Objectives of the Study Definition of Terms
esp. communism, caste, economic, and religion in India as one country in South Asia Estisari: 2006.
Some articles also discussed The Holy Woman as the winner of Jubilee Award in 2002. Muneeza, stated that in The Holy Woman, Qaisra Shahraz
describes changing realities and fighting between modernity and tradition in a feudal family. Furthermore, The Holy Woman has many vivid descriptions of
palatial family, dusty villages, rural customs and westernized urban sophistication which show many beautiful and colorful and contrasting images of Pakistan. In
addition, in the same web, it is said that The Holy Woman also illustrates clearly how easily women are morally blackmailed. In The Holy Woman, Qaisra also
satirises social customs which were used to positioning women on a disadvantageous place and bringing out aspersions on their chastity
www.newsline.com10knewsdec2001book.htm. As well as her novel, Qaisra Shahraz was also discussed since she wrote a
great book in the beginning of her career. In writing this novel, Qaisra Shahraz, who is living in Britain, needed 3 years. When she came to Ubud, Bali, Indonesia,
she said that in this novel she wanted to show how people in Pakistan did Islamic law strictly. However, in this novel she also wanted the world to see that even a
woman should do what their father asked; it would take her closer to God, not to a tragedy www.suaramerdeka.comharian061010bud02htm.
Femina, a magazine in Indonesia also reported Qaisra’s visit to Ubud, Bali Indonesia. In this magazine Qaisra said that today the Holy Woman tradition is
not applied anymore, however, women in Pakistan still cannot be free from PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
patriarchal system in Pakistan. Qaisra also affirmed that through this book she wanted the world to know that Islam did not play any roles in the realisation of the
Holy Woman tradition. The one who should be blamed for women miseries were men and tradition in Pakistan. They seized women’s rights and freedom Femina,
2006:25. Those studies verify that The Holy Woman, which was translated into
several languages, presents a portrait of society in Pakistan. However, this study is different from them. This thesis will discuss the social criticism presented by
characters. Since setting used in this novel is Pakistan, this thesis is going to discuss social criticism of Pakistani society. In addition, this thesis will not only
present women’s life but also the religion, tradition, marriage system, feudalism and other institutions of society in Pakistan so that detail description of Pakistani
society can be obtained. Furthermore, this thesis is also aimed at proving that this novel does not merely present a vivid depiction of Pakistani society but also
criticism toward society in Pakistan.