PAPER

Analysis of The Big Sick

Final Semester Exam Assignment for Multicultural

Dosen: Dr. YUNITA S.S., M.Sas

Created by:

Indri Andikariyani (201010600415)

BACHELOR'S DEGREE (S1)

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LITERATURE FACULTY OF LITERATURE

UNIVERSITAS PAMULANG

2022
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Dating and romantic relationships become increasingly important during adolescence (Collins,

Welsh, & Furman, 2009). These early romantic experiences form the basis for other, more committed

romantic relationships later in life and are of importance for individuals’ mental well-being (Berscheid,

1999; Overbeek, Stattin, Vermulst, Ha, & Engels, 2007; Seiffge-Krenke, 2003). Many studies showed that

the quality of relationships with both parents and friends is important for adolescents’ romantic

relationship development (e.g., Connolly, Craig, Goldberg, & Pepler, 2004; Feiring, 1999).

It is unclear, however, to what extent and how the cultural context affects adolescents’ romantic

development. Most studies on romantic development were conducted, and for the most part did not take

into account adolescents’ different cultural contexts within a country. Ethnic adolescents have cultural

backgrounds that are different from the dominant culture they live in, and the significance of interpersonal

processes with parents and friends might be different in both contexts. For example, in Western cultures—

in this case the dominant culture—it is normative that relationships with parents become less important in

the face of increasing interactions with peers. For ethnic minorities, however, these changes may be less

profound (Brown & Mounts, 2007). It has been argued that aspects of the cultural background might

impact adolescents’ romantic relationship development (Coates, 1999).

1.2 Problem Statement

The formulation of research questions is as follows:

“Is it possible to establish a romantic relationship with differences in ethnicity and culture religion?”

1.3 Research Question

In addition to the formulation of the research question on the problem statement, there are also

other questions based on the research question as follows:

"What causes romantic relationship with differences ethnicity and culture religion can happen ?"
 CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Reviewing Literature

 Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an

American graduate student named Emily at one of

his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms,

he soon becomes worried about what his traditional

Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily

suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her

in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond

with her deeply concerned mother and father.

Kumail, an Uber driver in Chicago, is a struggling stand-up comedian with a one-man

show about his Pakistani American background. His immigrant parents want him to take the

LSAT and continuously set him up with young single Pakistani women, expecting that he will

follow their example of an arranged marriage, but he is uninterested.

After a show, Kumail has a one-night stand with Emily, a

white psychology student, and they begin an unexpected

relationship. Kumail does not tell his family, fearful they

will disown him. After five months, Emily finds photos

of the young women Kumail's parents have set him up with. When he tells her he does not know

if they have a future, she breaks up with him.

Kumail gets a call in the middle of the night from

Emily's friend who tells him that Emily has been hospitalized

she has a serious lung infection and must be immediately

placed in an induced coma. Pretending he’s her husband, he

signs the permission form for her to be put into a coma and

then calls her parents, Beth and Terry. Aware of their

daughter's messy breakup with Kumail, they tell him he is not needed, but Kumail stays and the

three become closer as they deal with Emily's illness. Beth and Terry attend one of Kumail's

stand-up gigs, during which a racist audience member heckles Kumail, causing Beth to defend

him.

Surgery is ineffective and the infection spreads to Emily's kidneys. Beth wants to transfer

Emily to a different hospital, but Kumail and Terry disagree. Beth and Terry argue, and Terry

stays at Kumail's apartment. Terry reveals that he cheated on Beth before and regrets it.

Kumail's parents visit, angry that he is not

taking their marriage suggestions seriously. Kumail

tells them that he is no longer a practicing Muslim,

does not want an arranged marriage, and reveals his

relationship with Emily. His parents disown him.

Immediately before taking the stage for an audition

for the Montreal Comedy Festival, Kumail learns that the infection has reached Emily's heart.

Distraught, Kumail tearfully recounts his fears about Emily's condition and fails the audition.

When Kumail mentions that Emily had an ankle injury that was slow to heal, the doctors

realize she doesn’t have an infection but has adult-onset Still's disease, a serious but treatable

autoimmune disorder. Emily wakes from her coma and, still pained from their breakup, Emily
tells Kumail to leave. Nevertheless, Beth invites Kumail to Emily's homecoming party. Kumail

tries to make up with Emily, but she refuses, not wanting to worsen Kumail's relationship with

his family.

Kumail decides to move to New York City with two comedian friends. He tells his family

about his plans and refuses to allow them to reject him. Emily discovers a video on YouTube of

Kumail's disastrous audition and, realizing her own feelings, goes to find him after his show.

Before she can explain, he tells her he is moving. Emily tells him she appreciates everything he

did for her while she was in the coma and wishes him well in New York.

As Kumail prepares to depart, his

parents visit. His father tells him they are

still angry, but gives him a dish of his

favorite food and asks him to stay in touch.

As Kumail performs in New York, he is

heckled by someone in the crowd he sees

that it is Emily. During the credits, photos

of the real Kumail and Emily's wedding,

which is attended by Kumail's family, are

shown.

2.2. Theoritical Approach

Conflict between people in meaningful human relationships, such as marriage, is inevitable

(Canary, Cupach, & Messman, 1995). Scholars have suggested that ‘‘religion offers couples
theologically grounded guidelines for methods to handle marital conflict when it erupts’’
(Mahoney, Pargament, Murray-Swank, & Murray-Swank, 2003, p. 223).
 Indeed, research findings have generally concluded that there is a strong, positive
relationship between religiosity and reduced marital conflict (e.g., Curtis & Ellison, 2002). The
purpose of this study was to discover the ‘‘hows and whys’’ of this relationship (Dollahite &
Marks, 2005).

Hackney and Sanders (2003) noted that there exist several definitions of religiosity. For the
purposes of this study, we define religiosity as a person’s spiritual beliefs, religious practices, and
involvement with a faith community. Examples of spiritual beliefs include belief in the eternal
nature of marriage; examples of religious practices include prayer and study of scripture. Aspects
of religious involvement include attendance at religious meetings, participation in other faith
community activities, or making financial contributions to a faith community

CHAPTER III
CONCLUSION

3.1. Conclusion
Matchmaking is a concrete issue because there are elements coercion, it is very necessary
that arranged marriages get the attention of the community Indonesia. Because an arranged
marriage that is forced has become a criticism for all people, both socially and culturally in the
regions local. In addition, arranged marriages are forced not based on mutual feelings love and
like each other. So it is difficult to reach the family harmonious, prosperous and happy. Although
in the teachings of Islam This arranged marriage does not in any way violate the norms that exist
in the teachings Islam.

3.2. Opinion
From my opinion, from the film it is Matchmaking in marriage relationships nowadays is
no stranger to this, but today's parents should understand more and not force their children to
choose a partner, let their children choose a partner according to their will, the task of parents is
only to provide education related to the relationship between marriage partners and directing
children to choose the right partner.

3.3. Suggestion
 We don't have to force our children to choose a partner according to what we want,
however, our children are the ones who run the relationship, so let them choose the best partner
for themselves later.

References

W. Andrew Collins, Deborah . Welsh, and Wyndol Furman “Adolescent Romantic

Relationships “

Film “ The Big Sick”

Nathaniel M. Lambert , David C. Dollahite. “How Religiosity Helps Couples Prevent,

Resolve, and Overcome Marital Conflict”