Gender inssues on dorian gray character in the novel the picture of dorian gray by Oscar Wilde : (a study of gender)
CURRICULUM VITAE
1. Student’s Profile
a.
Name
: Siti Fatimah
b.
Address
: Jl.Margahayu raya barat VIII depan Blok
A7 No.3 , Bandung
c.
Place and Date of Birth
: Bandung, 10 May 1991
d.
Sex
: Female
e.
Religion
: Moslem
f.
Phone
: 085721039048
g.
E-mail
:chichi_9128@yahoo.com
2. Educational Background
2.1 Formal Education
No
Year
Institution
1
1996- 1997
TK Islam Taman Firdaus
2
1997 – 2003
SD Negeri Rancabolang 03
3
2003 – 2006
SMP Negeri 18 Bandung
4
2006 – 2009
SMA Pasundan 2 Bandung
5
2009 – Now
English Department
Indonesia University of Computer
2.2 Informal Education
No
Year
Institution
1
2009
Juara 1 Story Telling Contest PORAK ( Certified)
2
2010
Diskusi Internal Sastra Inggris (Certified)
3
2010
Copywriting Seminar (Certified)
4
2010
Translating and Interpreting Workshop (Certified)
49
50
5
2011
Feminist, Feminine and Text (Certified)
6
2011
5
2011
6
2012
7
2012
English Contest 2012 (Certified)
8
2012
Kreatif Menulis, Rejeki Tak Akan Habis with Raditya
Seminotics:
Literature
and
Media
Seminar
and
Workshop (Certified )
Copywriting Seminar and Workshop Certified)
Reaktualisasi
Nilai-Nilai
Pancasila
di
Kalangan
Generasi Muda Seminar (Certified)
Dika Talkshow (Certified)
9
2012
Cross Culture Literary Day Seminar (Certified)
10
2012
Character Building Training (Certified)
11
2012
Program Kreativitas Mahasiswa (PKM) DIKTI 2012
(Certified)
12
2013
Copywriting Seminar “Go Viral” (Certified)
3. Competency
There are some competencies that the writer has. They are as follows:
a. English Correspondence
b. Good at English both oral and written
c. Operating Computer ( Ms.Office , Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia, and
Internet)
4. Organization and Work Experiences
No
Year
1
2003-2006
2
2008-2009
3
2010-2011
4
2010
Organization
Member of Taekwondo SMPN 18 Bandung
Member of Nihon Club SMA Pasundan 2
Bandung
HIMA SAIS Unikom
Private Teacher at Hotel Hilton
GENDER ISSUES ON DORIAN GRAY CHARACTER IN THE NOVEL
“THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY” BY OSCAR WILDE
(A Study of Gender)
ISU GENDER PADA KARAKTER DORIAN GRAY DALAM NOVEL “THE
PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY” KARYA OSCAR WILDE
(Sebuah Kajian Gender)
SKRIPSI
Submitted to fulfil one of the course requirements of Sarjana Sastra Degree
Undergraduate program of English Department UNIKOM
SITI FATIMAH
63709016
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS
INDONESIA UNIVERSITY OF COMPUTER
BANDUNG
2013
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The writer thanks to the greatest creator Allah S.W.T for the blessings and
grace, so that I can complete this skripsi. This skripsi is arranged as one of the
academic requirements of the English Department, Faculty of Letters, Indonesia
University of Computer. During the preparation and the writing of this skripsi, I
get a lot of advices, support, and aid. In this opportunity, I want to thank you as
much as possible to:
1. Prof. Dr. Moh. Tadjuddin, M.A. as The Dean of Faculty of Letters,
Indonesia University of Computer.
2. Dr. Juanda, as The head of English Department.
3. Nungki Heriyati, S.S., M.A., and Tatan Tawami, S.S., M.Hum., as The
writer’s advisors who have given advice and helps the writer to finish this
skripsi.
4. Retno Purwani Sari S.S., M.Hum., as The Coordinator of Skripsi.
5. Muhammad Rayhan Bustam, S.S., Asih Prihandini, S.S., M. Hum.,
Nenden Rikma Dewi, S.S., M.Hum. and as the lecturers in English
Department.
6. Mbak Nita and Mbak Tyas as the staffs in Faculty of Letters.
7. My beloved parents, brother, sisters and niece who always support me in
material and prayer.
viii
8. Bayu, Teh Uci, Abah, Teh Emma, Bang Andre, A’Galih, Prike, Kemos,
Aip, Aci, Teh Yuan, Teh Rian, Edoy, Mayang, Oline for being a good
friend when sad and pain.
9. Yenny Susilowaty, thanks for all support for during to finish this skripsi.
10. Thanks to OneRepublic, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, AN21, Dirty
South, Sebastian Ingrosso, John Martin and Ellie Goulding for the song
who always support me with their song during finish this skripsi
The writer realizes that the skripsi is far from perfect. Therefore, the
writer expects critic and suggestion from readers. I hope this skripsi will be useful
to all college students.
Bandung, 21 August 2013
Siti Fatimah
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
1.7 Framework of Theory
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xii
REFERENCES
Adams, Lynn. (no year). The Ideal Womanhood in Victorian Britan. On
[11/02/13]
Butler, Judith. 1990. Gender Trouble: Feminism and Subversion of Idenity. New
York: Routledge.
Butler, Judith. 1993. Body That Matter on the Discursive Limits of ―sex‖. New
York: Routledge.
D’Hamilton, Chevalier. (no year). Dandysm: Beyond Fashion. On
[07/02/13]
Hoyenga, Katharine Blick & Kermit. T. Hoyenga. 1993:Gender-Related
Differences: Origins and Outcomes. 6 July 2013. on
Koentjaraningrat. 1976: Metode Penelitian Masyarakat. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia.
Pustaka Utama.
Kusumawati. 2007: ―Kepemimpinan Dalam Perspekstif Gender. Adakah
Perbedaan?‖. Vol 1. No.1. Juni 2007: 37-40
Meolong, Lexy J. 2004: Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Rosda.
Minderop, Albertine. 2005: Metode Karakterisasi Telaah Fiksi. Edisi Pertama.
Jakarta: Yayasan Obor Indonesia.
Pater, Walter. 1980: The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry: the 1893 text. 26
July 2013. on
Peterson, Spike & Anne Sisson Runyan. 2009: Global Gender Issues. 16 July
2013. on
Peterson, D.K. 1999. “Literary Elements” 1 November 1999 on
< http://www.english.wayne.edu/~peterson/Fiction/elements.html>
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Wilde, Oscar. 1992. The Picture of Dorian Gray. London: Wordsworth Classics.
Younger, John. G. 2005: Sex in the Ancient World from A-Z. New York:
Routledge.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to The Study
Gender study is an approach that analyzes gender phenomenon. The term
gender refers to the social and cultural construction of masculinity and femininity
(Kusumawati, 2007). These constructions are not the condition of being male or
female biologically. In contrast, it refers to the behavior and the norms of
masculinity and femininity. Masculinity and femininity can be said as a set of
qualities, characteristics, behaviors and roles of being man or woman.
For example, generally, men are expected to be physically stronger,
athletic, bearded, muscular, barbate, big voice, slim-hipped, and broad-shouldered
(Kusumawati, 2007). The traits are active, independent, rational, objective,
competitive, logic, and not easily get offended. The men’s gesture, in speaking,
for example, are expressive, they tend to utter what they have in mind rather than
saying it. Their job tends to demand more physical strength and mechanical skills
such as drivers, builders, mechanic, and porters.
In the other hand, women are associated neatness, orderliness, soft voice,
small shouldered, big hips (Kusumawati, 2007). Their traits tend to be passive,
meaning that they keep silent of what they have in mind, emotional, and
subjective so that they lead to the passive state. Their professions mostly demand
patience and aesthetical skills such as babysitter, housemaid, and interior designs.
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2
Currently, in some cases, it is difficult to differ between some man and
woman in their appearances, traits, gestures, and may be in their professions.
Sometimes they act the other way around, a man acts as a woman and a woman
acts as a man. Despite their free self actualization, this seems to divert from the
social construction where the norms teaches a man and a woman should act upon
the commonly agreed convention of the society.
However, the phenomenon happening on a few characteristic and
description above often overlaps with the phenomenon that is currently
happening. For example, driver profession has now also been taken by women,
similarly housemaid profession has now also been taken by men. Some men also
put emphasis on their look and appearances or have long hair cut, making it
difficult to be physically recognized as men. This fact also occurs in some
women.
Looking at these phenomena, it may be hard to define the masculinity and
femininity on a man or woman. This issue is reflected in the literary works; the
novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. There is an issue of gender in
novel. The Picture of Dorian Gray is an interesting novel to analyze in terms of
the gender, masculinity and femininity issues in particular. The gender prescribed
by the society can be seen in each character.
Dorian Gray is twenty years old, young and handsome. His youthful and
handsomeness makes other characters interested, but he also has feminine side.
He is so pure, soft and weak although he has a masculine appearance. This
phenomenon makes writer interested to discuss about the masculinity and
3
femininity on Dorian Gray. This character represents the masculinity and
femininity in gender and the writer focuses on the issue under the study. The
writer analyzes the Dorian Gray character using the Gender Theory. The writer
expects to discover the representation the masculinity and femininity through the
Dorian Gray character on the novel.
This research enriches the collection of research in English Department of
Indonesia University of Computer because none of the existing researches takes
into account the case of masculinity and femininity. Therefore, the writer entitles
this research “Gender Issues in the Dorian Gray’s Character in the novel The
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde”.
1.2 Research Question
1. How is Dorian’s Masculinity and Femininity described in the novel “The
Picture of Dorian Gray”?
2. What is the impact of the Gender Masculinity and Femininity towards the
Dorian Gray character?
1.3 Objectives
Based on the research question above, there are several objectives
in this research, that are:
1. To describe Dorian’s Masculinity and Femininity representation in the
novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.
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2. To describe the impact of the Masculinity and Femininity in three main
characters.
1.4 Significance to Knowledge
The theoretical benefit of this research is to recognize the masculinity
and femininity that influences by aesthetic movement and social construction.
Besides, the writer also hopes this research can give more information for the
other researchers who study concerning this topic, the masculinity and femininity
in English literature and become the other sources for next researcher. The
practical benefit of this research is the masculinity and femininity in person are
always influence by the aesthetic and social construction in society.
1.5 Framework of Theory
To analyze the gender issue in this novel, the writer uses the Gender
Theory by Judith Butler (1990). Gender is the social construction that
differentiates the masculinity and femininity. Butler said, ―gender is an identity
tenuosly constituted in time, instituted in an exterior space through a stylized
repetition of acts.‖ (1990: 140). Gender is not a fixed identity, but it always
changes against time and also fit with the repetition of behaviour or manner.
Gender appears because of repetition of act. Gender can influences the persons of
identity in society. The Gender builds person’s identity through the social
constructions about gender roles. The social construction shapes the roles of
gender that is being masculinity and femininity. The concept of masculinity and
5
femininity differentiate man and woman in terms of the manners, behaviour, and
gender roles.
Therefore, the writer uses the characterization theory to examine the
Dorian Gray in the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray character has
both masculinity and femininity characteristics. His characteristcs is unique, he
can act like a woman but also like a man. His unique characteristic makes an
impacts for other character that interested with him, both man and woman. Dorian
Gray character will be analyzed by using Gender Theory by Judith Butler and
Dorian Gray characteristics describes through the his and other characterization.
Characterization theory that writer used is a process that reveals the
personality of character. Characterization have a two types, there are showing and
telling. Telling method is delineation direct by the author or by the other character
and showing method that analyses the character
effect, action and looks.
from their speech, thought,
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THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
DORIAN GRAY
GENDER
MASCULINITY
FEMININITY
THE IMPACT OF MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY
Framework of theory 1.7
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
2.1 Gender
The word “gender” is from Latin, genus, which means type or species and
group. Gender is a social construction that differentiates between the masculinity
and femininity.
According to Younger (2005: XV)
―In modern society, masculinity is primarily performed as a set of
repeated and routinized behaviors (men are taught to be ―tall,
dark, handsome, restrained, strong, unemotional‖). Femininity is
also performed, but with seemingly greater variety (women are
taught to be ―flighty, indecisive, emotional, and conscious of
appearance‖). Inantiquity we find similar performances:
women‘s thoughts and emotions are fluid, men‘s controlled.‖
Masculinity and femininity are characteristics that are defined by different
societies and cultures in different ways. Masculinity and femininity is a stereotype
about how man and woman should behave. They learn their appropriate role in the
society since they were children. Masculinity pertains to quality such as rational,
ambitious, and strong. In contrast, the characteristics of femininity are emotional
and weak. Masculinity is considered to have higher status than femininity.
(Jackson & Soresen, in Peterson and Runyan 2009: 332)
Talking about masculinity, certainly it cannot be separated with the gender
concept that backgrounds the social and culture. The learning created, reinforced,
and instituted is constructed in social and cultural through the religion and nation.
Hoyenga & Hoyenga (1993) also define masculine as the characteristic that is
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8
related to man, that is formed by culture. Thus, masculine is traits and it is formed
by the culture as a characteristic that is ideal for man. For example, assertive and
dominant considered as masculine trait.
A man who has an identical characteristic with the masculine refers to
masculine man, if it exceeds, it refers to hyper masculine man but if it less of
masculine it refers to effeminate man.
According to Hoyenga & Hoyenga (1993), Feminine is a trait that is more
common in woman than man is. Feminine refers to woman trait in culture. It
means, feminine is a trait and is formed by culture as the ideal characteristic for
woman. Femininity constructs rules that set proper woman’s appearance and
behavior.
2.1.1 Masculinity
Masculinity concept is influenced by the culture. The concept of
masculinity in society is associated with the industrialization, military power and
conventional social gender roles, for example, man should be physically strong,
smart, aggressive in sexuality, logic, individualistic, and has a leader
characteristic. This association is constructed by the culture and creates a new
masculine and all the man repeats it. In Victorian era, the ideal masculinity is man
should be spiritual and protective to his family. Victorian society believes that
man was considered as protector and faithful believer. It is because the effect of
the Christianity. Christianity gives a much effect to the masculinity in Victorian
era (Sussman, 1992).
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Moreover, man in Victorian era is active in publicity. Their jobs also
contribute the masculine status. It occurs on the middle class man because the
aristocrat man is viewed as idle since they do not work commonly. Most of
aristocrat man was also active in public as bar, club and party. If they just stay in
home, they believe that their masculinity is threatened. They are considered as the
weak man or not manly and their status has same level with woman (Sussman,
1992).
Furthermore, the man in Victorian era is also dandy. They love to look
interesting. They believe if they are handsome or gussied, they will be accepted
by society and the opposite, if they are ugly, they will not be accepted by society
and the society will excommunicate with them. It is the effect of French Culture
in English that believes the aesthetic leads them into higher status in social
(Hamilton: 4).
2.1.2 Femininity
Femininity is a structure that builds the woman traits. It is constructed by
the society. The society constructs that woman should take care their children and
household. It is same as the concept in Victorian era. In Victorian era, woman
should be good, virtuous, and living in domestic life around the family and
household. Woman should obey her husband as the ideal woman for man. This
concept is influenced by the man thought and Christianity, man thinks that woman
is weak and they should be protected by man. Anything that man said, the woman
should obey it. If the woman protests with this, they are considered as un-ideal
10
woman (Adams, 5). Moreover, woman is also difficult to find a job, because in
Victorian era, there has been less job for woman. It is because of the industrial
revolution in England. There are only man who can work outside, like factory.
Jobs for woman is only staying at home and doing the activity at house, like
cooking, sewing, cleaning, reading, writing, and managing the house. Meanwhile,
the society also constructs woman that they should be interesting in society. More
and more interesting woman in society, they will be more accepted and get a
higher status in man eyes (Adams. 2).
Besides, the Victorian femininity also contributes into the fashion. Body
and dress symbolize femininity in woman fashion. The woman body becomes an
object of pleasure in fashions (Adams, 3) because the hips, buttocks and breasts
were exaggerated and the waist was small as a standard of pretty woman. besides
the body, the woman dress is symbolized as interior furnishings (Adams, 3)
because when woman wears dress and walk appears the social status of the
woman.
2.2 Queer Theory
Queer Theory not only theory talks about homosexuality, but also an
approach leading to sexuality matters (sex differences).
‗Queer theory is not a singular or systematic conceptual or
methodological framework, but a collection of intellectual
engagements with the relations between sex, gender and sexual
desire.‖ (Spargo, 1992: 9)
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As Spargo claims, queer has various systematic conceptual and
methodology. Queer also focuses on any kind sexual activity or identity that falls
into normative and deviant categories. Queer is also contesting of categorization
of gender sexuality. Queer said that there is an interval between what a subject
“does” (role talking) and what a subject “is” (the self). It makes the identity
category that is designed to identify the “sexed subject” and the individual place
becomes unstable.
2.2.1 Gender as Perfomative
Gender is performance, it is what someone does at particular times, rather
than a universal concept about femininity and masculinity. According to Butler
(1993: 125):
To claim that all gender is like drag, or is drag, is to suggest
that "imi-tation" is at the heart of the heterosexual project and
its gender binarisms, that drag is not a secondary imitation that
presupposes a prior and original gender, but that hegemonic
heterosexuality is itself a constant and repeated effort to imitate
its own idealizations. That it must repeat this imitation, that it
sets up pathologizing practices and normalizing sciences in
order to produce and consecrate its own claim on originality
and propriety, suggests that heterosexual performativity is beset
by an anxiety that it can never fully overcome, that its effort to
become its own idealizations can never be finally or fully
achieved, and that it is consis-tently haunted by that domain of
sexual possibility that must be excluded for heterosexualized
gender to produce itself.
On quotation above, Butler (1993) emphasizes that gender is imitative
structure, or the effect of imitation process, repetition, and performativity. The
concept of performativity on Butler idea is central to the gender studies. Butler
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borrows this concept from literary theory that is categorized into two kinds. There
are constantive and performative. Constantive is the expressive and performative
meanings that shape a reality. It emphasizes “I’m man” besides it is expressive; it
is also “tell my sex is male”. It is not only that but also performative that “I’m
man, so I should act with male norms.” So, It appears performativity.
For Butler (1993), gender is like the beauty contest that is performed by
the transvestites to prove that they are the perfect woman. The contestants are a
male but he can perform in a very feminine way such as slim body, smooth skin,
and pretty face. Thus, “realness” or the truth about gender, the identity and
sexuality are produced and reproduced through a set of actions, gesture and desire
that is interpreted and implemented until it creates the real gender.
Most of humanist consider someone in gender view as an attribute that is
attached by culture, at least become fixed as permanent part on person. However,
Butler prefers historic and anthropology position to understand the gender as a
relation between social subject that was formed in specific context. It becomes
fixed attribute gender on someone as fluid idenity that change in different contect
and different times. Society makes gender behavior looks more natural, but if it is
seen from time to time, there are changes in the construction of gender
performance.
Butler argues that there are power relations in a normative gender. Then
in daily life, this will become politic object.
"If sexuality is culturally constructed within existing power
relations, then the postulation of a normative sexuality that is
"before," "outside," or "beyond" power is a cultural
impossibillity and a politically impracticable dream, one that
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postpones the concrete and contemporary task of rethinking
subversive possibilities for sexuality and identity within the
terms of power itself.‖ (Butler,1993: 30)
Generally, masculinity is the open concept, it is not fixed identity and
monolithic that separated from race, class, and culture but distance identity that is
contradictive. Through the constructions, the masculinity is one of subjectivity
signs that fixed the socila idenity. The thought about masculinity in media also
gets the influence from Butler. Butler said masculinity concept in identity crisis is
not just new class anxiety but as the decreasing stability, relation between gender,
and representation, ‗an on going and potentially discontinuous performative
masquerade‘. .
2.2.2 Homoerotic
According to Younger (2005: 80) ―Homoeroticism, the erotic attraction
between members of the same sex, either male-male or female-female.
Homoerotic is a sexual attraction between man-man and female-female.
Homoerotic is also related with the Hellenistic period, a period in Greek history
around 4th-1st BC. This period is focused on two things that are believed to be
connected to Homoeroticism. It is namely art and education.
The art is portraying on the human figure as an object of beauty through
art. The most familiar object of beauty is through Greek statues of young men in
the nude. The Greek statues become the standard model of perfect man. Other
than that, the art is also about the education. The education in homoerotic can
appear caused by man relation to other man or women to other women. The
14
relationship during the Hellenistic period is known as Paiderastia. As Younger
(2005: 141) said, ―the eroticized socialization of an adolescent boy into Greek
male society by an adult man.‖ It emphasizes on the relationship between boy and
man. Paiderastia is a relationship based on the older man teaching the young boy
the ways of life and how to become a man. However, sex builds a big part in
interaction between boy and man. The fact that the education that a man educates
the boy builds a standard that most boy in ancient Greek were seen as desirable
mostly when they were young and beautiful. The relation should have had a
sexual relation called homoerotic.
2.3 Character & Characterization
Character is a portrait of a real person. As D.K. Peterson’s (1999: 1) said,
―Characters are the ―people‖ intexts, and characterization is the author‘s
presentation and development of characters.‖ Character is the important element
in the story. Character can be real like human, animal, monster and robot. The
function of character also to builds the story. In determine the character in literary
works needs characterization method.
Characterization is a method used by an author to develop the character.
According to Albertine Minderop (2005), characterization has two types. There
are showing and telling methods.
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2.3.1 Telling Method
The telling method is ―Metode langsung (telling) mencakup karakterisasi
melalui penggunaan nama tokoh, karakterisasi melalui penampilan tokoh,
karakterisasi melalui tuturan pengarang (Minderop, 2005: 4). The statement says
the character is directly told by the author. This method is used on the literary
works while literature can be seen and enjoyed from the author explanation. On
this method, characterization can be using name and appearance of the character
and author narration.
2.3.2 Showing Method
The showing is indirect characterization that the author reveals the
character by the action, speech, looks, thought and effect.
The other method is the indirect, the dramatic method of
showing, which involves the author‘s stepping aside, as it were,
to allow the characters to reveal themselves directly through
and their actions. With showing, much of the burden of
character analysis is shifted to the reader, who is required to
infer character on the basis of the evidence provided in the
narrative (Minderop, 2005:22).
In this method, the reader can conclude about the character description in
the novel without the author interference. This showing method has a few way,
through what the character says, the character’s appearance and environment, the
character’s thought, what the character does (inward and outward behavior), and
what others say about the character.
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2.4 Aesthetic Movement
Aesthetic movement was a movement during the late 19th century that
focused on the idea that Art for Art’s Sake. Aesthetic placed a very high opinion
on beauty. It was a literary and social movement, which differed in the way which
it viewed art and its connection to life. The origin of the English Aesthetic
Movement can be traced back to the literary works in 19th century. The worship
of beauty and the lack of interest were in social and political problems. It hideous
contemporary industrial world and be realized the creation of beauty as a duty to
society. The theorist of the English Aestheticism was Walter Pater who stated that
personal experience is the only valid criterion of judgment.
Beauty, like all other qualities presented to human experience, is
relative; and the definition of it becomes unmeaning and useless
in proportion to its abstractness. To define beauty, not in the
most abstract but in the most concrete terms possible, to find,
not its universal formula, but the formula which expresses most
adequately this or that special manifestation of it, is the aim of
the true student of aesthetics. (Palter, 1980, XIX)
Through this statement, he explains that the aesthetic values are primary
and befall all other value even moral and ethical ones. Hence, theories are useless
and only impressions are real, but impressions are elusive since the world of
experience in a continuously changing the flow. The end of life is not the result of
the experience but the capacity of experiencing the greatest possible number of
impressions. The ideal is a life of sensations, which achieves its high realization in
the worship of beauty and art for art’s sake, because the highest pleasure can be
found in art.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH OBJECT AND METHOD
3.1 Research Object
The object in this research is the masculinity and femininity through
Dorian Gray character. This research attempts to investigate the masculinity and
femininity of Dorian’s Gray character and to examine the influence to Dorian
character towards the other character. The data is taken from the novel The
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The writer chooses this novel because
gender issue is interesting in the novel.
The novel tells about inexperience young man in very young age named
Dorian Gray. His father was killed in duel at Spa a few months after the marriage
and his mother died too within a year after Dorian born. Because his parents die,
he lives alone without anyone teach him. Then, his life changes when he comes to
London. He met Basil Hallward, a London painter at ball. They are acquainted
and become close friend until Basil makes the picture of Dorian Gray. When Basil
finishes the picture, Lord Henry, a nobleman and friend of Basil is accompanying
Basil with sitting and praise the beauty of Dorian. Lord Henry says that the
picture is the most magnificent picture and suggests to exhibit the picture, but
Basil refuse. Basil does not want to exhibit the painting anywhere. Then, Basil
changes the conversation and tells to Lord Henry that the young man in the
painting is Dorian Gray. Basil tells his first meeting with Dorian Gray at ball in
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18
Lady Brandon house, a woman of high society who hosted the party where Basil
and Dorian met. On the first time, Basil stares Dorian Gray; he is fascinated with
the beauty of face and body of Dorian Gray like Late Greek sculpture. Basil also
says since he met with Dorian Gray that he seems happy to make a painting.
Hearing the story about Dorian Gray from Basil, Lord Henry becomes
interesting to meet with Dorian Gray and he asks to meet him with Dorian. When
Lord Henry asks, Basil hesitates and does not want to introduce Lord Henry with
Dorian because he is afraid if Lord Henry will influence Dorian with his hedonist
life. On the other hand, suddenly, Dorian comes to Basil studio and Basil cannot
refuse to introduce Lord Henry to Dorian. However, before Basil introduces Lord
Henry to Dorian Basil reminds Lord Henry not to influence Dorian with his
hedonist life.
Nonetheless, as strong as Basil asks Lord Henry not to influence Dorian,
Lord Henry keep influences Dorian with his through about youth, beautiful,
pleasure, and woman. At the beginning, Dorian does not accept Lord Henry
thought, but slowly Dorian starts to accept it. Dorian starts to fascinates with Lord
Henry and learns everything that Lord Henry tells. Lord Henry tells about Dorian
has a beauty and youthfulness and Dorian should keep the beauty and
youthfulness because the beauty and youth is wonder of wonder. Then, Dorian
realizes his beauty and youth through the picture. He captivated with his own
beauty and youth. Then he says someday he will old and wrinkle but the picture
would stay young forever and he would barter his soul to for his youthfulness and
beauty.
19
When Basil hears Dorian said about that, Basil blames Lord Henry giving
influence to Dorian. Basil wants to rip the picture but Dorian prevents Basil to do
it and Dorian says that the picture now becomes part of his soul.
As the next impact from Lord Henry thought, Lord Henry and Dorian
Gray friendship are closer. They hang out together like going to club, dinner;
going to ball, watching an opera and hunting. When Dorian comes to Lord Henry
house, Dorian tells to Lord Henry that he fall in love with street actress named
Sybil Vane. Dorian tells that Sybil was so beautiful, pretty and talented. Hearing
that, Lord Henry gives an influence to Dorian. Lord Henry seems unhappy with
the relationship between Dorian and Sybil. He tells not to be serious with woman
because only few woman worth to be noticed, but Dorian still loves Sybil Vane.
Then, Dorian invites Basil and Lord Henry to see Sybil performance in the next
night. When they are seeing Sybil performance, they are not seeing like the
beautiful performance as Dorian said. They see bad performance that Sybil shows.
Dorian feels upset because Sybil gives a bad performance and it makes him feel
ashamed among his friends. Then, Dorian rejects Sybil after the performance and
leaves the theater.
After, the tragedy of Sybil Vane Dorian comes back to his house after
dawn. He enters to his house and sitting in his bedroom, then his sight directed to
his painting. He walks closer to the painting and examines the painting. Dorian
surprises to see his painting has changes become ugly and his face has never been
change. Dorian thinks so hard, with why the picture is changed. Then he
remembers with his utterance. Dorian realizes that he said he would give
20
everything to stay young and he would barter his soul with the beauty and youth.
The changing of his painting makes him remember with his rejection to Sybil
Vane. He is afraid with his beauty and youth that will be old and wrinkle. He
remembers with what he did to Sybil that reflected through the painting. So he
decides to ask forgiveness from Sybil Vane because his action last night.
Then, Dorian writes a letter to Sybil Vane about his rejection last night.
When Dorian writes a letter, Lord Henry comes to Dorian house and he would
like to cheer up Dorian because the bad performance of Sybil Vane last night.
Dorian tells Lord Henry, he writes a letter to Sybil to ask forgiveness. In fact,
before Dorian sends the letter Lord Henry says that Sybil Vane was death. Lord
Henry asks Dorian that did he read the letter from him, but Dorian does not yet
read the letter. Lord Henry says he wrote a letter about Sybil Vane suicide, she
drank poison last night. Dorian surprises to hear the news about Sybil Vane
suicide. Dorian is very upset with that and regret with his action.
However, Lord Henry does not feel regret with Dorian’s action. He
suggests to forget it with come with him to watch the opera and meet with his
cousin. At first, Dorian does not want to go, but Lord Henry persuades Dorian to
come and forget it. Finally, Dorian gives way to Lord Henry and he goes out with
Lord Henry to watch the opera and meet with Lord Henry’s cousin.
Years passed, Dorian become a man and he keeps his secret about Sybil
Vane death that makes Dorian keep pretending as a good man. His regret appears
and realizes that his kindness just a selfish actions to fix his soul. When Dorian
walks in street of London, he meets with Basil. Basil decides to go to Paris for
21
exhibiting his painting. Basil surprises with Dorian beauty and youth that has
never been change. Dorian is only smile and invites Basil for come to his house.
Then, Basil come and follows Dorian to his house.
When Dorian was sitting, Basil asks about his life and about the news of
Dorian scandal. Dorian is not interest with the rumor about him, but Basil keeps
asking to him. It makes Dorian hysterics and angry to Basil. Then, Dorian decides
to show him the secret about his soul that the thing makes him haunted by his
guilty. Dorian shows the painting to Basil that makes him haunted by his guilty.
Basil shocks see the painting change into an ugly man. At first, Basil does not
believe with the change of this painting; he thinks that it is not his painting made
by him. However, Dorian explains because the painting that has destroyed his
soul. Dorian blames Basil that everything happen because the painting. Basil asks
Dorian to ask forgiveness to God, it is never too late to ask. On the other hand,
Dorian uncontrolled feeling mad to Basil and he sees a knife on the table, then
Dorian take a knife and stab him at backside repeatedly. He does not regret with
his actions.
After that, Dorian was still haunting by his sinful to Sybil and Basil death.
When he is alone at his house, he stares at his picture. He looks round and sees the
knife stabbed to Basil. He cleans the knife and stabs his picture with it. There was
a cry heard and shout out from the Dorian house.
Dorian housekeeper woke up cause their hearing of terrible sound. Two
men passed in Dorian house call the police and say the voice comes from Dorian
house. The housekeeper cannot open Dorian’s bedroom door because Dorian
22
locked it, so they climb through the roof. They found dead man in the evening
dress and the knife in his heart. He is withered, wrinkled and old. They know that
he is Dorian Gray.
3.2 Research Method
The research uses qualitative method. According to Bogdan and Taylor
in Meleong (2004: 3) ―Metodologi kualitatif sebagai prosedur penelitian yang
menghasilkan data deskriptif berupa kata-kata tertulis atau lisan dari orangorang dan perilaku yang dapat diamati.‖ The qualitative describes and explains
data toward the phenomena that happen.
The Descriptive method is also used to describe the data clearly based on
the facts and examine the problem based on Gender Theory by Judith Butler.
According to Koentjaraningrat (1976: 30) ―Penelitian yang bersifat deskriptif
yaitu yang memberikan gambaran yang secermat mungkin mengenai individu,
keadaan, gejala atau kelompok tertentu.‖ Thus, by using descriptive method the
writer can explain the phenomenon of masculinity and femininity in a more
comprehensive way.
3.2.1 Data Collection
The writer uses the library research to collect the data. The writer uses
several steps as follow:
1. The writer reads this novel in every sentence to get the data from this
novel.
23
2. After reading the novel, the writer chooses the data that related with the
masculinity and femininity. The indicator of masculinity and femininity
found in this novel is body, behaviour, and social norms. It will be
analyzed based on the gender theory.
3. The writer classifies the data based on the gender that contains with the
masculinity and femininity. The writer classify the data that can be
analyzed and fnd the theories that support the analysis. The last the writer
analyze the data that has been classify use the gender theory by Judith
Butler that has been found.
3.2.2 Data Analysis
In data analysis, the writer describes the characterization of Dorian Gray
using characterization theory through showing and telling methods. By using the
showing and telling method, the writer interprets Dorian characterization from
beginning until the end of story. Then, the writer examines Dorian interpretation
on femininity and masculinity using Gender Theory by Judith Butler. Here is the
sample of data analysis:
Dorian Gray, the main character in this novel, is characterized as a goodlooking young man. As seen in the description of his picture in the
following―stood the full-length portrait of a young man of extraordinary personal
beauty.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 5).
However, he is an inexperience young man. As
described by Lord Henry, one of the character that later becomes his friend,
below:
24
―I feel quite sure of that. He is some brainless, beautiful creature,
who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to
look at, and always here in summer when we want something to
chill our intelligence.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 6)
The data above describes Dorian characterization through the telling
method that is from Lord Henry character. It shows that Dorian is “...He is some
brainless, beautiful creature,‖ (Wilde, 1992: 6.). It shows that Dorian brainless.
His brainless shows his femininity traits. Although Dorian was man, he also has a
feminine side. His feminine side describes by Lord Henry “who should be always
here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here in summer
when we want something to chill our intelligence.” (Wilde, 1992:6). It is describe
that Lord Henry imagines Dorian was a woman brainless and beautiful stay in
home. His brainless and beautiful is more feminine fit with woman. It indicates
that he is inexperience.
CHAPTER IV
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
Woman and man are constructed to be masculine and feminine by the
society. The society gives the ideas how masculine and feminine act and behave.
This social construction is reflected in the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Dorian Gray, the main character in this novel, is characterized as a goodlooking young man. As seen in the description of his picture in the
following―stood the full-length portrait of a young man of extraordinary personal
beauty.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 5).
However, he is an inexperience young man. As
described by Lord Henry, one of the character that later becomes his friend, below
―I feel quite sure of that. He is some brainless, beautiful creature,
who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to
look at, and always here in summer when we want something to
chill our intelligence.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 6)
The data above describes Dorian characterization through the telling
method that is from Lord Henry character. Lord Henry describes Dorian as a
brainless person, which indicates that he is inexperience. Lord Henry also
describes Dorian as if Dorian is a woman figure by using the word beautiful
instead of handsome, and he is also depicted as flower as seen here, “who should
be always here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here in
summer when we want something to chill our intelligence.‖ The description from
Lord Henry above can be concluded that Dorian is characterized by brainless,
25
26
beautiful and flower. Those words pertain to women’s characteristic which
indicate Dorian Gray’s feminine side.
Dorian is inexperience young man because he lost his parents at a very
young age. His father was killed in duel at Spa a few months later after the
marriage and his mother died too, within a year.
―The poor chap was killed in duel at Spa, a few months after the
marriage. There was an ugly story about it. They said Kelso got
some rascally adventurer, some Belgian brute, to insult his sonin-law in public; paid him, sir, to do it, paid him; and that the
fellow spitted his man as if he had been a pigeon. The thing was
hushed up, but, egad, Kelso ate his chop alone at the club for
some time afterwards. He brought his daughter back with him, I
was told, and she never spoke to him again. Oh, yes; it was a bad
business. The girl died too: died within a year.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 29)
Dorian’s past life is described from the conversation between Lord Henry
and Lord Fermor. He lost his parents when he was child. His father died few
month later after the marriage because of his grandfather paid some Belgian brute
to insult his son-in-law in front of public, and he was killed in that duel. Although,
this story is covered up but public knew about this. His grandfather brought
Dorian’s mother back, but after that, Dorian’s mother never spoke to Lord Kelso
until she died. After the tragedy, Dorian lives with his grandfather who is
described as ―tyrant and lovelessman‖ (Wilde, 1992:31). This is the reason why,
Dorian is inexperience. He has no one teach him. Dorian constructs by his society
that his grandfather. Dorian does not get the education from his grandfather. He
just stay at home like commonly woman in Victorian era.
27
His life changes when he comes to London. There, he meets Basil and
Lord Henry. Basil thinks that Dorian is so impressive he is handsome and has a
good shaped of body. As seen here:
―I sometimes think, Harry, that there are only two eras of any
importance in the world‘s history. The first is the apperance of a
new medium for art, and the second is the apperance of a new
personality for art also. What the invention of oil-painting was
to the Venetians, the face of Antinous was the late Greek
sculpture, and the face of Dorian Gray will someday be to me. It
is not merely that I paint from him, draw from him, sketch from
him. Of course I have done all that. But he is much more to me
than model or a sitter.‖ (Wilde, 1992:11)
Basil sees Dorian like a beautiful art. “The first is the apperance of a new
medium for art, and the second is the apperance of a new personality for art
also.‖ (Wilde, 1992:11) Dorian apperance and personality is an object of art for
Basil. “What the invention of oil-painting was to the Venetians, the face of
Antinous was the late Greek sculpture, and the face of Dorian Gray will someday
be to me.‖(Wilde, 1992:11). Basil equates the beauty of Dorian face and body to
the classical Greek statue, the Antinous-the Greek statue who has a beautiful body
and face. Basil thinks Dorian is perfect to be a model for his painting. It becomes
a reason Basil draws his picture on canvas. It is not only Basil who is fascinated
with Dorian but Lord Henry too.
Lord Henry is also fascinated with Dorian Gray even before he meets
him. ―He was certainly wonderfully handsome, with his finely-curved scarlet lips,
his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair. (Wilde, 1992: 16). He first saw him on
canvas drawn by Basil. Lord Henry fascinated with the Dorian handsomeness.
28
The handsomeness of Dorian is clearly seen. Dorian also has a perfect
composition for handsome man with a red lips, blue eyes and gold hair.
On the other hand, Dorian is fascinated by Lord Henry, as seen below
―Dorian Gray frowned and turned his head away. He could not
help liking the tall, graceful young man who was standing by
him. his romantic olive-coloured face and worn expression
interested him. (Wilde, 1992: 20)
This data above shows that Dorian is fascinated by Lord Henry’s
appearance that is tall and charismatic. Dorian thinks that he is very masculine
and smart. He is the representation of a man he want to be.
Dorian closeness to Basil and Lord Henry shows a homoerotic
relationship. Although those three are heterosexual but their friendship is too close
and they care one another too much. The relationship is based on the older man
teaching the young boy the ways of life and how to become a man. The implicit
statement about homoerotic can be seen in Lord Henry statement below:
―I believe that if one man were to live out his life fully and
completely, were to give form to every feeling, expression to every
thought, reality to every dream – I believe that the world would
gain such a fresh impulse of joy that we would forget all the
maladies of medievalis, and return to the Hellenic Ideal – to
something finer, richer, than the Hellenic ideal, it may be.‖
(Wilde, 1992:18)
The quotation above shows a homoerotic code since Lord Henry mentions
Hellenic ideal to emphasis the time when a man can freely idolizes other male
body. Implicitly, Lord Henry starts to idolize Dorian beautiful face and body.
Lord Henry doctrinates Dorian with his thought about idolize Dorian beauty face
and body. His beautiful face and body has become an object of education for
himself. Lord Henry also tells to Dorian that how to man could and should live his
29
life to be meaningful. He emphasizes with the “maladies of medievalis‖, the
tendency to praise the “art for art’s sake” that is art as a final pleasure. It leads
Dorian to the “gain such a fresh impulse of joy‖ Lord Henry suggests that Dorian
to pleasure himself while he still young. Lord Henry thought starts to influence
Dorian Gray. The education that Lord Henry teaches to Dorian builds an
extraordinary close whch can be considered as man Homoerotic.
Dorian is also interested with Lord Henry’s witty enigma and cynical
judgment about the world. Thus, he thinks Lord Henry as a one who can teach
him about the world.
―For nearly ten minutes he stood there, motionless, with parted
lips, and eyes strangely bright. He was dimly conscious that
entirely fresh influences were at work within him. Yet they
seemed to him to have come really form himself. The few words
that Basil‘s friend has said to him – words spoken by chance, no
doubt, and with willful paradox in them – had touched some
secret chord that had never been touched before, but that he felt
was now vibrating and throbbing to curious pulses.‖ (Wilde,
1992: 19)
Lord Henry’s witty enigma and cynical judgment about the world affected
him. His inexperience makes him as empty canvas and waiting to be formed. He
likes a child and ready to learn everything. There are many things that Dorian
learned from Lord Henry including his own beauty.
―You have a wonderfully beautiful face, Mr Gray. Don‘t frown.
You have. And Beauty is a form of Genius – is higher, indeed,
than Genius, as it needs no explanation. It is one of the great
facts of the world, like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection
in dark waters of that silver shell we call the moon. It cannot be
questioned. It has its divine right of sovereignty. It makes
princes of those who have it. You smile? Ah! When you have lost
it you won‘t smile ... People say sometimes that Beauty is only
superficial. That may be so. But at least it is not so superficial as
30
Thought is. To me, Beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only
shallow people who do not judge by appearances.‖(Wilde,
1992: 21)
Lord Henry says Dorian has an extraordinary beauty. Dorian has just
realized it. He also learns that the beauty is a great miracle. As Lord Henry
statement about beauty,―It has its di
1. Student’s Profile
a.
Name
: Siti Fatimah
b.
Address
: Jl.Margahayu raya barat VIII depan Blok
A7 No.3 , Bandung
c.
Place and Date of Birth
: Bandung, 10 May 1991
d.
Sex
: Female
e.
Religion
: Moslem
f.
Phone
: 085721039048
g.
:chichi_9128@yahoo.com
2. Educational Background
2.1 Formal Education
No
Year
Institution
1
1996- 1997
TK Islam Taman Firdaus
2
1997 – 2003
SD Negeri Rancabolang 03
3
2003 – 2006
SMP Negeri 18 Bandung
4
2006 – 2009
SMA Pasundan 2 Bandung
5
2009 – Now
English Department
Indonesia University of Computer
2.2 Informal Education
No
Year
Institution
1
2009
Juara 1 Story Telling Contest PORAK ( Certified)
2
2010
Diskusi Internal Sastra Inggris (Certified)
3
2010
Copywriting Seminar (Certified)
4
2010
Translating and Interpreting Workshop (Certified)
49
50
5
2011
Feminist, Feminine and Text (Certified)
6
2011
5
2011
6
2012
7
2012
English Contest 2012 (Certified)
8
2012
Kreatif Menulis, Rejeki Tak Akan Habis with Raditya
Seminotics:
Literature
and
Media
Seminar
and
Workshop (Certified )
Copywriting Seminar and Workshop Certified)
Reaktualisasi
Nilai-Nilai
Pancasila
di
Kalangan
Generasi Muda Seminar (Certified)
Dika Talkshow (Certified)
9
2012
Cross Culture Literary Day Seminar (Certified)
10
2012
Character Building Training (Certified)
11
2012
Program Kreativitas Mahasiswa (PKM) DIKTI 2012
(Certified)
12
2013
Copywriting Seminar “Go Viral” (Certified)
3. Competency
There are some competencies that the writer has. They are as follows:
a. English Correspondence
b. Good at English both oral and written
c. Operating Computer ( Ms.Office , Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia, and
Internet)
4. Organization and Work Experiences
No
Year
1
2003-2006
2
2008-2009
3
2010-2011
4
2010
Organization
Member of Taekwondo SMPN 18 Bandung
Member of Nihon Club SMA Pasundan 2
Bandung
HIMA SAIS Unikom
Private Teacher at Hotel Hilton
GENDER ISSUES ON DORIAN GRAY CHARACTER IN THE NOVEL
“THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY” BY OSCAR WILDE
(A Study of Gender)
ISU GENDER PADA KARAKTER DORIAN GRAY DALAM NOVEL “THE
PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY” KARYA OSCAR WILDE
(Sebuah Kajian Gender)
SKRIPSI
Submitted to fulfil one of the course requirements of Sarjana Sastra Degree
Undergraduate program of English Department UNIKOM
SITI FATIMAH
63709016
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS
INDONESIA UNIVERSITY OF COMPUTER
BANDUNG
2013
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The writer thanks to the greatest creator Allah S.W.T for the blessings and
grace, so that I can complete this skripsi. This skripsi is arranged as one of the
academic requirements of the English Department, Faculty of Letters, Indonesia
University of Computer. During the preparation and the writing of this skripsi, I
get a lot of advices, support, and aid. In this opportunity, I want to thank you as
much as possible to:
1. Prof. Dr. Moh. Tadjuddin, M.A. as The Dean of Faculty of Letters,
Indonesia University of Computer.
2. Dr. Juanda, as The head of English Department.
3. Nungki Heriyati, S.S., M.A., and Tatan Tawami, S.S., M.Hum., as The
writer’s advisors who have given advice and helps the writer to finish this
skripsi.
4. Retno Purwani Sari S.S., M.Hum., as The Coordinator of Skripsi.
5. Muhammad Rayhan Bustam, S.S., Asih Prihandini, S.S., M. Hum.,
Nenden Rikma Dewi, S.S., M.Hum. and as the lecturers in English
Department.
6. Mbak Nita and Mbak Tyas as the staffs in Faculty of Letters.
7. My beloved parents, brother, sisters and niece who always support me in
material and prayer.
viii
8. Bayu, Teh Uci, Abah, Teh Emma, Bang Andre, A’Galih, Prike, Kemos,
Aip, Aci, Teh Yuan, Teh Rian, Edoy, Mayang, Oline for being a good
friend when sad and pain.
9. Yenny Susilowaty, thanks for all support for during to finish this skripsi.
10. Thanks to OneRepublic, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, AN21, Dirty
South, Sebastian Ingrosso, John Martin and Ellie Goulding for the song
who always support me with their song during finish this skripsi
The writer realizes that the skripsi is far from perfect. Therefore, the
writer expects critic and suggestion from readers. I hope this skripsi will be useful
to all college students.
Bandung, 21 August 2013
Siti Fatimah
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
1.7 Framework of Theory
6
xii
REFERENCES
Adams, Lynn. (no year). The Ideal Womanhood in Victorian Britan. On
[11/02/13]
Butler, Judith. 1990. Gender Trouble: Feminism and Subversion of Idenity. New
York: Routledge.
Butler, Judith. 1993. Body That Matter on the Discursive Limits of ―sex‖. New
York: Routledge.
D’Hamilton, Chevalier. (no year). Dandysm: Beyond Fashion. On
[07/02/13]
Hoyenga, Katharine Blick & Kermit. T. Hoyenga. 1993:Gender-Related
Differences: Origins and Outcomes. 6 July 2013. on
Koentjaraningrat. 1976: Metode Penelitian Masyarakat. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia.
Pustaka Utama.
Kusumawati. 2007: ―Kepemimpinan Dalam Perspekstif Gender. Adakah
Perbedaan?‖. Vol 1. No.1. Juni 2007: 37-40
Meolong, Lexy J. 2004: Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Rosda.
Minderop, Albertine. 2005: Metode Karakterisasi Telaah Fiksi. Edisi Pertama.
Jakarta: Yayasan Obor Indonesia.
Pater, Walter. 1980: The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry: the 1893 text. 26
July 2013. on
Peterson, Spike & Anne Sisson Runyan. 2009: Global Gender Issues. 16 July
2013. on
Peterson, D.K. 1999. “Literary Elements” 1 November 1999 on
< http://www.english.wayne.edu/~peterson/Fiction/elements.html>
41
42
Wilde, Oscar. 1992. The Picture of Dorian Gray. London: Wordsworth Classics.
Younger, John. G. 2005: Sex in the Ancient World from A-Z. New York:
Routledge.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to The Study
Gender study is an approach that analyzes gender phenomenon. The term
gender refers to the social and cultural construction of masculinity and femininity
(Kusumawati, 2007). These constructions are not the condition of being male or
female biologically. In contrast, it refers to the behavior and the norms of
masculinity and femininity. Masculinity and femininity can be said as a set of
qualities, characteristics, behaviors and roles of being man or woman.
For example, generally, men are expected to be physically stronger,
athletic, bearded, muscular, barbate, big voice, slim-hipped, and broad-shouldered
(Kusumawati, 2007). The traits are active, independent, rational, objective,
competitive, logic, and not easily get offended. The men’s gesture, in speaking,
for example, are expressive, they tend to utter what they have in mind rather than
saying it. Their job tends to demand more physical strength and mechanical skills
such as drivers, builders, mechanic, and porters.
In the other hand, women are associated neatness, orderliness, soft voice,
small shouldered, big hips (Kusumawati, 2007). Their traits tend to be passive,
meaning that they keep silent of what they have in mind, emotional, and
subjective so that they lead to the passive state. Their professions mostly demand
patience and aesthetical skills such as babysitter, housemaid, and interior designs.
1
2
Currently, in some cases, it is difficult to differ between some man and
woman in their appearances, traits, gestures, and may be in their professions.
Sometimes they act the other way around, a man acts as a woman and a woman
acts as a man. Despite their free self actualization, this seems to divert from the
social construction where the norms teaches a man and a woman should act upon
the commonly agreed convention of the society.
However, the phenomenon happening on a few characteristic and
description above often overlaps with the phenomenon that is currently
happening. For example, driver profession has now also been taken by women,
similarly housemaid profession has now also been taken by men. Some men also
put emphasis on their look and appearances or have long hair cut, making it
difficult to be physically recognized as men. This fact also occurs in some
women.
Looking at these phenomena, it may be hard to define the masculinity and
femininity on a man or woman. This issue is reflected in the literary works; the
novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. There is an issue of gender in
novel. The Picture of Dorian Gray is an interesting novel to analyze in terms of
the gender, masculinity and femininity issues in particular. The gender prescribed
by the society can be seen in each character.
Dorian Gray is twenty years old, young and handsome. His youthful and
handsomeness makes other characters interested, but he also has feminine side.
He is so pure, soft and weak although he has a masculine appearance. This
phenomenon makes writer interested to discuss about the masculinity and
3
femininity on Dorian Gray. This character represents the masculinity and
femininity in gender and the writer focuses on the issue under the study. The
writer analyzes the Dorian Gray character using the Gender Theory. The writer
expects to discover the representation the masculinity and femininity through the
Dorian Gray character on the novel.
This research enriches the collection of research in English Department of
Indonesia University of Computer because none of the existing researches takes
into account the case of masculinity and femininity. Therefore, the writer entitles
this research “Gender Issues in the Dorian Gray’s Character in the novel The
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde”.
1.2 Research Question
1. How is Dorian’s Masculinity and Femininity described in the novel “The
Picture of Dorian Gray”?
2. What is the impact of the Gender Masculinity and Femininity towards the
Dorian Gray character?
1.3 Objectives
Based on the research question above, there are several objectives
in this research, that are:
1. To describe Dorian’s Masculinity and Femininity representation in the
novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.
4
2. To describe the impact of the Masculinity and Femininity in three main
characters.
1.4 Significance to Knowledge
The theoretical benefit of this research is to recognize the masculinity
and femininity that influences by aesthetic movement and social construction.
Besides, the writer also hopes this research can give more information for the
other researchers who study concerning this topic, the masculinity and femininity
in English literature and become the other sources for next researcher. The
practical benefit of this research is the masculinity and femininity in person are
always influence by the aesthetic and social construction in society.
1.5 Framework of Theory
To analyze the gender issue in this novel, the writer uses the Gender
Theory by Judith Butler (1990). Gender is the social construction that
differentiates the masculinity and femininity. Butler said, ―gender is an identity
tenuosly constituted in time, instituted in an exterior space through a stylized
repetition of acts.‖ (1990: 140). Gender is not a fixed identity, but it always
changes against time and also fit with the repetition of behaviour or manner.
Gender appears because of repetition of act. Gender can influences the persons of
identity in society. The Gender builds person’s identity through the social
constructions about gender roles. The social construction shapes the roles of
gender that is being masculinity and femininity. The concept of masculinity and
5
femininity differentiate man and woman in terms of the manners, behaviour, and
gender roles.
Therefore, the writer uses the characterization theory to examine the
Dorian Gray in the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray character has
both masculinity and femininity characteristics. His characteristcs is unique, he
can act like a woman but also like a man. His unique characteristic makes an
impacts for other character that interested with him, both man and woman. Dorian
Gray character will be analyzed by using Gender Theory by Judith Butler and
Dorian Gray characteristics describes through the his and other characterization.
Characterization theory that writer used is a process that reveals the
personality of character. Characterization have a two types, there are showing and
telling. Telling method is delineation direct by the author or by the other character
and showing method that analyses the character
effect, action and looks.
from their speech, thought,
6
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
DORIAN GRAY
GENDER
MASCULINITY
FEMININITY
THE IMPACT OF MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY
Framework of theory 1.7
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
2.1 Gender
The word “gender” is from Latin, genus, which means type or species and
group. Gender is a social construction that differentiates between the masculinity
and femininity.
According to Younger (2005: XV)
―In modern society, masculinity is primarily performed as a set of
repeated and routinized behaviors (men are taught to be ―tall,
dark, handsome, restrained, strong, unemotional‖). Femininity is
also performed, but with seemingly greater variety (women are
taught to be ―flighty, indecisive, emotional, and conscious of
appearance‖). Inantiquity we find similar performances:
women‘s thoughts and emotions are fluid, men‘s controlled.‖
Masculinity and femininity are characteristics that are defined by different
societies and cultures in different ways. Masculinity and femininity is a stereotype
about how man and woman should behave. They learn their appropriate role in the
society since they were children. Masculinity pertains to quality such as rational,
ambitious, and strong. In contrast, the characteristics of femininity are emotional
and weak. Masculinity is considered to have higher status than femininity.
(Jackson & Soresen, in Peterson and Runyan 2009: 332)
Talking about masculinity, certainly it cannot be separated with the gender
concept that backgrounds the social and culture. The learning created, reinforced,
and instituted is constructed in social and cultural through the religion and nation.
Hoyenga & Hoyenga (1993) also define masculine as the characteristic that is
7
8
related to man, that is formed by culture. Thus, masculine is traits and it is formed
by the culture as a characteristic that is ideal for man. For example, assertive and
dominant considered as masculine trait.
A man who has an identical characteristic with the masculine refers to
masculine man, if it exceeds, it refers to hyper masculine man but if it less of
masculine it refers to effeminate man.
According to Hoyenga & Hoyenga (1993), Feminine is a trait that is more
common in woman than man is. Feminine refers to woman trait in culture. It
means, feminine is a trait and is formed by culture as the ideal characteristic for
woman. Femininity constructs rules that set proper woman’s appearance and
behavior.
2.1.1 Masculinity
Masculinity concept is influenced by the culture. The concept of
masculinity in society is associated with the industrialization, military power and
conventional social gender roles, for example, man should be physically strong,
smart, aggressive in sexuality, logic, individualistic, and has a leader
characteristic. This association is constructed by the culture and creates a new
masculine and all the man repeats it. In Victorian era, the ideal masculinity is man
should be spiritual and protective to his family. Victorian society believes that
man was considered as protector and faithful believer. It is because the effect of
the Christianity. Christianity gives a much effect to the masculinity in Victorian
era (Sussman, 1992).
9
Moreover, man in Victorian era is active in publicity. Their jobs also
contribute the masculine status. It occurs on the middle class man because the
aristocrat man is viewed as idle since they do not work commonly. Most of
aristocrat man was also active in public as bar, club and party. If they just stay in
home, they believe that their masculinity is threatened. They are considered as the
weak man or not manly and their status has same level with woman (Sussman,
1992).
Furthermore, the man in Victorian era is also dandy. They love to look
interesting. They believe if they are handsome or gussied, they will be accepted
by society and the opposite, if they are ugly, they will not be accepted by society
and the society will excommunicate with them. It is the effect of French Culture
in English that believes the aesthetic leads them into higher status in social
(Hamilton: 4).
2.1.2 Femininity
Femininity is a structure that builds the woman traits. It is constructed by
the society. The society constructs that woman should take care their children and
household. It is same as the concept in Victorian era. In Victorian era, woman
should be good, virtuous, and living in domestic life around the family and
household. Woman should obey her husband as the ideal woman for man. This
concept is influenced by the man thought and Christianity, man thinks that woman
is weak and they should be protected by man. Anything that man said, the woman
should obey it. If the woman protests with this, they are considered as un-ideal
10
woman (Adams, 5). Moreover, woman is also difficult to find a job, because in
Victorian era, there has been less job for woman. It is because of the industrial
revolution in England. There are only man who can work outside, like factory.
Jobs for woman is only staying at home and doing the activity at house, like
cooking, sewing, cleaning, reading, writing, and managing the house. Meanwhile,
the society also constructs woman that they should be interesting in society. More
and more interesting woman in society, they will be more accepted and get a
higher status in man eyes (Adams. 2).
Besides, the Victorian femininity also contributes into the fashion. Body
and dress symbolize femininity in woman fashion. The woman body becomes an
object of pleasure in fashions (Adams, 3) because the hips, buttocks and breasts
were exaggerated and the waist was small as a standard of pretty woman. besides
the body, the woman dress is symbolized as interior furnishings (Adams, 3)
because when woman wears dress and walk appears the social status of the
woman.
2.2 Queer Theory
Queer Theory not only theory talks about homosexuality, but also an
approach leading to sexuality matters (sex differences).
‗Queer theory is not a singular or systematic conceptual or
methodological framework, but a collection of intellectual
engagements with the relations between sex, gender and sexual
desire.‖ (Spargo, 1992: 9)
11
As Spargo claims, queer has various systematic conceptual and
methodology. Queer also focuses on any kind sexual activity or identity that falls
into normative and deviant categories. Queer is also contesting of categorization
of gender sexuality. Queer said that there is an interval between what a subject
“does” (role talking) and what a subject “is” (the self). It makes the identity
category that is designed to identify the “sexed subject” and the individual place
becomes unstable.
2.2.1 Gender as Perfomative
Gender is performance, it is what someone does at particular times, rather
than a universal concept about femininity and masculinity. According to Butler
(1993: 125):
To claim that all gender is like drag, or is drag, is to suggest
that "imi-tation" is at the heart of the heterosexual project and
its gender binarisms, that drag is not a secondary imitation that
presupposes a prior and original gender, but that hegemonic
heterosexuality is itself a constant and repeated effort to imitate
its own idealizations. That it must repeat this imitation, that it
sets up pathologizing practices and normalizing sciences in
order to produce and consecrate its own claim on originality
and propriety, suggests that heterosexual performativity is beset
by an anxiety that it can never fully overcome, that its effort to
become its own idealizations can never be finally or fully
achieved, and that it is consis-tently haunted by that domain of
sexual possibility that must be excluded for heterosexualized
gender to produce itself.
On quotation above, Butler (1993) emphasizes that gender is imitative
structure, or the effect of imitation process, repetition, and performativity. The
concept of performativity on Butler idea is central to the gender studies. Butler
12
borrows this concept from literary theory that is categorized into two kinds. There
are constantive and performative. Constantive is the expressive and performative
meanings that shape a reality. It emphasizes “I’m man” besides it is expressive; it
is also “tell my sex is male”. It is not only that but also performative that “I’m
man, so I should act with male norms.” So, It appears performativity.
For Butler (1993), gender is like the beauty contest that is performed by
the transvestites to prove that they are the perfect woman. The contestants are a
male but he can perform in a very feminine way such as slim body, smooth skin,
and pretty face. Thus, “realness” or the truth about gender, the identity and
sexuality are produced and reproduced through a set of actions, gesture and desire
that is interpreted and implemented until it creates the real gender.
Most of humanist consider someone in gender view as an attribute that is
attached by culture, at least become fixed as permanent part on person. However,
Butler prefers historic and anthropology position to understand the gender as a
relation between social subject that was formed in specific context. It becomes
fixed attribute gender on someone as fluid idenity that change in different contect
and different times. Society makes gender behavior looks more natural, but if it is
seen from time to time, there are changes in the construction of gender
performance.
Butler argues that there are power relations in a normative gender. Then
in daily life, this will become politic object.
"If sexuality is culturally constructed within existing power
relations, then the postulation of a normative sexuality that is
"before," "outside," or "beyond" power is a cultural
impossibillity and a politically impracticable dream, one that
13
postpones the concrete and contemporary task of rethinking
subversive possibilities for sexuality and identity within the
terms of power itself.‖ (Butler,1993: 30)
Generally, masculinity is the open concept, it is not fixed identity and
monolithic that separated from race, class, and culture but distance identity that is
contradictive. Through the constructions, the masculinity is one of subjectivity
signs that fixed the socila idenity. The thought about masculinity in media also
gets the influence from Butler. Butler said masculinity concept in identity crisis is
not just new class anxiety but as the decreasing stability, relation between gender,
and representation, ‗an on going and potentially discontinuous performative
masquerade‘. .
2.2.2 Homoerotic
According to Younger (2005: 80) ―Homoeroticism, the erotic attraction
between members of the same sex, either male-male or female-female.
Homoerotic is a sexual attraction between man-man and female-female.
Homoerotic is also related with the Hellenistic period, a period in Greek history
around 4th-1st BC. This period is focused on two things that are believed to be
connected to Homoeroticism. It is namely art and education.
The art is portraying on the human figure as an object of beauty through
art. The most familiar object of beauty is through Greek statues of young men in
the nude. The Greek statues become the standard model of perfect man. Other
than that, the art is also about the education. The education in homoerotic can
appear caused by man relation to other man or women to other women. The
14
relationship during the Hellenistic period is known as Paiderastia. As Younger
(2005: 141) said, ―the eroticized socialization of an adolescent boy into Greek
male society by an adult man.‖ It emphasizes on the relationship between boy and
man. Paiderastia is a relationship based on the older man teaching the young boy
the ways of life and how to become a man. However, sex builds a big part in
interaction between boy and man. The fact that the education that a man educates
the boy builds a standard that most boy in ancient Greek were seen as desirable
mostly when they were young and beautiful. The relation should have had a
sexual relation called homoerotic.
2.3 Character & Characterization
Character is a portrait of a real person. As D.K. Peterson’s (1999: 1) said,
―Characters are the ―people‖ intexts, and characterization is the author‘s
presentation and development of characters.‖ Character is the important element
in the story. Character can be real like human, animal, monster and robot. The
function of character also to builds the story. In determine the character in literary
works needs characterization method.
Characterization is a method used by an author to develop the character.
According to Albertine Minderop (2005), characterization has two types. There
are showing and telling methods.
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2.3.1 Telling Method
The telling method is ―Metode langsung (telling) mencakup karakterisasi
melalui penggunaan nama tokoh, karakterisasi melalui penampilan tokoh,
karakterisasi melalui tuturan pengarang (Minderop, 2005: 4). The statement says
the character is directly told by the author. This method is used on the literary
works while literature can be seen and enjoyed from the author explanation. On
this method, characterization can be using name and appearance of the character
and author narration.
2.3.2 Showing Method
The showing is indirect characterization that the author reveals the
character by the action, speech, looks, thought and effect.
The other method is the indirect, the dramatic method of
showing, which involves the author‘s stepping aside, as it were,
to allow the characters to reveal themselves directly through
and their actions. With showing, much of the burden of
character analysis is shifted to the reader, who is required to
infer character on the basis of the evidence provided in the
narrative (Minderop, 2005:22).
In this method, the reader can conclude about the character description in
the novel without the author interference. This showing method has a few way,
through what the character says, the character’s appearance and environment, the
character’s thought, what the character does (inward and outward behavior), and
what others say about the character.
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2.4 Aesthetic Movement
Aesthetic movement was a movement during the late 19th century that
focused on the idea that Art for Art’s Sake. Aesthetic placed a very high opinion
on beauty. It was a literary and social movement, which differed in the way which
it viewed art and its connection to life. The origin of the English Aesthetic
Movement can be traced back to the literary works in 19th century. The worship
of beauty and the lack of interest were in social and political problems. It hideous
contemporary industrial world and be realized the creation of beauty as a duty to
society. The theorist of the English Aestheticism was Walter Pater who stated that
personal experience is the only valid criterion of judgment.
Beauty, like all other qualities presented to human experience, is
relative; and the definition of it becomes unmeaning and useless
in proportion to its abstractness. To define beauty, not in the
most abstract but in the most concrete terms possible, to find,
not its universal formula, but the formula which expresses most
adequately this or that special manifestation of it, is the aim of
the true student of aesthetics. (Palter, 1980, XIX)
Through this statement, he explains that the aesthetic values are primary
and befall all other value even moral and ethical ones. Hence, theories are useless
and only impressions are real, but impressions are elusive since the world of
experience in a continuously changing the flow. The end of life is not the result of
the experience but the capacity of experiencing the greatest possible number of
impressions. The ideal is a life of sensations, which achieves its high realization in
the worship of beauty and art for art’s sake, because the highest pleasure can be
found in art.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH OBJECT AND METHOD
3.1 Research Object
The object in this research is the masculinity and femininity through
Dorian Gray character. This research attempts to investigate the masculinity and
femininity of Dorian’s Gray character and to examine the influence to Dorian
character towards the other character. The data is taken from the novel The
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The writer chooses this novel because
gender issue is interesting in the novel.
The novel tells about inexperience young man in very young age named
Dorian Gray. His father was killed in duel at Spa a few months after the marriage
and his mother died too within a year after Dorian born. Because his parents die,
he lives alone without anyone teach him. Then, his life changes when he comes to
London. He met Basil Hallward, a London painter at ball. They are acquainted
and become close friend until Basil makes the picture of Dorian Gray. When Basil
finishes the picture, Lord Henry, a nobleman and friend of Basil is accompanying
Basil with sitting and praise the beauty of Dorian. Lord Henry says that the
picture is the most magnificent picture and suggests to exhibit the picture, but
Basil refuse. Basil does not want to exhibit the painting anywhere. Then, Basil
changes the conversation and tells to Lord Henry that the young man in the
painting is Dorian Gray. Basil tells his first meeting with Dorian Gray at ball in
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18
Lady Brandon house, a woman of high society who hosted the party where Basil
and Dorian met. On the first time, Basil stares Dorian Gray; he is fascinated with
the beauty of face and body of Dorian Gray like Late Greek sculpture. Basil also
says since he met with Dorian Gray that he seems happy to make a painting.
Hearing the story about Dorian Gray from Basil, Lord Henry becomes
interesting to meet with Dorian Gray and he asks to meet him with Dorian. When
Lord Henry asks, Basil hesitates and does not want to introduce Lord Henry with
Dorian because he is afraid if Lord Henry will influence Dorian with his hedonist
life. On the other hand, suddenly, Dorian comes to Basil studio and Basil cannot
refuse to introduce Lord Henry to Dorian. However, before Basil introduces Lord
Henry to Dorian Basil reminds Lord Henry not to influence Dorian with his
hedonist life.
Nonetheless, as strong as Basil asks Lord Henry not to influence Dorian,
Lord Henry keep influences Dorian with his through about youth, beautiful,
pleasure, and woman. At the beginning, Dorian does not accept Lord Henry
thought, but slowly Dorian starts to accept it. Dorian starts to fascinates with Lord
Henry and learns everything that Lord Henry tells. Lord Henry tells about Dorian
has a beauty and youthfulness and Dorian should keep the beauty and
youthfulness because the beauty and youth is wonder of wonder. Then, Dorian
realizes his beauty and youth through the picture. He captivated with his own
beauty and youth. Then he says someday he will old and wrinkle but the picture
would stay young forever and he would barter his soul to for his youthfulness and
beauty.
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When Basil hears Dorian said about that, Basil blames Lord Henry giving
influence to Dorian. Basil wants to rip the picture but Dorian prevents Basil to do
it and Dorian says that the picture now becomes part of his soul.
As the next impact from Lord Henry thought, Lord Henry and Dorian
Gray friendship are closer. They hang out together like going to club, dinner;
going to ball, watching an opera and hunting. When Dorian comes to Lord Henry
house, Dorian tells to Lord Henry that he fall in love with street actress named
Sybil Vane. Dorian tells that Sybil was so beautiful, pretty and talented. Hearing
that, Lord Henry gives an influence to Dorian. Lord Henry seems unhappy with
the relationship between Dorian and Sybil. He tells not to be serious with woman
because only few woman worth to be noticed, but Dorian still loves Sybil Vane.
Then, Dorian invites Basil and Lord Henry to see Sybil performance in the next
night. When they are seeing Sybil performance, they are not seeing like the
beautiful performance as Dorian said. They see bad performance that Sybil shows.
Dorian feels upset because Sybil gives a bad performance and it makes him feel
ashamed among his friends. Then, Dorian rejects Sybil after the performance and
leaves the theater.
After, the tragedy of Sybil Vane Dorian comes back to his house after
dawn. He enters to his house and sitting in his bedroom, then his sight directed to
his painting. He walks closer to the painting and examines the painting. Dorian
surprises to see his painting has changes become ugly and his face has never been
change. Dorian thinks so hard, with why the picture is changed. Then he
remembers with his utterance. Dorian realizes that he said he would give
20
everything to stay young and he would barter his soul with the beauty and youth.
The changing of his painting makes him remember with his rejection to Sybil
Vane. He is afraid with his beauty and youth that will be old and wrinkle. He
remembers with what he did to Sybil that reflected through the painting. So he
decides to ask forgiveness from Sybil Vane because his action last night.
Then, Dorian writes a letter to Sybil Vane about his rejection last night.
When Dorian writes a letter, Lord Henry comes to Dorian house and he would
like to cheer up Dorian because the bad performance of Sybil Vane last night.
Dorian tells Lord Henry, he writes a letter to Sybil to ask forgiveness. In fact,
before Dorian sends the letter Lord Henry says that Sybil Vane was death. Lord
Henry asks Dorian that did he read the letter from him, but Dorian does not yet
read the letter. Lord Henry says he wrote a letter about Sybil Vane suicide, she
drank poison last night. Dorian surprises to hear the news about Sybil Vane
suicide. Dorian is very upset with that and regret with his action.
However, Lord Henry does not feel regret with Dorian’s action. He
suggests to forget it with come with him to watch the opera and meet with his
cousin. At first, Dorian does not want to go, but Lord Henry persuades Dorian to
come and forget it. Finally, Dorian gives way to Lord Henry and he goes out with
Lord Henry to watch the opera and meet with Lord Henry’s cousin.
Years passed, Dorian become a man and he keeps his secret about Sybil
Vane death that makes Dorian keep pretending as a good man. His regret appears
and realizes that his kindness just a selfish actions to fix his soul. When Dorian
walks in street of London, he meets with Basil. Basil decides to go to Paris for
21
exhibiting his painting. Basil surprises with Dorian beauty and youth that has
never been change. Dorian is only smile and invites Basil for come to his house.
Then, Basil come and follows Dorian to his house.
When Dorian was sitting, Basil asks about his life and about the news of
Dorian scandal. Dorian is not interest with the rumor about him, but Basil keeps
asking to him. It makes Dorian hysterics and angry to Basil. Then, Dorian decides
to show him the secret about his soul that the thing makes him haunted by his
guilty. Dorian shows the painting to Basil that makes him haunted by his guilty.
Basil shocks see the painting change into an ugly man. At first, Basil does not
believe with the change of this painting; he thinks that it is not his painting made
by him. However, Dorian explains because the painting that has destroyed his
soul. Dorian blames Basil that everything happen because the painting. Basil asks
Dorian to ask forgiveness to God, it is never too late to ask. On the other hand,
Dorian uncontrolled feeling mad to Basil and he sees a knife on the table, then
Dorian take a knife and stab him at backside repeatedly. He does not regret with
his actions.
After that, Dorian was still haunting by his sinful to Sybil and Basil death.
When he is alone at his house, he stares at his picture. He looks round and sees the
knife stabbed to Basil. He cleans the knife and stabs his picture with it. There was
a cry heard and shout out from the Dorian house.
Dorian housekeeper woke up cause their hearing of terrible sound. Two
men passed in Dorian house call the police and say the voice comes from Dorian
house. The housekeeper cannot open Dorian’s bedroom door because Dorian
22
locked it, so they climb through the roof. They found dead man in the evening
dress and the knife in his heart. He is withered, wrinkled and old. They know that
he is Dorian Gray.
3.2 Research Method
The research uses qualitative method. According to Bogdan and Taylor
in Meleong (2004: 3) ―Metodologi kualitatif sebagai prosedur penelitian yang
menghasilkan data deskriptif berupa kata-kata tertulis atau lisan dari orangorang dan perilaku yang dapat diamati.‖ The qualitative describes and explains
data toward the phenomena that happen.
The Descriptive method is also used to describe the data clearly based on
the facts and examine the problem based on Gender Theory by Judith Butler.
According to Koentjaraningrat (1976: 30) ―Penelitian yang bersifat deskriptif
yaitu yang memberikan gambaran yang secermat mungkin mengenai individu,
keadaan, gejala atau kelompok tertentu.‖ Thus, by using descriptive method the
writer can explain the phenomenon of masculinity and femininity in a more
comprehensive way.
3.2.1 Data Collection
The writer uses the library research to collect the data. The writer uses
several steps as follow:
1. The writer reads this novel in every sentence to get the data from this
novel.
23
2. After reading the novel, the writer chooses the data that related with the
masculinity and femininity. The indicator of masculinity and femininity
found in this novel is body, behaviour, and social norms. It will be
analyzed based on the gender theory.
3. The writer classifies the data based on the gender that contains with the
masculinity and femininity. The writer classify the data that can be
analyzed and fnd the theories that support the analysis. The last the writer
analyze the data that has been classify use the gender theory by Judith
Butler that has been found.
3.2.2 Data Analysis
In data analysis, the writer describes the characterization of Dorian Gray
using characterization theory through showing and telling methods. By using the
showing and telling method, the writer interprets Dorian characterization from
beginning until the end of story. Then, the writer examines Dorian interpretation
on femininity and masculinity using Gender Theory by Judith Butler. Here is the
sample of data analysis:
Dorian Gray, the main character in this novel, is characterized as a goodlooking young man. As seen in the description of his picture in the
following―stood the full-length portrait of a young man of extraordinary personal
beauty.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 5).
However, he is an inexperience young man. As
described by Lord Henry, one of the character that later becomes his friend,
below:
24
―I feel quite sure of that. He is some brainless, beautiful creature,
who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to
look at, and always here in summer when we want something to
chill our intelligence.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 6)
The data above describes Dorian characterization through the telling
method that is from Lord Henry character. It shows that Dorian is “...He is some
brainless, beautiful creature,‖ (Wilde, 1992: 6.). It shows that Dorian brainless.
His brainless shows his femininity traits. Although Dorian was man, he also has a
feminine side. His feminine side describes by Lord Henry “who should be always
here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here in summer
when we want something to chill our intelligence.” (Wilde, 1992:6). It is describe
that Lord Henry imagines Dorian was a woman brainless and beautiful stay in
home. His brainless and beautiful is more feminine fit with woman. It indicates
that he is inexperience.
CHAPTER IV
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
Woman and man are constructed to be masculine and feminine by the
society. The society gives the ideas how masculine and feminine act and behave.
This social construction is reflected in the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Dorian Gray, the main character in this novel, is characterized as a goodlooking young man. As seen in the description of his picture in the
following―stood the full-length portrait of a young man of extraordinary personal
beauty.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 5).
However, he is an inexperience young man. As
described by Lord Henry, one of the character that later becomes his friend, below
―I feel quite sure of that. He is some brainless, beautiful creature,
who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to
look at, and always here in summer when we want something to
chill our intelligence.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 6)
The data above describes Dorian characterization through the telling
method that is from Lord Henry character. Lord Henry describes Dorian as a
brainless person, which indicates that he is inexperience. Lord Henry also
describes Dorian as if Dorian is a woman figure by using the word beautiful
instead of handsome, and he is also depicted as flower as seen here, “who should
be always here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here in
summer when we want something to chill our intelligence.‖ The description from
Lord Henry above can be concluded that Dorian is characterized by brainless,
25
26
beautiful and flower. Those words pertain to women’s characteristic which
indicate Dorian Gray’s feminine side.
Dorian is inexperience young man because he lost his parents at a very
young age. His father was killed in duel at Spa a few months later after the
marriage and his mother died too, within a year.
―The poor chap was killed in duel at Spa, a few months after the
marriage. There was an ugly story about it. They said Kelso got
some rascally adventurer, some Belgian brute, to insult his sonin-law in public; paid him, sir, to do it, paid him; and that the
fellow spitted his man as if he had been a pigeon. The thing was
hushed up, but, egad, Kelso ate his chop alone at the club for
some time afterwards. He brought his daughter back with him, I
was told, and she never spoke to him again. Oh, yes; it was a bad
business. The girl died too: died within a year.‖ (Wilde, 1992: 29)
Dorian’s past life is described from the conversation between Lord Henry
and Lord Fermor. He lost his parents when he was child. His father died few
month later after the marriage because of his grandfather paid some Belgian brute
to insult his son-in-law in front of public, and he was killed in that duel. Although,
this story is covered up but public knew about this. His grandfather brought
Dorian’s mother back, but after that, Dorian’s mother never spoke to Lord Kelso
until she died. After the tragedy, Dorian lives with his grandfather who is
described as ―tyrant and lovelessman‖ (Wilde, 1992:31). This is the reason why,
Dorian is inexperience. He has no one teach him. Dorian constructs by his society
that his grandfather. Dorian does not get the education from his grandfather. He
just stay at home like commonly woman in Victorian era.
27
His life changes when he comes to London. There, he meets Basil and
Lord Henry. Basil thinks that Dorian is so impressive he is handsome and has a
good shaped of body. As seen here:
―I sometimes think, Harry, that there are only two eras of any
importance in the world‘s history. The first is the apperance of a
new medium for art, and the second is the apperance of a new
personality for art also. What the invention of oil-painting was
to the Venetians, the face of Antinous was the late Greek
sculpture, and the face of Dorian Gray will someday be to me. It
is not merely that I paint from him, draw from him, sketch from
him. Of course I have done all that. But he is much more to me
than model or a sitter.‖ (Wilde, 1992:11)
Basil sees Dorian like a beautiful art. “The first is the apperance of a new
medium for art, and the second is the apperance of a new personality for art
also.‖ (Wilde, 1992:11) Dorian apperance and personality is an object of art for
Basil. “What the invention of oil-painting was to the Venetians, the face of
Antinous was the late Greek sculpture, and the face of Dorian Gray will someday
be to me.‖(Wilde, 1992:11). Basil equates the beauty of Dorian face and body to
the classical Greek statue, the Antinous-the Greek statue who has a beautiful body
and face. Basil thinks Dorian is perfect to be a model for his painting. It becomes
a reason Basil draws his picture on canvas. It is not only Basil who is fascinated
with Dorian but Lord Henry too.
Lord Henry is also fascinated with Dorian Gray even before he meets
him. ―He was certainly wonderfully handsome, with his finely-curved scarlet lips,
his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair. (Wilde, 1992: 16). He first saw him on
canvas drawn by Basil. Lord Henry fascinated with the Dorian handsomeness.
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The handsomeness of Dorian is clearly seen. Dorian also has a perfect
composition for handsome man with a red lips, blue eyes and gold hair.
On the other hand, Dorian is fascinated by Lord Henry, as seen below
―Dorian Gray frowned and turned his head away. He could not
help liking the tall, graceful young man who was standing by
him. his romantic olive-coloured face and worn expression
interested him. (Wilde, 1992: 20)
This data above shows that Dorian is fascinated by Lord Henry’s
appearance that is tall and charismatic. Dorian thinks that he is very masculine
and smart. He is the representation of a man he want to be.
Dorian closeness to Basil and Lord Henry shows a homoerotic
relationship. Although those three are heterosexual but their friendship is too close
and they care one another too much. The relationship is based on the older man
teaching the young boy the ways of life and how to become a man. The implicit
statement about homoerotic can be seen in Lord Henry statement below:
―I believe that if one man were to live out his life fully and
completely, were to give form to every feeling, expression to every
thought, reality to every dream – I believe that the world would
gain such a fresh impulse of joy that we would forget all the
maladies of medievalis, and return to the Hellenic Ideal – to
something finer, richer, than the Hellenic ideal, it may be.‖
(Wilde, 1992:18)
The quotation above shows a homoerotic code since Lord Henry mentions
Hellenic ideal to emphasis the time when a man can freely idolizes other male
body. Implicitly, Lord Henry starts to idolize Dorian beautiful face and body.
Lord Henry doctrinates Dorian with his thought about idolize Dorian beauty face
and body. His beautiful face and body has become an object of education for
himself. Lord Henry also tells to Dorian that how to man could and should live his
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life to be meaningful. He emphasizes with the “maladies of medievalis‖, the
tendency to praise the “art for art’s sake” that is art as a final pleasure. It leads
Dorian to the “gain such a fresh impulse of joy‖ Lord Henry suggests that Dorian
to pleasure himself while he still young. Lord Henry thought starts to influence
Dorian Gray. The education that Lord Henry teaches to Dorian builds an
extraordinary close whch can be considered as man Homoerotic.
Dorian is also interested with Lord Henry’s witty enigma and cynical
judgment about the world. Thus, he thinks Lord Henry as a one who can teach
him about the world.
―For nearly ten minutes he stood there, motionless, with parted
lips, and eyes strangely bright. He was dimly conscious that
entirely fresh influences were at work within him. Yet they
seemed to him to have come really form himself. The few words
that Basil‘s friend has said to him – words spoken by chance, no
doubt, and with willful paradox in them – had touched some
secret chord that had never been touched before, but that he felt
was now vibrating and throbbing to curious pulses.‖ (Wilde,
1992: 19)
Lord Henry’s witty enigma and cynical judgment about the world affected
him. His inexperience makes him as empty canvas and waiting to be formed. He
likes a child and ready to learn everything. There are many things that Dorian
learned from Lord Henry including his own beauty.
―You have a wonderfully beautiful face, Mr Gray. Don‘t frown.
You have. And Beauty is a form of Genius – is higher, indeed,
than Genius, as it needs no explanation. It is one of the great
facts of the world, like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection
in dark waters of that silver shell we call the moon. It cannot be
questioned. It has its divine right of sovereignty. It makes
princes of those who have it. You smile? Ah! When you have lost
it you won‘t smile ... People say sometimes that Beauty is only
superficial. That may be so. But at least it is not so superficial as
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Thought is. To me, Beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only
shallow people who do not judge by appearances.‖(Wilde,
1992: 21)
Lord Henry says Dorian has an extraordinary beauty. Dorian has just
realized it. He also learns that the beauty is a great miracle. As Lord Henry
statement about beauty,―It has its di