The Existence of Women in the Novel Canting Arswendo Atmowiloto: The Study of Existentialist Feminism Simone De Beauvoir

Abstract

Abstract. This study aims to describe the existence of women, to show the position of female characters and the strategies of female characters in showing their existence in the novel Canting Kaya Arswendo Atmowiloto, based on Simone de Beauvior's Existentialist Feminism. This research is descriptive qualitative research. The data source in the study was the novel Canting Kaya Arswendo Atmowiloto, which was published by the Popular Gramedia Library (KPG) in 2018 with a thickness of 303 pages. The data in this study are text in the form of words or sentences that show female characters showing their existence as women in Canting Kaya Arswendo Atmowiloto, based on Simone de Beauvior's existentialist theory. The data collection techniques in this study were reading and note-taking techniques. The data in this study were analyzed using data analysis techniques by identifying, classifying, describing, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the existence of Simone de Beauvoir women is contained in the novel Canting Kaya Arswendo Atmowiloto. Women can work as batik laborers, intellectuals with broad insight and often read to discuss, work to make money and change the way society views and does not want to be seen as weak and others are described by the figure of Ibu Bei. These four things are related to each other to show the existence of women. It is hoped that this research can become an input in researching and developing further research regarding Simone de Beauvior's theory of Existentialist Feminism in scientific works.

Keywords: Feminism, Existence, Women