WOMEN’ STRUGGLE IN SURVIVING THEIR LIVES AS SEEN ON THE NOVEL ENTITLED MARY BARTON BY ELIZABETH GASKEL (A FEMINISM STUDY)

Abstract

The research is aimed to analyze the struggle of women, especially women from a low
economy class, in surviving thei lives as seen on the novel entitled ‘Mary Barton’ by Elizabeth
Gaskell based on a Feminism Study. Elizabeth Gaskell has written this novel in the 19th century
when the industrial revolution has happened in England. In analyzing this novel, the researcher
used descriptive qualitative method. There were two kinds of data sources: the primary data
sources and the secondary data sources. The primary data source was the novel entitled ‘Mary
Barton’ by Elizabeth Gaskell. Then, the secondary data were books, internet sources, and
research journals which were related with this topic. The data collecting in this research was
library research by summarizing, paraphrasing, and documenting the data. The technique of
data analysis was interactive data analysis by Miles and Huberman. The result of the analysis
showed that the novel illustrated the struggle of women from a low economy class in surviving
their lives in the 19th century in England. The condition of poverty has made them to be
stronger in facing their lives and struggling to get a better life. Mary Barton, as a main
character, became a heroine from a lower class to struggle against their poverty life and she did
it well. In 19th century in England, there were many women who struggled in many aspects of
their lives, such as economic aspect, social aspect, law and justice aspect, aesthetic aspect, and
psychological aspect. It was one of the impact of Indrustrial revolution in England at that time
which has changed many sectors of life for women. So, it can be concluded that the struggle of
women in the world especially in England has been happened for many years. In England, it has
became bigger when the industrial revolution happened. It has changed the condition of women
became better and better until now.
Keywords: The struggle of women, A Feminism Study, Descriptive Qualitative