THE INFLUENCE OF FIRDAUS’ EXPERIENCES WITH MEN ON HER PERCEPTION TOWARDS MEN AS REFLECTED IN NAWAL EL SAADAWI’S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO
THE INFLUENCE OF FIRDAUS’ EXPERIENCES WITH MEN
ON HER PERCEPTION TOWARDS MEN AS REFLECTED
IN NAWAL EL SAADAWI’S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the SarjanaPendidikan Degree in English Language Education
By
Anggita Lisa Febriana
Student Number: 071214073
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
THE INFLUENCE OF FIRDAUS’ EXPERIENCES WITH MEN
ON HER PERCEPTION TOWARDS MEN AS REFLECTED
IN NAWAL EL SAADAWI’S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the SarjanaPendidikan Degree in English Language Education
By
Anggita Lisa Febriana
Student Number: 071214073
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
LET US DO OUR BEST
AND
LET GOD DO THE REST
I dedicate this thesis to my beloved mother, my grandfather and grandmother, to my sisters and brothers,Dhiandra Bima Baskara, Mas Inunk, my best friends Eli and Ria, and all people in my life
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
Febriana, Anggita Lisa (2012). The Influence of Firdaus’ Experiences with Men
on Her Perception Towards Men as Reflected in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at
Point Zero. Yogyakarta: Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Department
of Language and Arts Education, English Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyses a novel by Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero. Firdaus is the major character who struggles to free herself from men’s domination. The story begins when men dominate many things in her country, Egypt. They control everything. They do anything as they like. On the contrary, women do not have any right to do something without men’s permission. Firdaus is a woman who hates this domination. She tries not to be dominated by men. Her struggle to be free from them leads her to a prison for killing a pimp. As a result, she is sentenced to death.
There are two problems formulated. The first one concerns Firdaus’ character. The second one concerns the influence of Firdaus’ experiences with men which influence her way on seeing men. This study is a library research. There are two sources used to obtain the data. First source is Nawal El Saadawi’s
Woman at Point Zero. Second sources are obtained from books which consist of
psychological and literary theories. The literary theories are used to answer the first problem, which deals with the character and characterization of Firdaus. The experience and perception theories are employed to anwer the second problem related to the influence of Firdaus’ experiences on her way she sees men. Some articles from the internet are also used as additional information to support the related issues. The psychological approach is also employed to analyze how society affects Firdaus’ character. It also explains how experiences change her perception about men.
Firdaus is revealed as independent, smart, optimistic, brave, and revengeful. Her character influences her way of seeing men. Based on Firdaus’ experiences with men, she perceives that men are abusers, rapists, oppressors, and liars. They make use of their status to do anything. What men have in mind is about money, authority, women and sex.
This study presents suggestions for future reseachers of the same novel to analyze lesbian issue between Firdaus and Miss Iqbal. Additionally, the future researchers may also analyze Firdaus’ obstinacy in accepting a death sentence.
Keywords: domination, authority, experience, perception, oppression, abuse
ABSTRAK
Febriana, Anggita Lisa (2012). The Influence of Firdaus’ Experiences with Men
on Her Perception Towards Men as Reflected in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at
Point Zero. Yogyakarta: Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Department
of Language and Arts Education, English Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University
Studi ini menganalisa sebuah novel berjudul Woman at Point Zero karangan Nawal El Saadawi. Firdaus adalah tokoh utama yang berjuang untuk membebaskan dirinya sendiri dari dominasi kaum pria. Cerita ini dimulai saat pria memiliki peran dominan. Mereka mengatur banyak hal. Mereka melakukan apapun sesuka hati. Sebaliknya, wanita tidak memiliki hak apapun untuk melakukan sesuatu tanpa ijin dari pria. Firdaus adalah seorang wanita yang membenci dominasi ini. Dia mencoba untuk tidak didominasi pria. Perjuangannya untuk bebas dari dominasi dan kaum pria membuatnya dipenjara karena membunuh seorang germo. Dia pun dijatuhi hukuman mati.
Ada dua masalah dalam studi ini. Pertama adalah penggambaran karakter Firdaus. Kedua adalah pengaruh pengalaman Firdaus yang merubah cara pandangnya terhadap pria. Studi ini menggunakan studi pustaka.
Ada dua sumber yang digunakan untuk memperoleh data. Sumber pertama adalah novel Woman at Point Zero karangan Nawal El Saadawi. Sumber kedua diperoleh dari beberapa buku tentang teori psikologi dan kesusastraan. Teori kesusastraan digunakan untuk menjawab permasalahan pertama tentang karakter Firdaus dan penggambarannya dalam cerita. Teori pengalaman dan persepsi digunakan untuk menjawab permasalahan kedua tentang pengaruh dari pengalaman Firdaus yang merubah cara pandangnya terhadap pria. Beberapa artikel dari internet juga digunakan sebagai informasi tambahan untuk menunjang studi ini. Pendekatan psikologi juga digunakan dalam studi ini untuk menganalisa bagaimanakah masyarakat mempengaruhi karakter Firdaus. Pendekatan ini menjelaskan bagaimakah pengalamannya merubah persepsinya terhadap pria.
Firdaus adalah wanita mandiri, pintar, optimis, berani, dan pendendam. Karakternya mempengaruhi cara pandangnya terhadap pria. Berdasarkan pengalaman-pengalaman Firdaus dengan pria, dia beranggapan bahwa pria adalah penyiksa, pemerkosa, penindas, dan pembohong. Mereka memanfaatkan status mereka untuk melakukan apapun. Apa yang mereka pikirkan hanyalah tentang uang, kekuasaan, dan sex.
Studi ini menampilkan beberapa saran untuk peneliti selanjutnya yang membahas novel yang sama untuk menganalisa masalah lesbian antara Firdaus dan nona Iqbal. Peneliti selanjutnya juga dapat menganalisa ketegaran Firdaus menerima hukuman mati.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My greatest gratitude goes to Jesus Christ, who has made me as I am, for His blessings, for every chance in my life, and for guiding me to finish this thesis.
He has never left me in every step I take. I am nothing without Him.
I would like to thank the following people who have supported me in finishing this thesis. I would like to thank my major advisor Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto Y., M.Hum and Sr. Margareth, who patiently gave me suggestions, corrections, and encouragement on my thesis. I also thank my academic advisor, Drs. JB. Gunawan, M.A., for giving me advice during my study. I would like to appreciate all of the English lecturers for teaching me many things in life.
My sincere gratitude also goes to my beloved mother Theodora Indrastuti, my grandpa Drs. AJ. Soewardjo, and my grandma MM. Trisiyah. I also thank my sister Ajeng Ellis Saptarini, my nephew Dhiandra Bima Baskara, and Mas Inunk, and Lestari Rahayu. I would like to thank them for their love, care, trust, prayers, patience, tolerance, understanding, encouragement, and financial support. Their sacrifice and guidance will never be forgotten.
My special thanks to my best friends Eli and Ria, for supporting me in finishing this thesis, and to my friends Mbak Septi, Amel, Beny, Erna, Ephine, and Risma for their love and care. I also thank Mbak Dita, Kentung, Herdian, Rita, Risang, Mbak Pink, Patrick, and Ninggar for sharing their knowledge and giving me suggestions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ............................................................................................. i APPROVAL PAGE ................................................................................... ii DEDICATION PAGE................................................................................. iv STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ........................................... v
LEMBAR PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ..................................................... vi
ABSTRACT................................................................................................ vii
ABSTRAK .................................................................................................. viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................ ix TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................ x LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................. xiii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................
1 1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................
1 1.2 Problem Formulation ...................................................................
6 1.3 Objectives of the Study................................................................
6 1.4 Benefits of the Study ...................................................................
6 1.5 Definition of Terms .....................................................................
7 1.5.1 Character .........................................................................
7 1.5.2 Characterization ..............................................................
7 1.5.3 Experience.......................................................................
8 1.5.4 Perception........................................................................
8 1.5.5 Egyptian ..........................................................................
8
9 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ......................
2.1 Review of Related Studies...........................................................
9 2.2 Review of Related Theories.........................................................
10 2.2.1 Character .........................................................................
10
2.2.2 Characterization.................................................................
11 2.2.2.1 Definition of Characterization ............................
11 2.2.2.2 Ways to Characterize ..........................................
12 2.2.3 Critical Approach ..............................................................
12 2.2.4 Experience .........................................................................
13 2.2.4.1 Definition of Experience.....................................
13 2.2.4.2 Types of Experience ...........................................
13 2.2.5 Perception ..........................................................................
15 2.2.5.1 Definition of Perception .....................................
15 2.2.5.2 Social Perception ................................................
16 2.2.5.3 Factors Affecting Perception ..............................
16 2.3 Review of Socio-Historical Background .....................................
17 2.3.1 The Egyptian Revolution (1952).....................................
18 2.3.2 Political Environment......................................................
19 2.3.3 Other Economic Sectors..................................................
20 2.3.4 The Ancient Egyptian Society.........................................
22 2.3.5 Household Environment in Egypt ...................................
23 2.3.6 The Status of Women in Egyptian Society .....................
24 2.3.6.1 The Status of Women in Ancient Era .................
24 2.3.6.2 The Status of Women in Modern Era .................
26 2.4 Theoretical Framework................................................................
27 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ............................................................
29 3.1 Object of the Study ......................................................................
29 3.2 Approach of the Study .................................................................
30 3.3 Method of the Study ....................................................................
31 CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS .........................................................................
33 4.1 The Description of Firdaus ..........................................................
33
4.1.3 Revengeful ......................................................................
36 4.1.4 Smart ...............................................................................
38 4.1.5 Brave ...............................................................................
39 4.2 The Influence of Firdaus’ Experiences........................................
41 4.2.1 Firdaus’ Experiences with Men.......................................
44 4.2.1.1 Mohammadin ......................................................
45 4.2.1.2 Firdaus’ Uncle ....................................................
45 4.2.1.3 Sheikh Mahmoud................................................
47 4.2.1.4 Bayoumi..............................................................
49 4.2.1.5 Ibrahim................................................................
51 4.2.1.6 Fawzy..................................................................
52 4.2.1.7 A Policeman........................................................
53 4.2.1.8 Marzouk ..............................................................
54 4.2.2 Men in Firdaus’ Eyes ......................................................
55 4.2.2.1 Abusers ...............................................................
55 4.2.2.1.1 Verbal Abuses....................................
57 4.2.2.1.2 Sexual Abuses....................................
58 4.2.2.1.3 Physical Abuses .................................
59 4.2.2.1.4 Psychological Abuses ........................
59 4.2.2.2 Rapists.................................................................
60 4.2.2.3 Oppressors ..........................................................
62 4.2.2.4 Liars ....................................................................
63 CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS,
65 AND SUGGESTIONS ..............................................................................
5.1 Conclusions .................................................................................
65 5.2 Implications .................................................................................
67 5.3 Suggestions ..................................................................................
68
LIST OF APPENDICES 1. The Summary of the Story .....................................................................
74 2. The Biography of the Author .................................................................
76 3. Nawal El Saadawi’s Works ....................................................................
79 4. The Egyptians-Society ...........................................................................
81 5. Ancient Egypt (The Egyptian Timeline) ................................................
84 6. Modern Egypt (The Modern Timeline)..................................................
85 7. Map of Egypt..........................................................................................
87
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION This first chapter consists of five parts, namely background of the study,
problem formulation, objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. The background of the study gives the explanation about the topic of this study. The problem formulation consists of two questions, which generally describe the problems that will be analyzed in this study. The objectives of the study state the purpose of writing this study. The benefits of the study explain who can get the benefits from the study. The last part is definition of terms which gives the explanation about some terms that are related to the study in order to avoid misconception in reading this study.
1.1 Background of The Study
God creates men and women in order to complete each other. Men can find what they do not have in women. On the other hand, women can find what they do not have in men. Physically men and women are very different. Many men are stronger and bigger than women. Many of them like to fight, while many women like something related to nature, such as flowers and landscapes. Swerdloff (1991) states that “much of the time, women have to depend on men to provide them with enough food to eat and to protect them” (p. 11). Women deal with many physical things in life, such as menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth,
2 Some decades age, women were considered lower than men. People thought that women lacked ability, competence in education, and knowledge. This reason made many men treat women unfairly and inappropriately. Nowadays, many people especially men still have that kind of perception as they think that women are lower than men.
According to Montagu (1999) “in many cultures, women are considered lower than men; they are creative human beings but not quite so creative humans as men” (p. 270). Although there are some women who become presidents, prime ministers or have high position in their jobs, but in fact the perception that they are lower than men is still held in the society.
In certain countries like Egypt, people still think that women are lower than men. It seems that the society cannot change the perception of it. There, women do not mean a thing. Men can do anything to women just as they like. Women cannot deny or make demands on men because the patriarchal society system is strong. Additionally, Amin (1995) states that “from the time of her birth to the time of her death a woman is a slave because she does not live by or for herself. A woman lives through and for the man, depending on him for all her needs” (p. 18). That is why, the perception that women are lower than men cannot go away from the society.
The fact that in some countries people think that women are lower than men can be reflected in literary works, such as novel. A novel can portray many things, such as society, characters of people, science, norms, values, religions,
3 about other people” (p. 6). In literature, we can find so many aspects of life: values, emotions, the power of love, and so on. The works of literature are close to what people think, see, feel, and do in daily experience. So, it is clear that a work of literature can portray a story of the novel into real society. Moreover, it is related to many aspects of humans’ life.
A novel entitled Woman at Point Zero is one of the novels that primarily talks about such issue. The novel is interesting because it talks about women who become the men’s victim in many aspects of life. The novel is one of the best seller novels by Nawal El Saadawi in 1983. The story is very interesting and touching especially for women. The story is about Firdaus as the major character. A man sends her into the prison because she admits that she has killed a pimp. As a matter of fact, the judge condemns her to a death sentence. Knowing that, Firdaus does not try to defend herself. She does not speak to other people at all while she is in the prison.
Firdaus’ life is full of disappointment, abuse, oppression, and revolt. Many people, especially men, take advantages from her body. After her parents death, she tries to get some protection from her uncle who actually has already abused her in her childhood. Her love for a man makes her think that there is no love in her society. It is because every man she really loves always betrays her. Then she does not believe in love anymore. When there is no one to believe, she meets Sharifa, a professional prostitute who sells her body to men. On the other hand, Firdaus does not take anything from it and Sharifa does not give anything. Every
4 are making love, many of them ask Firdaus whether she feels pleasure or not and anytime they ask that kind of question, she always answers yes. It makes her think that men are able to make love with every woman they want if they have enough money.
Firdaus leaves Sharifa’s apartment. She tries to live normally as other women do. She looks for a job here and there. Finally, she gets it and she works in an office. There, she meets a man who makes her feel disappointed. It makes her remember her experiences with men before, by which no one of them treat her well. She learns a lot from it and then she remembers when Sharifa tells her that a man does not know a woman’s value. That is why she herself is the only one who determines her value. Since Firdaus has had many bad experiences with men and then she concludes that they are unable to be loved, she decides to be a high class prostitutes like Sharifa. It seems like revenge from her trauma with men because by being a prostitute she is able to do anything to men.
Firdaus has a wealthy life since she works as a prostitute. She has a much better life. On the top of her career as a prostitute, many people fight over her.
Men fight over the pleasure they want to get from her and others fight over other things. Unfortunately, there is a man who comes and forces her to accept him as her pimp. He knows that Firdaus is a famous and expensive prostitute. She refuses the pimp. She realizes that the pimp is going to control her life and her money.
The pimp tells her many reasons why it is necessary to have a pimp, but she does not believe him. The pimp tries to make her believe until she accepts him. Based on her experiences with men, she keeps refusing him. Without any fear, she kills
5 him very cruelly. She tells it to a man who actually is a prince. First, he does not believe because Firdaus looks very gentle and it seems impossible for her to kill a man. However, she makes him believe it. The prince is very scared and then calls the police and immediately she is sent to prison and charged to be executed.
Although she can pay for a lawyer to assist her and even send a letter to the president to release her from the prison, she rejects to do that. She thinks that being executed for killing a pimp is better than being men’s servant. Based on her experiences, she knows that men’s authority is quite difficult to be removed. She wants to assist women’s rights but she has no power to do that. Killing a pimp is one way of getting revenge.
Fidaus’ bad experiences with men make her have a different way in seeing men. She thinks that men should not do just as they like. Men and women have the same rights and opportunities in the society. Besides, there are norms and values which they have to consider.
However, Firdaus also thinks that men should not treat women unfairly because women have an important role in the society, such as taking care of the household and giving birth. On the other hand, men have to support the family’s needs, not only material but also immaterial. Therefore, men and women should support each other.
The focus of the analysis of this study is on the influence of Firdaus’ experiences with men and the way she sees men. Psychologically, it is interesting to find out what kind of experiences she has with men which change her way in
6
1.2 Problem Formulation There are two main questions that this study deals with. They are as follows.
1. How is Firdaus described in the novel?
2. How can the experiences with men influence Firdaus’ way in seeing men?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
There are two purposes of this study. First is to describe Firdaus’ character as the major character in the story. Second is to find out what kind of experiences that she has which influence her way in seeing men. Those two purposes which are stated in the problem formulation helps to analyze the story of the novel
Woman at Point Zero. Besides, it can be employed as the inspiration for people to
fight against unfair treatment which usually happens between man and woman.1.4 Benefits of the Study
This novel is very touching and interesting to read because the readers are able to know the situation and condition of Egypt without having to go there. The readers are also able to know the social environment of Egypt in the past time, such as gender discrimination, feminism, revolt, abuse, oppression, culture, and many more. This study will give many contributions and benefits to many people at all levels. It can be useful for people in general, students and especially students in English language study program (PBI), and of course the researcher as the writer of this study. People can take values and knowledge from this novel about bad experiences which influence someone’s life. Not only that, people can also
7 almost the same experience happening in their society, this novel and study might give them inspiration to find the solutions.
Students, especially PBI students, are a number of people who are very lucky. They can use this study as their reference in writing their thesis, research, or other studies. While for the researcher, the novel “Woman at Point Zero” is one of my masterpieces.
1.5 Definition of Terms
1.5.1 Character
Abrams (1981) states that “characters are the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say – dialogue and by what they do- the action” (p. 20). The same idea is also shown by Abcarian and Klotz (1998), who explain that “character is revealed by what persons do, say, and by what the other characters say or reveal” (p. 21). Therefore, the term character in this study refers to the character and behavior in the novel.
1.5.2 Characterization
According to Wiehaardt (2009) characterization is the method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes: showing the character’s appearance, displaying the character’s actions, revealing the character’s thoughts, letting the character speak, and getting the reactions of others. Additionally, Rohnberger and Wood, Jr. (2003) defines “characterization as an author’s creative
8 physical appearances, style, manner, thought, action and other’s opinion about her” (p. 231). Therefore, the readers are able to conclude the characterization of each character in the novel by themselves considering the signs or methods giving by the writer.
1.5.3 Experience
According to Shahan (1990) “experience is a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or observation of some things or some events gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event” (p. 1). In this study, experience can be described as moments or events which happen during Firdaus’ life which change her mind in seeing men.
1.5.4 Perception
McLeod (2007) states that “perception may be defined as the process by which an individual selects, organizes and interprets stimuli into a meaningful and coherent picture of the environment in which he lives” (p. 1). It is a complex cognitive process and differs from one individual to another, depending on the needs, values and expectations of the individual.
1.5.5 Egyptian
According to Sharabi (1962) “Egyptian is a member of an indigenous non- Semitic people who established an advanced civilization in Egypt that flourished from the late fourth millennium BC” (p. 208). Thus, the Egyptians are people who live in Egypt.
CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter consists of four parts. The first part discusses some theories
which support the analysis. They are theories of character, characterization, experience, Egyptian, and trauma. The second part discusses the cultural background in Egypt. The third part presents some studies done by the former researchers. The fourth part is the theoretical framework. It describes how the theories are applied in the analysis.
2.1 Review of Related Studies
There are four researchers who have discussed the same novel Woman at
Point Zero. The first researcher is Ong Yoelia (2004) who focuses on the
feminism aspect in Egypt which influences the major character in the novel. She digs out more about feminism and makes a relation to the reasons why the major character does not refuse the death sentence. The second is Riska Pareka (2008) who focuses on motivation of the major character in becoming a prostitute in
Woman at Point Zero by Nawal el Saadawi compared to Eleven Minutes by Paulo
Coelho. She tries to compare and find the same reasons which support the major character in two novels to be a prostitute, not to be an obedient wife or other jobs.
The third is Rigen Pratitisari (2004) who focuses on Firdaus’ motivation in becoming a prostitute. Actually, the point of this study is almost the same as Riska Pareka’s study. Thing that makes it different is that Rigen does not compare with
10 other novels. She really focuses on Woman at Point Zero. The fourth is Dewi Maharani Purba (2006) who focuses on analyzing the motivation of the major character in accepting the death sentence.
This study discusses a different thing that is the influence of Firdaus’ experiences with men which change her way of seeing men. It talks much about Firdaus’ experiences with men which most of them are bad. These make Firdaus change her perception about men. In the beginning she thinks that women have to be obedient to men’s rule, but then she thinks that it does not have to be like that. She rebels the culture where men are the head of everything. She shows that a woman has a power as a man has. As the result, she kills a pimp and then she is sentenced to death. However, she receives it without rebellion because she thinks that it is better to die because of killing a man than living under a man’s control.
2.2 Review of Related Theories
This part will review some theories employed in this study. They are theories of character and characterization, experience, and perception.
Additionally, this part will also review the socio-historical background of Egypt.
2.2.1 Character
2.2.1.1 Definition of Character
Abrams (1981) defines the word character into “two kinds” (p. 81). First, he defines character as “a literary genre: a short, usually witty, sketch in prose of a distinctive type of person”. Second, he defines character as “the persons, in a
11 are expressed in what they say – the dialogue – and what they do – the action” (para. 5). The same idea comes from Abcarian and Klotz (1998) who define that “character revealed by what persons do, say, and by what the other characters say or reveal” (p. 21). Therefore, it can be said that character is the person in a narrative work and her or his behavior or characteristic.
2.2.1.2 Kinds of Character
E.M. Forster divides “two kinds of character. Those are flat and round characters” (as cited in Abrams, 1981, p. 155). A flat character is built around a single idea or quality and is presented without much individualizing detail, and therefore can be described adequately in a single phrase or sentence. It is a constant character acting as a good character. This character never change into bad characters. In other words, constant characters are static. In contrast, a round character is not static. It is complex in temperament and motivation and is represented with subtle particularity; such a character therefore is as difficult to describe with any adequacy as a person in real life, and like real person, is capable of surprising us. It can change over the time and can be seen from many sides.
2.2.2 Characterization
2.2.2.1 Definition of Characterization
According to Abrams (1981) characterization is the person in a narrative; showing and telling. The method includes showing the character’s appearance, displaying the character’s actions, revealing the character’s thoughts, letting the
12 Wood, Jr. (1984) defines “characterization as an author’s creative process in creating a character which consists of describing the character’s physical appearances, style, manner, thought, action and other’s opinion about her” (p. 231).
2.2.2.2 Ways to Characterize
Abrams (1981) states “that there are two ways for characterizing the persons in a narrative”. They are “showing and telling” (p. 21). In showing which is also called “the dramatic method”, the author merely presents his characters taking and acting and leaves the reader to infer what motives and dispositions behind what they say and do. However, the author may show not only external speech and actions, but also a character’s inner thoughts, feelings, and responsiveness to events; for a highly developed mode of such inner showing. It means that the readers have to think about characters by themselves with some certain attitude, behavior, speech, and thought shown by the author.
In telling, the author himself intervenes authoritatively in order to describe and often to evaluate the motives and dispositional qualities of the characters. The author states the characters objectively, impersonally, and dramatically. This way makes the readers are able to know the characters easily because the author has stated clearly.
2.2.3 Critical Approach
According to Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (2003), there are “five kinds of
13 total integrity of the literary piece; the biographical approach which asserts the important or an appreciation of the ideas and personality of the author to understand the literary object; the sociocultural-historical approach which considers that literature is not created in a vacuum, but it gains ideas from culture, so people can have ethical judgment concerning the truth of the author’s statement; the mythopoeic approach which discover certain universally recurrent patterns of human thought, that they believe it will be significant works of art; the last is the psychological approach which views works through the lens of psychology” (para. 5-8).
2.2.4 Experience
2.2.4.1 Definition of Experience
Shahan (1990) states that “experience is a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or observation of some things or some events gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event” (p. 81). In this study, experience can be described as moments or events that happen during Firdaus’ life which makes her change her mind about men.
2.2.4.2 Types of Experience
Shahan (1990) defines “eight types of experience” (para. 8). The first type is physical experience. This kind of experience is related to a human body. One of the criteria of this experience is that the effect or result can be seen through the eyes. The second is mental experience. Mental experience involves aspects of
14 memory, emotion, willingness and imagination. It means that the effect of this experience cannot be seen through the eyes, but it can only be felt.
The third is emotional experience. It is clear that by the name, this type is related to people’s emotion. The real example of this type is when someone is falling in love. At that time, he/she has an emotional experience. The fourth is spiritual experience. It can be considered that it is related to mystics. However, it is not only about mystics, but also about other things such as religious aspect. Next experience is social experience. It is quite clear that this experience provides individuals with the skills and habits necessary for participating within the societies.
Additionally, Shahan (1990) adds that virtual experience and simulation gaming are related to an experience in virtual reality, such as using computer; while simulation gaming is related to games such as video game and role-play (p. 99). Next is immediacy of experience. This can be considered as speed. For example, if someone is forced to be in a certain place immediately, the person might do or not do. At this time, this person gets an immediacy experience. The last is subjective experience. It involves a state of individual subjectivity, perception on which one builds someone’s own state of reality; the reality is based on her/ his interaction with the environment.
Based on those types above, the researcher concludes some experiences which Firdaus’ experienced. The first is physical experience. Firdaus experienced a physical experience when Bayoumi, Sheikh Mahmoud, and some other men hit
15 by Firdaus’ face that becomes swollen and that her nose is bleeding (p. 46). The second is mental experience. This experience support Firdaus’ decision to be a prostitute. Being treated badly by some men, creates a bad perception. She thinks that men cannot appreciate women. She considers that being a prostitute is better than a wife. This perception makes Firdaus hates men and decides to be a prostitute. The third is emotional experience. Firdaus gets this experience when she falls in love with Ibrahim. Unfortunately, he betrays her by married to the chairperson’s daughter. Additionally, it also can be seen when Firdaus kills a pimp in which she kills him cruelty. It shows how Firdaus shows her emotion and anger to men.
2.2.5 Perception
2.2.51 Definition of Perception
There are some definitions of perception. People, especially experts, may also have the different opinion about it. Common people may think that perception is the same as point of view. However, they might be different. In order to avoid misunderstanding, this is one of the definitions of perception based on McLeod’s opinion.
The word perception comes from the Latin words perceptio or percipio which means receiving, collecting, action of taking possession, apprehension with the mind or senses. McLeod (2007) states that “perception defined as the process by which an individual selects, organizes, and interprets stimuli into a meaningful
16 cognitive process and differs from one individual to another, depending on the needs, values, and expectations of the individual.
2.2.5.2 Social Perception
McLeod (2007) states that “social perception deals with how an individual perceives other individuals”. The primary factors that affect social perception are related to psychological processes. If someone understands his/her own personality well, it becomes easier to understand others accurately. Personal characteristics of an individual may affect the way he/she perceives others. An individual who has a high self-esteem is more likely to perceive favorable aspects in others as well. How accurately an individual perceives others is based on not just a single skill but involves many other skills. The perceiver’s personal characteristics play a major role in influencing the way he interprets target or stimulus. A person’s attitudes, motives, interests, past experiences and expectations affect his/her perception. An individual’s perception is greatly influenced by his/her unfulfilled needs and goals.
2.2.5.3 Factors Affecting Perception
McLeod (2007) states that “perception is influenced by the ways the body is structured to receive and process stimuli from the environment” (p. 8).
Perception reflects the emotion, need, expectation, and learning. There are two factors that influence what and how people perceive. They are receptors and the brain. Receptors are the special body parts such as vision, hearing and touch. Each
17 environment into nervous impulses. On the other hand, the brain also determines some aspects of perception. The part of the brain that serves vision has different kinds of cells that respond only under certain conditions of stimulation. Some of these cells respond only when a light goes off.
McLeod (2007) states “three kinds of characteristics which influence someone’s perception” (p. 20). The first is characteristics of perceiver which consist of attitudes, motives, interests, experiences, and expectation. Those characteristics give an important role for someone’s perception. It is because those things determine the way someone perceives. The second is characteristics of target which consist of novelty and familiarity, motives, sound, size, background, and proximity. The third is characteristics of situation that consist of time, work, and social environment. It also holds an important role because the social environment influence someone’ perception and characteristic much. Someone’s characteristic might change because of the social environment that makes he/she change to be like that.
2.3 Review of Socio-Historical Background
This part will discuss about the government, society, other economic aspects, and the status of women in modern Egypt. It is important to know about the socio historical background of Egypt because it will make the reading process getting easier; it gives an idea to the readers about the situation or background of the story when the story happens. Additionally, it gives more explanation about
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2.3.1 The Egyptian Revolution (1952)
Sharabi (1962) explains “the history of Egypt such as the revolution, political environment, other economic sectors, and the status of women in Egypt” (pp. 314-323). In 1952 Egyptian nationalist viewed the incompetent and corrupt of King Farouk’s government. They also viewed that King Farouk’s government were unable to deal effectively with either the British or the problem of Israel. The solution to overcome these problems was to change the country’s leadership.
On 23 July 1952 the military organization called Free Officers launched a coup d’etat that established a new system of government. Then on 26 July 1952 King Farouk was forced to abdicate and left the country. Still in the same year, the military controlled the major instruments of force and there was no significant opposition to their actions. The government was changed into the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) whose titular head was a senior military officer and one of the few successful Egyptian officers in the 1948 was General Muhammad Naguib. The immediate concern of the RCC was to dismantle the corrupt structures of the monarchy and to create a new political order that would institute major social change. Additionally, the basic goal was to end political corruption and inefficiency and to prevent further humiliations such as the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949 and the British control of Egypt.
In December 1952 the constitution and the parliamentary form of government were suspended. The following January General Naguib announced that all political parties had been banned and their funds confiscated and that
19 February, an interim constitutional was proclaimed that provided the terms for the operation of the government. This constitution noted that people were the source of all authority but all power was clearly vested in the RCC. Then, RCC created a new political organization called the National Liberation Rally to replace the banned political parties.