Representation of female character through dog symbols in short story “Setiap Anjing Boleh Berbahagia”

Abstract

This research focuses on the main female character, which is illustrated as having characteristics like a dog: loyal, obedient, intelligent and emotional. This research aims to reveal the representation of the main female character through the characterization of her pet, namely a dog, in the short story of Setiap Anjing Boleh Berbahagia by Eka Kurniawan. The theory used in this research is Simone de Beauvoir's feminism. This research applies a qualitative descriptive method. The research results show that the female character is depicted symbolically through the characterization of her dog, namely a woman as a loyal wife, an obedient daughter, an intelligent woman, and an emotional woman. Apart from that, this research also reveals that the representation of a woman depicted symbolically through the characterization of her dog is also shown as a subordinate and marginalized woman.