AN ANALYSIS OF POWER RELATIONS: A CASE OF WOMEN AS SEX VENDORS.
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
This chapter contains of the conclusions from the findings and discussions in
the previous chapter. It also contains suggestions for impending studies with the same
topic of analysis.
5.1 Conclusions
The aim of this study is to answer the research questions about the
construction of power relations and the construction of women. This study has
revealed that there is a relation of power and also negative and positive constructions
of women in the novel Women as Sex Vendors (Tobias & Marcy, 1918). The data of
this study is classified based on the use of metaphors (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980;
Chandler, 1994) and described based on discussions of power (Foucault, 1978; 1982).
The discussions of power used to describe the sentences in the novel are based on
aspects and characteristics of power relations.
Power relations constructed in the novel by the use of metaphor mostly focus
on revealing the relation of power with other types of relationships for examples
economic, sexual, and knowledge relationships; revealing the purposes and by what
means exercising power; and revealing the forms of institutionalization in which the
relation of power takes place (Foucault, 1978, pp. 94-96; 1982, p. 792). Besides, the
constructions of women are divided into two parts namely negative and positive
constructions. The negative constructions of women namely women are powerless,
dependent on men, comparable to petty shop-keepers, as a goal to men, and as a
commodity to men. Meanwhile, the positive constructions of women namely women
are independent and powerful.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
116
In accordance to the analysis, power relations discovered in the novel were
mostly constructed through the use of irony and orientational metaphor. The use of
irony shows the capability of a powerful person in exercising power against
powerless person. Besides, the use of orientational metaphor shows obviously the
relations of power which emphasize the superior and the inferior through spatial
orientations. Meanwhile, the constructions of women are mostly constructed through
the use of structural metaphor, orientational metaphor, ontological metaphor,
ontological metaphor with the purpose of setting goals and motivating actions, and
irony. Women’s constructions as powerless are mostly shown by the use of
orientational metaphor. It points out the relation of power in which women are
positioned more inferior than men. Women’s construction as dependent to men
mostly by the use of irony emphasizes the dreams of women who wanted to be in the
capitalist class by depending on men economically. Women’s construction as petty
shop-keepers by the use of structural metaphor points out the similar characteristic of
both women and petty shop-keepers. Women are constructed as a goal to men mostly
by the use of ontological metaphor with the purpose of setting goals and motivating
actions. Women are constructed as commodities by the use of ontological metaphor.
It focuses on comparing women with other objects. Women constructed as
independent by the use of orientational metaphor emphasizes the point that women
are no longer dependent to men. Besides, women constructed as powerful mostly
through the use of irony focus on the capability of women to have control over men
as a cause of the maternal system.
This study leads into several conclusions. First, power can be in forms of
wealth, high position, or even biological forms namely sex or physical appearance.
Second, power exercise can be found in all aspects of life. Thus it is closely related to
other relationships namely knowledge, economic, and sexual relationships. Third,
powerful person can exercise their power to achieve certain goals which benefit them.
They are also considered as superior and have control over the inferior. Fourth, the
relation of power is non-subjective. It can occur in the relationships between men and
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
117
men, women and women, men and women in general, husbands and wives, parents
and children, employers and employees, and so forth. Last, literary works can also
influence the phenomenon of stereotyping. It suggests ideas or characterizations of a
certain group which are mostly found in a certain context and society. Then, it can be
a base of characterization of that certain group.
5.2 Suggestions
There must be a myriad of imperfections in this study. It is due to the
difficulties in finding the proper framework in analyzing the data taken from a novel.
The novel used for the analysis is also different from any other novels generally.
There is no dialogue between characters in the novel Women as Sex Vendors (Tobias
& Marcy, 1918) which can lead to misinterpretations by the readers. Nonetheless, this
study has combined the use of metaphor and discussions of power to reveal the
constructions of power relations and the constructions of women which are rarely
found in the studies of power before. Henceforth, it is hoped for the impending
studies about power relations to explore other literary works, not only novel, which
may contain the issues of power relations for further analysis. Besides, the
combination of the tool and theoretical framework for data analysis must be related to
one and another to produce a better outcome from the analysis.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
118
Main Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, M.A.
Co-Supervisor: Ripan Hermawan, S.S., M.A.
ABSTRACT
The aspect of power is inevitable in everyday life. It is also an important
matter in social relationships. This research analyzes the constructions of power
relations and women in relation to capitalism and feminism. Power relations analyzed
were in the era of capitalism which resulted in feminism in the modern industry era.
The data of this research were taken from a novel entitled Women as Sex Vendors by
Roscoe Burdette Tobias and Marcy Edna Marcy (1918). Therefore, the constructions
of power relations and women analyzed in this research are restricted to the
occurrences in the context of the novel. This research applies a descriptive qualitative
approach. The data were analyzed based on the use of metaphors (Lakoff & Johnson,
1980; Chandler, 1994) and the discussions of power (Foucault, 1978; 1982). The
findings showed that there are power imbalances between men and women shown
mostly through the use of irony and orientational metaphor. The findings also showed
that the construction of women was divided into two parts namely negative and
positive constructions. These constructions of women were shown mostly through the
use of irony and ontological metaphor.
Keywords: Power, Sex, Capitalism, and Feminism.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
Main Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, M.A.
Co-Supervisor: Ripan Hermawan, S.S., M.A.
ABSTRAK
Kekuasaan (power) merupakan aspek kehidupan yang dapat ditemui dalam
kehidupan sehari-hari. Kekuasaan merupakan aspek penting yang dapat ditemui
dalam hubungan sosial antar manusia. Penelitian ini menganalisa penggambaran
relasi kekuasaan (power relations) dan penggambaran wanita yang berhubungan
dengan kapitalisme serta feminisme. Relasi kekuasaan yang dianalisa dalam
penelitian ini terpusat pada era kapitalisme yang berakhir dengan adanya feminisme
di era industri moderen. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berbentuk
penggalan kalimat dari sebuah novel yang berjudul Women as Sex Vendors karya
Roscoe Burdette Tobias dan Mary Edna Marcy (1918). Maka dari itu, penggambaran
relasi kekuasaan serta penggambaran wanita yang dianalisa dalam penelitian ini
terpusat pada berbagai kejadian dalam konteks novel tersebut. Penelitian ini
mengaplikasikan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Data yang digunakan dalam
penelitian ini dianalisa berdasarkan penggunaan metafora (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980;
Chandler, 1994) dan diskusi mengenai kekuasaan (Foucault, 1978; 1982). Penemuan
dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan adanya ketidakseimbangan kekuasaan antara pria
dan wanita yang ditunjukkan melalui penggunaan ironi dan metafora orientational.
Penemuan dalam penelitian ini juga menunjukkan bahwa penggambaran wanita
dibagi menjadi dua bagian yaitu penggambaran negatif dan positif. Penggambaran
wanita yang ditemui dalam penelitian ini sebagian besar melalui penggunaan ironi
dan metafora ontological.
Kata Kunci: Kekuasaan, Seks, Kapitalisme, dan Feminisme.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
This chapter contains of the conclusions from the findings and discussions in
the previous chapter. It also contains suggestions for impending studies with the same
topic of analysis.
5.1 Conclusions
The aim of this study is to answer the research questions about the
construction of power relations and the construction of women. This study has
revealed that there is a relation of power and also negative and positive constructions
of women in the novel Women as Sex Vendors (Tobias & Marcy, 1918). The data of
this study is classified based on the use of metaphors (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980;
Chandler, 1994) and described based on discussions of power (Foucault, 1978; 1982).
The discussions of power used to describe the sentences in the novel are based on
aspects and characteristics of power relations.
Power relations constructed in the novel by the use of metaphor mostly focus
on revealing the relation of power with other types of relationships for examples
economic, sexual, and knowledge relationships; revealing the purposes and by what
means exercising power; and revealing the forms of institutionalization in which the
relation of power takes place (Foucault, 1978, pp. 94-96; 1982, p. 792). Besides, the
constructions of women are divided into two parts namely negative and positive
constructions. The negative constructions of women namely women are powerless,
dependent on men, comparable to petty shop-keepers, as a goal to men, and as a
commodity to men. Meanwhile, the positive constructions of women namely women
are independent and powerful.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
116
In accordance to the analysis, power relations discovered in the novel were
mostly constructed through the use of irony and orientational metaphor. The use of
irony shows the capability of a powerful person in exercising power against
powerless person. Besides, the use of orientational metaphor shows obviously the
relations of power which emphasize the superior and the inferior through spatial
orientations. Meanwhile, the constructions of women are mostly constructed through
the use of structural metaphor, orientational metaphor, ontological metaphor,
ontological metaphor with the purpose of setting goals and motivating actions, and
irony. Women’s constructions as powerless are mostly shown by the use of
orientational metaphor. It points out the relation of power in which women are
positioned more inferior than men. Women’s construction as dependent to men
mostly by the use of irony emphasizes the dreams of women who wanted to be in the
capitalist class by depending on men economically. Women’s construction as petty
shop-keepers by the use of structural metaphor points out the similar characteristic of
both women and petty shop-keepers. Women are constructed as a goal to men mostly
by the use of ontological metaphor with the purpose of setting goals and motivating
actions. Women are constructed as commodities by the use of ontological metaphor.
It focuses on comparing women with other objects. Women constructed as
independent by the use of orientational metaphor emphasizes the point that women
are no longer dependent to men. Besides, women constructed as powerful mostly
through the use of irony focus on the capability of women to have control over men
as a cause of the maternal system.
This study leads into several conclusions. First, power can be in forms of
wealth, high position, or even biological forms namely sex or physical appearance.
Second, power exercise can be found in all aspects of life. Thus it is closely related to
other relationships namely knowledge, economic, and sexual relationships. Third,
powerful person can exercise their power to achieve certain goals which benefit them.
They are also considered as superior and have control over the inferior. Fourth, the
relation of power is non-subjective. It can occur in the relationships between men and
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
117
men, women and women, men and women in general, husbands and wives, parents
and children, employers and employees, and so forth. Last, literary works can also
influence the phenomenon of stereotyping. It suggests ideas or characterizations of a
certain group which are mostly found in a certain context and society. Then, it can be
a base of characterization of that certain group.
5.2 Suggestions
There must be a myriad of imperfections in this study. It is due to the
difficulties in finding the proper framework in analyzing the data taken from a novel.
The novel used for the analysis is also different from any other novels generally.
There is no dialogue between characters in the novel Women as Sex Vendors (Tobias
& Marcy, 1918) which can lead to misinterpretations by the readers. Nonetheless, this
study has combined the use of metaphor and discussions of power to reveal the
constructions of power relations and the constructions of women which are rarely
found in the studies of power before. Henceforth, it is hoped for the impending
studies about power relations to explore other literary works, not only novel, which
may contain the issues of power relations for further analysis. Besides, the
combination of the tool and theoretical framework for data analysis must be related to
one and another to produce a better outcome from the analysis.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
118
Main Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, M.A.
Co-Supervisor: Ripan Hermawan, S.S., M.A.
ABSTRACT
The aspect of power is inevitable in everyday life. It is also an important
matter in social relationships. This research analyzes the constructions of power
relations and women in relation to capitalism and feminism. Power relations analyzed
were in the era of capitalism which resulted in feminism in the modern industry era.
The data of this research were taken from a novel entitled Women as Sex Vendors by
Roscoe Burdette Tobias and Marcy Edna Marcy (1918). Therefore, the constructions
of power relations and women analyzed in this research are restricted to the
occurrences in the context of the novel. This research applies a descriptive qualitative
approach. The data were analyzed based on the use of metaphors (Lakoff & Johnson,
1980; Chandler, 1994) and the discussions of power (Foucault, 1978; 1982). The
findings showed that there are power imbalances between men and women shown
mostly through the use of irony and orientational metaphor. The findings also showed
that the construction of women was divided into two parts namely negative and
positive constructions. These constructions of women were shown mostly through the
use of irony and ontological metaphor.
Keywords: Power, Sex, Capitalism, and Feminism.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu
Main Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, M.A.
Co-Supervisor: Ripan Hermawan, S.S., M.A.
ABSTRAK
Kekuasaan (power) merupakan aspek kehidupan yang dapat ditemui dalam
kehidupan sehari-hari. Kekuasaan merupakan aspek penting yang dapat ditemui
dalam hubungan sosial antar manusia. Penelitian ini menganalisa penggambaran
relasi kekuasaan (power relations) dan penggambaran wanita yang berhubungan
dengan kapitalisme serta feminisme. Relasi kekuasaan yang dianalisa dalam
penelitian ini terpusat pada era kapitalisme yang berakhir dengan adanya feminisme
di era industri moderen. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berbentuk
penggalan kalimat dari sebuah novel yang berjudul Women as Sex Vendors karya
Roscoe Burdette Tobias dan Mary Edna Marcy (1918). Maka dari itu, penggambaran
relasi kekuasaan serta penggambaran wanita yang dianalisa dalam penelitian ini
terpusat pada berbagai kejadian dalam konteks novel tersebut. Penelitian ini
mengaplikasikan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Data yang digunakan dalam
penelitian ini dianalisa berdasarkan penggunaan metafora (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980;
Chandler, 1994) dan diskusi mengenai kekuasaan (Foucault, 1978; 1982). Penemuan
dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan adanya ketidakseimbangan kekuasaan antara pria
dan wanita yang ditunjukkan melalui penggunaan ironi dan metafora orientational.
Penemuan dalam penelitian ini juga menunjukkan bahwa penggambaran wanita
dibagi menjadi dua bagian yaitu penggambaran negatif dan positif. Penggambaran
wanita yang ditemui dalam penelitian ini sebagian besar melalui penggunaan ironi
dan metafora ontological.
Kata Kunci: Kekuasaan, Seks, Kapitalisme, dan Feminisme.
SONIA SOFYAN, 2014
An Analysis of Power Relations: A Case of Women as Sex Vendors A PAPER
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | repository.upi.edu | perpustakaan.upi.edu