish Embassy Letters' are all written by her to document her Ottoman Empire's experiences. Lady Mary's letters majorly talk about the Ottoman culture, ethnicities, and backgrounds of women.

Why is Lady Mary Wortley Montagu concluding that Arabic women are oppressed?

The author is privileged to interact with many local women in Ottoman because she is considered a dignitary. During her interactions with the local women, the author realizes that local women are forced to wear the veil to comply with their Islamic religion. Women are considered as men's objects because they must do what their husbands direct them to accomplish without question. The voices of women do not count in the political and economic arenas. The author realizes that there is a sharp contrast between western women and Arabic women. In western cultures, women have the freedom to choose what to wear, and they have the freedom to make their life choices.

What is unique about the Turkish women, according to the author?

Despite being oppressed by cultural norms, the author realizes that the Turkish women are friendly, welcoming, upbeat, and elegant. During her encounters, the author meets the local women taking beautiful baths, and they cheerfully request her to join them, and she does. However, this does not mean that these local women are justified to be oppressed because they will start to demand their rightful place in society given an opportunity to explore the world.