Indonesian Women’s Perception of Feminism in the Movie Little Women (2019)

Abstract

This study explores the perceptions of Indonesian women regarding feminist themes portrayed in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "Little Women" (2019). The film, based on Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, offers various perspectives on women's ambition, journey, and societal expectations. This study uses qualitative research methods to examine how Indonesian women interpret and respond to the film's depiction of feminism, mainly through the March sisters' point of view. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, this research captures diverse perspectives on the film's feminist narrative. Key themes explored include the negotiation of traditional gender roles and the portrayal of sisterhood. By analyzing informants' responses, this study seeks to define the complexities of feminist representation in popular media and its resonance with contemporary women. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding gender equality and representations of feminism in film. By engaging directly with women's voices and experiences, this research underscores the significance of narrative storytelling in shaping and reflecting attitudes toward feminism. The analysis showed that Indonesian women have different backgrounds, which highly shaped one's perception of the movie. While the perceptions are similar, the informants see the film from various points of view. The insights gained from this study aim to enrich scholarly conversations on gender, media, and cultural perceptions of feminism in the twenty-first century.