READER RESPONSE TO
THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE MOVIE
‘PEREMPUAN BERKALUNG SORBAN’ BY HANUNG BRAMANTYO
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Sarjana Pendidikan
Yunita Paulina Pita 112009130
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SATYA WACANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
READER RESPONSE TO
THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE MOVIE
‘PEREMPUAN BERKALUNG SORBAN’ BY HANUNG BRAMANTYO
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Sarjana Pendidikan
Yunita Paulina Pita 112009130
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SATYA WACANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
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Copyright@ 2013. Yunita Paulina Pita and Danielle Donelson-Sims, M.A.
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Reader Response to the Violence Against Women
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Reader Response to
the Violence Against Women in the Movie
‘Perempuan Berkalung Sorban’ by Hanung Bramantyo
Yunita Paulina Pita
ABSTRACT
Adapted from Abidah Al Khalieqy‟s novel, Hanung Bramantyo brings up the issue of violence against Moslem women in a Boarding School in East Java through his movie Perempuan Berkalung Sorban. The movie portrays domestic violence towards a Javanese Moslem woman done by her own husband. Using reader response criticism, the study tries to find out Moslem Javanese women responses towards the violence against Moslem women in the movie. The research was conducted in order to gather Javanese Moslem women‟s feeling and thought about violence against women. Another aim of this research is to explore
participants‟ thought about the rule in Islam of men as leader or Imam of family, women‟s oppression in Islam, and gender inequality in Islam. It finds that all of the participants disagreed with the violence against women either in the movie or in the real life. From their responses, they assumed that violence against women in Islam might be related to the misinterpretation and misuse of the rule of men as Imam. It is suggested that Moslem men should respect and treat Moslem women well, so that there would be no more violence against women done by Moslem men.
Keywords: reader response approach, domestic violence, feminist, Islam feminism, women‟s oppression, gender inequality, Javanese Moslem women.
INTRODUCTION
certain condition or phenomenon in the society. One of the cultural products that are well-liked in Indonesia is movie. Different from novel or other written products in portraying an issue still need the readers to imagine the story, movies portray an issue visually which is easier for the readers to understand. This easy-understood visualization is the reason why people prefer watching movies rather than reading novels.
However, people commonly watch movie without going beyond and questioning the purpose of bringing the issue up in the movie. It happens in an Indonesia Islam movie that was directed by Hanung Bramantyo entitled Perempuan Berkalung Sorban which was taken from the novel by Abidah el Khalieqy. Though the genre of the movie is the Islamic one, the movie is so controversial in the Indonesian society especially among Moslem institution. Even MUI and Moslem people from a boarding school in East Java banned the film (The Jakarta Post, 2009). Some people who disagree with the movie commonly think that the domestic violence toward women portrayed in the movie will bring negative impact for their
religion‟s image. Whereas, in fact, domestic violence against Moslem women still happens in
Indonesia. According to a United Nations study of Central Java (2006), 2% of the Moslem women (age 15-49) were victims of domestic abuse within the previous 12 month period. Such big rate of violence against Moslem women shows that domestic violence really happens in the society, not only in the movie. Domestic violence itself here refers to any abuse done purposely in family relationship both physically and emotionally, including sexual abuse which (Payne and Wermeling 1).
approach based on the following research questions: How do Moslem English Department students view such violence against women related to men‟s role as a leader of a family?
How do they think and feel about that the issue of women‟s oppression in Al-Qur‟an?
The five participants who were 21-22 years old were selected among English Department students who have not watched the movie. They were from strongly devoted Islam families. Three participants, who were raised in Moslem Javanese culture, live in the Moslem majority society where Javanese culture and Moslem values are still held strongly in their families. The two other participants were raised in Moslem Javanese families, who live in multi-religions society.
The research started by giving a questionnaire to the participants to know their culture and family background and to categorize them based on their background‟s similarities. After this categorization, each participant had to watch the movie individually to have more free interpretation and feeling expression without interference of the researcher. Next, the researcher interviewed each participant with in-depth interview questions to capture their deep thought and feelings as a Moslem Javanese woman after watching the movie. From the
interview, the participants‟ perceptions toward violence against women were analyzed and
interconnected with the reason they think that way.
Moreover, the readers‟ response is not only conveyed as it is, but also will be
interrelated with feminist theory. It would also be used to reveal whether they considered themselves as feminists or not, especially in looking at this issue of violence against Moslem women. This research will be conducted using reader response approach which mainly focus on this question: Does the text or literary work control the readers or the other way around? (Schweikart 525) As stated by Fish, reader response theory promotes radical relativism in
effects on the readers (“The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism” 2069) The
responses will be categorized based on their perceptions and reasons whether they support or argue against the issue of violence against Javanese Moslem women done by husbands as leader of Islam family.
This research hopefully can explore valuable findings so that it can give knowledge to
Moslem women‟s thoughts about violence. It can also give a viewpoint of having a variety of
beliefs will show diversity in Moslem women‟s perspective which also derived from different Islam stream. Through the finding of this research, it can help them to have deeper thoughts and open perspectives about how women are really treated in Javanese Islam family and violence against Moslem women.
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
Feminism Theory
Feminism theory is generally concern on critically arguing or negating the way women are portrayed in literature products (Barry 86). Beauvoir‟s theory about the second sex believes women are othered in social, political, and cultural life whereas men dominate (1404). Such gender inequality is mainly promoted in many feminist‟s movement in order to struggle for marginalized women especially in their social life.
which then triggered a desire to struggle for Moslem women‟s right and equality with men in Islam (224).
According to Parvanova in the journal “Islamic Feminist Activism in Indonesia:
Muslim Women‟s Paths to Empowerment”, Indonesian Islamic feminism promotes gender
equality by combining Islamic principles with feminist ideas, culture of gender equality, and humanism (11). She explained further that Indonesian Moslem feminist movement has been supported by the two major Islamic organizations: Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama
which help voicing Indonesian Moslem women‟s aspiration to have equal rights in society
(11). It can be obviosuly seen from the emergence of Muhammadiyah‟s respective women‟s wings Aysyiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama‟s one called Muslimat NU. As stated by Kyai Haji Ahmad Dahlan, the founder of Muhammadiyah, the organization is concern with human justice and fairness including gender equality (13). Similarly, NU also claimed concern with gender inequality issues, human rights, and Islamic rule. Such Moslem women movement in Indonesia has been an indication that there has been gender equality in Islam which then motivated the emergence of Moslem feminism in Indonesia (15).
Women in Al-Qur’an and Javanese Islam
Al-Qur‟an as Islamic Book strongly influences Islam‟s preaching. Since it‟s the
central guidance in Islam‟s preaching, it cannot be separated from the two of the most
Some verses in Al-Qur‟an obviously said that men are the leader or Imam in the family. Chapter 4 Surah An-Nisa‟ verse 34:
“Men are the managers of women, because of the advantage Allah has granted some of them over others, and by virtue of their spending out of their wealth. So righteous
women are obedient, care-taking in the absence [of their husbands] of what Allah has
enjoined [them] to guard. As for those [wives] whose misconduct you fear, [first]
advise them, and [if ineffective] keep away from them in the bed, and [as the last]
beat them....”
Men are chosen to authorize women (wives) which means their position is above women. Moreover, as Imam, men have right to not only give advice but also beat their wives if the
wives don‟t follow their command.
From this point of view that men are the central decision maker in the family, Moslem families hold their belief which is women‟s role of being obedient to their husbands in order to be good and religious wives. It also happens in Moslem Javanese society because they do not only hold Moslem values and preaching but also Javanese culture that still strongly becomes the principal guidance in Moslem Javanese families (Dewi 110).
A study conducted in some pondok pesantren or Java Islamic boarding schools in Jogjakarta found out that:
Attitude, as intended behavior, that brings up the issue of gender bias simulates unfair
behavior and treatment. This gender unfairness comes up based on religious text
interpretation related to gender-bias issues like polygamy, violence against women,
and early marriage (Maya 2).
The bias preaching of a religion may be because it is established in a patriarchal culture and
is interpreted in a patriarchal context. So it‟s not purely the religion that‟s wrong but the
In Javanese culture, women‟s position is represented by this saying: “ masak-macak-manak” (cooking – dressing up – giving birth) which is believed as their nature and duties (Dikiyanti 1). Manak or giving birth, the most controvesial one, is a women‟s duty which means wives have to serve their husband by satisfying their husband‟s sexual desire and being pregnant. This assumption is supported by another popular saying in Javanese,
„wanita‟ (women in Javanese) which means „wani ditata‟ or brave to be controlled, implicitly
portrays how an obedient woman are perceived as good wives (Falah 18). Overall, both in Al-Qur‟an and Javanese culture, Moslem Javanese women are considered as the ones who should follow the society‟s and religion‟s beliefs about how good wives should be.
DISCUSSION
Synopsis of the Movie and the Woman Protagonist’s Life
Anisa–the female main character in this movie, who lived in a boarding school in East Java, experienced woman oppression done by her own father and husband. She faced oppressions of being forced to marry an evil and rude man, though she actually loved a good Moslem man, Kudhori. Moreover, she was being a victim of polygamy and also mental and physical abuse that her husband did. Anisa was not only beaten when her husband was mad, but also was raped if she did not want to have sex with him.
in her neck. Then people stoned both of them anarchically. Finally, Anisa‟s family realized that Samsudin treated Anisa badly so they encouraged her to get divorced with him. At the end of the story, Anisa fought for her academic dream to study in a University. Though both did not get married, she finally could study out of the boarding school with Khudori in Jogjakarta.
Among many gender issues in this movie, violence against Moslem women is chosen to be the main focus in this study because it is the most exposed issue in the movie that is also still happening in Indonesia Moslem Javanese society. Regarding this big issue, the participants were asked to give their opinions and responses. The responses then were categorized in the following themes: general impression, physical and sexual abuse, and gender equality in Islam.
1. First Participant (Damay)
1.1.Participant Background
Damay is a Moslem ED student year 2009. She was born and raised in Magelang in which her village consists of a homogenous Moslem Javanese society. Her family is mainly influenced by Nahdlatul Ulama‟s Islam stream. Based on her personal view about men and women in Islam, she disagrees if only men can be the Imam or leader of family as the
Al-Qur‟an says. There are also other issues in Islam related to gender and even some Islamic
rules about men and women that she disagrees with, like the issue of polygamy and violence against women. Though, she personally enjoys being a Moslem woman. She believes that, as a Moslem woman, she neither feels oppressed with Islam‟s rules and beliefs that are unfair for women nor does she feels safe as a woman to completely believe in what Al-Qur‟an says.
Damay claimed that she likes the movie though she disagrees with some parts of it which are the violence scenes done by Samsudin toward Anisa. “In general, I like the movie, but some of them I disagree, some of the part.” Indeed, she likes watching movie for an amusement. Therefore, she still can enjoy watching the movie though the movie is presented with many violence scenes which potentially stimulate the viewers‟ high tensions. When asked to give opinion about the movie as a reflection of a culture and society, she argues that the movie does not completely reflect what really happened in Moslem Java society and culture.
“It just reflects very small part of the Moslem Java society. Very small. I mean in my
village, it‟s a homogenous one, so all of them are Moslems. And all of the family are Moslems family. And there‟s only one of them, if I‟m not mistaken, in experiencing
violence in their life.”
Since there‟s just one case in her society, she concluded that such movie cannot be said
representative for Moslem Javanese society‟s life.
Moreover, she actually sympathizes to what Anisa experienced in the movie. “I feel pity for Anisa. And I feel sorry. Ya. And as a woman, I feel sad. So it was so sad.” Overall, she thinks that women are not supposed to be treated that harsh as the movie portrays.
1.3.Physical and Sexual Violence
Responding to the physical violence in the movie, she said that the way Samsudin, the husband treated Anisa was so terrible.
“It is really terrible, because it happened not only physically but also psychologically or mentally. Something like that. It is „pemaksaan‟ (kind of forcing) one.”
She argues that physical abuse should be banned in Islam, as it has been banned in
Indonesia‟s law. It can be clearly seen that such violence attacks and prejudices women. She
explained further that her neighbor experienced such physical violence in which the husband
hit the wife every time he‟s upset.
“In my village, there‟s only one family... her husband does such kind of violence. I
don‟t really know the reason. But if her husband is mad, he will beat her. She did nothing.”
It implicitly tells that her society is partriarchal. Such case is a evidence that violence against Moslem women really happened in real life of an Islam Javanese family in her society.
Responding to sexual abuse in the movie, Damay expressed that she totally disagrees and even feels uncomfortable with it. She believes that rape is a crime already, what makes it worse is that it was done in the marriage relationship.
“I think it‟s so inhuman because they are both already married. Maybe the husband
can ask the wife kindly. I mean, rape is just for criminal. It should not be done with
his to woman. It‟s just so cruel if it‟s done in the marriage.”
This opinion is interesting if it‟s related to an Al-Quran verse that says that a wife should satisfy her husband physically too by giving sexual satisfaction to their husband. She argues that sexual abuse in Islamic marriage life should be banned.
1.4.Women Oppression and Gender Inequality in Islam
“Maybe in Islam, it‟s almost impossible if men and women are in the same position. But in the violence, I disagree with it.”
Moreover, she claims that the issue of violence against Moslem women in the movie led her to believe and expect more that women and men should be equal in Islam. However,
it‟s different with Islam‟s preaching about Islam family. For it is stated in Al-Quran that men
are leaders of family, above women and children, Damay‟s expectation of having gender equality in Islam seems to be impossible.
Commenting on the relation between men‟s role as Imam and the violence in
Indonesia, she acknowledged that such men‟s role affects the happening of violence against Moslem women.
“Because men feel that they have the power. I am the ruler. I‟m the one who all the
members of family should follow. And if they do not, I just can do anything that I
want.”
She emphasized the power of Moslem men gives them chance to oppress women. She considered such Moslem men‟s authority as the factor contributing to phenomenon of violence against women. From her response, she believes that Moslem women are oppressed in Islam family.
2. Second Participant (Dian)
2.1.Participant’s Background
leaders in family, whereas women are sometimes lack of contribution in making decision. H Before the interview, she also claimed that she totally disagrees with violence against Moslem women. She actually believes that Al-Qur‟an positively supports women, but at some points, she disagrees that women are placed after men in Islam family.
2.2.General Impression toward the Movie
When she was asked about her impression after watching the movie, she expressed her amazed feeling by saying the word “wow” many times. She can feel the atmosphere and the portrayal of Javanese Moslem society in the movie as if it is real since she‟s a Moslem who also lives upholding Javanese culture.
“Wow, wow, it‟s just so wow, wow, wow. I mean, I‟m a Javanese and I‟ve been living here for my whole life steps until now. And I‟m also Moslem. My family still holds the Javanese culture.”
Though she lives in the same background religion and culture –Moslem and Javanese, she added that she could find many differences between what happened in the movie with what happens in the society.
However, what is surprising from her response is that she says that she herself also experienced things like in the movie. This is quite contradictive with her previous argument that what happened in the movie is not the same with the reality since she herself actually experienced such things as well in her society. Her further explanation makes it clear that she actually agrees if such movie is produced to portray what happened in the society in real life.
“What actually happen in real life is not always like that. So probably the movie only
portrays several things that really happen. But not each family or person has
experienced things like that. But apart of that, I do agree, because as a woman, like I
2.3.Physical and Sexual Violence
Responding to the physical abuse in the movie, she argues that the physical abuse is not the impact of the culture, but it has something to do with his mentality like mental disorder. Javanese Islam culture is not a factor why this character did physical violence toward Anisa because it‟s comparable with another male character that lives in the same cultural background in this movie: Khudori – a good guy whose moral is totally different with Samsudin.“It‟s not about the culture, it‟s not about the Moslem itself, but there‟s something wrong with the mentality of this man.”
Personally, she argues that physical abuse should be banned in Moslem family because she thinks women have right to be treated fairly. “Women should be praised and
treated well.”
On the other hand, she explained that there‟s an Islam‟s rule that allows Imam or Moslem husband may menyentil (flicked) his wife if only the wife doesn‟t obey him at all and always does bad things. Based on her opinion, it‟s not violence since it‟s just a warning to remind a wife to be a good Moslem wife. Furthermore, she gave an example of a Moslem couple who experienced physical abuse in her society.
“...some month or a year ago... there‟s someone... they worked in a place close to my house. The husband sometimes does violence to his wife.... This thing is like portrayal
that such cases still happen.”
By witnessing such real example of Javanese Moslem family who still experienced physical violence in, she confirms that what the movie portrays somehow happens too in real life.
Moslem woman since her father was authoritarian. Her facial expression while recalling this memory of being mentally abused shows her sadness. She almost tried to stop so many times while telling her experience.
“I can decide what I want. But the decision is like should be, not only the decision.... but kinda like when my father said something like „that‟s wrong‟. I should not say „No, I‟m not like that. When I say „No, I‟m not like that‟, he would say, „No, you‟re
like that‟ and he said I will be „kualat‟ if I say something like that. So I still cannot
have what I call as freedom.”
She personally feels oppressed by men‟s authority in her family that she cannot refuse at all. Her personal experience makes it sense that she totally disagrees with violence against women in Islam family.
Though her previous opinion said that Moslem husbands have right to beat their wives for not obeying them, she disagrees with sexual abuse in the movie at all. What Dian cannot accept in the movie is that Anisa was totally hurt and harmed as a Moslem and Javanese woman. It even breaks and humiliates women‟s identity and dignity as human beings. “I
absolutely disagree with it (sexual abuse).” It‟s understandable that Dian didn‟t give too
many responses since it would be so much weird for a Moslem woman who wears hijab to talk about such vulgar topic.
2.4.Women Oppression and Gender Inequality in Islam
“Well, before I watched the movie, I‟m a feminist. I want equality between men and
women. So after watching the movie, it makes me become more and more demand to
have the equality between men and women.”
On the other hand, she explained that Islam actually praises women too as it‟s stated
in Al-Quran about Prophet Mohammad. She tended to emphasize that in Islam, women are praised in the family as the ones who should be respected the most. Women are not ignored at all. Even they are placed three times before men to be more respected.
“Islam even taught people to respect women. Like when, this is a Haddist when
Prophet Mohammad is asked, who should be praised, then he would say, number one
is mother, number two is mother, number three is mother, then number four is
father.”
Her interesting opinion implicitly states that gender equality between Moslem men and women in Islam family is like impossible to happen. It implies her confusion toward the contradiction between her expectation of having gender equality in Islam and the reality of Moslem Javanese society with its rule. It seemed so complicated for her to decide which rule she agrees and disagrees with.
Moreover, she believes that women have contribution in making a man to be a good leader.“But, there‟s a saying that behind a success man, there‟s his mother and his wife. So I think that the leader can be a man, but behind him, there are still two women. So what make
him a good leader are two women here. So the two women here take a big part to make a
man to be a good leader.” Though it sounds neutral, in this perspective women are still
considered as lower than men. In her statement, women are just put behind men – leaders. Women are just complements who support men from the back.
movie and the society. She emphasized men‟s morality and mentality affects the most in
doing violence either physical or sexual one. She believes that men misuse their position to
oppress women and „use‟ their authority to do violence.
“...may and may not be related. If it‟s related, it‟s because the mental of the man is
the one that‟s wrong. He malfunctions his position as a leader, oppressed the woman.
But if there‟s no relation, like because probably not all leader or men do the violence. But when there‟s a relation, because they think that they are higher than women. They don‟t think that they should be in equal with women.”
If the rule is related to the happening of violence against women, it‟s not the rule itself that‟s wrong, but Moslem men who „misuse‟ the rule to violate their wives. Overall, she thinks that there are still Moslem women who are oppressed by men who use the power as leaders to violate women either mentally, physically, or sexually.
3. Third Participant (Novia)
3.1.Participant’s Background
Novia, the third participant, is an ED student of 2009 student year. She was born and raised in Surakarta, Central Java, which is well-known as a Keraton-based city with its strong preserved culture. Not only living in a very conservative cultural background, she also lives in Moslem majored environment – near UMS (Universitas Muhammadyah Surakarta) where Moslem values are still highly held in their daily life which are mainly influenced by Muhammadyah stream. Regarding issue of women in Islam, she believes that women should have the same position with men. However, equality here, based on her personal perspective, means that women should be obedient to their father and husband but still can be a part of decision making in family while giving respect more to her father.
When asked to give opinion about the movie after watching it, she responded negatively and uncomfortably. For Novia, portrayal in the movie is so exaggerated and too
harsh. She mentioned the word „exaggerated‟ many times showing her disagreement with the
issue of violence against Moslem women in this movie. For the movie just focused on the
men‟s power and their oppression toward Anisa, it doesn‟t represent what actually happened
in Moslem Javanese society. It might happen in real life, but not as exaggerated as shown in the movie.
“... And the focus of the film is in their power toward Anisa. Why I disagree because
in Moslem Java society, maybe some of Moslem Java family, they think that the father
did as Imam but not as exaggerated as that in the movie...”
According to Novia, being Islam is also about loving each other which means men must love their wives as they love Allah – God. She believes that what Samsudin did toward Anisa is unacceptable in Islam at all, so that we cannot say that this movie reflects or portray what happened in the real Moslem Javanese society.
“... Because I believe that father or husband have love. In Islam, we believe that when we love someone, love him or her because of Allah (God). So I don‟t agree with the movie that the father and the husband are too harsh. It shows that the men, they do
not love God, Allah.”
From her responses, she seemed feel uncomfortable watching the movie due to the rude violence in mostly scenes. Even more, she seemed to be questioning whether the male characters in the film are faithful Moslems because they treated women badly.
3.3.Physical and Sexual Violence
moral and mental abuse. He had lied to Anisa and her family by giving impression as a very good Moslem guy as the first time she met and during the „Ta‟aruf‟ time –Islamic introduction and engagement before getting married. Then he changed to be totally evil and oppressed Anisa physically every time he got mad.
“The first time I see the husband while Ta‟aruf is so cool and seems like a good
Moslem man. And he also had already taken second degree in Middle East. But then
after they were married, the husband is totally different. In Islam we believe that lie is
a hypocrite. So we can say, violence is not only how the husband treated Anisa, but
also how the first impression, this is hypocrite, and I think hypocrite is such violence,
a mental abuse.”
However, she has her own perception about the limitation of beating to be called as violence or not. She explained that if the wives obey their husbands‟ Amanah or advice, the husbands are not allowed to do any kind of physical abuse towards the wives. The other way around, she believes that if only the wives don‟t follow the husbands‟ Amanah and disobey their husbands as Imam, the husbands are allowed to beat the wives in order to warn them to be obedient to their Imam.
“It depends on the context. For example, about Sholat. There‟s a preaching that the
aim is that the husband guide the wife to do Sholat. If the wife has been warned once,
twice, still the wife does not do the Amanah, for the third time, the husband may beat
the wife. And it is stated in Al-Qur‟an. But not as harsh as the movie shows or like what happened in the Nabi era.”
“The husband also may beat the wife with „sapu ijuk‟ (broom), but it was in Nabi era.
Maybe now it is not acceptable, in Indonesia though Moslem is majority here, but
Indonesia has other religion that we can adapt.”
Moreover, what makes her argument interesting is that she gave an example of her own life experience, from her childhood memory, as a Moslem girl in her family. She explained further that her father, who always sticks to Al-Quran and Islam‟s values strongly, did such physical violence if she did not obey her father to do Sholat. When she refused or
said „wait‟ every time asked to Sholat, the father would beat her with. Though, she believes
that it cannot be called as violence because its aim is just as warning to do Amanah from the Imam of the family.
“....in the real life, some ways it happen like about Sholat, it really happen. In my
family, when I was a child...my father still do violence like asking me whether I had
done Sholat or not yet. But at that time...I like answering „wait, wait, wait‟. And then my father would beat me with something.”
Discussing about sexual abuse in the movie, Novia expressed her uncomfortable feeling to the scene where Anisa was raped by Samsudin. She argued that Samsudin as a husband was not supposed to do that to his own wife. Believing that in Islam women must be treated well, she thinks that rape isn‟t an appropriate way of treating a wife in Islam. When the woman refused the husband to have sex, the man must not force the wife. It‟s different with her argument about physical violence which is there exists a rule in Al-Quran that a husband may hit his wife for the wife‟s disobedience which she can accept, but regarding
issue of sexual abuse, she couldn‟t tolerate it at all. She totally disagrees with any sexual
abuse moreover if it‟s done in a Moslem marital relationship.
Furthermore, she believes that sexual abuse shown in the movie doesn‟t happen in the society. She used the word „exaggerating‟ again to express her disagreement toward the portrayal of Moslem couple‟s relationship in the movie. She believes that the rape done by a Moslem husband to his own wife only happened in the movie, not in the real life.
“... What happen in the movie, what Samsudin did toward Anisa is totally exaggerating. I have never witnessed Moslem Java people or couple do such thing
like that, so harsh.”
Her perspective about sexual abuse is different to what‟s stated in Al-Quran that a wife should serve her husband by having sexual relationship which is a must. Overall, she believes that Moslem women may refuse to have sexual relationship only if there‟s no love in the marriage.
3.4.Women Oppression and Gender Inequality in Islam
Discussing about women oppression in Islam, she personally confirmed that somehow women oppression really happens in Javanese Moslem society. Moreover, she said that the phenomenon of Moslem women oppression still happens in her own society in which all people there are Moslems. Though she explained that actually Moslem women should be treated well, her own experience shows that oppression toward Moslem women still happen in real life. She explained further about one of her experience when she didn‟t to wear her Hijab (Islam‟s headscarf), people would respond negatively. Even people in her village would directly ask her why she didn‟t wear her Hijab at the moment. It made her feel uncomfortable and oppressed.
“... If I do not wear my Hijab, for example when I have to go to „warung‟ just to buy noodle or egg, my neighbor will ask why I don‟t wear my Hijab...but they say that we
She also explained about another perception in her village which happened in Ramadhan or fasting month. People would demand all Moslems to do Sholat Tarawih which is actually Sunah or optional. In their perspective, for those who don‟t follow such rule of wearing Hijab and doing Sholat Tarawih would be stamped as bad Moslems especially if they are Moslem women. She expressed that even these things can be included as mental abuse toward Moslem women. Her explanation implicitly confirms that in her own society,
there‟s still oppression toward Moslem women.
“...Actually Tarawih is Sunah or optional. But in my neighborhood, it is a must. So there would be a bad image if we do not go to mosque. Though they‟re just talking about it, I think it is included a mental abuse.”
Through her statements above, she implies that she disagrees with such oppression toward Moslem women not only in their physical appearance but also in their actions.
Such oppression and violence toward women in Islam that she can see in her society and shown in the movie makes her think that women and men should have equality in Islam. Yet, she still admits and believes that men are the leader of family. Equality that she means here is not always about the same position, but more on the involvement like supporting or assisting the husband.
“Even though the man is the leader, but the leader needs asisstance. Assistant can be
the leader if the leader has less power...”
“... Like for example, my father... when he‟s sick, my mother will take the power like
she would do those things. That‟s why I said that women and men should be equal in Islam.”
Her overall argument is that there should be more consideration to women‟s involvement in
the family, but still the rule of men as leader of family cannot be refused or even changed. It‟s
just the way how Islam people believe in their religion and how it is stated in the Al-Quran that men as Imam or leader of family is a must.
Moreover, she believes that men‟s power in Islam family as leaders give them
„chance‟ to do violence toward women. Yet, she doesn‟t think that way in the real life context
because nowadays not only men who do violence toward women, the other way around now there are also women who violate their husbands. She emphasized that if only the husband gives wrong Amanah including doing violence, the wives may rebel.
“In the movie, I can say yes. But in real life, even though the men have power but nowadays, women have equal power. You know, now, not only violence against
women, but there‟s also violence done by women toward men. So they actually have same position...But there‟s a Haddist in Al-Qur‟an, that says if the Amanah from your
husband is true, it‟s no problem. But thenwhen it‟s wrong, you may rebel.”
In conclusion, Novia believes that there should be equality between men and women. Yet, she understands that it cannot happen like a hundred percent equal in Islam since there‟s a rule of men as leader or Imam of family. Overall, looking at the issue of violence against Moslem women, she thinks that it is caused by men‟s misinterpretation about Imam and
men‟s wrong Amanah.
4. Fourth Participant (Garnis)
Garnis is the fourth participant who‟s also a student year 2009 studying in ED. She
was born and grown up in small town, Salatiga, Central Java. Similar with three previous participants, she also lives in Moslem majority society with quite strong Javanese culture. Her family also still holds Javanese culture and Moslem values in their life which is much influenced by Muhammadyah. Though she sticks to Islam values, she has her own perception that Moslem men and women should have equal position, not higher than one another. What she believes is that women should be involved in every part of decision making in Islam family. What interesting from her personal view towards some controversial issue of women in Islam is that she disagree not only with polygamy or any other unfairness toward women but also with assumption that only men is leader of family. However, it does not mean that she totally disagrees with the rule of men as Imam. She is just more concern on the position in which Moslem women are considered lower than men.
4.2.General Impression toward the Movie
Generally, Garnis gave quite positive response towards the movie especially since it‟s
an Islamic movie with Javanese as its cultural background. Though the movie seemed like underlining some Islam rules about women, she expressed her comfortable feeling watching the movie.
“As a Moslem woman that also live in Java culture, I feel so comfort with it, but still have some rules that I have to be obeyed.”
“...some parts of the movie reflect the life in Moslem Java society, like women should obey the husband or men. Until today we can see this kind of thing.”
Moreover, when asked which part she disagrees with, she added that there‟s a part in
the movie that doesn‟t match with the real life of Javanese Moslem family,
“All of the women‟s activities that are forbidden by the father, like horse-riding. I
think it‟s okay if women do horse-riding. There‟s no rule, there‟s no government
regulation.”
Overall, though she likes the movie since it‟s Islamic one, she admitted that there are some
issues in the movie that are controversial which she disagrees with, like gender unfairness.
4.3.Physical and Sexual Violence
When asked about her response to physical violence shown in the movie, Garnis gave her negative attitude towards it. She dislikes the way Samsudin treated Anisa which is so harsh and rude. She also commented on the way decision making was authorized by the husband.
“The husband was so harsh. And I totally disagree with it because maybe he thought
that he is the leader of his family so all of the decision should be taken by him.”
She also expressed her dislike to the physical violence that was done many times by the husband since she believes that women are supposed to be treated well. “It‟s cruel... Because
he‟s not supposed to do that to women. Women shouldbe treated well.”
“Personally, as a woman, I think, me myself, when someone shout at me or act harshly, for me it‟s an abuse, because in my family, my father and mother never shout
at me...”
When discussing about physical violence that happen in real life, especially in Javanese Moslem context, she firmly said that there isn‟t any physical abuse that happens in her society. Although she claimed that in the society where she lives there‟s no physical violence that happen, she admitted that there‟s still mental abuse that happened in an Islam family in her society.
“There‟s a man, a father. If he wants his children to do something, but the children
didn‟t want to, the father would say rude words harshly. For me who hear such things, I think it‟s bad, I disagree. In Javanese, we call it as „nyepatani‟ or cussing.
People in my neighborhood who heard the father cussed his son and daughter like
that, also feel uncomfortable because the words are too harsh.”
Based on her personal view, if men love women, men are not supposed to do violence. She suggested that men can find another way to express what they want without doing any violence against women. Overall, she totally disagrees with any physical violence especially against Islam women. Shouting which for her is mental abuse against women is intolerable for her, moreover any kind of physical abuse which is totally hurtful.
Proceeding to the discussion about sexual abuse, Garnis didn‟t give much comment because this topic is quite controversial and sensitive to talk about. She generally felt uncomfortable to see the scene where Samsudin, the husband forced Anisa to have sex. She expressed her disagreement toward sexual abuse that‟s shown in the movie. Based on her
personal view, it‟s actually illogical, how can a husband rape his own wife in the marriage
Garnis considers Anisa‟s refusal to have sexual relationship neither as a form of rebellion of a
wife nor as disobedience toward her Imam.
“Yes, it is a rape because the woman didn‟t want to do that. The husband should respect what the woman want. Maybe the woman has a reason. Ya, like how can we
make love with someone we don‟t love.”
Furthermore, she claimed that she cannot accept any sexual abuse against women at all. Whatever the reason is, everything that‟s done with forcing is considered as violence. Like the other participants, she totally disagrees with sexual abuse against Moslem women
since it doesn‟t only hurt, but also breaks women‟s self-respect.
4.4.Women Oppression and Gender Inequality in Islam
After discussing about physical and sexual abuse shown in the movie, she admitted that women oppression in Islam really happens especially in Moslem Javanese context. She claimed that she often heard that about domestic violence in the news media. It made her think that women are oppressed in the society. Even though she witnessed that there‟s no physical violence happen in her society, she confirmed that there exists what is called as women oppression. Moslem women can be oppressed, not always physically abused, but it also can be mentally. It leads her to think about men and women‟s position in the society.
“... Because I often hear that domestic violence is still becoming the trending topic in news media. It shows that women‟s position is still considered lower than men, and
weak.”
The word weak represents women‟s inability and poor position in the family, especially in
“...But, we cannot say men and women are not equal because they both have same
power. It just depends on the women‟s way to express or show off the powerness.”
What makes her argument interesting is that she claimed that she expects gender equality in Islam though her family has already had treated male and female family members equally. Here it means that she still sees that there‟s gender inequality in Islam. She emphasized the equality must be something to do with decision making which should be shared together, not only decided by men. She also added that men should respect what women want too.
Discussing about gender inequality in Islam, she gave a quite extreme comment about interpretation of men as Imam in Islam family:
“In Islam, Imam itself actually is the man who leads Sholat. So in Sholat, the man is sitting in the front, and women are sitting at the back. It‟s just the way it is from the
Arab culture, I don‟t know why. But it doesn‟t mean that in the real life women should
be at the back of men. So for me personally, I think they have wrong perception or
interpretation about Imam or leader. Because Imam is just for Sholat, it doesn‟t mean that men are leader of your life.”
Believing that there must be misinterpretation about Imam in Islam, she argues that men should be leader in Sholat only, not the ones who can lead the entire life of their wives. She also added that this misinterpretation which leads Moslem men to do violence against
women. Men‟s mindset about themselves as powerful ones makes them to think to misuse
their authority to oppress women violently.
“Because they have mindset that because they are Imam, they can do everything. They have more power than others... No matter that whether it‟s good or even bad as violence.”
is the way we live based on Al-Qur‟an, without applying it in their real life. They just try to
read and understand, without thinking further whether living here is different to Arab‟s
living. It‟s different.”
Similar with Novia‟s argument, she believes that what happened in Moslem Javanese
society, including violence against women, is the implication of misinterpretation toward Al-Quran itself. Moslem Javanese people just took it for granted without thinking to adjust and adapt with the culture here which must be different to Arab‟s – basic culture of Al-Quran.
5. Fifth Participant (Tiwi)
5.1.Participant’s Background
The last participant, Tiwi, is an ED student year 2009. She was born in Salatiga too, where she also was grown up and lives up to now. She admitted that her family doesn‟t follow any certain Islam stream, neither Muhammadyah nor NU. Regarding her opinion about men and women in Islam, she claimed that men and women should be at the same position neither higher nor lower than each other. She believes that Islam women should be respected equally as father and husband in the family. Moreover, she expressed that she‟s more flexible as a Moslem woman since her family is also not too fanatic. It can bring another point of view from other participants.
5.2.General Impression toward the Movie
When asked about her general impression she tended to give explanation of how the portrayal in the movie about Islam is not the same with the reality rather than commenting much on the movie itself. She believes that what was portrayed in the movie only happens in
certain place in Indonesia so that it‟s not representative enough to be called as a portrayal of
“In general, I can say that it maybe the few phenomena in certain place in Indonesia.
But I think, in that movie we can see that the men can oppress the women... But the
truth in Islam religion, it‟s not right if men do something like that.”
However, it doesn‟t mean that she disagrees with the movie because she considered
the movie as a cultural product which can be made freely by anyone.
“I think everybody has freedom to speech, freedom to express what they feel, and
what they see. I think it‟s okay if this movie portrays this kind of phenomena.”
Overall, she gave positive impression toward the movie as a literature product, but she quite disagrees with how violence is portrayed in the movie with Moslem Javanese culture as its background.
5.3.Physical and Sexual Violence
Commenting about physical violence, Tiwi gave her justification about physical violence in the movie which actually is caused by misinterpretation toward verses in Al-Quran. She believes that what happened in the movie has nothing to do with Islam religion
because it‟s human‟s mistake in interpreting Al-Quran wrongly. To be more specific, she
argued that the role of a man to be a leader of family is misinterpreted and misused to do violence against women. Samsudin, the husband, made use of his position and power in the
family to oppress Anisa and even violate against her. So Tiwi believes that there‟s nothing
wrong about either the verses in Al-Quran about this role or the religion itself, yet it‟s naturally humans‟ mistake.
“...So when men do violence towards women, as I said before, it‟s because the
misinterpretation based on the Al-Qur‟an itself. Because Al-Qur‟an actually does not
allow this kind of action, the violence.”
and women live to be protected and love each other, not to do any violence like the movie shown. She argued that what‟s supposed to happen is both men and women have to be treated well and respected equally in Islam family.
“I believe when you live in marriage life, then both of men and women have like equal
right to be treated well. So the husband will treat the wife well. And then the wife also
will treat the husband well. That‟s what has to be happened actually.”
Similar to the previous participant, she claimed that in her own environment where
she lives there‟s no such violence case in Islam family in which the man oppress his wife like
in the movie. Though she did not witness any violence in her environment, she admitted that such violence against Moslem women still happens in the society of Moslem Java outside her environment. She still believes that such violence is caused by misinterpretation toward
Al-Quran‟s verses and abuse of power done by men. Overall, she disagrees with physical
violence that happened either in the movie or in the real society – Moslem Javanese one,
because it‟s not what Al-Quran said or allowed to do.
When asked about her response toward sexual abuse shown in the movie, she also did not give much comment about it. It might be because in Javanese culture, it‟s still considered taboo for women to talk about sexual things, so that she did not feel comfortable to talk about
it. Yet, she definitely disagrees with sexual abuse against women because it breaks women‟s
honor as God‟s creation which should be respected and praised.
In the movie context, she argued that sexual abuse done by the husband could happen not only because of the men‟s abuse of power but also due to woman‟s weakness. Weakness here refers to the condition in which she was forced and couldn‟t escape from.
“...Anisa is portrayed in the complicated condition. In the very first place, she has to
She believes that Moslem men who do violence actually just use Al-Quran as a „tool‟ to justify that doing violence against women is allowed in Islam. Those men misuse their power and authority as leader of family.
“So they simply said that based on Al-Qur‟an, women should obey men, and then I can do anything towards you. I think this movie tries to portray that sometimes
unfairness and violence happen toward Moslem women because of the wrong
interpretation of the men.”
Overall, she disagrees with any abuse against women, including sexual abuse, which makes women just as tool to satisfy their sexual desire without honoring women‟s right to decide.
5.4.Women Oppression and Gender Inequality in Islam
Tiwi generally thinks that violence and abuse of power of men toward women in
Islam shows that there‟s women oppression, though she did not experience such abuse in her
life and in the society where she lives. Physical and sexual abuse that‟s shown in the movie represents women oppression that often happen in Islam Javanese society. Samsudin could do
such violence toward his wife because there was „space‟ for him to do it, which refers to the
Al-Quran verse about role of men as leader of Islam family.
Relating women oppression with role of men as leader of Islam family, she thought that most husbands interpret the role as Imam very simple so that on their mindset they think they can do anything.
“... So I‟m the leader, I can do anything. Something like that. But actually, leader have to create prosperity or great condition toward every people in the family then.
She agrees that the phenomenon of violence against Moslem women in Islam Javanese society could happen as the implication of misinterpretation toward the Al-Quran verse, but not because of the religion or preaching itself.
She did not say that watching the movie made her to expect gender equality in Islam. She believes that gender equality has already existed in Islam. Yet, she has her own perspective about equality. She explained that equality doesn‟t always mean the same position or proportion but it can be about sharing something like decision.
“...I think, equal is not like the proportion should be 50:50 or something like that. Even for example when a father has to decide something, then he will share to the
family, what do you think about this and what do you think about that? He will not
simply act like I‟m the leader, I can decide anything.”
So whether there would be equality in Islam family or not, it‟s very relative because it
depends on the way the husband acts as an Imam – whether he‟s an authoritarian or fair Imam,
“...I think as a leader you have to act wisely, you have to uphold every single people right in your family for example. So I think treated equally is the priority. But when
Al-Quran said that men have to Imam, I think that still it can be considered as equal.”
Overall, Tiwi believes that though there are still violence cases against Moslem
women, it doesn‟t mean that there exists gender unfairness in Islam especially Islam Java
society. If it happened in the real life of Moslem Javanese family, it‟s just a matter of misinterpretation toward Al-Quran verses about role of men and women in Islam family.
CONCLUSION
Berkalung Sorban‟, it has proven that different family and environmental background affects different individual perspectives. The first participant, Damay felt a little bit oppressed with the rule of men as leaders of Islam family, which automatically puts men in the higher position than women and contributes to the phenomenon of domestic violence. Moreover, she
believes that it‟s almost impossible to have equality between men and women in Islam
though she personally expects such equality in Islam.
Similarly, the second participant – Dian, believed that violence against Moslem women can be one of the reasons why women should have equality with men in Islam. Due to her experience of being oppressed by her father, she did not only disagree with violence against women but also the rule of men as leader of family which gave men more authority and chance to do violence or oppression toward women. As a feminist, she thought that the movie made her to expect more that there should be equality between Moslem men and women.
The third participant, Novia considered violence shown in the movie as an exaggerating portrayal of Islam family. She believed that men and women should be equal in Islam, yet, she also thought that women should be at the back to support their husbands which actually reflects inequality. Though she expected gender equality in Islam, she still sticks to a preaching about Amanah commanded by husbands which should be followed by Moslem women as wives, unless the Amanah is wrong like involving violence. Her assumption of doing such rebelion is subjective so that there might Moslems who agree and disagree with it.
match with Javanese culture context nowadays. She expected that men and women should have equal position in family including in making decision, because based on her extreme interpretation, Imam is just the leader of Sholat, not the leader of every single thing in Islam family.
Tiwi, the last participant, different to other participants, due to her flexible thinking as a Moslem woman, believed that actually men and women have been equal. Because based on
her interpretation, equal doesn‟t always mean that men and women must have same
proportion in Islam family. Yet, it‟s questioned whether other Moslem women agree with her perception about equality. She believes that violence that happens in Islam is mainly caused
by misinterpretation of Moslems toward men‟s role in family as leader.
Overall, the research result shows that all five participants actually disagree with violence against Moslem women either in the movie or in the real Javanese Islam family. Four of them expected gender equality in Islam whose opinions reflect first-wave feminist theory. They expected men and women have same right in voting or making decision and same right to be treated well. Yet, only one of them, the last participant, did not expect any gender equality because she believes that men and women have been equal in Islam.
Through this research, it is found out that all five Moslem women involved in the interview have different point of view and responses regarding their different Islam streams and environment background. It is hoped that more Moslem Javanese women are able express their feeling and thoughts too related to issue of violence against women and women oppression in Islam.
Based on all the responses explained on the discussion above, it can be concluded that all participants expressed that they cannot deny any Islam preaching about role of men in family which is somehow different with their expectation of having gender equality in Islam. Although they have expressed their responses in the interview, still this research cannot cover up every single thing about their feeling and thought as Moslem Javanese women related to violence against Moslem women.
Further research that can be conducted might be more specific about Moslem
Javanese women‟s responses toward wife‟s duty to satisfy husband‟s sexual desire as shown
in the movie „Perempuan Berkalung Sorban‟. It can be aimed to explore more about their
idea and feeling as Moslem women, whether they are actually oppressed or even enjoy doing it. Another possible research is portraying Moslem Javanese women‟s thought and idea about
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express the biggest gratitude to Jesus Christ for His blessing and love so that I could finally finish this research. I also give my sincere appreciation and thank to my super supervisor, Danielle Donelson-Sims, M.A. for her guidance and patience in helping me finishing my thesis. I also appreciate and thank for support and guidance from my second reader, Ibu Purwanti Kusumaningtyas, M.Hum. This research cannot completed without my five participants who helpfully give support and time.
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APPENDICES A
Questionnaire
You may have more than 1 answer for each number by put a thick
1. I was grown up in the following Moslem family background (aliran):
Muhammadyah
NU
Other answer, ...
2. “I think of myself as a Moslem woman who holds my belief and faith strongly.”
Yes
No
3. Based on my personal view, I think women should be:
under men‟s authority
at the same position as men (neither higher or lower than men)
in the higher position than men
other answer, ... 4. As a Moslem woman, I believe that women should be:
obedient to their father & husband
as a part of decision making in family
respected equally as father & husband
other answer, ...
5. There are some controversial issues about women in Islam, I personally agree with the following ones:
Only men can be the „imam‟ or the leader of family
Polygamy
Violence against women (mentally or physically) is allowed to be done by men
None of them
6. Regarding the above con troversial issues of women in Islam, I personally feel:
oppressed with some rules and beliefs that violate women mentally and physically
safe as a woman to completely believe in what Al-Qur‟an says and Islam no matter whether I like it or not
enjoy being a Moslem woman for all consequences and risks and feel protected by men
other answer, ...
7. My personal opinion about violence against women done by men in Islam family:
I accept it as a consquence and risk of being a „good‟ Moslem woman (solekhah)
I believe men have a higher position than women but Moslem men should not abuse women
I totally disagree with it because women also have human rights to be treated well
other answer, ...
8. Explain why do you agree / disagree that violence against women in Moslem‟s family is allowed!
... ... ... ... 9. As a Moslem woman, what do you think about men and women relationship in Moslem family
(husband & wife relationship and father & daughter relationship)? Do you think that men have more authority than women? Explain the reason why you think so!
APPENDICES B
Interview Questions
1. As a Moslem woman that also live in Moslem-Java culture, what do you feel about the movie in general? Do you agree if such movie is produced to reflect or portray what happened in the Muslim-Java society and culture? Why do you agree or disagree? 2. While watching the movie, what do you think about the violence done by the husband
toward Anissa that‟s shown in the movie?
3. What do you feel personally, as a Moslem woman, about the mental and physical abuse done by the husband to Anissa, especially when the husband raped her and beat her everytime she refused him to do something?
4. What would you do if you were Anissa in the story? Would you do the same thing or doing such rebellion to men (her husband and her father)?
5. Do you agree that the violence done by the husband is allowed in the Moslem community? Why do you agree or disagree with it?
6. Do you think violence against women in Islam happens in the society (violence in Moslem family that happens in real life)?
7. Do you find that such violence also still happen in the society where you live? What cases can you find in your society?
8. Does violence against women in Islam make you consider or think that women and men should be equal in Islam family? Why do you think so?
