At first, Beauty rejects her mother’s decision to send her to school. She still remembers about the bullying and it makes her feel afraid to meet new people. Then
her mother tells her to give herself a chance at the new school. “You’ve been so good
and grown up until now. Please, give this school a chance.’ ‘OK, I’ll try, but it won’t work. They won’t like me, I know they won’t.’” Wilson, 2016: 280.
Finally, Beauty agrees with her mother to try this school even though she feels pessimistic would this school be different from the previous one. It shows that Beauty
uses her efforts by optimizing the opportunity to be educated. In fact, in her new school Beauty feels happy because there are no friends bullying her. She realizes that
education is very important as she can be more independent, confident and brave enough to fight against discrimination.
4. Working
Gender discrimination makes women suffer because their rights are limited by men power and authority. Women are not allowed to participate in public activities
especially in working fields. Men think that women are not capable to work outside of the domestic area because they are physically weak and have no capability and
understanding to do the work. Therefore, men take the position as the breadwinner to work and to gain money for the family. In the novel, Beauty’s mother is prohibited by
her father to work. He underestimates her by saying that he picks her because of her look, not for her ability or knowledge Wilson, 2016: 95. It makes her become very
dependent because she does not have money unless her husband gives her. In her
condition, working is very important to make her become independent and to be treated equally.
There are many works that women can do. Making cookies is the form of struggle done by Beauty to survive from discrimination. She works together with her
mother in making the cookies. At first, Beauty’s mother is not allowed to work by her
husband even for making cookies because he thinks she is incapable of doing it properly. When her husband knows she makes cookies for Beauty’s friends, he
throws the cookies on the trash and he asks her to stop making cookies Wilson, 2016: 157. After Beauty and her mother leave the house, they can start to make cookies
again. Their cookies are very delicious and unique. The cookies that Beauty and her mother make become something important because it symbolizes their struggles.
Beauty uses the cookies to create a new identity. She wants to create positive image on her using cookies. She introduces herself to her new friends and to other people at
Rabbit Cove and Seahaven by giving them the cookies. Fortunately, all of the people in those places like the cookies. Then, they also like Beauty and her mother’s
presence at their place.
Mum and I were a real team when it came to cookie baking. Suddenly our bunny cookies were absolutely in demand. We spent Saturdays and
Sundays up to our elbows in cookie dough in an attempt to please all our customers.
Mum had been supplying cookies for all the guest houses on Primrose Terrace for weeks, but now the big White Hotel wanted their own
batch to offer to guests for afternoon tea, and Peggy’s Parlour wanted a big jar of assorted iced cookies every single day.
We’d had enquiries from several Seahaven hotels and teashops
– and we were asked to provide a hundred bags of bunny cookies for the big Seahaven Carnival in July.
Wilson 2016: 296
The data above illustrates the cookies made by Beauty and her mother create such a fortunate impact for their lives. The cookies make them well accepted and recognized
by the society in Rabbit Cove and Seahaven. Many people want to order the cookies for their shops, cottages and carnival events. Therefore, they can be independent
because the cookies make them able to gain money that they can used to live in Rabbit Cove.
The people in Seahaven and Rabbit Cove like Bunny Cookies which are produced by Beauty and her mother. It makes Beauty gain her skill in making cookies.
As a result, she is able to make the cookies by herself. She also prepares the cookies to sell in the Seahaven carnival.
She made cookies all afternoon, all evening and half the night. I made cookies too, mixing and rolling and cutting alongside Mum. Mike helped
too, finding endless tins to store them. He came with us on Saturday to help Mum set up the stall.
Wilson, 2016: 292 The struggle that Beauty does to have capability in living independently by working,
significantly change her life. Before, she is seen by her father as a dependent and weak
child, but she proves that female child can be independent without men’s help. Beauty works together with her mother cooperatively to show that women are not
weak and they are capable to work to gain money like men. From the process of learning, it makes Beauty has a good skill to make
cookies. It makes her become popular not only in her neighbourhood, but also in their country. She is invited to demonstrate her cookie making skill in a famous kids’s
show called Watchbox. She shows her skills in front of many people not only in
cooking, but also in painting. Thus, her ability in making cookies makes her gain her identity and acknowledgement from other people. It indicates in the datum below.
‘It’s a lovely place. It’s the seaside and it’s so special,’ I said, suddenly not shy at all.
‘My mum’s great at making all sorts of cookies and I’m her number-one helper. Now we specialize in making these bunny cookies
with this special cutter.’ Simon held it up, making the bunny run up my arm and across my
shoulders.
It tickled and I couldn’t help laughing. ‘They’ve become really popular and we sell heaps,’ I said, still mixing. Wilson, 2016: 315.
Making cookies becomes the work that Beauty does to be an independent girl. Her works makes her become acknowledged by other people as well as gain a new
positive image. By making and selling cookies, Beauty is able to help her mom make a living. Her efforts in working is very significant to make her life better. Therefore,
Beauty’s struggles in working have an impact to free her and her mother from the discrimination.
C. The Impacts of Beauty’s Struggles to gain Independence in Patriarchal
Society
Beauty’s struggles against gender discrimination in patriarchal society has a purpose to free herself and her mother from discrimination. The discrimination that
restricts her rights and actions makes her realizes that she should take action in order to survive. Her struggles have significant impacts towards herself and her mother.
The impacts of her struggles are the significant effects that she gets after she fights against gender discrimination. The impacts include boosting her self-esteem,
improving her pride, and strengthening her friendship.
