35 society to follow men and obey what men say to them. Women rely too much on
men and cannot decide their own path in life. However, Bao adds a statement:
“You‟ve earned your chance for flying to a bigger world, to pursue your own ideals. Don‟t yield to your brother now. You have to push forward
and struggle if you want to be free, and equal to your broth er.” p. 79.
This statement means Dawan has to fight for her right to get a better education. She has been given chance to learn more knowledge in the City, which
not many of girls from the village may get. „Flying‟ does not mean literally flying like a bird does. If the cage door is already opened, someone is free to fly.
Dawan‟s door is opened because she has given chance to get the scholarship. It means, she should not be afraid to fly because she has been free now to improve
herself. It is now her responsibility to push herself and struggle for her right to be equal to her brother and use the chance to be useful for her life, her family, and
her village.
2. Gender Schema as a Result of Internal Factor
The internal factor appears in Dawan‟s herself. At the beginning, she becomes a pessimistic girl who cannot see a chance for her to go to the city. After
she knows that she is the winner of the scholarship, she becomes an optimistic girl who wants to fight for her right to get better education.
36
a. Pessimism
Dawan is so pessimistic about her own capability to get the scholarship. Then Kwai understood, and sat down next to her again, Is it because
today that marks come in and we find out who won the scholarship that you dont want to go? Sister, are you afraid of finding out? p. 11.
From Kwai‟s statement, it can be inferred that Dawan does not want to move and go to school because she does not want to find out the winner of the
scholarship to continue the school in the city. She looks worried and afraid of the announcement because she is not sure that she can win the scholarship.
After a while, she glanced at her brother and asked, “What if you did do best in our village, Kwai? You will go, won‟t you?” p. 11.
Dawan‟s pessimistic attitude is shown in this statement where she responds her brother‟s question. She is very sure that her brother, Kwai, will win the
scholarship because he used to be the best in their village and he can go to the city without thinking further or facing any obstacles. When her brother assumes that
she is afraid to face the result, she cannot answer it quickly because she needs a few minutes to give response. However, she does not give any answer towards her
brother‟s question. She states another questions that show her uncertainty of her capability to win the scholarship.
“He likes you more,” she insisted in a low voice. “Especially today, when you will receive the government scholarship.”
“ Stop talking as if I had already won that scholarship” Kwai interrupted. There are plenty of other students in our village who might get
it, you kow.” “ Like who?” Dawan challenged.
Kwai fell silent, as if he was mentally considering every member of his class who might win. Finally he blurted, “How about you, Sister? You
could win.” “Me?” Dawan flushed. “But I‟m a girl.” p. 13 - 14
