Somehow, Inge is the victim of the circumstances; the baby inside her womb is fatherless since no one wants to take the responsibility. Therefore she
prefers to use her freedom of choice to do the abortion. The next abortion done by Inge, when she is pregnant the baby from the native man, Tugl in Papua New
Guinea where she becomes one of the teacher. “The abortionists clinic lies just beyond the Queensland border. The
operation is clinical, efficient. Only medical questions are asked. I wake from a dreamless chemical underworld to the muted hush of ocean upon
shore. After the obligatory cup of tea sipped in a deck chair with a panoramic view of sky, cloud and sea, I head back up the coast.
A miniature Tugl floats, sways on the out-tide on a ribbon of seaweed while I grind my feet into a hem of surf at the Gold Coast. Tugl and I
knew little of each other, nevertheless life has its own purpose.”p.157
Inge commits to terminate Tugls baby, the native man. By experimenting different sexual partners, Inge try to discover who she is, where she belongs and
what she wants in her life. By striving to achieve her rights as a woman, Inge has revealed one of the values of feminism that is the freedom of choice.
2. Equality
Based on the realization of human rights that all women and men have the same rights, Inge desires for equality. Her search for equality is shown through
her actions and struggle dealing against the patriarchal society where she lives. It is shown when she is in Papua New Guinea with David, she is offered to fill the
position as the substitute teacher. “What are you going to do? Send you to Moresby to ask the Education
Department if you can take his place.” “You’re joking”
“You’d make an excellent teacher for these kids.” p.113 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Although Inge’s background of education does not fit with the requirements, she does not give up. She wants to give a try, to be the new teacher
in spite of her background. She goes to the Education department and the Regional Inspector hires Inge to be the new teacher. By becoming the new
teacher, Inge wants to prove to David that she can also do the same thing like what David does. She also wants to show that as a married woman she can earn
money, financially independent, not merely as a wife she has to dependent in all things to her husband. As a husband who never loves Inge, David does not
support Inge for her succeed, in fact he looks with suspicion, as if Inge does not have the ability to do the job.
Moreover, Inge’s demand for equality is shown when she decides to divorce from David. As a woman and a mother she wants to have the custody of
both of her daughters. She wants to strive her rights as a mother to grow up and educates her daughters.
“I want to see her, David, please. Even a court wouldn’t stop her real mother from seeing her.” p.171
As a husband with his ego, David will not let Inge to win the custody of their daughters. David accuses Inge as an irresponsible mother and that Inge does
not deserve to get the custody. Even David does not let Inge to meet her own daughter, he does not respect Inge’s rights as a mother. Although Inge does not
win the custody of both of her daughters, she has done her best to strive for her rights as a mother.
Another thing that proves Inge’s demand for equality is when she left David and Lena, she has to make living for her own and her daughter, Rua. She
never gives up seeking for a job. She would do anything for her daughter Rua. Being a single mother does not make Inge dependent to others, therefore, she
seeks jobs. “Once Ive finished my training. Im left alone to check and double check
the accuracy of a variety of thermometers and pressures gauges. I am instructed to call the manager at any hour if the readings are abnormal.”
p.161
Her job as a labor in glass factory is a hard job. In general, usually only men can do that job. In spite of that matter, she takes it, in order to make living
for her own and her daughter. Being a woman does not make limitation to what she wants to do. She enjoys her new job. She has shown to everyone that although
she is a woman, but she can do men’s job. She is as strong as men, as tough as men. Through her actions here, we can see that feminism value revealed by Inge
that is her demand for equality in living her live in patriarchal society.
3. Woman’s Rights to be Herself.
