OBJEKTIFIKASI PEREMPUAN DALAM POSSESSING THE SECRET OF JOY KARYA ALICE WALKER = THE WOMEN OBJECTIFICATION IN WALKER’S POSSESING THE SECRET OF JOY

Alice Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy portrays the objectification of women through cultural practice, especially Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This study aims to identify the forms of objectification in Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker, and reveal how certain characters repond to this objectification. This study expands literary studies in feminism and gender, especially on objectification, and contributes to broader discourses on cultural oppression, especially Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The research method employs a descriptive qualitative method with a structuralism approach, analyzing the text through Martha Nussbaum’s theory of objectification. Identified forms of objectification include instrumentality, denial of autonomy, denial of subjectivity, and ownership, which are perpetuated through cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The main characters, Tashi, and other characters are analyzed to understand their responses to these oppressive traditions. The result of the study show that women in this novel are subordinated through a tradition that only benefits men needs, as described by Nussbaum’s theory. Forms of objectification identified include instrumentality, denial of subjectivity, denial of autonomy, and ownership. Tashi’s action in killing M’Lissa, the circumciser, symbolizes resistance to oppresive tradition; Adam who always defends Tashi in court; Olivia stands by her in prison; Benny reacts with grief to Tashi’s execution; Pierre helps Tashi to find the meaning of her nightmares, Raye as a Tashi’s psychiatrist help reclaim her agency, while Mbati offers unconditional support. In the novel, women gathering at Tashi’s execution symbolizes collective solidarity, turning Tashi’s death into resistance. These responses highlights their supporting each other can fight back against oppression.