Religion and tradition The Social Condition of Pakistani Society in the 20

especially peasant, to plough his lands. Landlords did not give any contributions and everything was done by peasants. This situation is represented in the citation below where the setting of the village is depicted. The hawali, the large house belonging to Habib Khan’s father, Siraj Din, the feudal landlord, was located near the mosque and this enjoyed the most central position in the village. With its ample grounds and a very large square shaped courtyard, it took up one quarter of the land occupied by the whole village Qaisra: 58. Summarising, feudalist signifies authority, power, wealth and status. Because of those pleasures, people in Pakistan esteemed landlords and admitted them as lord and master who influenced over the area or village as influencing policies in that area. They were the centre of that village. Siraj Din and Khawar are the representations of this condition. Because of their status and their wealth, they become the school committee who determine everything related to school in that place. Whenever the school has to change their headmistress, they are who determine the next headmistress. Like Baba Siraj Din, in where footsteps Khawar was eagerly following and liked to follow, he had in the last year or so begun to play a prominent role in the village management committee, overseeing and governing the school….As a founding member of the school, he too, like Khawar, took a keen interest in the issue of Madam’s replacement. He wanted no ‘flighty’ miss from the city to corrupt impressionable young girls in her care. Apart from Firdaus, there is no one else, is there? Siraj Din continued Qaisra: 61 However, because of power and wealth they had, landlords became conceited and selfish. They forgot about justice and love. Habib and Siraj Din are characters who embody this condition in Pakistan. Siraj Din represents landlord who loves his lands more than anything. He puts his land above all he has, lands are his life. He always chases after his lands and does not want to be separated PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI from his land. When his son asks him to live with him in town, he completely rebuffs that idea. He prefers to live alone in the village with his lands. “Land is my life. My eyes need to gaze over and feast on the smell of fresh green and vegetables growing in the fields….You were always chasing after your land and bent on showing her who was master in your home Qaisra: 127-129.” Likewise Siraj Din, Habib also loves his land more than his family. When his only son passes away Habib should determine to maintain his lands or to give up his lands. Maintaining his lands means that he should sacrifice his daughter’s happiness. Loosing his lands means that he will lose his pride, wealth and status. Though he knows that his daughter disagrees to marry to Quran and his lands, Habib keeps realising his decision to retain his lands by holding the Holy Woman tradition and sacrificing his daughter. He believes that lands could furnish happiness to her daughter instead of marrying a man. A sigh of utter self satisfaction escaped his lips. Yes Wealthiest of all land owners, nobody could rival his fortune or his influence. Yes All this will be my Zarri Bano’s hers to inherit. As my belovd child, my princess, she deserves it all Qaisra: 43. Based conflict experienced by habib and Siraj Din, it can be concluded that they, as feudalists, ignore love and love their lands more than anything even their family. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

C. The Social Criticism toward Pakistani Society in the 20

th Century By using characters, setting and conflict that represent social condition in Pakistan, Qaisra presents her criticism toward Pakistani society in the 20 th century. Social institutions criticised by Qaisra are patriarchy, marriage system, the religion and tradition, feudalism and pride.

1. Patriarchal System and Women’s Condition

In this novel, Qaisra criticises patriarchal system which is usually related to feudalism. In patriarchal system, men usually underestimate women. They always oppress women and threaten them by using tradition or law men made. Through character of Habib and Siraj Din, Qaisra offers her view on patriarchal system. Habib oppresses his daughters and his wife to do everything he asks. He threatens them using something very offensive for women. He threatens his wife three thalaks or divorce because she rebels him in holding the Holy Woman tradition. He also psychologically insults Zarri Bano of marriage. “What you are trying to say is that you want a man in your life...You can shout as much as you like, my proud, beloved daughter, but you will do as I say- I know you will. You will never let me down, I know, nor our traditions, nor your grandfather….” Her father had set a trap and had captured her neatly, using sexuality as ammunition. Zarri Bano physically recoiled, holding her arms against her chest as she recalled her own feelings for Sikander. Yes she desired him much but her father had cheapened and degraded marriage and what it stood for, insulting both her and the essence of her womanhood by his underlying insinuation that what she really craved was a man’s presence in her life Qaisra: 55. Moreover, men also regard women in their life as puppies which they can use arbitrarily. They admit that women are weaker and men are stronger. They are