Meanwhile, Michelle, the third character, finds a visionary man named Faishal who can easily infiltrate cultural partitions of Arab society. But,
Michelle is finally disappointed after knowing that Faishal’s family does not agree his relation with Michelle just because she is a half of American and
Saudi Arabia. Law enforcement in Saudi Arabia is very tight. It experienced by Lamees, the last character. Police of Shari’a catch her and Ali when they
are in a café. Their relation is separated, more than anything else because Ali a follower of Shiah which is in many things is different with Sunni. One by one
their loves collapse to be punched by storm. Dishonesty, arranged marriage with an unwilling bride and groom, difference of religion become the reason
of why their love is extinct. But all the characters do not give up for looking what they want. They
keep struggling to find their true happiness even though their movement always contradicts with the culture and tradition which restrict them. And they
fall deeply in love just like women anywhere else. Little by little some of these women are beginning to carve out their own way - not the Western way, but
one that keeps what is good about the values of their religion and culture, while allowing to reform. Based on the explanation above, the writer is
interested to analyze kind of discrimination experienced by the four major characters and their attitude toward the discrimination in the novel The Girls
of Riyadh .
B. Focus of the Study
In this research, the writer would like to analyze kind of gender discrimination who experienced by the four main characters and their attitude
toward the gender discrimination in novel The Girls of Riyadh.
C. Research Question
Based on the focus of the study above, the research questions are: 1.
What kinds of gender discrimination are experienced by the four major characters in the novel The Girls of Riyadh?
2. How do the four major characters’ attitudes toward the
discrimination?
D. Significance of the Study
The writer hopes that this research can extend the student’s knowledge about gender and feminism and can become the agent of
change by doing the other research in the same theme, to reach the
purpose of the equality of right between women and men. Beside, for the continuation researcher, hopes this research can be the early
knowledge, to dig deeper about the gender problems in the belles- letters.
E. Research Methodology
1. The Objectives of the Research
Based on the research questions above, the objective of the study are: 1.
To know kinds of gender discrimination suffered by the four major characters.
2. To know how the four major characters’ attitudes in facing and
to overcome the discrimination.
2. Method of the Research
According to the research questions and the purpose of this research, the writer conducts the research by using qualitative method.
Qualitative method is the research by using verbal and non-numeric data as an analysis base and as a problem solving for the problems
investigated.
10
3. Unit of Analysis
Unit analysis of the research is a novel The Girl of Riyadh by Rajaa Al Sanea, 2007 published by The Penguin Press, New York.
4. Research Instrument
The research employs the writer herself as the instrument by reading novel The Girl of Riyadh and variety of source based on the
10
Muhammad Farkhan, Proposal Penelitian Bahasa dan Sastra Inggris Jakarta: Cella, 2007 p.2
study of gender discrimination and feminism approach, identifying and classifying the information related to the story.
5. Technique of Analysis Data
In this research, the collected data will be analyzed by using descriptive analysing. The writer conducts the research by analyzing
kind of gender discrimination experienced by the four major characters and their attitude to overcome the discrimination in novel The Girls of
Riyadh .
CHAPTER II THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Definition of Sex and Gender
To comprehend the concept of gender, previously we have to differentiate the word of sex and gender. The definition of sex is male or
female biologically which have been determined by God. Therefore, it cannot be converted or altered. This rule is valid since ahead, for now, and forever.
But gender is difference function and role in social life which is constructed by society, and also men and women’s responsibility. So that gender is not
always the same in other place, and it can change from time to time. Gender is an ideology sticking at public which construction socially
cultural and causing difference of function of right, role, and responsibility based on gender. Differences of gender happened passing very long process
and supported by the social institution in public causing the differences of right, role, and status in relationship of gender.
11
Thereby, the difference of gender and sex are if gender: can change, can be commuted for, depended on time, local cultural, it is not a God’s will,
but made in human being. Other the things of sex: cannot change,
11
http:karya-ilmiah.um.ac.idindex.phpsastra-indonesiaarticleview67 , accessed
on June, 23
rd
2009
inconvertiblely, going into effect during the time, going into effect in everywhere, and represent of God’s will. Socially, sexual differences have
been used to justify different roles for men and women, in some cases giving rise to claims of primary and secondary roles.
B. The Form of Gender Discrimination
