203. If something is not like what he wants he gets angry and blames Sabrina because she cannot grant his expectation.
From the theory of patriarchy mentioned above, it is known that men have power to oppress women. The patriarchy in the novel is described by seeing the
relation of Richie – Sabrina and Richie - Eleanor. Their relations show how the
characterization of the man can reflect patriarchy. Richie is the one who oppresses the women in the family
In the novel, there are two women who are the objects of oppression by the man. The oppression can be seen from the man
’s actions which dominate the family. It can also be seen from the authority of the man over the women. He can
control the women. He also has power to rule the woman. The position between the man and the woman is not equal in the family.
1. Richie and Sabrina
Family life has a lot of problems, but in the novel, the problem is started from the Sabrina
’s wedding. Sabrina marries with a man who brings her to a new life condition. Richie is a man who changes Sabrina life. Their relation can be
explained like this; Sabrina is the subordinate class and Richie is the superior. Sabrina is subordinate because she cannot do anything to be equal with Richie. On
the other hand, Richie is the one who is higher which means he is the person that has to be the primary. As Sabrina states,
“I like to have everything settled before Richie comes home
” p. 19. In the novel it is also stated, “Her mom was distracted. Richie was late, and his steak was drying out in the oven. If she took it
out, he ’d be pissed that it was cold. But if she left it in, he’d be pissed that it was
tough. ” p. 122. The other case when Richie is in bad mood, Sabrina tries to serve
Richie and calm him, as in the novel stated, “Her mom was walking around the
house in nervous circle, offering Richie lemonade and sandwiches and aspirin. Eleanor hated it when her mom acted like that. Relentlessly submissive.
” p. 155. He is treated by the women exclusively. It proves that Sabrina makes sure that
everything is fine. As a subordinate class, she carefully manages the situation and condition to make Richie calm. Richie wants everything to be perfect. Thus,
Sabrina tries to make everything perfect. She does not want Richie feel
disappointed.
Patriarchy is known when a man became the head in an environment such as a family Pilcher and Whelehan, 2004: 93. It can be seen when Eleanor asked
her mother if she wants to go to her father ’s house.
Her mom sighed. ‘Fine. I’ll talk to Richie.’
‘No. Don’t talk to Richie. He’ll just say no. And, anyway, he can’t tell me that I can
’t see my father.’ ‘Richie is the head of this household,’ her mom said. ‘Richie is the one
who puts food on our table. ’ p. 89.
It shows that Sabrina thinks that her husband is the head of the household, she has to obey the rule and grant Richie
’s wish. Richie is the decision maker in the house. Sabrina thinks if everything should be asked to Richard whether it is
allowed or not. This part shows that Richie is the center of the family because everything should be agreed by him. Whereas, Sabrina also has a choice, but it
cannot be applied if her husband does not agree. When Eleanor comes back to the home, Sabrina should tell to Richie. She
said, “I told him that you were ready to be part of this family” p. 12. Eleanor is
expelled by Richie for a year. It happens when she types on typewriter. It makes noisy sound. Richie does not like to hear it because he is not in a good mood. He
tells to Sabrina to stop Eleanor from typing. However, Eleanor does not want to stop it because she enjoys it. Then, Richie comes to her and shouts to her. He is
really angry on Eleanor and says rude words such as, fuck, fat, and bitch. Those words hurt Eleanor. She also says that he hates him. After that, she is kicked out
by Richie. She lives with Hickman ’s family which is her mother’s friend p. 155 –
158. Then, she comes back, but Sabrina asks to Richie if Eleanor is ready. The case shows that everything should be asked to Richie. Sabrina should
report to Richie that Eleanor will be the part of the family again. Though Eleanor is already included as a part of the family, because she was expelled, Sabrina has
to tell Richie. Therefore, in this case it can be said that Richie as the man is the one who controls the choice in the family.
The action of patriarchy can be seen when the man is the one who makes decision. While the women cannot do anything if the man does not agree. The
woman has no right to choose her own decision. The man has authority to control the family members. He has the right to decide everything in the house. He also
the one that should be respected. As the person who must be respected, every choice in the family should be reported first to him. Therefore, the woman
’s role is not important as the man
’s. However, the man’s role is dominant which means that he decides everything. The domination of the man among the women shows
that the practice of patriarchy occurs in the family. It means that the position of the man is higher than the women. The action of respecting and reporting of the
thing in the family proves that the man ’s position is very important. It is because
he is the one who has the power to decide, to chose, and to agree the thing that the women do.
In a nutshell, Richie ’s treatment to Sabrina shows that he exploits her
freedom. As an object of Richie ’s anger, Sabrina is like a bird inside the cage. She
has to fulfill Richie ’s request. She also has to obey Richie, even though she,
herself can make a decision whether it is good or not for them. The man also has an authority
over the woman because he is superior that determines everything. As an oppressed woman, she is exploited mentally by the way Richie treats her like
the situation mentioned above.
2. Richie and Eleanor
