This story by Arswendo Atmowiloto explores the life of an eccentric Indonesian bridal make-up artist. While some of her views reflect Indonesia’s Muslim culture (marrying when it is time, not of love, and support for polygyny), others challenge it (pregnant brides should be proud of their proven fertility and not hide the fact). She believes that while marriage is illogical and “humanity’s most restricting and frightening discovery”, the ceremony brings joy and happiness. She proclaims: “Let people experience joy once in their lives,” implying the ceremony may mark the end of their happiness. Themes include marriage, freedom and happiness. More…
Women in Their Beds
Gina Berriault’s protagonist is a struggling young actress who has just begun a day job as a social worker in the women’s ward of a city hospital. With no qualifications or experience, she finds it hard to maintain clinical detachment and begins to identify with the suffering, often troubled women in the ward. She reflects on turning points in her own life, and concludes that women are shaped by the beds (a metaphor for common life experiences) they have chosen, or someone else has chosen for them, to lie in. Themes: empathy, choice vs. superstition/destiny, identity, aloneness, connection. More…