ABSTRACT
Lilis, Weni. (2015). Women’s Oppression in Afghanistan During Taliban Regime in Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
The Breadwinner is a novel about an eleven-year-old girl who becomes the
breadwinner for her family. The writer finds the story in the novel is interesting to be discussed. In analyzing this study, the writer proposes two research questions. Those are; first, how women’s oppression changed the major character’s caharacteristic as seen in the novel and the second one is how women’s oppression is exposed in the novel.
In order to answer the first research question, the writer employs the theory of characterization and the theory of types of character, then in answering the second research question, the writer employs the theory of setting, the theory of women’s oppression, and a review on Afghanistan during Taliban regime.
The method of this study is a library research. There are two kinds of data sources in this study. The primary data source is taken from the novel itself, The
Breadwinner, and the secondary data source is taken from the internet, and some
books related to the theories which are employed in this study. Besides that, this study employs sociocultural-historical approach.
Parvana is an eleven-year-old girl who becomes the breadwinner for her family. When she becomes the breadwinner, she does not show herself. She disguises herself into a boy so she could go outside, go to work, and earn money for her family. As she has disguised herself into a boy Parvana’s character is changed. In the beginning of the story when she still has her father, Parvana is a coward and an envious girl. Then, after her father’s arrest, Parvana’s character changes into a brave and a mature girl. The situation in her family changes her. Besides that, the situation in her living place also changes her character.
Women in Afghanistan receive different treatment from the Taliban. The Taliban apply very strict rules to women. The researcher finds out women’s oppression which is experienced by Afghan women are; women are not permitted to get education, to work, to enter to a shop, to make noise while walking, and to be outside alone without a companion. Besides that, women must cover themselves by wearing burqa when they are outside.
ABSTRAK
Lilis, Weni. (2015). Women’s Oppression in Afghanistan During Taliban Regime in Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
The Breadwinner adalah sebuah novel yang menceritakan seorang anak berumur sebelas tahun yang menjadi tulang punggung untuk keluarganya. Penulis merasa bahwa novel ini menarik untuk didiskusikan. Dalam menganalisi studi ini, penulis mengusulkan dua rumusan masalah. Rumusan masalah yang pertama adalah, bagaimana penindasan wanita mengubah karakter utama seperti yang terlihat dinovel, lalu yang kedua adalah bagaimana penindasan wanita dibeberkan dinovel.
Dalam menjawab pertanyaan pertama yang terdapat dirumusan masalah, penulis menggunakan teori characterization dan teori types of character. Lalu dalam menjawab pertanyaan yang kedua penulis menggunakan teori setting, teori
women’s oppression, dan resensi pada Afghanistan selama masa pemerintahan
Taliban.
Metode penelitian ini adalah studi pustaka. Ada dua macam sumber data di dalam penelitian ini. Sumber data primer diambil dari novel itu sendiri, dan sumber data kedua diambil dari internet, dan beberapa buku yang berkaitan dengan teori yang digunakan distudi ini. Selain itu, studi ini menggunakan pendekatan sociocultural-historical.
Parvana adalah seorang gadis berumur sebelas tahun yang menjadi tulang punggung untuk keluarganya. Ketika menjadi pencari nafkah, dia tidak menunjukkan identitas aslinya. Parvana menyamar menjadi laki-laki sehingga Parvana bisa pergi keluar, pergi bekerja, dan mencari uang untuk keluarganya. Dengan menyamar menjadi laki-laki karakter Parvana berubah. Diawal cerita, ketika Parvana masih memiliki ayahnya, Parvana adalah seorang yang penakut dan iri hati. Lalu, setelah ayahnya ditangkap, karakter Parvana berubah menajdi seorang yang berani dan dewasa. Situasi dikeluarga mengubah karakter Parvana. Selain itu, situasi ditempat tinggal Parvana juga mengubah karakter Parvana.
Perempuan di Afghanistan menerima perlakuan yang berbeda dari Taliban. Taliban memberlakukan peraturan yang sangat ketat kepada perempuan. Penulis menemukan penindasan perempuan yang dialami oleh perempuan Afghanistan adalah sebagai berikut; perempuan Afghanistan tidak boleh mendapatkan pendidikan, bekerja, masuk ke toko, mengeluarkan suara ketika berjalan,dan berada di luar tanpa ada yang menemani. Selain itu, perempuan harus menutup tubuh mereka dengan burqa ketika berada di luar.
WOMEN
’S
OPPRESSION IN AFGHANISTAN DURING
TALIBAN REGIME IN DEBORAH ELLIS’
THE
BREADWINNER
A Sarjana Pendidikan Final Paper
Presented as Partial Fullfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By Weni Lilis
Student Number: 101214057
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
i
WOMEN
’S
OPPRESSION IN AFGHANISTAN DURING
TALIBAN REGIME IN DEBORAH ELLIS’
THE
BREADWINNER
A Sarjana Pendidikan
Final PaperPresented as Partial Fullfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By Weni Lilis
Student Number: 101214057
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
iv
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this final paper, which I have written, does not contain the work or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, 20 August 2015
The Writer
v
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILIMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswi Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama : Weni Lilis
Nomor Mahasiswa : 101214057
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilimiah saya yang berjudul:
WOMEN’S OPPRESSION IN AFGHANISTAN DURING TALIBAN REGIME IN DEBORAH ELLIS’ THE BREADWINNER
Dengan demikian, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, medistribusikannya secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau di media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu ijin dari saya maupun memberikan royality kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikianlah pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 20 Agustus 2015
Yang menyatakan
vi
ABSTRACT
Lilis, Weni. (2015). Women’s Oppression in Afghanistan During Taliban Regime in Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
The Breadwinner is a novel about an eleven-year-old girl who becomes the
breadwinner for her family. The writer finds the story in the novel is interesting to be discussed. In analyzing this study, the writer proposes two research questions. Those are; first, how women’s oppression changed the major character’s caharacteristic as seen in the novel and the second one is how women’s oppression is exposed in the novel.
In order to answer the first research question, the writer employs the theory of characterization and the theory of types of character, then in answering the second research question, the writer employs the theory of setting, the theory of women’s oppression, and a review on Afghanistan during Taliban regime.
The method of this study is a library research. There are two kinds of data sources in this study. The primary data source is taken from the novel itself, The
Breadwinner, and the secondary data source is taken from the internet, and some
books related to the theories which are employed in this study. Besides that, this study employs sociocultural-historical approach.
Parvana is an eleven-year-old girl who becomes the breadwinner for her family. When she becomes the breadwinner, she does not show herself. She disguises herself into a boy so she could go outside, go to work, and earn money for her family. As she has disguised herself into a boy Parvana’s character is changed. In the beginning of the story when she still has her father, Parvana is a coward and an envious girl. Then, after her father’s arrest, Parvana’s character changes into a brave and a mature girl. The situation in her family changes her. Besides that, the situation in her living place also changes her character.
Women in Afghanistan receive different treatment from the Taliban. The Taliban apply very strict rules to women. The researcher finds out women’s oppression which is experienced by Afghan women are; women are not permitted to get education, to work, to enter to a shop, to make noise while walking, and to be outside alone without a companion. Besides that, women must cover themselves by wearing burqa when they are outside.
vii
ABSTRAK
Lilis, Weni. (2015). Women’s Oppression in Afghanistan During Taliban Regime in Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
The Breadwinner adalah sebuah novel yang menceritakan seorang anak berumur sebelas tahun yang menjadi tulang punggung untuk keluarganya. Penulis merasa bahwa novel ini menarik untuk didiskusikan. Dalam menganalisi studi ini, penulis mengusulkan dua rumusan masalah. Rumusan masalah yang pertama adalah, bagaimana penindasan wanita mengubah karakter utama seperti yang terlihat dinovel, lalu yang kedua adalah bagaimana penindasan wanita dibeberkan dinovel.
Dalam menjawab pertanyaan pertama yang terdapat dirumusan masalah, penulis menggunakan teori characterization dan teori types of character. Lalu dalam menjawab pertanyaan yang kedua penulis menggunakan teori setting, teori
women’s oppression, dan resensi pada Afghanistan selama masa pemerintahan
Taliban.
Metode penelitian ini adalah studi pustaka. Ada dua macam sumber data di dalam penelitian ini. Sumber data primer diambil dari novel itu sendiri, dan sumber data kedua diambil dari internet, dan beberapa buku yang berkaitan dengan teori yang digunakan distudi ini. Selain itu, studi ini menggunakan pendekatan sociocultural-historical.
Parvana adalah seorang gadis berumur sebelas tahun yang menjadi tulang punggung untuk keluarganya. Ketika menjadi pencari nafkah, dia tidak menunjukkan identitas aslinya. Parvana menyamar menjadi laki-laki sehingga Parvana bisa pergi keluar, pergi bekerja, dan mencari uang untuk keluarganya. Dengan menyamar menjadi laki-laki karakter Parvana berubah. Diawal cerita, ketika Parvana masih memiliki ayahnya, Parvana adalah seorang yang penakut dan iri hati. Lalu, setelah ayahnya ditangkap, karakter Parvana berubah menajdi seorang yang berani dan dewasa. Situasi dikeluarga mengubah karakter Parvana. Selain itu, situasi ditempat tinggal Parvana juga mengubah karakter Parvana.
Perempuan di Afghanistan menerima perlakuan yang berbeda dari Taliban. Taliban memberlakukan peraturan yang sangat ketat kepada perempuan. Penulis menemukan penindasan perempuan yang dialami oleh perempuan Afghanistan adalah sebagai berikut; perempuan Afghanistan tidak boleh mendapatkan pendidikan, bekerja, masuk ke toko, mengeluarkan suara ketika berjalan,dan berada di luar tanpa ada yang menemani. Selain itu, perempuan harus menutup tubuh mereka dengan burqa ketika berada di luar.
viii
This Undergraduate Final Paper is
dedicated to:
Myself
My beloved father and mother
My beloved sister and brother
My beloved cousins
My beloved Heindra Pradana
and
ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my Lord, Jesus Christ, for His blessings, love, and forgiveness so that I can do my very best to finish my final paper. He always shows me the way to finish my final paper when I am about to give up.
I am very grateful to my advisor, C. Sih Prabandari, S.Pd., M.Hum. for her patience, advice, suggestion, guidance, and encouragement during the completion of my final paper. I also would like to express my sincere gratitude to all PBI Lecturers who always support me and remind me to finish my study as soon as possible, especially Ibu Dr. Retno Muljani, M.Pd., Ibu Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum., Ibu Caecelia Tutyandari, S.Pd., M.Pd., Bapak Drs. Y. B. Gunawan, M.A., and Bapak Markus Budiraharjo, S.Pd., M.Ed., Ed.D. I also thank all secretary staff of English Language Education Study Program for being so helpful and friendly especially Mbak Dhanniek.
x
My special gratitude goes to my beloved Heindra Pradana, S.Pd. for his support, prayer, encouragement, and never ending love he gives to me during my time in finishing m final paper.
I will be forever thankful for having friends like Gitta, Martha, Clara, Tika, Claudia, Mona, Wara, Dian, Disa, Ineke, Simon, Fendi, Daniel, Mas Adit, Barry, Nata, Christy, Eryan, Wati and all English Language Education Study Program 2010 students who have motivated, supported and encouraged me to finish my final paper. They always remind me to finish my final paper and never give up. I would also thank Mbak Sita. I thank her for helping me by being a proof reader for my final paper and for her meaningful feedback.
Lastly, I would like to thank all people whom cannot be mentioned here one by one for supporting and helping me to finish this paper, and for all the memories they have shared in my life during my time in finishing this paper and my study.
xi STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ... PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ...
A. The Characteristics of Parvana as seen in Deborah Ellis’ The
Breadwinner ...
1. Brave ... 2. Mature ... 3. Reliable ... B. Women’s Oppression in Afghanistan as Exposed in The
Breadwinner ...
1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of the background of the study and the approach of the study. Background of the study provides the reason of choosing the story, benefits of the study, the problems formulation, and the objectives of the study. Then, approach of the study discusses the object of the study, the method and the approach which are employed in the study.
A.Background of the Study
There are various kinds of works of literature; one of them is novel. According to Bressler (1999),
Novel as a work of literature is a text with certain qualities, contains some elements such as plot, character, tone, symbol, conflict that often represents author’s life or experience and has major action to give values to the readers, and also to entertain the readers (p.10).
It means that besides entertaining the readers, reading novel might also give values to the readers. The author of the novel could create or write any story which she would like to tell the readers. The stories could be a love story, a history, a tragedy, etc. A novel might also enrich the readers’ knowledge through the story which is told in it. Novel is divided into two types, there are fiction and nonfiction.
her inspiration when she visited refugees in Afghanistan. In writing the story, the author describes the setting in the novel such as the place and the time, the character in the novel; character’s feeling and situation. The purpose of describing
the setting in the novel is to tell the readers about the society which exists in the novel. Langland, (1984) states, “society is a concept and a construct in fiction” (p.4). It means that by describing the society it would help the readers understand the concept in the novel. In other word, the author wants the readers to put themselves into the situation in the novel. However, the situations in the novel are just the same as the situations in our reality nowadays. Since the situation in the novel still exists today, the researcher hopes the readers might understand the story better.
Men and women have the same rights to live in this world. In some countries, women and men get the same treatment in the surroundings. However, in some other countries, women are treated differently as men. Afghanistan is one of the countries which treats men and women differently. According to Wall (2014), “The perpetration of men’s violence against women is understood to be a
happens nowadays, this case has already drawn big attention to people around the world. It makes the researcher wants to analyze this case deeper.
The author of the novel is Deborah Ellis. She is one of feminist activists in Canada. She writes a novel about Afghan women’s life based on her experience when she visited Afghanistan. The novel is entitled The Breadwinner because the novel tells about an eleven-year-old girl who becomes the breadwinner for her family. She becomes the breadwinner because women are oppressed by the Taliban. Therefore, she disguises herself into a boy so the Taliban would not know her identity. Based on the novel, Taliban is a group of Muslim people who rule the country (Ellis, 2000:11). The story in the novel takes place in Afghanistan, where the Taliban controls the country. This novel also reveals the social situation which happens to the major character and other women in Afghanistan where women could not go outside of their house, they could not go to work or school, and they must cover their body when they go outside.
then, Parvana is the only one who can help her family. Unfortunately, she has an unwise sister. Her sister does not want to go to work for her family. Her sister just stays at home and helps her mother. Hence, the family’s only hope is Parvana. Besides Parvana’s story, the novel also reveals the social situation which happens in Afghanistan. The author also tells about how the Taliban leads the country and how they treat the women unfairly.
The benefits of this study are the readers might able to enhance their knowledge about the women’s oppression that happens in Afghanistan. It provides some information and knowledge for the readers to learn about women’s oppression during the Taliban regime. It might also help the readers to have a better understanding about Afghanistan’s social culture and also its history. Another benefit is it will develop people’s awareness of women’s oppression. The researcher expects by discussing it, women’s oppression in the surroundings society, or even the world would decrease.
Based on the background of the study, the major character’s characteristics and women’s oppression are the main object of this study. Therefore, the researcher decides that, there are two formulated problems which are needed to be analyzed in this study. Those formulated problems are; first, “How does women’s oppression change the major character’s characteristics as seen in the novel?” and “How is women’s oppression exposed in the novel?” By conducting this study,
The objectives of this study are to find out the changes of the major character’s characteristics and to show women’s oppression which is exposed in the novel. By understanding the objectives of the study, the readers are hoped to have high awareness of how to treat people around them. So, there will be no oppression happened in the society. As the readers have known how is the feeling of people who are being oppressed.
B.Approach of the Study
In conducting this research, the researcher employs sociocultural-historical approach. According to Woods and Rohrberger (1971), sociocultural-historical approach insists that the way to understand a literary work is to have better understanding about the society (p.9). Besides, Woods and Rohrberger (1971) also state, the only way to locate a real work is in reference to the civilization which produced it (p.9). Then Woods and Rohrberger (1971) 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 subject matter” (p.9). This approach is occupied to observe the society and the history in Afghanistan. Therefore, the researcher needs to provide sufficient understanding on the society in Afghanistan. By implementing this approach, the researcher expects the reader would have a better understanding about the study through society in Afghanistan which is provided.
The object of this study is a novel of Deborah Ellis entitled The
the author provides some notes about the real situation in Afghanistan at that moment, and also some knowledge about the Taliban which are useful for the readers. This novel tells about Parvana, an eleven-year-old girl who disguises herself into a boy and becomes the breadwinner for her family because of women’s oppression in Afghanistan. She has a younger sister, a younger brother, and an older sister. In becoming the breadwinner for her family, she disguises herself into a boy so she could go outside and earn money freely. She does her Father’s work in the market in order to keep her and her family alive. Besides that, the novel also reveals about women’s oppression which is done by Taliban during their regime. Moreover, the novel also reveals how the Taliban treat people there, not only women but also men. The Taliban would punish everyone who is disobeying the rules. However, they are stricter to women. An-Na’im (1998) states after taking control the capital city of Afghanistan, Taliban had forbidding women to work outside the home, attend school, or to leave their home unless accompanied by a husband, father, brother, or son (p.11). The characters in this novel are fictional ones; however the situation is real because the story of the novel is inspired by the author’s experience when she visited Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. She interviewed Afghan people there.
times in order to have better understanding about the novel. This step also helped the researcher to make a summary of the novel.
The second step was deciding the interesting things which were happened in the novel. In this step, the researcher chose the interesting topic which is needed to be analyzed. After finding the topic, the researcher made the problems formulation, then read books and journals which could help the researcher to answer the problems formulation.
The third step was to answer the questions which were made in the problems formulation. In this step, the researcher analyzed the character which was described in the novel. In order to analyze it, the researcher employed the theory of character and characterization and the theory of types of character. After answering the first question in the problem formulation, the researcher analyzed the next question. In order to analyze this question, the researcher employed the theory of setting, the theory of women’s oppression and a review on Afghanistan during the Taliban regime. Those theories helped the researcher analyze how women’s oppression experienced by Afghan women in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime exposed in the novel, supported by the character and the setting.
8
CHAPTER II DISCUSSION
This chapter discusses the review of related literature and the findings of the changes characterization of the main character and the women’s oppression experienced by Afghan women. The related literature consists of theories which are needed in analyzing this study. The descriptions of the main character and revealing women’s oppression which happens during Taliban regime are the main objects of the discussion.
A. The characteristics of Parvana as seen in Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner
Character and characterization cannot be separated in a literary work. According to Abrams (1985), character is,
The person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and by what they do- the action (p.23).
Character is created through its characterization by the author. In creating character and characterization, it may present the author’s thought and imagination.
There are two types of character. Those types are flat character and round character. According to Forster (1927) as cited in Abrams, a flat character is built around a single idea or quality and is presented without much individualizing detail; therefore it can be described in a single phrase or sentence (p.20). A flat character does not show any change in the character. The character stays steady from the beginning of the story until the end of the story. Then, Forster (1927) defines round character as complex in temperament and motivation and is represented with subtle particularity; thus, the character could not be described easily (p.20). In order to find out the characteristics, readers must understand the characterization of the character from the beginning of the story until the end.
In analyzing the characterization of the major character, the researcher employs the theory of characterization. According to Murphy (1972), there are nine ways of characterization, they are; personal description, character seen by another character, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thoughts, and mannerisms (p.161-173). Even though there are nine ways of characterization, the researcher only employs some ways in analyzing the data. Those are character as seen by another character, thoughts, direct comment, and speech.
characterization, the researcher only employs three ways in analyzing the characteristic of Parvana in the beginning of the story. Those are direct comment, speech, and thought. According to Murphy (1972) author could describe the characterization through direct comment. The author uses his/her comment directly in describing the characterization (p.170). Besides, Murphy also states that the author could reveal the character’s thought in describing the
characterization. Therefore, the readers would be able to understand the character’s thought directly. Another way of telling characterization is by the
speech of the character him/herself. Murphy (1972) states that the author could give the readers insights into the characterization by seeing the character’s speech or by what character says. Besides giving insights, the author could describe the character’s personalities through what he/she says (p.164).
In the beginning of the story, Parvana’s character is a coward and an envious person. Those characters are analyzed by employing Murphy’s theory of characterization. When her father is around, she does not dare to go outside alone because women are not permitted to go outside alone. Parvana goes outside only for helping her father to work. In the market, Parvana is afraid to show herself to the people there. “Parvana would slump down further on the blanket and try to make herself look smaller. She was afraid to look up at the soldiers” (p.8). Whenever someone comes to her father Parvana wants to be invisible so no one would notice her. As cited from the novel, Parvana does not dare to show herself especially when The Taliban is around. “When the Taliban were around, what she
say something out loud. “I can read that letter as well as Father can,” Parvana whispered into the folds of her chador. “Well, almost.”She didn’t dare say those words out loud” (p.7). Besides being coward, Parvana is also envious person. She envies her older sister because her older sister does not have many things to do. Since the Taliban has ordered that women must stay inside her older sister and her mother only do the cleaning at home. Other activities such as fetching water, and outside activities are done by Parvana.
“If you had fetched it yesterday, when Mother asked you, you wouldn’t have so much to haul today,” Nooria said as Parvana passed by her to get the water bucket. Nooria smiled her superior big-sister smile and flipped her hair back over her shoulders. Parvana wanted to kick her. “Nooria never goes for water, nor does Mother. Maryam doesn’t either. She doesn’t have to do anything!” (p.19-20).
Parvana also envies her older sister’s hair. “Nooria had beautiful hair, long, and thick. Parvana’s hair was thin and stringy. She wanted hair like her sister’s and
Nooria knew this” (p.20). Therefore, she hates if the water is used to wash Nooria’s hair. “Parvana hated all that cleaning. It used up the water she had to
haul. The only thing worse was for Nooria to wash her hair” (p.22). Besides that, Parvana envies her sister because she thinks her mother loves Nooria more. When her mother wants to sell her red cloth Parvana tries to argue with her mother.
“My good shalwar kameez! We can’t sell that!” “I decide what we’re going to sell, not you. There’s no longer any use for it, unless you’re planning to go to parties you haven’t bothered to tell me about.”...
“Why don’t we sell Nooria’s good clothes? She’s not going anywhere.” “
However, the character of Parvana changes in the middle of the story. Since her father is arrested, there is no one who could go outside to work besides her. It changes Parvana into a brave person. Parvana knows that she is the only one who could help her family to survive. Moreover, being the breadwinner for her family makes her more mature. Those characters are analyzed by employing Murphy’s nine ways of characterization. However, the writer only employs three ways, namely thought, seen by another character, and direct comment.
1. Brave
According to Murphy (1972), there are nine ways of characterization (p.161). Readers can see the character through the main character’s thought. Murphy (1972) states the author can give the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about (p.171). By knowing the main character’s thought, the readers might know what kind of person the main character is. Another way to know the character’s characterization is by observing how the character is seen by
another character. Murphy (1972) states a characteristic of character can be seen by another character. The author could describe the character by employing another character’s point of view or opinion (p162).
Since Parvana’s father has arrested, no one in the family dares to go outside.
However, the family is running out of water. Then Mrs. Weera asks Parvana to fetch the water because Mrs. Weera knows that Parvana is a brave girl.
Then, another character of Parvana could be seen through her thought. As seen from her thought, Parvana is a brave girl. When her family asks her to disguise herself into a boy, she tries to refuse it. However, she thinks about it, and Mrs. Weera encourages her. After thinking about it, she finally agrees to disguise herself. She finds courage in herself.
When the soldiers come to her house to arrest her father, Nooria, her older sister hides herself in a small room and covers herself with a chador. Parvana is sitting in her place and cannot move herself to hide. While sitting, she sees the soldiers hit her mother and other soldiers drag her father outside. The soldiers hit her mother until her mother falls down to the floor. By seeing her mother falls down, it gives courage Parvana to take an action while her older sister hides herself. “Seeing her Mother on the ground finally propelled Parvana into action. When the soldiers dragged her Father outside, she flung her arms around his waist” (p.31).
As one of the soldiers has dragged her father outside, the other soldiers are still inside the house looking for things to be taken away. When Parvana sees it, she is thinking about her father’s books which are hidden at the bottom of the cupboard. She thinks that the soldier will find it so it leads her to scream. Even though her body hurts, she still wants to protect her father’s book.
She is the one who forces the soldiers to go away from her house. Her mother is on the floor and her body hurts because of the hitting. As an eleven-year-old-girl, Parvana is brave to do it. She has the courage which her older sister does not have. Since her father is arrested, no one goes outside. They eat what they have until the third day; they are running out of food. Nooria tells Parvana to go outside to buy food and to fetch water. Since her father’s arrest, she is the one who will do her father’s work. As she cannot go out without her chador, her mother and Mrs. Weera finally make a decision which is quite hard to believe. Her mother and Mrs. Weera will turn her into a boy. At first, Parvana is scared that people and the Talib will find out that she is not a boy. She refuses the plan. However, thinking about the situation now, she knows that agreeing to the plan is the only way to help them survive. When Parvana refuses the decision, Mrs. Weera tells her that they can force her to do it but they cannot force her to act as a boy. By knowing that gives her courage.
Parvana realized Mrs. Weera was right. They could hold her down and cut off her hair, but for anything more. They needed her coorperation. In the end, it really was her decision. Somehow, knowing that made it easier to agree. “Allright,” she said. “I’ll do it” (p.66).
to the tap with me?” (p.86). After taking her younger sister outside successfully,
Parvana also wants to take out her mother and her older sister. By disguising herself as a boy, it gives her courage to take all her family members outside to enjoy the sun and see the situation outside. Even though she knows the risk, she still wants to do it. Parvana wants all her family can go outside the house and enjoy the sun outside as they cannot enjoy it when they are inside the house.
“One day, after she had been working for a week, Parvana had an idea. “Mother, I’m seen as a boy, right?”
“That’s the idea,” Mother said.
“Then I could be your escort,” Parvana said.
“I could be Nooria’s escort too, and you could both get outside sometimes” (p.89).
Through Parvana’s thought, it can be seen that she is a brave person who is
willing to do anything to help her family. She has the courage that not all the kids in Afghanistan have. Even though she is not the only one who disguises herself into a boy, the writer can still see the courage in Parvana. She dares to do something which is impossible for others to do, such as digging up the bones in the graveyard. It really needs strong courage for an eleven-year-old girl to do it and Parvana has it. Besides, Mrs. Weera knows that Parvana is a brave girl who is willing to do anything for her family.
2. Mature
As the situation in her family has changed, Parvana’s character also changes. In the beginning of the story, she envies her older sister. However, after her father’s arrest, Parvana realizes that she does not want to lose other family
the breadwinner, to take her older sister’s role, to take care of the family. Parvana’s character is analyzed by employing Murphy’s nine ways of
characterization. However, the researcher only employs two out of nine ways namely thoughts and direct comment.
When they are out of food, Nooria asks Parvana to go outside to buy it. However, Parvana does not want to do it because Parvana thinks that it is Nooria’s responsibility. Then Parvana looks at Nooria and she begins to think that
Nooria is not accustomed to go outside. Parvana also sees fear in Nooria. So, she decides to go outside. “Nooria looked terrified. If Parvana didn’t obey her, she would have to go for food herself. Now I’ve got her, Parvana thought. I can make
her as miserable as she makes me. But she was suprised to find that this thought gave her no pleasure” (p.52-53).
As she has disguised herself into a boy, Parvana works in the market. Then one day, she discovers that there is also another girl who disguises herself into a boy. She is Shauzia, her classmates. When she meets Shauzia, Shauzia gives her dried apricots. She is happy to receive it because it has been a long time she does not eat the dried apricots. As she receives the dried apricots, Parvana does not keep the apricots for herself only. She counts them and thinks that the apricots are enough for everyone in her family. “She counted them. There was one for
Mrs. Weera tells Parvana about a plan which is made by her, her mother and Nooria. They are going to start a school at home and Nooria will be the teacher. Parvana does not think that Nooria will become a good teacher, however, she does not want to say it because she does not want to hurt Nooria’s feeling. “Parvana didn’t like the idea of learning from Nooria. As a teacher, she’d be even bossier
than she was as a big sister! Still, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen
Nooria excited about something, so she keep quiet” (p.102).
Being the breadwinner for her family makes Parvana does not want to argue with Nooria any more, Parvana has understood the situation in her family. Parvana understands that Nooria is not able to go outside because she is not permitted to go outside not because she does not want to. If Nooria goes outside it will be very dangerous for Nooria. Therefore, Parvana does not want to argue with her. “Nooria hadn’t said anything nasty to Parvana in ages. Or maybe it’s me who’s changed, Parvana thought. Arguing with Nooria simply didn’t make sense
any more” (p.118). The situation in the family and the women oppression have changed Parvana’s character into a mature person. She does not think that arguing
with Nooria gives her pleasure.
One day, Parvana saw something bad happening in the stadium. The Taliban cut people’s head and hand because those people were thieves. By seeing that,
Parvana worries about her father. She decides to take a break from work. However, she understands that she could not take the break forever. She knows that she must take care of her family. “No one said anything to Parvana when the
had to be taken care of” (p.124). Again, this fact shows that Parvana has unusual thoughts despite the fact that she is only eleven years old.
Since Parvana becomes the breadwinner for her family, Parvana always thinks and cares about her family. She does everything for her family. She does not think that she could leave her family. Parvana’s friend Shauzia plans to go to
France and leaves her family in Afghanistan. Shauzia wants to leave her family because she does not want to work for her family. She hates living in Afghanistan. Shauzia asks Parvana to come with her. However Parvana refuses to go because she could not leave her family. “Do you want to come with me?” Shauzia asked. “We could look after each other.” “I don’t know.” She could leave Afghanistan,
but could she leave her family? She didn’t think so” (p.128). Parvana is different to Shauzia. Even though living in Afghanistan is difficult for her, she still does not want to leave Afghanistan and her family. The situation changes Parvana not to an eleven-year-old girl’s character.
Women’s oppression which happens in Afghanistan influences Parvana’s character in the novel. The situation in Afghanistan and her family make Parvana becomes a brave and a mature girl. Parvana acts like an adult whereas she is just eleven years old. Being the breadwinner also makes Parvana becomes a reliable person. From the beginning until the end of the story, Parvana remains as a reliable girl. This character is stable because the character does not change from the beginning of the story until the end of the story.
from another character’s point of view or opinion. Then, another way is finding
the characterization through the direct comment from the author. 3. Reliable
When her father is around, her father needs Parvana in order to work. Her mother and her sister need her in order to fetch water. Then, when her father is arrested, her family relies on her in order to survive. Her mother and Mrs. Weera also believe that they could rely on Parvana. So, they ask Parvana to disguise herself in order to work outside freely. Everyone in her family believes that Parvana is a reliable person so they could rely on Parvana in order to survive.
In the market, when the Talib asks her father about Parvana being outside, her father would tell them that he needs Parvana in order to work. “I need this girl to help me walk,” her Father would tell any Talib who asked, pointing to his leg”
(p.8). Then, when her father is arrested, he tells Parvana to take care of the family. “When the soldiers dragged her father outside, she flung her arms around his waist. As the soldiers pried her loose, she heard her father say, “Take care of
others, my Malali.” Then he was gone” (p.31).
being chased by the soldier. They ask Parvana to disguise herself into a boy. “They were going to turn her into a boy. “As a boy, you’ll be able to move in and
out of the market, buy what we need, and no one will stop you,” Mother said” (p.63).
When her mother and Mrs. Weera tell her about their plan, firstly, Parvana refuses to do it. She knows that the Talib might recognize her. However, she gives a thought on that plan, because she knows that there is no one in the family who is able to help the family. Finally, she agrees to disguise herself into a boy. Mrs. Weera encourages her because she is sure that Parvana is able to do it.
“It has to be your decision,” Mrs. Weera said. “We can force you to cut off your hair, but you’re still the one who has to go outside and act the part. We know this is a big thing we’re asking, but I think you can do it. How about it?” (p.65).
Parvana has agreed to their plan, she disguises herself into a boy. It is easier for her to go outside. Her mother trusts her that she is able to earn money and work like her father does. She works as a letter writer and reader in the market. Her mother even gives compliment to Parvana when Parvana has succeeded buying their needs. “Take your Father’s writing things and his blanket, and go to the market,” Mother told her. “Maybe you can earn some money. You’ve been
watching your Father all this time. Just do what he did” (p.74).
agrees with her plan. “Nooria, Ali should go outside. Parvana is able to manage
fine with Maryam, but Ali squirms so much. You will have to hold onto him” (p.90).
Besides finding the characterization through another character’s opinion, the researcher also finds the characterization through the direct comment from the author. According to Murphy (1972), the author could use the direct comment in describing the characterization (p.172). As seen from the author’s comment Parvana is a reliable person. The author describes why Parvana is being outside with her father. “Parvana was there only to help her father walk to the market and
back home again after work” (p.7). Then, when Parvana is asked to fetch water, even though Parvana does not want to do it, but the author gives a clear comment that Parvana has to fetch the water because there is no one else. “Parvana knew
she had to fetch the water because there was nobody else in the family who could do it” (p.20-21). Through the author’s comment, the writer sees that the family relies on Parvana for going outside and doing outside activities.
Through another character’s opinion and direct comment from the author, it
can be seen that Parvana is a reliable person. This character does not change from the beginning until the end of the story. Parvana’s family needs her help in order
to keep alive. It makes Parvana a reliable person.
B.Women’s opression in Afghanistan as exposed in The Breadwinner
during the Taliban regime. It is expected that the information might help the readers understand the history of Taliban in Afghanistan and might enrich the readers’ knowledge about Afghanistan during the Taliban regime.
Afghanistan is one of a Moslem countries in South Central Asia. It is located in South Central Asia near Pakistan and Iran. The declaration of Afghanistan was in 1919. Based on the novel,
Afghanistan has been at war since 1978, when American-backed figthers opposed the Soviet-backed government. In 1980, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and the war escalated, with both sides bombing and killing with modern weapons. After the Soviets left in 1989, a civil war erupted, as various groups fought for control of the country. (Ellis, 2000:167)
Before the Taliban, Afghanistan was led by a king. The king was Mohammed Zahir Shah. Then, Taliban took over the country in 1996.
Bajoria and Laub (2013) defined Taliban as a “Sunni Islamic extremist
group that ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001”. Bajoria and Laub (2013) also stated that the Taliban was formed by Afghan Mujahideen who fought against the Soviet. The Taliban was emerged as a force in national politics in 1994 in the midst of the country’s civil war. In governing the country, the Taliban applied an
austere form of Islamic Law.
the setting of place and time, readers can obtain more detailed information about the story in the novel.
The setting of place in the novel was in Afghanistan and the setting of time was during the Taliban regime which was in 1996 to 2001. During the Taliban regime women were oppressed by the Taliban. The Taliban applied rules which were not fair to women. Many women struggled to survive during the Taliban regime even though they could not do much. Women’s oppression happened during the Taliban regime.
During the Taliban regime, women does not have their freedom. Cudd (2004) defines oppression as a name as social injustice, which is to say that it is perpetrated through social institutions, practices, and norms on social groups by social groups. Oppression can be done to everyone (p.2). Cudd (2004) also defines oppression as a “harm, which persons are systematically and unfairly
constrained, burdened, or reduced by any several forces” (p.2) In this study the person refers to women. The Taliban apply very strict rules to women. The Taliban forbade women to go to school or work. By employing the theory of women’s oppression, the following is the evidence of women’s oppression during the Taliban regime which is exposed in the novel.
1. Women are not allowed to get education
The Taliban had ordered all the girls and women in Afghanistan to stay inside their homes. They even forbade girls to go to school. Parvana had to leave her sixth grade class, and her sister Nooria was not allowed to go to her high school (p.7).
Once the Taliban find out about school, they would close the school immediately. “The Taliban would close down any school they discovered” (p.132). Therefore,
besides women are not allowed to go to school, there is also no more school in Afghanistan because the Taliban has closed the school.
2. Women are not allowed to work
Besides school, women are also not permitted to work. An-Na’im (1998) states the Taliban forbid women to work outside the home (p.11). In the novel, Parvana’s mother does not work anymore because the Taliban has kicked her out.
Their mother had been kicked out of her job as a writer for a Kabul radio station” (p.7). Besides her mother, Mrs. Weera also loses her job. “She had been a physical teacher before the Taliban made her leave her job” (p.58). Women are allowed to do the housework only. “Mother and Nooria were always cleaning something. Since they couldn’t work or go to school, they didn’t have much else to do”
(p.22). Only men are allowed to work. Men do the shopping which is usually done by women. “Men were supposed to do all the shopping” (p.54).
3. Women must wear burqa
-length covering with only a mesh opening to see and breathe through” (p.11). By wearing burqa, they could only show their eyes. Burqa covers their body and their faces. In the novel, it is explained that burqa is, “A long, tent-like garment, it
covers women completely and even has a narrow mesh screen over the eyes” (p.169). If they go outside without burqa, women could get trouble and punishment.
“Where is your burqa?” She looked around but couldn’t see one. “Are you outside without a burqa?” The woman nodded.
“What are you doing outside without a burqa? You could get in a lot of trouble for that” (p.145).
When Parvana is asked to go shopping, she is confused about what is she going to do in order to buy the things. Parvana is confused because she does not wear burqa. She does not know how to shop because there is also a rule for women when they are shopping.
Parvana wasn’t sure if she would consider a woman. On the one hand, if she behaved like woman and stood outside the shop and called in her order, she could get in trouble for not wearing burqa. On the other hand, if she went into a shop, she could get in trouble for not acting like woman (p.54).
Women could be punished for not wearing burqa. When Parvana in the market and she does not wear her burqa, she gets caught by the soldier.
“What are you doing on the street dressed like that?”
“You must be covered up! Who is your father? Who is your husband? They
will be punished for letting you walk the street like that!” The soldier raised his arm and brought his stick down on Parvana’s soldier (p.55).
By wearing burqa, sometimes women could not see the street clearly. It is difficult for women to walk with burqa.
“How do they see where they are going?” “They fall down a lot,” her father replied. He was right. Parvana had seen them fall (p.17).
4. Women are not allowed to enter to the shop
Even though the Taliban has ordered women to stay inside, women are still allowed to go outside but they must wear burqa. For example, to go to a shop to buy things. If a woman does not have husband or son, then she does the shopping. However, once she goes to a shop, she must stay outside the shop. There will be a punishment for the shopkeepers who disobey the rule. An-Na’im (1998) states male physicians cannot properly examine women patients because of the prohibitions on touching women or looking at the bodies. If the male physicians are caught treating women, they would be beaten and thrown to jail (p.17). The rule is also applied to shopkeepers who treat women inside the shop. Therefore, if women go to a shop, women must stay outside the shop.
Women were not allowed to go to into the shops. Men were supposed to do all the shopping, but if women did it, they had to stand outside and call for what they needed. Parvana had seen shopkeepers beaten for serving women inside their shops (p54).
5. Women are not allowed to be outside alone
her husband” (p.38). When Parvana and her mother want to go to the prison to get her father out of jail they cannot take the public transportation. “Buses were not permitted to carry women who did not have a man with them. They would have to walk a whole way” (p.38). It is not fair because men are allowed to take the public transportation even when they are alone.
6. Women must walk slowly
Another rule for women is they must walk slowly. According to An-Na’im (1998), “Women are not permitted to wear white (the color of the Taliban flag)
socks or white shoes, or shoes that make noise while they are walking” (p.11). Women are not allowed to make noise while walking. “The Taliban had made it a crime for women to make noise when they walked” (p.148). Based on the rule, it is really difficult for women to beoutside. Many rules are applied to them but those rules are only for women.
28
CHAPTER III
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
In this chapter, the researcher provides the result of the analysis of this study and the suggestions for future researchers and future teachers or lecturers.
A. Conclusions
The conclusion of this study is Afghan women suffer a lot during the Taliban regime. However, it does not make some of them giving up. Based on the story in the novel and the analysis of the characterization in the main character, the main character in the novel, Parvana is a brave and a mature girl. However, in the beginning of the story, the main character is a coward and an envious girl. The characteristics are changed in the middle of the story due to Parvana’s father’s arrest and the situation in Kabul and Parvana’s family. Women’s oppression and Parvana’s father’s arrest change Parvana’s characteristics into a brave and a
mature girl. Besides the changing in the characteristic, there is one characteristic which does not change. Parvana is a reliable girl.
this study exposes the feeling of Afghan women and also their opinion towards Taliban’s rules for Afghan women. It helps the readers understand their feeling
and how bad the women’s oppression in Afghanistan. B. Suggestions
In addition to the conclusion, the reseacrher proposes suggestions for future researchers and future lecturers/teachers.
1. For Future Researchers
The Breadwinner, novel of Deborah Ellis is about women who struggle
from Taliban and an eleven-year-old girl who becomes breadwinner for her family. Taliban leads the country by applying very strict rules. For future researchers, the researcher suggests analyzing the novel from the psychological aspect. The future researchers might analyze the inner conflict which is experienced by the main character and the supporting character. The supporting character in the novel is Shauzia. Shauzia is an eleven-year-old girl who also becomes the Breadwinner for her family. Parvana and Shauzia work together in order to keep their family alive. However, they have different family situation. It might be interesting and thoughtful to compare and contrast these two characters. 2. For Future Lecturers/Teachers
31
REFERENCES
Abrams, M. H. (1985). A glossary of literary terms. New York: Holt, Reinhart & Winston Inc.
An-Na’im, A. A. (1998). The Taliban’s war on women: A health and human rights crisis in Afghanistan. Boston: Library of Congress Catalog.
Bressler, C. (1999). Literary criticism: An introduction to theory and practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Ellis, D. (2000). The breadwinner. Toronto: Groundwood Books.
Holman, C., & Harmon, W. (1986). A handbook to literature (5th ed.). New York:
Macmillan, Inc.
Langland, E. (1984). Society in the novel. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press.
Murphy, M. J. (1972). Understanding unseens: An introduction to English poetry
and the English novel for overseas students. London: Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Woods, H. S., & Rohrberger, M. (1971). Reading and writing about literature. New York: Random House.
Bajoria, J., & Laub, Z. (2013). The Taliban in Afghanistan. Retrieved November 14th, 2013, from
http://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/taliban-afghanistan/p10551
Cudd, E. A. (2004). How to explain oppression: Criteria of adequacy for
normative explanatory theories. Retrieved November 14th, 2013, from
http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/7605/1/How%20to% 20Explain%20Oppression%20post%20print.pdf
Wall, L. (2014). Gender equality and violence against women: What’s the
connection. Retrived June 29th, 2015, from,
32 APPENDIX 1
SUMMARY OF THE NOVEL
The Breadwinner is a novel by Deborah Ellis which is published in 2000. The story is about an eleven-year-old girl, Parvana, who becomes a breadwinner for her family and who can make a living for the whole family. She becomes the breadwinner for her family because there is no one else in the family. She becomes the Breadwinner because she is the only one who is accustomed to be outside. She is accustomed to be outside because she always accompanies her father when he goes to work in the market.
Since the Taliban has ordered all women to stay inside and only men who are allowed to go outside, Parvana’s father is the only one in the family who can
during the war. However, while she is in the market, she is not allowed to do anything even to look at the customers. So, she only sits in the market all day waiting for her father to finish his work. Her father works as a letter reader and writer. Most Afghans cannot read or write.
One day, after arriving at home, Parvana’s mother and Parvana’s older sister
are cleaning the house. Her older sister, Nooria, asks her to fetch the water while she and her mother prepare for dinner. After having dinner, suddenly, soldiers come to their house and arrest her father without any specific reason. The soldier only says that Taliban knows about her father’s education. Her father goes to school in London so her father could speak English and the Taliban forbids it and arrests him.
Mrs. Weera is her mother’s friend. She only lives with her grandson. After Parvana and Mrs. Weera arrive at home, Nooria tells Mrs. Weera about her father’s arrest and her mother’s condition. Mrs. Weera has talked to her mother, finally her mother wants to talk them all again. Mrs. Weera stays one night at Parvana’s home and has a discussion with her mother. In the next morning, when
Parvana wakes up, they tell Parvana about their plan. Since there is no man in the family, someone must go outside to work and buy things. So, Mrs. Weera and her mother make a plan about disguising her into a boy.
At first, Parvana does not agree to their plan. She refuses to do it and asks her older sister to do it because she is the oldest. However, after having a discussion with Mrs. Weera, Parvana decides want to do it. She agrees to disguise herself into a boy. Her mother cuts her hair and put her older brother’s clothes on her. She wears her older brother’s clothes because he has died.
Since Parvana is able to go outside now, Parvana works hard and earns money as much as she can. While working in the market, she meets her friend who also disguises herself into a boy. The Talib’s rules have changed the girls to change their identity in order to be alive. Parvana also works as a letter reader and writer like her father does. However, only working as letter reader and writer cannot earn much money. So, she joins her friend to work as bone digger. Since working as bone digger is dangerous, she only works for a week.
Mazar-I-Sharif. That place has not been attacked by Taliban. Her mother tells her that she and others are going to Mazar-I-Sharif including Parvana. However, Parvana refuses to go because she is sure that one day her father will come back to the family. Finally, her mother agrees to leave Parvana in Kabul with Mrs. Weera. Then her mother, Nooria, Maryam, and Ali go to Mazar-I-Sharif to meet Nooria’s future husband.
After her family left her, Parvana is sad so she decides to take a rest for few days. After resting for few days, she goes back to work in the market. One day, she goes home late and it is raining. She decides to stop at an empty building and wait for the rain to stop. At that building, she hears someone is crying. Then, she asks the person about his/her position because it is dark in the building. Since that person does not answer Parvana, Parvana finds her matches. She strikes her matches. Finally, she sees a person near the wall. After introducing herself to that person, Parvana takes that person home. At home, that person introduces herself to Parvana and Mrs. Weera. That person is Homa. She is from Mazar-I-Sharif. She tells Parvana and Mrs. Weera that she has just lost her family because the Taliban has attacked there. Parvana is shocked. At night, she cannot sleep, because she knows that her family now is in trouble and she does not know where they are now.
After hearing Homa’s story, Parvana is sad, so she decides not to work for
lays down in the Toshak. Parvana is happy because her father is back. After thanking the two men who bring her father, Parvana tells her father about Nooria’s marriage. Then, her father decides that he and Parvana are going to the
37 APPENDIX 2
BIOGRAPHY OF DEBORAH ELLIS
Deborah Ellis was an award-winning author, a feminist, and a peace activist. Deborah penned the international bestseller The Breadwinner. Deborah Ellis was born in Cochrane, Ontario, Canada, in 1960. She lived up in Moosonee right close to James Bay for the first couple of years of her life. Her parents were working at a hydro outpost up near Abitibi Canyon which did not exist anymore. Then they moved to South when Deborah was a little kid. She and her parents moved to several places due to her parents’ work. Deborah Ellis has one sister who two years older than her. All her public school took place in Paris.
organization of men who were jerks. Since Deborah was isolated, it took some time for her to realize the fact that those men were jerks.
In her journey of being a writer, she got lots of rejections. It was a long road for her to be an author. Once she got her book rejected, she’d always have the
sense that maybe the next one or the next one after that would be the one that would do it and finally she got one. Deborah usually started writing from a question. Like in her book, “Looking for X”, that book came from a question. The
question was, “What would it be like to be the daughter of a stripper?”
Deborah has travelled to many exotic places including Pakistan. She spent her time in Pakistan by helping in refugee camps in 1997. She began to write her book The Breadwinner after her visit in the refugee camps. In the camp, she met a woman who was a member of Afghan women’s organization. She talked to a
woman whose daughter was still in Kabul, Afghanistan. The woman told her about how her daughter’s struggle in order to keep the family alive. That woman cut her daughter’s hair so she could disguise herself into a boy and could go
outside freely.
Deborah is a passionate advocate for the disenfranchised. She “walks the
talk,” donating most of her royalty income to worthy causes — Canadian Women
for Women in Afghanistan, Street Kids International, the Children in Crisis Fund of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) and UNICEF. She has donated more than one million dollars in royalties from her The
Breadwinner books alone.
Adapted from:
http://deborahellis.com/
40
Semester : 2 of English Language Education Study Program Time Allocation : 2x50 minutes class meeting
Material : Literary text; prologue page 7-17
A. Basic Competences:
Competence
On completing this course the students will be able to:
a. Understand some basic reading strategies, namely KWL, previewing, predicting, skimming, scanning, finding pronoun referents, and guessing words meaning from contexts.
b. Apply the reading strategies when reading various types of texts. c. Read the text aloud with correct pronunciation.
d. Provide the meanings of essential used in the texts discussed and used them appropriately.
Conscience
On completing this course the students will be able to: a. Identify humanistic and life values in the reading texts. b.Get good values in the texts for self enrichment.
Compassion
On completing this course the students will be able to:
a. Show concerns on social issues revealed in the reading texts. b. State their attitudes towards particular social issues in the reading
texts in a form of reflective writing. B. Indicators:
1. The students are able to apply some reading strategies
2. The students are able to find the meaning of some vocabularies found in the text
3. The students are able to find the important information of the text 4. The students are able to find the main ideas of the text
5. The students are able to give response to the text C. Teaching Activities:
No Activities Time
Allocation 1 Pre-Reading Activities
