Feminism Values Gender Patriarchy

C. Objectives of the Study

Based on those questions in the problem formulation above, this study attempts to obtain satisfying answers. In order to see the feminism values that are reflected by the character of Inge, this study has three objectives that have to be accomplished. First, this study is meant to find out the characteristics of Inge as the main character in The Glass Inferno. By knowing her characteristics, the writer could understand what Inge really likes and what she wants in her life. Second, this study aims to find out the patriarchal society where Inge lives. This could be seen from how the male characters do to the main character, Inge. We could also see the struggle of a woman living in a male-dominated world. Last, this study aims to find out the values of feminism reflected through Inge, as she lives under patriarchal society, experiencing oppressions and as the main character in The Glass Inferno.

D. Definition of Terms

In order to avoid misunderstanding in reading this study and to give the right focus for the readers while reading this study, there are some terms that the writer needs to define. This definition of terms hopefully can be helpful in understanding the terms that are used.

1. Feminism

Barranger defines “feminism” as a critique of prevailing social conditions which have excluded women from dominant male cultural, social, sexual, political and intellectual discourse and pursuits 1994:646. Humm states that feminism is an ideology of women liberation since intrinsic in all approaches is the belief that women suffer injustice because of their sex. She also defines feminism as the principal that women should have political, economic and social rights equal to men 1992: xi. In simple terms, feminism is a form of rebellion against the patriarchal ideology which has placed women in its ruthless clutches for centuries.

2. Values

In Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, values isare defined as standards, principles, or ideas about worth or importance of certain qualities, especially those generally accepted by a particular group 1987: 1165.

3. Gender

Gender, in common usage, refers to the differences between men and women. Madsen defines gender as opposed to ‘sex’, which refers to the socio- cultural characteristics attributed to the different biological sexes 2000: xii. Whereas sex is biologically determined, gender is socially constructed. Feminism has posited gender roles to be socially constructed, independent of any biological basis. In gender studies the term gender is used to refer to propose social and cultural constructions of masculine and feminine.

4. Patriarchy

According to Madsen, patriarchy is another recurrent term, referring to government by men; patriarchy is a cultural ideological system that privileges men and all things masculine, and a political system that places power in the hands of men and thus serves male interests at the expense of women 2000:xii. Feminists argue that the opposite of feminism is not masculinity but patriarchy. Therefore, it is not surprising the word ‘patriarchy’ has negative association when it is used in the context of feminist theory. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW