Translating Nouzha Fassi Fihri's La Baroudeuse: A Case Study in ...

Kenza, Moulay Ali, Sharif, and Marjana during this era of Moroccan history. In
the opening scene, Lalla Kenza, as a bitter old woman who despises her second
husband, Sharif, is eagerly preparing for the arrival of her cousin Moulay Ali. In a
flashback, the reader learns that she and her cousin had fallen in love and married
when they were very young, with the blessing of the family. However, when
Moulay Ali finishes his studies and is appointed to a government position in
Tangiers, Kenza's father autocratically arranges their divorce, refusing to allow
his daughter to accompany her husband and risk the voyage through dangerous
territory. After Moulay Ali is forced to leave his bride, Kenza's father then
arranges for her to marry Sharif, a penniless but highly respected descendent of
the Prophet. Kenza never forgives her father for separating her from the husband
she loves and takes revenge her on Sharif in decades of hostile marital aggression.
Only the steadfast companionship and wisdom of her slave Marjana prevents
passion and grief from driving Kenza insane.
When Moulay Ali returns to Fez after four decades of absence, his arrival
comes just days before the leaders of the Moroccan nationalist party present the
Independence Manifesto to the French, whose harsh repression of peaceful
demonstrations provokes armed combat in the streets of Fez. During these events,
Sharif disappears with a passing group of chanting demonstrators. The family
learns later that he died in a skirmish, and Kenza belatedly comes to respect her
second husband. Kenza and Moulay Ali keep each other company through the
ensuing siege of Fez, distributing food from her reserves and discussing politics,
religion, and the events of their lives during the years they had lived apart. One
morning Kenza discovers that Moulay Ali has died of a heart attack during the
3