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dialogically, in a sense that how the characters perpetually undergo transformations to reveal the contingency of their selves. This transformation happens in and due to the encounter with
others characters. The dialogic subversion of patriarchal dualistic thinking is necessary as the ground from which the concept of social mothering is proposed in the novel. After the
dialogic subversion is discussed, the analysis on how caring values are politicized as public ethics through the concept of social mothering will be discussed. The characteristics of social
mothering in the novel are analyzed with feminist theories of maternal thinking and ethics of care to show that the concept of social mothering is a truly ethical and democratic caring
relationship, and in accordance with the principles of justice, freedom and equality. Social mothering is potentially empowering not only women, but humanity in general from social
inequality, social injustice, dominance and oppression.
1.2. Research Questions
This research addresses two research questions as follows: 1.
How does Gaskell depict the development of the main characters‘ dialogically subjectivity in North and South in order to challenge patriarchal dualistic thinking that
underpins gender identity and separate sphere ideology? 2.
How does Gaskell redefine the traditional notion of motherhood into social mothering in order to politicize caring values as public ethics in North and South?
1.3. Goals and Significance of the Study
This research is conducted with the aim to read Gaskell‘s North and South critically from feminist perspective. The research aims to reveal how patriarchal dualistic thinking that
underpins the ideology of gender difference and separation of sphere is challenged dialogically
in Gaskell‘s North and South. The challenge to patriarchal dualistic thinking that PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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underpins the ideology of separate sphere and gender difference becomes the ground in which the politicization of care as public ethics is proposed in the novel. This politicization will
necessary bring the empowerment of women and humanity in general from social inequality, social injustice, dominance and oppression.
This research also aims to reveal how the concept of social mothering is proposed in North and South to advocate the acknowledgment of caring values as public ethics.
Politicization of caring values as public ethics is an attempt to enrich public life where both male and female internalize and practice ethics of care to alleviate social conflict, foster
cooperation, reconciliation and peace. The significance of this research is that by analyzing the subversiveness of
Gaskell‘s North and South to the ideology of patriarchy and capitalism, this research contributes to the
re-evaluation and re- appreciation of Gaskell‘s North and South as feminist work. Gaskell‘s
North and South has been undervalued by feminist critics because the novel‘s emphasis on
feminine nurturance is considered as traitorous to the feminist stance. The novel is considered celebrating feminine virtue of caring and mothering as natural feminine traits rather than
challenging the patriarchal ideology. Gaskell‘s North and South has to be read with deeper
insight. Instead of celebrating patriarchal ideology, North and South subverts patriarchal institution of motherhood into social mothering. The concept of social mothering proposed in
North and South does not leave the heroine be totally powerless and oppressed under male domination, but it empowers her to initiate social change and alleviate industrial conflicts.
Moreover, social mothering does not only empower woman, but also humans in general. North and South proposes how caring relations can be practiced ethically and democratically
in consistent with the values of justice, freedom and equality as public ethics. Another
significance of this research is to enrich readers‘ understanding about the importance of ethics of care to govern public life. By elucidating the application of ethics of
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care through social mothering to alleviate social conflict in Gaskell‘s North and South, the
reader can gain insight that ethics of care are not merely personal ethics, but political ethics necessary to transform society, especially economic and political institutions away from the
ideology of patriarchy and capitalism that have impoverished public life by separating human reason from human heart. Social mothering and ethics of care can bridge social division in the
society which is divided by gender, class, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation and so on. By practicing social mothering and expanding ethics of care into public sphere, society can
experience a genuine humane, ethical and democratic public life. Social mothering and ethics of care practiced in public sphere can be useful to improve the management of social conflict.
In Indonesian context, Gaskellian care approach in industrial dispute resolution provides an insight for the readers about an alternative model of non-litigation industrial dispute
resolution that is truly ethical and empowering the labors as the vulnerable party in the industrial conflicts.
1.4. Chapter Outline
