The changing roles of Malay women in novels by Khadilah Hashim

This paper is an attempt to explore the changing roles of women, specifically the changing roles of Malay women as they emerge in the female discourse of five selected novels: Badai Sema/am (Storms of Yesterday, 1968), A/un Hidup (The Wave of tire, 1996) Meneari Azizah (The Journey, 1998), Senator Adila (1999) and Melawan Arus (1999) by Khadijah Hashim. She represents a small number of veteran Malay female novelists who are still actively producing literary work. Her five novels have been specifically selected as they reflect her concern for women, specifically in the Ma!ay society and Malaysian society in general. An overview of the general historical background of the Malays is given. This is followed by a discussion on the roles of Malay women in traditional society as well as contemporary time. Next is a discussion on Malay women\u27s roles as governed by adat or customary law and Islam. Knowledge of these two factors and how they affect Malay women\u27s lives seem appropriate as they are regarded as the basis \u27for appropriate behaviour\u27 that must be followed by all Malays, regardless of sex (Roziah Omar, Ma/ay Woman 16). This study echoes a claim made by a cultural feminist, Elaine Showalter, on studies of women\u27s literature across cultures that women may have different experiences as their experiences are shaped by the socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation and age of their respective cultures, however despite their differences, women have much in common - they still share basic living conditions, are based upon their biology and most of them live in patriarchal societies. The analyses on the changing roles of Malay women as depicted in the novels are based on the premise that female experiences and issues forwarded are within the parameters of Malaysian scenario, hence \u27non-Western\u27 by nature. (Copied from article)