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Spivak’s Strategic Essentialism Reading on Amy Tan’s “The Red Candle” Williany, Vania; Turuk, Didimus E.
Indonesian Journal of English Language Studies (IJELS) Vol 5, No 1 (2019): March 2019
Publisher : Magister Kajian Bahasa Inggris (English Language Studies) Universitas Sanata Dharma Yogy

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24071/ijels.v5i1.2309

Abstract

This paper analyzes the struggle of a Chinese-American woman in “The Red Candle”, one of the vignettes in Amy Tan’s novel The Joy Luck Club (1989). The main character namely Lindo Jong, is confined with patriarchy and tradition and is forced to marry her fiancée at her teenage. Fascinatingly, Lindo can free herself from the arranged marriage and her oppressive new family by a clever scheme. Spivak’s strategic essentialism is then applied to scrutinize this particular issue. Indeed, by strategic essentialism, Lindo still upholds her value as a Chinese woman and her respect to her filial piety, also, she can obtain her own independence as a woman.Keywords: Chinese-American woman, patriarchy, tradition, strategic essentialism
The Comparable Nuance of Complicity and Resistance in the Development of Postcolonial Theories Williany, Vania
k@ta: A Biannual Publication on the Study of Language and Literature Vol. 21 No. 2 (2019): DECEMBER 2019
Publisher : The English Department, Faculty of Humanities & Creative Industries, Petra Christian University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (218.731 KB) | DOI: 10.9744/kata.21.2.84-92

Abstract

This article will explain the issues of complicity and resistance following the significant theories on postcolonial studies. The discussion involves the postcolonial theories developed by Aime Cesaire, Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak, and Homi Bhabha. Overall, there is a comparable nuance on complicity and resistance in postcolonial theories. Complicity on power domination is seen as manipulative by Cesaire and Said. However, Spivak and Bhabha perceive that being compliant to power domination is unavoidable as knowledge has been tainted by the interest of the power controller. In scrutinizing resistance, Cesaire and Said expose the clear violence of colonialism and attack colonial discourse by uncovering the unjustifiable representations. Meanwhile, Spivak and Bhabha argue that the resistance is subtly done without neglecting the tainted knowledge and cultural difference, thus, more negotiable cultural resistances are offered. To consolidate the discussion, a reading of Achebe’s short story entitled “Chike’s School Days” is included in this article.