The Investigation of Indonesian EFL Learners’ Perception and Understanding on Equality Values in “Jane Eyre” Novel: A Gender Perspective

Rahman Hakim,Dhafid Wahyu Utomo,Dina Rachmawati,Siti Suharsih,Rosmania Rima

doi:10.30870/jels.v6i1.10519

Rahman Hakim, Dhafid Wahyu Utomo + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.30870/jels.v6i1.10519

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Abstract

This research investigated the Indonesian EFL Learners’ perception and understanding of gender equality values in one of the greatest novels, Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847 as the picture of women emancipation at the time. To this aim, 100 Indonesian pre-intermediate EFL learners were selected from among 125 students at one of the public universities in Banten. They were given a questionnaire and it was analyzed descriptively to explore the content of the story, equality values and the connection with the value of life. The analysis of the data revealed that first, there is still gender inequality between men and women. Second, self-expression, employment, and education were dominant themes found in the issues of gender inequality in the novel. Third, the gender values in the novel “Jane Eyre” are still related to the current reality or the environment. Moreover, extensive reading activities were impactful in rising students’ interest in reading and awareness of social issues. Therefore, this study suggests that the values of gender equality can be brought to be a good discussion in the class through extensive reading activities.

Highlights

The study of gender in higher education context has become a spotlight for some researchers in the last few decades (e.g., Chisamya, et al 2012; Loots & Walker, 2015; Szirom, 2017; Burke, 2017)
The respondents’ answers were divided into (1) category A is a group which can find the values of gender equality and they can connect them with the reality in Indonesia and their surroundings; (2) category B is a group which can find the values of gender equality in novel and they can connect them with the reality in Indonesia
Self-expression, employment, and education were dominant themes found in the issues of gender inequality in the novel

Summary

Introduction

The study of gender in higher education context has become a spotlight for some researchers in the last few decades (e.g., Chisamya, et al 2012; Loots & Walker, 2015; Szirom, 2017; Burke, 2017). For English student’s department in Indonesia, concept and the issues of gender equality can be found in some courses, they are prose and extensive reading. By having those courses, students had a lot of time to explore and to dig the meaning of stories, in which some of the stories talk much and reveal about gender equality topic. Students had a lot of time to explore and to dig the meaning of stories, in which some of the stories talk much and reveal about gender equality topic These literary works, especially novels, considered as a good medium in understanding gender equality. Students ‘perception and understanding in gender equality revealed the relevancy of the equality values in the novel with the reality of students environment

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Conclusion