The Worth of a WomanWhen talking about women's issues, the general reaction is one of frustration. It seems that 21st century society is already tired of hearing about the problems women face, even though about half of the world's population is female (UNDP, 2002). In The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan, the ever-present topic of gender inequality is explored through Mehrunnisa's life experiences. Mehrunnisa's story provides 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 restricted in their educational freedoms in order to reduce the validity of their opinions. A woman can only gain the freedom to make her own decisions when she saw her children have the opportunity to learn from a Hindu priest, Mehrunnisa's mother Asmat began to worry that " [teaching] girls too much [would] cause them to want the outside world” (48). Although Asmat has good intentions, his wish 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 additional knowledge. Mehrunnisa knows full well that her marriage dictates her power and luxury 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 reinforces the negative connotation she already associates with him, because he would not be able to provide her with the power she aspires to. Even after joining the Zenana, Mehrunnisa “realized that just being [there] was not enough” (324). The wives of the Zenana had more power than those of working-class husbands, but within the palace walls, only those with direct relations to the emperor had ultimate control. Mehrunnisa grows up with the idea that a man is her only means of gaining the influence she desires, as this is the information she receives all her life. This is evidenced by the fact that Mehrunnisa's parents fear that their daughters "will [never] find a husband if they do." they are too [educated]” (48). At that time in Mughal India, an educated woman was a symbol of arrogance and domination, which was not desirable because these women began to form their own opinions instead of agreeing with their husband. This society would prefer to live in ignorance and complacency. Mehrunnisa's mother continues to strengthen her daughters' preparation for married life by teaching them the skills needed to manage a household and become good wives, such as "[learning] to paint, sew, embroider, and supervise servants" (49 ). This knowledge is considered essential for a woman because she will stay at home, but men do not need this knowledge because they will take on other responsibilities, which are generally considered more important. Men and women are given expectations that they are expected to 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 the children [she] is supposed to have" simply because she was giving him political advice (179). Mehrunnisa's father is a respected man in the royal court and she spent a lot of time learning