Feminism perspective on female character in a woman of independent means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey

ABSTRACT

This study aims at describing the feminism perspective on female character in A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey especially describing the portrait of an independent woman reflected by female character.

This study employs literary criticism. The data are obtained from Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey؛s novel, A Woman of Independent Means. Technique of data collection is reading, understanding, classifying, picking up the data dealing with the problem, browsing the internet and analyzing the data according to the main problem. Data analysis was done by presenting the data, interpreting the data by referring to the researcher viewpoints and some references; the last is drawing the conclusion.

The result of this study shows that the portrait of an independent woman by female character is a woman who has independent spirit and proves her gender’s equality every day in her judicious maintenance of her home and finances, her unfailing support of her husbands, family, and friends, and her personal, independent engagement with the world around her. Bess as female character shows that the truth independent is not only manifestation in what she does, but also in how she regards herself and her position in the various context of life. Woman has right to decide what she does in herself, family and her society.

The conclusion is that an independent woman is a woman who is confident about her gender equality and she regards herself and her position in her family and her society. ,The suggestion for further researchers who are interested in analyzing literature, better for him or her to criticize the extrinsic aspects such as social, psychology, moral values and other aspects of literature.