Representation Of Englishness In Skinhead Subculture In Shane Meadows’ Film This Is England
REPRESENTATION OF ENGLISHNESS IN SKINHEAD SUBCULTURE IN
SHANE MEADOWS’ FILM THIS IS ENGLAND
A THESIS
BY:
KHAIRUNNISA
REG. NO. 1007050690
SUPERVISOR
CO-SUPEPVISOR
Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum
Dr. Hj. Nurlela, M.Hum
Submitted to the Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara
Medan in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Sarjana Sastra
from Department of English
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN 2014
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Approved by the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies University
of Sumatera Utara (USU) Medan as thesis for The Sarjana Sastra Examination.
Head,
Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S
Secretary,
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of requirements for
the degree of Sarjana Sastra from Department of English, Faculty of Cultural
Studies University of Sumatera Utara, Medan.
The examination is held in Department of English Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatera Utara on 2014
Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatera Utara
Dr. H. Syahron Lubis, MA
NIP.19511013 197603 1 001
Board of Examiners
Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S
___________________
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D
___________________
Dra. Redita Lubis, Dipl Appl. Ling. M.Hum
___________________
Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum
___________________
Universitas Sumatera Utara
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I, KHAIRUNNISA, DECLARE THAT I AM THE SOLE AUTHOR OF THIS
THESIS EXCEPT WHERE REFERENCE IS MADE IN THE TEXT OF THIS
THESIS.
THIS
THESIS
CONTAINS
NO
MATERIAL
PUBLISHED
ELSEWHERE OR EXTRACTED IN WHOLE OR PART FROM A THESIS
BY WHICH I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR OR AWARDED ANOTHER
DEGREE. NO OTHER PERSON’S WORK HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT
DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THIS THESIS.
THIS THESIS HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF
ANOTHER DEGREE IN ANY TERTIARY EDUCATION.
Signed :
Date
: October 27th 2014
i
Universitas Sumatera Utara
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
NAME
: KHAIRUNNISA
TITLE OF THESIS
: REPRESENTATION OF ENGLISHNESS IN
SKINHEAD SUBCULTURE IN SHANE
MEADOWS’ FILM THIS IS ENGLAND
QUALIFICATION
: S-1/SARJANA SASTRA
DEPARTMENT
: ENGLISH
I AM WILLING THAT MY THESIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR
REPRODUCION AT THE DESCRETION OF THE LIBRARIAN OF
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT
USERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE LAW
OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
Signed :
Date
: October 27th 2014
ii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Praise and highest gratitude to the Almighty Allah SWT, for the infinite
blessings and compassions that have been given to me to accomplish this thesis.
Shalawat and Salam to our Prophet Muhammad SAW who had delivered the truth to
human beings especially to all muslims around the world.
I would like to thank Dr.H.Syahron Lubis, MA the Dean of Faculty of
Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara. I would also like to respectfully
thank Dr.H.Muhizar Muchtar, M.S the Head of the Department of English, and the
Secretary of the Department of English, Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D. I would
like to express huge gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum and
my co-supervisor Dr. Hj. Nurlela, M.Hum. Thank you for the patience, time, support
and motivation in guiding me to write and finish this thesis.
Many incredible thanks to my ‘home’ especially Ayah and Bunda for your
endless love, kindness, patience, sincerity, advices, and for your du’a throughout my
life. Thank you for trusting me to be your best daughter, for wasting lots money for
me, for giving me best of the best. I can’t imagine what my life would be without
you two. For my crazy annoying brothers Fadhil Ramadhan and Irfanul Aulia, thank
you for letting me to be your annoying sister too (LOL), for times we’ve spent, for
our joyful childhood, we are the truly WWE players in tiny version. Also my sincere
thanks to Nenek, Cek Dar my cool yet weirdo aunty, Cek Ayu, Cek Ana, Cek Anum,
Cek Muhar, Cek Desi, Cek Rahmat, Cek Ani, Cek Bayu, Cek Udin, and Cek Cop
(Oops I got too many Ceks) and to the coolest Kakek of mine in heaven.
iii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
To my awesome Rahmi Khairunnisak a.k.a Yuyun a.k.a Yuyunick, thank you
for being my incredible soulmate this past 11 years. I know it isn’t easy to stand by
my side. You have no idea how glad I am to have you in my life.
Deeply, Sincerely, Incredibly thanks to Annisa Musa, Nadia Marchelina, and
Uswatun Nisa for playing the very important role of my life, I would rather walk
with you guys in the dark, than alone in the light. Remember, we still have so many
big dreams to chase. My sincere thanks also goes to my one of a kind brotha Rizky
Aldiyansyah, for helping me with no doubts whenever and wherever I need you. To
my beautiful consellour Toyya Winata for your life motivation and support, hugs and
kisses. To the 8th letter of alphabet, thank you for sweet chit-chats we have these few
months, keep calm and let it be!
Biggest thanks to my English Literature mates especially to Yudi, Anok,
Ulan, Eby, Wina, Filza, Boy, Denny, Petrus, Dicky, Hanni, Apri, Zega, Cindy, Hetty,
Elsye, Yuni, and the rest of ‘10. Also to IMSI’s family especially to Mak Qiqi, Bang
Gullit, Bang Izal, Dimaz, Wahyu, Abel, Bang Yuda, Bang Bayu, Kak Dinda, Bang
Ady Wak, Zara, Refi, Kevin, Ossy, and the other that I can’t mentioned one by one,
thank you for our great moments. Last but not least thank you to my hometown fellas
Yana, Yani, Amel, Indah, Sari, Agung, Fadhel, Abil, Yudi, Momo for being my
reminder in finishing this thesis.
Finally, may this thesis have many benefits and advantages to those who read
it even though it is still far from outstanding. May Allah SWT always bless us
throughout our journey. Amin Ya Rabb. Thanks once again.
Medan
Khairunnisa
NIM: 100705070
iv
Universitas Sumatera Utara
ABSTRAK
This Is England adalah sebuah film drama Inggris tahun 2006 yang ditulis dan
digarap oleh Shane Meadows. Cerita berfokus pada kaum skinhead muda di Inggris
tahun 1983. Menggambarkan bagaimana pekerja buruh muda berjuang mencari
identitas mereka, bagaimana kemaskulinan dan kekerasan saling berhubungan dan
bagaimana Englishness memiliki makna berbeda untuk setiap karakter. Studi dalam
film ini berkonsentrasi pada Englishness dari sudut pandang pekerja buruh, dan
termasuk pula tema-tema seperti kekerasan, kemaskulinan serta identitas nasional.
Beberapa konsep dari ilmu budaya digunakan untuk menginterpretasikan film ini
seperti identitas, negara, subkultur, dan golongan. Metode kualitatif deskriptif
dipilih untuk menganalisis film ini. Hasil analisis ini diharapkan bermanfaat bagi
pembaca untuk dapat mengambil pelajaran atau pengalaman yang terkandung dalam
film ini yang masih terjadi dalam realita sekarang.
Kata kunci: England, Englishness, Identitas, Subkultur, Skinhead.
v
Universitas Sumatera Utara
ABSTRACT
This Is England is a 2006 British drama film written and directed by Shane
Meadows. The story centres on young skinheads in England in 1983. It depicts how
young working class struggling to find their identity, how masculinity and violence
are correlated and how Englishness means different things to different characters.
The study on this film concentrates on Englishness from the point of view of
working class, and includes such themes as violence , masculinity and national
identity. Various concepts of cultural studies are used to interpret the film such as
identity, nation, subculture and class. Descriptive qualitative method is chosen to
analyze this film. The result of this analysis are expected to benefit the readers to be
able to take any lessons or experiences contained in the film that still exists in
today’s reality.
Keywords: England, Englishness, Identity, Subculture, Skinhead.
vi
Universitas Sumatera Utara
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION………………………………………………………i
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION……………………………………………………ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT……………………………………………………………iii
ABSTRAK………………………………………………………………………..….v
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………….vii
CHAPTER I
: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study………………………………………....1
1.2 Problem of the Study……………………………………………..4
1.3 Objective of the Study……………………………………………4
1.4 Scope of the Study………………………………………………..5
1.5 Significance of the Study………………………………………...5
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Sociology of Literature…………………………………………...6
2.2 Identity...........................................................................................7
2.2.1 National Identity.........................................................................9
2.2.1.1 Nation and Nationality in General...........................................9
2.2.1.2 Nation and Nationalism in Britain.........................................10
2.3 Cultural Behaviour.................……………..…………….....…...12
2.3.1 Subculture as a Social Identity.................................................12
2.3.2 Skinheads..................................................................................15
2.4 Englishness...................................................................................18
2.5 Class.............................................................................................21
CHAPTER III : METHOD OF THE STUDY
3.1 Research Design………………………………………….……..23
vii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
3.2 Data Sources…………………………………………….………23
3.3 Data Collection……………………………………………….…24
3.4 Data Analysis…………………………………………………...24
CHAPTER IV : ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
4.1 The Depiction of Englishness ………..………….......................27
4.1.1 Idea of Community…………………...............................……27
4.1.2 Activities..…………….....…...............................................….30
4.1.3 Masculinity................................................................................31
4.1.4 The Diversity of Englishness....................................................33
4.1.4.1 Skinheads Versus the White National Front.........................33
4.1.4.2 White Working Class Versus “Foreigners”..........................41
4.2 Symbol of Englishness.................................................................44
4.2.1 Landscape.................................................................................44
4.2.2 Music.........................................................................................45
4.3 Aggressive Behaviour .................................................................48
4.3.1 Violence Towards Friend..........................................................48
4.3.2 Violence Towards Material Goods...........................................50
4.3.3 Violence Towards Non English People....................................50
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion………………………………………………………57
5.2 Suggestion………………………………………………………58
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………...59
APPENDICES
I. DVD Cover of This Is England
II. Summary of This Is England
viii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
SHANE MEADOWS’ FILM THIS IS ENGLAND
A THESIS
BY:
KHAIRUNNISA
REG. NO. 1007050690
SUPERVISOR
CO-SUPEPVISOR
Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum
Dr. Hj. Nurlela, M.Hum
Submitted to the Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara
Medan in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Sarjana Sastra
from Department of English
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN 2014
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Approved by the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies University
of Sumatera Utara (USU) Medan as thesis for The Sarjana Sastra Examination.
Head,
Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S
Secretary,
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of requirements for
the degree of Sarjana Sastra from Department of English, Faculty of Cultural
Studies University of Sumatera Utara, Medan.
The examination is held in Department of English Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatera Utara on 2014
Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatera Utara
Dr. H. Syahron Lubis, MA
NIP.19511013 197603 1 001
Board of Examiners
Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S
___________________
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D
___________________
Dra. Redita Lubis, Dipl Appl. Ling. M.Hum
___________________
Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum
___________________
Universitas Sumatera Utara
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I, KHAIRUNNISA, DECLARE THAT I AM THE SOLE AUTHOR OF THIS
THESIS EXCEPT WHERE REFERENCE IS MADE IN THE TEXT OF THIS
THESIS.
THIS
THESIS
CONTAINS
NO
MATERIAL
PUBLISHED
ELSEWHERE OR EXTRACTED IN WHOLE OR PART FROM A THESIS
BY WHICH I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR OR AWARDED ANOTHER
DEGREE. NO OTHER PERSON’S WORK HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT
DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THIS THESIS.
THIS THESIS HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF
ANOTHER DEGREE IN ANY TERTIARY EDUCATION.
Signed :
Date
: October 27th 2014
i
Universitas Sumatera Utara
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
NAME
: KHAIRUNNISA
TITLE OF THESIS
: REPRESENTATION OF ENGLISHNESS IN
SKINHEAD SUBCULTURE IN SHANE
MEADOWS’ FILM THIS IS ENGLAND
QUALIFICATION
: S-1/SARJANA SASTRA
DEPARTMENT
: ENGLISH
I AM WILLING THAT MY THESIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR
REPRODUCION AT THE DESCRETION OF THE LIBRARIAN OF
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT
USERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE LAW
OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
Signed :
Date
: October 27th 2014
ii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Praise and highest gratitude to the Almighty Allah SWT, for the infinite
blessings and compassions that have been given to me to accomplish this thesis.
Shalawat and Salam to our Prophet Muhammad SAW who had delivered the truth to
human beings especially to all muslims around the world.
I would like to thank Dr.H.Syahron Lubis, MA the Dean of Faculty of
Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara. I would also like to respectfully
thank Dr.H.Muhizar Muchtar, M.S the Head of the Department of English, and the
Secretary of the Department of English, Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D. I would
like to express huge gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum and
my co-supervisor Dr. Hj. Nurlela, M.Hum. Thank you for the patience, time, support
and motivation in guiding me to write and finish this thesis.
Many incredible thanks to my ‘home’ especially Ayah and Bunda for your
endless love, kindness, patience, sincerity, advices, and for your du’a throughout my
life. Thank you for trusting me to be your best daughter, for wasting lots money for
me, for giving me best of the best. I can’t imagine what my life would be without
you two. For my crazy annoying brothers Fadhil Ramadhan and Irfanul Aulia, thank
you for letting me to be your annoying sister too (LOL), for times we’ve spent, for
our joyful childhood, we are the truly WWE players in tiny version. Also my sincere
thanks to Nenek, Cek Dar my cool yet weirdo aunty, Cek Ayu, Cek Ana, Cek Anum,
Cek Muhar, Cek Desi, Cek Rahmat, Cek Ani, Cek Bayu, Cek Udin, and Cek Cop
(Oops I got too many Ceks) and to the coolest Kakek of mine in heaven.
iii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
To my awesome Rahmi Khairunnisak a.k.a Yuyun a.k.a Yuyunick, thank you
for being my incredible soulmate this past 11 years. I know it isn’t easy to stand by
my side. You have no idea how glad I am to have you in my life.
Deeply, Sincerely, Incredibly thanks to Annisa Musa, Nadia Marchelina, and
Uswatun Nisa for playing the very important role of my life, I would rather walk
with you guys in the dark, than alone in the light. Remember, we still have so many
big dreams to chase. My sincere thanks also goes to my one of a kind brotha Rizky
Aldiyansyah, for helping me with no doubts whenever and wherever I need you. To
my beautiful consellour Toyya Winata for your life motivation and support, hugs and
kisses. To the 8th letter of alphabet, thank you for sweet chit-chats we have these few
months, keep calm and let it be!
Biggest thanks to my English Literature mates especially to Yudi, Anok,
Ulan, Eby, Wina, Filza, Boy, Denny, Petrus, Dicky, Hanni, Apri, Zega, Cindy, Hetty,
Elsye, Yuni, and the rest of ‘10. Also to IMSI’s family especially to Mak Qiqi, Bang
Gullit, Bang Izal, Dimaz, Wahyu, Abel, Bang Yuda, Bang Bayu, Kak Dinda, Bang
Ady Wak, Zara, Refi, Kevin, Ossy, and the other that I can’t mentioned one by one,
thank you for our great moments. Last but not least thank you to my hometown fellas
Yana, Yani, Amel, Indah, Sari, Agung, Fadhel, Abil, Yudi, Momo for being my
reminder in finishing this thesis.
Finally, may this thesis have many benefits and advantages to those who read
it even though it is still far from outstanding. May Allah SWT always bless us
throughout our journey. Amin Ya Rabb. Thanks once again.
Medan
Khairunnisa
NIM: 100705070
iv
Universitas Sumatera Utara
ABSTRAK
This Is England adalah sebuah film drama Inggris tahun 2006 yang ditulis dan
digarap oleh Shane Meadows. Cerita berfokus pada kaum skinhead muda di Inggris
tahun 1983. Menggambarkan bagaimana pekerja buruh muda berjuang mencari
identitas mereka, bagaimana kemaskulinan dan kekerasan saling berhubungan dan
bagaimana Englishness memiliki makna berbeda untuk setiap karakter. Studi dalam
film ini berkonsentrasi pada Englishness dari sudut pandang pekerja buruh, dan
termasuk pula tema-tema seperti kekerasan, kemaskulinan serta identitas nasional.
Beberapa konsep dari ilmu budaya digunakan untuk menginterpretasikan film ini
seperti identitas, negara, subkultur, dan golongan. Metode kualitatif deskriptif
dipilih untuk menganalisis film ini. Hasil analisis ini diharapkan bermanfaat bagi
pembaca untuk dapat mengambil pelajaran atau pengalaman yang terkandung dalam
film ini yang masih terjadi dalam realita sekarang.
Kata kunci: England, Englishness, Identitas, Subkultur, Skinhead.
v
Universitas Sumatera Utara
ABSTRACT
This Is England is a 2006 British drama film written and directed by Shane
Meadows. The story centres on young skinheads in England in 1983. It depicts how
young working class struggling to find their identity, how masculinity and violence
are correlated and how Englishness means different things to different characters.
The study on this film concentrates on Englishness from the point of view of
working class, and includes such themes as violence , masculinity and national
identity. Various concepts of cultural studies are used to interpret the film such as
identity, nation, subculture and class. Descriptive qualitative method is chosen to
analyze this film. The result of this analysis are expected to benefit the readers to be
able to take any lessons or experiences contained in the film that still exists in
today’s reality.
Keywords: England, Englishness, Identity, Subculture, Skinhead.
vi
Universitas Sumatera Utara
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION………………………………………………………i
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION……………………………………………………ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT……………………………………………………………iii
ABSTRAK………………………………………………………………………..….v
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………….vii
CHAPTER I
: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study………………………………………....1
1.2 Problem of the Study……………………………………………..4
1.3 Objective of the Study……………………………………………4
1.4 Scope of the Study………………………………………………..5
1.5 Significance of the Study………………………………………...5
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Sociology of Literature…………………………………………...6
2.2 Identity...........................................................................................7
2.2.1 National Identity.........................................................................9
2.2.1.1 Nation and Nationality in General...........................................9
2.2.1.2 Nation and Nationalism in Britain.........................................10
2.3 Cultural Behaviour.................……………..…………….....…...12
2.3.1 Subculture as a Social Identity.................................................12
2.3.2 Skinheads..................................................................................15
2.4 Englishness...................................................................................18
2.5 Class.............................................................................................21
CHAPTER III : METHOD OF THE STUDY
3.1 Research Design………………………………………….……..23
vii
Universitas Sumatera Utara
3.2 Data Sources…………………………………………….………23
3.3 Data Collection……………………………………………….…24
3.4 Data Analysis…………………………………………………...24
CHAPTER IV : ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
4.1 The Depiction of Englishness ………..………….......................27
4.1.1 Idea of Community…………………...............................……27
4.1.2 Activities..…………….....…...............................................….30
4.1.3 Masculinity................................................................................31
4.1.4 The Diversity of Englishness....................................................33
4.1.4.1 Skinheads Versus the White National Front.........................33
4.1.4.2 White Working Class Versus “Foreigners”..........................41
4.2 Symbol of Englishness.................................................................44
4.2.1 Landscape.................................................................................44
4.2.2 Music.........................................................................................45
4.3 Aggressive Behaviour .................................................................48
4.3.1 Violence Towards Friend..........................................................48
4.3.2 Violence Towards Material Goods...........................................50
4.3.3 Violence Towards Non English People....................................50
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion………………………………………………………57
5.2 Suggestion………………………………………………………58
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………...59
APPENDICES
I. DVD Cover of This Is England
II. Summary of This Is England
viii
Universitas Sumatera Utara