GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND STRUGGLES AGAINST CHINESE PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY IN AMY TAN’S THE KITCHEN GOD’S WIFE

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal what kinds of gender discrimination experienced by women in a Chinese patriarchal society are and to explain women’s struggles against it Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife. This study was a qualitative research using content analysis method. The first result of the research was related to gender discrimination that they face. They were (1) stereotype: women are submissive, women are inferior, women are foolish, women are domestic, and women are sexual object; (2) violence: physical, psychological, and sexual violence; (3) marginalization; marginalized from getting education and marginalized from having heritage; (4) subordination: arranged marriage, restriction on freedom of opinion, and son preference. The second result of the research was related to the struggles against Chinese patriarchal society. (1) Having consciousness on being discriminated and (2) being bond in sisterhood are the influencing factors to struggle against discrimination. As for the form of struggles, there were showing resistance by speaking up against the male’s domination, getting abortion as self-control over reproductive right, determining on getting divorced from the abusive husband, becoming economically independent by opening a flower shop.

Keywords: gender discrimination, struggles, The Kitchen God’s Wife.