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CHAPTER IV
AN ANALYSIS AND FINDING OF THE STRUGGLE OF ANNISA AGAINST PATRIARCHAL CULTURE IN NOVEL
“PEREMPUAN BERKALUNG SORBAN”
4.1 Analysis
4.1.1 The Childhood of Annisa
The different treatments which are experience by Annisa, the main character of Perempuan Berkalung Sorban made her rejecting the patriarchal system which is
adopted by the society. The previlige treatment toward her brother in her family made her jealous. That is why she stated some statement and asked some questions
toward people around her, the statement and the question are suppossed to be taboo things. Annisa was being marginalized, especially in education.
Based on the norm in our society, the patriarchal system is a system which must be obeyed by the whole member of society, whether they like it or not. The
childhood of Annisa made her hating and rejecting the system. There are so many rules for women and there is almost no rules for men. For example her brothers can
do whatever they want, and she cannot. She thinks that she has right to do what they want as men do.
Annisa thinks that the regulation are just made by the society as the social norms. It is not an absolute thing that could not be changed. However, she tries to
follow the norms even though she does not agree with it Even though Annisa was a
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child, she has felt the weird things happened in her society, especially about the privileged treatment toward man which constructed by the society itself. As we
know that the members of society consist of women and men. Unfortunately, most women do not realize and even receive the social construction.
The childhood of Anissa remains much memory. However, the memory reminds her to the unfair treatments which she had ever experienced. Annisa has an
adventurous soul, but her family said that it is not good for a woman. According to the norms in her society, which are also adopted by her family stated that a woman
should not be involved in things out of domestic area. For this reason, she thinks that her childhood is annoying because she cannot explore the capability in herself. It can
be seen from the quotation below. Meski sudah berlalu, jauh dibelakang, masa kanak itu banyak
menyimpan cerita. Kadang mengasyikkan, tapi lebih banyak yang menyebalkan. PBS: 17
According to the quotation above, it can be seen that there is a word menyebalkan being annoyed. It is the prove that she has tried to follow things that
she actually did not like to do. In additon, there are things that forbidden to be laerned by Annisa. According to her family, riding a horse is taboo thing for a
woman. However, a woman should be given a freedom to explore her capability, even though it is out of domestic area. This is one of the example of patriarchal
system which is adopted by our society. It can be seen from the qoutation below. “Ow...ow..ow... jadi begitu. Apa ibu belum mengatakan padamu
kalau naik kuda hanya pantas dipelajari oleh kakakmu Rizal, atau kakakmu Wildan. Kau tahu, mengapa ? Sebab kau ini anak
perempuan, Nisa. Nggak pantas, anak perempuan kok naik kuda, pencikalan, apalagi keluyuran mengelilingi ladang, sampai ke
blumbang segala. MemalukanPBS:21
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In our society, women should do things in domestic area, like washing clothes, cooking, preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the family. Willing or
not, woman should do these things because it is the duties of a woman. From the fact above, we can see that there is no work hours for women. She has to work from she
wakes up until she sleeps at night. This activity happens everyday. Annisa thinks that this activity is boring. For this reason, she always asks about it to the people around
her. It can be seen from the quotation below. “Yang aneh apanya, Buk ? Pak guru bilang kewajiban seorang
perempuan itu banyak sekali, ada mencuci, memasak, menyetrika, mengepel, menyapu, menyuapi, menyusui, memandikan anaknya,
dan banyak lagi. Tidak seperti laki-laki, Bu, kewajibannya Cuma satu, pergi ke kantor. Mudah dihafal kan? Mengapa dulu aku tidak
jadi laki-laki saja, Bu? Aku ingin pergi ke kantor. Aku juga tidak suka memasak di dapur, bau minyak, bau bawang, bau terasi, dan
asap mengepul. Aku ingin belajar naik kuda seperti Rizal. Bolehkan, Bu?” PBS:26-27
From the quotation above, it can be seen that the patriarchal system is socialized in formal education. The mindset of the children is constructed. This
is the reason why many adult women receive its point of view. Annisa got confused why most women should do things that they actually do not like.
However, they accept this point of view as a duty that they must do. The concept of feminism which is adopted by Annisa make her brave to complain
about this injustice treatment Aku merenung sejenak. Kalau aku tak bisa menemukan
jawabannya, dia pasti akan mengejekku. Mencibirku sebagai anak perempuan yang bodoh.PBS:18
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From the quoatation obove is used by the author to describe the main character. Other figures assume women are weak creatures who deserve a
dishonorable behavior. The quote also confirms the attitude of the main character, Annisa. Since childhood, through a tiff with his brother showed his attitude towards
the treatment given to women. Since childhood Annisa already feel the difference in the treatment and she wants women to get equal treatment with men, especially the
freedom to get their rights.
Namun, aku sendiri tak pernah tertarik untuk mengikutinya, kecuali hanya untuk menuruti keinginan bapak. Itulah sebabnya, aku sering
bermain dan belajar bersama-sama teman sekampung, yang tidak terdaftar sebagai santri dipondok kami. Kalaupun bermain atau belajar
di pondok, paling-paling hanya bertandang di kamar Mbak May.PBS:54
From the qouatation above tells Annisa figure condition that childhood has had different thoughts and ideas with the environment they live in as a child. She
wants broader life and free from the wall boarding school he felt since childhood. Thought is what greatly affects the life of Annisa when she maturing adolescents and
men, especially the freedom to get their rights.
4.1.2 The Stuggle of Annisa in Rejecting Patriarchal System 4.1.2.1
Education
Education is one of the points that is struggled by liberal feminist. By having higher education, women can explore their capability to achieve their ambition. It
aims to make a fair treatment between men and women in the society. Education is a tool to improve their logical thought. Education can make women become self
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confidence in facing gender discrimination which has become a social construction in the society. It is reflected by Annisa, the main character of the novel. Annisa has
modern thought that women should have high education like men have. Annisa is an active woman and has a big curiousity. She always thinks
and asks why women tends to do things which they do not like Annisa thinks that women should be given a freedom to do whatever they want. This kind of
things are caused by the education of women. Women did not have right to access education as wide as men do. The education in our society looks like a
pyramid the phenomenon which is still happening shows that the higher level of education, the smaller amount of women in it.
According to the society, women should only be at home, managing the hausehold. It can be seen from the qoutation below.
Memangnya mengapa kalau perempuan jadi pahlawan? Tidak boleh? Bukannya Tjuk Njak Dhien juga hebat. Aku juga ingin hebat
seperti Ratu Balqis atau Hindun binti Athaba.PBS:41
From the quotation above, it can be seen that the position and the condition of women are behind men’s patriarchal system supposse that women
need not to know more about things outside domestic bussiness. It can be proved from the quotation below.
Sampai lidahku tak pernah menikmati sarapan pagi, bahkan tak juga merasakan kebebasan ketika kedua tangan ini mesti kembali
mencuci piring yang dipenuhi minyak bekas makanan Rizal, Wildan, dan bapak yang terus saja duduk di meja makan sambil
ngobrol dan berdahak.PBS:23
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From the quotation above, it can be seen that Annisa is forced to do things which she tottaly do not like. She wants a free life where she can
improve her intelegency capacity by having a high education as men have. Unfortunely, he must follow the willing of her father it can be seen from the
quotation below. Namun, aku sendiri tak pernah tertarik untuk mengikutinya, kecuali
hanya untuk menuruti keinginan bapak. PBS:54
Actually, the patriarchal system is not only trusted by men, but also women. Most women believe and receive that they are in second class.
However, Annisa has different point of view. That’s why she tries to struggle her right and freedom.
“Bagaimana jika kenyataanya ada seorang istri yang terbuka dan mengajak lebih dulu dan tidak suka bersikap
menunggu.“Perempuan seperti itu biasanya tidak disukai laki-laki karena terlalu agresif. Nanti laki-laki bisa minder menghadapinya.
Sebaiknya seorang istri
adalah pemalu dan bersikap menunggu.”tetapi menunggu sampai kapan ? Pak Kiai?”PBS:74
Annisa always be the second priority and always try to understand this situation. However, she can no longer do that. She had been thinking and
struggling to fight for her right and freedom. As the concept of feminism, she fought the best she can. Not only for herself, but also for women who are
oppressed but they unable to express their wishes and try to accept the social norms that seize their freedom. While she was a child, she always treated
unfairly by her parents. She even does not the opportunity to choose her future husband. She was engaged with a man who she did not even know. She thinks
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that her right is seized. Furthermore, the treatment of her husband makes her being suffered, including the words which are uttered and his bad treatment.
Cukup sudah menjadi kanak-kanak yang selalu dinomorduakan. Cukup sudah menjadi budak dimasa remajaku dan kini aku harus
hadir sebagaimana aku yang kuinginkan.PBS:158
Patriarchal system gives flexibility to men to do whatever they want. Besides, it also violates social norms, like manners. While women who have
become second class are required to follow the social norms that exist in the community although it limits womens movement. It can be proved by the
quotation below. Sepertinya sopan santun memang tidak berlaku untuk kalangan
laki-laki. Hukum apapun tidak mampu menjamah kemerdekaan mereka, sebab mereka adalah manusia. Fitrahnya adalah merdeka.
Berbeda dengan perempuan, tubuhnya saja mirip manusia, tetapi nafsunya mirip binatang. Dipenuhi anak setan. Untuk itulah sopan
santun harus diperkenalkan padanya. Begitulah bapak pernah mengatakan. PBS:49
In this case, Anisa think that being a woman is a misfortune because of the injustice treatment that she always experience. Whereas, woman also have
potential capability that deserves to be explored and empowered. However, the society neglects it and regards it to be not important. Because of this fact, she is
forced to do things that she absolutely does not like. Betapa malangnya menjadi seorang perempuan, jika sampai mati
harus tidak boleh menolak semua yang bertentangan dengan hati nurani. PBS:72
Annisa has a good reason why he was eager to have a higher education. He wants to eliminate oppression and discrimination against women. This is
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not easy because in fact it is already rooted. For example, a father wanted a birthh a boy in his family. Boys are seen as the successor descendants and give
pride for the family. It can be proved from the quotation below below. Bukankah penindasan dan diskriminasi terhadap perempuan itu
dimulai sejak mereka lahir? Bahkan boleh jadi sejak mereka belum lahir dan diperkirakan akan lahir.”PBS:185
Annisa also exchange opinions to his friend Mariam. She asked about the reasons why women become second-class. They discuss the reasons why it
happened. The reason is that women are considered as being weak, are not independent, can not make decisions. And this is the formation of a community
and the women were forced to follow and oppose it. The impact of this is that the majority of women being receptive and resigned. It can be seen from the
quotation below. ‘Menurut Mbak Maryam, kira-kira factor apa yang menyebabkan
seorang bapak tidak menyukai anak perempuannya?” aku penasaran. “menurutku, mungkin citra yang beredar dikalangan
masyarakat luas bahwa perempuan itu makhluk nomor dua, banyak masalah dan menyulitkan, kurang produktif dan tidak mandiri.
Lebih jauh banyak di kalangan masyarakat menganggap perempuan itu kurang akalnya, tidak mampu mengambil
keputusan. Jadi dalam hal menikah misalnya, tidak perlu ia dilibatkan dalam mengambil keputusan, kecuali kalau sudah
janda.PBS:185
In this case, asserted about the ways used Annisa for a variety of knowledge and experience with women that if the same fate with her.
Discussion and light chatter conducted Annisa with another character in the novel aims to provide awareness of the importance of the position of women in
society. Women should be aware of the position. Here then women have the
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necessity, obligation, and the same rights as men to learn and gain knowledge as they also have an equally important role. It can be proved from the quotation
below. “Cemburu pada yang positif itu baik, Lek. Tetapi sekarang yang
lebih penting lagi adalah tidak menutup diri untuk masuknya ilmu. Bahwa hidup itu lapisan pengetahuan dan pengalaman. Dan waktu
adalah belajar. Tak ada kata terlambat, dan penyesalan juga bukan jalan penyelesaian. Bukankah begitu, Lek?”PBS:
Annisa finally have an undergraduate and he wants to keep fighting for the freedom of his clans. He wants women also have the same opportunity,
particularly in education and make choices in life. It is intended that women are no longer considered to be weak and obtain equality in many things in life. It
can be proven in the quotion below. Memerdekakan kaumku yang masih saja dianggap lemah. Agar
mereka selalu hadir dan mengalir di tengah zaman ini. Membawa kemudi. Panji matahari.PBS:241
It was the thought of Annisa when she wanted to be a stewardess. It can be seen that society thinks that women are weak. Actually gender discrimination is not
only done by men in the society, but also women who believe that it was true. They accept the thought without trying to prove that it is a false thought. They have
already been influenced by the social construction.
4.1.2.2 Force Marriage
Patriarchal system not only makes women become a passive object and inferior, but also makes women learn to yield, weak, and helpless. Culture has
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made such a weak position of women, so women do not have the guts and courage to ask the concept of a culture that has not empower them. Here the
figure of Annisa reject the patriarchal system. Society makes a strong social norm in which some of the social norms make women become disadvantage.
This novel also illustrated that Annisa strongly rejects this patriarchal system. Annisa totally disagree with the thought of men who supposed their wife as
their maid. According to Annisa, a wife is not a maid, but the companion of her husband. The wife is not a slave who can do anything which is ordered by the
husband. Annisa issued such a statement because he felt his inner conflict with himself. Her husband treats her like a slave. It can be seen from the quotation
below. Tetapi tidakPerempuan bukanlah pelayan bagi laki-laki.Bukan juga
budak bagi kehidupan.Aku tidak mau menjadi budak. PBS:77
Her husband was surprised when she speaks loudly because for this time she always keeps quiet and follows what he wants to. There is a word that can be seen
from the quotation above that symbolizes a very bad thing. It is budak slave. Imagine how a slave is treated. How bad the sufferings of Sri are. She even feels that
her husband treats her like his slave when she does not want to follow his words. Now, Annisa no longer hides her feelings away. She has already been brave enough
to fight for her happiness and freedom even though she breaks the social norms. In addition, Annisa husband also always underestimated her because he
thinks she only had low education. He considers that all the things that Annisa uttered do not need to be notified and listened because her education is much lower
than Samsudin, her husband. Annisa which at that time had a low education is also
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influenced by the perception of the community who think that a girl does not need to have a higher education because she will only charge for the housekeeping needs. It
shows the fault of our public perception. A woman, a career woman or a good housewife is required to have high education in order to provide a basic education for
their children in the future, which will be a candidate and future leaders of this nation. It can be proved from the quotation below.
“Tetapi anak perempuan kan tidak perlu sekolah tinggi-tinggi. PBS:81
Because of the social norms, Annisa is forced to neglect her own happiness and freedom, she always has many inner conflicts with herself. She gets bored of her
marriage now. She just wants to do the norms that have to be done by a wife. She cannot feel the happiness and she has to do her own duty. The description of her
sufferings and the inner conflicts that she had experienced can be seen from the quotation below;
“hentikan kelakuanmu Atau aku pergi dari rumah ini”“waduh, waduh Galak amat” ia tertawa dan terus tertawa melecehkan.“kau
pikir, karena kau suamiku, kau bisa seenaknya memperlakukan aku?”“apa yang kau katakan, Nisa? Aku hanya ingin main-main
denganmu.”“main-main? Permainanmu sangat menyebalkan.”“ooo, yang mana lebih menyebalkan, permainannku atau nada
bicaramu?”PBS 85:86
Samsudin constantly underestimate Annisa for her education. It shows the fault of the patriarchy concept which states that a woman must be below men in all
aspects, including in education. Samsudin assumes that low education which Annisa had is a main reason for him to always underestimate Annisa for all aspects. That is
why he always treat her badly and do anything to Annisa as he wants.
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Berkali-kali aku memperingatkannya tetapi aku hanya perempuan lulusan Sekolah Dasar, katanya. Tahu apa tentang hukum.
Bukanlah dia seorang sarjana, putra seorang kiai ternama. Sama sekali tak perlu petuah, apalagi nasihat. PBS:88
After Annisa husband decided to polygamy, she decided to continue his studies that has been delayed because she was forced to marry by her parents.
The curiosity of knowledge that she has, made her very excited to go to school and learn things in detail. He tried to move forward and not to be
underestimated again by anyone. It can be seen from the quotation below.
Lengkaplah jam demi jam kulalui dalam keterpesonaan ilmu dan kehausan untuk mendalami segala sesuatu.PBS:l61
From the quotation above, it can be seen that Sri has broken the norms which demand her in order to follow the rules which have been made by her husband. It is
not because of her deeds, but it is because the treatment of her husband that makes her suffering. She has tried hard to follow it, but she realized that she has lost her
own happiness and freedom.
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4.2 FINDINGS
