Thesis The Chinese Customs and Traditions in Buck s the Good Earth By: Novilia 06.80.0009 Faculty of Letter Catholic University of Soegijapranata Semarang i
A THESIS APPROVAL The Chinese customs and Traditions In Buck s The good Earth: A Case Study at Faculty of Letters Soegijapranata Catholic University BY: NOVILIA TINAWATI Student Number: 06.80.0009 APPROVED BY, G. M. Adhyanggono, S. S., M A july 2010 Major Sponsor Heny Hartono, SS., pd july 2010 Co Sponsor ii
A Thesis defended in front of the board of examiner on 21 June 2010 and declared acceptable. Board Examiners Signature: Chair Person : G. M. Adhyanggono, S. S., M A Secretary : Heny Hartono, SS., pd.... Member : Dra. Ekawati M. Dukut, M. Hum Semarang, 14 July 2010 Faculty of Letters Soegijapranata Catholic University Dean, G Heny Hartono, SS., pd iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, the writer would like to thank to Jesus Christ who has helped me to finish this thesis from the first until the end. I also would like to express my gratitude to some people who support me to finish this thesis, they are: 1. Gerardus Majella Adhyanggono, SS. Ma, my major sponsor who had sincerely guided me and encouraged me with his patience and knowledge in finishing my thesis, I greatly thank him. 2. Heny Hartono, S.S., M.Pd, my co-sponsor, who has corrected my thesis carefully and provided great guidance. 3. My dear family (father, mother, and brother) for their support, prayer, and attention. 4. All of my lovely friends who are always willing to listen to my grumble and giving the moral supports when I found difficulties in finishing my thesis. I realized that there are still many weakness and mistakes in this thesis, therefore, criticism and suggestions for its improvement are highly appreciated. iv
TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE OF TITLE COVER PAGE.. A THESIS APPROVAL... i ii BOARD OF EXAMINERS.. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v TABLE OF CONTENT.... vi ABSTRACT... ix ABSTRAK x CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study.1 1.2 Scope of the Study...4 1.3 Problem Formulation....4 1.4 Objectives of the Study... 5 1.5 Significance of The Study 5 1.6 Definition of Terms...5 CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 Chinese Tradition and Custom in 1930 7 2.2 confucianism...12 2.3 Feminism theory...14 CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Method of Data Collection..... 18 v
CHAPTER IV. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 4.1 The Relationship between Wang Lung and O Lan in the Novel...20 4.2 Role of Traditions and Customs in Charaterizing Wang Lung and O Lan s Relationship...35 4.2.1 Husband and Wife Relationship...35 4.2.2 Division of Work.. 36 4.2.3 Ownership and Economic Sharing...37 4.2.4 Rites and Rituals...37 4.2.5 Foot Binding. 38 4.3 Wang Lung and O Lan case from the perspective of Butler s Feminist Theory...39 CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION Conclusions...45 BIBLIOGRAPHY....46 vi
ABSTRACT This thesis celebrates the Chinese culture pictured in the novel, The Good Earth. The novel interestingly raises the fruitful questions on the Chinese farm economy, family, and the status of women. In addition, The Good Earth portrayed the unequal treatment given to woman in the Chinese society. There were child selling, foot binding, and infanticide which most of the victim were women. Then the writer examine those above issues using feminism approach and also to analyze the culture, in this case, the way of life of the characters in the Chinese culture in 1930. Therefore, the writer decides to use the feminism approach, because feminism approach understands the nature of gender inequality. The result of the study interestingly indicates that most of the actions done by the characters are influenced by the tradition. In relation to this, the unequal treatments upon women that also happen are due to the tradition, which indirectly force them to do or to be compliant as what the society demands. vii
ABSTRAK Tesis ini berisi tentang budaya Cina dalam novel The Good Earth. Novel ini mengemukakan pertanyaan- pertanyaan bermanfaat mengenai ekonomi pertanian, keluarga, dan status wanita di Cina. Selain itu, The Good Earth menggambarkan perlakuan tidak adil yang diberikan pada wanita dalam mayarakat Cina. Seperti jual beli anak, mengikat kaki, dan pembunuhan anak yang sebagian besar korbannya adalah wanita. kemudian, penulis ingin membahas latar belakang dari pendekatan feminis dibalik penulisan novel tersebut, dan menganalisa budaya dan cara hidup dari karakter-karakter dalam budaya Cina di tahun 1930. oleh karena itu, penulis memutuskan untuk menggunakan pendekatan feminis, karena pendekatan feminis memahami lebih dalam tentang ketidaksetaraan gender.hasil dari study menariknya menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar tindakan yang dilakukan para tokohnya dipengaruhi oleh tradisi.sehubungan dengan ini,perlakuan tidak adil bagi wanita juga terjadi karena tradisi yang secara tidak langsung memaksa orang untuk melakukan seperti yang dilakukan oleh mayarakat. viii