“After a few minutes, Zarri Bano sterred out of her room, feeling as if another women had taken over her body. These clothes felt so
strange and cumbersome. The ornaments clawed at her skin. The urge to go back and wipe her face clean was very strong. The make
up made her feel as if she was wearing a heavy mask. The weird sensation of having her hair swing openly and wantonly around her
face made her long to sweep it all back. Instead, she carried her burqa over her arm Qaisra: 168.”
Also look at this citation below uttered by Zarri herself;
“You mean my burqa? Zarri Bano returned. “NO. I never get sick of it. It is like my second skin now. I only
feel comfortable when I’m wearing it. It also makes my life so simple and carefree….Now I feel naked and vulnerable without it,
particularly when I am in front of strange men Qaisra: 264.”
As an intelligent, educated, rich and beautiful woman from high class, Zarri Bano also has high pride. Throughout her life, she is not only proud of her
family, her family’s tradition, or her family’s wealth but also proud of herself as well as her principles and her image. During her life, she is acknowledged as an
untouchable woman, none of suitors suits her and she sends those suitors away. She seems to prove that she does not need any men though she does. She is used
to showing that she is an independent woman who cherishes freedom and believes that marriage, in patriarchal world, is a forfeit of women’s life.
“I am not suited to that role father, I want….” “What are you trying to say is that you want a man in your life” he
sneered, cutting her short….. “I didn’t say I want a man She spoke so quietly, now that he
almost could not hear her. I just want to be normal and lead a normal like any other women.”
“…..Yes she desired him, but her father had cheapened and degraded marriage…for she could never let him or the world know
that she wanted and desired Sikander. Qaisra: 55”
and, PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
The word barbaric stung her out of her pain and brought the proud, arrogant Zarri Bano back to life. Her eyes sparkling with anger, she
snapped “Who are you to judge our tradition as barbaric, Sikander sahib? Qaisra: 82
Based on the citations above, it can be concluded that Zarri’s pride toward her family makes her dislike anyone insulting it. Consequently, her pride becomes
her frailty because she would sacrifice herself for her family’s pride. She would never injure her own or her family’s pride or status. And
her pride was her Achilles heel- a weakness her father had discovered and exploited. Qaisra: 89
2. Habib
Habib is the father of Zarri Bano. He is the richest landlord in Sindh. He has three children and one wife. As the richest landlord, everyone respects him
and at the same time is envious of him. Everybody unreservedly paid homage to Habib’s grief. A feudal
landlord with great wealth, his family descended from the highest of caste, Habib Khan was also blessed with three beautiful children
and acres of land to pass onto his heir. He was a much envied, yet liked and respected, figure in his town. Qaisra: 35
Physically, Habib is characterised as a man aged about sixty years old. He is handsome and charismatic. Many married and single women attempt to attract
him. Through Shahzada’s speech, Qaisra present this Habib’s characteristic; “As you know, your father was a very good looking man and very
aware of it. Compared to him, I was quite plain. His good looks terrified me at any times, Zarri Bano…..women in the village, I’m
ashamed to say, were always flocking to his side on some pretence or another- both single and married ones. They were shameless-
some just couldn’t take their eyes off him. Not surprising as he was very handsome, young, rich ad the son of village landlord. On top
of all that, there was a charisma about him which you have inherited - and it is not just to do with looks. Qaisra: 309”
As a father, Habib loves his family, especially his eldest daughter Zarri Bano. Even though he has a son, Jafar, he loves Zarri Bano more than Ruby and
Jafar. “When Zarri Bano sat down next to him, Habib gave his full
attention to his favorite child, his beautiful gem. Even his only son hadn’t been able to compete with the affectation he felt for Zarri
Bano Qaisra: 39.”
However, his excessive love places his lovely Zarri Bano in an unpleasing experience. Habib’s love makes him too possessive and protective. He is fearful
that soon someone will hurt her daughter. That is one reason for him too selective in choosing Zarri’s future husband. He supposes that none man will suit his
perfect daughter. “He always ended up by declaring arrogantly ‘the man has to be
the best. When Zarri Bano declined, Habib secretly applauded and was grateful for her decision. I’ll only let her marry a man of the
highest pedigree from a land-owning family at that, with a good name and social standing…..I am just very possessive of my
daughter and want the best for her Qaisra: 8.”
His possessing love continues on how Habib hinders Zarri Bano from marrying Sikander. Habib assumes that Sikander will harm Zarri Bano though he
knows clearly that Zarri Bano loves Sikander very much. Moreover, he is fearful that Sikander will take his beloved daughter away.
“This man has the power to hurt my beloved daughter. I feel it in my very bones. I’ll let anyone do anything to cause her any pain or
insult her in any way Qaisra: 11.”
Habib, a man in patriarchal environment, hopes that he could reveal equality between men and women. When he was child, he dreamt not to dominate
woman though his father taught him to dominate women. He attempts to apply his dream on his family. He tries not to dominate his wife, Shahzada.
“My marriage, my relationship with Shahzada is not like yours was to our mother. We have shared harmony in our household. There
was no power struggle between us. Shahzada knows her place and her duties as she has always done. I haven’t dominated her in the
way you taught us to do and the way you dominated our mother Qaisra: 130.”
Unfortunately, tradition and his gender affect him a lot. Traditions and his gender, as a male, do not permit a woman to rule or to order a man. The tradition
judges that men are the master who can determine everything well than women can; consequently, he oppresses and underestimates women.
“All the more reason for me to be cautious I am the head of the family and I’ll decide what is good for my Zarri Bano. You forget,
Shahzada, in our clan, destinies are made and dictated by us. I’ll decide if this man is to be my daughter’s destiny or not Qaisra:
11.”
Beyond all, Habib is a sensitive, not a thick- skinned and friendly man. He loves his family. Though he oppresses his wife but he loves. He feels miserable
and guilty when his wife leaves and ignores him because of his tyranny. He feels that he cannot live without his family.
“My life is so empty, Father. Habib wept, his shoulders doubling over as he gave free vein to his grief. ‘Jafar has gone. Zarri Bano
has gone. Ruby does not look at me, Shahzada shuns me. I am not like father; I want and need my family. I cannot live this family
Qaisra: 132.”
Moreover, he is also nice to her employee even though he is a landlord. He cares about people in village and tries to care about their prosperity.
“Why didn’t you tell my father? He would have had it repaired for you. Anyway, I’ll send one of our repairmen to have looked at
yours. And of course you won’t have to pay. Habib reassured her. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Naimat Bibi blushed with pleasure. ‘That is very generous of you, Sahib Jee. Here my friend is helping me’ Qaisra: 123.”
3. Siraj Din
Physically, Qaisra does not characterise Siraj Din clearly. He is characterised as a man aged about eighty years old. In his old age, he uses ivory
walking stick to help him in walking. He is a man who always cares about his dress especially in visiting.
Holding his ivory walking stick in one hand, he accepted Waris’ hand to step down from his high seat. He straightened his long
black tweed overcoat, and adjusted his turban at the right angle on his head. He always waited his son very formally dressed-
Impressions matter a lot Qaisra: 18.
Socially, Siraj Din is characterised as a landlord in Chiragpur- larger village than most other neighboring villages. He is the greatest landlord in
Chiragpur for years; hence, he is the richest man in the village. He also enjoys the position of the highest ranking inhabitant.
The hawali, the large house belonging to Habib Khan’s father, Siraj Din, the feudal landlord, was located near the mosque and thus
