The Construction of Patriarchal Ideas Through the Heroine Bella in Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

Abstract

This research analyzes the construction of patriarchal ideas through the heroine character, Bella Swan in Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Breaking Dawn is the fourth book of the Twilight Saga written by Stephenie Meyer. As a female American author, Meyer ought to uphold feminism values. On the contrary, she constructs her ideas of patriarchy through her heroine character, Bella. Bella is depicted in the story of Breaking Dawn as a perfect patriarchal woman. Bella as a heroine represents Meyer‘s conviction upon Western tradition stereotypes. Her subordination is the major plot of the story. Bella‘s subordination includes her inferiority, dependence and limited self-esteem. This thesis uses qualitative research method. In this qualitative research Josephine Donovan‘s feminist criticism theory is used as a tool to know how is the characteristic of patriarchal women depicted in literary work. Donovan‘s theory also helps to critize how female characters should be constructed in literary work.This research is arranged by primary source. They are the data from the novel in the form of quotation, and journal of theory by Josephine Donovan entitled ―Beyond the Net: Feminist Criticism as a Moral Criticism‖ (2003). The other sources such as journals, articles and data taken from the internet used as the secondary data in this thesis. The result of the research aims to show Bella‘s character as a heroine presented in the novel and to reveal patriarchal ideas constructed through the portrayal of Bella. The last is to expose what is beyond the construction of patriarchal ideas though the character of Bella. Hence, this research wants to critize how women should be depicted in the literary work through the story of the novel. Since it applies Donovan's feminist criticism theory, this research is appropriate to enrich the knowledge of feminist criticism theory. In doing so, the reader will be able to find practical application of feminist criticism theory in literary piece. This research also needed since this will be good contribution to gain the knowledge for the English department student majoring in literature to be more concious about women‘s position in literary work.