Background of the Study

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Literary works are the products of human-culture collaboration and the arts of human existence. We can discover various kinds of literary works nowadays. They can be shown and shaped in many ways. Therefore, there are written literature and oral literature. According to X. J. Kennedy, in his book entitled Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, literature is a kind of art that is usually written, which offers pleasure and illumination. However, there is oral literature too 1991: xxxix. Instead of variety of literary works, Horatius grouped literary works into three functions such as Dulce et Utile entertaining and useful, Docere et Delectare amusing and educating, and Movere moving the readers. Furthermore, according to Aristotle, literary works have a function as catharsis, a release from emotional pressure. Based on the brief explanation of literature above, literary works can provide a lot of precious lessons for people. Thus, this thesis discusses one kind of literary works, a novel by Suzanne Collins entitled Mockingjay. Analyzing a novel by using the theory of literature is an excellent bridge to immerse ourselves into the story. The Mockingjay is one of the interesting popular fictions published in 2010. It is proven by its success in getting the first place of national bestseller novel in its first week on sale. Actually, this novel engages the readers to sense the condition of class struggle. Furthermore, there is also uncommon part in novel that makes it interesting to be the topic of this study. That part is the existence of a bold and strong woman leading the class struggle in this novel. The woman is the main character of Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen. It is an interesting matter to be discussed in this study because it can be a way to describe the existence of Marxist feminism in this novel. Therefore, the analysis of Marxist feminism represented by Katniss Everdeen is discussed in this thesis entitled The Reflection of Marxist Feminism in Suzanne Collins’s Mockingjay.

1. 2 Research Problems

Based on the background of the study, this thesis discusses three matters such as intrinsic elements of prose, class struggle process and Marxist feminism. They are the main materials that establish the whole content of this thesis. They correspond and complete each other in order to make an understanding to Marxist feminism that is discussed in this thesis. 1. How do intrinsic elements work in the story of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins? 2. How does Katniss Everdeen take part in process of class struggle in Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins? 3. How can Marxist feminism be described by character of Katniss Everdeen in Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins?

1.3 Objectives of the Study