Looking at the result of second analysis, the writer is going to observe which social institutions are exaggerated, satirised, ironised, and criticised from
the reality and which characters engage on those social institutions. The writer is also going to look at the author’s view point on certain social condition stated
directly in this novel. Thus, the writer can discover the author’s criticism toward society in Pakistan brought by characters. At last, the writer will draw a
conclusion from the analysis. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
In this part, the writer is going to answer the problems formulated. There are three subchapters in this chapter as the writer has also formulated three
questions. Hence, subchapters in this part are, first, the characteristic of major characters, then the society represented by major characters in this novel, and the
last is the social criticism of this novel.
A. The Characteristic of the Major Character
Character in this novel is individual with all his or her inner and outer self. A major character is the character that is usually complex as human being and that
character either causes some changes in plot or experiences changes because of some events in the story. Applying that theory, the writer finds out there are 10
major characters in the novel The Holy Woman. They are Zarri Bano, Habib, Shahzada, Siraj Din, Kaniz, Fatima, Firdaus, Khawar, Sikander and Ruby. In the
following, the writer will analyse those characters.
1. Zarri Bano
Zarri Bano is the main character in this novel. She is characterised as developed character- during the story she experiences characteristic changing.
Zarri Bano is the eldest daughter of a landlord family- the highest class in Pakistan. She is the daughter of Habib- a landlord in Sindh. In other words,
socially, Zarri Bano is a high class woman. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
In addition, she is also characterised as an intelligent and educated woman. She has finished her master on Psychology in Karachi University. She is going to
set up a publisher editor company in Karachi. Besides, she is also a feminist. She is a member of one women’s association in Pakistan called APWA- All Pakistan
Women Association. Through another character’s speech, Qaisra characterises Zarri Bano as a feminist.
“I am sorry Baji Jan. That was unforgiveable of me, especially knowing how you feel about such analogies and with you being a
feminist too” Qaisra: 7
At first, Zarri Bano likes rebelling customs and any habituals in her village. She however, unlike other women in that place, dislikes wearing her
dupatta well and likes attending any events where women are prohibited to participate. One of her rebellions is shown in the citation below where Qaisra
narrates it by herself; She didn’t know where the impulse came from but it was totally in
characters, in her case, to go against normal etiquette. She decided to address him personally Qaisra: 9.
and;
Habib and Shahzada exchanged a nervous glance across the rooms as their eyes rested on Zarri Bano’s bare head. In the presence of
her relatives, Zarri Bano had never made any effort at covering her head. Qaisra: 49
Not only rebelling does Zarri Bano like but also regards herself as a modern woman who hardly opens Quran and prays. However, after becoming a
Holy Woman she changes a lot. She always turns to Quran and prayer whenever trouble comes to her.
Even though she rebells customs and rules, she loves her family, her tradition and her clan. She is proud of her family’s tradition and clan. She does not
permit anyone to hurt her family’s pride or even to demean it. Her pride of her family can be seen in the citation below where Qaisra characterises Zarri through
Zarri’s speech. “Don’t be fooled by the modern image that confronts you. I may
look the part, but on the inside I am very much a product of my clan. Never, ever forget that I think and behave in a manner
consistent with my clan’s tradition. I respect and follow our centuries old traditions the essence of my family lies with the well
being of my family Qaisra: 30.”
Physically, Zarri Bano is described as a beautiful, attractive and fashionable woman aged twenty seven years old. Her clothing style becomes a
trend for women in her village. Her physical appearance seems to be characterised in perfect. This characteristic is presented through Firdaus’ speech.
Firdaus said enthusiastically, “She came to spend Eid with her grandfather here in the village. She is simply gorgeous, so tall. So
slender, her skin is like ripe peaches, her hair is all glossy curls and her eyes like emeralds…she had the reputation of being the elegant
and fashionable one, on whose head the dupatta never stayed in place Qaisra: 58 100.”
Nevertheless, the role as a Holy Woman changes her lot, especially on clothing and her physical appearance. After being a Holy Woman, Zarri Bano is
characterised as a woman who has to wear burqa- a kind of clothes which covers all parts body except eyes or face- everyday. However, she is able to love that
burqa and later she considers it as her second skin. She feels embarassed, naked and uncomfortable without that cloth. Moreover, she does not wear any make- up
or jewelries anymore. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
“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
