Balcony of Disgrace: A Trial against Honour Crimes
Dr. Sana' Mahmoud Jarrar

Abstract
The novelist, Ibrahim Nasrallah, draws a marvelous artistic portrait that reflects the cruelty of honour crimes. The novelist explores the reality of the Arabic woman's life especially in the poor and middle classes by using all his experiences and knowledge in an aesthetical way. To emphasize, the writer sheds light on the disgrace phenomenon which is based on the idea of purifying the reputation of the family by killing the victim. This phenomenon rises in the societies that are controlled by the mentalities which stick to the primitive traditions and norms. These societies are coined by the ignorant, weak and reactionary mentalities. In spite of the universal efforts to eradicate ferocity against women, some Arab women continue to tolerate the maximum form of humiliation that is exemplified by honour crimes. This paper investigates how the institutional ignoring of honor crimes are rooted in traditional values that are justified by social norms and existing penal codes. Last, the paper will provide arenas of further critical thinking which could help to grasp this phenomenon in regard to gender threat and oppression of women.

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