The Value of a WomanWhen it comes to women's issues, the general reaction is one of frustration. It seems that the general society of the 21st century is already tired of hearing about the problems women face even when approximately half of the world's population is female (UNPD, 2002). In Indu Sundaresan's The Twentieth Wife, the pervasive theme of gender inequality is explored through Mehrunnisa's life experiences. The story of Mehrunnisa offers an insight into the situation and social status of women in 16th century India. Girls are trained to be good housewives from a young age. Women in general are limited in their educational freedoms to reduce the validity of their opinions. A woman can only get the freedom to make her own decisions. Faced with the opportunity for her children to learn from a Hindu priest, Asmat, Mehrunnisa's mother, began to worry that "[teaching] girls too much [will] make them want it." of the external world” (48). Although Asmat has good intentions, her desire to reduce Mehrunnisa and her sisters' knowledge in order to reduce their desire ultimately results in the opposite as it causes Mehrunnisa to crave authority over others and further knowledge. Mehrunnisa knows firsthand that her marriage will determine her power and luxuries for the rest of her life. “She was…married to a common soldier,” meaning she does not have the freedoms associated with being in the royal Zenana or marrying the Emperor as she wishes (79). Calling her future husband “common” also furthers the negative connotation she already associates with him as he would not be able to provide her with the power she aspires to. Even after joining the Zenana, Mehrunnisa “realized that simply being [there] was not enough” (324). Women in the Zenana had more power than their working-class husbands, but within the palace walls only those with direct dealings with the emperor had ultimate control. Mehrunnisa grows up with the idea that a man is her only way to receive the influence she desires as this is the information she is given in full. This is demonstrated by the fact that Mehrunnisa's parents fear that their daughters will "never find husbands if they are too [educated]" (48). During this time in Mughal ruled India, an educated woman is a symbol of arrogance and dominance, which is undesirable as these women start forming their own opinions instead of agreeing with their husbands. This society would prefer you live in ignorance and complacency. Mehrunnisa's mother continues to strengthen her daughters' education for married life by teaching them the skills needed to run a household and be good wives such as "[learning] to paint, sew, embroider, and supervise servants" (49). These are considered essential for a woman to know as they will be staying at home, but men do not require this knowledge as they will have other responsibilities, generally considered more important. Men and women are given expectations that they must conform to before they are even old enough to make a choice about their future. Once women grow up and start having opinions, they are scolded by their husbands. Mehrunnisa's first husband, Ali Quli, told her to “limit [her] interests to the house and children that [she] should have” simply because she gave him advice on politics (179). Mehrunnisa's father is a respected man in the royal court and she has devoted a lot of time to learning