Ask What You Will

Ask what you will... a section which The Woman's Voice introduces in its pages, in response to the wish of many women readers who have insisted on having a space in which to give voice to what stirs within them — matters of many kinds: educational, cultural, emotional... and complicated problems that stand as a barrier between a person and the truth. This page, whose editing is supervised by a body of specialists in the fields of medicine, science, education, and society, will bring readers the answer nearest to the truth; as for the whole truth, none but God shall ever know it...

In the bag of this page's editor are many questions; we answer some of them in this issue, and shall continue the series in the issues to come.

...You have relieved my worry by announcing that The Woman's Voice has opened a section for questions — for there is a question in my heart that my lips dare not utter. I am a married lady, and I have a baby boy in his fourth month... I love my husband very much, and I am certain of his love for me, but something disturbs my peace and torments me and makes my life a hell: I am very jealous — jealous of everything and over everything. And my husband, as I can see, is vexed by jealousy... and this lets a certain uneasiness seep into our life. Is there a remedy for this disease? Relieve my worry.

(Signature withheld)

Madam...

From your letter it may be inferred that you are sensitive to the utmost degree of feeling, and also that you suffer from your jealousy. You spoke well when you said that you need a remedy for this disease, for jealousy is, before all else, "a grave disease" — it is a disease of the soul, madam, that eats away at the soul and makes life an unbearable hell...

The woman who is jealous lives her whole life in perpetual torment.

Jealousy, as the students of psychology see it, is a disease that accompanies personalities that do not trust their own pride and superiority. The woman who has complete confidence in her own personality is rarely jealous, because she believes in her superiority and the loftiness of her person. And jealousy is seldom the proof of love that the poets would have it be...

Madam... do not fold in upon yourself and shut the window of the soul against the open air, the air of life and beauty. Tame your unruly soul. Be confident of your superiority. And do not let this savage animal lay waste the gardens of the beautiful home you are building today...

And be sure, first and last, that you possess all the gifts that make you the favored woman in your husband's eyes...

And you will be cured...

The Woman's Voice

Sir...

I am a young woman; my friends say of me that I am intelligent. I have reached the age of marriage, and I have every qualification for marrying an excellent young man, but I find in myself no desire to marry, because I love freedom — and I am in constant conflict with my family... What do you advise? And I hope your answer will be in my interest!!

Nadiya — Beirut

My dear Miss...

They say: three women place their lives in the palm of the demons:

— The playful woman who squeezes out her youth here and there... then autumn comes, and she wilts and withers and dies.

— The woman who refuses suitor after suitor for no reason, only because she does not want to marry: men soon scatter away from her and stir up mud around her.

— The woman who plays too much, like the moth — and her wing catches fire.

So beware, my girl.

And from Miss Samira of Beirut:

I love literature very much, and I have some writings which I have set down in my private notebook and which some of my girlfriends read... Some time ago a writer well known in the country visited us at home, and my mother pressed me to read him something... He showed his admiration, and pointed out to me certain fine aspects of my essays... But I am not entirely sure of myself: could The Woman's Voice publish something of mine in its pages?

— With all our heart, dear Samira. The Woman's Voice is pleased to present the rising young women of the new generation to public opinion... Send us some of your writings — and every matter in its own good time.

***

My health is good on the whole, but on certain days I am seized by a painful headache that takes hold of me and stays with me for many long hours... I take aspirin in enormous quantities... They say aspirin is harmful. What is your opinion?

— Taking aspirin, of whatever kind, is not harmful if it is taken in very small quantities and at intermittent intervals; but once it becomes a habit it does harm — so beware of taking it in such abundance.

As for the headache: if it becomes chronic, it is an illness for which a specialist physician must be consulted. And we advise you, finally, not to place complete trust in aspirin and its derivatives.

***

I feel in the depths of my soul that I am afflicted with the disease of self-belittlement: among my companions I always feel that I am weaker than they are, and worth less than they are in the eyes of young men... How can I manage to overcome this feeling?

— You did well to be frank with us about this feeling of yours, and you can easily overcome it if you follow our advice to the letter:

First: be honest and truthful.

Second: try to excel at some one thing — at playing the piano, for instance, at singing, at dancing, at playing tennis, and so on.

Third: keep abreast of the affairs of life; read the daily newspapers (at least one paper), so as to keep in touch with world events...

And do not neglect literature and poetry.

Be measured; do not act in haste, lest you regret it.

And beware of exposing your points of weakness before men, for a man holds the weak woman greatly in contempt.

We are confident that you will overcome this weakness of yours.