"Dhimmi" is a term applied to someone who lives in a Muslim society without being a Muslim (principally Jews and Christians). This paper compares and contrasts two books on the subject of the dhimmi--The Jews of Islam by Bernard Lewis and The Dhimmi: Jews and Christians under Islam by Bat Ye'or. This comparison and contrast centers on four points: (1) ways in which the authors express their views, (2) the subjects the authors choose to write about, (3) differences in subject matter, and (4) individual point of view.
As both works have a scholarly tone, neither one reveals particular emotions or views regarding the subject matter. Both are objective and factual, letting the ideas, facts, and interpretations speak for themselves. The formats and styles are somewhat different, The Lewis work is based on the Gustave A. and Mamie W. Effroymson Memorial lectures delivered at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November of 1981 (Lewis xi). The presentation is primarily one of verbal discourse, although the author did considerably expand the material originally presented in the lectures.
The Dhimmi by Bat Ye'or is more lengthy, more detailed, and organized in a different manner from the Lewis work. The Jews of Islam contains only four chapters. The last three chapters are a chronological consideration of the Jews under the rule of Islam. The-first chapter is a general discussion of the relations between Islam and other religions--in theology, law, theory and practice. The Dhimmi touches on chronological development, but more
importantly, it expands upon broader implications of the position of the dhimmi, such as the psychological aspects, economic and social aspects, and the meanings of tolerance and oppression. Bat Ye'or does present a historical outline, but it is quite brief. The bulk of the book deals with the meaning of the events. Her interest seems to be that of interpretation rather than a telling of t...