thinks that she makes mistakes. Therefore, it really proves that Egyptian women in modern era considered do not any right.
According to Scaruffi 1999, the changes from ancient to modern Egyptian era happen in some aspect. Life in modern Egypt is a study in contrasts,
especially in Cairo, where the constant blasting of the car horns and the loudspeakers of its thousand minarets proclaim both the hectic present and the
contemplative past. Modern skyscrapers, highways, a subway system, hotels, restaurants, advertising and western clothing blend together with ancient
pharaonic ruins, Islamic mosques, Coptic churches, Middle Eastern garb, bazaars and the odor of cattle in a unique mosaic of life in modern Egypt. I once witnessed
a huge caravan of farmers, donkeys and camels making a right turn on a principal Cairo avenue.Life in modern Egypt is a study in contrasts, especially in Cairo,
where the constant blasting of the car horns and the loudspeakers of its thousand minarets proclaim both the hectic present and the contemplative past. Modern
skyscrapers, highways, a subway system, hotels, restaurants, advertising and western clothing blend together with ancient pharaonic ruins, Islamic mosques,
Coptic churches, Middle Eastern garb, bazaars and the odor of cattle in a unique mosaic of life in modern Egypt. I once witnessed a huge caravan of farmers,
donkeys and camels making a right turn on a principal Cairo avenue.
2.4 Theoretical Framework
There are two problems discussed in this study. The first is the figure of Firdaus as the main character. The second is Firdaus’ experiences with men which
influence her perception towards men. In answering those problems and analyzing the novel, there are some theories employed in this study. In analyzing the first
question, the theories needed are character and characterization. These theories are employed to explore Firdaus’ character as the major character in the novel
Woman at Point Zero. The second question deals with the theory of critical approach. It employs the psychological approach which consists of theories of
experience and perception. Those theories have an important contribution to answer the second question. It is because Firdaus’ experiences with men are the
only reason why she changes her perception towards men. The fact that she grows up in a very poor family and bad treatment that her father does to her mother,
makes her think that her father is not a good man. That is the first time she judges man. Later, other experiences with men, such as her uncle, Bayoumi, Ibrahim, etc,
support her idea that no one of them has a good attitude.
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three parts, namely object of the study, approach of the study, and method of the study. Object of the study deals with the object of
the study itself. Approach of the study covers the approaches used in analyzing the novel. The last part, method of the study, concerns with the steps and process
that I have undertaken to conduct and complete this study.
3.1 Object of the Study
The novel discussed in this study is Woman at Point Zero. This novel was written by Nawal El Saadawi, a well known feminist Egyptian writer. She writes
many books which most of them are well published. Woman at point Zero consists of 114 pages in 3 chapters. It was published in English in 1983 by Zed
Books Ltd., United Kingdom. The story of the novel Woman at Point Zero was made based on a true
story. It tells about a woman, named Firdaus, who has been sentenced to death for killing a man. Although she has been sentenced to death, she does not assist
herself at all. Firdaus is a professional prostitute. She gets many abuses from men, including her uncle. In the beginning of the story, she does not know that others
abuse her because she is still completely innocent. She can do nothing when men treat her as they like. She also does not know that Sharifa El Salah Dien is only
take the money by selling to men. Firdaus‟ life changes when she meets a woman
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