Patriarchal Discourse in Nusantara Classic Children Literature

Abstract: Children’s literature works were not ideology-free; which means it had
become an agenda to provoke children. Ideologies in children's literature are not simple to
found because they have been put in more complex ways in the works. Ideology, such as like
gender, has been examined in numerous studies. However, the studies on gender role in
children's literature in Indonesia have only been done in small number. This study is aimed
to examine patriarchal discourse in some works of Nusantara classic children’s literature.
They are folklore and fairy tales in Indonesia. The significances of the study are (1) to become
a guideline for parents, teachers, and education practitioners, and (2) to contribute for the
enrichment of theories on gender and literature. The data were collected from the stories taken
from fairy tale and folklore in Indonesia children's literature. The purpose of the study were
(1) to describe how the relationship between man and women in the Nusantara classic
children’s literature, and (2) to analyze patriarchal discourse constructed in the children’s
literature works. The data were analyzed by using critical discourse analysis (CDA). The
study found that patriarchal discourse appeared in the form gender stereotype of physical
representation, physical abilities, attitudes, pleasures, and the occupations of each character.
All patriarchal discourse were represented in children's literature in two ways,
euphemization, and sensation.