continuing fight for the equality of the sexes and the rights of women. Hinsley 1967:197-200 mentions certain names who struggle for justice for
women. They are Frances Mary Buss 1827-1894, Dorothea Beale -1906, Emily Davies, Anne Jemmima Clough, Professor Henry Sidgwick, and also
Maria Grey. Therefore, during the time, the equality of men and women starts to be developed.
2.2.2 Review on Javanese Culture in the Late of 19
th
Century
Conley 1988:221 says that during this period, Java was still under the authority of the Dutch imperialist. There were many Javanese people who
work for the Dutch as the administration workers. They were given with luxury and privilege. They later became a part of high class society which
commonly named priyayi. People worked as farmer, fisherman, and employee of high class people. Those who were common people usually
forced to work for the Dutch without any payment. There were social classes that separate the Javanese Budiman,
1990:67. Common people live to serve the upper classes people. Upper classes people may decide the lower people destiny, whether they are right or
wrong, and whether they should live or die. Keji mentions 1990:79 that arranged marriage was very common in
this period of time. A man cannot marry a woman from lower class. If it happens, it was not considered as a real marriage or illegal. Women did not
have any chance to choose their husband. They must agree with their parents’ PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
choice. Polygamy was also common among the upper class society, and women did not have any rights to protest or deny it. Kenji 1990:105 adds
that divorce happens very often as the effect of arranged marriage and polygamy. In this case, after the divorce, women can choose their own future
husband. During the time, men could have sufficient education as long as it was
for the Dutch importance Conley, 1990:561. Many men were sent to Dutch to attend universities. Only people and the son of upper class people who had
the right. While women were taught at home by private teacher who would teach them how to read and write, read the Koran, and maybe to draw batik.
This education was only for upper class women. Conley 1990:266 explains that there were schools for girls but not
many. He explains that these schools taught common girls the same thing with what has been taught to upper class girls. These schools were pioneered
by R. A. Kartini. Since women independence was still considered as ashamed, common parents decided not to send their daughters to the schools.
Instead of send them to schools, common people prefer to marry their young daughters.
2.3 Criticism on Literary Work
