27 „Look, Kwai, we‟ve talked about all that before. Teacher said it just this
morning. I know what you mean. I know what the importance of education is. I‟ll learn what will be helpful in creating change for our village, and...‟
„It‟ fine for you to spout off ideals like that. But what can you do to bring them about? You are only a girl. You won‟t be able to fight, or to argue
loudly, or to lead people in times of crisis. All you‟re goo at is studying – that‟s how you got the scholarship in the first place.‟ p.51
From the quotation above, it can be inferred that getting education does not mean like, you just go to school, sit and follow the lesson, write some
materials given by the teacher, and when the bell rings you go home. According to Kwai, Dawan as a winner of the scholarship must have higher concept about
getting education, must have capability to convey her opinion or to criticize some problems discussed in class with other students.
4.1.2.3 The Conflict between Dawan and Her Aunt, Noi
Firstly, For Dawan, visiting her aunt, Noi, is intended to find out the reasons why she goes to City. Secondly, this visit is also intended to look for a
support from her relative who has experienced living in City. Thirdly, Dawan and her mother can learn something from Noi how to survive in City.
However, what Dawan expects from Noi is not achieved. In fact, Dawan finds a woman who lost her reliance to City and a woman who never expects to
live in City any more. Therefore, Noi will not support any women who want to go to City. She will fight against their dreams about City as everything. Her image of
City is ugly, cruel and unfair. People there always live for fun and pleasure. The city is made
for the have and not for the villagers. Noi says, “The City is made for the rich people and the foreigners...
” p. 41.
28 The pictures of happiness, success, glory and pride of City are just
nonsense. Many young people go to City with many dreams to realize but, finally, they are failed to get their dreams because they are sunk in the City life filled by
temptation. Noi says, “All you people wanted to hear about was some fairy tale about The Big City. Who was I to start telling you things you didn‟t want to
hear..” p.39. This quotation shows that Noi wants Dawan to understand the City situation. The City is not appropriate for a village girl. Noi says, “She doesn‟t
have to go to the City, does she? She can go to school here” p.35. Another quotation show
s Noi‟s objection of Dawan‟s desire to study in City. „I could tell you some things about the young girls in the City that would
make your teeth fall out, my Aunt,‟ she said bitterly. „Huh, my teeth are not so loose yet that they would fall out from anything
you youngsters have to tell me.‟ „I never told you, did I, how I was attracted to the dim dance houses when
I first arrived? There were lights and music trailing from them at all hours of the night, and I was drawn to them like a moth to some candle
flame. Thinking I could find a nice job in one of them, I walked into one late one night. Then I saw how brittle and ugly the women who worked
there had become from offering whiskey and themselves to the swarms of white soldiers. I stumble out of that place and sobbed in the streets for a
long, long while. And they were just healthy young women from villages like ours, good hand-
working women.‟ p. 41 From the quotation above, it is clear that City is not appropriate for the
girls. The City offers the beauty and the luxury which makes women forget their initial goal. The City offers them various ways to get money and pleasure easily.
Everyone wants to be a rich person instantly and the City gives it to people. The easiest way for women to earn money is not only by offering whiskey to the
customers but also by offering themselves to customers. If they cannot control themselves they will fall deeply into it and cannot rise again. These images make
29 Noi refuse Dawan‟s desire to go to City. She is doubtful that Dawan can survive
in City and realize her dream.
4.1.2.4 The Conflict between Dawan and a Monk
