The Marxist Feminist Concept in the character of Anne Elliot In Jane Austen`s Persuasion - USD Repository
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THE MARXIST FEMINIST CONCEPT
IN THE CHARACTER OF ANNE ELLIOT
IN JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
SINTA FITRIANI
Student Number: 104214010
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2014
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THE MARXIST FEMINIST CONCEPT
IN THE CHARACTER OF ANNE ELLIOT
IN JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
SINTA FITRIANI
Student Number: 104214010
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2014
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Don’t you give up
Don’t you quit
You keep walking
You keep trying
There is help and happiness ahead
It will be alright
In the end..
Trust GOD
And believe in good things to come..
-Jeffrey R. Holland-
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Jesus Christ, my Savior, who
always strengthens me, so that I can accomplish this thesis. I could not imagine how I
could be without His blessings. May His name always be venerated all of the time.
I would like to thank A.B Sri Mulyani,M.A.,Ph.D, my advisor, for her
guidance, kindness, and support for finishing this thesis. I would also like to thank Ni
LuhPutu Rosiandani,S.S.,M.Hum, my co-advisor, for reading my thesis and giving
me advices for the improvement of this thesis. I thank all the lecturers of English
Letters Department, especially Anna Fitriati S.Pd.,M.Hum, and to all the staff of
Faculty of Letter, Sanata Dharma University.
To both of my parents, I thank them for supporting me. I could not be happier
than being your daughter. I am here and I am belonging to this stage right now is
because of you, all of your sacrifices and prayers. No words can explain how grateful
I am for having such great parents like you both. I will not disappoint you, mom and
dad. To my sisters and my brothers, thank you for your support. Even though you
never show your support through words, but I am sure you take your minutes to pray
for me.
To all my friends of English Letters Department 2010, especially class A, I
feel honoured to be part of your life. We start our journey together, until now we are
about to separate, to chase our dreams. See you in other chance, guys. Thank you for
the memories. To my close friends that I cannot tell one by one, thank you for the
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time, the story and sharing moments, the attention, the help, and all of the bittersweet
we have spent together. I will not forget you guys, no matter what happens in the
world. You mean a lot to me. Special thanks to Putri Riskya and Augustina Kresia,
for the laughs, tears, and help, and for encouraging me when I am about to loose
hope.
Last but not least, to Andrew Nantio Subekti, my sunshine, my vitamin.
Thank you for all. I am grateful to have such a wonderful guy on earth like you. You
are the best thing that has ever been mine.
Finally, to everyone who has helped me these years, thank you…
Sinta Fitriani
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE…………………………………………………………………...
APPROVAL PAGE…………………………………………………………….
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ………………………………………………………..
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY…………………………………………..
MOTTO PAGE…….……………………………………………………..........
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...…………………………………………………..
TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………….......
ABSTRACT...…………………………………………………………………..
ABSTRAK...…………………………………………………………………….
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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ...…………………………………………...
A. Background of the Study…………………………………………….
B. Problem Formulation ………………………………………..............
C. Objectives of the Study ……………………………………………..
D. Definition of Terms ...……………………………………………….
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CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF LITERATURE……………………………….
A. Review of Related Study ……………………………………………
B. Review of Related Theories ………………………………...............
1. Theory of Character and Characterization ……………………...
2. Theory of Marxist Feminism ……………………………………
3. Review of Social Class in Austen’s Persuasion ………………..
4. Review of Women’s Status in the late 18th and early 19th
Century British Society…………………………………………
5. Review of Class, Title and Ranks in Jane Austen’s Time………
C. Theoretical Framework …………………………………………….
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CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ………………………………………….
A. Object of the Study ………………………………………................
B. Approach of the Study……………..………………………………..
C. Method of the Study ………………………………………………...
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CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS …………………………………………………
A. The Description of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion………
1. Anne Elliot as a Woman……………………………………….
2. Anne Elliot as a Daughter of a Noble Family…………………
B. The Marxist Issues Experienced by Anne…………………………….
C. The Concept of Marxist Feminism Reflected by Anne……………
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CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION……………………………………………......
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BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………… 51
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ABSTRACT
FITRIANI, SINTA. The Marxist Feminist Concept in the Character of Anne
Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters,
Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2014.
This thesis examines the characteristics of the woman character in Persuasion,
a classic novel written by Jane Austen, that reflects the concept of Marxist Feminism.
It has a close relation with the historical background of the story, which was in the
late 18th century to early 19th century, where gender and class were very influential in
many aspects in the society.
There are three problems. The first problem is about how the character of
Anne Elliot is described in Persuasion. The second problem is about how the issue of
gender and class related to Marxism at that time is revealed. The last problem is in
what way the concept of Marxist Feminism is reflected through Anne Elliot.
The method used in this study is library research. The books about literary
theories are used to understand the theory that is relevant with the topic of the
discussion, especially in this case the theory of character and characterization to
reveal Anne Elliot character. Another supporting theory is theory of Marxist
Feminism that leads into a further discussion of the topic. Various books about the
history of British society in late18th century to early 19th century are also used to get
deeper understanding about historical background of British society of that era.
The result of the analysis shows that Anne Elliot is an extraordinary figure,
attractive, friendly, smart, open-minded, multi-talented, and helpful. Anne is also an
introvert, that sometimes she keeps her own feeling. Based on the background of the
story which is the late18th century to early 19thcentury British society, the character of
Anne reflects the concept of Marxist Feminism in the case of how she deals with
problem and how she solves it. Anne looks like she is a frail woman yet actually she
is tough and brave. Even though at the beginning she has been persuaded by her
relatives, but her maturity of feeling and mind finally help her change the condition
where she is forced not to be her own self.
The issue that women at that time are considered powerless of making a
decision and have to be obedient to the rule of the family and society, does not
preclude Anne for struggling to get what she truly wants. Anne who comes from a
prominent family whose father has high position in the work, is willing and able to
break the rules that oppose relationship of different social status and classes. Anne’s
consciousness and power to take a decision finally lead her to her true love and true
happiness, without any interference, compulsion, and persuasion from others.
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ABSTRAK
FITRIANI, SINTA. The Marxist Feminist Concept in the Character of Anne
Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Yogyakarta: JurusansastraIngggris,
FakultasSastra, UniversitasSanata Dharma, 2014.
Skripsi ini meneliti tentang karakter tokoh utama wanita dalam novel klasik
ciptaan Jane Austen berjudul Persuasion, yang mencerminkan konsep Marxist
Feminis. Hal ini sangat erat kaitannya dengan latar belakang sejarah cerita yaitu pada
akhir abad ke 18 danawal abad ke 19, dimana jenis kelamin dan strata sosial dalam
masyarakat sangat berpengaruh dalam segala aspek kehidupan.
Ada tiga pokok permasalahan yang akan diteliti dalam skripsi ini.
Permasalahan pertama yang diteliti adalah karakter Anne Elliot. Permasalahan kedua
adalah bagaimana permasalahan tentang jenis kelamin dan strata sosial yang dihadapi
oleh Anne digambarkan di dalam cerita. Permasalahan terakhir adalah dari segi
apakah tokoh Anne Elliot mencerminkan konsep Marxist Feminis.
Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kepustakaan, yaitu dengan mempelajari
buku-buku yang memiliki kaitan dengan topik yang akan dibahas dalam penelitian
ini. Oleh Karena itu, metode yang digunakan adalah metode kepustakaan.Buku-buku
tentang teori kesusastraan digunakan untuk membantu memahami teori-teori yang
relevan dengan topic pembahasan, dalam hal ini khusunya teori karakter untuk
meneliti karakterisasi Anne Elliot. Selain teori karakter, teori lain yang mendukung
penelitian ini adalah teori Marxist Feminis yang akan menjadi topik pembahasan
lebih dalam. Buku-buku tentang pengetahuan dan sejarah juga digunakan untuk
memahami lebih dalam mengenai sejarah kehidupan masyarakat Inggris pada sekitar
akhir abad ke 18 dan awal abad ke 19.
Hasil dari analisis menunjukkan bahwa Anne adalah tokoh yang luarbiasa,
menarik, ramah, pandai, berpikiran luas, multi talenta, dan senang membantu. Anne
juga memiliki jiwa introvert yang terkadang membuatnya memendam dan
menyimpan perasaan untuk diri sendiri. Berdasarkan latar belakang cerita yaitu pada
masa akhir abad ke 18 masyarakat Inggris, tokoh Anne mencerminkan konsep
Marxist Feminis dalam menghadapi dan menyelesaikan masalah yang terjadi dalam
kehidupannya pada saat itu. Anne adalah sosok wanita yang anggun, terlihat lemah
namun sejatinya Anne adalah sosok wanita pemberani.Walaupun pada awalnya Anne
terbujuk oleh pengaruh dari keluarganya, namun kedewasaan hati dan pikiran Anne
pada akhirnya merubah segalanya.Wanita yang pada saat itu dianggap tidak memiliki
kuasa apapun untuk mengambil keputusan, bukan menjadi halangan bagi Anne untuk
meraih apa yang sejatinya dia inginkan. Anne “mendobrak” peraturan masyarakat
yang menentang hubungan berbeda strata atau kelas sosial. Kemampuan Anne dalam
mengambil keputusan pada akhirnya akan menuntunnya pada cinta dan kebahagiaan
sejati, tanpa ada campur tangan, paksaan, atau bujukan dari pihak lain.
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Literary works cannot be apart from characterization. Characters are
extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader
interacts with a piece of literature. By understanding the character, a reader can
become more aware of other aspects of literature and more complete
understanding of the work.
According to Stanton, character is commonly used in two ways. The first
is that character designates the individuals who appear in the story. The second is
that character refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral
principles that makes up each of these individuals. Character gives a certain
situation or circumstance in the story because he or she shows his or her emotions
in it (1965:17).
In most of her works, Austen revealed the life of woman which is
interesting to discuss. One of her works entitled Persuasion, tells about the
romance between a couple in different social class that lead them into a
complicated love story. Anne Elliot, who comes from a middle class family, feel
deeply in love with a handsome young naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, at the
age of nineteen. After dating for a few months, they talk about marriage.
Wentworth's service in the navy, however, does not give him enough steady
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income or social status to please Anne's family so that Anne is persuaded to break
off her engagement with Wentworth. Anne has no other choice except to obey the
will of her family. It does not mean that Anne approves that kind of rule, but it is
because she understands and respects the position of her family, especially her
father. Here, the role of the family is very influential in making decision,
especially to choose the marriage partner.
By the time Anne realizes that the fact about her past when her decision
finally leads her to regret, makes her to be more mature and open minded woman
in making the second decision that can influence her life forever. All things that
she and Frederick have been through, change Anne’s mindset and perception on
how a woman should have the encouragement to take her own decision to get a
happiness.
By discovering the characteristics of the characters in the novel, it can lead
the reader into a deeper understanding of the message that the author wants to
deliver, especially through the woman main character, Anne Elliot. Women that
at that time remain silent and obedient to the power of men become a discussion
for centuries. They cannot express their feelings freely, without oppression by the
rule of the family and society.
Anne’s father, is described as a person who has a great deal of ambition to
preserve the high social class. His vanity for having a position as a Baronet,
makes him look down the people whose social class or status is beneath him. That
is also one of the reasons he feels insecure when he knows Anne has a
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relationship with Frederick Wentworth, a man who has no good title which can
impress him and the family. By this matter, Anne’s position as a daughter and as
a woman is considered.
Jane Austen’s novels, including Persuasion revealed about the life of
women in late 18th to 19th era. Since the discussion on women at that era is
interesting to discuss, the character of Anne Elliot here can also give another
opinion of what women should do to make a better life, and how women can deal
with their conscience and the society that shapes them. It emphasizes the power of
women through literary works that the writer wants to analyze.
In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, the economic issue is seen as another aspect
that bring enormous influence towards the main character’s life. As W.H.
Auden’s statement which is included in the introduction part of the novel:
“You could not shock her more than she shocks me;
Beside her Joyce seems innocent as grass.
It makes me most uncomfortable to see
an English spinster of the middle class
describe the amorous effects of the “brass”,
reveal so frankly and with such sobriety
the economic basis of society” (Auden, 2003: xiii).
Related to the era of the story when women still behind control of class
and economic status to choose their mate or partner, it is very strong evidence that
the character of Anne Elliot shows the spirit of feminism, in this case Marxist
feminism.
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B. Problem Formulation
In order to make a clear and organized discussion, the writer has
formulated the problems as follows :
1. How is Anne Elliot described in Persuasion in relation to her gender and class
status?
2. What issue of Marxist is experienced by Anne on Persuasion?
3.
How does the character of Anne reflect the concept of Marxist Feminism?
C. Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is to answer the questions mentioned in the
problem formulation above and to identify the woman major character Anne
Elliot, in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion. From the character itself, the writer
also tries to explain the way Anne Elliot is making decision. Anne Elliot
encourages herself to change the “old” rules and seek for her true love to get a
happier life. Through the change of mindset, she braves to take a decision on her
own, no interference from family or other people. It has a close relation with the
spirit of feminism that the writer wants to reveal through the character of Anne
Elliot.
D. Definition of Terms
In the part of Catharine A. MacKinnon’s book SIGN (Feminism, Marxism,
Method, and the State: An Agenda for Theory), Marxism and Feminism are
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explained as the theories of power and its distribution: inequality. “They provide
accounts of how social arrangement of patterned disparity can be internally
rational yet unjust. Their specificity is not incidental. In Marxism to be deprived
of one’s work, in feminism of one’s sexuality, defines each one’s conception of
lack of power per se” (MacKinnon, 1982: 516). This is the most important terms
that need to be defined so that the readers can get the idea or concept of Marxist
feminism that the writer wants to discuss further.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
This discussion is not the only one that discusses Jane Austen’s
Persuasion. The topic of the study is diffrent, but there are other people who have
done the same topic in the previous years.
To make this discussion complete, the writer found other findings on the
same object. This chapter provides some related studies on previous findings
about Persuasion with the topic that is discussed.
A thesis entitled “The Portrait of Ideal Woman in Early 19th Century
British Society as Seen in Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion” by Selly
Handayani portrays Anne Elliot’s life as a woman of 19th century British society.
She explains that the society expected an ideal woman to have good behavior,
able to fulfill the expectations of her society, maintain the traditional value of
domesticity, and have no weaknesses as the figure to look up to in the society.
“Anne Elliot bears a lot of good behaviors. She also has fulfilled one of her
society expectations, which was to marry a suitable match for her. This is proved
when Anne broke her engagement with Wentworth, a man she really loves, but
from the society’s point of view was not suitable for her” (2003:8).
Selly examines the characters of Anne to reveal the concept from the
society about the criteria of an ideal woman at that time. Anne is, indeed, an ideal
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figure of woman at that time since she is the daughter of noble person, and she
has good manners and attitudes. However, the writer wants to analyze further than
that. The writer figures out that the fact that Anne fulfilled the expectation of the
society is not the end, since in the end of the story, Anne changes her mind to
decide Wentworth as her partner of life.
Another related study is Elizabeth Kollman’s thesis entitled Jane Austen
Re-visited: A Feminist Evaluation of the Longevity and Relevance of the Austen
Oeuvre reviews feminism in Jane Austen’s works, including Persuasion. In her
thesis, Kollman states :
Austen does not necessarily express the wish to eradicate forms of power
or oppression in her novels. Yet, if we read her work from a feminist point
of view, we are made aware of the social construction of power. From her
fiction we can infer that male power is enshrined in the very structure of
society, and this makes us aware of women’s lack of power in her time
(dspace.nmmu.ac.za, 2014).
Kollman thesis also shows that Austen’s novels, however, are not merely
novels of powerlessness but of empowerment. By creating rounded women
characters and by giving them the power to judge, to refuse and to write, Austen
challenges the stereotyped view of woman as weak and fragile angel. In addition,
her novels seem to question women’s inherited identity and to suggest that
qualities such as emotionality and mothering are not natural aspects of being a
woman.
Another criticism concerning Austen’s Persuasion entitled Jane
Austen, Persuasion, and the Pursuit of Happiness written by Claire Eileen
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Tarlson. She analyzes Austen works, Persuasion compared with Pride and
Prejudice to examine the female character of each story, related to the spirit of
feminism.
The contextual frameworks for both of Jane Austen's novels Pride and
Prejudice and Persuasion are so similar but the difference is, they have different
way to characterize the heroines. In Persuasion, Anne finally chooses Frederick
as her true love despite of the social class and economic reason. It happens
because Anne considers her own emotion, her own feeling, not because based on
certain standards.
The similarities juxtaposed with a discernible shift in the qualities of the
heroine strongly suggest that Anne Elliot is a reworking of Elizabeth
Bennet, and that the purpose of Persuasion is to reinvent Pride and
Prejudice. This reinvention shows Austen's reconsideration of the value
and motives of marriage and gives even more intellectual and emotional
credit to Persuasion's heroine (www.lurj.org, 2013).
From the criticisms above, the character of Anne Elliot is seen as the
important element in the story. Those previous discussions portray Anne’s life as
a figure of an ideal woman in late 18th century British society when social system
was really fierce. Women had to be obedient due to the society’s prosecution.
Other related studies come from Therese Andersson on her essay “The
Importance of Class and Money-A Marxist Analysis of Jane Austen’s
Persuasion”. She discusses the same topic and theory with the writer, but the
difference is, in her essay, Andersson highlights the view of Marxist analysis
through the character of Sir Walter Elliot, Elizabeth Elliot, and William Elliot. By
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examining those characters, her explanations show more about the issue of
Marxist rather than of Feminist. On the other hand, the writer tries to comprehend
the issue of Marxist in the scope of Feminism, through the character of Anne
Elliot.
Besides evaluating Marxist analysis through some characters, Andersson
also explains about Jane Austen and her era to give more information and
understanding of the discussion related to the Austen social-historical
background.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character
M.H Abrams defines character as the person presented in a dramatic or
narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral
and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and by
what they do- the action (Abrams,1981: 20-21).
While according to Henkle, characters can also be described as “major”
and “secondary” ones. Major characters are the most significant characters in a
novel. They can be identified through the complexity of their characterization, the
attention given certain figures, and the personal intensity that a character seems to
transmit. The major character will completely need our fullest attention because
they perform ‘a key structural function’. Through their existence, we built
expectations and desires that, in modification, shift or establish our values. Hence,
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the ability of the major character in expressing and dramatizing the human issues
of the novel will determine its effectiveness. (Henkle, 1997: 87-101)
2. Theory of Characterization
Characterization is the creation of imaginary persons so that they exist for
the readers as a lifelike (Holman and Harmon, 1985: 81). There are three
fundamental way characterizations in fiction according to Holman and Harmon :
a. The explicit presentation by the author of the character to direct
exposition, either in introductory block or more over piecemeal
throughout the work, illustrated by the action.
b. The presentation of the character in action with little or no explicit
comment by the author, in the expectation that the reader will be able to
deduce the attribute of the actor from the actions.
c. The presentation from within character, without comment on the character
by the author, of the impact of actions and emotions on the character’s
inner self, with the expectation that the reader will come to clear
understanding of the attributes of the character. (1985: 81)
3. Theory of Marxist Feminism
Based on the book Beginning Theory by Peter Barry, Marxist criticism
analyzes the difference of class and evaluate on how the differences bring effects
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to the society. It actually has a close relation with the economical problem since
economic cannot be apart from the class levels.
Marxist criticism refers to Marxist theory that sees progress as coming
about through the struggle for power between different social classes. This
view of history as class struggle regards it as ‘motored’ by the competition
for economic, social, and political advantage. The exploitation of one
social class by another is seen especially in modern industrial capitalism,
particularly in its unrestricted 19th century form (Barry, 2002: 157).
In this discussion, the theory of Marxist that is applied is the part of
superstructure model of Marxist, which contains the cultural world of ideas, art,
religion, law, and so on. In this point, Barry also explains that “the essential
Marxist view is that the latter things are not innocent, but are determined (or
shaped) by the nature of the economic base” (Barry, 2002: 158). This belief is the
central part of traditional Marxist thinking, known as economic determinism. In
addition, the writer’s social class and ideology have a big contribution to the
work. So the context of the work is related to the social-class status of the author.
According to Karl Marx, the main idea of Marxism is that “instead of
making abstract affirmations about a whole group of problems such as man,
knowledge, matter, and nature, he examines each problem in its dynamic relation
to the others and, above all, tries to relate them to historical, social, political, and
economic realities”. Marxist literary criticism sees art cannot be separated from
the society. It influences each other and related one another. And the concern of
Marxist literary criticism is the relationship between the economy and the
literature.
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The first thing that one needs to do in order to do a Marxist analysis is
then, according to Eagleton, “to understand the complex, indirect relations
between works (of art) and the ideological worlds they inhabit” (2002: 6). It has
connection with what Haslett states that “art is social because it is produced and
received in concrete contexts, and because the creator is someone with a class,
gender and racial identity, the author is, unavoidably, part of her own context”
(Haslett, 2000: 8).
Marxist actually discusses not only in one aspect, but also many other
aspects and relate them in one scope of theory.
Marxist literary theories are not homogenous, and there is no one way to
do a Marxist analysis, but all approaches have in common that they try
both to convey the relationship between literature and society and to
challenge the separation which this relationship entails. Literature is
situated within the larger parameters of social, economical and cultural
history, effectively erasing the division between ‘literary’ and ‘cultural’
theory (Haslett, 2000: 9-10).
Marxist critics also claim that the aspects that we accept as characteristics
of a certain age, are only expressions of the class that dominated during that
period of time.
Art or literature produced in a certain environment is ideological,
signifying the class conflicts at work at the time, and it is the job of the
Marxist analyst to show these conflicts as they are portrayed in the text.
Marxist criticism also tries to create what it believes is “progressive
political and social change”, the final goal generally being a classless
society (Childers and Hentzi, 1995: 175-176).
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While Marxist discuss about the social structure where class and society
become the basic issue, Feminism mostly discuss about the problem of women’s
inequality in society.
C. Review of Social Class in Jane Austen’s Persuasion
In the introduction part of Austen’s work Persuasion, Susan O. Weisser
(2003) reviews Persuasion as showing the obsession with hierarchical rankings of
value, both social and moral. Concerning the story that takes place in late 18th to 19th
century and Austen social background, the story emphasizes the oppression on
women at that time in terms of class, gender, and work.
The readers are made intensely aware not only of shades of dominance in
class, but of discriminations between the value of old and young, married and
unmarried, sons and daughters, older sisters and younger, the respectable and the
vulgar, and of the frequent arbitrariness of these unearned distinctions of worth and
power. “The titled are often fools, vain, pompous, deluded by self-love and selfimportance, all of which implies that the author seeks ironic distance from a world
that makes class distinctions in particular the barometer of personal worth” (Weisser,
2003).
The fact already seen is that class is an important part of the society. Sir
Walter Elliot is obsessed with his social status. Therefore, he obliges Anne to choose
the suitable partner for the marriage, because the status of the family can be
determined by the marriage partner of the daughter. In other word, the social status
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of a family or a woman depends on the status of her husband. The connections
(connexions) in the upper classes are also regarded as an important thing.
D. Review of Women’s Status in the Late 18th and Early 19th Century British
Society
According to Stone, in terms of power to make a match, four basic options
were available in the 18th century society.
The first is that the choice was made entirely by parents, kin and family
friends, without the advice or consent of the bride or groom. The second
option is that the choice was also made by parents before but the children are
granted a right of veto, to be exercised on the basis of one or two formal
interviews which took place after the two sets of parents and kin had agreed
on the match. This right could be exercised only once or twice and tends to be
more readily concerned to the groom than to the bride. The third option, made
necessary by the rise of individualism, was that choice was made by children
themselves, on the understanding that children will make it from a family of
more or less equal financial and status position and the parent have the right
of veto. The fourth option, which was very rare in the eighteenth century,
especially among upper classes, was that the children made their own choice,
and merely informed their parents of their decision (Stone,1990:181-182).
Young women could be controlled more easily because of their rather
passive role in a courtship and their marriages ensured their economic security.
Daughters were in a weak position because their only future lay in a marriage.
Sometimes the manoeuvres to marry off a daughter, especially in upper class
circles in late eighteenth century, turned into a desperate man-hunt. (Dobosiova,
2006: 24)
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Women’s status and position in the late 18th century is depicted as powerless
and have no authority, especially for those who come from upper and middle class
family, to choose the marriage partner freely despite of the social rank or status.
Wollstonecraft states in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: “They (women) are
regarded as weak creatures dependent on men to whom they are obliged to look for
protection, advice, and every comfort; they still have no power over themselves”
(1975: 131-133).
Yet in the early 19th century, the equal liberty of women start appears. Tong
restates John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor’s idea that “if society is to achieve
sexual equality, or gender justice, then society must provide women with the same
political rights and economic opportunities as well as the same education that men
enjoy” (2009: 16). Tong also restates the statement of “using your head to get what
you want”. Women are not only assumed as silent object or instrument to get
something that can bring advantage to men. “Mill and Taylor claimed the ordinary
way to maximize aggregate utility (happiness or pleasure) is to permit individuals
to pursue their desires, provided the individuals do not hinder or obstruct each other
in the process” (Tong, 2009: 16).
From the review above, the condition of women in the society in late 18th and
early 19th century are clearly explained. The development of the era also brings an
influence toward the development of women status.
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E.
Review of Class, Title and Rank in Jane Austen’s Time
During the time of Jane Austen’s life, class is part of the everyday life. The
phenomenon drives Austen to observe how it works in the society and then she
writes it in her novels. Copeland and McMaster state that “her (Austen) novels
should show people in their social roles, and be precise about the differences
between them” (1997: 128). In addition, Copeland and McMaster explain that “in
Austen’s world, social status was always pertinent, but people were to be judged by
standards higher and more durable than this” (Copeland and McMaster, 1997: 129).
Moreover, the social status is perceptible for women in upper and middle class.
Women at that time are supposed to take their status in society from their husbands.
On top of the social ladder in Jane Austen’s time is, of course, the Royal
Family. Below Royalty is what is known as the Peerage, a system of titles
and nobility and a part of the British honours system. The highest title in the
Peerage is Duke and Duchess, under which are four titles: highest is Marquis
and Marquise, then comes Earl and Countess, after that Viscount and
Viscountess, and finally Baron and Baroness (janeausten.co.uk, 2014).
Here we can see such hierarchical power which exists at that time. The level of rank
determines people for belonging to certain classes and who they will socialize with.
A Baronetcy can be inherited by a male heir. The heir then become Baronet,
but was before this not given any special title, nor were the other children of
the Baronet. The wife of the Baronet is called Lady. A woman could be a
‘Lady’ by birth, as the daughter of an Earl, or she could achieve the title by
marrying a Baronet or a Knight. If she had the title by birth, she would
maintain it regardless of the status of her husband, whereas if she gained the
title by marriage, she would lose it if she chose to remarry a ‘Mr’ (Copeland
and McMaster, 1997: 116-117).
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F.
Theoretical Framework
To support the analysis, the writer applies the theory of character and
characterization to reveal Anne’s Elliot character in Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Anne’s actions, dialogues, thought, and experiences are examined in order to get
deeper understanding of the character , which is related to the concept of Marxist
Feminism.
To show the concept of Marxist feminism which is presented by the character
of Anne Elliot, the theory of Marxist Feminism is needed. Concerning the period
when the story happened, the social class was very influential in every aspects of
life, and the patriarchal system in the family was very strong. Feminists pointed out
that in late 18th and early 19th century fiction very few women work for a living,
unless they are driven to it by dire necessity. Instead, the focus of interest is on the
heroine’s choice of marriage partner which will decide her ultimate social position
and exclusively determine her happiness and fulfillment in life.
In the story, the character of Anne reflects the issue of gender and class in the
society. Through her thoughts, utterances, and attitudes, Anne shows how she is
dealing with the issue and how she finally solves the problem. Anne who is used to
be persuaded to brake off her engagement with Frederick Wentworth, realizes that
woman should not be restrained by the rules of family and society, that power, class,
and social status do matter in determining someone’s happiness in life. Women have
freedom to choose her partner despite of the differences in class and women are
proper to have the same right as men.
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The relation between Anne’s characteristics and the problem that she faces,
shows that Anne Elliot reflects the concept of feminism, especially Marxist
feminism.
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study in this analysis isPersuasionby Jane Austen. The
novel consists of 249 pages, and divided into 24 chapters. Persuasion is Jane
Austen’s last completed novel, yet it does not appear until 1818, after she passed
away. It is also shorter than most of her other novels.
Persuasion is actually a novel that is made by Austen to criticize the
condition of Austen’s time, especially about social class in the form of love story.
Since Austen writes realistic novels, the background of the story of Persuasion
takes place in Bath, a fashionable health resort which Jane Austen was well
acquainted and has lived there from 1801 to 1805.
In 1995, Persuasion and three other Austen’s novels: Emma, Sense and
Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice are made into films. Persuasion film is
produced by BBC’s lavish production with Roger Michell as the director, and it is
the most challenging to adapt into film since it deals primarily with an unspoken
psychology of love.
B. Approach of the Study
In conducting the analysis, the writer uses Marxist feminist approach. The
reason of the writer chooses this approach is because the writer wants to highlight
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the woman main character, Anne Elliot when (at that time) dealing with social
class, gender and the power of patriarchal family that oppressed her too seek her
happiness and freedom to take decision. By analyzing this problem, the writer
wants to discover the spirit of feminism reflected by Anne Elliot.
In the story, the existence of patriarchal family is very strong since Anne’s
father who has a high position in the family, rules every matter. Almost all of the
decisions and ideas are based on economical power in the society. As Frederick
Engels states in Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State(1942),
Communal, matrilineal societies were violently replaced with patriarchal
societies in which individual wealth and private property were key
(patriarchal, profit-driven societies became dominant by conquest and
colonialism, though remnants of matrilineal culture survived in tribal
societies throughout the world). From a position of early leadership and
respect, women became powerless domestic slaves
(http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/philosophy/Introduction-toMarxist-Feminism.html).
Women become domestic slaves here means that women can only be appreciated
on domestic works and have to obey the rule of the men as the holder of the
authority in work and household. In other sources, Engels also states,
Women loose power when private property comes into existence as a
mode of production. Men's control of private property, and the ability
thereby to generate a surplus, changes the family form to a patriarchal one
where women, and often slaves, become the property of the father and
husband (plato.stanford.edu).
In Feminist Thought, Rosemarie Tong emphasizes that Marxist feminism
enable women to express what they want freely, that women always become a
‘victim’ of the ones who have an authority. “Marxist feminists claim it is
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impossible for anyone, especially women, to achieve true freedom in a classbased society, where the wealth produced by the powerless many ends up in the
hands of the powerful few” (Tong, 2009: 4). Also on the same part of the book,
Tong restates what Friedrich Engels suggested.
Marxist feminists insist women’s oppression originated in the introduction
of private property, an institution that obliterated whatever equality of
community humans had previously enjoyed. Private ownership of the
means of production by relatively few persons, originally all male,
inaugurated a class system whose contemporary manifestations are
corporate capitalism and imperialism (2009: 4).
Based on Feminist Theory and Literary Practice, Deborah L. Madsen,
states that “Marxist feminism is organized around the basic conflicts between
capitalism versus patriarchy and class versus gender oppression. Marxist
feminism combines the study of class with the analysis of gender” (Madsen,
2000: 65). It examines the injustice of gender caused by the issue of class.
Another supporting idea about this theory is by Lilian S. Robinson who
states “…that the focus of Marxist feminist is the relationship between class and
gender oppression and the structural elements that determine the quality and
nature of our experience as gendered beings” (Robinson,1978: 75). Here the
scope of the analysis is more specific. The oppression of gender, especially which
is experienced by women is closely related with the class system that exist in
certain place and society, and Marxist Feminism focuses on that issue.
On Women’s Oppression Today: the Problem in Marxist Analysis,
Michele Barrett also stated that “In Marxist feminism the concept of patriarchy is
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not in terms of the biological basis of power relations but in terms of class
analysis, to allow a more properly materialist understanding of women’s
oppression” (1980: 70).
The approach is used to give a further understanding to get the idea of
Marxist feminism that applied on literary work and to analyze the topic of this
discussion.
C. Method of the Study
The study was conducted based on written source from books and articles. The
writer also gets supporting information by some journals and articles from the
internet. Therefore, the type of the study was library research.
The main source of the study was the novel titled Persuasion by Jane Austen.
While the secondary sources were books and articles regarding Jane Austen’s works,
and other books or articles about the related studies and related theories.
There are some steps taken in analyzing the novel. The first step is reading the
novel to examine the woman main character, Anne Elliot, and to get the idea of how
the character is characterized in the novel. By reading the novel, the writer also tries
to understand the content of the work to prevent wrong comprehension about the
character that the writer wants to analyze.
The second step is studying the social and historical background of the society
in which the major character lives to understand about the culture of the society that
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exists at that time. Then the analysis would pay attention at the women’s life in the
society in late 18th and early 19th century British society.
The third step is finding and examining some theories that are suitable with the
topic that the writer wants to discuss. The theory of character and characterization
are used by the writer to analyze further about the character, especially woman main
character in the novel in order to answer the first problem formulations. The review
of social and historical background of 18th and 19th century is also examined by the
writer to answer the second problem formulation. This review can be related through
the concept of Marxist Feminist that will be discussed on the next problem. The
writer is studying the theory of Feminism to identify what kind of approach of
Feminism that the writer wants to highlight from the character of Anne. This theory
of Feminism, especially Marxist Feminism is used to answer the third problem
formulation.
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
A.
The Description of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion
1. Anne Elliot as a Woman in the Society
Anne has attractive performance and personality. A woman is usually
acknowledged by her outer and inner beauty, and Anne has those criteria. Her inner
beauty is actually something that is hard to find in women in general. “Anne, an
extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling” (IV:25). These
characteristics might be the reasons why Frederick Wentworth can feel deeply in
love with her. While Frederick himself, is a remarkably fine young man, with a great
deal of intelligence and spirit, even though his social status is lower than Anne.
After Anne off to Uppercross, she gets a new experience, new atmosphere,
meets a lot of people, but she is the kind of woman who can adjust herself easily.
She does not mind to associate with anybody without mind about their age, their
rank, and so on. Anne, the figure of sweet mind and nice behavior, cannot disappear
from people’s mind from the very beginning they met Anne. “She was always on
friendly terms with her brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as
well, and respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
interest amusement, and wholesome exertion” (VI:41). The character of Anne here
is very amiable and she is loved by people around her.
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However, behind her warm and friendly character, Anne actually has another
side of herself that is private and introvert. She likes playing music, especially piano.
Sometimes she expresses her feeling, her emotion, and her loneliness through music.
“She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; …In music
she had been always used to feel alone in the world” (VI:44-45). Even though
nothing seems worry to her, but inside, Anne is a lonely girl, that since the age of
fourteen loss the figure of her dear mother, never known the happiness of being
listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation. She ‘enjoys’ her loneliness
through music.
Music is a part of Anne’s life. Even though her life is not as cheerful as the
music, but she can bring joy and pleasure to everybody who listens to her music.
Like when Anne comes to the party at the Great House, she plays a country dance by
piano and she draws compliments. “Well done, Miss Anne! Very well done indeed!
Lord bless me! How those little fingers of yours fly about!” (VI:45). From her skill
on playing
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THE MARXIST FEMINIST CONCEPT
IN THE CHARACTER OF ANNE ELLIOT
IN JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
SINTA FITRIANI
Student Number: 104214010
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2014
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THE MARXIST FEMINIST CONCEPT
IN THE CHARACTER OF ANNE ELLIOT
IN JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
SINTA FITRIANI
Student Number: 104214010
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2014
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Don’t you give up
Don’t you quit
You keep walking
You keep trying
There is help and happiness ahead
It will be alright
In the end..
Trust GOD
And believe in good things to come..
-Jeffrey R. Holland-
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Jesus Christ, my Savior, who
always strengthens me, so that I can accomplish this thesis. I could not imagine how I
could be without His blessings. May His name always be venerated all of the time.
I would like to thank A.B Sri Mulyani,M.A.,Ph.D, my advisor, for her
guidance, kindness, and support for finishing this thesis. I would also like to thank Ni
LuhPutu Rosiandani,S.S.,M.Hum, my co-advisor, for reading my thesis and giving
me advices for the improvement of this thesis. I thank all the lecturers of English
Letters Department, especially Anna Fitriati S.Pd.,M.Hum, and to all the staff of
Faculty of Letter, Sanata Dharma University.
To both of my parents, I thank them for supporting me. I could not be happier
than being your daughter. I am here and I am belonging to this stage right now is
because of you, all of your sacrifices and prayers. No words can explain how grateful
I am for having such great parents like you both. I will not disappoint you, mom and
dad. To my sisters and my brothers, thank you for your support. Even though you
never show your support through words, but I am sure you take your minutes to pray
for me.
To all my friends of English Letters Department 2010, especially class A, I
feel honoured to be part of your life. We start our journey together, until now we are
about to separate, to chase our dreams. See you in other chance, guys. Thank you for
the memories. To my close friends that I cannot tell one by one, thank you for the
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time, the story and sharing moments, the attention, the help, and all of the bittersweet
we have spent together. I will not forget you guys, no matter what happens in the
world. You mean a lot to me. Special thanks to Putri Riskya and Augustina Kresia,
for the laughs, tears, and help, and for encouraging me when I am about to loose
hope.
Last but not least, to Andrew Nantio Subekti, my sunshine, my vitamin.
Thank you for all. I am grateful to have such a wonderful guy on earth like you. You
are the best thing that has ever been mine.
Finally, to everyone who has helped me these years, thank you…
Sinta Fitriani
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE…………………………………………………………………...
APPROVAL PAGE…………………………………………………………….
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ………………………………………………………..
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY…………………………………………..
MOTTO PAGE…….……………………………………………………..........
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...…………………………………………………..
TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………….......
ABSTRACT...…………………………………………………………………..
ABSTRAK...…………………………………………………………………….
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
x
xi
xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ...…………………………………………...
A. Background of the Study…………………………………………….
B. Problem Formulation ………………………………………..............
C. Objectives of the Study ……………………………………………..
D. Definition of Terms ...……………………………………………….
1
1
4
4
4
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF LITERATURE……………………………….
A. Review of Related Study ……………………………………………
B. Review of Related Theories ………………………………...............
1. Theory of Character and Characterization ……………………...
2. Theory of Marxist Feminism ……………………………………
3. Review of Social Class in Austen’s Persuasion ………………..
4. Review of Women’s Status in the late 18th and early 19th
Century British Society…………………………………………
5. Review of Class, Title and Ranks in Jane Austen’s Time………
C. Theoretical Framework …………………………………………….
6
6
9
9
11
13
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ………………………………………….
A. Object of the Study ………………………………………................
B. Approach of the Study……………..………………………………..
C. Method of the Study ………………………………………………...
19
19
19
22
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS …………………………………………………
A. The Description of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion………
1. Anne Elliot as a Woman……………………………………….
2. Anne Elliot as a Daughter of a Noble Family…………………
B. The Marxist Issues Experienced by Anne…………………………….
C. The Concept of Marxist Feminism Reflected by Anne……………
24
24
24
31
34
41
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION……………………………………………......
48
14
16
17
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………… 51
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ABSTRACT
FITRIANI, SINTA. The Marxist Feminist Concept in the Character of Anne
Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters,
Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2014.
This thesis examines the characteristics of the woman character in Persuasion,
a classic novel written by Jane Austen, that reflects the concept of Marxist Feminism.
It has a close relation with the historical background of the story, which was in the
late 18th century to early 19th century, where gender and class were very influential in
many aspects in the society.
There are three problems. The first problem is about how the character of
Anne Elliot is described in Persuasion. The second problem is about how the issue of
gender and class related to Marxism at that time is revealed. The last problem is in
what way the concept of Marxist Feminism is reflected through Anne Elliot.
The method used in this study is library research. The books about literary
theories are used to understand the theory that is relevant with the topic of the
discussion, especially in this case the theory of character and characterization to
reveal Anne Elliot character. Another supporting theory is theory of Marxist
Feminism that leads into a further discussion of the topic. Various books about the
history of British society in late18th century to early 19th century are also used to get
deeper understanding about historical background of British society of that era.
The result of the analysis shows that Anne Elliot is an extraordinary figure,
attractive, friendly, smart, open-minded, multi-talented, and helpful. Anne is also an
introvert, that sometimes she keeps her own feeling. Based on the background of the
story which is the late18th century to early 19thcentury British society, the character of
Anne reflects the concept of Marxist Feminism in the case of how she deals with
problem and how she solves it. Anne looks like she is a frail woman yet actually she
is tough and brave. Even though at the beginning she has been persuaded by her
relatives, but her maturity of feeling and mind finally help her change the condition
where she is forced not to be her own self.
The issue that women at that time are considered powerless of making a
decision and have to be obedient to the rule of the family and society, does not
preclude Anne for struggling to get what she truly wants. Anne who comes from a
prominent family whose father has high position in the work, is willing and able to
break the rules that oppose relationship of different social status and classes. Anne’s
consciousness and power to take a decision finally lead her to her true love and true
happiness, without any interference, compulsion, and persuasion from others.
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ABSTRAK
FITRIANI, SINTA. The Marxist Feminist Concept in the Character of Anne
Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Yogyakarta: JurusansastraIngggris,
FakultasSastra, UniversitasSanata Dharma, 2014.
Skripsi ini meneliti tentang karakter tokoh utama wanita dalam novel klasik
ciptaan Jane Austen berjudul Persuasion, yang mencerminkan konsep Marxist
Feminis. Hal ini sangat erat kaitannya dengan latar belakang sejarah cerita yaitu pada
akhir abad ke 18 danawal abad ke 19, dimana jenis kelamin dan strata sosial dalam
masyarakat sangat berpengaruh dalam segala aspek kehidupan.
Ada tiga pokok permasalahan yang akan diteliti dalam skripsi ini.
Permasalahan pertama yang diteliti adalah karakter Anne Elliot. Permasalahan kedua
adalah bagaimana permasalahan tentang jenis kelamin dan strata sosial yang dihadapi
oleh Anne digambarkan di dalam cerita. Permasalahan terakhir adalah dari segi
apakah tokoh Anne Elliot mencerminkan konsep Marxist Feminis.
Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kepustakaan, yaitu dengan mempelajari
buku-buku yang memiliki kaitan dengan topik yang akan dibahas dalam penelitian
ini. Oleh Karena itu, metode yang digunakan adalah metode kepustakaan.Buku-buku
tentang teori kesusastraan digunakan untuk membantu memahami teori-teori yang
relevan dengan topic pembahasan, dalam hal ini khusunya teori karakter untuk
meneliti karakterisasi Anne Elliot. Selain teori karakter, teori lain yang mendukung
penelitian ini adalah teori Marxist Feminis yang akan menjadi topik pembahasan
lebih dalam. Buku-buku tentang pengetahuan dan sejarah juga digunakan untuk
memahami lebih dalam mengenai sejarah kehidupan masyarakat Inggris pada sekitar
akhir abad ke 18 dan awal abad ke 19.
Hasil dari analisis menunjukkan bahwa Anne adalah tokoh yang luarbiasa,
menarik, ramah, pandai, berpikiran luas, multi talenta, dan senang membantu. Anne
juga memiliki jiwa introvert yang terkadang membuatnya memendam dan
menyimpan perasaan untuk diri sendiri. Berdasarkan latar belakang cerita yaitu pada
masa akhir abad ke 18 masyarakat Inggris, tokoh Anne mencerminkan konsep
Marxist Feminis dalam menghadapi dan menyelesaikan masalah yang terjadi dalam
kehidupannya pada saat itu. Anne adalah sosok wanita yang anggun, terlihat lemah
namun sejatinya Anne adalah sosok wanita pemberani.Walaupun pada awalnya Anne
terbujuk oleh pengaruh dari keluarganya, namun kedewasaan hati dan pikiran Anne
pada akhirnya merubah segalanya.Wanita yang pada saat itu dianggap tidak memiliki
kuasa apapun untuk mengambil keputusan, bukan menjadi halangan bagi Anne untuk
meraih apa yang sejatinya dia inginkan. Anne “mendobrak” peraturan masyarakat
yang menentang hubungan berbeda strata atau kelas sosial. Kemampuan Anne dalam
mengambil keputusan pada akhirnya akan menuntunnya pada cinta dan kebahagiaan
sejati, tanpa ada campur tangan, paksaan, atau bujukan dari pihak lain.
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Literary works cannot be apart from characterization. Characters are
extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader
interacts with a piece of literature. By understanding the character, a reader can
become more aware of other aspects of literature and more complete
understanding of the work.
According to Stanton, character is commonly used in two ways. The first
is that character designates the individuals who appear in the story. The second is
that character refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral
principles that makes up each of these individuals. Character gives a certain
situation or circumstance in the story because he or she shows his or her emotions
in it (1965:17).
In most of her works, Austen revealed the life of woman which is
interesting to discuss. One of her works entitled Persuasion, tells about the
romance between a couple in different social class that lead them into a
complicated love story. Anne Elliot, who comes from a middle class family, feel
deeply in love with a handsome young naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, at the
age of nineteen. After dating for a few months, they talk about marriage.
Wentworth's service in the navy, however, does not give him enough steady
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income or social status to please Anne's family so that Anne is persuaded to break
off her engagement with Wentworth. Anne has no other choice except to obey the
will of her family. It does not mean that Anne approves that kind of rule, but it is
because she understands and respects the position of her family, especially her
father. Here, the role of the family is very influential in making decision,
especially to choose the marriage partner.
By the time Anne realizes that the fact about her past when her decision
finally leads her to regret, makes her to be more mature and open minded woman
in making the second decision that can influence her life forever. All things that
she and Frederick have been through, change Anne’s mindset and perception on
how a woman should have the encouragement to take her own decision to get a
happiness.
By discovering the characteristics of the characters in the novel, it can lead
the reader into a deeper understanding of the message that the author wants to
deliver, especially through the woman main character, Anne Elliot. Women that
at that time remain silent and obedient to the power of men become a discussion
for centuries. They cannot express their feelings freely, without oppression by the
rule of the family and society.
Anne’s father, is described as a person who has a great deal of ambition to
preserve the high social class. His vanity for having a position as a Baronet,
makes him look down the people whose social class or status is beneath him. That
is also one of the reasons he feels insecure when he knows Anne has a
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relationship with Frederick Wentworth, a man who has no good title which can
impress him and the family. By this matter, Anne’s position as a daughter and as
a woman is considered.
Jane Austen’s novels, including Persuasion revealed about the life of
women in late 18th to 19th era. Since the discussion on women at that era is
interesting to discuss, the character of Anne Elliot here can also give another
opinion of what women should do to make a better life, and how women can deal
with their conscience and the society that shapes them. It emphasizes the power of
women through literary works that the writer wants to analyze.
In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, the economic issue is seen as another aspect
that bring enormous influence towards the main character’s life. As W.H.
Auden’s statement which is included in the introduction part of the novel:
“You could not shock her more than she shocks me;
Beside her Joyce seems innocent as grass.
It makes me most uncomfortable to see
an English spinster of the middle class
describe the amorous effects of the “brass”,
reveal so frankly and with such sobriety
the economic basis of society” (Auden, 2003: xiii).
Related to the era of the story when women still behind control of class
and economic status to choose their mate or partner, it is very strong evidence that
the character of Anne Elliot shows the spirit of feminism, in this case Marxist
feminism.
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B. Problem Formulation
In order to make a clear and organized discussion, the writer has
formulated the problems as follows :
1. How is Anne Elliot described in Persuasion in relation to her gender and class
status?
2. What issue of Marxist is experienced by Anne on Persuasion?
3.
How does the character of Anne reflect the concept of Marxist Feminism?
C. Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is to answer the questions mentioned in the
problem formulation above and to identify the woman major character Anne
Elliot, in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion. From the character itself, the writer
also tries to explain the way Anne Elliot is making decision. Anne Elliot
encourages herself to change the “old” rules and seek for her true love to get a
happier life. Through the change of mindset, she braves to take a decision on her
own, no interference from family or other people. It has a close relation with the
spirit of feminism that the writer wants to reveal through the character of Anne
Elliot.
D. Definition of Terms
In the part of Catharine A. MacKinnon’s book SIGN (Feminism, Marxism,
Method, and the State: An Agenda for Theory), Marxism and Feminism are
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explained as the theories of power and its distribution: inequality. “They provide
accounts of how social arrangement of patterned disparity can be internally
rational yet unjust. Their specificity is not incidental. In Marxism to be deprived
of one’s work, in feminism of one’s sexuality, defines each one’s conception of
lack of power per se” (MacKinnon, 1982: 516). This is the most important terms
that need to be defined so that the readers can get the idea or concept of Marxist
feminism that the writer wants to discuss further.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
This discussion is not the only one that discusses Jane Austen’s
Persuasion. The topic of the study is diffrent, but there are other people who have
done the same topic in the previous years.
To make this discussion complete, the writer found other findings on the
same object. This chapter provides some related studies on previous findings
about Persuasion with the topic that is discussed.
A thesis entitled “The Portrait of Ideal Woman in Early 19th Century
British Society as Seen in Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion” by Selly
Handayani portrays Anne Elliot’s life as a woman of 19th century British society.
She explains that the society expected an ideal woman to have good behavior,
able to fulfill the expectations of her society, maintain the traditional value of
domesticity, and have no weaknesses as the figure to look up to in the society.
“Anne Elliot bears a lot of good behaviors. She also has fulfilled one of her
society expectations, which was to marry a suitable match for her. This is proved
when Anne broke her engagement with Wentworth, a man she really loves, but
from the society’s point of view was not suitable for her” (2003:8).
Selly examines the characters of Anne to reveal the concept from the
society about the criteria of an ideal woman at that time. Anne is, indeed, an ideal
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figure of woman at that time since she is the daughter of noble person, and she
has good manners and attitudes. However, the writer wants to analyze further than
that. The writer figures out that the fact that Anne fulfilled the expectation of the
society is not the end, since in the end of the story, Anne changes her mind to
decide Wentworth as her partner of life.
Another related study is Elizabeth Kollman’s thesis entitled Jane Austen
Re-visited: A Feminist Evaluation of the Longevity and Relevance of the Austen
Oeuvre reviews feminism in Jane Austen’s works, including Persuasion. In her
thesis, Kollman states :
Austen does not necessarily express the wish to eradicate forms of power
or oppression in her novels. Yet, if we read her work from a feminist point
of view, we are made aware of the social construction of power. From her
fiction we can infer that male power is enshrined in the very structure of
society, and this makes us aware of women’s lack of power in her time
(dspace.nmmu.ac.za, 2014).
Kollman thesis also shows that Austen’s novels, however, are not merely
novels of powerlessness but of empowerment. By creating rounded women
characters and by giving them the power to judge, to refuse and to write, Austen
challenges the stereotyped view of woman as weak and fragile angel. In addition,
her novels seem to question women’s inherited identity and to suggest that
qualities such as emotionality and mothering are not natural aspects of being a
woman.
Another criticism concerning Austen’s Persuasion entitled Jane
Austen, Persuasion, and the Pursuit of Happiness written by Claire Eileen
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Tarlson. She analyzes Austen works, Persuasion compared with Pride and
Prejudice to examine the female character of each story, related to the spirit of
feminism.
The contextual frameworks for both of Jane Austen's novels Pride and
Prejudice and Persuasion are so similar but the difference is, they have different
way to characterize the heroines. In Persuasion, Anne finally chooses Frederick
as her true love despite of the social class and economic reason. It happens
because Anne considers her own emotion, her own feeling, not because based on
certain standards.
The similarities juxtaposed with a discernible shift in the qualities of the
heroine strongly suggest that Anne Elliot is a reworking of Elizabeth
Bennet, and that the purpose of Persuasion is to reinvent Pride and
Prejudice. This reinvention shows Austen's reconsideration of the value
and motives of marriage and gives even more intellectual and emotional
credit to Persuasion's heroine (www.lurj.org, 2013).
From the criticisms above, the character of Anne Elliot is seen as the
important element in the story. Those previous discussions portray Anne’s life as
a figure of an ideal woman in late 18th century British society when social system
was really fierce. Women had to be obedient due to the society’s prosecution.
Other related studies come from Therese Andersson on her essay “The
Importance of Class and Money-A Marxist Analysis of Jane Austen’s
Persuasion”. She discusses the same topic and theory with the writer, but the
difference is, in her essay, Andersson highlights the view of Marxist analysis
through the character of Sir Walter Elliot, Elizabeth Elliot, and William Elliot. By
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examining those characters, her explanations show more about the issue of
Marxist rather than of Feminist. On the other hand, the writer tries to comprehend
the issue of Marxist in the scope of Feminism, through the character of Anne
Elliot.
Besides evaluating Marxist analysis through some characters, Andersson
also explains about Jane Austen and her era to give more information and
understanding of the discussion related to the Austen social-historical
background.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character
M.H Abrams defines character as the person presented in a dramatic or
narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral
and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and by
what they do- the action (Abrams,1981: 20-21).
While according to Henkle, characters can also be described as “major”
and “secondary” ones. Major characters are the most significant characters in a
novel. They can be identified through the complexity of their characterization, the
attention given certain figures, and the personal intensity that a character seems to
transmit. The major character will completely need our fullest attention because
they perform ‘a key structural function’. Through their existence, we built
expectations and desires that, in modification, shift or establish our values. Hence,
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the ability of the major character in expressing and dramatizing the human issues
of the novel will determine its effectiveness. (Henkle, 1997: 87-101)
2. Theory of Characterization
Characterization is the creation of imaginary persons so that they exist for
the readers as a lifelike (Holman and Harmon, 1985: 81). There are three
fundamental way characterizations in fiction according to Holman and Harmon :
a. The explicit presentation by the author of the character to direct
exposition, either in introductory block or more over piecemeal
throughout the work, illustrated by the action.
b. The presentation of the character in action with little or no explicit
comment by the author, in the expectation that the reader will be able to
deduce the attribute of the actor from the actions.
c. The presentation from within character, without comment on the character
by the author, of the impact of actions and emotions on the character’s
inner self, with the expectation that the reader will come to clear
understanding of the attributes of the character. (1985: 81)
3. Theory of Marxist Feminism
Based on the book Beginning Theory by Peter Barry, Marxist criticism
analyzes the difference of class and evaluate on how the differences bring effects
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to the society. It actually has a close relation with the economical problem since
economic cannot be apart from the class levels.
Marxist criticism refers to Marxist theory that sees progress as coming
about through the struggle for power between different social classes. This
view of history as class struggle regards it as ‘motored’ by the competition
for economic, social, and political advantage. The exploitation of one
social class by another is seen especially in modern industrial capitalism,
particularly in its unrestricted 19th century form (Barry, 2002: 157).
In this discussion, the theory of Marxist that is applied is the part of
superstructure model of Marxist, which contains the cultural world of ideas, art,
religion, law, and so on. In this point, Barry also explains that “the essential
Marxist view is that the latter things are not innocent, but are determined (or
shaped) by the nature of the economic base” (Barry, 2002: 158). This belief is the
central part of traditional Marxist thinking, known as economic determinism. In
addition, the writer’s social class and ideology have a big contribution to the
work. So the context of the work is related to the social-class status of the author.
According to Karl Marx, the main idea of Marxism is that “instead of
making abstract affirmations about a whole group of problems such as man,
knowledge, matter, and nature, he examines each problem in its dynamic relation
to the others and, above all, tries to relate them to historical, social, political, and
economic realities”. Marxist literary criticism sees art cannot be separated from
the society. It influences each other and related one another. And the concern of
Marxist literary criticism is the relationship between the economy and the
literature.
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The first thing that one needs to do in order to do a Marxist analysis is
then, according to Eagleton, “to understand the complex, indirect relations
between works (of art) and the ideological worlds they inhabit” (2002: 6). It has
connection with what Haslett states that “art is social because it is produced and
received in concrete contexts, and because the creator is someone with a class,
gender and racial identity, the author is, unavoidably, part of her own context”
(Haslett, 2000: 8).
Marxist actually discusses not only in one aspect, but also many other
aspects and relate them in one scope of theory.
Marxist literary theories are not homogenous, and there is no one way to
do a Marxist analysis, but all approaches have in common that they try
both to convey the relationship between literature and society and to
challenge the separation which this relationship entails. Literature is
situated within the larger parameters of social, economical and cultural
history, effectively erasing the division between ‘literary’ and ‘cultural’
theory (Haslett, 2000: 9-10).
Marxist critics also claim that the aspects that we accept as characteristics
of a certain age, are only expressions of the class that dominated during that
period of time.
Art or literature produced in a certain environment is ideological,
signifying the class conflicts at work at the time, and it is the job of the
Marxist analyst to show these conflicts as they are portrayed in the text.
Marxist criticism also tries to create what it believes is “progressive
political and social change”, the final goal generally being a classless
society (Childers and Hentzi, 1995: 175-176).
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While Marxist discuss about the social structure where class and society
become the basic issue, Feminism mostly discuss about the problem of women’s
inequality in society.
C. Review of Social Class in Jane Austen’s Persuasion
In the introduction part of Austen’s work Persuasion, Susan O. Weisser
(2003) reviews Persuasion as showing the obsession with hierarchical rankings of
value, both social and moral. Concerning the story that takes place in late 18th to 19th
century and Austen social background, the story emphasizes the oppression on
women at that time in terms of class, gender, and work.
The readers are made intensely aware not only of shades of dominance in
class, but of discriminations between the value of old and young, married and
unmarried, sons and daughters, older sisters and younger, the respectable and the
vulgar, and of the frequent arbitrariness of these unearned distinctions of worth and
power. “The titled are often fools, vain, pompous, deluded by self-love and selfimportance, all of which implies that the author seeks ironic distance from a world
that makes class distinctions in particular the barometer of personal worth” (Weisser,
2003).
The fact already seen is that class is an important part of the society. Sir
Walter Elliot is obsessed with his social status. Therefore, he obliges Anne to choose
the suitable partner for the marriage, because the status of the family can be
determined by the marriage partner of the daughter. In other word, the social status
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of a family or a woman depends on the status of her husband. The connections
(connexions) in the upper classes are also regarded as an important thing.
D. Review of Women’s Status in the Late 18th and Early 19th Century British
Society
According to Stone, in terms of power to make a match, four basic options
were available in the 18th century society.
The first is that the choice was made entirely by parents, kin and family
friends, without the advice or consent of the bride or groom. The second
option is that the choice was also made by parents before but the children are
granted a right of veto, to be exercised on the basis of one or two formal
interviews which took place after the two sets of parents and kin had agreed
on the match. This right could be exercised only once or twice and tends to be
more readily concerned to the groom than to the bride. The third option, made
necessary by the rise of individualism, was that choice was made by children
themselves, on the understanding that children will make it from a family of
more or less equal financial and status position and the parent have the right
of veto. The fourth option, which was very rare in the eighteenth century,
especially among upper classes, was that the children made their own choice,
and merely informed their parents of their decision (Stone,1990:181-182).
Young women could be controlled more easily because of their rather
passive role in a courtship and their marriages ensured their economic security.
Daughters were in a weak position because their only future lay in a marriage.
Sometimes the manoeuvres to marry off a daughter, especially in upper class
circles in late eighteenth century, turned into a desperate man-hunt. (Dobosiova,
2006: 24)
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Women’s status and position in the late 18th century is depicted as powerless
and have no authority, especially for those who come from upper and middle class
family, to choose the marriage partner freely despite of the social rank or status.
Wollstonecraft states in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: “They (women) are
regarded as weak creatures dependent on men to whom they are obliged to look for
protection, advice, and every comfort; they still have no power over themselves”
(1975: 131-133).
Yet in the early 19th century, the equal liberty of women start appears. Tong
restates John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor’s idea that “if society is to achieve
sexual equality, or gender justice, then society must provide women with the same
political rights and economic opportunities as well as the same education that men
enjoy” (2009: 16). Tong also restates the statement of “using your head to get what
you want”. Women are not only assumed as silent object or instrument to get
something that can bring advantage to men. “Mill and Taylor claimed the ordinary
way to maximize aggregate utility (happiness or pleasure) is to permit individuals
to pursue their desires, provided the individuals do not hinder or obstruct each other
in the process” (Tong, 2009: 16).
From the review above, the condition of women in the society in late 18th and
early 19th century are clearly explained. The development of the era also brings an
influence toward the development of women status.
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E.
Review of Class, Title and Rank in Jane Austen’s Time
During the time of Jane Austen’s life, class is part of the everyday life. The
phenomenon drives Austen to observe how it works in the society and then she
writes it in her novels. Copeland and McMaster state that “her (Austen) novels
should show people in their social roles, and be precise about the differences
between them” (1997: 128). In addition, Copeland and McMaster explain that “in
Austen’s world, social status was always pertinent, but people were to be judged by
standards higher and more durable than this” (Copeland and McMaster, 1997: 129).
Moreover, the social status is perceptible for women in upper and middle class.
Women at that time are supposed to take their status in society from their husbands.
On top of the social ladder in Jane Austen’s time is, of course, the Royal
Family. Below Royalty is what is known as the Peerage, a system of titles
and nobility and a part of the British honours system. The highest title in the
Peerage is Duke and Duchess, under which are four titles: highest is Marquis
and Marquise, then comes Earl and Countess, after that Viscount and
Viscountess, and finally Baron and Baroness (janeausten.co.uk, 2014).
Here we can see such hierarchical power which exists at that time. The level of rank
determines people for belonging to certain classes and who they will socialize with.
A Baronetcy can be inherited by a male heir. The heir then become Baronet,
but was before this not given any special title, nor were the other children of
the Baronet. The wife of the Baronet is called Lady. A woman could be a
‘Lady’ by birth, as the daughter of an Earl, or she could achieve the title by
marrying a Baronet or a Knight. If she had the title by birth, she would
maintain it regardless of the status of her husband, whereas if she gained the
title by marriage, she would lose it if she chose to remarry a ‘Mr’ (Copeland
and McMaster, 1997: 116-117).
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F.
Theoretical Framework
To support the analysis, the writer applies the theory of character and
characterization to reveal Anne’s Elliot character in Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Anne’s actions, dialogues, thought, and experiences are examined in order to get
deeper understanding of the character , which is related to the concept of Marxist
Feminism.
To show the concept of Marxist feminism which is presented by the character
of Anne Elliot, the theory of Marxist Feminism is needed. Concerning the period
when the story happened, the social class was very influential in every aspects of
life, and the patriarchal system in the family was very strong. Feminists pointed out
that in late 18th and early 19th century fiction very few women work for a living,
unless they are driven to it by dire necessity. Instead, the focus of interest is on the
heroine’s choice of marriage partner which will decide her ultimate social position
and exclusively determine her happiness and fulfillment in life.
In the story, the character of Anne reflects the issue of gender and class in the
society. Through her thoughts, utterances, and attitudes, Anne shows how she is
dealing with the issue and how she finally solves the problem. Anne who is used to
be persuaded to brake off her engagement with Frederick Wentworth, realizes that
woman should not be restrained by the rules of family and society, that power, class,
and social status do matter in determining someone’s happiness in life. Women have
freedom to choose her partner despite of the differences in class and women are
proper to have the same right as men.
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The relation between Anne’s characteristics and the problem that she faces,
shows that Anne Elliot reflects the concept of feminism, especially Marxist
feminism.
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study in this analysis isPersuasionby Jane Austen. The
novel consists of 249 pages, and divided into 24 chapters. Persuasion is Jane
Austen’s last completed novel, yet it does not appear until 1818, after she passed
away. It is also shorter than most of her other novels.
Persuasion is actually a novel that is made by Austen to criticize the
condition of Austen’s time, especially about social class in the form of love story.
Since Austen writes realistic novels, the background of the story of Persuasion
takes place in Bath, a fashionable health resort which Jane Austen was well
acquainted and has lived there from 1801 to 1805.
In 1995, Persuasion and three other Austen’s novels: Emma, Sense and
Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice are made into films. Persuasion film is
produced by BBC’s lavish production with Roger Michell as the director, and it is
the most challenging to adapt into film since it deals primarily with an unspoken
psychology of love.
B. Approach of the Study
In conducting the analysis, the writer uses Marxist feminist approach. The
reason of the writer chooses this approach is because the writer wants to highlight
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the woman main character, Anne Elliot when (at that time) dealing with social
class, gender and the power of patriarchal family that oppressed her too seek her
happiness and freedom to take decision. By analyzing this problem, the writer
wants to discover the spirit of feminism reflected by Anne Elliot.
In the story, the existence of patriarchal family is very strong since Anne’s
father who has a high position in the family, rules every matter. Almost all of the
decisions and ideas are based on economical power in the society. As Frederick
Engels states in Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State(1942),
Communal, matrilineal societies were violently replaced with patriarchal
societies in which individual wealth and private property were key
(patriarchal, profit-driven societies became dominant by conquest and
colonialism, though remnants of matrilineal culture survived in tribal
societies throughout the world). From a position of early leadership and
respect, women became powerless domestic slaves
(http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/philosophy/Introduction-toMarxist-Feminism.html).
Women become domestic slaves here means that women can only be appreciated
on domestic works and have to obey the rule of the men as the holder of the
authority in work and household. In other sources, Engels also states,
Women loose power when private property comes into existence as a
mode of production. Men's control of private property, and the ability
thereby to generate a surplus, changes the family form to a patriarchal one
where women, and often slaves, become the property of the father and
husband (plato.stanford.edu).
In Feminist Thought, Rosemarie Tong emphasizes that Marxist feminism
enable women to express what they want freely, that women always become a
‘victim’ of the ones who have an authority. “Marxist feminists claim it is
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impossible for anyone, especially women, to achieve true freedom in a classbased society, where the wealth produced by the powerless many ends up in the
hands of the powerful few” (Tong, 2009: 4). Also on the same part of the book,
Tong restates what Friedrich Engels suggested.
Marxist feminists insist women’s oppression originated in the introduction
of private property, an institution that obliterated whatever equality of
community humans had previously enjoyed. Private ownership of the
means of production by relatively few persons, originally all male,
inaugurated a class system whose contemporary manifestations are
corporate capitalism and imperialism (2009: 4).
Based on Feminist Theory and Literary Practice, Deborah L. Madsen,
states that “Marxist feminism is organized around the basic conflicts between
capitalism versus patriarchy and class versus gender oppression. Marxist
feminism combines the study of class with the analysis of gender” (Madsen,
2000: 65). It examines the injustice of gender caused by the issue of class.
Another supporting idea about this theory is by Lilian S. Robinson who
states “…that the focus of Marxist feminist is the relationship between class and
gender oppression and the structural elements that determine the quality and
nature of our experience as gendered beings” (Robinson,1978: 75). Here the
scope of the analysis is more specific. The oppression of gender, especially which
is experienced by women is closely related with the class system that exist in
certain place and society, and Marxist Feminism focuses on that issue.
On Women’s Oppression Today: the Problem in Marxist Analysis,
Michele Barrett also stated that “In Marxist feminism the concept of patriarchy is
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not in terms of the biological basis of power relations but in terms of class
analysis, to allow a more properly materialist understanding of women’s
oppression” (1980: 70).
The approach is used to give a further understanding to get the idea of
Marxist feminism that applied on literary work and to analyze the topic of this
discussion.
C. Method of the Study
The study was conducted based on written source from books and articles. The
writer also gets supporting information by some journals and articles from the
internet. Therefore, the type of the study was library research.
The main source of the study was the novel titled Persuasion by Jane Austen.
While the secondary sources were books and articles regarding Jane Austen’s works,
and other books or articles about the related studies and related theories.
There are some steps taken in analyzing the novel. The first step is reading the
novel to examine the woman main character, Anne Elliot, and to get the idea of how
the character is characterized in the novel. By reading the novel, the writer also tries
to understand the content of the work to prevent wrong comprehension about the
character that the writer wants to analyze.
The second step is studying the social and historical background of the society
in which the major character lives to understand about the culture of the society that
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exists at that time. Then the analysis would pay attention at the women’s life in the
society in late 18th and early 19th century British society.
The third step is finding and examining some theories that are suitable with the
topic that the writer wants to discuss. The theory of character and characterization
are used by the writer to analyze further about the character, especially woman main
character in the novel in order to answer the first problem formulations. The review
of social and historical background of 18th and 19th century is also examined by the
writer to answer the second problem formulation. This review can be related through
the concept of Marxist Feminist that will be discussed on the next problem. The
writer is studying the theory of Feminism to identify what kind of approach of
Feminism that the writer wants to highlight from the character of Anne. This theory
of Feminism, especially Marxist Feminism is used to answer the third problem
formulation.
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
A.
The Description of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion
1. Anne Elliot as a Woman in the Society
Anne has attractive performance and personality. A woman is usually
acknowledged by her outer and inner beauty, and Anne has those criteria. Her inner
beauty is actually something that is hard to find in women in general. “Anne, an
extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling” (IV:25). These
characteristics might be the reasons why Frederick Wentworth can feel deeply in
love with her. While Frederick himself, is a remarkably fine young man, with a great
deal of intelligence and spirit, even though his social status is lower than Anne.
After Anne off to Uppercross, she gets a new experience, new atmosphere,
meets a lot of people, but she is the kind of woman who can adjust herself easily.
She does not mind to associate with anybody without mind about their age, their
rank, and so on. Anne, the figure of sweet mind and nice behavior, cannot disappear
from people’s mind from the very beginning they met Anne. “She was always on
friendly terms with her brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as
well, and respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
interest amusement, and wholesome exertion” (VI:41). The character of Anne here
is very amiable and she is loved by people around her.
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However, behind her warm and friendly character, Anne actually has another
side of herself that is private and introvert. She likes playing music, especially piano.
Sometimes she expresses her feeling, her emotion, and her loneliness through music.
“She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; …In music
she had been always used to feel alone in the world” (VI:44-45). Even though
nothing seems worry to her, but inside, Anne is a lonely girl, that since the age of
fourteen loss the figure of her dear mother, never known the happiness of being
listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation. She ‘enjoys’ her loneliness
through music.
Music is a part of Anne’s life. Even though her life is not as cheerful as the
music, but she can bring joy and pleasure to everybody who listens to her music.
Like when Anne comes to the party at the Great House, she plays a country dance by
piano and she draws compliments. “Well done, Miss Anne! Very well done indeed!
Lord bless me! How those little fingers of yours fly about!” (VI:45). From her skill
on playing