Bhima`s struggle against class discrimination in thrity umrigar`s the space between us.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University,
2016.
The Space between Us by Thrity Umrigar potrays class discrimination in
India. Umrigar is a journalist and creative writing teacher. This is her second
novel, set in modern India. In India the class discrimination became a common
issue. There was a separation between the upper-middle class and the lower class.
The injustice treatment done unto the lower class by those above them. The novel
tells about the relationship between servant and her mistress. They have the
parallel experiences that connect them, but there is “the space between them”. By
the injustice treatment by the higher class, Bhima, the main character struggle for
her life and her family to get a better life.
In order to reveal the class discrimination, the thesis is concerned in three
problems. The first problem is aimed Bhima’s character. The second problem is
aimed to the setting and society in Bhima’s life. The last problem is aimed to
reveal the class discrimination in India through the characters and setting in the
novel.
The researcher of the Undergraduate thesis conducts library research to
answer those three problem formulation. In this study, the researcher uses sociocultural historical approach to analyze the novel. The review of historical
background in India used to understand the social circumstances in India from the
past life and modern era.
The result of the analysis shows the class discrimination still exists in
India modern era. The setting of society shows the difference class between high
class, middle class and low class. Bhima as a low class often get bad treatment by
her society. She works in a Parsi’s house. Her mistress, Sera, always treats Bhima
well but in some cases she also discriminate Bhima. The characteristics of Bhima
make her struggle against the class discrimination. The big case that afflicts
Bhima about Maya makes them leaves Dubash family house and try to get a better
life together.
Keywords: Class, Discrimination
x
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRAK
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2016.
The Space between Us karya Thrity Umrigar adalah kisah yang
menggambarkan tentang diskriminasi kelas yang terjadi di India. Umrigar adalah
seorang jurnalis dan pengajar menulis kreatif. Novel tersebut adalah karya kedua
yang ditulis olehnya, berlatar di era modern India. Di India diskriminasi kelas
merupakan persoalan umum. Terdapat jarak di antara kelas atas-menengah dengan
kelas bawah. Perlakuan tidak adil terjadi pada kelas bawah yag dilakukan oleh
kelas di atasnya. Novel tersebut bercerita tentang sebuah hubungan antara asisten
rumah tangga dengan majikannya. Mereka memiliki kesamaan pengalamanpengalaman yang mengaitkan mereka, tetapi tetap ada “jarak di antara mereka”.
olhe perlakuan yang tidak adil yag dilakukan kelas yang lebih tinggi, Bhima,
karakter utama berjuang untuk kehidupannya dan keluarganya untuk mendapatkan
kehidupan yang lebih baik.
Untuk mengungkap diskriminasi kelas, skripsi ini memfokuskan pada tiga
permasalahan. Permasalahan yang pertama bertujuan untuk melihat karakter
Bhima. Permasalahan yang kedua bertujuan untuk melihat latar dan lingkungan di
kehidupan Bhima. Permasalahn yang terakhir bertujuan untuk mengunkap
diskriminasi kelas di India melalui karakter dan latar pada novel.
Peneliti melakukan penelitian kepustakaan untuk menjawab tiga rumusan
masalah. Pada studi ini, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan sosio-kultural historkal
untuk menganalisa novel. Ulasan tentang latar belakang sejarah di India
digunakan untuk memahami keadaan sosial di India dari masa lampau hingga
modern.
Hasil dari analisis menunjukkan bahwa diskriminasi kelas masih terjadi di
India pada masa modern ini. Latar lingkungan menunjukkan perbedaan kelas
antara kelas atas, kelas menengah, dan kelas bawah. Bhima sebagai seorang pada
kelas bawah sering mendapatkan perlakuan buruk dari lingkungannya. Dia
bekerja pada keluarga Parsi. Majikannya, Sera selalu meperlakukan Bhima
dengan baik tetapi pada beberapa hal dia juga mendiskriminasi Bhima.
Karakteristik Bhima membuatnya berjuang melawan diskriminasi kelas. Masalah
besar yang menimpa Bhima dan Maya membuat mereka meninggakan rumah
keluarga Dubash dan mencoba untuk mencari kebahagian mereka bersama.
Kata kunci: kelas, diskriminasi
xi
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
BHIMA’S STRUGGLE AGAINST CLASS DISCRIMINATION IN THRITY
UMRIGAR’S THE SPACE BETWEEN US
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
In English Letters
By:
ANGELIN ELIZABET BUISWARIN DIAZ
Student Number: 094214082
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2016
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
BHIMA’S STRUGGLE AGAINST CLASS DISCRIMINATION IN THRITY
UMRIGAR’S THE SPACE BETWEEN US
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
In English Letters
By:
ANGELIN ELIZABET BUISWARIN DIAZ
Student Number: 094214082
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2016
ii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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Be JOYFUL in HOPE,
PATIENT in AFFLICTION,
FAITHFUL in PRAYER.
Romans 12:12
vii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My greatest gratitude goes to Jesus and Mother Marry who have given me
strength to accomplish this undergraduate thesis. I would like to thank my parents:
Chris Diaz and Caecilia Diaz, my sisters Cindy and Mutia, and also my brother
Roberto and Joseph for their support and endless love. They are my real guardian
angels. Thank you also my four-leg kids who always accompany do my thesis.
To my thesis advisor, Ms. Sri Mulyani, thank you so much for guiding me
until I finish this undergraduate thesis. Thank you for the support and advice, it
means a lot for me because Ms. Sri still gives me a chance to finish my thesis. Also I
would like to thank Ms. Elisabeth Arti Wulandari for giving me advice and chance to
finish this final thesis. Especially, I would like to thank Mr. Hirmawan Wijanarka as
Head of English Letters Department for giving me chance to finish my undergraduate
thesis. I also would like to thank all the lectures in English Letters Department for
their guidance and for leading me to achieve my dream. I would like to thank the
secretariat staff of English Letters Department, Mbak Ninik, who has helped me a lot
with the paper work.
For all my friends Puput, Bene, Naomi, Rosita, Anin, Siska, Ovi, MbakLidya,
Mbak Bea, and Mov who always support and believe in me thank you so much. I
sincerely thank all the people whom I cannot mention one by one and who have given
me a hand during the writing of this undergraduate thesis.
Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin Diaz
viii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ……………………………………………………………………..
APPROVAL PAGE ………………………………………………………………
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ……………………………………………………….....
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH……
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ………………………………………………
MOTTO PAGE …………………………………………………………………..
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ….…………………………………………………….
TABLE OF CONTENTS …….……………………………………………………
ABSTRACT ….……………………………………………………………………..
ABSTRAK …………………………………………………………………………
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x
xi
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………
1
Background of the Study ….…………………………………………….
Problem Formulation ….………………………………………………..
Objective of the Study ….……………………………………………….
Definition of Terms ……………………………………………………...
1
4
5
5
A.
B.
C.
D.
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ………………………………………
7
A. Review of Related Studies…………………………………………………..
B. Review of Related Theories…………………………………………………
1. Theory of Characters…….……………………………………………..
2. Theory of characterization…………………………………...………..
3. Theory of Setting……………………………………………………….
4. Theory of Discrimination………………………………………………
C. Review of Socio cultural - Historical Background in India………………..
D. Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………..
7
8
8
10
12
13
14
16
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………..
18
A. Object of the Study…………………………………………………………
B. Approach of the Study………………………………………………………
C. Method of the Study…………………………………………………………
18
19
20
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS……………………………………………………………. 21
A. Character of Bhima…………………………………………………………...
B. Setting in the Novel………………………………………………………….
1. Seting of Time ……………………………………………………………
2. Setting of Place…………………………………………………………..
3. Setting of Society…………………………………………………………
C. Class Discrimination in Bhima’s Life ………………………………………..
21
31
31
32
36
39
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………. 44
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………….. 46
ix
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University,
2016.
The Space between Us by Thrity Umrigar potrays class discrimination in
India. Umrigar is a journalist and creative writing teacher. This is her second
novel, set in modern India. In India the class discrimination became a common
issue. There was a separation between the upper-middle class and the lower class.
The injustice treatment done unto the lower class by those above them. The novel
tells about the relationship between servant and her mistress. They have the
parallel experiences that connect them, but there is “the space between them”. By
the injustice treatment by the higher class, Bhima, the main character struggle for
her life and her family to get a better life.
In order to reveal the class discrimination, the thesis is concerned in three
problems. The first problem is aimed Bhima’s character. The second problem is
aimed to the setting and society in Bhima’s life. The last problem is aimed to
reveal the class discrimination in India through the characters and setting in the
novel.
The researcher of the Undergraduate thesis conducts library research to
answer those three problem formulation. In this study, the researcher uses sociocultural historical approach to analyze the novel. The review of historical
background in India used to understand the social circumstances in India from the
past life and modern era.
The result of the analysis shows the class discrimination still exists in
India modern era. The setting of society shows the difference class between high
class, middle class and low class. Bhima as a low class often get bad treatment by
her society. She works in a Parsi’s house. Her mistress, Sera, always treats Bhima
well but in some cases she also discriminate Bhima. The characteristics of Bhima
make her struggle against the class discrimination. The big case that afflicts
Bhima about Maya makes them leaves Dubash family house and try to get a better
life together.
Keywords: Class, Discrimination
x
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRAK
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2016.
The Space between Us karya Thrity Umrigar adalah kisah yang
menggambarkan tentang diskriminasi kelas yang terjadi di India. Umrigar adalah
seorang jurnalis dan pengajar menulis kreatif. Novel tersebut adalah karya kedua
yang ditulis olehnya, berlatar di era modern India. Di India diskriminasi kelas
merupakan persoalan umum. Terdapat jarak di antara kelas atas-menengah dengan
kelas bawah. Perlakuan tidak adil terjadi pada kelas bawah yag dilakukan oleh
kelas di atasnya. Novel tersebut bercerita tentang sebuah hubungan antara asisten
rumah tangga dengan majikannya. Mereka memiliki kesamaan pengalamanpengalaman yang mengaitkan mereka, tetapi tetap ada “jarak di antara mereka”.
olhe perlakuan yang tidak adil yag dilakukan kelas yang lebih tinggi, Bhima,
karakter utama berjuang untuk kehidupannya dan keluarganya untuk mendapatkan
kehidupan yang lebih baik.
Untuk mengungkap diskriminasi kelas, skripsi ini memfokuskan pada tiga
permasalahan. Permasalahan yang pertama bertujuan untuk melihat karakter
Bhima. Permasalahan yang kedua bertujuan untuk melihat latar dan lingkungan di
kehidupan Bhima. Permasalahn yang terakhir bertujuan untuk mengunkap
diskriminasi kelas di India melalui karakter dan latar pada novel.
Peneliti melakukan penelitian kepustakaan untuk menjawab tiga rumusan
masalah. Pada studi ini, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan sosio-kultural historkal
untuk menganalisa novel. Ulasan tentang latar belakang sejarah di India
digunakan untuk memahami keadaan sosial di India dari masa lampau hingga
modern.
Hasil dari analisis menunjukkan bahwa diskriminasi kelas masih terjadi di
India pada masa modern ini. Latar lingkungan menunjukkan perbedaan kelas
antara kelas atas, kelas menengah, dan kelas bawah. Bhima sebagai seorang pada
kelas bawah sering mendapatkan perlakuan buruk dari lingkungannya. Dia
bekerja pada keluarga Parsi. Majikannya, Sera selalu meperlakukan Bhima
dengan baik tetapi pada beberapa hal dia juga mendiskriminasi Bhima.
Karakteristik Bhima membuatnya berjuang melawan diskriminasi kelas. Masalah
besar yang menimpa Bhima dan Maya membuat mereka meninggakan rumah
keluarga Dubash dan mencoba untuk mencari kebahagian mereka bersama.
Kata kunci: kelas, diskriminasi
xi
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
People are born equal, they cannot choose to belong to a certain caste. It
means that all people should treat others and be treated equally. Unfortunately,
discrimination is still found in social life.
Harris in Cultural Anthropology states that India’s legal system today
encourages discrimination based on caste identity. Caste still plays an important part
in the people’s everyday lives. Hindu religion continuous to have powerful sanctions
against those who violate caste prescriptions (2007:202). Each caste is a social
stratification of person’s placed in society. India contains the world’s largest Hindu
population and as a result of the Hindu religion, India is structured by the castes
system.
Caste is inherited and it is expected to determine people’s opportunities in
their lives. The caste system is made up primarily of three levels. The upper caste
often discriminates against the lower and middle castes.
Thrity Umrigar's novel, The Space between Us, examines the class division in
Bombay. The novel describes Bhima, who is a bread-winner grandmother, struggles
against the class discrimination. As the writer of the novel, Thrity Umrigar states that
she writes for two reasons: one is to express her deepest feeling about social issues in
1
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2
her country, and two is to protest against some injustice in India regarding to caste
system.
Bhima in that novel is the imitation of Thrity Umrigar’s servant who is
lovable, kind, and stoic heroism. For Umrigar, the character of Bhima is real
(Umrigar, 2006: 5). Marlies and Stacey said that
Perhaps the oldest and venerable way of describing literature as an art is to
regard it as a form of imitation. This defines of literature in relation to life,
seeing it as a way of reproducing or recreating the experiences of life in word,
just as a painting reproduces or recreates certain figures or scenes of life in
outline and color (1961: 8).
There is a relation between literature and life. The reality consist the idea of things. In
literature, the writer recreates certain figure or scene based on the reality. Umrigar in
her real life has a servant which in The Space between Us, the figure describes as
Bhima. Bhima is real, most of Indian middle and upper class households these days
have Bhima.
Bhima is a servant of a middle-class Parsi widow named Sera Dubash. Sera is
a good mistress. She treats Bhima in good ways. Sera is almost too good to be real,
but for one thing, she discriminates Bhima because of the class difference. She does
not allow Bhima to sit on the furniture nor to drink from the family’s crockery, even
though Bhima has worked in Sera’s house since Sera gets married.
Gopal, Bhima’s loving husband is crippled in an industrial accident. Bhima is
betrayed by the state since the factory where Gopal works for refuses to give him
industrial injuries disablement benefit. Instead of helping Bhima to solve problem,
the officer deludes Bhima by asking her to sign Gopal’s resignation letter. The officer
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3
Bhima’s daughter and son-in-law died of AIDS in a government hospital in
New Delhi. Bhima assumes the responsibility of Maya, Bhima’s granddaughter and
takes her in to raises her. They travel from New Delhi to Bombay. Sera, Bhima’s
mistress, sponsors Bhima’s granddaughter to get a proper education.
Bhima really loves her granddaughter, Maya. Maya is the only family who
lives with her. In the first chapter of the novel, it is mentioned that her orphaned
granddaughter is the only child in the family who is educated. However, she has to
drop out of the college because she is pregnant. Bhima tries to find the man who got
Maya pregnant. Maya explains the story of how Viraf, Sera’s son-in-law raped her
while she works at Banu’s. He even gets her pregnant but he refuses to admit he truth.
Unfortunately, Bhima that is about to tell Sera about what has happened to Maya,
Viraf accuses Bhima of stealing his money. Moreover, Viraf persuades Sera to cast
out Bhima and Maya from their house.
The title The Space between Us creates some questions of what the story is
about. The researcher read the book thoroughly until the last chapter, and then the
researcher is challenged to analyze the class discrimination which happens in the
novel. It needs to be studied because this issue gives impact to the lower class of
India society until this present time.
The researcher is interested with the title of the novel, The Space between Us.
The title makes the researcher curious about the meaning. After read the novel, the
researcher found the main story about the bond between two women, the servant and
her mistress. The mistress is generous, she sponsors Bhima in every way but she is
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
4
well aware limits on her relationship with Bhima. The researcher choose class
discrimination as the topic because it is not really seen in the novel but the researcher
wants to discover how the high class treats the low class even though they have a
good relationship.
The Space between Us pictures the culture and the society in India. The novel
also tells about a low class woman who wants to achieve fairness in her life. She
wants to prove that her family can earn the respect of others. Bhima wants to protect
herself and her family from the injustice in her society.
B. Problem Formulation
To conduct the study, the writer has formulated three problems as written
below.
1. How is Bhima’s character described in Umrigar’s The Space between Us?
2. How is the society in which Bhima lives described in Umrigar’s The
Space between Us?
3. How is Bhima’s struggle against the class discrimination revealed in
Umrigar’s The Space between Us?
C. Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to answer the questions stated in problem formulation.
The aims can be formulated more elaborately as follows
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
5
Firstly, this study is aimed to analyze Bhima’s character presented in The
Space between Us. Secondly, this study is aimed to know how the society in Bhima’s
life is. Thirdly, this study is aimed to show how Bhima struggles against the class
discrimination.
D. Definition of Terms
Fairchild in Dictionary of Sociology and Related Sciences states that
discrimination is an unequal treatment of groups of basically equal status.
―Discrimination carries with the element of unfair, unreasonable, and arbitrary
distinctions in the impositions of burdens and the distribution of flavors‖ (1969:280).
There is often unfair treatment directed against certain individual or social
group. People in different circumstances usually get different treatment. The minority
treated unequal by the majority group which has more power.
In The Space between Us, Bhima gets unequal treatment by the people in the
hospital where is her husband treated. She as a low class in India’s class system
treated unfair by the doctor. The power of Parsi as an upper middle class change the
unfair treatment by pays the hospital to give him the best of care.
The definition of class by Meriam Webster is ―a group of sharing the same
economic or social status (the working class)‖ (Merriam-webster, 2016).
The same social status of people forms a same group. Bhima is a low class
means that she is a group with a social status as a working class. The low class has
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
6
the low economic status, they work as a labor. The Dubash family is a upper-middle
class, it means that they have a social status higher than Bhima’s family.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
The Space between Us is set in the new millennium, in Bombay, now called
Mumbai. Caste system in India still exists until now. The novel points out the life of
high class and lower class Indian women and families.
There are some related studies that meet the similar topic with the researcher’s
topic. One of them is an undergraduate thesis by Kumala Dewi, the student of English
Letters Department of Sanata Dharma University, entitled The Class Discrimination
in India as Seen through the Characters and Settings in Vikas Swarup’s Slumdog
Millionaire. This study reveals the class discrimination in India society. She stated
that ―Class system divides the society members according to their economic
prosperity. The difference of economic prosperity level undeniably creates the gaps
of the society. This gap is the most important factor influencing the existence of
discrimination towards people from the lower classes‖ (2011:15).
Wealth and possession influence how people treat others. Lower class people
tend to have limited access and facilities that is different to what higher class people
can have. The gap between the high class and the low class seen by the economic
status. The prosperous people have more power than the people who have nothing.
Discrimination not only occurs in class system but also in race and gender.
7
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
8
In the second related study has the similar topic with the researcher’s topic. It
is quoted from an undergraduate thesis by Priska Niawati, the student of English
Letters Department of Sanata Dharma University, entitled Black People’s Struggle
against Race Discrimination as Seen in Taylor’s Let the Circle be Unbroken. This
study discusses the oppression by White people and the Black people struggle against
that oppression. Niawati stated that ―The Blacks are treated inhumanly by the Whites.
There are no exceptions. The Whites are superior, and the Blacks are inferior. That is
the rule.‖ (2009:2). Race discrimination shows that the white has more power to treat
the black unequal.
The White people has similar thing with the High class, they have more power
to do unfair treatment. They look similar because they get the discrimination in their
society but the discrimination is different because the White and Black discrimination
based on skin color or racism and the India society discriminate by their social status
or class. The lower class in India will get bad treatment by the higher class because
the higher class has power to do that. High class is people who have good economic
status and they are educated. Poverty and being uneducated make lower class people
to be powerless and treated inhumanly.
Niawati also said that ―the sense of superiority in white’s people minds has
become a habit and it is innate. It is surprising that even a child can know the
invisible barrier between Black and White. It shows that oppression is inherited from
generation to generation‖(2009: 2). The way of thinking about the superiority
between the white and the black people same as India, the idea of superiority
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
9
becomes a habit because their belief is inherited from the generation to
generation.The high class as a superior and the low class as an inferior.
This study is different from the other studies because in this study, the
researcher wants to reveal the India woman’s struggle to achieve a better life. The
researcher also uses a different novel from the both related studies.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theories of Character
E.M Foster in Aspects of the Novel states that character is divided into two;
flat and round characters. Flat character only portrayed in a single quality; it means
the character is showed in one aspect of their appearance. It is not developed from the
beginning until the end part of the story. On the other hand, round character; it shows
the fullness of the character. Round character can shift from one point of view into
another. This character can have conflict of its own for it has ability to make up his
mind. Foster said that round character could surprise the readers by their change of
behavior in the story (1987:120-121).
The flat character is uncomplicated and it does not change nor influenced by
the situation or by the other characters. On the other hand, the round characters can
change their personality by the situation and other characters.
In a Handbook of Literature, Holman and Harmon write the specification of
character in different terms. It is divided into two; static and dynamic. Static character
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
10
states the same quality at the beginning until the end of the story and dynamic
character tends to change as the situation and circumstances change (1986: 83).
The novel is gained from the society where the author lives and even based on
the author’s life. The character in a literary work is visible image of human. The
actions speeches in literature to give the details that need for conclusions about the
character.
2. Theories of Characterization
According to M.J. Murphy, there are nine ways to describe the character. First
is personal description; ―the author can describe a person’s appearance and clothes‖
(1972: 161). From the appearance of the characters, the readers know the
characteristic of the character. Second is other character point of view or character as
seen by another; ―instead of describing a character directly the author can describe
him through the eyes and opinions of another‖ (1972:162). Besides describing a
character directly, the author can describe the character through other perspective and
opinion. Through this, the readers may get a reflected image. The researcher wants to
expose the character as described by the other character’s opinion.
The third is by using speech. The author gives a description of character
through what character says. The author presents some clues to character whenever
he states his or her opinion. The reader can see the personality by their conversation
and guess the character in the story by their speech (1972: 164-166). Fourth is past
life; ―the author gives the readers some keys or clues to any event that helped to
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11
shape a person’s character‖ (1972: 166).The reader can learn something about the
character’s past life.
Fifth is conversation of others. The author describes the characterization of a
character through conversation of others and the thing that says about him. It gives
the readers clue to the characters of the person who is spoken about (1972: 167-168).
Sixth is reactions; ―the author can also give us a clue to person’s character by letting
us know how that person reacts to various situations and events‖ (1972: 168). It
means reaction is a clue to know the characteristic of the character. Seventh is direct
comments; ―the author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly‖
(1972:170). By giving comment explicitly, the readers will understand what kind of
person he or she is. It is directly described by the author comment.
Eight is thought; ―the author can give us direct knowledge of what a person
thinks about‖ (1972: 171). Here, the readers have privileged position to come to the
in most thoughts of a person in a story. The last is mannerism. The author describes
the character through his or her mannerism or habits. It shows the character by stating
the character gesture and habit. The characteristic revealed by the manner of the
character (1972: 172-173).
3. Theories of Settings
Setting is one of the intrinsic elements of the novel. According to Abrams,
setting relates to the time and place of an action occurs. He argued that ―the setting of
narrative or dramatic work is the general local, historical time and social
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
12
circumstances in which its action occurs; the setting of an episode or scene within a
work is the particular physical location in which it takes places‖ (1981:75). It means
that setting is not only about place and time but also about social circumstances.
Social circumstances refer to society where the actions take a place in the literary
work. Social circumstances are helpful to reveal class discrimination.
M. J. Murphy in Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry
and English Novel describes setting in the following.
The setting of the novel is the background against which the characters live
out their lives. In some novels the setting is important, whilst in others, it is
less so. The setting can be concerned with the place in which the character's
live and also the time in which they live. These have a great effect upon the
personalities, actions, and way of thinking of the characters (1972: 141).
The setting affects the attitude or personality of the character. It can change the way
of thinking of the character. Setting influences the character about their attitude on
doing something and how a person views about something.
Holman and Harmon also share the idea of social setting; it can refer to the
general environment of the character like religion, moral, and emotional condition. It
also can reveal the occupations and daily manner of the living characters (1986: 465).
The setting can be the important intrinsic elements on the literary work but
not all of the literary work makes setting important. The author often uses setting to
create the atmosphere or a mood. It can influence the character development and help
the reader understand the situations; environment and society.
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4. Theories of Discrimination
According to Johnson A. G. in Human Arrangements: An Introduction to
Sociology, discrimination refers to the unequal treatment of people based on
stereotyped beliefs about them (1986:362). People treat others unequally by their idea
that others are different from them. Class or status difference can lead to
discrimination and unequal treatment. Discrimination may be motivated by
stereotypes; the typical image that comes to mind when thinking about a particular
group. In The Space between Us, Bhima’s character is an old woman who lives in a
slum it build a stereotype by the society that she is a low class. Slum is a an area
where the low class resides. The high class can treat her unequal.
Fairchild in Dictionary of Sociology and Related Sciences assumes that
discrimination is an unequal treatment of groups of basically equal status.
―Discrimination carries with the element of unfair, unreasonable, and arbitrary
distinctions in the impositions of burdens and the distribution of flavors
(1969:280).‖There is often unfair treatment directed against certain individual or
social group. People in different circumstances usually get different treatment. The
minority treated unequal by the majority group which has more power.
They are sitting in the dining room, sipping tea, Sera out of the blue-grey mug
Dinaz had bought for her from Cottage Industries, Bhima out of the stainless
steel glass that is kept aside for her in the Dubash households. As usual, Sera
sits on a chair at the table while Bhima squats on her haunches on the floor
nearby (Umrigar, 2006: 27).
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Bhima is not allowed to sit at the same tables as Sera or her family because Bhima is
the servant from a lower class. The glass that Bhima uses keep aside by the Dubash
family because Bhima likes chew tobacco so Sera feels Bhima is dirty.
C. Review of Sociocultural-Historical Background in India
India is known as a country that is structured by the caste system in their
society. The caste system in India is influenced by the major religion there,
Hinduism. It develops the different status in the society.
Banerjee states in her journal that "India is a country with enormous diversity.
It is characterized by a huge difference in economics, political, social, cultural and
regional aspects. The social status ascribed to women varies from state to state and
region to region‖ (2013: 057). Based on that quote, it can be seen that India is a
unique country. People have different status one another which seen by the economic
status, political, social and culture aspects.
According to Ambedkar in the article written by Mahabir Singh Bhati and
Amritpal Kaur Bhati
Hindu caste system is based on a division of labor. It is determined by their
birth. The Hindu caste system favored the unity of the first three varnas and
separates the fourth varna, i.e. the Shudras from the rest and assign them all
kinds of menial jobs to them and deprive them of status, money, freedom,
equality and a decent way of living. The caste system is affected by a process
of graded inequality. All castes are not on par. They are one above the other.
Castes are all individual entities (2011:1).
The quotation points that the caste system is determined by their birth, it
means that people cannot choose their social status. They get their status since they
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were born. It is given to them and cannot be changed. Status has a close relation with
prosperity, freedom, and justice. The different status makes people get unequal
treatment.
Class in India exists since a long time ago, and it will be everlasting. There is
a three-level system.
The class stratification in India is divided into a three-level system: Forward
classes (higher class), Backward classes (middle and menial underclass), and
Harijans (lowest class). Members of the upper class – around 1 percent of the
population – are owners of large properties, members of exclusive clubs, and
vacationers in foreign lands, and include industrialist, former maharajas, and
top executives. There is no single set of criteria defining the middle class, and
estimates of its numbers vary widely, but ownership of cars, televisions, and
other consumer good, reasonable earnings, substantial savings, and educated
children (often fluent in English) typify this diverse group. Below the middle
class perhaps a third of population – ordinary farmers, tradespeople, artisans,
and workers. At the bottom of the economic scale are the poor – estimated at
320 million, some 45 percent of the population in 1988 – who live in
inadequate homes without adequate food, work for pittances, have
undereducated and often sickly children, and are the victims of numerous
social inequities (―Classes in India‖ 2009).
The class system in India divided by their economic status. The high class or upper
class is people who are wealthy and own assets and they can go anywhere they want
because they own a lot of money. The middle class is not as rich as the upper class
but they have some facilities that favor their life and also they are supported by
education. The last class system is lower class, which in the economic scale; they are
in the bottom of the scale. They live in limited housing facilities and foods. The
lowest class people are uneducated because they cannot afford to go to school and
cannot get a better job. The economic status gives impact toward the lowest class;
people treated unequally by the high class and the society.
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D. Theoretical Framework
The researcher tries to reveal the struggle of a woman in India against the
class discrimination through the main character, Bhima. To reveal how Bhima’s
struggle against the class discrimination, the theories applied are theories of character,
characterization, setting, and discrimination.
The researcher uses the theories of characters and characterization to make a
clear understanding of the characters of the novel. The theories can answer the first
problem formulation on how the character in the novel is described. The researcher
also uses the theory of settings; it is used to know the relation between character and
the society. The last theory that the researcher uses is theories of discrimination. It is
used to answer the second problem formulation about how Bhima’s struggle against
class discrimination. Theory of discrimination is used to reveal the social condition.
The researcher uses the sociocultural background to analyze the class
discrimination in India society which is portrayed through the life of Bhima in Thrity
Umrigar's The Space between Us. The review on historical background in India is
used to understand the social circumstances in India from the past life and modern
era.
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
This undergraduate thesis has one main source namely The Space between Us.
This is the second novel written by Thrithy Umrigrar. She is a journalist and creative
writing teacher. Umrigrar, a former Beacon Journal staff writer, lives in Bombay until
she comes to Ohio State University. She is a middle-class girl in India. She has
published one previous novel, Bombay Time, and a Memoir, selected memories of
India childhood.
The novel used to study was published in 2006 by William Morrow, an
Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, printed in the United States of America. This
book is the first edition. The novel consists of 321 pages and separated into 25
chapters. This novel is the national best seller novel and as a nominee of pen/beyond
margins award.
The Space between Us is a fiction novel but the character of Bhima is based
on real person. The characterization of Bhima is like the character of Umrigrar’s
servant who is kind and stoicly heroic. Umrigrar is known as a skilled storyteller. She
exposes the raw flesh under the skin of India life.
The novel sets in the new millennium in Bombay, now known as Mumbai.
This novel tells about Bhima who is repeatedly betrayed by the state. By the hospital
when her daughter and son-in-law die, by Gopal’s factory which refuses to take
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18
responsibility of his accident. Bhima works in a Parsi’s house; people who leave Iran
and settle in India. Her granddaughter, Maya is one of her strengths to fight against
the discrimination.
B. Approach of the Study
This research uses the socio-cultural historical approach. The researcher uses
the approach to analyze the problems. In India, the class discrimination exists since a
long time ago. The event that happens in a modern era has a relation with the history
in the past life. Class discrimination in India still exists in the modern era because the
sociocultural beliefs about a class system cannot be changed and transmitted from
generation to generation. It is like the heritage in India society.
Rohrberger and Woods in Reading and Writing about Literature stated that
―critics whose major interest is the socio-cultural historical approach insist that the
only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization that produced it‖
(1971:9). To understand the novel, the reader should know the real situation of the
society. It has a relation between the story in the novel with the action that happens in
the reality civilization. The story in Umrigar’s talks about the class difference in
India, Bhima as a low class in the novel often discriminates by the society. India has a
class stratification built by the religion and it affects the way of people treat other.
It is important to analyze the novel uses socio-cultural historical approach
because the history and the culture in India society can show the relation between the
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19
attitudes of people in India with the class discrimination that Bhima’s gets by the
society.
Rohrberger and Woods also said that "they define civilization as the attitudes
and actions of a specific group of people and point out that literature takes these
attitudes and actions as its subjects matter" (1971:9). The attitudes that are presented
by the author in the story are the imitation of the attitudes which happen in the
society. Hinduism is the majority religion in India. The caste system builds by
religious rules. The attitudes of people in India depend on their caste system.
The interest in a literary work which has a history leads the researcher tries to
find the background of the author, since it usually has a relation in a story with the
history of the author. The culture that rises in a story in the novel comes from the
experience of the author.
The socio-cultural historical approach is used to analyze The Space between
Us because the researcher wants to analyze the class discrimination in India and the
researcher should know what happens with the class system in India. This approach is
used to understand the condition in India in the era of The Space between Us.
C. Method of the Study
The undergraduate thesis, Bhima’s struggle against class discrimination was a
library research. The primary data was the novel itself, The Space between Us by
Thrity Umrigrar. The secondary data were books and also several articles related to
the theories and approaches which were used in analyzing the topic.
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20
Several steps were taken by the researcher in analyzing this research. The first
step was the researcher read the novel comprehensively. After reading the novel, the
researcher analyzed the points that could be explored in the study. Then the
researcher tried to find out the ideas of the novel and then collected the data. The
researcher gathered some references on theories and studies which were related. The
sociocultural-historical background was also used to find out about the social
circumstances in India.
The last step was the researcher conducted the analysis by answering the
problem formulations. The analysis used the theories of character and
characterization for the first problem. The researcher also used the theories of settings
and class discrimination to find out the society problem in India.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the researcher divides the analysis into three main parts. In the
first part, the researcher gives elaborate on the characteristics of Bhima. The second
part, discusses the settings in the novel, to show Bhima’s society. The last part
reveals how Bhima struggles against class discrimination in India’s modern society.
A. Characteristics of Bhima
The analysis of Bhima’s character is based on E.M. Foster in Aspect of the
Novel which state that character divides into two characters. Bhima is the main
character in the novel; her character is a round character which shows the fullness of
the character (1987: 120). A round character is a complex personality. In the novel
the character of Bhima change by the situation and other characters. It is shown in the
beginning of the novel, how Bhima as a grandmother treats her granddaughter
affectionately.
When Maya was still going to college, Bhima allowed her to sleep in as late s
possible, made gaajarhalwa for her every Sunday, gave her the biggest
portions of dinner every night. If Serabai ever gave Bhima a treat—a
cadbury’s chocolate, say, or that white candy with pistachios that came from
Iran—she’d save it to bring it home for Maya (Umrigar, 2006: 6).
Bhima realizes that Maya, her granddaughter is the only one she has. She takes care
and treats Maya well. On the contrary, Bhima turns to be different when she knows
that Maya got pregnant, she forces Maya to tell her who got her pregnant. Bhima
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22
comes to Maya’s college to confront the man who got Maya pregnant but she find out
that he is not the father of the baby. Bhima know that Maya lies and feels
disappointed.
Bhima’s character not only illustrates in single quality. Even though Bhima is
known as a great grandmother but she also can be firm. Bhima feels her heart soften
and dissolve when she look at Maya’s face when she falls asleep but something shift
in Bhima’s heart when she look at Maya’s belly, she feels so angry and disappointed.
The situation affects Bhima’s character. Bhima has depth in her feelings. Bhima work
hard for herself and Maya but Maya break her heart. She wants Maya has a better
future and
Bhima is a servant in Dubash family. She is a loyal servant. She comes to her
mistress’s house, Sera’s house, on time is diligent and committed to that family.
Some times Viraf, Sera’s son-in-law accompanies Bhima to go to the market. ―Riding
next to Viraf in his air-conditioned car, Bhima smiles. She treasures this Saturday
morning ritual with him‖ (Umrigar, 2006: 91). She feels fortunate and grateful that
Viraf treats her respectfully and to show her gratitude by being a good servant.
However, she becomes angry when Viraf insult about Maya’s being pregnant who
has no husband.
After I get home from the match today, I was going to call him to get a name
of a doctor who performs—that is, one who is--you know, someone who can
help Maya get rid of the baby. It’s time to move on this, no? (Umrigar, 2006:
94).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
23
Bhima is shocked with Viraf’s statement as Viraf and his wife are soon to-be-parent.
On the other hand, Viraf also suggests to get rid Maya’s baby. Viraf does not even
help Maya to get the solutions of his servant’s problem. Bhima respects to Viraf but
the statement that Viraf’s gives make Bhima sad.
Bhima feels dried out, scooped out, as hollow and wrinkled as a walnut shell.
She has nothing left to give, no love life to spare. She cannot stand the sight of
their matted, mangled, crippled bodies, their heartbreaking eagerness, the
hunger for love in their eyes (Umrigar, 2006:94).
In this situation Bhima’s character that is strong who wants to raise her
granddaughter better than her feels break. Viraf’s words shrink her dreams. At the
first time, Bhima is impressed by Viraf’s maners but after Viraf insults about Maya,
Bhima feels useless because she cannot do anything to help Maya. Bhima feels guilty
and responsible for Maya’s problem because she did not raise her properly. However,
Bhima is angry for what has happened.
Easy for him to talk about getting rid of Maya’s baby, she thinks. After all, he
and Dinaz baby are going to have a child by their own, a child who will never
know what it is to have adults plot its death. She feels a moment’s blinding
fury that is so large
ABSTRACT
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University,
2016.
The Space between Us by Thrity Umrigar potrays class discrimination in
India. Umrigar is a journalist and creative writing teacher. This is her second
novel, set in modern India. In India the class discrimination became a common
issue. There was a separation between the upper-middle class and the lower class.
The injustice treatment done unto the lower class by those above them. The novel
tells about the relationship between servant and her mistress. They have the
parallel experiences that connect them, but there is “the space between them”. By
the injustice treatment by the higher class, Bhima, the main character struggle for
her life and her family to get a better life.
In order to reveal the class discrimination, the thesis is concerned in three
problems. The first problem is aimed Bhima’s character. The second problem is
aimed to the setting and society in Bhima’s life. The last problem is aimed to
reveal the class discrimination in India through the characters and setting in the
novel.
The researcher of the Undergraduate thesis conducts library research to
answer those three problem formulation. In this study, the researcher uses sociocultural historical approach to analyze the novel. The review of historical
background in India used to understand the social circumstances in India from the
past life and modern era.
The result of the analysis shows the class discrimination still exists in
India modern era. The setting of society shows the difference class between high
class, middle class and low class. Bhima as a low class often get bad treatment by
her society. She works in a Parsi’s house. Her mistress, Sera, always treats Bhima
well but in some cases she also discriminate Bhima. The characteristics of Bhima
make her struggle against the class discrimination. The big case that afflicts
Bhima about Maya makes them leaves Dubash family house and try to get a better
life together.
Keywords: Class, Discrimination
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ABSTRAK
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2016.
The Space between Us karya Thrity Umrigar adalah kisah yang
menggambarkan tentang diskriminasi kelas yang terjadi di India. Umrigar adalah
seorang jurnalis dan pengajar menulis kreatif. Novel tersebut adalah karya kedua
yang ditulis olehnya, berlatar di era modern India. Di India diskriminasi kelas
merupakan persoalan umum. Terdapat jarak di antara kelas atas-menengah dengan
kelas bawah. Perlakuan tidak adil terjadi pada kelas bawah yag dilakukan oleh
kelas di atasnya. Novel tersebut bercerita tentang sebuah hubungan antara asisten
rumah tangga dengan majikannya. Mereka memiliki kesamaan pengalamanpengalaman yang mengaitkan mereka, tetapi tetap ada “jarak di antara mereka”.
olhe perlakuan yang tidak adil yag dilakukan kelas yang lebih tinggi, Bhima,
karakter utama berjuang untuk kehidupannya dan keluarganya untuk mendapatkan
kehidupan yang lebih baik.
Untuk mengungkap diskriminasi kelas, skripsi ini memfokuskan pada tiga
permasalahan. Permasalahan yang pertama bertujuan untuk melihat karakter
Bhima. Permasalahan yang kedua bertujuan untuk melihat latar dan lingkungan di
kehidupan Bhima. Permasalahn yang terakhir bertujuan untuk mengunkap
diskriminasi kelas di India melalui karakter dan latar pada novel.
Peneliti melakukan penelitian kepustakaan untuk menjawab tiga rumusan
masalah. Pada studi ini, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan sosio-kultural historkal
untuk menganalisa novel. Ulasan tentang latar belakang sejarah di India
digunakan untuk memahami keadaan sosial di India dari masa lampau hingga
modern.
Hasil dari analisis menunjukkan bahwa diskriminasi kelas masih terjadi di
India pada masa modern ini. Latar lingkungan menunjukkan perbedaan kelas
antara kelas atas, kelas menengah, dan kelas bawah. Bhima sebagai seorang pada
kelas bawah sering mendapatkan perlakuan buruk dari lingkungannya. Dia
bekerja pada keluarga Parsi. Majikannya, Sera selalu meperlakukan Bhima
dengan baik tetapi pada beberapa hal dia juga mendiskriminasi Bhima.
Karakteristik Bhima membuatnya berjuang melawan diskriminasi kelas. Masalah
besar yang menimpa Bhima dan Maya membuat mereka meninggakan rumah
keluarga Dubash dan mencoba untuk mencari kebahagian mereka bersama.
Kata kunci: kelas, diskriminasi
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BHIMA’S STRUGGLE AGAINST CLASS DISCRIMINATION IN THRITY
UMRIGAR’S THE SPACE BETWEEN US
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
In English Letters
By:
ANGELIN ELIZABET BUISWARIN DIAZ
Student Number: 094214082
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2016
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
BHIMA’S STRUGGLE AGAINST CLASS DISCRIMINATION IN THRITY
UMRIGAR’S THE SPACE BETWEEN US
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
In English Letters
By:
ANGELIN ELIZABET BUISWARIN DIAZ
Student Number: 094214082
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2016
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Be JOYFUL in HOPE,
PATIENT in AFFLICTION,
FAITHFUL in PRAYER.
Romans 12:12
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My greatest gratitude goes to Jesus and Mother Marry who have given me
strength to accomplish this undergraduate thesis. I would like to thank my parents:
Chris Diaz and Caecilia Diaz, my sisters Cindy and Mutia, and also my brother
Roberto and Joseph for their support and endless love. They are my real guardian
angels. Thank you also my four-leg kids who always accompany do my thesis.
To my thesis advisor, Ms. Sri Mulyani, thank you so much for guiding me
until I finish this undergraduate thesis. Thank you for the support and advice, it
means a lot for me because Ms. Sri still gives me a chance to finish my thesis. Also I
would like to thank Ms. Elisabeth Arti Wulandari for giving me advice and chance to
finish this final thesis. Especially, I would like to thank Mr. Hirmawan Wijanarka as
Head of English Letters Department for giving me chance to finish my undergraduate
thesis. I also would like to thank all the lectures in English Letters Department for
their guidance and for leading me to achieve my dream. I would like to thank the
secretariat staff of English Letters Department, Mbak Ninik, who has helped me a lot
with the paper work.
For all my friends Puput, Bene, Naomi, Rosita, Anin, Siska, Ovi, MbakLidya,
Mbak Bea, and Mov who always support and believe in me thank you so much. I
sincerely thank all the people whom I cannot mention one by one and who have given
me a hand during the writing of this undergraduate thesis.
Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin Diaz
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ……………………………………………………………………..
APPROVAL PAGE ………………………………………………………………
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ……………………………………………………….....
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH……
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ………………………………………………
MOTTO PAGE …………………………………………………………………..
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ….…………………………………………………….
TABLE OF CONTENTS …….……………………………………………………
ABSTRACT ….……………………………………………………………………..
ABSTRAK …………………………………………………………………………
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x
xi
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………
1
Background of the Study ….…………………………………………….
Problem Formulation ….………………………………………………..
Objective of the Study ….……………………………………………….
Definition of Terms ……………………………………………………...
1
4
5
5
A.
B.
C.
D.
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ………………………………………
7
A. Review of Related Studies…………………………………………………..
B. Review of Related Theories…………………………………………………
1. Theory of Characters…….……………………………………………..
2. Theory of characterization…………………………………...………..
3. Theory of Setting……………………………………………………….
4. Theory of Discrimination………………………………………………
C. Review of Socio cultural - Historical Background in India………………..
D. Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………..
7
8
8
10
12
13
14
16
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………..
18
A. Object of the Study…………………………………………………………
B. Approach of the Study………………………………………………………
C. Method of the Study…………………………………………………………
18
19
20
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS……………………………………………………………. 21
A. Character of Bhima…………………………………………………………...
B. Setting in the Novel………………………………………………………….
1. Seting of Time ……………………………………………………………
2. Setting of Place…………………………………………………………..
3. Setting of Society…………………………………………………………
C. Class Discrimination in Bhima’s Life ………………………………………..
21
31
31
32
36
39
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………. 44
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………….. 46
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ABSTRACT
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University,
2016.
The Space between Us by Thrity Umrigar potrays class discrimination in
India. Umrigar is a journalist and creative writing teacher. This is her second
novel, set in modern India. In India the class discrimination became a common
issue. There was a separation between the upper-middle class and the lower class.
The injustice treatment done unto the lower class by those above them. The novel
tells about the relationship between servant and her mistress. They have the
parallel experiences that connect them, but there is “the space between them”. By
the injustice treatment by the higher class, Bhima, the main character struggle for
her life and her family to get a better life.
In order to reveal the class discrimination, the thesis is concerned in three
problems. The first problem is aimed Bhima’s character. The second problem is
aimed to the setting and society in Bhima’s life. The last problem is aimed to
reveal the class discrimination in India through the characters and setting in the
novel.
The researcher of the Undergraduate thesis conducts library research to
answer those three problem formulation. In this study, the researcher uses sociocultural historical approach to analyze the novel. The review of historical
background in India used to understand the social circumstances in India from the
past life and modern era.
The result of the analysis shows the class discrimination still exists in
India modern era. The setting of society shows the difference class between high
class, middle class and low class. Bhima as a low class often get bad treatment by
her society. She works in a Parsi’s house. Her mistress, Sera, always treats Bhima
well but in some cases she also discriminate Bhima. The characteristics of Bhima
make her struggle against the class discrimination. The big case that afflicts
Bhima about Maya makes them leaves Dubash family house and try to get a better
life together.
Keywords: Class, Discrimination
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRAK
Diaz, Angelin Elizabet Buiswarin. Bhima’s Struggle against Class
Discrimination in Thrity Umrigar’s The Space between Us. Yogyakarta:
Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2016.
The Space between Us karya Thrity Umrigar adalah kisah yang
menggambarkan tentang diskriminasi kelas yang terjadi di India. Umrigar adalah
seorang jurnalis dan pengajar menulis kreatif. Novel tersebut adalah karya kedua
yang ditulis olehnya, berlatar di era modern India. Di India diskriminasi kelas
merupakan persoalan umum. Terdapat jarak di antara kelas atas-menengah dengan
kelas bawah. Perlakuan tidak adil terjadi pada kelas bawah yag dilakukan oleh
kelas di atasnya. Novel tersebut bercerita tentang sebuah hubungan antara asisten
rumah tangga dengan majikannya. Mereka memiliki kesamaan pengalamanpengalaman yang mengaitkan mereka, tetapi tetap ada “jarak di antara mereka”.
olhe perlakuan yang tidak adil yag dilakukan kelas yang lebih tinggi, Bhima,
karakter utama berjuang untuk kehidupannya dan keluarganya untuk mendapatkan
kehidupan yang lebih baik.
Untuk mengungkap diskriminasi kelas, skripsi ini memfokuskan pada tiga
permasalahan. Permasalahan yang pertama bertujuan untuk melihat karakter
Bhima. Permasalahan yang kedua bertujuan untuk melihat latar dan lingkungan di
kehidupan Bhima. Permasalahn yang terakhir bertujuan untuk mengunkap
diskriminasi kelas di India melalui karakter dan latar pada novel.
Peneliti melakukan penelitian kepustakaan untuk menjawab tiga rumusan
masalah. Pada studi ini, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan sosio-kultural historkal
untuk menganalisa novel. Ulasan tentang latar belakang sejarah di India
digunakan untuk memahami keadaan sosial di India dari masa lampau hingga
modern.
Hasil dari analisis menunjukkan bahwa diskriminasi kelas masih terjadi di
India pada masa modern ini. Latar lingkungan menunjukkan perbedaan kelas
antara kelas atas, kelas menengah, dan kelas bawah. Bhima sebagai seorang pada
kelas bawah sering mendapatkan perlakuan buruk dari lingkungannya. Dia
bekerja pada keluarga Parsi. Majikannya, Sera selalu meperlakukan Bhima
dengan baik tetapi pada beberapa hal dia juga mendiskriminasi Bhima.
Karakteristik Bhima membuatnya berjuang melawan diskriminasi kelas. Masalah
besar yang menimpa Bhima dan Maya membuat mereka meninggakan rumah
keluarga Dubash dan mencoba untuk mencari kebahagian mereka bersama.
Kata kunci: kelas, diskriminasi
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
People are born equal, they cannot choose to belong to a certain caste. It
means that all people should treat others and be treated equally. Unfortunately,
discrimination is still found in social life.
Harris in Cultural Anthropology states that India’s legal system today
encourages discrimination based on caste identity. Caste still plays an important part
in the people’s everyday lives. Hindu religion continuous to have powerful sanctions
against those who violate caste prescriptions (2007:202). Each caste is a social
stratification of person’s placed in society. India contains the world’s largest Hindu
population and as a result of the Hindu religion, India is structured by the castes
system.
Caste is inherited and it is expected to determine people’s opportunities in
their lives. The caste system is made up primarily of three levels. The upper caste
often discriminates against the lower and middle castes.
Thrity Umrigar's novel, The Space between Us, examines the class division in
Bombay. The novel describes Bhima, who is a bread-winner grandmother, struggles
against the class discrimination. As the writer of the novel, Thrity Umrigar states that
she writes for two reasons: one is to express her deepest feeling about social issues in
1
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2
her country, and two is to protest against some injustice in India regarding to caste
system.
Bhima in that novel is the imitation of Thrity Umrigar’s servant who is
lovable, kind, and stoic heroism. For Umrigar, the character of Bhima is real
(Umrigar, 2006: 5). Marlies and Stacey said that
Perhaps the oldest and venerable way of describing literature as an art is to
regard it as a form of imitation. This defines of literature in relation to life,
seeing it as a way of reproducing or recreating the experiences of life in word,
just as a painting reproduces or recreates certain figures or scenes of life in
outline and color (1961: 8).
There is a relation between literature and life. The reality consist the idea of things. In
literature, the writer recreates certain figure or scene based on the reality. Umrigar in
her real life has a servant which in The Space between Us, the figure describes as
Bhima. Bhima is real, most of Indian middle and upper class households these days
have Bhima.
Bhima is a servant of a middle-class Parsi widow named Sera Dubash. Sera is
a good mistress. She treats Bhima in good ways. Sera is almost too good to be real,
but for one thing, she discriminates Bhima because of the class difference. She does
not allow Bhima to sit on the furniture nor to drink from the family’s crockery, even
though Bhima has worked in Sera’s house since Sera gets married.
Gopal, Bhima’s loving husband is crippled in an industrial accident. Bhima is
betrayed by the state since the factory where Gopal works for refuses to give him
industrial injuries disablement benefit. Instead of helping Bhima to solve problem,
the officer deludes Bhima by asking her to sign Gopal’s resignation letter. The officer
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3
Bhima’s daughter and son-in-law died of AIDS in a government hospital in
New Delhi. Bhima assumes the responsibility of Maya, Bhima’s granddaughter and
takes her in to raises her. They travel from New Delhi to Bombay. Sera, Bhima’s
mistress, sponsors Bhima’s granddaughter to get a proper education.
Bhima really loves her granddaughter, Maya. Maya is the only family who
lives with her. In the first chapter of the novel, it is mentioned that her orphaned
granddaughter is the only child in the family who is educated. However, she has to
drop out of the college because she is pregnant. Bhima tries to find the man who got
Maya pregnant. Maya explains the story of how Viraf, Sera’s son-in-law raped her
while she works at Banu’s. He even gets her pregnant but he refuses to admit he truth.
Unfortunately, Bhima that is about to tell Sera about what has happened to Maya,
Viraf accuses Bhima of stealing his money. Moreover, Viraf persuades Sera to cast
out Bhima and Maya from their house.
The title The Space between Us creates some questions of what the story is
about. The researcher read the book thoroughly until the last chapter, and then the
researcher is challenged to analyze the class discrimination which happens in the
novel. It needs to be studied because this issue gives impact to the lower class of
India society until this present time.
The researcher is interested with the title of the novel, The Space between Us.
The title makes the researcher curious about the meaning. After read the novel, the
researcher found the main story about the bond between two women, the servant and
her mistress. The mistress is generous, she sponsors Bhima in every way but she is
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
4
well aware limits on her relationship with Bhima. The researcher choose class
discrimination as the topic because it is not really seen in the novel but the researcher
wants to discover how the high class treats the low class even though they have a
good relationship.
The Space between Us pictures the culture and the society in India. The novel
also tells about a low class woman who wants to achieve fairness in her life. She
wants to prove that her family can earn the respect of others. Bhima wants to protect
herself and her family from the injustice in her society.
B. Problem Formulation
To conduct the study, the writer has formulated three problems as written
below.
1. How is Bhima’s character described in Umrigar’s The Space between Us?
2. How is the society in which Bhima lives described in Umrigar’s The
Space between Us?
3. How is Bhima’s struggle against the class discrimination revealed in
Umrigar’s The Space between Us?
C. Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to answer the questions stated in problem formulation.
The aims can be formulated more elaborately as follows
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
5
Firstly, this study is aimed to analyze Bhima’s character presented in The
Space between Us. Secondly, this study is aimed to know how the society in Bhima’s
life is. Thirdly, this study is aimed to show how Bhima struggles against the class
discrimination.
D. Definition of Terms
Fairchild in Dictionary of Sociology and Related Sciences states that
discrimination is an unequal treatment of groups of basically equal status.
―Discrimination carries with the element of unfair, unreasonable, and arbitrary
distinctions in the impositions of burdens and the distribution of flavors‖ (1969:280).
There is often unfair treatment directed against certain individual or social
group. People in different circumstances usually get different treatment. The minority
treated unequal by the majority group which has more power.
In The Space between Us, Bhima gets unequal treatment by the people in the
hospital where is her husband treated. She as a low class in India’s class system
treated unfair by the doctor. The power of Parsi as an upper middle class change the
unfair treatment by pays the hospital to give him the best of care.
The definition of class by Meriam Webster is ―a group of sharing the same
economic or social status (the working class)‖ (Merriam-webster, 2016).
The same social status of people forms a same group. Bhima is a low class
means that she is a group with a social status as a working class. The low class has
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
6
the low economic status, they work as a labor. The Dubash family is a upper-middle
class, it means that they have a social status higher than Bhima’s family.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
The Space between Us is set in the new millennium, in Bombay, now called
Mumbai. Caste system in India still exists until now. The novel points out the life of
high class and lower class Indian women and families.
There are some related studies that meet the similar topic with the researcher’s
topic. One of them is an undergraduate thesis by Kumala Dewi, the student of English
Letters Department of Sanata Dharma University, entitled The Class Discrimination
in India as Seen through the Characters and Settings in Vikas Swarup’s Slumdog
Millionaire. This study reveals the class discrimination in India society. She stated
that ―Class system divides the society members according to their economic
prosperity. The difference of economic prosperity level undeniably creates the gaps
of the society. This gap is the most important factor influencing the existence of
discrimination towards people from the lower classes‖ (2011:15).
Wealth and possession influence how people treat others. Lower class people
tend to have limited access and facilities that is different to what higher class people
can have. The gap between the high class and the low class seen by the economic
status. The prosperous people have more power than the people who have nothing.
Discrimination not only occurs in class system but also in race and gender.
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8
In the second related study has the similar topic with the researcher’s topic. It
is quoted from an undergraduate thesis by Priska Niawati, the student of English
Letters Department of Sanata Dharma University, entitled Black People’s Struggle
against Race Discrimination as Seen in Taylor’s Let the Circle be Unbroken. This
study discusses the oppression by White people and the Black people struggle against
that oppression. Niawati stated that ―The Blacks are treated inhumanly by the Whites.
There are no exceptions. The Whites are superior, and the Blacks are inferior. That is
the rule.‖ (2009:2). Race discrimination shows that the white has more power to treat
the black unequal.
The White people has similar thing with the High class, they have more power
to do unfair treatment. They look similar because they get the discrimination in their
society but the discrimination is different because the White and Black discrimination
based on skin color or racism and the India society discriminate by their social status
or class. The lower class in India will get bad treatment by the higher class because
the higher class has power to do that. High class is people who have good economic
status and they are educated. Poverty and being uneducated make lower class people
to be powerless and treated inhumanly.
Niawati also said that ―the sense of superiority in white’s people minds has
become a habit and it is innate. It is surprising that even a child can know the
invisible barrier between Black and White. It shows that oppression is inherited from
generation to generation‖(2009: 2). The way of thinking about the superiority
between the white and the black people same as India, the idea of superiority
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
9
becomes a habit because their belief is inherited from the generation to
generation.The high class as a superior and the low class as an inferior.
This study is different from the other studies because in this study, the
researcher wants to reveal the India woman’s struggle to achieve a better life. The
researcher also uses a different novel from the both related studies.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theories of Character
E.M Foster in Aspects of the Novel states that character is divided into two;
flat and round characters. Flat character only portrayed in a single quality; it means
the character is showed in one aspect of their appearance. It is not developed from the
beginning until the end part of the story. On the other hand, round character; it shows
the fullness of the character. Round character can shift from one point of view into
another. This character can have conflict of its own for it has ability to make up his
mind. Foster said that round character could surprise the readers by their change of
behavior in the story (1987:120-121).
The flat character is uncomplicated and it does not change nor influenced by
the situation or by the other characters. On the other hand, the round characters can
change their personality by the situation and other characters.
In a Handbook of Literature, Holman and Harmon write the specification of
character in different terms. It is divided into two; static and dynamic. Static character
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
10
states the same quality at the beginning until the end of the story and dynamic
character tends to change as the situation and circumstances change (1986: 83).
The novel is gained from the society where the author lives and even based on
the author’s life. The character in a literary work is visible image of human. The
actions speeches in literature to give the details that need for conclusions about the
character.
2. Theories of Characterization
According to M.J. Murphy, there are nine ways to describe the character. First
is personal description; ―the author can describe a person’s appearance and clothes‖
(1972: 161). From the appearance of the characters, the readers know the
characteristic of the character. Second is other character point of view or character as
seen by another; ―instead of describing a character directly the author can describe
him through the eyes and opinions of another‖ (1972:162). Besides describing a
character directly, the author can describe the character through other perspective and
opinion. Through this, the readers may get a reflected image. The researcher wants to
expose the character as described by the other character’s opinion.
The third is by using speech. The author gives a description of character
through what character says. The author presents some clues to character whenever
he states his or her opinion. The reader can see the personality by their conversation
and guess the character in the story by their speech (1972: 164-166). Fourth is past
life; ―the author gives the readers some keys or clues to any event that helped to
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
11
shape a person’s character‖ (1972: 166).The reader can learn something about the
character’s past life.
Fifth is conversation of others. The author describes the characterization of a
character through conversation of others and the thing that says about him. It gives
the readers clue to the characters of the person who is spoken about (1972: 167-168).
Sixth is reactions; ―the author can also give us a clue to person’s character by letting
us know how that person reacts to various situations and events‖ (1972: 168). It
means reaction is a clue to know the characteristic of the character. Seventh is direct
comments; ―the author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly‖
(1972:170). By giving comment explicitly, the readers will understand what kind of
person he or she is. It is directly described by the author comment.
Eight is thought; ―the author can give us direct knowledge of what a person
thinks about‖ (1972: 171). Here, the readers have privileged position to come to the
in most thoughts of a person in a story. The last is mannerism. The author describes
the character through his or her mannerism or habits. It shows the character by stating
the character gesture and habit. The characteristic revealed by the manner of the
character (1972: 172-173).
3. Theories of Settings
Setting is one of the intrinsic elements of the novel. According to Abrams,
setting relates to the time and place of an action occurs. He argued that ―the setting of
narrative or dramatic work is the general local, historical time and social
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
12
circumstances in which its action occurs; the setting of an episode or scene within a
work is the particular physical location in which it takes places‖ (1981:75). It means
that setting is not only about place and time but also about social circumstances.
Social circumstances refer to society where the actions take a place in the literary
work. Social circumstances are helpful to reveal class discrimination.
M. J. Murphy in Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry
and English Novel describes setting in the following.
The setting of the novel is the background against which the characters live
out their lives. In some novels the setting is important, whilst in others, it is
less so. The setting can be concerned with the place in which the character's
live and also the time in which they live. These have a great effect upon the
personalities, actions, and way of thinking of the characters (1972: 141).
The setting affects the attitude or personality of the character. It can change the way
of thinking of the character. Setting influences the character about their attitude on
doing something and how a person views about something.
Holman and Harmon also share the idea of social setting; it can refer to the
general environment of the character like religion, moral, and emotional condition. It
also can reveal the occupations and daily manner of the living characters (1986: 465).
The setting can be the important intrinsic elements on the literary work but
not all of the literary work makes setting important. The author often uses setting to
create the atmosphere or a mood. It can influence the character development and help
the reader understand the situations; environment and society.
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13
4. Theories of Discrimination
According to Johnson A. G. in Human Arrangements: An Introduction to
Sociology, discrimination refers to the unequal treatment of people based on
stereotyped beliefs about them (1986:362). People treat others unequally by their idea
that others are different from them. Class or status difference can lead to
discrimination and unequal treatment. Discrimination may be motivated by
stereotypes; the typical image that comes to mind when thinking about a particular
group. In The Space between Us, Bhima’s character is an old woman who lives in a
slum it build a stereotype by the society that she is a low class. Slum is a an area
where the low class resides. The high class can treat her unequal.
Fairchild in Dictionary of Sociology and Related Sciences assumes that
discrimination is an unequal treatment of groups of basically equal status.
―Discrimination carries with the element of unfair, unreasonable, and arbitrary
distinctions in the impositions of burdens and the distribution of flavors
(1969:280).‖There is often unfair treatment directed against certain individual or
social group. People in different circumstances usually get different treatment. The
minority treated unequal by the majority group which has more power.
They are sitting in the dining room, sipping tea, Sera out of the blue-grey mug
Dinaz had bought for her from Cottage Industries, Bhima out of the stainless
steel glass that is kept aside for her in the Dubash households. As usual, Sera
sits on a chair at the table while Bhima squats on her haunches on the floor
nearby (Umrigar, 2006: 27).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
14
Bhima is not allowed to sit at the same tables as Sera or her family because Bhima is
the servant from a lower class. The glass that Bhima uses keep aside by the Dubash
family because Bhima likes chew tobacco so Sera feels Bhima is dirty.
C. Review of Sociocultural-Historical Background in India
India is known as a country that is structured by the caste system in their
society. The caste system in India is influenced by the major religion there,
Hinduism. It develops the different status in the society.
Banerjee states in her journal that "India is a country with enormous diversity.
It is characterized by a huge difference in economics, political, social, cultural and
regional aspects. The social status ascribed to women varies from state to state and
region to region‖ (2013: 057). Based on that quote, it can be seen that India is a
unique country. People have different status one another which seen by the economic
status, political, social and culture aspects.
According to Ambedkar in the article written by Mahabir Singh Bhati and
Amritpal Kaur Bhati
Hindu caste system is based on a division of labor. It is determined by their
birth. The Hindu caste system favored the unity of the first three varnas and
separates the fourth varna, i.e. the Shudras from the rest and assign them all
kinds of menial jobs to them and deprive them of status, money, freedom,
equality and a decent way of living. The caste system is affected by a process
of graded inequality. All castes are not on par. They are one above the other.
Castes are all individual entities (2011:1).
The quotation points that the caste system is determined by their birth, it
means that people cannot choose their social status. They get their status since they
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15
were born. It is given to them and cannot be changed. Status has a close relation with
prosperity, freedom, and justice. The different status makes people get unequal
treatment.
Class in India exists since a long time ago, and it will be everlasting. There is
a three-level system.
The class stratification in India is divided into a three-level system: Forward
classes (higher class), Backward classes (middle and menial underclass), and
Harijans (lowest class). Members of the upper class – around 1 percent of the
population – are owners of large properties, members of exclusive clubs, and
vacationers in foreign lands, and include industrialist, former maharajas, and
top executives. There is no single set of criteria defining the middle class, and
estimates of its numbers vary widely, but ownership of cars, televisions, and
other consumer good, reasonable earnings, substantial savings, and educated
children (often fluent in English) typify this diverse group. Below the middle
class perhaps a third of population – ordinary farmers, tradespeople, artisans,
and workers. At the bottom of the economic scale are the poor – estimated at
320 million, some 45 percent of the population in 1988 – who live in
inadequate homes without adequate food, work for pittances, have
undereducated and often sickly children, and are the victims of numerous
social inequities (―Classes in India‖ 2009).
The class system in India divided by their economic status. The high class or upper
class is people who are wealthy and own assets and they can go anywhere they want
because they own a lot of money. The middle class is not as rich as the upper class
but they have some facilities that favor their life and also they are supported by
education. The last class system is lower class, which in the economic scale; they are
in the bottom of the scale. They live in limited housing facilities and foods. The
lowest class people are uneducated because they cannot afford to go to school and
cannot get a better job. The economic status gives impact toward the lowest class;
people treated unequally by the high class and the society.
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D. Theoretical Framework
The researcher tries to reveal the struggle of a woman in India against the
class discrimination through the main character, Bhima. To reveal how Bhima’s
struggle against the class discrimination, the theories applied are theories of character,
characterization, setting, and discrimination.
The researcher uses the theories of characters and characterization to make a
clear understanding of the characters of the novel. The theories can answer the first
problem formulation on how the character in the novel is described. The researcher
also uses the theory of settings; it is used to know the relation between character and
the society. The last theory that the researcher uses is theories of discrimination. It is
used to answer the second problem formulation about how Bhima’s struggle against
class discrimination. Theory of discrimination is used to reveal the social condition.
The researcher uses the sociocultural background to analyze the class
discrimination in India society which is portrayed through the life of Bhima in Thrity
Umrigar's The Space between Us. The review on historical background in India is
used to understand the social circumstances in India from the past life and modern
era.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
This undergraduate thesis has one main source namely The Space between Us.
This is the second novel written by Thrithy Umrigrar. She is a journalist and creative
writing teacher. Umrigrar, a former Beacon Journal staff writer, lives in Bombay until
she comes to Ohio State University. She is a middle-class girl in India. She has
published one previous novel, Bombay Time, and a Memoir, selected memories of
India childhood.
The novel used to study was published in 2006 by William Morrow, an
Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, printed in the United States of America. This
book is the first edition. The novel consists of 321 pages and separated into 25
chapters. This novel is the national best seller novel and as a nominee of pen/beyond
margins award.
The Space between Us is a fiction novel but the character of Bhima is based
on real person. The characterization of Bhima is like the character of Umrigrar’s
servant who is kind and stoicly heroic. Umrigrar is known as a skilled storyteller. She
exposes the raw flesh under the skin of India life.
The novel sets in the new millennium in Bombay, now known as Mumbai.
This novel tells about Bhima who is repeatedly betrayed by the state. By the hospital
when her daughter and son-in-law die, by Gopal’s factory which refuses to take
17
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18
responsibility of his accident. Bhima works in a Parsi’s house; people who leave Iran
and settle in India. Her granddaughter, Maya is one of her strengths to fight against
the discrimination.
B. Approach of the Study
This research uses the socio-cultural historical approach. The researcher uses
the approach to analyze the problems. In India, the class discrimination exists since a
long time ago. The event that happens in a modern era has a relation with the history
in the past life. Class discrimination in India still exists in the modern era because the
sociocultural beliefs about a class system cannot be changed and transmitted from
generation to generation. It is like the heritage in India society.
Rohrberger and Woods in Reading and Writing about Literature stated that
―critics whose major interest is the socio-cultural historical approach insist that the
only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization that produced it‖
(1971:9). To understand the novel, the reader should know the real situation of the
society. It has a relation between the story in the novel with the action that happens in
the reality civilization. The story in Umrigar’s talks about the class difference in
India, Bhima as a low class in the novel often discriminates by the society. India has a
class stratification built by the religion and it affects the way of people treat other.
It is important to analyze the novel uses socio-cultural historical approach
because the history and the culture in India society can show the relation between the
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attitudes of people in India with the class discrimination that Bhima’s gets by the
society.
Rohrberger and Woods also said that "they define civilization as the attitudes
and actions of a specific group of people and point out that literature takes these
attitudes and actions as its subjects matter" (1971:9). The attitudes that are presented
by the author in the story are the imitation of the attitudes which happen in the
society. Hinduism is the majority religion in India. The caste system builds by
religious rules. The attitudes of people in India depend on their caste system.
The interest in a literary work which has a history leads the researcher tries to
find the background of the author, since it usually has a relation in a story with the
history of the author. The culture that rises in a story in the novel comes from the
experience of the author.
The socio-cultural historical approach is used to analyze The Space between
Us because the researcher wants to analyze the class discrimination in India and the
researcher should know what happens with the class system in India. This approach is
used to understand the condition in India in the era of The Space between Us.
C. Method of the Study
The undergraduate thesis, Bhima’s struggle against class discrimination was a
library research. The primary data was the novel itself, The Space between Us by
Thrity Umrigrar. The secondary data were books and also several articles related to
the theories and approaches which were used in analyzing the topic.
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Several steps were taken by the researcher in analyzing this research. The first
step was the researcher read the novel comprehensively. After reading the novel, the
researcher analyzed the points that could be explored in the study. Then the
researcher tried to find out the ideas of the novel and then collected the data. The
researcher gathered some references on theories and studies which were related. The
sociocultural-historical background was also used to find out about the social
circumstances in India.
The last step was the researcher conducted the analysis by answering the
problem formulations. The analysis used the theories of character and
characterization for the first problem. The researcher also used the theories of settings
and class discrimination to find out the society problem in India.
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the researcher divides the analysis into three main parts. In the
first part, the researcher gives elaborate on the characteristics of Bhima. The second
part, discusses the settings in the novel, to show Bhima’s society. The last part
reveals how Bhima struggles against class discrimination in India’s modern society.
A. Characteristics of Bhima
The analysis of Bhima’s character is based on E.M. Foster in Aspect of the
Novel which state that character divides into two characters. Bhima is the main
character in the novel; her character is a round character which shows the fullness of
the character (1987: 120). A round character is a complex personality. In the novel
the character of Bhima change by the situation and other characters. It is shown in the
beginning of the novel, how Bhima as a grandmother treats her granddaughter
affectionately.
When Maya was still going to college, Bhima allowed her to sleep in as late s
possible, made gaajarhalwa for her every Sunday, gave her the biggest
portions of dinner every night. If Serabai ever gave Bhima a treat—a
cadbury’s chocolate, say, or that white candy with pistachios that came from
Iran—she’d save it to bring it home for Maya (Umrigar, 2006: 6).
Bhima realizes that Maya, her granddaughter is the only one she has. She takes care
and treats Maya well. On the contrary, Bhima turns to be different when she knows
that Maya got pregnant, she forces Maya to tell her who got her pregnant. Bhima
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comes to Maya’s college to confront the man who got Maya pregnant but she find out
that he is not the father of the baby. Bhima know that Maya lies and feels
disappointed.
Bhima’s character not only illustrates in single quality. Even though Bhima is
known as a great grandmother but she also can be firm. Bhima feels her heart soften
and dissolve when she look at Maya’s face when she falls asleep but something shift
in Bhima’s heart when she look at Maya’s belly, she feels so angry and disappointed.
The situation affects Bhima’s character. Bhima has depth in her feelings. Bhima work
hard for herself and Maya but Maya break her heart. She wants Maya has a better
future and
Bhima is a servant in Dubash family. She is a loyal servant. She comes to her
mistress’s house, Sera’s house, on time is diligent and committed to that family.
Some times Viraf, Sera’s son-in-law accompanies Bhima to go to the market. ―Riding
next to Viraf in his air-conditioned car, Bhima smiles. She treasures this Saturday
morning ritual with him‖ (Umrigar, 2006: 91). She feels fortunate and grateful that
Viraf treats her respectfully and to show her gratitude by being a good servant.
However, she becomes angry when Viraf insult about Maya’s being pregnant who
has no husband.
After I get home from the match today, I was going to call him to get a name
of a doctor who performs—that is, one who is--you know, someone who can
help Maya get rid of the baby. It’s time to move on this, no? (Umrigar, 2006:
94).
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Bhima is shocked with Viraf’s statement as Viraf and his wife are soon to-be-parent.
On the other hand, Viraf also suggests to get rid Maya’s baby. Viraf does not even
help Maya to get the solutions of his servant’s problem. Bhima respects to Viraf but
the statement that Viraf’s gives make Bhima sad.
Bhima feels dried out, scooped out, as hollow and wrinkled as a walnut shell.
She has nothing left to give, no love life to spare. She cannot stand the sight of
their matted, mangled, crippled bodies, their heartbreaking eagerness, the
hunger for love in their eyes (Umrigar, 2006:94).
In this situation Bhima’s character that is strong who wants to raise her
granddaughter better than her feels break. Viraf’s words shrink her dreams. At the
first time, Bhima is impressed by Viraf’s maners but after Viraf insults about Maya,
Bhima feels useless because she cannot do anything to help Maya. Bhima feels guilty
and responsible for Maya’s problem because she did not raise her properly. However,
Bhima is angry for what has happened.
Easy for him to talk about getting rid of Maya’s baby, she thinks. After all, he
and Dinaz baby are going to have a child by their own, a child who will never
know what it is to have adults plot its death. She feels a moment’s blinding
fury that is so large