Inem

Inem is a short story that introduces to us the despicable act of marrying out girls at a tender age. The idea of child brides is inextricably linked with poverty, a practice that literally means that girls are sold for cash. The story also lays bare the social norms and values that govern the lives of countless women. Trapped in roles already prescribed for them, girls find no alternative but to succumb to parental pressure to marry someone who often times is much mature than her. This notion gets credence from the words of Muk’s mother who goes about convincing Inem of her duty to her husband. Inem’s role as a wife is paramount as any minor transgression can result in eternal damnation. This is a testament to the constraining factors that ensure that women lay entrapped in marriage, a male dominant institution that gives women anything but respect. Although Muk’s mother does recognize the vulnerable position the little girl is in, all she does is to convince Inem that she should find redemption in a man who beats her up each day. That Inem has no other option speaks to the conservative nature of the Indonesian society in which the story is set. Poverty is the epicenter of all the reasons that result in child brides. Impoverished parents, in the illusion that girls are a burden better be dealt with, are inexorable in their pursuit to find a compatible match. Something truly ironic about the story is the contrasting emotional states of Inem before and after her marriage. Inem is excited and thrilled at the outset, only to become the desolate and lifeless character we see her to be in the end. The story is told through the eyes of Muk, who is not so different from us in his ignorance of the social norms and values that govern Indonesian life. Muk therefore serves an important role as he unravels the position of women in the society. Consider the child’s naïve perspective along with the more mature voice of his mother which in turn is pivotal to our understanding of the story. It is also worthwhile to unmask the conflict that exists even within the same culture. Consider the differing conceptions of the two mothers of what constitutes the best interests of Inem. This visible difference is largely the culmination of their disparate economic backgrounds.