OPPRESSION AGAINST WOMEN IN MARGARET ELEANOR ATWOOD’S THE HANDMAID’S TALE(1985) NOVEL:
A FEMINIST CRITICISM
RESEARCH PAPER
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Getting the Bachelor Degree of Education
In English Department
Proposed by:
RIZKA AMALIA RAHMAWATI A 320080106
SCHOOL OF THEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
ii APPROVAL
OPPRESSION AGAINST WOMEN IN MARGARET ELEANOR ATWOOD’S THE HANDMAID’S TALE(1985) NOVEL:
A FEMINIST CRITICISM
RESEARCH PAPER
Written by:
RIZKA AMALIA RAHMAWATI A 320080106
Approved to be Examined by the Consultant Team
Consultant I Consultant II
iii
ACCEPTANCE
OPPRESSION AGAINST WOMEN IN MARGARET ELEANOR ATWOOD’S THE HANDMAID’S TALE(1985) NOVEL:
A FEMINIST CRITICISM
By
RIZKA AMALIA RAHMAWATI A 320 080 106
Acceptedby the Board of Examiners School of Teacher Training and Education
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta On…… 2012
The Board of Examiners: 1. Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S.
(Chair Person)
2. Titis Setyabudi, S.S, M.Hum. (Member I)
iv
TESTIMONY
Hereby, the writer testified that in this research, there is no plagiarism
of the previous studies which have been raised to get bachelor degree of a
university. Besides, there is no opinion or masterpiece which the writings
are mentioned in previous study and bibliography.
Accordingly, if it is later proven that there are untrue statement in this
testimony, the writer will be responsible.
Surakarta. 10Maret 2013
The Writer
Rizka Amalia Rahmawati
v MOTTO
Charles F. Kettering
We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.
Al- Ra’d: 11
Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves.
Mark Twain
It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know for sure that ain’t so
Alice Walker
vi
DEDICATION
This research paper is dedicated to:
Allah SWT,
Thanks a lot for giving me ease and everything.
My beloved Parents, Thank you so much for all of your loves, cares,
prayers and times for me.
My beloved boy friend “IMAM”,
Thanks for every help and inspiration for me.
My beloved friends of English Department 08’, Especially Class C.
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Assalamuala’ikum Wr. Wb.
Alhamdulillahirobbil’alaminthe greatest gratitude is praised to Allah SWT,
because merciful and grateful the writer can to finish this research paper as one of
the requirement for achieving Bachelor Degree in English Department, School of
Teacher Training and Education, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.entitled
“Oppression Against Women in Margaret Eleanor Atwood’s The Handmaid’s
Tale (1985) Novel: A Feminist Criticism’’.
The writer realizes that her research paper is still far perfect enough because of
her limited knowledge and experience. Therefore, the writer will accept all
suggestions and critics to improve and evolve this research. She also realizes that
this research paper is impossible complete without the help of others. Thus, the
writer would like to express her gratitude and appreciate for all who have
contributed for the completing of this research paper. She is deeply gratitude to:
viii
2) Titis Setyabudi, S.S, M.Hum. the head of English Educational Department, for the permission to finish this research paper.
3) Drs.Sigit Hariyanto, M.Hum. as the consultant academic.
4) M. Thoyibi M.S.as the first consultant who patiently guides her to accomplish her research paper from the start. Thanks a lot, Sir.
5) Titis Setyabudi, S.S, M.Hum. As the second consultant and the head of English Department for his honesty, kindness, and correction for the
writer.
6) All lecturers of English Department in Muhammadiyah University of
Surakarta.
7) Her beloved parents, Mr. Bunyamin and Mrs.Tutik, for their unlimited
love, time, support and pray for the writer.
8) Her beloved boy friend, “IMAM” for support, motivate and help to finish this research paper. Thank you so much.
9) Her beloved Grandfather and Grandmother who have given her
unconditional love, support, prayer and affection along her life till she can
finish her study.
10) Her big family “SULAIMAN” who encourage and motivates her spirit to
finish this research paper.
11)Her best friends, “THE GEMBEL”. Laili Agustina (Cim- Mbling), Elly Fatmawati (Small girl), Denik Fajar D (denok) and Ambary Trihastuti
(Tembem) for their inspiration, advice, togetherness and happiness. They
ix
12)Her Class mate in Class C English Department., Ilham Nia, Atik Saras,
Galuh, Ratieh, Septi, Ana, Teteh Yuni, Mas Huda, Vima, Deka, Tika,
Arsida, Mimi, Linda, Maryati, Narco, Denik, Laili, Eli, Udin, Kris, Arif,
Rendi, and friends who cannot list one by one.
13)Her distance friend, Ardika Wijayanto (Blora), M. Jadul Huda (Madiun),
Dita (Semarang) and Wiwin (Sragen).
Wassalamualai’kum Wr. Wb.
Surakarta, 10 Maret 2013
The Writer
x SUMMARY
RIZKA AMALIA RAHMAWATI, A 320 080 106. OPPRESSION AGAINST WOMEN IN MARGARET ELEANORATWOOD’S THE HANDMAID’S TALE(1985) NOVEL: A FEMINIST CRITICISM. RESEARCH PAPER. MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA. 2013
The major problem of this study is how oppresion against women is reflected in The Handmaid’s Tale novel by Margaret Eleanor Atwood’s. The objective of this study is to analyze the novel based on structural elements and to analyze the novel based on feminist criticism.
In analyzing The Handmaid’s Tale novel, the writer uses qualitative method and feminist criticism. The object of the study is Margaret EleanorTheHandmaid’s Tale novel published in 1985. The data sources consist of primary data and secondary data sources. The primary data source is The Handmaid’s Tale novel itself and the secondary data sources are the other sources related to the analysis such as books of literary theory, the author’s biography, and the other relevant information to analysis of this research. The method of the data collection is library research. The technique of data analysis is descriptive analysis.
The results of the analysis shows the following conclusion: first, based on the structural analysis it can be concluded that in oppression in The Handmaid’s Tale novel Margaret Eleanor Atwood’s convey analysis that oppression is the condition that happens in all people especially of women. Second, based on the feminist criticism in The Handmaid’s Tale novel,that there is a correlation between and social realities of America society in the twentieth century.
Keywords: Feminism, Handmaids Tale, Oppression
Consultant I Consultant II
Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S.
xi
TABLE OF CONTENT
Page
TITLE ... i
APPROVAL ... ii
ACCEPTANCE ... iii
TESTIMONY ... iv
MOTTO … ... v
DEDICATION . ... vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENT . ... vii
SUMMARY ... x
TABLE OF CONTENT ... xi
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION . ... 1
A. Background of the Study . ... 1
B. Literature Review . ... 8
C. Problem Statement . ... 8
D. Limitation of the Study . ... 9
E. Objective of the Study ... 9
F. Benefit of the Study ... 9
G.Research Method . ... 9
xii
CHAPTER II: UNDERLYING THEORY . ... 13
A. Notion of Feminism ... 13
B. Major Issues in Feminist Perspective ... 14
1. Women’s Position ... 14
2. Women’s Role ... 14
3. Women’s Rights ... 15
4. Women’s Participation ... 16
C. Structural Element of the Novel ... 16
1. Characters and Characterization ... 17
2. Setting ... 18
3. Plot ... 18
4. Point of View ... 19
5. Style ... 20
6. Theme ... 21
D. Theoretical Application ... 21
CHAPTER III: SOCIAL HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE AMERICA SOCIETY IN THE LATE OF TWENTIETH CENTURY ... 22
A. Social Aspect ... 22
B. Economic Aspect ... 26
C. Cultural Aspect ... 28
D. Political Aspect ... 31
xiii
F. Science and Technology Aspect ... 36
G. Women’s Condition ... 37
CHAPTER IV: STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE COLOR PURPLE NOVEL ... 39
A.Structural Elements of The Color Purple novel ... 39
1. Character and characterization ... 39
a. Major Character ... 39
1) Offred ... 39
2) Serena ... 42
3) Moira ... 44
4) Comander ... 45
b. Minor Character ... 47
1) Ofglen ... 47
2) Nick ... 49
3) Luke ... 49
4) Aunt Lydia’s ... 50
5) Rita ... 51
6) Cora ... 52
2. Setting ... 52
a. Setting of Place ... 53
b. Setting of Time ... 53
3. Plot ... 53
xiv
b. Complication ... 54
c. Climax ... 58
d. Resolution ... 59
e. Causality ... 60
f. Plausibility ... 61
4. Point of View ... 63
5. Style ... 64
a. Grammatical Structure ... 64
b. Sentence Construction ... 65
c. Diction ... 66
d. Figurative Language ... 69
e. Symbol ... 72
f. Imagery ... 73
6. Theme ... 74
B. Discussion ... 75
CHAPTER V: FEMINIST ANALYSIS ... 78
A. Feminist Analysis ... 78
1. Women’s Position ... 78
2. Women’sRight ... 82
3. Women’s Role ... 85
B. Discussion ... 87
CHAPTER VI: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ... 91
xv
B. Pedagogical Implication ... 92
C. Suggestion ... 93
BIBLIOGRAPHY
VIRTUAL REFERENCES
