CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Background of Feminism
Human civilization is made by and for both the man and woman. They both
live here in a coordinated social system. Both the species have their own right and
needs to live with modest admiration. But the history of human society does not tell
us the equivalent existence of both man and woman. Man always dominate on
women and women had no way to complaint against it. But in time gradually a
change come into women’s brains and they understood that they need to be
conscious about their own right. So women move up their voice against women
oppression. To do so they had no way but to take some practical actions. All these
actions are known as women’s movement against oppression. And the scheme to
achieve the goal is called feminism.
Women’s position was changed in various times in the history. Their position
did not flow in the same current at all the time. Today oppressed, suffered, violated,
ignored. Dominated and so on negative terms are often used to describe women’s
position in society. But if we look back to our history, we will get an elegant and
striking story of women when women played as significant role as played by men
now. And at time we have to confess that women did not give any pressure on men
and men live a fair and free life like now they do. Probably this kindness let the men
to alter the ruling system and to take over the power from women and turn the free
way that it seems the women are by nature and from the beginning of the history
were in this oppressed and subjugated position.
French philosopher “Rousseau” in his book Social Contract (Book I : Chapter
II )said “Man is born free, but everywhere they are in chains” This comment is
completely true for women in society. By nature women born free, but continue
their life as a subject of men in society.
How the free and lively women turn into men’s subject, how their relation to
men positioned against nature, how women become inferior to men is some
unanswered questions in society which have no clear and dependable evidence. In
almost all the civilizations women gradually lost their power and men took the
power. Men turned all in one in the society. Men did it by a special social system
known as patriarchy.
Patriarchy is such a type of society where male control of the public and
private worlds and everything done according his will. Patriarchy is the structuring of
society on the basis of
welfare of the family and have the authority of his family. The concept of patriarchy
is often used by extension (i
the expectation that
The word patriarchy comes from twpatēr (father) and
archē (rule). In Greek, thepatēr is patr-os, which shows the
first words ofEn archē ("In the beginning"). However, archē is
also use
things.
Different scholars defines Patriarchy from their own point of view. Allan G.
Johnson said in his ‘The Gender knot’ (1997, 2005: 14) that - “Patriarchy is an
obsession with control as a core value around which social life is organized. As with
any system of privilege that elevates one group by oppressing another, control is an
essential element of patriarchy: men maintain their privilege by controlling women
and anyone else who might threaten it.” Elizabeth Cady station said in her ‘The
Women’s Bible’ (1895) that - “Women was made after man, of man and, for man, an
inferior being, subject to man.” Sylvia Walby said in her ‘Theorizing Patriarchy’
(1990 : 19) that -“A system of social structures and practices in which men dominate,
oppress and exploit women.”
Patriarchy create such a social environment where all manly behavior e.g. –
assertiveness, aggressiveness, hardiness, rationality or ability to think analytically
and abstractly, ability to control emotion, high ambition, independence are
considered as positive for social development, beneficial and control. On the other
hand all feminine traits e.g. – gently, modesty, humanity, sportiness, sympathy,
compassionateness, tenderness, naturalness, sensitivity, intuitiveness, emotionality,
dependence are considered as negative, faulty and against social development,
control and stability. Developing a gender difference in society and putting men in
higher position than women patriarchy established a false concept that, men should
is good for society as its definitely defined by nature and the natural relationship
between men and women.
2.2
First-wave feminism refers to a period of
"first-wave," was coined retrospectively after the term
to be used to describe a newer feminist movement that focused as much on fighting
social and cultural inequalities as further political inequalities. In
Suffragettes campaigned for the women's vote, which was eventually granted − to
some women in 1918 and to all in 1928 − as much because of the part played by
British women during the
the
championing women's right to vote. Other important leaders include
range of women, some belonging to conservative Christian groups (such as
diversity and radicalism of much of
Anthony,
which Stanton was president). In the
to have ended with the passage of the
2.3
Second-wave feminism refers to a period of
early 1960s & lasting through the late 1980s. Second Wave Feminism has existed
continuously since then, and continues to coexist with what some people call Third
Wave Feminism. The second wave feminism saw cultural and political inequalities
as inextricably linked. The movement encouraged women to understand aspects of
their own personal lives as deeply politicized, and reflective of a
power. If first-wave feminism focused upon absolute rights such as suffrage,
second-wave feminism was largely concerned with other issues of equality, such as the end
to discrimination.
The Third-wave of feminism began in the early 1990s. The movement arose
as responses to perceived failures of the second-wave. It was also a response to the
backlash against initiatives and movements created by the second-wave. Third-wave
feminism seeks to challenge or avoid what it deems the second wave's
definitions of
experiences of upper middle class white women. A
of gender and sexuality is central too much of the third wave's ideology. Third wave
feminists often focus on "micro-politics," and challenged the second wave's
paradigm as to what is, or is not, good for females. In 1991, Anita Hill accused
Clarence Thomas, an African-American man nominated to the Supreme Court, of
sexual harassment that had allegedly occurred a decade earlier while Hill worked as
his assistant at the U.S. Department of Education. Thomas denied the accusations
this case, Rebecca Walker published an article in a 1992 issue of Ms. titled
"Becoming the Third Wave" in which she stated, "I am not a post-feminism feminist.
I am the third wave." Hill and Thomas’ case brought attention to the ongoing
presence of sexual harassment in the workplace and reinstated a sense of concern and
awareness in many people who assumed that sexual harassment and other second
wave issues had been resolved. The history of Third Wave feminism predates this
and begins in the mid 1980s. Feminist leaders rooted in the second wave like
voice. They sought to negotiate prominent space within feminist thought for
consideration of race related subjectivities. This focus on the intersection between
race and gender remained prominent through the Hill-Thomas hearings, but began to
shift with the Freedom Ride 1992. This drive to register voters in poor minority
communities was surrounded with rhetoric that focused on rallying young feminists.
For many, the rallying of the young is the emphasis that has stuck within third wave
feminism.
2.5 The History of Feminist Theory
A feminist is to advocate or to support the right and equality of women.
Hooks, Bell. (2000). Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. Pluto Press.
Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical or philosophical fields.
It encompasses work in a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, sociology,
economics, women's studies, literary criticism, art history, psychoanalysis and
philosophy. Feminist theory aims to understand gender inequality and focuses on
The history of
differed in causes, goals, and intentions depending on time, culture, and country,
most Western feminist historians assert that all movements that work to obtain
(or do not) apply the term to themselves.
Nancy Cott draws a distinction between modern feminism and its antecedents, particularly the struggle for suffrage. In the United States she places the
turning point in the decades before and after women obtained the vote in 1920
(1910-1930). She argues that the prior woman movement was primarily about woman as a
primarily concerned with social differentiation, attentive
diversity. New issues dealt more with woman's condition as a
gender identity, and relationships within and between genders. Politically this
represented a shift from an ideological alignment comfortable with the right, to one
more radically associated with the left. In the immediate postwar per
provided a
Deuxième Sex
than activist, she did sign one of the Movement de Liberation des Femmes
manifestos. The resurgence of feminist activism in the late 1960s was accompanied
by an emerging literature of what might be considered female associated issues, such
as concerns for the earth and spirituality, and environmental activism. This in turn
Matricentricity, as a rejection of
of capitalis
having a number of phases. The first she calls "feminist critique" - where the feminist
reader examines the ideologies behind literary phenomena. The second Showalter
calls
"the
language; the trajectory of the individual or collective female literary career [and]
inscription and the literary effects of the
model has been criticized by
account of the situation for women outside the west.
2.6 Theory of Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies that share a common
goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal,
and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities
for women in education and employment (Hawkesworth, 2006:25-27 ; Bealey
1999:3-11). Or we can say that feminism is a process that aims to create a better
relationship between both genders to improve and better to the society (Nugroho,
2008:61). Mary Wollstonecraft, the first feminist who wrote A Vindication of the
Rights of Woman (1792), encourages woman writers to insert feminism in their
Feminism is defined diferent by different feminist. They define feminism
according their own point of view. As they think differently so their definition too is
different from others. But all the definition is almost same in the main point. Here the
writer is going to put some definition of the most popular feminist in the world.
• Estelle B. Freedman (2003:285) said in his book ‘No Turning Back’:
“Feminism is a belief that women and men are inherently of equal worth.
Because most societies privilege men as a group, social movements are
necessary to achieve equality between woman and man.”
• Rosalind Delmar (1986:13) said in her book ‘What is feminism’ that
:“Feminism is usually defined as an active desire to change women’s position
in society.”
• Christina Hoff Sommers (1994: 22) said, in the book ‘Who Stole Feminism’
that : “a concern for women and a determination to see them fairly treated”
• Ratna (2004:184): "Dalam pengertian yang paling luas, feminisme adalah
gerakan kaum wanita untuk menolak segala sesuatu yang
dimarginalisasikan, disubordinasikan, dan direndahkan oleh kebudayaan
dominan, baik dalam bidang politik dan ekonomi maupun kehidupan social
pada umumnya." (In its broadest sense, feminism is a women’s movement
which rejects the marginal, subordinated and underestimated things by the
dominating culture either in politics, economics or social life in general).
• Awuy (2002:1) in his essay Feminisme di Persimpangan Jalan states:
"Feminisme merupakan sebuah fenomena kultural. alasan kemunculannya
konstruksi patriarkal". (Feminism is a cultural phenomenon of unsatisfactory
to the reality of patriarchal construction).
From above definitions it’s clear to us that feminism is a doctrine, a thought,
a movement that tell us the oppressed position of women in the world, it is such a
philosophy in where women’s worked are valued and their political, economic and
social rights are preserved. Feminism is for women’s equality in world. It let the
women to prove their power to work in the same rhythm of men in society.
Feminism has altered predominant perspective in a wide range of areas within
Western society, ranging from culture to law. Feminist activists have campaigned for
women's legal right (rights of contract, property rights, voting rights); for protection
of women and girls from domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape; for
workplace rights, including maternity leave and equal pay; and against other forms of
gender-specific discrimination against women. Simone de Beauvoir wrote that " The
first time we see a woman take up her pen in defense of her "sex" was Christine de
Pizan who wrote Epitre au Dieu d'Amour (Epistle to the God of Love) in 15th
century. Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and Modesta di Pozzo di Forzi worked in the 16
century. Marie Le Jars de Gournay, Anne Bradstreet and Francois Poullain de la
Barre wrote during the 17th ".
2.7 Types of Feminism
Feminist ideology have developed over the years. They vary in goals,
strategies, and affiliation. They often overlap, and some feminists identify
themselves with several branches of feminist thought. There are liberal feminism,
multiracial feminism, post-colonial feminism, third-world feminism, new age
feminism, post-structural feminism, post-modern feminism, etc. But in this thesis, the
writer only use three types of feminism in analyzing the problem of Celie; the main
character in " The Color Purple". They are liberal feminism, radical feminism,
multiracial feminism and socialist feminism which the definition of each will be
explained below.
2.7.1 Liberal Feminism
Liberal feminism asserts the equality of men and women through political
and legal reform. It is an individualistic form of feminism, which focuses on
women's ability to show and maintain their equality through their own action and
choices. Liberal feminism uses the personal interactions between men and women as
the place from which to transform society. According to liberal feminists, all women
are capable of asserting their ability to achieve equality, therefore it is possible for
change to happen without altering the structure of society. Issues important to liberal
feminists include reproductive and abortion rights, sexual harassment, voting,
educati
bringing to light the frequency of sexual and domestic violence against women.
2.7.2 Radical Feminism
Radical Feminism considers the male-controlle
describes as sexist, as the defining feature of women's oppression. Radical feminists
believe that women can free themselves only when they have done away with what
they consider an inherently oppressive and dominating patriarchal system. Radical
responsible for oppression and inequality, and that, as long as the system and its
values are in place, society will not be able to be reformed in any significant way.
Some radical feminists see no alternatives other than the total uprooting and
reconstruction of society in order to achieve their goals.
2.7.3 Socialist and Marxist Feminism
exploitation, oppression and labor. Socialist feminism is a branch of feminism that
focuses upon both the public and private spheres of a woman's life and argues that
liberation can only be achieved by working to end both the economic and cultural
sources of women's oppression. Socialist feminists think unequal standing in both the
workplace and the domestic sphere holds women down. Socialist feminists see
prostitution, domestic work, childcare, and marriage as ways in which women are
exploited by a patriarchal system that devalues women and the substantial work they
do. Socialist feminists focus their energies on far-reaching change that affects society
as a whole, rather than on an individual basis. They see the need to work alongside
not just men but all other groups, as they see the oppression of women as a part of a
larger pattern that affects everyone involved in the capitalist system.
2.8 Woman's Problems as Reflected in Celie
We use the word problem to describe a wide range of situation of different
importance. Problem can be defined as a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome
or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome. Problem also can be defined
broadly as situations in which we experience uncertainty or difficulty in achieving
expected. In this thesis will be analized about woman's problems as reflected in
Celie, the main character of The Color Purple which her problems are focused on her
sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and lack of education.
The
use of physical force or
or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of
resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, male development, or deprivation",
but acknowledges that the inclusion of "the use of power" in its definition expands on
the conventional meaning of the word. This definition involves intentionality with
the committing of the act itself, irrespective of the outcome it produces. However,
generally, anything that is excited in an injurious or damaging way may be described
as violent even if not meant to be violence (by a person and against a person).
There are nine distinct forms of violence and abuse: Physical violence, Sexual
violence, Emotional violence, Psychological violence, Spiritual violence, Cultural
violence, Verbal abuse, Financial abuse, and neglect. But in this thesis will only
discuss about the sexual abuse, physical abuse, and psychological abuse associated
with Celie's problem which the definition of each will be explained below:
Sexual violence is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent. Most victims
and perpetrators know each other. Immediate reactions to sexual abuse include
shock, fear or disbelief. Long-term symptoms include anxiety, fear or post-traumatic
stress disorder. While efforts to treat sex offenders remain unpromising,
Physical violence is an act of a person involving contact of another person
intended to cause feelings of
Psychological abuse which also referred to emotional abuse or mental abuse
is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to
behavior that may result in psychological trauma.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_abuse)
2.9 Hermeneutics Theory
Hermeneutics is the theory of text interpretation, especially the interpretation
of
very different approaches to social explanation since the nineteenth century, and they
differ most fundamentally over a distinction between explanation and understanding
or cause and meaning (von Wright 1971). This distinction divides over two ways of
understanding a why question when it comes to social events. Why did it happen?
may mean : what caused it to happen? or it may mean : why did the agents act in
such a way to bring it about?.
The hermeneutic approach holds that the most basic fact of social life is the
meaning of an action. Social life is constituted by social actions, and actions are
meaningful to the actors and to the other social participants. Moreover, subsequent
actions are oriented towards the meanings of prior actions; so understanding the later
action requires that we have an interpretation of the meanings that various
the human sciences) need to be hermeneutic. researchers need to devote their
