Journal of Letters
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
This article examines the portrayal of single mothers in the short films StigMa Lea and Kabut Semalam through feminist textual analysis, framed by third-wave feminism and Islamic feminism, to analyze the “agency” exercised by Malay Muslim women in contrasting contexts. In StigMa Lea, Lea, clearly situated within Singapore’s urban setting, reconstructs her identity as a “single mom” while rejecting the label “janda” (divorced woman), thereby challenging patriarchal norms. In contrast, In Kabut Semalam, Mastura, a widow residing in rural Malaysia, employs silence and faith as strategies to negotiate social stigma. Both characters illustrate that motherhood does not require a marital partnership but constitutes a form of leadership grounded in love, responsibility, and the dignified upbringing of children. This analysis argues that contemporary Malay films are reshaping the image of single mothers from women who need to be “completed” to women who possess inherent power and self-worth.
First Page
88
Last Page
108
Recommended Citation
Ibni Sulaiman, Nureeda
(2026)
"The Portrayal of Single Mother Characters in Contemporary Malay Short Films : Comparative Study of StigMa Lea and Kabut Semalam,"
Journal of Letters: Vol. 55:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/jletters/vol55/iss1/6