Marriage is a very sensitive matter in Saudi society. One cannot decide who heshe wants to marry because family is the institution that will decide such
matter. Yet, not matter how hard the problem she is facing, she stays strong and she is able to overcome any problems, she says it herself
I know I can face whatever hassles stand in my way Al-Sanea, 2005: 269 .
The tough characteristic of Michelle is also proven by her friend s opinion about her. She is seen as a strong person by her friend. Gamrah really
wished that she could draw strength from Michelle
Al-Sanea , 2005: 175 .
b. Critical
As a person who used to study in America, Michelle s characteristic is influenced by American culture. As explained by Hamdan that Saudi women and
men who have been educated in the West return to the country with different visions for the future, they see their society differently. Those who support
women s rights tend to seek and implement change Hamdan, 2005: 55 Michelle cannot stand the society which in her opinion is sick . Different
from her other friends who tend to keep silent and not voicing their mind, Michelle is the one who often criticizes the men in the society. Her critical characteristic can
be seen through her own speech. Michelle says I could have challenged the whole
world if my love had been from somewhere else, not a crooked society Al-Sanea, 2005: 270. She criticizes the society that in her opinion is crooked or twisted.
She also says that the society is a sick society. She said so because it seems like no one is free for choosing their marriage partner or deciding any important things
in their life because things are controlled.
I have complete confidence in my-self, and I know I can face whatever hassles stand in my way, but frankly I don t have the same confidence in
Faisal or in any other guy in our sick society Al-Sanea 2005: 269 Michelle s critical characteristic can also be seen in her speech when she
talks about women. In her opinion, women in the society never tried to become strong, women in her society tends to keep silence that they always accept
everything, they are defeated by the society around them and never show their opinion.
We always act the role of the helpless females, completely overcome by circumstances, and as if we don t have a say in anything or opinions of our
own Utterly passive How long are we going to keep on being such cowards, and not have even the courage to see our choices through,
whether they re right or wrong? Al-Sanea, 2005: 125. When she talks about men, she is also critical. It can be seen in her reaction
toward Gamrah when they talk about Nizar who is Sadeem s husband, Gamrah thinks that Nizar is very considerate by letting Sadeem to stay in Riyadh to finish
her study until she graduates. Gamrah is amazed by Nizar s decision because it is so uncommon. Yet, Michelle argues her, she agrees that Nizar is quite considerate
but it is not something that is surprising. This is her life, and she s free to run it as she wants, just as he s free to run
his as he wants. Our problem here is that we let men be bigger deals than they really are. We need to realize assume, even right from the start that
things like letting us graduate are not even optional, it s just what makes sense, and our eyes should not fly out of our heads if one of these men
actually does something right Al-Sanea 2005: 235 Michelle thinks that what Nizar did, does not have to be seen as something big, it
is what a man should do. She shows that society has been wrong all the time, that being a considerate man becomes something amazing. Michelle s critical
characteristic can reveal the gender discrimination in her society and also shows that deep inside, a woman realizes that she has to fight for the equality.
c. Brave
