GENDER OPPRESSION: A STUDY ON GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER BY BERNARDINE EVARISTO

Abstract

Gender oppression has become a world problem for a long time. It usually happens to women and girls, especially to them who are in vulnerable positions due to their lack of financial and educational capabilities, their status as immigrants, people of color, and dependent on the oppressors. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo depicts the stories of 12 female characters who are descendants of black immigrant in United Kingdom. The author tells how the immigrants managed to survive in the environment where women and people of color are being oppressed. Based on library research, any scientific study or research on this novel has not been conducted yet. In doing the study on the novel, the writer used gender oppression theory. Gender oppression is the act of abuse and violence, patterns of control and power, and systems of abuse and violence committed by group or individual against women and girls because of their gender [1]. Gender oppression is divided into three categories, namely: (1) Sexual Harassment, (2) Sexual Abuse/Assault, and (3) Intimate Partner Abuse or Domestic Violence [1]. Victims’ responses towards gender oppression are divided into two classification. Resistance happens when the victims are challenging the norm and hierarchies by doing any action that can overthrow the oppression. On the other hand, submission occurs when the victims admit defeat and surrender to the oppressions [2].