8
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The researcher divides this chapter is divided into four sections . The first
section is the review on the related studies of Tell Me a Riddle . It can be related to
the topic . The second section is the review on the theories that are applied to
analyze the problems stated on the problem formulation . The third section talks
about the review on Victorian era related to the poem “Angel in the House” written by
Coventry Patmore, and the last section is about the application of the review on related studies and theories
.
A. Review of Related Studies
Set in America during the 1960s, “Tell Me a Riddle” tells the struggles of creating individuality different from stereotypical images of mid-century women
. The situation is explored through Eva
. The short story was published as a part of a four story collection in 1961
. Tell Me a Riddle became the main title of that collection and it received the 1961 O
. Henry Award. In 1980, “Tell Me a Riddle”
was adapted into American drama film directed by Lee Grant .
Some students of Sanata Dharma University have discussed the topic of feminism as well
. Didikyudono 2003 in his thesis, A Portrayal of Liberal Feminism of Victorian Age: A Feminist Study of William Makepeace
Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, wrote that the goal of liberal feminism is to gain the equality between
women and men in every aspect of life by means of education . Didikyudono
focuses on how women gain equality from the education that they have . Della
Putri 2011, in her thesis The Ideas of Feminism in the Victorian Era Revealed in the Characteristics of Women Characters also shares the similar idea by stating
that the idea of feminism is equality and opportunity as the women characters are given the opportunity to be equal with men
. On this, Jabbra
2008 in her journal entitled Theories of Gender
Hierarchy for an Introductory Women’s Studies Class states that gender hierarchy
plays an important role in discussing women’s role in the society. Gender hierarchy focuses on how cultures in a society influenced the view of a gender
. In some societies men may dominate over women
. In others, women may dominate over men
. The knowledge of how a specific gender is placed in the society not only makes it easier for people to see if there is any gender inequality, but also
helps people to understand the cultural background of a society better .
While it is true that Eva fulfils her duties as a housewife and a mother, she still
finds herself alienated from her husband and her children, with whom she has nothing in common
. She does not fit in despite the fact that she tries to play along with what the society expects her to be
. The main concern in the story is with resentment between generations and unfulfilled expectations
. The story probably relate
more directly
to Tillie
Olsen’s own
life http:www
.nytimes.comarticle1962119tell-me-a-riddle-pit-is.