THE REPRESENTATION OF MASCULINITY AS SEEN THROUGH THE SPOUSE IN GILLIAN FLYNN’S GONE GIRL

Abstract

This research analyzes some issues related to the representation of masculinity as seen through the spouse in Gillian Flynn novel entitled Gone Girl which is published in 2012. The representation of masculinity is represented by the spouse as seen through their behaviors, languages, statements, and ideas related to masculinity. The discourse of masculinity and the problems that happen in the novel are interesting to be discussed. Moreover, I also want to know how the position of masculinity which is told in the novel and why masculinity is still to be considered more dominant over other gender identities. The data of this research are classified into two kinds, primary data and secondary data. The primary data is any narrative descriptions and dialogues in Gone Girl that related to the research questions. The secondary data are any information from out of the novel that related to masculinity particularly in American society. They are analyzed from the specific cases to general conclusion. The theory of representation by Stuart Hall is used to analyze the discourse of masculinity as seen through the spouse in the novel which is constructed by Gillian Flynn. Then, the concept of hegemonic masculinity by R. W. Connell is applied to know what kind of masculinity that is constructed in the novel. After find out how the representation in the novel, all data from in and out of the novel are used to answer the research problems about contextual background of the novel and the ideology of the author related masculinity. Finally, from the analysis, Gillian Flynn wants to influence the readers about marriage life with complex problems using American society background. The analysis of representation masculinity in Gone Girl novel also resulted that masculinity is not something which only associates with men but women can also have masculine side. According to statements, behaviors, and ideas about masculinity in the novel show masculinity is something unstable. It can change depend on situation and condition from time to time and it also depends on the contextual bakcground