be suppressed by her husband, in this situation; the writer might say if Bindia were
in Deedi’s position, she would leave her man. From her statement, she wanted to show that women and men is actually in a same position, men are
supposed to be not above the women. From her reaction, the writer found that she is also a caring person. Even
though she lives far away from her homeland, she still cares about her family, when she gets the news that her mother is sick, she comes home to see her
mother’s condition 1992: 266. She also wants to help Deedi by taking her family to America even though she cannot make it happen because of her financial
problem, but she actually has the idea to take them for a better future. She cares for their life condition; she also wants to make her family happy and make Deedi
pleased 1992:270. She not only gives the attention to her family but also she cares about her servant, Ali Buksh. When she arrives in Pakistan, the first
attention is addressed to Ali Buksh, she asks him about his family condition 1992:265. It shows that Bindia gives attention to everyone; it can be concluded
that she is a caring person. Her caring personality can be found in
the “hidden narration” method. The characteristics of the character can be described through the opinion from the
other characters. It is revealed when Ali Buksh, the servant talks to her about his salary. He asks Bindia to raise his salary. It shows that Ali Buksh feels
comfortable with Bindia, as he states in the play, ALI BUKSH. Begum Bindia has come after such a long time, and I never
have the chance to sit with her and talk, because there is so much work for me to do. Make tea, water the plants, wash the car. My salary is only 200
rupees, that’s not enough to feed five children. I’m going to ask Begum
Bindia to tell Nazo to raise my salary. I like Begum Bindia, she’s the only one I liked. I do not want her to go back. Sharif, 1992:272.
Bindia is also described as an independent woman, as her eldest brother, Sahid said. Sahid conceded Bindia as an independent woman in the point that she lives
in America and has her own job without incriminating her husband to bear her life.
Sahid’s statement below reflects his own opinion about Bindia. “You are pretty independent and have been for quite some time
” Sharif, 1992:274. Sahid’s opinion about Bindia clearly shows that Bindia is an independent woman.
2. The Description of Roona
Roona is the third daughter in the age early thirties 1992:264. She is a married woman, and has some children 1992:271. Roona is powerless, tough,
hard worker, caring, helpless, and objective. Those characteristics of her are revealed through her long speech, she said that even though she already earn so
much money than her husband she still has to comply him as the man in the family. Whatever her husband does, she has to accept that, she cannot leave him
because she does not want to be an alienated woman in the society. In this situation, Roona has no power towards her husband 1992:271. The hard worker
and caring characteristics of Roona revealed when she stated that she has to earn more money to live her family.
Roona can bear up in the complicated situation shows that she is a tough woman. She does not give up to the situation; she is continuing his life with her
husband no matter what it takes. She trusts herself that she survives, all of the effort that she do is only for her family 1992:271.
Roona also shows that she is a hard worker person when she states that she has to wake up in the early morning to prepare the breakfast for her family, takes
the children to the school then she works in the office the whole day. This action shows that she is a workhorse; she is a strong woman who is able to do many
things in her life though it is hard for her 1992:271 Even though she can do anything than obey her husband, she does not
want to be the second-rate citizens as she said in the play, ROONA. interrupts excitedly I am so glad that you got married, and
especially to an American man, you should have done this a long time ago. You should have done this a long time ago. The moment you went to
America you should have married an American man – maybe we should
have all married American men, then nobody would be able to treat us liked second-rate citizens in our own country. laughs Now they cannot
pressure you to come back. Now they can’t provoke mother against you. Now they can’t tell her, “Oh, Bindia, she is not married, she has no
purpose if she is not married, she has no life of her own if she is no married. She will come and live with you . . . and take care of you. She did
it before. She will do it again, she is a sucker” Sharif, 1992:274.
Her statements in the play show that Roona is actually a person who has objective thought, it means she is aware that every gender has the same position and rights
in life. In other words, if she has another option she will do what Bindia already did to marry an American man and live outside Pakistan to have freedom in life
but she can do nothing, powerless and stay in Pakistan. Her speech towards Bindia clearly shows that Roona is actually aware that she is being suppressed by
the rules of patriarchal culture.
3. The Description of Begum Hajira
Begum Hajira is a mother, in the age around fifties to seventieth years old 1992:264. She is a single parent; her husband passed away years before
1992:273. She is the figure who becomes the topic of her children. Since, she is sick, her children start arguing about who should take care of her and who is not.
1992:267-270. By analyzing her charac
ter through the other character’s opinion, the writer can conclude that she is a religious person, Sahid states,
SAHID. Coughs – a nervous cough, a little embarrassed I do not realy
care who you marry. You are pretty independent and have been for quite some time. It is just that mother is very religiously and rigidly Muslim and
her relatives are religiously Muslim and her friends and her neighbors are religiously Muslim
– maybe it would have been hard for her to break the news to her neighbors and relatives Sharif, 1992:274.
S ahid’s opinion of her shows that Begum Hajira is a very religious person and an
obedient wife. Begum Hajira is the agent of patriarchy that accepts the patriarchal
practice in any condition. In this play, Begum Hajira is the figure of a perfect Pakistani woman, she is religious, such a good wife, the role models of her
children, and respected by the societies. All of her children also give a big respect to Begum Hajira, thus they want to keep her name from negative issues.
.
4. The Description of Sahid
Sahid is the first son; his age is around forty five to fifty years old. He is a brigadier in the Pakistan army 1992:264. His parents are trying to do the best for
him because first son in Moslem family is a pride 1992:274. His parents sold their house in order to get him in an elite college; he is the one who make his
parents proud to 1992:275. Sahid has a better education than his sisters and this because male members in Pakistan family are regarded as a person who has a
strong dominance in the family, it seemed as if the notion that men should not be considered to have higher status than women in many ways, including education.
The characteristics of Sahid can be found through other charac ters’
opinions. The writer found that he is able to speak good English, an educated man also a rich person. It is captured when Bindia states,
BINDIA. Somewhere - somewhere . . . with the misery and poverty, and when you got back . . . after all your education . . . you were too good for
us. We could not speak English like you. You could not bring your friends home because the house was too ugly for you Sharif, 1992:275.
The quotation above also shows that Sahid has high prestige. Since he
went to an elite college, Bindia says that Sahid is ashamed of his condition, that his house is not as good as his friends have. His high prestige personality is also
revealed when Roona states her opinion of him, ROONA. And then you moved out and started living with your uncle and
aunt, because they had sofa sets, they spoke better English, they played cards at night and then you married their daughter Sharif, 1992:275.
Sahid is also can be described through his language that he used. The writer found that he is superior,
inconsistent and money oriented. He shows his superior side when he is talking with the servant, Ali Buksh. It means, when he speaks to other
people, he looks arrogant.
SAHID. Babaji, you have started talking too much nonsense, go and wash my car. Go Sharif, 1992:272.
He uses impolite words that not appropriate to speak with a person that older than him. He also uses the high intonation when he speaks. Not only with his servant
but he also acts superior to his sister, Roona, he says as if he is the right man. The writer concludes the reason he acts like that because he is the eldest son and he is
on theirs father’s position. He wants everybody have a respect toward him 1992:275.
SAHID. Pointing towards BINDIA, to ROONA See what she does? She has not been here for more than twelve hours and she has already managed
to provoke you against me Sharif, 1992:275.
The moment when everyone discusses about their mother’s house, Sahid
has an idea to rent their mother’s house to many Saudi Arabian banks. In this situation, his idea seems like he is a money-oriented person, he wants to get
beneficial income of the house. SAHID. Well, if you all give me the power of attorney, then I will go
ahead. The house is on such a central and commercial location that there are many Saudi Arabian who are offering me to build a bank . . . the
property would still be in our names. They would still pay us rent; in then or twenty years it will be worth lots of money Sharif, 1992:278.
His statement is about to convince her sisters to rent the house. He gives the details explanation through his words. His money-oriented thought not only
captured from the words that he used bu t also from other character’s opinion.
Roona, his sister, also thought that Sahid is money-oriented person because Sahid only cares
about mother’s house than her health 1992:270.
