Diskriminasi Gender pada novel Northanger Abbey karya Jane Austen = Gender Discrimination in Austen's Northanger Abbey

Pashya Afrilie Napang. 2024. Gender Discrimination in Austen’s Northanger Abbey. (Supervised by Abbas and Andi Inayah Soraya) This study aims to analyze the forms and impacts of gender discrimination in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. Using a qualitative descriptive method and a structuralist approach, the research focuses on intrinsic literary elements such as character, plot, setting, and theme to uncover the socio-cultural dynamics portrayed in the novel. The analysis identifies three dominant forms of gender discrimination: marginalization in access and opportunity, subordination reinforced by gender stereotypes, and socio-cultural discrimination rooted in patriarchal traditions. These are manifested through restrictions on women's autonomy, societal emphasis on beauty and marriageability, and unequal expectations between male and female characters. The impacts of these discriminatory practices are evident in the psychological distress, social limitations, and suppression of personal aspirations experienced by Catherine Morland, Isabella Thorpe, and Eleanor Tilney. Through these portrayals, Northanger Abbey offers a subtle critique of the patriarchal norms of Regency-era England. This study seeks to foster critical awareness of gender bias in literature and its relevance to ongoing discussions about women’s roles in both historical and contemporary contexts..

Keyword : Gender Discrimination, Patriarchy, Female Characters, Structuralism Approach, Northanger Abbey.