THE PORTRAYAL OF MASCULINITY OF CAPTAIN FREDERICK WENTWORTH IN PERSUASION NOVEL

Abstract

Persuasion is a novel written by Jane Austen and originally published in 1818. In this research, the researcher chose Captain Frederick Wentworth as the main character which is represents the masculinity as the main topic of this research. Masculinity is a characteristic which contains of behaviors, attitude, and values. The focus of the study is to find the types of masculinity and how masculinity which is formed in the society influences Captain Frederick Wentworth. In conducting this research, Raewyn Connell’s theory of masculinity is used to find the types of masculinity and how they influence Captain Frederick Wentworth. The researcher used qualitative research as the method, and mimesis as the approach of this research. The finding of this research showed that there are four types of masculinity as portrayed in the character; those are essential, positivist, normative, and semiotic. The finding also showed that the influences of masculinity which formed in society, there are four influences; hegemony, subordinate, complicity, and marginalization. Thus, it can be concluded that society has played an important role in influencing males to perform and uphold masculinity, in this case is reflected by the main character, Captain Frederick Wentworth.