Rural Identity of Female Characters in Short Story Collections by Barbara Baynton Bush Studies

Tania, Shafira Refdi (2023) Rural Identity of Female Characters in Short Story Collections by Barbara Baynton Bush Studies. Diploma thesis, Universitas Andalas.

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Abstract

This thesis analyzes the rural identity of female characters depicted in a collection of short stories by Barbara Baynton entitled Bush Studies. This research uses qualitative methods by explaining the characteristics, traits, behaviors, and beliefs of female characters in Bush Studies which represent the identity of rural. The author uses feminist literary theory by applying the perspective of Simone De Beauvoir who states that feminism is part of the literature that explores the gap in values and domination between men and women. The result consisted of several points. First, female characters are married women that are not based on love or affection which makes them suffer and enslaved by their spouses. Second, the female characters are depicted as good wives and parents that responsible to take good care of their families. Third, I found that female characters are physically similar to men but still use as sexual objects. Fourth, the bush is a place that is isolated, dangerous, and unsafe for woman which make them targeted for multiple crimes such as getting harassed, robbed, and killed. Fifth, the female characters are religious women. Baynton also explained feminist ideas through the role of the females as the main protagonist characters, portrayed as tough survivors, heroic, and hardworking.

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