Form of Oppression That The Major Female Characters Receive
In this discussion, ideology of Ruby people is also the part of their religion because ideology in patriarchy is that aggression, intelligence, force and efficacy
in the male; passivity, ignorance, docility ... and ineffectuality in the female Millet, 1971:292. The ideology brings the Ruby society into a judgment that
men are always better than women, because each sex is attached with those attributes. In patriarchal interpretation of religion, it may offer the isolation and
suppression of women. Religion in this case can be defined in a broad sense as any set of believes or ideology. The common believes between people of Ruby it
may be derived directly from their church and bible, as they are very religious people, and a part of it that roots back to their past, their customs and traditions.
The broad definition of Ruby religion is their respect toward an Oven, a statue in the center of Ruby, as a strong traditional belief. It is more than a sincere respect,
or praise. The oven is a part of their beliefs and their traditions. Oven is a sign of unity and landmark of the town should always be
respected, and may not be changed in any way -they are respecting it. Its because they do know the Ovens value that they want to give it new life.
Everyone in Ruby value the Oven and respect it, it is their history and their past no one can change it
–“That Oven already has a history. It doesn’t need you to fix it” Morrison, 1997:86. It is also a sign of protecting women from unrestrained
sexuality of whites; with the help of this oven, no black woman has ever needed to work in a kitchen belonging to whites.
In the past, Ruby women has used the Oven and cooked on it, but through these years, its practical function has changed to a patriarchal one. Women no
longer meet in the Oven but it is now the men who meet about the Oven. Oven is no more a common Oven, it becomes a symbol of Rubys primary goals, and is
interpreted to justify Rubys patriarchy.The holiness of the Oven, represent Rubys dogmatism toward their ideology, women, and their situation.Men of Ruby cannot
bear any change in their ideologies, or any freedom for women. The mind of Ruby men is preoccupied with the concepts of protecting women, their sexuality, and
their freedom. They care more about their women, their awareness for women by limiting women action. The patriarchal way to protect is to have it under
control.They have named their town Ruby to immortalize Ruby Morgan, sister of Deacon and Steward, who died because of white people. White people refused to
accept the black patient and sent for a veterinarian, she died meanwhile. This means, Ruby men should protect the Ruby, their town, and indirectly the women
in their town. The Oven was once useful to keep their town as the foundation of
townspeople. The women in Ruby logically should have helped in foundation of the town, but now the cold bricks of Oven have no function anymore. It should be
there to be praised, it is only statue which have value of their history. No one can change anything about it. Deacon Morgan threats the new generation by saying
that You all listen to me. Real close. Nobody, I mean nobody is going to change the Oven or call it something strange. Nobody is going to mess with a thing our
grandfathers built Morrison, 1997:85. The other element in Ruby is the church, the function of church is always
to support patriarchy system of Ruby people. The preacher always told Ruby PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
people to follow their lesson and lead. They believe that God is what they need to keep living. Consolata in her early age always follow the church lesson and lead,
“For thirty years Consolata worked hard to become and remain Mary Magna’s pride, one of her singular accomplishment in a life teaching, nurturing, and
tending in places with names the nun’s own parents had never heard of Morrison, 1997:224. She follows and does what Mary Magna told to her, -she offered her
body and her soul to God’s Son and His Mother as completely as if she had taken the veil herself Morrison, 1997:225. People in Ruby are religious and obey the
church to keep living. When the men in the novel go so far as to make their authority with the authority of their own God similar when they argue that
something needs to be done about the women living in a former convent 17 miles away from the town, stating that the women are a concern because “They don’t
need men and they don’t need God” 276. Men and ‘God’ are placed on balance
terms within the structure of this sentence, and it suggests that the men see their authority as one that is supreme and should not be challenged.
The story makes it clear that women’s oppression occurs in historically integral to Christianity: in one scene, Gigi discovers the painting of the Roman
Chatolic Saint Catherine of Siena. The painting depicts “A woman. On her knees, A knocked down look, cast-up-begging eyes, arms outstretched holding up her
present on a platter to a lord” Morrison, 1997:74. Gigi leans close to see the woman with the “I-give-up-face” Morrison, 1997:74, she is Saint Catherine of
Siena. In this view, a woman is granted sainthood and considered valuable only if PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
she completely acts like a slave and disowns her sexuality, as symbolized by presenting her breast on a serving platter.
In the church lesson, it can be found a letter in the New Testament, St. Paul wrote “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I dont permit
a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the
woman who was deceived and became a sinner” I Timothy 2:11-14. These beliefs had rooted and build stereotypes, perception in the society that female are
less valued than male. The one of the Reverends is an enlightened man, but the other one and the
function of church are always to support patriarchy of Ruby people. This is a tool in the hands of leaders to suppress women and make them passive. Reverend
Misner, who tries his best to make Ruby people aware of their isolated situation, and preaches of Gods love, or comments on peoples traditions and ideology, is
treated an outsider and an enemy in the point of view of Ruby townspeople. Church traditionally separates women into Good Woman or Bad Woman
categories in which the sacrificial Virgin Mary reigns over the sinful Eve. Ruby men convince that God is at their side and label the convent women Bodacious
Black Eves unredeemed by Mary and take aim for Ruby Morrison, 1997:18. This act of protection is an exhibition of power that proclaims the consequences of
challenging male authority.This action of patriarchal control defines who and what is Good and Evil, which women are Mary, which are Eve. It suggests that
patriarchysystem is predicated on these divisions of church. Church has big PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
influence on the patriarchal system in Ruby town, it has the control of Ruby townspeople which make Ruby people follow all the rule of Church.
Deacon Morgan and Steward Morgan are the twins of Rector Morgan. They are the leaders of Ruby. Men of ruby like to live in and remember their past.
They cannot bear any change to their life styles and ideas. That is why they treat women as an object. Arnold Fleetwood, one of the leaders of Ruby plays an
important role in Ruby. He also has the right to decide or control town, or its people.
Ruby men viewpoint of women is even worse than racism in Ruby. Within families of in society, the object or subject relation is dominant. It is clearly in the
notion that masculinity is considered subject, and femininity is defines as the object. Women in Ruby are considered as an object and inferior.
Patriarchy system and the ruling men of Ruby who make this situation is not the only problem. Ruby womens mind, which is preoccupied with patriarchal
ideology and mens superiority are also the fault of this situation.Women are responsible for their passiveness because women suppress themselves and willing
to live in patriarchal. Women in Ruby are passive and never think about their situation. They accept everything that comes from their husband or their fathers,
men already control their life. It is shown from the action of men toward women in Ruby. In the case of
Mavis, her life is controlled by her husband. She does not know anyone except her family because Frank her husband always prevent her for having friends.
…she realized she had no idea of what to do next. She drove toward P
eg’s; she didn’t know the woman all that well, but her tears at the PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
funeral impressed Mavis. She had always wanted to know her better, but Frank found ways to prevent acquaintance from becoming
friendship Morrison, 1997:27.
It can be seen that Frank as husband has controlled Mavis life without she realize it. Mavis’s characteristics strengthen the patriarchal system in Ruby. She
accepts everything which is decided by her husband. She is a coward that makes she did not have any will to get what she wants. That condition is already socially
constructed which make women think it is not a problem. After she escaped from her house, she arrives at the Convent which change her way of thinking.
Mavis fear toward his men is a proof of patriarchy system in Ruby. She is always afraid with her husband; she does not have any courage to ask her husband
about anything. She always did what her husband told, that is the patriarchy system. Women characteristics in Ruby support this system, and they do not have
any courage to change. They think that is common thing to do, obey their men as a leader. Men always have more power than women so they follow their men. It
makes patriarchal system in Ruby is last. Different case comes from Seneca, one of the convent women, she is
really passive and her boyfriend already controls her life. Her passive character is shown in the story before she comes to the Convent. She followed other people
wants and she always tried to please other people. She has nothing to do if other people do not like her. She tries her best to change herself and she wants to be
accepted in the society. It makes Seneca obeys her boyfriend and does anything for him.
They didn’t like each other at all, so Seneca had equalized her smiles and agreeableness. If one cursed and joked nastily about the other,
Seneca laughed. When the other rolled her eyes in disgust, Seneca shot her an understanding look. Always the peacemaker. The one who
said yes or I don’t mind or I’ll go. Otherwise-what? They might not like her. Might cry. Might leave. So she had done her best to please
Morrison, 1997:131.
Eddie Turtle, her boyfriend always settles what she will do, where she will go, everything in her life. Her mean boyfriend always ordered Seneca to do
anything for him and she would do it. He was angry, of course; so much that it dimmed his pleasure in the
extravagant black and white running shoes. “Can’t you get anything right? Just a small Bible Not a goddamn
encyclopedia” Morrison, 1997:131. Eddie is Seneca boyfriend, he always orders her around to do something
for him. She already brought him a bible and he was angry because the bible not fit for him. There are other actions which Seneca did to please him but still it did
not make Eddie happy. …and told her to leave it and the shoes at the desk with his name and
his number. Made her write it down as though she might have trouble remembering five numbers in a row. She had brought ham sandwiches
too his letter said they could have a picnic type lunch in the visitors’ quarter but he was too nervous and irritated to eat Morrison,
1997:132.
It can be seen that Seneca followed all of Eddie’s order. She only wants Eddie happy and like her. She does not complain, she keeps silent because that is
what a woman should do. It i s shown that man already controls Seneca’s life. All
she did simply to please other people. She would do anything to please her boyfriend and she did not think about herself. She believed all of Eddie’s words
and willing to visit Eddie’s mother alone. Eddie gave Seneca the feeling that she was incompetent and worthless, no matter how hard she tried to please.
She left Eddie Turtle in the visitors’ hall promising him four things. To send pictures of the dogs. To sell the stereo. To get his mother to
cash the savings bonds. To call lawyer. Send, sell, get, call. That’s
how she would remember Morrison, 1997:132. After her boyfriend is gone, she does not have any purpose or place. She is
confused what she should do after leaving her boyfriend. She does not know anyone except her boyfriend.
Eddie Turtle had been settled life to her for six months, and now he was gone. Or should she just move on? … But like a pet you wanted
to play with for a while- a little while- but not keep. Not love. Not name it. Just feed it, play with it, then return it to its own habitat. She
had five hundred dollars, and other than Eddie, no one knew where she was. Maybe she ought to keep it that way Morrison, 1997:138.
Seneca passiveness before she comes to the Convent is a real evidence of their women own fault. Women are considered inferior to men and they are
forced to believe it from the beginning of their life. It is obvious that they will be ignored if they ask any questions, but they never even try to ask or insist to ask.
They are passive and donot think of a change in their actions. They cannot imagine their life if they change or act differently. They think that they are
doomed, and they have passively accepted this situation. Even they know the convent women act and live differently than Ruby people, they cannot imagine it
for themselves. All women’s obligation is to satisfy their husband. They need to do
anything to satisfy their husband. They worry about their husband’s need, “What would she fix for supper tomorrow?” Morrison, 1997:81. As women, they need
to serve meal and satisfy their husband’s stomach. Mavis feels insecure and says “I don’t expect he’ll be satisfied at the table” Morrison, 1997:82.
The silence of these women in Ruby is another major issue which is very difficult to hear a woman answerof having own opinion towards the men, they
rather shows her pitiable agreement with silence or nodding, even though sometimes they do not need to understand when they are talking to I dont
understand, Deek. I do. He smiled up at her. You dont need to. Morrison, 1997:107. All female characters are showing their doubtful existence of being.
They are being exploited by men; women are created for serving their husband. Being obedient and submissive are the typical women. Their silence and
passiveness make men be more superior. The whole portrayal of women is depicted in that way, they are obedient and silent. It has effective images of
women and their exploitation in the society. As Ehreinreich explains in his book, the father in the family or the
decision maker which control and rule the familys work, purchase, and etc. Women have no choices to make. There are no question as to their nature is
simply obedience. Ruby town which use this term to control their society makes women obey all their father’s order.
As father, they have more power and authority than women in family. In Ruby, Arnnete is pregnant because she is having sex with K.D. Her father already
makes a plan for her. She should go outside the town to finish her study but her pregnancy is an obstacle for Arnnete. Arnnete’s father will fight against every
obstacle to make sure that his plan is going to work. “Well,” Steward answered. “August’s a long way off. This here is
May. She might change her mind. Decide to stay on.”
“I’m her father. I’ll arrange her mind.” “Right,” said Steward Morrison, 1997:61.
Arnnete’s father is asked if his daughter will agree to terms. He says “I’m her father. I’ll arrange her mind.” Morrison, 1997:61. This is the representation
of father as authority. Arnette as her daughter does not have authority to get what she wants. Even she is pregnant, she cannot keep the child because her father
already make a plan for her future. As a daughter, Arnette should obey all order from her father. She has no authority to against her father.Arnold Fleetwood
changes her daughter’s mind successfully. She is trying to abort the child but it fails. Then she gives birth to it in the Convent, but the baby dies when she refuses
to mother it. After that she leaves Ruby to go to college in Langston as her father told.
Another case is happened to Pallas, she leaves her house to live with her boyfriend but she is betrayed by her boyfriend. Pallas always cries after her
boyfriend cheated on her and everyone in Convent embrace her. Pallas likes everyone in Convent really care about her, and she is feeling safe in Convent.
She just stretched out her hand and Pallas went to her, sat on her lap, talkcrying at first, then just crying, while Connie said,” Drink a little
of this,” 1997, pg 173. She would have cried again for her lost junior year, but Connie
nudged her roughly. “Get up. You breaking my lap.” Pallas stood and wobbled a bit from the rocking and the wine.
“Thanks. But. I better call my father. I guess” Morrison, 1997:176. Her weak character is described from her reaction. She runs away from her
mother’s house after see her boyfriend had sex with her mother. She is crying and run away without purpose, she cannot think of anything except his betrayal. Her
dependency towards her father is shown when she says she needs to call her father. Then, she ends up in Convent and lives there for a while. She always says
that she needs to call her father. It is shown that father has authority to know everything about his children.
Call the police Pallas. Make them come get you, you hear? Okay, Daddy. Then call me from the station. Okay. You got that? You’re not
hurt or anything? No, Daddy. Good. Okay, now. I’ll be right here or Jo Anne will if I go out. Boy what you put me through. But
everything’s going to be okay now. We’ll talk about that asshole when you get back. Okay, now? Call me. We have to talk. Love you, baby
Morrison, 1997:253.
Pallas calls her father, and tells him to pick her up “Will you come and get me Daddy?” Morrison, 1997:253. Pallas as a daughter needs her father to
support her life. She cannot do anything alone because her father already supports her need. It can be seen from the conversation that her father tells her what to do
and Pallas reply with “Okay”. She will do what her father tells to her.