Gender Construction in the Novel Cantik itu Luka

Abstract

Literary works participate in supporting gender ideology in society. Literary works are used as a means of struggle to realize a more equal and harmonious life both in the public and domestic spheres. Literary works that address gender and women's issues, many written by male and female authors in Indonesia. One of them is the novel Cantik Itu Luka by Eka Kurniawan. The novel tells of the existence of a beauty ideology that is different from what is represented in society in general, including white skin, straight black hair, tall, slim, sharp nose and has an ideal facial posture with thin cheeks and long tapered eyelashes.

This research is a type of research library with primary data sources in the form of text, narration and conversation in Cantik Itu Luka. Meanwhile, secondary data obtained from literature books, websites, journals, and articles. The analysis of this study using two theories, namely gender theory and Pierre Boudieu's genetic structural theory are used as glasses to see the dynamics of women as agents in the novel.