findings generated from this research will give supportive information to the students, primary to those who use feminism in their researches.
b. The finding will give inspiration for other researchers to conduct further
research about gender discrimination.
2. Practically
This research will give an understanding and be a warning for human being, especially students of English Literature not to discriminate each other
no matter how different they are. The researcher hopes that the students are more aware of the fact that there should be no discrimination that happens
because of differences, especially gender discrimination against women since every human was born with the same right, either a man or a woman. This
research will also inspire the reader to determine their attitudes towards gender discrimination they face. What should be kept in women‟s mind is that
they can actually fight against the discrimination because they have ability to do that.
11
CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter deals with literature review. It aims to tell the reader about the definitions related to the problems, the theories which are used, previous
studies, and the background of the novel which is used in this research.
A. The Review of Related Theories
1. Feminism
Feminism is a movement women do as the response to gender discrimination occurring in a patriarchal society. To fight against the tyranny
of patriarchal control, many women voice their thoughts and speak their languages of freedom for every oppressed woman. As it is stated by Bhasin
and Khan 1999:3, feminism is an awareness of patriarchal control, exploitation and
oppression at the material and ideological levels of women‟s labor, fertility and sexuality, in the family, at the place of work and in society in
general, and conscious action by women and men to transform the present situation.
Another feminist, Morris 1993:1, defines feminism as a movement
against gender inequalities and it strives for equal rights for women. Morris emphasizes that gender difference is constructed by the society and it has
made women suffer from the discrimination. Meanwhile, Hooks 2009:1 explains that
“feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression
”. It means that feminism does not consider men the enemy of women because the ones who maintain gender
discrimination are not only men, but also women. Women who do not seek for
equality are also the ones who perpetuate gender discrimination. She asserts that “by naming sexism as the problem it went directly to the heart of the
matter. Practically, it is a definition which implies that all sexist thinking and action is the problem, whether those who perpetuate it are female or male,
child or adult”. Beyond many various definitions of feminism, what can be concluded is
that since feminism deals with gender discrimination, its goal is to end the discrimination and gain equality between men and women. To end the
discrimination and change the situation which is unfavorable to women, people should understand that factors constructing and perpetuating gender
inequality are not only men, but also women. This is in line with what Hooks 2000:ix says that “we need to be clear that we are all participants in
perpetuating sexism until we change our minds and hearts, until we let go of sexist thought and action and replace it with feminist thought and action.”
a. Feminism in literature
Literature is a creative form of writing which reflects and mirrors human experience Abrams, 2000:51. A work of literature is a response to the
problems of human existence and fate including discrimination against women. For centuries, feminists continue to voice their perspectives about
equality of women and men through literary works. Within their works, either fiction or nonfiction,
feminists explore the histories and stories of women‟s lives.
