Putting on Sarah’s Skin: Exploring Victimhood in the Bible and Beyond
When we think of biblical stories, we often imagine clear-cut heroes and villains. But what if I told you that one of the most famous women in the Bible - Sarah, wife of Abraham - embodies both victim and oppressor?
The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar unfolds, revealing key figures in the foundational narrative of the Hebrew Bible. Abraham is called by God to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land, where God promises to make him the father of a great nation. His wife, Sarah, is barren, and in their old age, they struggle with the fulfilment of God's promise of offspring. In an attempt to secure an heir, Sarah offers her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham, and Hagar bears him a son, Ishmael. However, tension arises between Sarah and Hagar, leading to Hagar’s temporary exile. Later, God miraculously blesses Sarah with a son, Isaac, fulfilling the divine promise. The complex relationships between Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar highlight the dynamics of power within feminism, and our own struggles with identity.
The Tale of Two Women
The story revolves around Sarah and her handmaid, Hagar. Sarah, unable to conceive, follows a common practice of the time and offers Hagar to Abraham as a surrogate. But when Hagar becomes pregnant, things get complicated. Hagar, now carrying the heir, looks down on Sarah. In response, Sarah treats Hagar so harshly that she runs away.
This tale is not just ancient history. It touches on themes that are painfully relevant today: infertility, surrogacy, class differences, and the complex relationships between women in shared domestic spaces.
Sarah as Victim
At first glance, Sarah seems like a clear victim. She is uprooted from her home to follow her husband's divine calling. She is passed off as Abraham's sister (twice!) to protect him from potential harm. She struggles with infertility in a culture that values women primarily for childbearing. Sarah's pain and powerlessness are palpable.
But the story does not end there.
Sarah as Oppressor
When Sarah finally has power - over her handmaid Hagar - she uses it to oppress. She treats Hagar so badly that the pregnant woman flees into the wilderness. Later, when Sarah has her own son, she convinces Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael, potentially leaving them to die in the desert.
This duality in Sarah's character challenges us. How do we reconcile the oppressed woman with the oppressor? And what does it mean for our understanding of victimhood and power?
The Complexity of Victimhood
Julia Kristeva, a renowned psychoanalyst and philosopher, offers some insight. She suggests that long-term oppression can lead to two extremes: either total submission or aggressive domination of others. This helps explain Sarah's behaviour. Having suffered under patriarchal systems, she lashes out when given a modicum of power.
This pattern is not unique to Sarah. We see it play out in modern contexts too. Think of workplace dynamics where a person who is been bullied becomes a bully themselves when promoted. Or consider how some feminist movements have been criticized for focusing on the concerns of white, middle-class women while ignoring or even oppressing women of colour or from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Intersectionality and the Sarah-Hagar Dynamic
The relationship between Sarah and Hagar has become a powerful symbol in feminist and postcolonial studies. Some scholars see it as representing the divide between white, middle-class feminism and the struggles of marginalized women. Others view it as an illustration of how patriarchal systems pit women against each other, preventing solidarity and maintaining male dominance.
These interpretations remind us of the importance of intersectionality - recognizing how different aspects of identity (gender, race, class, etc.) intersect to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege. Sarah and Hagar's story encourages us to look beyond simple categories of "oppressor" and "oppressed" to see the nuanced realities of power dynamics.
The Weight of Sarah's Skin
"Putting on Sarah's skin" means recognizing the weight of history, the complexity of human nature, and the responsibility we all share in creating a more just world. It means acknowledging that we can be both wounded and wounding, and choosing to break that cycle.
The story of Sarah and Hagar, far from being a simple tale of right and wrong, offers us a mirror to examine our own struggles with power, identity, and justice. By grappling with these complexities, we can work towards a feminism - and a world - that truly liberates everyone.
Daniel Domig 2024
