CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses two questions, which are stated in the problem formulation. The first question deals with the description of Firdaus as the major
character. The second question deals with Firdaus‟ experiences with men which influence her way in seeing men.
4.1 The Description of Firdaus
According to E.M Foster „there are two kinds of character, flat and round characters‟ as cited in Abrams, 1981, p. 155. Additionally, he adds that a round
character is not static; he changes over the time and can be seen from many sides. Based on that explanation about characters, Firdaus belongs to a round character.
It is because Firdaus changes from a very gentle woman to a very cruel woman. Abrams 1981 states „there are two ways for characterizing the person in
narrative; they are showing or dramatic method and telling‟ p. 21. In order to know about Firdaus‟ character, the readers have to think by themselves. They can
conclude how Firdaus character is by seeing her speech, action, attitude, and many more. As Abrams 1981 says, the author merely presents hisher characters taking
and acting and leaves the reader to infer what motives and dispositions behind what they say and do p. 21. Related to that, there are some characteristics of
Firdaus which can be seen from her action, attitude, speech, and so on. Those explanation above can be used to analyze Firdaus‟ character in the novel.
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4.1.1 Independent
Firdaus is an independent woman. This character does not change from the beginning of the story until the end. There are some facts which show that Firdaus
is an independent woman. When she lives in her uncle‟s house, she washes and cleans the house. She irons her uncle‟s clothes and cooks for him. She does the
household jobs p. 20. She also prepares things before her uncle comes back from El Azhar, such as cooking food. When her uncle comes back from El Azhar they
will eat it together p. 20. Since she has to go to school, her uncle sends her to school. Another day, her uncle and his wife take her away from the house. They
put her in the boarding girls section of the school. She does not know the reason why they send her there. Thus, she stays at the boarding house p. 23.
After graduating, she goes back to her uncle‟s house. She hears her uncle and his wife talking about her. The wife says that they cannot wait for her to get a
job. Besides, there is no place for her to live in that house. Moreover, if she wants to continue her study, she says that the children have many needs. Her uncle tells
his wife that Firdaus can help his wife to cook food for them or clean the house, but his wife does not give the chance. Finally, they decide to get her married
Syeikh Mahmoud. Unfortunately, after marriage Sheikh treats her very badly seem like they are not a husband and wife.
When Firdaus becomes a prostitute, she earns money by herself. She can buy anything with her own money. She does not need other‟s help to do
something for her. In fact, she rejects a pimp who offers protection for her as a prostitute. It is because she feels that she is independent enough and she is able to
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