Feminism as portrayed in the main characters of Candace Bushnell`s Lipstick Jungle.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
FEMINISM AS PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OF CANDACE BUSHNELL’S LIPSTICK JUNGLE
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Prisca Widyaningrum
Student Number: 071214125
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
FEMINISM AS PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OF CANDACE BUSHNELL’S LIPSTICK JUNGLE
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Prisca Widyaningrum
Student Number: 071214125
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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I dedicate this to my beloved mom and dad
“The only true wisdom is knowing that you know
nothing.”- Socrates
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STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work
or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the
references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, 2 March 2012
The Writer
Prisca Widyaningrum
071214125
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LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama
Nomor Mahasiswa
: Prisca Widyaningrum
: 0 7 1 2 1 4 1 25
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
FEMINISM AS PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OF CANDACE BUSHNELL’S LIPSTICK JUNGLE
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,
mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalty kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Yogyakarta, 2 Maret 2012
Yang menyatakan
Prisca Widyaningrum
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ABSTRACT
Widyaningrum, Prisca. (2012). Feminism as Portrayed in the Main Characters
of Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle. Yogyakarta: English Language
Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education.
Faculty of Teachers Training and Education. Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyzes the novel of Candace Bushnell entitled Lipstick
Jungle. Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle tells the life of three modern women
in New York. The three characters are the portrayal of modern women who dare
to prove their superiority over men. They also have successful career life and
important position in the company.
This study presents one problem formulation. The problem to answer in
this study is how the three main characters portray feminism in Candace
Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle. The three characters analyzed are Victory Ford,
Wendy Healy, and Nico O’Neily.
This study carried out library research to analyze the problem. The
approach employed in this study was feminism approach. There were two sources
used in this study namely primary source and secondary source. The primary
source is the novel Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell. The secondary source
was taken from journals, books, articles, and the internet. The theory of character
and characterization and the theory of feminism were used to figure out the
characteristics of feminism as presented by the three main characters in the novel.
This study concludes that Victory Ford, Nico O’Neily, and Wendy Healy
are feminist women. The characters in the novel present feminism characteristics
namely liberation, opportunity, and equality. Victory Ford and Wendy Healy are
the portrayal of modern woman who dare to attain their liberation from traditional
woman’s role and society oppressions. The second characteristic portrayed is the
opportunity for women. In character of Victory Ford and Nico O’Neily, Bushnell
depicted women who seek for opportunities and chances to obtain successful
career in life. The last characteristic discussed is the equality for women. This
characteristic is portrayed by Victory Ford and Nico O’Neily. Victory believes
that women have equal right in working field and relationship with men. In
character of Nico O’Neily, Bushnell portrays equality in term of equality to have
equal right for biological needs fulfillment as wife.
The writer also provides some suggestions for future researchers. The first
is that future researchers can analyze other aspects related to gender problems and
the role of woman according to modern society’s tradition. The second, it is
recommended to conduct postfeminism study using this novel. For English
teaching suggestion, the writer uses some parts of the novel as material for Basic
Reading I in English Language Education Study Program.
Keywords: feminism, feminist, character
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ABSTRAK
Widyaningrum, Prisca. (2012). Feminism as Portrayed in the Main Characters
of Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle. Yogyakarta: Program Studi
Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni. Fakultas
Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan. Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini menganalisa novel karya Candace Bushnell yang berjudul
Lipstick Jungle. Lipstick Jungle karya Candace Bushnell menceritakan tentang
kehidupan tiga wanita modern di New York. Ketiga tokoh dalam cerita tersebut
merupakan gambaran sosok wanita modern yang berani untuk membuktikan
superioritasnya terhadap kaum pria. Mereka juga memiliki kehidupan yang sukses
dan jabatan yang penting di perusahaan,
Skripsi ini memngajukan satu pokok permasalahan. Permasalahan yang
akan dianalisa dalam skripsi ini adalah bagaimana feminisme digambarkan oleh
ketiga tokoh utama dalam novel Lipstick Jungle karya Candace Bushnell. Ketiga
tokoh tersebut adalah Ford, Wendy Healy, dan Nico O’Neily.
Skripsi ini menggunakan studi pustaka untuk menganalisa permasalahan
yang diajukan. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam skripsi ini adalah pendekatan
feminisme. Terdapat dua macam sumber data yang digunakan dalam skripsi ini
yaitu data utama dam data pendukung. Data utama adalah novel Lipstick Jungle
karya Candace Bushnell. Sumber data pendukung diambil dari jurnal, buku-buku,
artikel, dan dari internet. Teori watak dan perwatakan serta teori feminisme
digunakan untuk mencari gambaran ciri-ciri feminisme yang ditampilkan oleh
ketiga karakter di dalam novel.
Skripsi ini menyimpulkan bahwa Victory Ford, Nico O’Neily, dan Wendy
Healy adalah sosok wanita yang feminis. Ketiha tokoh tersebut menampilkan tiga
ciri-ciri feminisme yaitu kebebasan, kesempatan, dan kesetaraan. Victory Ford
dan Wendy healy adalah gambaran wanita modern yang berani mencari
kebebasan dari segala bentuk aturan tradisi dan tekanan yang diberikan pada kaum
perempuan oleh masyarakat. Ciri feminisme kedua yang dianalisa adalah
kesempatan bagi kaum wanita. Pada karakter Victory Ford dan Nico O’Neily,
Bushnell menggambarkan wanita yang mencari berbagai macam peluang dan
kesempatan untuk mencapai kesuksesan dalam karir. Ciri yang terakhir yang
didiskusikan adalah kesetaraan bagi wanita. Ciri digambarkan oleh Victory Ford
dan Nico O’Neily. Victory percaya bahwa wanita memiliki hak yang setara
dengan pria dalam hal pekerjaan dan hubungan asmara. Dalam karakter Nico
O’Neily, Bushnell menggambarkan kesetaraan dalam bentuk kesetaraan hak
untuk memperoleh kebutuhan seksual sebagai istri.
Penulis juga menyertakan beberapa saran untuk peneliti selanjutnya.
Usulan yang pertama adalah peneliti selanjutnya dapat menganalisa aspek lain
dalam novel yang berhubungan dengan permasalahan gender dan peran wanita
menurut tradisi masyarakat. Usulan yang kedua, sangat direkomendasikan untuk
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melakukan penelitian mengenai postfeminisme dalam novel ini. Untuk saran
terhadap pengajaran bahasa Inggris, penulis menggunakan beberapa bagian dari
novel sebagai materi untuk mata kuliah Basic Reading I di Program Pendidikan
Bahasa Inggris.
Kata kunci: feminisme, feminis, karakter
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
After all the pain, sorrow, tears and handwork finally I can finish my
thesis. In the very first place I’d like to deliver my greatest gratitude to God the
Almighty, it is only because of His will and blessing, I finally able to finish my
study.
My deepest gratitude goes to my mom and dad who never stop to motivate
me finishing this thesis. May God always bless them and protect them from any
harm in life. My dedication also goes to my brothers who always support and
cheer me up.
I would like to express my gratitude sincerely to my advisor, Henny
Herawati, S.Pd, M.Hum. I would like to thank her for the support, patience, and
beneficial suggestions for my thesis. I also would like to thank all the lecturers
and secretariat staff of English Language Education Study Program for their
guidance and help during my study in Sanata Dharma University, especially to the
chair person, C. Tutyandari, S.Pd., M.Pd. I also would like to thank
Chrysogonus Siddha Malilang S.Pd, M.Phil for being the proofreader of my
thesis–so much thanks for the time, helps, and supports since the beginning I
made this thesis.
My special thanks are also dedicated to first my best friend Ruth Indri
Hapsari for being such a wonderful friend in world who never tired to accompany
me and encourage me through the hard time in life. Second, it is dedicated to
Radityo Hendro and my bos Ahmad Eko Yulianto who always supporting me
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
to finish my thesis. Third, it is for my cute friends Ephiphana Ratri, Armita Eka
Rista, Francisca Indra, and Laurentius Bretya Anindito who remind me not to
easily give up with problems we faced in life and encourage me to finish my
thesis. I would also like to say thank you for helping me to finish my thesis by
being the proofreader of my thesis.
And I would like to thank all the people that cannot be mentioned here one
by one, may God bless them all.
Prisca Widyaningrum
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE...................................................................................................
i
APPROVAL PAGE.........................................................................................
ii
DEDICATION PAGE………….....................……….…...............................
iv
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY……………….…….......……
v
PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI………………………………
vi
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................
vii
ABSTRAK........................................................................................................ viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …….……….….....……….….…….......….......
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS …….……….……….……….……..….......…..…
xi i
LIST OF APPENDICES ……………………………………..…......………
xv
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study ……………………...........……
1
B. Problem Formulation …………………….............………
4
C. Objectives of the Study ………………….....................…
5
D. Benefits of the Study …………….......………...………...
5
E. Definition of Terms ………………......………...………..
6
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Theories………….....…….........…….
8
1. Theory of Literature..........................................……
8
a. Feminism Approach ….......................................
8
b. Theory of Character and Characterization .........
10
2. Theory of Feminism ..……....…..................……….
13
a. The Objectives of Feminism ..............................
15
b. The Characteristics of Feminism .......................
16
1) Liberation .....................................................
16
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2) Opportunity .................................................
19
3) Equality …...................................................
21
B. Theoretical Framework …….……...............................….
23
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study……………………………............…
25
B. Approach of the Study……………………………...……
27
C. Method of the Study………………………………..……
28
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
A. The Portrayal of Feminism by the Main Characters ......…
30
1. The Main Characters Profile and Background...........
30
1) Victory Ford ................................................
30
2) Nico O’Neily ................................................
32
3) Wendy Healy ................................................
33
2. The Main Characters as Feminist Figure ..................
34
a. Liberation …..….............................................…
34
1) Victory Ford ................................................
35
2) Wendy Healy ................................................
43
b. Opportunity ........................................................
47
1) Victory Ford ................................................
48
2) Nico O’Neily ................................................
49
c. Equality …...........................................................
53
1) Victory Ford ................................................
53
2) Nico O’Neily ................................................
56
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions…………………………............................….. 62
1. Conclusions of the Study ..……………......................
62
2. The Meaning of the Study ……................................... 64
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B. Suggestions………………………….……........………..… 65
1. Suggestions to Future Researchers…........…......…… 65
2. Suggestions in the Implementation of Lipstick Jungle
in the Learning Activity……...……......................… 66
REFERENCES…………………………………………………....…………. 70
APPENDICES…………………………………………………....……….…. 72
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Page
Appendix 1 Summary of Lipstick Jungle …..……………………........…..
73
Appendix 2 Biography of Candace Bushnell …………………............…..
76
Appendix 3 Lesson Plan ………………………………………...…...……
79
Appendix 4 Learning Material …………………………………......……..
84
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of five essential parts as the opening section of the
study discussion. They are the background of the study, problem formulation,
objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. Begins with
the background, this part explains the main reason on the topic choice. The second
is the problem formulation where the writer exemplifies the research problems on
this study. The third part is the objectives of the study and explanation on the goal
of the study. The benefits of the study consist of the explanation who can get
benefits from the study. In the last part, the writer discusses the definition of some
terms related to the study as several essential key terms that play important role in
the discussion of this study.
A.
Background of the Study
Novel, as one genre of literary works, also imitates the realities of life. The
authors may gather inspiration from their personal life, the condition of a country,
society phenomena, or real story from others. Furthermore, authors may reveal
new ideas, opinion, criticism, and also perspective of life from different angles in
their work. Thus, novel is not just a non-fiction story which does not have any
relation with human life. Indeed, it is the reflection of real human life. In fact, it
contains messages that can be useful for readers in real life.
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2
Since literary works are believed as media that carry meaning, different
messages can be acquired after readers finish reading a literary work. This value is
mostly related to moral in society and human life. Through reflection we can draw
new point of view to be wiser in living this life. Some novels are also made to
give people spirit, new motivation, and new way of thinking to overcome
problems in society. One of the current issues that mostly appears in novel is
gender problems. Gender problem deals with women’s subordinate position
compared to men. Montagu (1953) states, “women have been conditioned to believe
that they are inferior to men, and they have assumed that what everyone believes is a
fact of nature” (p.23). Society sets a condition of women’s natural traits by describing
them as weak creatures, sickly creatures, dependent, cannot be entrusted with the
handling of money, and less intelligences than men (Montagu, 1953, p.21).
Women’s inferior position compared to men in society life invites
discrimination for woman. Women do not have same power as men and sometimes
becomes the subject of men’s domination. Society gives women burden and border of
how they suppose to live as ideal woman. Simone De Beauvoir in his book The
Second Sex presents women as the “the other” and man as “the self” or “the subject”.
Seeing as “the other”, woman described as less valuable creature and society believes
that it is justifiable to restrict women’s willingness. Beauvoir (1989) describes
women’s discrimination by saying,
“The male is thus permitted to express himself freely; the energy of the
species is well integrated into his own living activity. On the contrary, the
individuality of the female is opposed by the interest of the species; it is as if
she were possessed by foreign forces–alienated” (p.25).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3
Beauvoir explains that the state of being born as female oppresses women
for not doing their interests. Due to the suffrages experienced by women in
society, the idea of feminism is born to help women free from any gender
problems and discriminations. Humm (1995) states, “feminism is generally the
ideology of women’s liberation since intrinsic in all its approaches is the belief
that woman suffer injustice because of sex” (p.94). Thus, Feminism is believed as
a key for woman to attain freedom and equality in life. This movement fights for
women’s freedom from society’s boundaries that construct their traits due to their
“sex”. Woman is seen as a weak creature, a gender that should not do men’s job,
and as a person who needs to accept the fact she is inferior to men. Bressler
(1999) in his book Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practices
The Second Edition supports the idea of using feminism as the concept to
empower women and their power. Bressler (1999) says, “feminism’s goal is to
change this degrading view of women so that all women will realize that they are
not an ‘non-significant Other’, but each woman is valuable person possessing the
same privilege and rights as every man (p.180).
The action of feminism appears in some literary works mostly presented
through the way author builds and develops characters. Thus, this study attempts
to reveal feminism ideas portrayed through the main characters’ life and character
traits. This study focuses on Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle that takes setting
in modern New York around year
of 2007-2008. This paper analyzes the
portrayal of feminism through three main characters of Candace Bushnell’s
Lipstick Junglenamely Victory Ford, Nico O’Neilly, and Wendy Healy. These
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
4
characters have different backgrounds, jobs, and also problems in their life.
Moreover, this study also intends to give deeper analysis on how feminism ideas
implemented in modern daily life of 21st Century.
This novel is pretty much interesting as it reveals the life of three modern
women with new perspectives of women power and how women should live their
life. Victory Ford likes to criticize more on society’s perspective of women in
works and women in building relationship. Nico O’Neilly likes to criticize
women’s right in career and marriage. Wendy likes to criticize women’s position
in marriage and family living as wife according to traditional society’s customs.
The writer chooses Lipstick Jungle as the media analysis because it carries
interesting point of view of how women should behave in this modern world so
that they can set an ideal life where they can say what they want to do.
Furthermore, this novel also gives inspirations of women’s superiority and the
practice of feminism in modern daily life. The main characters are totally
inspiring as they are beautiful, smart, strong, success, and have authority to
control their own life.
B.
Problem Formulation
Based on the background stated above, there is a problem that would be
discussed by the writer in this study.
How do the main characters portray feminism in Candace Bushnell’s
Lipstick Jungle?
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5
C.
Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to describe feminism characteristics revealed by
the three main characters in the novel. There are three major female characters
that will be discussed namely Victory Ford, Nico O’Neilly, and Wendy Healy.
The discussion will directly describe the characters’ traits that are relevant with
the characteristics of feminism. The discussion also intends to analyze how the
characters see modern women’s life in United States, how women should react to
gender problems in society there, and what actually women want to achieve in
life.
D.
Benefits of the Study
This study exemplifies three benefits for readers. For reader, this study is
aimed to share knowledge and understanding of Candace Bushnell’s work that
becomes one of best seller novels in modern American literature. This study also
intends to give additional information that may help readers who are interested to
study modern American drama novel. The second benefit is that this study tries to
open reader’s mind about the phenomenon of modern equality, gender bias,
gender roles, society stigma, and other issues of women suppression that still
happened in modern real life. The third benefit is that the study provides activities
for English Language teaching, especially in reading skills. Using the novel of
Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle, teacher can motivate students to learn
English through literary works. It will help students acquire more vocabularies
and reading skills included skimming, scanning, and previewing.
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6
E.
Definition of Terms
1.
Feminism
According to Pilcher and Whelehan (2004) in 50 Keys Concepts of Gender
Studies, feminism is defined as “a political stance for someone committed to
changing the social position of woman” (p.48). Further, they also explain, “the
term has taken on the sense on one who believes that women are subjugated
because of their sex and that women deserve at least formal equality” (p.48).
Thus, feminism is defined as a movement to end sexism and sexist oppression
happened to woman.
There are two objectives of feminism according to
Crawford and Unger (1992), “first is feminism values women as important and
worthwhile human beings. Second, feminism recognized the need of sexual
change if women are to lead secure and satisfying live” (p. 6). In conclusion,
feminism is defined as a movement that fight for women’s equality and uphold
women’s dignity. In this study, feminism is deconstructed as a media to help three
main characters in Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle attain freedom from
oppression due to their sex.
2.
Feminist
A person who holds feminism principle and applies feminism ideas in life
is called as a feminist. Feminists may share a basic commitment to ending female
oppression and agree on the central fact of women’s subordination (Pilcher and
Whelehan, 2004, p.49). In this study, the term feminist is defined as the person
who applies for feminism ideas in their daily live as spotlighted through Candace
Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle.
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7
3.
Character
Abrams (1981) in Glossary of Literary Term defines character as “the
person presented in dramatic or narrative work who are interpreted by the reader
as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities expressed in the dialogue
and action” (p.20). Further, Abrams also divides character into two groups based
on the importance in the story. The first is main character as the centre of the
story. The second is major character who has role to support the development of
the first character (p.20). In this study, character relates to a person who appears in
the story and has emotional quality, motivation, and character’s traits. The
analysis of this study is focussed on the three main characters of Candace
Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle namely Victory Ford, Wendy Healy, and Nico
O’Neilly.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITRATURE
Chapter two consists of two major sections, they are review of related
theories and theoretical framework. The first part is review of related theory
includes the theories of literature and theory of feminism.The second is theoretical
framework that explains how the theory constructed to help the writer analyzes
the novel.
A.
Review of Related Theories
1.
Theories of Literature
a.
Feminism Approach
In order to give deep analysis and response to literary work, a study
applies certain approach or approaches related to what issue it focuses on.
According to Dr Kristi Siegel (2006), there are 20 approaches carried on modern
literary theory which also involves feminism as one approach in helping a study to
understand literary works (p.1). Feminism approach will be suitable for this study
because this study focuses on the portrayal of feminism characteristics by the
three women characters in Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle.
Feminism approach believes in the existence of gender gap where women
are being oppressed by men. Jane Freedman (2001) states, “feminism starts with
the assertion about women’s inferior position in society and discrimination that is
encountered by women due to their sex” (p. 4). Thus, we can conclude that the
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
9
study of feminism is strongly related with issue of gender and sex differences.
This statement is agreed by Bressler (1994) by saying that “gender studies reexamine the canon and traditional question of traditional definition of the family,
sexuality, and female reproduction” (p. 270). It is related to the fight against
traditional women’s role as figures who work as housewife and mother only. The
study of gender focuses on the women’s liberation against discrimination
experienced by women. Simon de Beauvoir also adds that gender itself is related
to social and cultural constructions of “masculinity and feminity” instead of the
state being born as male or female (as cited in Bressler, 1994, p. 270). This means
gender study also aims to phase out the discrimination of women’s character as
feminine creatures.
Understanding feminism approach is very important in this study. It helps
the writer to understand what are needed to focus on while studying feminism and
applying it for literary criticism. Guerin (1999) states, “feminism approach guides
the study that literature can be functional as determines gender, some feminists
stress gender differences, others believe that entire concept of female difference is
what has cause female oppression” (p. 200). The feminism approach used in this
study helps to analyze women’s position and condition in society. The focus of
Feminism study and criticism according to Guerin relates with oppression and
discrimination happened to women. Feminism believes that those things are exist
and it agrees that feminism major objective is to help women attain freedom.
Feminism approach spotlighted the principles that should be applied by women in
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10
order to solve the gender problem and discrimination. In the end, it has an agenda
to improve women’s dignity and position in society life.
b.
Theory of Character and Characterization
Abrams (1981) in Glossary of Literary Terms defines character as “the
person presented in dramatic or narrative work who are interpreted by the reader
as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities expressed in the dialogue
and action” (p.20). Character in fictional literary works as a figure which certain
qualities of human beings. Characters also have temperaments and moral natures
that are presented in his speech and actions in order to constitute his motivation.
Characters are described as a representative of human in real world. The term
character that will be discussed in this study refers to a person or a figure
presented in a story that has qualities of a real human being.
As a character is similar like a human being, it is true that a character in a
story has certain traits. However, in discovering the character’s traits people
cannot simply judge without any proof. In order to describe the character’s traits,
the readers should apply specific method namely characterization. Theory of
characterization in literary works is defined as the process by which an author
creates character, the devices by which he makes us believe a character is the
particular type of person he is (Rohrberger&Woods, 1971, p. 20). The author
gives certain clues and descriptions to make reader believe certain characters exist
in literary works figure. Thus, readers’ job is only to find the proofs through some
relevant characterization theories.
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According to Abrams (1981), characterization means “a broad distinction
of alternatives method to tell and show distinctive person or character in story” (p.
20). In the story, author shows and tells readers the character’s traits of a figure
from various aspect and events written in the novel. Showing means the author
explicitly describes the character by presenting the clues from how they way they
talk and act, and leave readers the motives and dispositions lie behind their action
and dialogue. Furthermore, author also clearly shows how the character feels,
thoughts, habit, and how they respond to problems or events. The method of
“telling” involves author’s authority to describe and evaluate the motives and
dispositional qualities of characters (pp.20-21).
In order to understand the character’s traits, Murphy (1972) suggests nine
techniques to help readers characterize a figure in fictional story. It involves
personal description(1), character as seen by another(2), speech(3), past life(4),
conversation of others(5), reactions(6), direct comments(7), thoughts(8), and
mannerism(9) (p.161). This study applies theory of characterization designed by
Murphy in order to find the revelation of feminism in their life and principles.
The first is Personal Description. In this theory, the author describes a
character from personal appearance and how they dressed up themselves. This one
is also called as “direct description” because the author provides readers detail
explanations of physical appearance, such as the face, skin, eyes, body, and
fashion style (p.161). In Character as Seen by Another, “a character is
examined through other character’s thought and point of view” (p. 162). Here,
author does not describe directly the characters but he/she put the description
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through the eyes of others character. The third is Speech. Through speech, author
conveys reader to find out character of one person in the novel or drama through
what the person says. It involves the investigation of how the person speaks,
makes conversation with other, and states his or her opinion (p. 164). The fourth
is describing character through analyzing his/her past life. According to Murphy
(1972), “The author has power to clearly describe or tell the past life story of a
character” (p.166). Understanding the past stories and events from a character in
the novel will provide readers clues to shape the person’s characters and
motivations. The fifth is analyzing through Conversation of Others, where
Murphy (1972) argues that “author provides readers clue about person’s character
thought from the conversation built with other characters and the things he/she
says about himself/herself” (p. 167). Readers can also examine through Reactions
of the character in fictional story. Readers examine the character of person in
novel or drama by “analyzing who the person reacts to various situations,
problems, and events” (p. 168). The Direct Comments method “is used by author
to describe or give comments directly on a person’s character” (p. 170). Thought
is related to “person’s knowledge and how a person thinks about a problem
include how she makes perception about something in his/her life”. This is a
special power given to author so that he can tell us what a person thinks about and
how different people are thinking (p.171). The last is Mannerism that related to
habit or “idiosyncrasies” (p. 173).
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2.
Theory of Feminism
Women are seen as weak, not important, and even less valuable creatures
compared to men. The truth that societies set these paradigms as the role of
women makes the discrimination and oppression towards women worst. Montagu
(1997) states that “women have been conditioned to believe that they are inferior to
men, and it seems that people's thought and belief about this condition is acceptable
and naturally true” (p.23). The term “being conditioned” used by Montagu refers to
the negative side. It shows the state where women are structured or made up by
society by placing a negative attribute that leads into the paradigm of women’s
inferiority. Woman suffrage does not stop on that. The fact that men feel more
superior motivates them to show their domination over women. The issue of men’s
domination or patriarchy in society is supported by Hester Einstein in Contemporary
Feminist Thought. Einstein (1983) describes
“This was a set of rigid role prescriptions that served to keep women from
deviating from the behaviour expected to them, for fear of being thought
abnormal, or undesirable, or finally, mad. Sex roles, and sex role
stereotyping, were, then, the means by which an entire society kept women
subject to the rules of patriarchy” (p.7).
Eisenstein describes how the rules of patriarchy burden women’s life and
impedes women’s self actualization until today. This becomes the basic concern
of feminist’s movement becomes since the first beginning until today. Women
have to show off their power so that societies do not have to treat them like victim
of men or man-made creatures. Feminism assures women that they have the
power of self definition and the thing they have to do is simply exploit it. Power
enables people to attain authority and do things they want to do. Furthermore,
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authority will provide women with higher position to say what they want and get
what they want to have. Feminist believes that they should be powerful just like
men or even more than men. Bressler (1994) states that
“Women must stand up for their rights and not allow their male-dominated
society to define what it means to be a woman. Women themselves
must take the lead and articulate that they are and what role they will
play in society most importantly, they must reject the patriarchal
assumption that women are inferior to men”. (as cited in Wollstonecraft,
1994, p.181).
Bressler believes that women need to exploit their power. This power
helps them to fight against men’s domination and gender discrimination given
by society. Even though feminism and theories of feminism are adjusted and
developed into specific purposes time to time, the basic idea of general feminism
is never changed. This idea is the core of feminism movements and their
varieties. Humm (1990) In The Dictionary of Feminist Theory defines that
“In the general feminism in the ideology of women's liberation since intrinsic
in all its approaches is the belief that women suffer injustice because of their
sex. It implies that women feel the injustice in their life because they were
born as women” (p.74).
Feminism then is confirmed as an action to fight for women’s liberation
against men’s domination and gender roles. Women’s freedom from oppression
and patriarchy must be put as first priority in feminism agenda. Feminists believe
that women have already experienced too much injustice in their life and they
need to change this injustice condition. Thus, the focus of women’s liberation
constructed under feminism umbrella is an essential thing. In conclusion,
feminism is brought to women to fight the oppression upon women in relation to
and also any other inequalities in society.
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a.
The Objectives of Feminism
Feminism movement was made to help women get free from society ties
and boundaries in terms of differences in gender and sex between men and
women. It includes the problem caused by patriarchy or men’s domination, gender
roles, and gender issue. Feminism lies on what becomes fair and balances in a sex
and gender differences issue. Feminism encourages women to achieve the same
things men commonly achieve in society. In conclusion, feminism is expected to
guide women to achieve equality and recognition as human beings in society.
McRobbie (2004) describes the term “female success” as the state that
signifies feminism success (p.257). Female success is what feminism movement
wants to achieve. Feminism ensures women to be successful people in life so that
they can keep their dignity and maintain high position in society. McRobbie
(2004) argues that
“female success represents value of women at various range of institutions
including “law, education, to an extent medicine, likewise employment,
and the media, high profile or newsworthy achievement of women and
girls in these sectors shows the institutions to be modern and abreast with
social change” (p.257).
McRobbie believes that women have political rights to create successful
career in all job fields as well. Women have equal right to attain higher profession
and profile in every aspect. She emphasizes that women can attain equal right in
education, politic, law, and access in public facilities. Thus, the idea to empower
women and the potentials they have becomes the major objectives in feminism.
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b.
The Characteristics of Feminism and Feminist
In order to understand the application of feminism in life, it is important to
notice the characteristics of feminism and feminists. According to Humm in her
book The Dictionary of Feminist Theory, reveals that women’s liberation is an
essential characteristic of feminism. According to Montagu in her book The
Superiority of Women, there are three essential keys of feminism theory in
general. The first is opportunity for women. The second is women’s equality. And
the last is related to women’s right and freedom to choose. In Montagu’s theory of
feminism characteristics related to women’s right and freedom, the content is the
same as the idea of liberation proposed by Humm. Thus, the writer sums up into
three characteristics of feminism includes liberation, opportunity, and equality.
The following part of this section will discuss the description of five
characteristics of feminism summarized from Montagu, Humm, and Freidan.
1)
Liberation
Liberation comes from the world liberty that means a state of freedom
acquired by an individual so that he/she can live as they wish. Humm (1995)
states that “feminism is generally the ideology of women’s liberation since
intrinsic in all its approaches is the belief that women suffer injustice because of
sex” (p.94). Humm notes the importance of women’s liberation as the major
essential focus of feminism. Liberation is what feminists fight for. Freedom is the
most essential right for humankind. Freeman (1975) states that “all human beings,
including women, should enjoy the rights they have as human beings. Women have
freedom of argument that maintain them free to choose" (p.39). The fact that
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women are human beings becomes a basic justification that they deserve to attain
the most essential rights as human kind. It is the right to choose and to be free.
Thus, the most important right believed by feminism is the right for women to be
themselves. This right allows women to be able to develop themselves without
imitating men. Women will use their own uniqueness and employ their potential,
beauty, and intellectuals (Fakih, 1996, p.99).
Humm (1990) in The Dictionary of Feminist Theory argues that
“contemporary women's liberation, or feminist action,
is c o n sc io us l y
revolutionary. It breaks with reformism, it is internationalist and it
simultaneously attacks the state, cultural i d e o l o g y a n d t h e e c o n o m y ” (p . 1 1 9 ).
I n t h is s ta nc e , H um m b e lie ve s tha t w om e n ’s l i be ra ti o n i s ne e de d f o r a ll
w o me n in w o r ld. T he l i be ra ti o n d e a l s wi t h f re e d om i n c u l tu r e b o u nd a rie s,
i de o lo gy, a nd a l s o e c o n o m y d i sc ri mi na ti o n. Fu r t h e r, s he a ls o n ote s t ha t
w o m e n ’ s l i b e ra t i o n i s “ an important part of feminist theory because the
meaning of pleasure is a site of contradiction bisected by class, race, and
sexual preference” (p.165). This is what liberation is all about. A liberal state or
a state of freedom is confirmed as a pleasing condition for women. It is because
this condition provides women a state of being free from discrimination related to
their class, race, and sexual preference compared to men.
Feminism believes in the fact that women are restricted by society. It
includes the state that women do not have high power as men have. Thus,
society can control women in many ways by setting the roles for women as
creatures that always are dependent on men. Societies also believe that women
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are not able to work better than men do and shall not work like men. Society sets
the role that women’s place is in the house and men’s place is in the counting
house and on the board of directors (Montagu, 1953, p.21). This condition is
what feminism likes to focus on. This condition must be corrected and women’s
right must uphold in the very first place. Societies are not able to set roles that
disadvantage women’s right. Women’s right on liberation helps them to get out of
the roles given to them so that they can reach more values in life as they have
expected. Montagu points out that liberation given to women will result in giving
women values as human beings. Once women are successfully freed themselves
from her thraldom to men, woman has now to emancipate themselves from the
myth of inferiority and to realize her potentialities to the fullest (Montagu, 1953,
p. 24).
Beauvoir also agrees with the theory of women’s liberation. To be specific
with this issue, Beauvoir (1989) in The Second Sex claims for women’s freedom
as a state where women can be free from patriarchy and society’s boundaries.
Women must realize that they have freedom to be a significant human being not
inferior human being (as cited in Madsen, 2000, p.182). Women shall not just be
passive wives and life in isolated home. It is just another form of restriction. Thus,
to attain her freedom, a woman needs to be active and brave to say their voice.
Women have more choices rather than only being mothers or the one who
gives birth. Women can become intellectuals, members of the vanguard of change
for women. Intellectual activity is to think, look, and define. It means that women
should actively think, look, and define herself according to her own. They should
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19
not depend on what men are thinking, looking, or defining (as cited in Tong, 1998,
p.188). The idea is to give women more choices to be mothers, working mothers,
or career women instead of restricting them to be people that society wants.
In the case of marriage, feminism believes that this condition will keep
women’s inferior position compared to her husband. Society believes that the
husband must be the one who leads the marriage. Bressler (1994) states that
“women must reject that marriage is their ultimate goal to financially support and
dependent on husband” (p.180). Society believes that marriage is the way to
conquer a woman because the man, as a husband, will work and pay everything.
Then, the woman will stay at home. This condition makes the women becomes
dependent with men financially. However, feminism believes that the idea of
working will keep women’s dignity in marriage. It will make them become
independent so men cannot become the dominant party that oppress them in
marriage.
2)
Opportunity
The act to fight for opportunity is the continued action taken to respond
freedom given to women. Feminism believes that the oppression and problems
happened to women due to their sex makes women get less opportunity in life.
Still related to Montagu’s theory that women have been conditioned to be inferior,
feminism believes that the condition makes women have less opportunities or
chances to develop themselves (Montagu, 1953, p.187). Thus the focus of opening
more opportunities for women becomes an important issue in feminism. The
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20
opportunity covers every aspect in life includes opportunity in career, arts, politic,
education, and many more. Further, Montagu (1953) explains
Possibilities are opened up for her through what we called the virile and
the feminine attitudes… To paint, to write, to engage in politics – these are
not merely ‘sublimations’; here we have aims that are willed for their own
sakes. To deny it is to falsify all human history (p.51)
M o nt a gu w a nt s t o u n de r l i ne t ha t t he o p po r t u ni t i e s gi ve n t o w o m e n wi l l
m a k e t h e m g e t m o r e c h a n c e t o e n j o y t h e i r l i f e . Th i s i s o n e wa y t o f re e
themselves from the bound of being housewives. It makes women realizes that
they can do more things than merely doing the domestic duties as housewives or
mothers who give a birth. Montagu believes that women can be more than that
and women have power to do things they want to do. Women can be the members
of congress, member of board directors of large companies, and the workers of
counting houses (Montagu, 1953, pp.23-24).
Referring to Montagu’s theory of opportunity in job field, Freidan (1963)
proposes that “the only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know
herself as a person, is by creative work her own” (p.344). A job helps women to
find their self-actualization. Furthermore, having a job makes women have an
equal position as men. However, women shall not only work just in order to have
a job. The idea of acquiring self actualization, dignity, and honour by society can
be accomplished if women are serious in their job. It means women need to make
their own path of career from their job so they will have better position in their
career and be able to improve their life’s condition. If a job is considered as a way
out for women to escape from the boundaries and oppression, it must be a job that
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21
she can take seriously as a part of a life plan, work in which she can grow as a part
of society (Freidan, 1963, p.345). Of course, when women put their commitment
for their job, they have to be ready with all the consequences of working women
or working mothers. It includes the risk that women will have less time to spend
with their children and husband at home. The more opportunities women can have
in job fields, the more dignity and respect they acquire.
The importance of having a job and good career for women is to help
women attain freedom from the men’s oppression. Beauvoir notes two advantages
that women can get if they work. The first is women should go to work in order to
regain her transcendence, so she can concretely affirm her status as a subject, as
someone who is charti
FEMINISM AS PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OF CANDACE BUSHNELL’S LIPSTICK JUNGLE
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Prisca Widyaningrum
Student Number: 071214125
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
FEMINISM AS PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OF CANDACE BUSHNELL’S LIPSTICK JUNGLE
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Prisca Widyaningrum
Student Number: 071214125
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
i
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
iii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
I dedicate this to my beloved mom and dad
“The only true wisdom is knowing that you know
nothing.”- Socrates
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work
or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the
references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, 2 March 2012
The Writer
Prisca Widyaningrum
071214125
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama
Nomor Mahasiswa
: Prisca Widyaningrum
: 0 7 1 2 1 4 1 25
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
FEMINISM AS PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OF CANDACE BUSHNELL’S LIPSTICK JUNGLE
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,
mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalty kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Yogyakarta, 2 Maret 2012
Yang menyatakan
Prisca Widyaningrum
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
Widyaningrum, Prisca. (2012). Feminism as Portrayed in the Main Characters
of Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle. Yogyakarta: English Language
Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education.
Faculty of Teachers Training and Education. Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyzes the novel of Candace Bushnell entitled Lipstick
Jungle. Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle tells the life of three modern women
in New York. The three characters are the portrayal of modern women who dare
to prove their superiority over men. They also have successful career life and
important position in the company.
This study presents one problem formulation. The problem to answer in
this study is how the three main characters portray feminism in Candace
Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle. The three characters analyzed are Victory Ford,
Wendy Healy, and Nico O’Neily.
This study carried out library research to analyze the problem. The
approach employed in this study was feminism approach. There were two sources
used in this study namely primary source and secondary source. The primary
source is the novel Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell. The secondary source
was taken from journals, books, articles, and the internet. The theory of character
and characterization and the theory of feminism were used to figure out the
characteristics of feminism as presented by the three main characters in the novel.
This study concludes that Victory Ford, Nico O’Neily, and Wendy Healy
are feminist women. The characters in the novel present feminism characteristics
namely liberation, opportunity, and equality. Victory Ford and Wendy Healy are
the portrayal of modern woman who dare to attain their liberation from traditional
woman’s role and society oppressions. The second characteristic portrayed is the
opportunity for women. In character of Victory Ford and Nico O’Neily, Bushnell
depicted women who seek for opportunities and chances to obtain successful
career in life. The last characteristic discussed is the equality for women. This
characteristic is portrayed by Victory Ford and Nico O’Neily. Victory believes
that women have equal right in working field and relationship with men. In
character of Nico O’Neily, Bushnell portrays equality in term of equality to have
equal right for biological needs fulfillment as wife.
The writer also provides some suggestions for future researchers. The first
is that future researchers can analyze other aspects related to gender problems and
the role of woman according to modern society’s tradition. The second, it is
recommended to conduct postfeminism study using this novel. For English
teaching suggestion, the writer uses some parts of the novel as material for Basic
Reading I in English Language Education Study Program.
Keywords: feminism, feminist, character
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ABSTRAK
Widyaningrum, Prisca. (2012). Feminism as Portrayed in the Main Characters
of Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle. Yogyakarta: Program Studi
Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni. Fakultas
Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan. Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini menganalisa novel karya Candace Bushnell yang berjudul
Lipstick Jungle. Lipstick Jungle karya Candace Bushnell menceritakan tentang
kehidupan tiga wanita modern di New York. Ketiga tokoh dalam cerita tersebut
merupakan gambaran sosok wanita modern yang berani untuk membuktikan
superioritasnya terhadap kaum pria. Mereka juga memiliki kehidupan yang sukses
dan jabatan yang penting di perusahaan,
Skripsi ini memngajukan satu pokok permasalahan. Permasalahan yang
akan dianalisa dalam skripsi ini adalah bagaimana feminisme digambarkan oleh
ketiga tokoh utama dalam novel Lipstick Jungle karya Candace Bushnell. Ketiga
tokoh tersebut adalah Ford, Wendy Healy, dan Nico O’Neily.
Skripsi ini menggunakan studi pustaka untuk menganalisa permasalahan
yang diajukan. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam skripsi ini adalah pendekatan
feminisme. Terdapat dua macam sumber data yang digunakan dalam skripsi ini
yaitu data utama dam data pendukung. Data utama adalah novel Lipstick Jungle
karya Candace Bushnell. Sumber data pendukung diambil dari jurnal, buku-buku,
artikel, dan dari internet. Teori watak dan perwatakan serta teori feminisme
digunakan untuk mencari gambaran ciri-ciri feminisme yang ditampilkan oleh
ketiga karakter di dalam novel.
Skripsi ini menyimpulkan bahwa Victory Ford, Nico O’Neily, dan Wendy
Healy adalah sosok wanita yang feminis. Ketiha tokoh tersebut menampilkan tiga
ciri-ciri feminisme yaitu kebebasan, kesempatan, dan kesetaraan. Victory Ford
dan Wendy healy adalah gambaran wanita modern yang berani mencari
kebebasan dari segala bentuk aturan tradisi dan tekanan yang diberikan pada kaum
perempuan oleh masyarakat. Ciri feminisme kedua yang dianalisa adalah
kesempatan bagi kaum wanita. Pada karakter Victory Ford dan Nico O’Neily,
Bushnell menggambarkan wanita yang mencari berbagai macam peluang dan
kesempatan untuk mencapai kesuksesan dalam karir. Ciri yang terakhir yang
didiskusikan adalah kesetaraan bagi wanita. Ciri digambarkan oleh Victory Ford
dan Nico O’Neily. Victory percaya bahwa wanita memiliki hak yang setara
dengan pria dalam hal pekerjaan dan hubungan asmara. Dalam karakter Nico
O’Neily, Bushnell menggambarkan kesetaraan dalam bentuk kesetaraan hak
untuk memperoleh kebutuhan seksual sebagai istri.
Penulis juga menyertakan beberapa saran untuk peneliti selanjutnya.
Usulan yang pertama adalah peneliti selanjutnya dapat menganalisa aspek lain
dalam novel yang berhubungan dengan permasalahan gender dan peran wanita
menurut tradisi masyarakat. Usulan yang kedua, sangat direkomendasikan untuk
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melakukan penelitian mengenai postfeminisme dalam novel ini. Untuk saran
terhadap pengajaran bahasa Inggris, penulis menggunakan beberapa bagian dari
novel sebagai materi untuk mata kuliah Basic Reading I di Program Pendidikan
Bahasa Inggris.
Kata kunci: feminisme, feminis, karakter
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
After all the pain, sorrow, tears and handwork finally I can finish my
thesis. In the very first place I’d like to deliver my greatest gratitude to God the
Almighty, it is only because of His will and blessing, I finally able to finish my
study.
My deepest gratitude goes to my mom and dad who never stop to motivate
me finishing this thesis. May God always bless them and protect them from any
harm in life. My dedication also goes to my brothers who always support and
cheer me up.
I would like to express my gratitude sincerely to my advisor, Henny
Herawati, S.Pd, M.Hum. I would like to thank her for the support, patience, and
beneficial suggestions for my thesis. I also would like to thank all the lecturers
and secretariat staff of English Language Education Study Program for their
guidance and help during my study in Sanata Dharma University, especially to the
chair person, C. Tutyandari, S.Pd., M.Pd. I also would like to thank
Chrysogonus Siddha Malilang S.Pd, M.Phil for being the proofreader of my
thesis–so much thanks for the time, helps, and supports since the beginning I
made this thesis.
My special thanks are also dedicated to first my best friend Ruth Indri
Hapsari for being such a wonderful friend in world who never tired to accompany
me and encourage me through the hard time in life. Second, it is dedicated to
Radityo Hendro and my bos Ahmad Eko Yulianto who always supporting me
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
to finish my thesis. Third, it is for my cute friends Ephiphana Ratri, Armita Eka
Rista, Francisca Indra, and Laurentius Bretya Anindito who remind me not to
easily give up with problems we faced in life and encourage me to finish my
thesis. I would also like to say thank you for helping me to finish my thesis by
being the proofreader of my thesis.
And I would like to thank all the people that cannot be mentioned here one
by one, may God bless them all.
Prisca Widyaningrum
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE...................................................................................................
i
APPROVAL PAGE.........................................................................................
ii
DEDICATION PAGE………….....................……….…...............................
iv
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY……………….…….......……
v
PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI………………………………
vi
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................
vii
ABSTRAK........................................................................................................ viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …….……….….....……….….…….......….......
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS …….……….……….……….……..….......…..…
xi i
LIST OF APPENDICES ……………………………………..…......………
xv
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study ……………………...........……
1
B. Problem Formulation …………………….............………
4
C. Objectives of the Study ………………….....................…
5
D. Benefits of the Study …………….......………...………...
5
E. Definition of Terms ………………......………...………..
6
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Theories………….....…….........…….
8
1. Theory of Literature..........................................……
8
a. Feminism Approach ….......................................
8
b. Theory of Character and Characterization .........
10
2. Theory of Feminism ..……....…..................……….
13
a. The Objectives of Feminism ..............................
15
b. The Characteristics of Feminism .......................
16
1) Liberation .....................................................
16
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2) Opportunity .................................................
19
3) Equality …...................................................
21
B. Theoretical Framework …….……...............................….
23
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study……………………………............…
25
B. Approach of the Study……………………………...……
27
C. Method of the Study………………………………..……
28
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
A. The Portrayal of Feminism by the Main Characters ......…
30
1. The Main Characters Profile and Background...........
30
1) Victory Ford ................................................
30
2) Nico O’Neily ................................................
32
3) Wendy Healy ................................................
33
2. The Main Characters as Feminist Figure ..................
34
a. Liberation …..….............................................…
34
1) Victory Ford ................................................
35
2) Wendy Healy ................................................
43
b. Opportunity ........................................................
47
1) Victory Ford ................................................
48
2) Nico O’Neily ................................................
49
c. Equality …...........................................................
53
1) Victory Ford ................................................
53
2) Nico O’Neily ................................................
56
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions…………………………............................….. 62
1. Conclusions of the Study ..……………......................
62
2. The Meaning of the Study ……................................... 64
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B. Suggestions………………………….……........………..… 65
1. Suggestions to Future Researchers…........…......…… 65
2. Suggestions in the Implementation of Lipstick Jungle
in the Learning Activity……...……......................… 66
REFERENCES…………………………………………………....…………. 70
APPENDICES…………………………………………………....……….…. 72
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Page
Appendix 1 Summary of Lipstick Jungle …..……………………........…..
73
Appendix 2 Biography of Candace Bushnell …………………............…..
76
Appendix 3 Lesson Plan ………………………………………...…...……
79
Appendix 4 Learning Material …………………………………......……..
84
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of five essential parts as the opening section of the
study discussion. They are the background of the study, problem formulation,
objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. Begins with
the background, this part explains the main reason on the topic choice. The second
is the problem formulation where the writer exemplifies the research problems on
this study. The third part is the objectives of the study and explanation on the goal
of the study. The benefits of the study consist of the explanation who can get
benefits from the study. In the last part, the writer discusses the definition of some
terms related to the study as several essential key terms that play important role in
the discussion of this study.
A.
Background of the Study
Novel, as one genre of literary works, also imitates the realities of life. The
authors may gather inspiration from their personal life, the condition of a country,
society phenomena, or real story from others. Furthermore, authors may reveal
new ideas, opinion, criticism, and also perspective of life from different angles in
their work. Thus, novel is not just a non-fiction story which does not have any
relation with human life. Indeed, it is the reflection of real human life. In fact, it
contains messages that can be useful for readers in real life.
1
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2
Since literary works are believed as media that carry meaning, different
messages can be acquired after readers finish reading a literary work. This value is
mostly related to moral in society and human life. Through reflection we can draw
new point of view to be wiser in living this life. Some novels are also made to
give people spirit, new motivation, and new way of thinking to overcome
problems in society. One of the current issues that mostly appears in novel is
gender problems. Gender problem deals with women’s subordinate position
compared to men. Montagu (1953) states, “women have been conditioned to believe
that they are inferior to men, and they have assumed that what everyone believes is a
fact of nature” (p.23). Society sets a condition of women’s natural traits by describing
them as weak creatures, sickly creatures, dependent, cannot be entrusted with the
handling of money, and less intelligences than men (Montagu, 1953, p.21).
Women’s inferior position compared to men in society life invites
discrimination for woman. Women do not have same power as men and sometimes
becomes the subject of men’s domination. Society gives women burden and border of
how they suppose to live as ideal woman. Simone De Beauvoir in his book The
Second Sex presents women as the “the other” and man as “the self” or “the subject”.
Seeing as “the other”, woman described as less valuable creature and society believes
that it is justifiable to restrict women’s willingness. Beauvoir (1989) describes
women’s discrimination by saying,
“The male is thus permitted to express himself freely; the energy of the
species is well integrated into his own living activity. On the contrary, the
individuality of the female is opposed by the interest of the species; it is as if
she were possessed by foreign forces–alienated” (p.25).
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3
Beauvoir explains that the state of being born as female oppresses women
for not doing their interests. Due to the suffrages experienced by women in
society, the idea of feminism is born to help women free from any gender
problems and discriminations. Humm (1995) states, “feminism is generally the
ideology of women’s liberation since intrinsic in all its approaches is the belief
that woman suffer injustice because of sex” (p.94). Thus, Feminism is believed as
a key for woman to attain freedom and equality in life. This movement fights for
women’s freedom from society’s boundaries that construct their traits due to their
“sex”. Woman is seen as a weak creature, a gender that should not do men’s job,
and as a person who needs to accept the fact she is inferior to men. Bressler
(1999) in his book Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practices
The Second Edition supports the idea of using feminism as the concept to
empower women and their power. Bressler (1999) says, “feminism’s goal is to
change this degrading view of women so that all women will realize that they are
not an ‘non-significant Other’, but each woman is valuable person possessing the
same privilege and rights as every man (p.180).
The action of feminism appears in some literary works mostly presented
through the way author builds and develops characters. Thus, this study attempts
to reveal feminism ideas portrayed through the main characters’ life and character
traits. This study focuses on Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle that takes setting
in modern New York around year
of 2007-2008. This paper analyzes the
portrayal of feminism through three main characters of Candace Bushnell’s
Lipstick Junglenamely Victory Ford, Nico O’Neilly, and Wendy Healy. These
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4
characters have different backgrounds, jobs, and also problems in their life.
Moreover, this study also intends to give deeper analysis on how feminism ideas
implemented in modern daily life of 21st Century.
This novel is pretty much interesting as it reveals the life of three modern
women with new perspectives of women power and how women should live their
life. Victory Ford likes to criticize more on society’s perspective of women in
works and women in building relationship. Nico O’Neilly likes to criticize
women’s right in career and marriage. Wendy likes to criticize women’s position
in marriage and family living as wife according to traditional society’s customs.
The writer chooses Lipstick Jungle as the media analysis because it carries
interesting point of view of how women should behave in this modern world so
that they can set an ideal life where they can say what they want to do.
Furthermore, this novel also gives inspirations of women’s superiority and the
practice of feminism in modern daily life. The main characters are totally
inspiring as they are beautiful, smart, strong, success, and have authority to
control their own life.
B.
Problem Formulation
Based on the background stated above, there is a problem that would be
discussed by the writer in this study.
How do the main characters portray feminism in Candace Bushnell’s
Lipstick Jungle?
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C.
Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to describe feminism characteristics revealed by
the three main characters in the novel. There are three major female characters
that will be discussed namely Victory Ford, Nico O’Neilly, and Wendy Healy.
The discussion will directly describe the characters’ traits that are relevant with
the characteristics of feminism. The discussion also intends to analyze how the
characters see modern women’s life in United States, how women should react to
gender problems in society there, and what actually women want to achieve in
life.
D.
Benefits of the Study
This study exemplifies three benefits for readers. For reader, this study is
aimed to share knowledge and understanding of Candace Bushnell’s work that
becomes one of best seller novels in modern American literature. This study also
intends to give additional information that may help readers who are interested to
study modern American drama novel. The second benefit is that this study tries to
open reader’s mind about the phenomenon of modern equality, gender bias,
gender roles, society stigma, and other issues of women suppression that still
happened in modern real life. The third benefit is that the study provides activities
for English Language teaching, especially in reading skills. Using the novel of
Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle, teacher can motivate students to learn
English through literary works. It will help students acquire more vocabularies
and reading skills included skimming, scanning, and previewing.
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6
E.
Definition of Terms
1.
Feminism
According to Pilcher and Whelehan (2004) in 50 Keys Concepts of Gender
Studies, feminism is defined as “a political stance for someone committed to
changing the social position of woman” (p.48). Further, they also explain, “the
term has taken on the sense on one who believes that women are subjugated
because of their sex and that women deserve at least formal equality” (p.48).
Thus, feminism is defined as a movement to end sexism and sexist oppression
happened to woman.
There are two objectives of feminism according to
Crawford and Unger (1992), “first is feminism values women as important and
worthwhile human beings. Second, feminism recognized the need of sexual
change if women are to lead secure and satisfying live” (p. 6). In conclusion,
feminism is defined as a movement that fight for women’s equality and uphold
women’s dignity. In this study, feminism is deconstructed as a media to help three
main characters in Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle attain freedom from
oppression due to their sex.
2.
Feminist
A person who holds feminism principle and applies feminism ideas in life
is called as a feminist. Feminists may share a basic commitment to ending female
oppression and agree on the central fact of women’s subordination (Pilcher and
Whelehan, 2004, p.49). In this study, the term feminist is defined as the person
who applies for feminism ideas in their daily live as spotlighted through Candace
Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle.
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7
3.
Character
Abrams (1981) in Glossary of Literary Term defines character as “the
person presented in dramatic or narrative work who are interpreted by the reader
as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities expressed in the dialogue
and action” (p.20). Further, Abrams also divides character into two groups based
on the importance in the story. The first is main character as the centre of the
story. The second is major character who has role to support the development of
the first character (p.20). In this study, character relates to a person who appears in
the story and has emotional quality, motivation, and character’s traits. The
analysis of this study is focussed on the three main characters of Candace
Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle namely Victory Ford, Wendy Healy, and Nico
O’Neilly.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITRATURE
Chapter two consists of two major sections, they are review of related
theories and theoretical framework. The first part is review of related theory
includes the theories of literature and theory of feminism.The second is theoretical
framework that explains how the theory constructed to help the writer analyzes
the novel.
A.
Review of Related Theories
1.
Theories of Literature
a.
Feminism Approach
In order to give deep analysis and response to literary work, a study
applies certain approach or approaches related to what issue it focuses on.
According to Dr Kristi Siegel (2006), there are 20 approaches carried on modern
literary theory which also involves feminism as one approach in helping a study to
understand literary works (p.1). Feminism approach will be suitable for this study
because this study focuses on the portrayal of feminism characteristics by the
three women characters in Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle.
Feminism approach believes in the existence of gender gap where women
are being oppressed by men. Jane Freedman (2001) states, “feminism starts with
the assertion about women’s inferior position in society and discrimination that is
encountered by women due to their sex” (p. 4). Thus, we can conclude that the
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9
study of feminism is strongly related with issue of gender and sex differences.
This statement is agreed by Bressler (1994) by saying that “gender studies reexamine the canon and traditional question of traditional definition of the family,
sexuality, and female reproduction” (p. 270). It is related to the fight against
traditional women’s role as figures who work as housewife and mother only. The
study of gender focuses on the women’s liberation against discrimination
experienced by women. Simon de Beauvoir also adds that gender itself is related
to social and cultural constructions of “masculinity and feminity” instead of the
state being born as male or female (as cited in Bressler, 1994, p. 270). This means
gender study also aims to phase out the discrimination of women’s character as
feminine creatures.
Understanding feminism approach is very important in this study. It helps
the writer to understand what are needed to focus on while studying feminism and
applying it for literary criticism. Guerin (1999) states, “feminism approach guides
the study that literature can be functional as determines gender, some feminists
stress gender differences, others believe that entire concept of female difference is
what has cause female oppression” (p. 200). The feminism approach used in this
study helps to analyze women’s position and condition in society. The focus of
Feminism study and criticism according to Guerin relates with oppression and
discrimination happened to women. Feminism believes that those things are exist
and it agrees that feminism major objective is to help women attain freedom.
Feminism approach spotlighted the principles that should be applied by women in
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10
order to solve the gender problem and discrimination. In the end, it has an agenda
to improve women’s dignity and position in society life.
b.
Theory of Character and Characterization
Abrams (1981) in Glossary of Literary Terms defines character as “the
person presented in dramatic or narrative work who are interpreted by the reader
as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities expressed in the dialogue
and action” (p.20). Character in fictional literary works as a figure which certain
qualities of human beings. Characters also have temperaments and moral natures
that are presented in his speech and actions in order to constitute his motivation.
Characters are described as a representative of human in real world. The term
character that will be discussed in this study refers to a person or a figure
presented in a story that has qualities of a real human being.
As a character is similar like a human being, it is true that a character in a
story has certain traits. However, in discovering the character’s traits people
cannot simply judge without any proof. In order to describe the character’s traits,
the readers should apply specific method namely characterization. Theory of
characterization in literary works is defined as the process by which an author
creates character, the devices by which he makes us believe a character is the
particular type of person he is (Rohrberger&Woods, 1971, p. 20). The author
gives certain clues and descriptions to make reader believe certain characters exist
in literary works figure. Thus, readers’ job is only to find the proofs through some
relevant characterization theories.
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11
According to Abrams (1981), characterization means “a broad distinction
of alternatives method to tell and show distinctive person or character in story” (p.
20). In the story, author shows and tells readers the character’s traits of a figure
from various aspect and events written in the novel. Showing means the author
explicitly describes the character by presenting the clues from how they way they
talk and act, and leave readers the motives and dispositions lie behind their action
and dialogue. Furthermore, author also clearly shows how the character feels,
thoughts, habit, and how they respond to problems or events. The method of
“telling” involves author’s authority to describe and evaluate the motives and
dispositional qualities of characters (pp.20-21).
In order to understand the character’s traits, Murphy (1972) suggests nine
techniques to help readers characterize a figure in fictional story. It involves
personal description(1), character as seen by another(2), speech(3), past life(4),
conversation of others(5), reactions(6), direct comments(7), thoughts(8), and
mannerism(9) (p.161). This study applies theory of characterization designed by
Murphy in order to find the revelation of feminism in their life and principles.
The first is Personal Description. In this theory, the author describes a
character from personal appearance and how they dressed up themselves. This one
is also called as “direct description” because the author provides readers detail
explanations of physical appearance, such as the face, skin, eyes, body, and
fashion style (p.161). In Character as Seen by Another, “a character is
examined through other character’s thought and point of view” (p. 162). Here,
author does not describe directly the characters but he/she put the description
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12
through the eyes of others character. The third is Speech. Through speech, author
conveys reader to find out character of one person in the novel or drama through
what the person says. It involves the investigation of how the person speaks,
makes conversation with other, and states his or her opinion (p. 164). The fourth
is describing character through analyzing his/her past life. According to Murphy
(1972), “The author has power to clearly describe or tell the past life story of a
character” (p.166). Understanding the past stories and events from a character in
the novel will provide readers clues to shape the person’s characters and
motivations. The fifth is analyzing through Conversation of Others, where
Murphy (1972) argues that “author provides readers clue about person’s character
thought from the conversation built with other characters and the things he/she
says about himself/herself” (p. 167). Readers can also examine through Reactions
of the character in fictional story. Readers examine the character of person in
novel or drama by “analyzing who the person reacts to various situations,
problems, and events” (p. 168). The Direct Comments method “is used by author
to describe or give comments directly on a person’s character” (p. 170). Thought
is related to “person’s knowledge and how a person thinks about a problem
include how she makes perception about something in his/her life”. This is a
special power given to author so that he can tell us what a person thinks about and
how different people are thinking (p.171). The last is Mannerism that related to
habit or “idiosyncrasies” (p. 173).
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13
2.
Theory of Feminism
Women are seen as weak, not important, and even less valuable creatures
compared to men. The truth that societies set these paradigms as the role of
women makes the discrimination and oppression towards women worst. Montagu
(1997) states that “women have been conditioned to believe that they are inferior to
men, and it seems that people's thought and belief about this condition is acceptable
and naturally true” (p.23). The term “being conditioned” used by Montagu refers to
the negative side. It shows the state where women are structured or made up by
society by placing a negative attribute that leads into the paradigm of women’s
inferiority. Woman suffrage does not stop on that. The fact that men feel more
superior motivates them to show their domination over women. The issue of men’s
domination or patriarchy in society is supported by Hester Einstein in Contemporary
Feminist Thought. Einstein (1983) describes
“This was a set of rigid role prescriptions that served to keep women from
deviating from the behaviour expected to them, for fear of being thought
abnormal, or undesirable, or finally, mad. Sex roles, and sex role
stereotyping, were, then, the means by which an entire society kept women
subject to the rules of patriarchy” (p.7).
Eisenstein describes how the rules of patriarchy burden women’s life and
impedes women’s self actualization until today. This becomes the basic concern
of feminist’s movement becomes since the first beginning until today. Women
have to show off their power so that societies do not have to treat them like victim
of men or man-made creatures. Feminism assures women that they have the
power of self definition and the thing they have to do is simply exploit it. Power
enables people to attain authority and do things they want to do. Furthermore,
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14
authority will provide women with higher position to say what they want and get
what they want to have. Feminist believes that they should be powerful just like
men or even more than men. Bressler (1994) states that
“Women must stand up for their rights and not allow their male-dominated
society to define what it means to be a woman. Women themselves
must take the lead and articulate that they are and what role they will
play in society most importantly, they must reject the patriarchal
assumption that women are inferior to men”. (as cited in Wollstonecraft,
1994, p.181).
Bressler believes that women need to exploit their power. This power
helps them to fight against men’s domination and gender discrimination given
by society. Even though feminism and theories of feminism are adjusted and
developed into specific purposes time to time, the basic idea of general feminism
is never changed. This idea is the core of feminism movements and their
varieties. Humm (1990) In The Dictionary of Feminist Theory defines that
“In the general feminism in the ideology of women's liberation since intrinsic
in all its approaches is the belief that women suffer injustice because of their
sex. It implies that women feel the injustice in their life because they were
born as women” (p.74).
Feminism then is confirmed as an action to fight for women’s liberation
against men’s domination and gender roles. Women’s freedom from oppression
and patriarchy must be put as first priority in feminism agenda. Feminists believe
that women have already experienced too much injustice in their life and they
need to change this injustice condition. Thus, the focus of women’s liberation
constructed under feminism umbrella is an essential thing. In conclusion,
feminism is brought to women to fight the oppression upon women in relation to
and also any other inequalities in society.
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a.
The Objectives of Feminism
Feminism movement was made to help women get free from society ties
and boundaries in terms of differences in gender and sex between men and
women. It includes the problem caused by patriarchy or men’s domination, gender
roles, and gender issue. Feminism lies on what becomes fair and balances in a sex
and gender differences issue. Feminism encourages women to achieve the same
things men commonly achieve in society. In conclusion, feminism is expected to
guide women to achieve equality and recognition as human beings in society.
McRobbie (2004) describes the term “female success” as the state that
signifies feminism success (p.257). Female success is what feminism movement
wants to achieve. Feminism ensures women to be successful people in life so that
they can keep their dignity and maintain high position in society. McRobbie
(2004) argues that
“female success represents value of women at various range of institutions
including “law, education, to an extent medicine, likewise employment,
and the media, high profile or newsworthy achievement of women and
girls in these sectors shows the institutions to be modern and abreast with
social change” (p.257).
McRobbie believes that women have political rights to create successful
career in all job fields as well. Women have equal right to attain higher profession
and profile in every aspect. She emphasizes that women can attain equal right in
education, politic, law, and access in public facilities. Thus, the idea to empower
women and the potentials they have becomes the major objectives in feminism.
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16
b.
The Characteristics of Feminism and Feminist
In order to understand the application of feminism in life, it is important to
notice the characteristics of feminism and feminists. According to Humm in her
book The Dictionary of Feminist Theory, reveals that women’s liberation is an
essential characteristic of feminism. According to Montagu in her book The
Superiority of Women, there are three essential keys of feminism theory in
general. The first is opportunity for women. The second is women’s equality. And
the last is related to women’s right and freedom to choose. In Montagu’s theory of
feminism characteristics related to women’s right and freedom, the content is the
same as the idea of liberation proposed by Humm. Thus, the writer sums up into
three characteristics of feminism includes liberation, opportunity, and equality.
The following part of this section will discuss the description of five
characteristics of feminism summarized from Montagu, Humm, and Freidan.
1)
Liberation
Liberation comes from the world liberty that means a state of freedom
acquired by an individual so that he/she can live as they wish. Humm (1995)
states that “feminism is generally the ideology of women’s liberation since
intrinsic in all its approaches is the belief that women suffer injustice because of
sex” (p.94). Humm notes the importance of women’s liberation as the major
essential focus of feminism. Liberation is what feminists fight for. Freedom is the
most essential right for humankind. Freeman (1975) states that “all human beings,
including women, should enjoy the rights they have as human beings. Women have
freedom of argument that maintain them free to choose" (p.39). The fact that
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17
women are human beings becomes a basic justification that they deserve to attain
the most essential rights as human kind. It is the right to choose and to be free.
Thus, the most important right believed by feminism is the right for women to be
themselves. This right allows women to be able to develop themselves without
imitating men. Women will use their own uniqueness and employ their potential,
beauty, and intellectuals (Fakih, 1996, p.99).
Humm (1990) in The Dictionary of Feminist Theory argues that
“contemporary women's liberation, or feminist action,
is c o n sc io us l y
revolutionary. It breaks with reformism, it is internationalist and it
simultaneously attacks the state, cultural i d e o l o g y a n d t h e e c o n o m y ” (p . 1 1 9 ).
I n t h is s ta nc e , H um m b e lie ve s tha t w om e n ’s l i be ra ti o n i s ne e de d f o r a ll
w o me n in w o r ld. T he l i be ra ti o n d e a l s wi t h f re e d om i n c u l tu r e b o u nd a rie s,
i de o lo gy, a nd a l s o e c o n o m y d i sc ri mi na ti o n. Fu r t h e r, s he a ls o n ote s t ha t
w o m e n ’ s l i b e ra t i o n i s “ an important part of feminist theory because the
meaning of pleasure is a site of contradiction bisected by class, race, and
sexual preference” (p.165). This is what liberation is all about. A liberal state or
a state of freedom is confirmed as a pleasing condition for women. It is because
this condition provides women a state of being free from discrimination related to
their class, race, and sexual preference compared to men.
Feminism believes in the fact that women are restricted by society. It
includes the state that women do not have high power as men have. Thus,
society can control women in many ways by setting the roles for women as
creatures that always are dependent on men. Societies also believe that women
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are not able to work better than men do and shall not work like men. Society sets
the role that women’s place is in the house and men’s place is in the counting
house and on the board of directors (Montagu, 1953, p.21). This condition is
what feminism likes to focus on. This condition must be corrected and women’s
right must uphold in the very first place. Societies are not able to set roles that
disadvantage women’s right. Women’s right on liberation helps them to get out of
the roles given to them so that they can reach more values in life as they have
expected. Montagu points out that liberation given to women will result in giving
women values as human beings. Once women are successfully freed themselves
from her thraldom to men, woman has now to emancipate themselves from the
myth of inferiority and to realize her potentialities to the fullest (Montagu, 1953,
p. 24).
Beauvoir also agrees with the theory of women’s liberation. To be specific
with this issue, Beauvoir (1989) in The Second Sex claims for women’s freedom
as a state where women can be free from patriarchy and society’s boundaries.
Women must realize that they have freedom to be a significant human being not
inferior human being (as cited in Madsen, 2000, p.182). Women shall not just be
passive wives and life in isolated home. It is just another form of restriction. Thus,
to attain her freedom, a woman needs to be active and brave to say their voice.
Women have more choices rather than only being mothers or the one who
gives birth. Women can become intellectuals, members of the vanguard of change
for women. Intellectual activity is to think, look, and define. It means that women
should actively think, look, and define herself according to her own. They should
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not depend on what men are thinking, looking, or defining (as cited in Tong, 1998,
p.188). The idea is to give women more choices to be mothers, working mothers,
or career women instead of restricting them to be people that society wants.
In the case of marriage, feminism believes that this condition will keep
women’s inferior position compared to her husband. Society believes that the
husband must be the one who leads the marriage. Bressler (1994) states that
“women must reject that marriage is their ultimate goal to financially support and
dependent on husband” (p.180). Society believes that marriage is the way to
conquer a woman because the man, as a husband, will work and pay everything.
Then, the woman will stay at home. This condition makes the women becomes
dependent with men financially. However, feminism believes that the idea of
working will keep women’s dignity in marriage. It will make them become
independent so men cannot become the dominant party that oppress them in
marriage.
2)
Opportunity
The act to fight for opportunity is the continued action taken to respond
freedom given to women. Feminism believes that the oppression and problems
happened to women due to their sex makes women get less opportunity in life.
Still related to Montagu’s theory that women have been conditioned to be inferior,
feminism believes that the condition makes women have less opportunities or
chances to develop themselves (Montagu, 1953, p.187). Thus the focus of opening
more opportunities for women becomes an important issue in feminism. The
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opportunity covers every aspect in life includes opportunity in career, arts, politic,
education, and many more. Further, Montagu (1953) explains
Possibilities are opened up for her through what we called the virile and
the feminine attitudes… To paint, to write, to engage in politics – these are
not merely ‘sublimations’; here we have aims that are willed for their own
sakes. To deny it is to falsify all human history (p.51)
M o nt a gu w a nt s t o u n de r l i ne t ha t t he o p po r t u ni t i e s gi ve n t o w o m e n wi l l
m a k e t h e m g e t m o r e c h a n c e t o e n j o y t h e i r l i f e . Th i s i s o n e wa y t o f re e
themselves from the bound of being housewives. It makes women realizes that
they can do more things than merely doing the domestic duties as housewives or
mothers who give a birth. Montagu believes that women can be more than that
and women have power to do things they want to do. Women can be the members
of congress, member of board directors of large companies, and the workers of
counting houses (Montagu, 1953, pp.23-24).
Referring to Montagu’s theory of opportunity in job field, Freidan (1963)
proposes that “the only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know
herself as a person, is by creative work her own” (p.344). A job helps women to
find their self-actualization. Furthermore, having a job makes women have an
equal position as men. However, women shall not only work just in order to have
a job. The idea of acquiring self actualization, dignity, and honour by society can
be accomplished if women are serious in their job. It means women need to make
their own path of career from their job so they will have better position in their
career and be able to improve their life’s condition. If a job is considered as a way
out for women to escape from the boundaries and oppression, it must be a job that
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she can take seriously as a part of a life plan, work in which she can grow as a part
of society (Freidan, 1963, p.345). Of course, when women put their commitment
for their job, they have to be ready with all the consequences of working women
or working mothers. It includes the risk that women will have less time to spend
with their children and husband at home. The more opportunities women can have
in job fields, the more dignity and respect they acquire.
The importance of having a job and good career for women is to help
women attain freedom from the men’s oppression. Beauvoir notes two advantages
that women can get if they work. The first is women should go to work in order to
regain her transcendence, so she can concretely affirm her status as a subject, as
someone who is charti