The Curse - Characters

Azreen:

Main character of the novel.  Studies in England.  Happy to be away from her village. Did not have good relationship with her parents especially her father due to her defiant behaviour and tomboyish outlook.  An outspoken and independent girl.  Envious of her adopted sister, Madhuri.  A helpful friend especially when she claimed responsibility for letting the bull run loose in order to save Mohd. Asraf’s skin.  Caring for her sick mother and Old Lady.  Intelligent as she managed to further her studies in the United Kingdom.

Madhuri:

A beautiful and polite lady.  A submissive wife and daughter.  Religious and good at reciting Quranic verses.  Conservative compared to her sister, Azreen.  Protective of her sister when they were young.  A polite and caring daughter.  Concerned about her sick mother.

Mohd. Asraf:

A dedicated and popular teacher in a local school on the island.  Independent since young. Good friends with Azreen while they were in school together.  A caring grandson who is concerned about his grandmother’s well-being.  Loves Madhuri and wanted to take her with him to Kuala Lumpur.

Saleh Abdullah:

Madhuri and Azreen’s father.  Active and strong for his age.  A stern father to Azreen since when she was young.  Not on good terms with Azreen since the motorcycle accident which paralysed Azreen’s mother.  A manipulative father who let Madhuri become Haji Ghani’s second wife in order to protect his interests. An egoistic person who could not accept Madhuri’s love affair with Mohd. Asraf and in the end killed Madhuri in a fit of anger at the rubber plantation.

Haji Ghani:

The village headman who fell for Madhuri and took her as his second wife.  Neglects his first wife, Fathihah in the process.  An influential man on the island.  Hides the cause of his wife’s death in order to protect his reputation.  Knows of Madhuri’s affair with Mohd. Asraf.  A religious man.

Siti:

An obedient daughter of Pn. Kamsiah. She helps Mohd. Asraf to look after his grandmother while he looks for the medicinal plants. She is also a responsible girl as she warns Azreen about the mob that is lead by Mohd. Asraf to the Old Lady’s house.  She is gullible as she likes to ponder over the gossips and rumours told by Normala, the village gossip.

Puan Normala:

The rumour monger of the village and her topic of interest is on Madhuri and how she died.  She is sneaky and malicious when she coaxed Mohd. Asraf to confront the Old Lady, accusing her as the reason why his grandmother’s health deteriorates and she finally dies. She is also superstitious when she blamed the Old Lady’s visit to Mohd. Asraf’s house as the reason for the continuous rain.

Old Lady:

An educated woman as she has knowledge of herbal medicine to treat illnesses.  Her house is always neat and situated by the hillside.  She is a caring and concerned woman as she takes Azreen in and gives her food and shelter whenever she has fights and problems.  She is also a resourceful person and she is a good cook and her recipes and secret ingredients are very much sought after.

Datin Sharifah and Datuk Zulkifli:

Azreen’s rich foster parents whom she stayed with for two months foster programme.  Datuk and Datin helped her financially in her studies in the UK.  Even though she only stayed with them for a short period of time, she still maintains a good relationship with them.  Even though they are foster parents, they treat Azreen as their own child.  Azreen calls her Mak Cik which signifies their close relationship.

Bomoh:

The Bomoh is the person whom the villagers seek for traditional cure.  It is through the Bomoh that the mysterious happenings that took place in the village are uncovered. The truth behind the death of Madhuri and the status of Azreen are also finally revealed by him

Fatihah:

She is Haji Ghani’s first wife and appears to adore Madhuri. However, she secretly hold grudges against her husband’s young wife.  She feels that her husband favours the young wife more than herself.  She tries her best to win her husband’s heart after the death of Madhuri.