Even though she is still subjected to curfew and the occasional concern from her parents, Orked is largely let to be who she is. In fact, Orked’s parents themselves do notpresent themselves as “typical” Malays”. They enjoy a very sexual life together,unabashed about their affections. In one endearing scene, clad in just sarongs, theydance together in their house to Thai music, while feeding each other fruits. Perhapstheir “liberal” attitudes may explain Orked’s personality. We see this further in
Mukhsin
(2007). In one scene, a neighborhood girl teases young Orked about her father doingdomestic chores, causing Orked to snap, “My dad helps in the kitchen because he lovesmy mother!.” Young Orked refuses to play dolls and weddings, and instead cocoonsherself in her room reading books an asserts her right to play in the field with the villageboys. Thus Yasmin Ahmad presents gender roles as unimportant, the absence of whichthrive true love and strong character. She also shows the importance of one’s upbringingin shaping one’s worldviews.