A Shi ft to Symbolic Father and Its Negative Effect for Portia’s Self-
inter-subjective dialogue as a means for reconstructing Portias identity. Inter- subjective dialogue, which involves critiques and sheer disruption, differentiates
the concept of sisterhood with the old concept of feminism. The old feminism emphasizes that women must love one another unconditionally, avoid conflict and
minimize the disagreement. This concept will not be effective to give self- freedom for Portia because it can raise the new issue of Portias dependency and
unity with other women. So, to make Portia aware of her own self-conviction and freedom, constructive critiques and sheer disruption must be evoked.
To sum up, the previous studies have focused the analysis on Portia‟s immaturity and her inability to socialize herself with society. Warren, McDowell,
Seward, and Corcoran focus their argument on the portrayal of innocent Portia and sentimental mother. Meanwhile, there is one issue that differentiates this
study from those studies. This study observes the reason for being the sentimental mother itself. This study proposes the notion of patriarchal motherhood to give a
view about how mother- daughter‟s unity is formed and how it affects the
formation of Portia‟s characters. Patriarchal motherhood is seen as the oppressive act for women or mothers since they are positioned in private sphere and as the
primary caregiver for their daughter. Oppression to mother‟s identity constructs mother-
daughter‟s symbiotic relation. This issue of patriarchal motherhood will help the reader to understand more about the negativity of patriarchy that basically
constructs the formation of gender identity, both for the mother and her daughter. Further, the impact of symbolic law toward the social construction of
womanhood also becomes the focus of this study. Critiques from Daiches, PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
McDowell, and Chaffin help this study to subvert the role of symbolic law as the fulfillment for Portias identity. This study challenges the role of the symbolic
father which is regarded as the complement figure for the daughters identity. Shifting her love to the symbolic father in order to get knowledge about social life
actually harms the development of Portias self-identity. The imposition of feminine gender identity constructs a figure of submissive and obedient women
under mens order. Moreover, the symbolic father that forbids pleasure or re- attachment to maternal forms becomes the main reason for Portias retreat.
Females self which is defined based on mutual and reciprocal relation demands a response from the other, whether it is through care, love, and attention. Since
those things are not preserved by the symbolic father or society, thus refusal or rejection to social order comes to the surface.
Thus, to elaborate more about the notion of female subjectivity, this study focuses the analysis on the notion of female bond or sisterhood. Through
constructive critique and sheer disruption, Portia can get her autonomy. She no longer becomes the silent subject who is oppressed by society but she finally
appears as the one who resists the social construction of womanhood and establishes her self-freedom.