THE IDEA OF FEMINISM AS SEEN IN THE MAJOR CHARACTERS IN MARK RUTHERFORD’S
THE IDEA OF FEMINISM AS SEEN IN THE MAJOR CHARACTERS IN MARK RUTHERFORD’S
CLARA HOPGOOD
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By
INTAN NATALIA KUSUMAWATI
Student Number : 014214015
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSTY YOGYAKARTA 2009
I am able to do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
(Phil 4: 13) This undergraduate thesis is dedicated to My Beloved Father and Mother My Sisters and Brothers My Nephews, Nieces and Cousins All of My Family and Friends My 'Bebeh'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, I would like to thank Jesus Christ for His blessing. Because of His blessing and mercy, I could finish this thesis. His love and guidance give me strength to cope with the hard days of my life.
Secondly, I would like to thank my beloved father, Agus Indarto and my mother, Sugiyarti, for their love. They raised me with love and tenderness. I would like to thank my parents for so many great advices and all the motivations to do my best. He is the best father in the world. I love him so much with all my heart. Mom, thank you so much for all her love and patience until now. She never gives up in supporting me and she always believes that I can do this. She is the best mother in the world. Love her so much.
Thirdly, I would like to thank my sisters and brothers. Cie Indah, Cie Indri, Cie Indira, Saras, Mas Ferry, Koh Luk, Koh Heri, Dedy. My deepest gratitude is for their love me and support in every condition. Thank you to my nephews and nieces, Tania, Meme, Jeffrey, Aldo, Alvin, Jeannet, and Ivo. They give me motivation even in my hard days. I would like to thank my best cousins, Rieska and Ina for giving me attention and support. Love you, sis.
My sincere gratitude goes to my advisor, Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum., for all her patience and support to guide me so that I could finish my thesis. A special thank is also for my co-advisor Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M.Hum. for correcting my thesis so that I could complete this thesis. My deepest gratitude is also for all lecturers of English Letters in Sanata Dharma for helping and teaching me many things.
I would like to thank my ‘Bebeh’, Beni Alson for his caring, support, love, and many wonderful things that help me become a better person until I am able to finish my study and my thesis.
Last but not least, I would like give thank all my classmates of Sastra’01, especially Alisa and Eillen for supporting me in finishing my thesis. Huge thanks are also for my friends Bunda Dhian, Mbak Rika, Cie Nini, Cie Yanti, Cie Mimi, Shinta, Mbak Lupi, Evelyn, Renia, Endra, Bima, Nova, Ian, Sinda, Dita, Ayu, Olin, Risa, Sandi, Rendy, Aryo, Obed and for those whom I cannot mention one by one, for their friendship and the time that we shared.
Intan Natalia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE …………………………………………………………….... i APPROVAL PAGE ……………………………………………………….. ii ACCEPTANCE PAGE ……………………………………………………. iii MOTTO PAGE ……………………………………………………………. iv DEDICATION PAGE …………………………………………………….. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ……………………………………………….... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………. viii ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………. ix ABSTRAK ………………………………………………………………… x CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ………………………………………..
1 A. Background of the Study ………………………………………
1 B. Problem Formulation …………………………………………..
4 C. Objectives of the Study ………………………………………...
4 D. Definition of Term ……………………………………………..
5 CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW …………………………….
6 A. Review of Related Studies ……………………………………..
6 B. Review of Related Theories …………………………………....
8
1. Theories on Character and Characterization……………
8
2. Theories on Feminism …………………………………
11 C. Theoretical Framework ………………………………………...
14 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ……………………………………..
16 A. Object of the Study …………………………………………….
16 B. Approach of the Study …………………………………………
17 C. Method of the Study …………………………………………...
18 CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ……………………………………………..
20 A. The Characteristics of Clara and Madge …………………..
20 B. The Ideas of Feminism reflected through the Major Characters.
38 1. Equality ………………………………………………..
39 2. Freedom ……………………………………………….
42 3. Independence ………………………………………….
48 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ………………………………………….
52 BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………..
55
ABSTRACT
INTAN NATALIA KUSUMAWATI (2009). The Idea of Feminism as Seen in
the Major Characters in Mark Rutherford’s Clara Hopgood, Yogyakarta:
Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University.This thesis is a of Mark Rutherford's Clara Hopgood about the ideas of feminism. Mainly this study is aimed to reveal the ideas of feminism through the two female major characters, Clara and Madge Hopgood that he creates. Both of them are described as two well-educated sisters, a rare phenomenon in their society that is described as patriarchal and uneducated one.
There are two objectives in conducting this research. First objective is to reveal the description of the two major characters in the novel. Second is to find the ideas of feminism which are reflected through the two major characters in the novel.
The writer uses library research method. The writer tries to find all the data and other supported references from the library as well as from the internet. The feminist approach is used as the main research of the analysis. The writer chooses this approach because it can be used to analyze the major characters in Rutherford’s novel which reflect the ideas of feminism in the patriarchal society. From the analysis, the writer finds out the major characters’ characteristics. Clara and Madge share some similar characteristics such as attractive, honest, free, wise, independent, logical, well-educated, self-respect, and courageous. There are also some special characteristics that they have on their own that make them different each other. Clara is an intelligent, introvert, thoughtful, and calm woman. Madge is a consistent, curious, stubborn, and intuitive woman. Those characteristics make them able to struggle against the patriarchal society where they live. Clara and Madge struggle for equality, freedom, and independence in their own ways. Clara expresses the ideas of feminism by giving her opinion in public. She also shows to the society her strength by working to support her life. Madge expresses the ideas of feminism by deciding whom she will marry with. Madge who is pregnant without marriage, does not want to get marry with her baby’s father just to avoid disgrace. She believes that she can survive with her strength; she even refuses financial support from Frank.
ABSTRAK
INTAN NATALIA KUSUMAWATI (2009). The Idea of Feminism as Seen in
the Major Characters in Mark Rutherford’s Clara Hopgood, Yogyakarta:
Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University.Skripsi ini adalah studi tentang karya Mark Rutherford yang berjudul
Clara Hopgood tentang ide – ide feminisme. Secara garis besar, skripsi ini
bertujuan untuk mengungkap ide- ide feminisme melalui dua tokoh utama perempuan dalam novel tersebut, Clara dan Madge Hopgood yang diciptakan oleh Ruterford. Keduanya digambarkan sebagai dua saudari yang mengenyam pendidikan tinggi, sebuah fenomena yang jarang ditemukan dalam masyarakat mereka yang digambarkan sebagai masyarakat patriarki dan tidak berpendidikan.
Ada dua tujuan dalam menulis skripsi ini. Yang pertama adalah untuk mengungkap gambaran dari kedua tokoh utama di dalam novel tersebut. Yang kedua adalah menemukan ide – ide feminisme yang tersirat melalui kedua tokoh utama di dalam novel tersebut.
Skripsi ini merupakan penelitian pustaka dimana penulis memperoleh semua data dan sumber – sumber pendukung dari perpustakaan dan internet. Pendekatan feminisme digunakan sebagai pendekatan utama dari analisa ini. Penulis memilih pendekatan tersebut karena pendekatan tersebut dapat digunakan untuk menganalisa tokoh utama dalam karya Rutherford yang mengungkapkan ide
- – ide feminisme dalam masyarakat patriarki.
Dari analisa ini, penulis menemukan karakteristik dari tokoh utama dalam novel tersebut. Clara dan Madge mempunyai beberapa karakteristik yang sama; menarik, jujur, bebas, bijaksana, mandiri, berpendidikan, menghargai diri sendiri, dan berani. Ada beberapa karakteristik khusus yang mereka miliki masing – masing yang membedakan mereka satu sama lain. Clara adalah seorang wanita yang pintar, tertutup, pemikir, dan tenang. Madge adalah seorang wanita yang konsisten, penasaran, keras kepala, and perasa. Karakteristik tersebut memampukan mereka untuk berjuang melawan masyarakat patriarki dimana mereka tinggal. Clara dan Madge berjuang untuk persamaan, kebebasan, dan kemerdekaan dengan cara mereka sendiri. Clara menunjukkan ide – ide feminisme dengan memberikan pendapatnya di khalayak ramai. Dia juga menunjukkan kekuatannya kepada masyarakat dengan cara bekerja untuk menyokong kehidupannya. Madge menunjukkan ide – ide feminisme dengan memutuskan dengan siapa dia akan menikah. Madge yang hamil tanpa pernikahan, tidak ingin menikah dengan ayah bayinya, Frank, hanya untuk menghindari rasa malu. Dia yakin bahwa dia dapat bertahan dengan kekuatannya, dia bahkan menolak dukungan keuangan yang diberikan oleh Frank.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study Gender discrimination is interesting to discuss since there are gender
inequalities in the world. The Dictionary of Feminist Theory defines gender as culturally shaped group of attributes and behaviors given to the female and male (Humm, 1990: 84). There is a strong relationship between gender differences and gender inequalities that leads to discrimination toward women.
The condition of the domination of men in all aspects of life in society put women in a place where there is a limitation in everything they want to do. They cannot have their rights and also the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts as men do. This condition creates the stereotypes of women in society. The society sees women with certain stereotypes such as women must stay at home to bear children, take care of their husbands and do all the households jobs. These kinds of stereotypes that are constructed by the society make the gender discrimination stronger.
Women are expected to be able to fulfill men's demand and criteria. Men themselves simply justify women's values and qualities based on their subjective views, such as women's sexual stereotypes and their economic background. There is a conventional concept in society that considers women as weak creatures. It is said that women are born weak, passive, dependent, and receptive to male initiations.
The traditionalist notes that historically, women have always had less power, less influence, and fewer resources than men have, and assume that this most accord with some natural order (Freeman, 1984: xiii). The traditionalists think that women are created weaker than men in all aspects of life and their being weak is innate. On the other hand, feminists believe that women are not born weak, passive, and dependent. It is social condition that makes it happen. Most people, especially who live in the patriarchal society, think that women are nothing compared to men and because of that, women are controlled and dominated by men.
Talking about feminist, England is one of the pioneers of the feminist movement because the English female writers had started a new idea that put women as the centre of their works. After that, male writers follow the action but their number is not as many as the female writers. One of the examples of male writers who are interested in women's issue is Mark Rutherford. He is a writer who are enlightens the provincialism of modernity. Rutherford thinks that women's issue is as interesting as men's and he proves it on his works.
Mark Rutherford's work, Clara Hopgood, has women as the main characters and as the topic. This novel was written in 1880 and first published in 1896. It talks about two sisters who try to survive their lives by using their own strength and their abilities as women. Not only talking about these two characters, the author also describes the condition in England in 1844 when the story began that influences the condition of women at that time.
This novel reflects the way of thinking and the way of life of the middle lass society in England in 1844. The condition of the society such as the economic pressure and the religious movements become great influence to the society and to the characters in the novel. In the patriarchal society at that time, it is hard for women to express their thoughts as men do and it keeps women's position under men.
In feminine phase that was around 1840 to 1880, a time when the consumers of literary works saw developed patterns and phase in the evolution of a female tradition, the existence of women had been significantly proven. Female writers give their opinion in the form of writing to show their strength and equality to male writers. It was not only female writers, however, who care about women's issue, but also male writers. These male writers expressed their amazement in different ways, for example by taking female characters in their works. Women were isolated; therefore the society could not grasp the connection with them. Displaying the female characters in the works of art was one of the attempts to reveal the truth about women that they were basically oppressed people. The readers, both male and female, could feel what women are facing in their life (Rice and Waugh, 1989: 106-107).
Clara Hopgood is one of the examples of works of art that centralizes
female characters. This novel that was written in 1880 and first published in 1896 was about two well-educated sisters. They belong to middle class who try to survive by using their ability and strength as women. "Despite a male writer, Rutherford had proven his ability in comprehending social issue at that time, especially women's as if he were one of them" (Stock, 1956: 2).
The writer is interested in this novel because of the existence of the two major characters that have strength and are brave to struggle in the patriarchal society and prove that they can do what men do. This novel reflects the way of life and the way of thinking of middle class society in England around 1844 in the novel itself. The economic pressure and religious movements became the great influence to the characters in the novel. The writer is interested in the two major characters' bravery in struggling against old thought that positioned men as the central power.
B. Problem Formulation
1. What are the characteristics of the two major characters, Clara and Madge Hopgood in the novel?
2. What are the ideas of feminism that are reflected in the major characters as the result of their struggle against discrimination?
C. Objectives of the Study
The writer has several objectives in conducting this study. The first objective is to reveal the description of the two major characters in the novel, Clara and Madge Hopgood. The author of the novel describes their characteristics specifically. The characters are related to their society and the society itself takes part in forming their personalities and of course it gives influences in the way they live.
Secondly, the objective of this research is to find out the idea of feminism that reflected in the two major characters. The idea of feminism came out as the result of the struggle of the major characters in struggling against the society.
D. Definition of Terms
In order to avoid misunderstanding in this thesis, there are some terms that need to be explained. Therefore, the writer gives some definitions follow:
1. Character Michael Simms in his book The Longman Dictionary of Poetic Terms defines character as "a person in a piece of literature whose identity is composed of easily recognizable moral, intellectual, and ethical qualities" (1989: 44).
2. Feminism Philip Rice and Patricia Waugh in Modern Literary Theory described feminism as "a politics; recognition of a historical and cultural subordination of women and resolve to do something about it" (1996: x).
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW A. Review of Related Studies Clara Hopgood is Mark Rutherford's last novel. His real name is William Hale White. He had made six novels in his entire life and all of them can
encourage the readers who have the same thoughts with him and who believe that hope is not only hope but it can become true. His works affect the reader to believe what is inside the works.
For Hale White, however necessary "destructive analysis" might often be the chief business of the human and mind was to ass to what we can believe, what we can affirm, what gives us courage and confidence and hopes (Stock, 1956: 1).
Dr. Stock in The Challenge of Mark Rutherford adds that Mark Rutherford in an amazing writer since he never gives any judgment to his characters he made.
The judgment is left on the readers because Rutherford is more concerned in recognizing and understanding human need than making political statement. Dr.
Stock shows his excitement by saying, "The exquisite qualities of Hale White's style are the very ones I would like to have" (1956:1). This quotation implies that it is difficult for an author to be an objective author who never gives any judgment, even to the characters he made. In other words, Dr. Stock wants to say that Rutherford has exquisite style that is rarely possessed by other authors.
Another critics, H.W. Massingham in his book states that Rutherford is a realist who has modern thinking. He gave his contribution to the society. With The society only needs the author's idea that is poured into his works to judge whether a writer is qualified or not (1923: 118).
Lorraine Davies in The Introduction to Clara Hopgood says that this novel is the most explicitly intellectual of five preceding novels. She adds that the unique aspects of Clara Hopgood are in the expression of dilemmas, although the story is slight. Rutherford gives all of his ability in his last work, Clara Hopgood.
Like in his other works, Rutherford puts the interplay of ideas and character more than the story itself. He concerns more on the characters as the doers in the story that can be the agents of change and be the bridge of ideas between him and the readers (1996: xxx-xxxi).
Catherine R. Harland gives her comment, "Mark Rutherford is a much- underrated British author- his sensitive portrayal of women in a time of change the Victorian era- is very moving (1988: 159). In other words, Rutherford always creates a new modern idea through his works. A new idea that Rutherford threw at that time is still relevant today for it s still worth discussing. In general, they refuse it because something new might be contradictory with they had trusted and believed. Rutherford, however, tries to put his new idea about modernity to the readers' mind with his ability.
The writer agrees with all of those criticisms, and they will be used to help the writer in conducting this research. The writer is going to rely on the comments of Rutherford's work of art to find the idea of feminism in this novel. The critics above agree that Rutherford in his works including Clara Hopgood, gives the idea of feminism. He cares about women and he puts it into his works. Based on the criticism, the writer will try to conduct this research since the writer agrees with them.
The writer is going to explore the idea of feminism in Rutherford's Clara
Hopgood . Rutherford who is known as a modern thinker is interested in women's
issue by creating female characters as the focus in this novel. The writer will reveal the idea of feminism that is created by the major characters in this novel.
In this research, the writer focuses on the characteristics of the two major characters in the novel. Those two major characters, Clara and Madge Hopgood, through their characteristics, reflect the ideas of feminism. The ideas of feminism are the result of their struggle against the patriarchal society. That is the reason that makes this research different from the other researches.
B. Review of Related Theories
This research deals with the idea of feminism that is reflected through the characters of the story. Therefore, the writer needs some theories to help in conducting this research. The writer uses the theories on characters, theories on characterization and also theories of feminism to answer the problems formulated above.
1. Theories on Characters and Characterization
Robert Stanton in his An Introduction to Fiction elaborates that character is the doer who can make changes in him or in our perception as the readers toward him (1965: 17).
Abrams in his A Glossary of Literary Terms defined character as the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work. In addition, the readers interpret characters as being endowed with a moral and dispositional quality that are expressed in what they say - the dialogue- and by what they do - the action. Based on the importance, the characters are mainly divided into two. Those are main or major characters and minor characters. Major characters are usually the center of the story. Usually the acts of the story are focused on these characters from the beginning to the ending parts. The core of the story is highlighted through these characters' experience. Minor characters appear in a certain setting, just necessarily to become the background for the major characters. Their roles in a story are just to support to development of major characters (1981: 20).
E. M. Forster in Aspects of the Novel introduces two kinds of characters; they are flat and round characters. A flat character is also called as a type or 'two- dimensional'. Forster says that this type of character is built around 'a single idea or quality' and is presented without much individualizing detail. With this condition, therefore it is enough to describe flat character into a single phrase of sentence. The use of simple characters is to fulfill minor roles in a work of fiction.
The flat character is usually the same sort of people at the end of the story as in the beginning of the story. Different from the flat character, a round character is complex in temperament and motivation. It is represented with subtle peculiarity. With this condition, it is difficult to describe this type of character in a phrase or a sentence. Usually round characters are major figures in the story. Round characters possess many individual and unpredictable human traits. They may be considered dynamic in which they demonstrate their capacities to change or to grow (1974: 46-54).
Characters in a story are different from one another because they have certain personalities and 'physical attributes' that distinguish them. There are many ways in characterizing the character in the novel. In Understanding Unseen, M.J. Murphy classified the way an author reveals the character's personalities and trait to the readers (1972: 161-173), they are: a. Personal description
It is the author's description of a person's appearances and clothes. The author describes the character in details.
b. Character as seen by another Besides describing a character directly, the author can be describes his or her character through other's perspective and opinion. Through this, the readers may get a reflected image.
c. Speech The author gives us a description of character through what the person says.
It means that what the character says in his speech can give the readers clue to know about the character.
d. Past Life The author gives the readers some keys or clues by describing the characters' past life. The comment by the author through the person's thoughts, his conversation or through the medium of another person can also describe the past life of the character. e. Conversation of others Through other people's conversation and the things that they say about someone, the readers can get some clues about someone's characteristics.
f. Reactions Someone's character can also be observed by knowing how he or she reacts to various situations and events or problems that are presented by the author.
g. Direct comment The author gives his own comment to the character he creates and it will give a clue to the readers about the characteristics.
h. Thoughts The author takes the readers to the character's thoughts and feeling, so the readers can subjectively understand the character's personalities and position in the story. i. Mannerism
The readers able to know someone's characteristics by observing his or her mannerism and habits presented by the author in the story (1972: 161-173).
The writer is going to use almost all the nine ways to reveal the characteristics and actions of the main characters in the novel.
2. Theories of Feminism
Women are conditioned as weak creatures. This condition is believed by people from time to time. Women's positions are always under men's positions in every aspect of life. Men oppress women from time to time. Women are not given chance to develop their potentialities in spheres. Men's domination over women will be much more obvious when women enter marriage's life. As wives, they have lost their freedoms. In the family, women have to run the household and nurse both the children and their husbands. Wives should obey what their husbands say to them.
Ashley Montagu mentions that women have been conditioned to believe that they are inferior to men, and it seems that people's thought and belief about this condition is acceptable and naturally true (1997: 23). This condition is known as a gender issue. This issue is about social discrimination in the way society sees human based on the sexes.
So far, many different societies create such a frame to what women and men should be alike. They differentiate the treatment towards both sexes, too. Men gain more privileges in society and let women to be "less valuable". Andersen stresses on the importance of holding a social change to have women as "more valuable" as men. People can start to learn that the imbalance relationship of women and men cause the oppression upon women, since women are in the subordinate position to men. In short, feminism proposes society the blend of the new way of thinking and the new way of acting in the relationship of women and men for a better life.
Feminism in literature and criticism according to A Handbook to Literature is a general position but not necessarily confined to women. It has to do with advocacy and encouragement of equal rights and opportunities for women - politically, socially, psychologically, personally, and aesthetically (Holman & Harmon, 1986: 201).
In The Dictionary of Feminist Theory , Humm (1990: 74) states that in general feminism in the ideology of women's liberation since intrinsic in all its approaches is the belief that women suffer injustice because of their sex. It implies that women feel the injustice in their life because they were born as women.
Basing on the sex categories as females, women face such a great wall which unable them to walk on freely. Gender stereotype in many cultures mostly champions men in any aspect of life. Regarding the biological characteristics that women have, many societies count women to be weak. This opinion brings out the assumptions that women are the second form of human nature, the second class in the society, and thus to be less valuable than men. Here, feminism seems to gain an opportunity to facilitate women to get same position as men in society and other aspects within.
Feminism is sometimes confined to women's struggles against oppressive gender relationships. In practice, however, women's actions, both now and in the past, often have been against interconnecting relations of inequality and have involved many aspects of resistance around daily life and culture that are not simply about gender (Rowbotham, 1992: 6). So, feminism here is not only to signify the oppression upon women in relation to men because of the gender but also any other inequality things in society that cause oppression upon women.
Andersen writes in her book Thinking About Women: Sociological and
Feminist Perspectives that feminism begins with the premise that women and men's position in society are the result of social, not natural factors. The meaning of feminism has been developed and understood in different ways, but it begins with the idea that social institutions and social attitudes are the basis of women's position in society. Furthermore, feminism takes women's interests and perspectives as being not inferior to those of men, believing that where women are treated as inferior citizens, than liberating social changes on their behalf can and should be made. Thus, feminism is both a way of thinking and a way of acting, and the union of action and thought is central to feminist programs for social change (1983: 9).
So far, many different societies create such a frame to what women and men should be alike. They differentiate the treatment towards both sexes, too. Men gain more privileges in society and let women to be "less valuable". Andersen stresses on the importance of holding a social change to have women as "more valuable" as men. People can start to learn that the imbalance relationship of women and men cause the oppressions upon women, since women are in the subordinate position to men. In short, feminism proposes society the blend of the new way of thinking and the new way of acting in the relationship of women and men for a better life.
C. Theoretical Framework
In conducting this research, the writer needs the theories that have been stated. The writer needs the theories of character from Robert Stanton, Abrams, and E.M. Forster will be very helpful for the writer to find the major characters in the story. The theories of characterization from M.J. Murphy will be used to reveal the characteristics of the major characters in the story. The writer will use almost all the theories because this research deals with the characters and their characteristics.
The main idea of this research is the idea of feminism; therefore, the writer also needs the theories of feminism to complete this research. Some opinions about feminism are important to support the idea of the two major characters. The readers will understand the major characters' thought and the way of thinking in relation with the idea of feminism. The preceding theories will help the writer to find the answer of this research.
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY A. Object of the Study The object study in this research is Clara Hopgood. The novel is written
by Mark Rutherford (William Hale White) and published by Everyman Paperback in 1996. Mark Rutherford had written six novels in his entire life and this novel is the last one.
Clara Hopgood consists of 29 chapters and there are 136 pages altogether. It has an introduction from Lorraine Davies, a lecturer in English Literature at Liverpool Hope University College.
This study will focus on the two major characters in the story, Clara and Madge Hopgood. They are not ordinary women because they are educated sisters.
Educated women in their society at that time are rarely happened because the society thinks that the one who should be educated is men.
In the first eight chapters, Rutherford describes the society where the two major characters live. He also describes their way of life: they get the education and great relationship with their parents that are unusual for the society. In this part, Rutherford introduces the readers that Mr. Hopgood died and they must life with their mother, Mrs. Hopgood by themselves.
The next nineteen chapters are about the way the two major characters try to solve the problems they have to face; the problem of economic pressure, the problem of having baby without marriage, and the problem of the society who underestimate them. Their problems are about their survival in the society.
The last two chapters are about the ending of the story. It tells about their capabilities in solving their problems and how they are able to prove the society that they can survive in their life. Rutherford lets the readers conclude and give their judgments on the characters and their idea.
B. Approach
In analyzing this thesis, the writer used feminism approach. It is the most appropriate one since the writer wants to focus on the ideas of feminism reflected through the characteristics of the major characters. Women in a patriarchal society do not have the same rights like men do.
Feminism is an approach which concern on women and their position, as Wilfred Guerin in A Handbook of Critical Approach to Literature stated:
Unlike the other approach, feminist literary criticism is often a practical attack upon other modes of criticism and theory, and its social orientation moves beyond traditional literary criticism. In its diversity feminism is concerned with the marginalization of all women; that is with their being relegated to a secondary position (1999: 196). Based on the quotation above, feminism focuses on the condition of women’s everyday difference from men in the street and in home. Those movements reflected the four ideas of feminism, equality, liberty, woman’s right to be herself, and opportunity of career.
In Thinking about Women: Sociological Perspective on Sex and Gender, Andersen says, “the goal of feminism is equality – the construction of a social world where all people can exercise individual freedom” (1997: 323).
The feminism approach guides the study to find that literature can be functional as determines gender, some feminists stress gender differences, others believe that entire concept of female difference is what has caused female oppression (Guerin, 1999: 200). Through the application of this feminist approach, it can be analyzed the major characters in Rutherford’s novel reflect the ideas of feminism in the patriarchal society.
C. Method of the Study
In conducting this research, the writer used a library research method. The writer collects many data to have the research understandable. The writer divides them into two categories; primary data and secondary data.
The primary data is the novel itself, Clara Hopgood. Some theories on character and characterization and theories of feminism were compiled from some books as well as from the internet.
There were some steps in order to analyze Clara Hopgood. The first step was reading Mark Rutherford's Clara Hopgood several times, so that it can be comprehended well. The second step was finding the two major characters based on the theories on character and characterization. It is important to know the characters' characteristics, therefore, the writer discussed them one by one and how they are different from each others and from the other members of the society. Here, the writer found out and understood the way of live and the way of thinking of the two major characters which differentiate them from the other members of the society.
The next step of this research was entering the major characters' mind to find out the relation between their characteristics ad the idea of feminism they reflect in their characteristics. At last, the writer made a conclusion of the research.
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS A. The Characteristics of Clara and Madge Hopgood The major characters in the story are Clara Hopgood and Madge Hopgood. They are both educated women. The story is about them because they dominate
the whole story. These major characters live in a patriarchal society and they take the readers there by understanding their characteristics that are reflected through their dialogues, their reactions, and their interactions with others. Growing up together as sisters, Clara and Madge share similar characteristics, but as two different individuals, they have their own characteristics.
1. Attractive
Rutherford describes Clara and Madge as two beautiful women. They are both physically and mentally beautiful.
Her (Clara) features were tolerably regular. It is true they were somewhat marred by uneven nasal outline, but it was redeemed by curved lips of a mouth which was small and rather compressed, and by definite, symmetrical and graceful figure (p.3-4).
Physically, no one in Fenmarket doubts that Clara is beautiful. Not only Clara who is described as a beautiful woman, but also Madge. They are described as two sisters with high self-confidence. It makes Clara and Madge look more beautiful and attractive. In other words, they have the ability to combine their physical beauty and inner beauty.
"Madam, you will pardon me, but if were you, I would not. I think something much cheaper will suit you better. If you will allow me, I will look out for you and will report in few days" (p.76). From the language Clara uses, it can be seen that she is a polite woman. She respects every person she knows. And she will give any kind of help as long as she is able to do it. The quotation above also reflects her inner beauty by showing how smart she is. The lady who is searching for book needs suggestion and Clara is able to give a suggestion to her. Clara knows the best for the lady, and with self-confidence and her smartness, she tells the lady to postpone buying books because Clara knows that in few days there will be a cheaper book the lady is searching for.
Similar to Clara, Madge is also described as an attractive woman. "The men in the audience were vociferous for something more, and would not be contented until she again came forward" (p.33). The men are waiting for Madge who becomes the actress in the performance that night. There are several reasons why the men are waiting for Madge. The first one is Madge is a beautiful woman and they want to see her again. The second one is because Madge can perform well.
The two reasons prove that Madge is not only has the physical beauty but also the inner beauty, she is able play well in the performance.
2. Honest
Clara and Madge have the quality of being honest. They do not like to tell a lie. They will say what they know and what they know is true.
Miss Clara Hopgood amazed everybody by 'beginning talk' ... when somebody observed that an Anti-Corn-Law lecturer was coming to Fenmarket, and the parson's daughter cried 'How horrid!' (p.14).
It is unusual for a woman to start talking in a party. The quotation takes place in a party at the Rectory that is an annual party where old generation and the young one meet to discuss political matters. Men as the central power always lead the party, open the subject and discuss it. Women, on the contrary, come in groups because of their husbands. They do not have any rights to contribute their opinion. Clara, however, cannot deny that she knows the impact of the Corn Laws. Her honesty is misinterpreted by the society by saying that Clara is an Anti Corn Law lecturer.
When Clara knows something, she cannot act that she does not know it. Clara is an educated woman, she knows how to act, how to say, and she practices the lesson she gets from school. As same as Clara, Madge is also an honest woman. She prefers telling the truth about herself, although she has the chance not to do so.
"Oh, mother!" cried Madge, "What was the worst- at least you- you - the worst that can happen to a woman? It has happened to me; mother, your daughter has wrecked your peace forever!" "And he has abandoned you?" "No, no; I told you it was I who left him" (p.48).
Madge has to choose telling the truth to her mother or not. Although she understands that by telling the truth, the situation will not be change but she chooses to tell it. In patriarchal society, it is taboo to have a baby without marriage. Madge in the situation that she is pregnant without marriage and the worst is she leaves Frank who supposes to be the father of the baby.
Madge realizes that by telling the truth to her mother, she will make her mother depressed, but she insists in doing so because she cannot deny herself. In her opinion, there is no need to tell a lie because sooner or later her mother and everyone will know the truth.
3. Independent
Mr. Hopgood has taught his two daughters, Clara and Madge, to be independent since they were young. They can do everything on their own without being dependent on others. This characteristic is different from ordinary women in their society at that time since they usually cannot do anything without men. The society is dependent on men's shoulders.
It was clear that these two women could not live in London on seventy-five pounds a year, most certainly not with the prospect before them, and Clara cast about something to do (p.74). It is unusual for women to work at that time. Women should stay at home, waiting for their husbands and doing the house works. These women, especially
Clara, have different opinion with other people in the society. She knows that she has to survive by finding a job. Clara is different from the other women in the society. Other women in the society will not know what to do after the death of their husbands. They always depend on their husbands without knowing what suppose to do in surviving their life.
Clara does not want to bother anyone. She thinks that if she can do anything by herself then she will do it without bothering others. For Clara and Madge, Mrs.
Caffyn is a really kind person. Clara and Madge live with her when their mother died and they must live by themselves. Mrs. Caffyn cares for them like her own daughters.
Mrs. Caffyn loved her, and when she was ill had behaved like a mother to were her own grand-daughter, and many little luxuries were bought which never appeared in Marshall's weekly bill (p.87). The reason in being independent is that Clara thinks that she is able to do it. She believes in her own strength. Although Mrs. Caffyn acts like her own mother, Clara still becomes an independent woman. She does not want to be dependent to others.