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

2013

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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

Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S.

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)

3. Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, S.Pd, M.Ed

(Member II)

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

A320080106

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

For in the end, freedom is a personal and lonely battle; and one faces down fears

of today so that those of tomorrow might be engaged.

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.

People who are willing to read this research paper.

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:

1) Drs. H. Sofyan Anif, M. Si.the Dean of School of Teacher training and

education faculty in Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.

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

are the best friend for the writer.

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

RIZKA AMALIA RAHMAWATI

A320080106

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.

NIK.410 NIK. 948

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

H. Research Paper Organization . ......................................... 11

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

E. Religion Aspect ............................................................ 33

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

a. Exposition ........................................................... 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

A. Conclusion ................................................................... 91

xv

B. Pedagogical Implication ................................................ 92

C. Suggestion .................................................................... 93

BIBLIOGRAPHY

VIRTUAL REFERENCES

APPENDIX