The Representation of Gender in Garner’s Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: A Critical Stylistic Analysis

Fenty Lidya Siregar, Henni, Silvanni Comara

2021

Abstract

Gender equality is essential for a sustainable world; therefore, it is included in United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. However, unequal portrayals of female characters are still present in many sectors. These phenomena have generated concern especially among educators, parents, and feminists. Thus, many studies are needed to keep uncovering gender inequality and how one can play a role in lessening the inequality. This study reports on an analysis of ideologies and gender representation in two short stories in Garner's book entitled Politically correct bedtime stories: Modern tales for our life and times by applying critical stylistic approach. The study found that Garner constructed the stories of Cinderella and Snow White to challenge the stereotyped representation and hegemonic ideals of males and females. He used pseudo-generics in naming and feminist word choices when addressing his characters. He also deleted marriage as a happily-ever-after end of common fairy tales and changed it into a new end. He also contradicted the concept of beauty and highlighted undesirable qualities of men. The findings indicated that Garner offered his ideology that females can free themselves from the unrealistic standard of beauty and it is possible to be subversive toward traditional gender roles.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Siregar F., Henni. and Comara S. (2021). The Representation of Gender in Garner’s Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: A Critical Stylistic Analysis. In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Emerging Issues in Humanity Studies and Social Sciences - Volume 1: ICE-HUMS, ISBN 978-989-758-604-0, pages 41-51. DOI: 10.5220/0010742900003112

in Bibtex Style

@conference{ice-hums21,
author={Fenty Lidya Siregar and Henni and Silvanni Comara},
title={The Representation of Gender in Garner’s Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: A Critical Stylistic Analysis},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Emerging Issues in Humanity Studies and Social Sciences - Volume 1: ICE-HUMS,},
year={2021},
pages={41-51},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0010742900003112},
isbn={978-989-758-604-0},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Emerging Issues in Humanity Studies and Social Sciences - Volume 1: ICE-HUMS,
TI - The Representation of Gender in Garner’s Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: A Critical Stylistic Analysis
SN - 978-989-758-604-0
AU - Siregar F.
AU - Henni.
AU - Comara S.
PY - 2021
SP - 41
EP - 51
DO - 10.5220/0010742900003112