Feminism study
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Viewed
from Feminism Perspective
A Paper for Fulfilling the Final
Examination of Advance Analysis of English Poetry BS Class
Advisor :
Sri Muniroh, M. Hum
By:
Apriliyanti Shinta Dewi (15320004)
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
HUMANITES FACULTY
MAULANA MALIK BRAHIM STATE ISLAMIC
UNIVERSITY MALANG
Abstract
Pride and
Prejudice is a well known novel that is published in 1813. It is a novel which
tells about a woman who does not have a right in choosing husband. It is
because in her region, woman does not have right in getting inherent. Based on
culture, the inherent will be cousin if there is no son. Finally, the woman is
marriage with his cousin by her parents to defend the wealth. Based on the
story, this novel tells about feminism phenomena. In this case, woman is
considered as a weak creature. Woman also does not have right in choosing her
couple. Besides, the woman also does not get inherent.
This research
analyse how people consideration to woman and how does woman struggle. Finally,
the researcher found some people considerations that woman is weak; woman does
not rights in education and economy. Furthermore, woman struggle is her action
in using her freedom of speech, showing that she is strong physically by
walking along 5 miles, and omitting stupidity by reading.
Key words: Pride and Prejudice, feminism,
patriarchy, stereotype.
I. Introduction
Feminism is a theory that concerns on
gender equality. This theory appears society movements that is still exist in
this era. This theory appears many kinds of gender concepts. The concepts of
gender appear many arguments about sex and gender in which the concept is about
equality. Ratna (2005:588) states that
feminism is the concept generalization of women. A critical of social theory
which have the purpose is to obtain women right[1].
Actually, obtaining women right is done for getting equal gender. It is because
in some cases, women do not have right like men.
Feminism appears many arguments of gender equality. Friedan (1950) states
that women went back to their house to abandon their job to men, this mystique
reduced the identity of women to sexual and social passivity. However,
according to Mary Wollstonecraft (1792) “women are naturally not weaker than
men, but they seem weak they have low education”. Then, Charles Bressler also states that feminism
arises because of patriarchal system in which the position of men is dominant
than women.
In this study, the researcher wants to
analyse Pride Prejudice novel by using the theory of feminism. It is because
the researcher knows that there is gender discrimination in the novel. Then,
this study is done because there is a research question that appears. The
research question is how is feminism phenomena represented? Furthermore,
objectively, this research is done for knowing feminism phenomena represented
in the novel.
Actually, this novel has been analysed by
some people. There is a researcher who has analysed this novel by using Marxism
theory. She found that there is reinforcement, challenge in economy, social
class, and socio economic condition factors[2]. Besides,
there is also a researcher who has analysed this novel. She used the theory of structuralism
and semiotics. She found that myth, romance, mimetic, irony, archetype and
imageries.[3]
Another research on Pride and Prejudice novel is using the theory of
deconstruction. He researches about Pride and Prejudice novel that becomes the
narrative diary of Lizzie Bennet.[4] Furthermore,
looking the research report above, the researcher wants to analyse Pride and
Prejudice novel using feminism theory. She considers that there are many feminism
phenomena in the novel.
This research is done because there are two
questions appear. “How is character’s
consideration to the woman in Pride and Prejudice novel?” and “how do the women
struggle when they face the consideration?” Objectively, this research is done
for answering the research questions above.
II. Method
This analysis will use the Simone de
Beauvoir’s feminism theory. He states that feminism arises as a result of patriarchy
system in which the social system placesmen as primary power or
subordinate in the role of church, government, and education system[5]. Besides, he also believes that the system of
patriarchy is raised by men. He believes that the men mean to be human. It also
happens on woman. Unfortunately, men always consider that men are a superior
while woman is only inferior. Woman is being subordinate to the men. Simone de
Beauvoir also believes that women have to break the system of patriarchy and
define themselves that they wish to become a significant human being in their
own rights. Then, they must define classification that men are others. He also
makes an assumption that “humanity is male and man defines woman not as herself
but as relative to him”[6]. Besides,
woman also has to consider that they are as autonomous being. They have to
against the consideration that men are subject and women are others.
However,
the data that will be analysed is data that concern on feminism phenomena. The
data will be about consideration of the characters on woman and woman struggle.
After the data is chosen, the researcher will analyse some chosen quotation.
Then, the answer of research questions will be found. In addition, the
researcher will use qualitative method because she considers that by using
qualitative method, the analysis and finding will be more valid and good.
III. Analysis
‘To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or
whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she
mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence,
a most country- town indifference to decorum.’(Page: 43)
The quotation above tells that Elizabeth is an
independent woman. She is a representation of strong girl. However, he can walk
lonely for five miles. The road is slippery because of rain. Moreover, in the
story, the woman is neglected by her husband, William Darcy. Darcy does not
want to accompany her and he also does not care to Elizabeth. Darcy’s attitude
shows that it is the representation of woman discrimination. Although the woman
gets discrimination from the men, she can act as a strong woman. She can do
what the man cannot do. Furthermore, the woman in the story is physically stronger
than man. The man is nothing to do but the woman can walk alone on far road.
This is the reflection of feminist. Feminist can go out from her house while
man can go out from his house although she has to go lonely.
Elizabeth was really anxious to see her sister. The
carriage was being used and she decided to walk. ‘How silly you are!’ cried her
mother. ‘You will be covered with mud when you get there. You will not be fit
to be seen. ‘I shall be fit to see Jane –
which is all I want. It is only three miles. I shall be back for dinner.’ She went alone, quickly crossing field after field. (Page: 24)
which is all I want. It is only three miles. I shall be back for dinner.’ She went alone, quickly crossing field after field. (Page: 24)
This quotation is an explanation in the Pride and
Prejudice novel. It tells that Elizabeth is an independent woman. She is a
representation of strong girl. However, he can walk lonely for five miles. The
road is slippery because of rain. Moreover, in the story, the woman is
neglected by her husband, William Darcy. Darcy does not want to accompany her
and he also does not care to Elizabeth. Darcy’s attitude shows that it is the
representation of woman discrimination. Although the woman gets discrimination
from the men, she can act as a strong woman. She can do what the man cannot do.
It is the form of woman struggle. Furthermore, Elizabeth wants to against the
consideration that woman is weak. Elizabeth is a very good woman in facing the
stereotype. She is a feminist.
“But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this
estate after the death of your honoured father (who, however, may live many years
longer), I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from
among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible, when
the melancholy event takes place—which, however, as I have already said, may
not be for several years” (Page: 133).
Quotation above is the story of Mr. Collin’s happiness.
He is very happy because he gets inheritance from his uncle. However, based on
their culture, even a father is died and he has only a daughter, the material
will be for his boy nephew. People who use the culture consider that a
girl/daughter/woman do not have right to get inheritance. In this case, Elizabeth,
the daughter of Mr. Bennet does get the inheritance anymore from her died
father. This is a kind of delimitation of woman right. Furthermore, Elizabeth as
a woman, she does not get the rights in getting inheritance. This is a kind of gender
inequality. It is because men can get inheritance but women cannot get
inheritance. The culture like this is a patriarchal system that is opposed by
feminist.
“Then, who taught you? Who attended to you? Without a
governess, you must have been neglected. ‘Compared with some families, I
believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn never wanted the means. We
were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary.
Those who
chose to be idle certainly might’ (Page: 207)”.
chose to be idle certainly might’ (Page: 207)”.
This quotation is about the conversation
between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth. Lady Catherine asks Elizabeth. She wants
to know who Elizabeth’s teacher is. Actually, Elizabeth does not have a
teacher. Then, Lady Catherine is surprised when she hears the answer of
Elizabeth. However, his husband, Darcy is an educated man. In this case, there
inequality gender in the form of education. The man has right for learning and
studying well in education institution while woman has no rights for learning
and studying like man. Fortunately, Elizabeth struggle to face the
discrimination. She omits her stupidity by only reading. Elizabeth is a
feminist who can fight to go out from stereotype that woman is weak and stupid.
She can oppose patriarchal system by learning and studying through reading.
‘Every person, I believe, has some special fault of
character which even the best education cannot entirely cure.’ ‘And your fault
is a tendency to hate everybody’ (Page: 340).
Quotation above tells about the conversation between
Elizabeth and Darcy. Darcy is an educated man but he is a bad man in
interacting with others. In contrast, Elizabeth is uneducated woman and she is
a good woman in interacting with others. Although Elizabeth is uneducated, she
has critical thinking and a good opinion in arguing. In the dialogue, she
considers that good education is not a standard of good people. Yet, social action
is more important. This case is evidence that the author represents woman
against in patriarchy system. Elizabeth is a woman who is uneducated. She does
not get rights in education. Fortunately, she can struggle to face inequality.
She is not afraid to argue and talk to her husband that her husband is not
totally good man because of his education. Furthermore, she can prove that she
is better because she is good in interacting each other. She is a very good
feminist because she can struggle inequality gender through speech.
‘You are very kind, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart
it may prove so, for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly.
‘You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate.’ ‘Ah! Sir, I do indeed. It
is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you must confess. Not hat I mean to find
fault with YOU, for such things I know are all chance in this world. There is
no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed.’(Page: 80)
This is quotation of a dialogue between Mrs. Bennett’s and
Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet wants to marriage her daughter with Darcyn because
Bennet wants to defend her wealth if his husband is died. However, in her
culture, when a husband is died, the wealth is for son. Yet, she does not have
son. It makes the wealth is for her cousin. Then, she does not want that this
case comes true. This case is evidence that a girl or woman does not have
rights for choosing husband. It depends on parents. Furthermore, in this case,
parents think that wealth is more important than their daughter’s rights. It
means that they consider that a wealth is wrother than woman. Based on the
story, woman is limited in rights and discriminated. It is a kind of gender
inequality whether the men has freedom in choosing wife. This case is opposed
by feminist.
‘Upon my word, sir,’ cried Elizabeth, ‘your hope is a
rather extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not
one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as
to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time. I am
perfectly serious in my refusal. You could not make ME happy, and I am
convinced that I am the last woman in the world who could make you so. Nay,
were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in
every respect ill qualified for the situation.’(Page: 134).
This quotation is the utterance of Elizabeth who
doesn’t want to be marriage with Mr. Collin. It is because she does not want to
marriage with a man whom she does not love. However, her parents want to
marriage Elizabeth because of wealth. In their culture, the wealth is only for
a man. So that, she has to be marriage with a chosen man. In this case,
Elizabeth does not have rights for choosing husband. Exactly, she has chosen a
man who she loves. Elizabeth is limited
in rights and discriminated. Fortunately, Elizabeth can use her rights in
speech. It is her struggle to face discrimination. Furthermore, it is a kind of gender
inequality whether the men has freedom in choosing wife. This case is opposed
by feminist.
“I'm thinking about story,’ replied Elizabeth. ‘Behaviour
cousin hurt my feelings. What underlies Vigilante attitude itself is it” (Page:
276).
This quotation is talking about Elizabeth who gets bad treatment
from Darcyn. However, she is considered as a weak person because she is a
woman. She also gets insulted from Darcyn. In this case, the author of Pride
and Prejudice novel want to represent a kind of phenomena that woman is an
inferior one. Yet, a man is a superior. The man can do anything to the woman as
he wants. Unfortunately, a woman is only a creature that is suppressed by men.
Furthermore, the story shows gender inequality. Normally, woman can also do
everything that she wants. Especially, this treatment also can be done by woman
to man to make gender equality.
“I never
considered the distance as the reason for a wedding, ‘said Elizabeth.' I would
never say that Mrs. Collins took the decision because he would live adjacent to
the family”. (Page: 264).
This quotation is the utterance of Elizabeth. However,
he has loved Darcyn. Unfortunately, he does not agree that Elibeth gets
marriage with him. It is caused by her parents have chosen a man for her. It is
evidence that a woman cannot choose a man by herself. She does not have freedom
in choosing couple. She has to follow the instruction of her parents who
consider that wealth is more important than Elizabeth. Absolutely, woman in the
story is considered as inferior and low level. So that, woman does not have
rights in choosing couple. This is a case that is opposed by feminist. However,
Elizabeth is feminist because she struggles the gender discrimination by using
freedom of speech although her speech is not followed by her parents.
Analysis above can answer the research questions. Based
on analysis above, the researcher can get some findings about character’s
consideration on woman. The findings are:
1.
woman has no rights to get good treatment
Pride
and Prejudice by Jane Austen shows that woman has no rights to get good
treatment. It is shown by Darcyn action. He does not want to accompany Elizabeth
to go to her sister who is sick. Based on this case, Jane Austen as an author
of Pride and Prejudice novel represents a woman who is oppressed by man. The
man has done everything that he wants until he acts arbitrarily to the woman.
He does not care to the woman and consider that woman is not an important
creature. It is proved by the dialogue of Elizabeth and Darcyn to which that
darcyn considers that Elizabeth is nothing because she is uneducated person. So that, he considers that woman has no right
to get good treatment. Normally, woman also gets a good treatment as man. Then,
she is also considered as a good as Darcyn for make an equal gender. Finally,
there is no patriarchal system that considers woman is nothing and does not
have rights to get a good treatment.
2.
Woman has no rights in economy.
In Pride and Prejudice Novel, Jane Austenre represents
a woman and man as unequal. However, man can get inherit while woman cannot get
inherit from his/her died father. It is because stereotype in the region that
is taken by them consider that man is superior and woman is inferior. Man is a
head family who will/must defray his wife and children. Besides, woman is only
a part of family that will be defrayed by man. So that, the only man who has
right in getting inherent. Actually, it is only a consideration and culture
that divide the job in the form of economy. Normally, man can have job and get
the money and woman is also. So that, woman also get rights in the form of
economy. Especially, it is in inherent.
3. Woman has no rights in education.
In the novel of Pride Prejudice, Jane Austen represents
that man is an educated person and woman is t educated person. It means that
there is no gender equality in the form of education. Elizabeth is a woman who
loves Darcy. Then, Elizabeth is uneducated and Darcy is an educated. This story
shows that woman cannot have good education while men can have a good
education. Normally, whether man or woman, they can get a good education as
they want. So that, the gender will be equal.
However, woman struggle is also shown in the Pride and
Prejudice novel. The novel shows:
1. Woman can prove that she is physically strong.
Woman can prove
that she is physically strong. It can be shown when Elizabeth walks 5 miles for
looking in on her sister. Although Darcyn is not care to her and hoes not want
to accompany her, she can prove that she can do without a man. She can walk 5
miles lonely. It is a struggle of woman who gets insulted from men. Although
woman is discriminated by man, she can show that she cannot be insulted.
2. Woman use freedom of speech.
Pride and Prejudice novel shows that Elizabeth can face
insulted treatment well. She can use a right that she has well. She uses her
freedom of speech well. It is proved by her actions that are represented by
Jane Austen in the novel. When Collin considers that Elizabeth is worst because
she is uneducated, she uses her freedom of speech well. She can prove that the
good one is not educated person but who treat other well. However, in other
action, Elizabeth also uses her right in freedom of speech. When Bennet wants
to marriage her with a man whom she does not love, Elizabeth can refuse the
instruction although finally her parents marriage her whim a man. Elizabeth
said that in marriage, the love is not separated because of distance. Then,
another kind of woman struggle in the form of speech is when Bennet chooses a
man for her daughter for defending her properties. She argues to choose a man
means she use her freedom of speech well.
3. Woman read books to omit stupidity.
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice novel is a novel
which represents unequal gender in the form of education. However, the novel represents
man as an educated person. Yet, woman is not an educated person. An educated
man is Darcyn but an educated woman is Elizabeth. It could be happen because in
their region, there is a patriarchal system that woman is considered as a weak
creature and she does not have right in the form of education. In this case,
Elizabeth can face patriarchal system well by having a way to omit stupidity.
However, for fulfilling her needs about knowledge, she always read. By reading
much, Elizabeth can grow with critical thinking until she can use her freedom
of speech well. By using freedom of speech well, she is not considered as a
weak as many people know.
IV. Conclusion
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a
novel shown feminism phenomenon. It is proven by stereotypes that are shown in
the novel. The Stereotypes are insulting woman. Here, Jane Austen tried to show the inequal gender and woman
struggle as a matter of looking at a glorious thing. In this novel, Jane Austen
describes the society who consider that wealth is more important than woman.
This novel also includes the distribution system or social order that enforces
English Primogeniture system. Primogeniture is a legacy of the feudal system of
Normandy. It is the inheritance given to the first male child only, while the
other boys and girls looking for treasure, and the throne itself without any
inherited from his parents, the problem occurred on the dialogue as follows
dialogue seen between Mrs. Bannet and Mr. Collins: (But the fact is, that
being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honored father
(who, however, may live many years longer), I could not satisfy myself without
resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them
might be as little as possible, when the melancholy event takes place—which, however,
as I have already said, may not be for several years). The position of
women in terms of inheritance is weak. They do not have the right to
inheritance. Inheritance is Primogeniture lead to discrimination between men
and women. In addition, the Pride and Prejudice novel, Jane Austen also
photographed in the style of satire, how scared a mother if her daughter did
not get a fifth commensurate mate.
Besides, education for woman is also a
dream only. Woman cannot get a good education because woman is considered as a
weak creature. Woman does not have rights in the form of education. It is
different from a man who can get educational needs. However, woman is
represented as a woman who can struggle to face the patriarchal system. Woman read
many books for omitting the stupidity. Furthermore, woman also uses her freedom
of speech to face the patriarchy system.
Reference
Bressler, Charles. (2011).
Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Pearson: London
Dabek, Meredith. (2014). Deconstructing Austen Cybertext: How Pride
and Prejudice became the Lizzie Bennet Diary. Maynooth University: India.
Etebari, Paris (2015). An Analysis using
structuralism and semiotics
Moore, Elli. (2014). Marxism in Pride and Prejudice.
Ratna, Nyoman Kutha. (2005). Sastra
dan Cultural Studies: Representasi Fiksi dan Fakta. Pustaka Pelajar :
Yogyakarta.
[1] Ratna, Nyoman
Kutha. (2005). Sastra dan Cultural Studies: Representasi Fiksi dan Fakta.
Pustaka Pelajar : Yogyakarta.
[4] Dabek, Meredith. (2014). Deconstructing Austen
Cybertext: How Pride and Prejudice became the Lizzie Bennet Diary. Maynooth
University: India.
[5] Bressler,
Charles. (2011). Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice.
Pearson: London
Comments
Post a Comment