The Portrayal Of Male Characters In The Novels Used In Malaysian Secondary Schools For The Teaching Of Literature Components

Melisa Malini, Raja Gopal (2008) The Portrayal Of Male Characters In The Novels Used In Malaysian Secondary Schools For The Teaching Of Literature Components. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This study aims in investigating the portrayals of male characters in the novels selected by the Ministry of Education in Malaysia for the purpose of teaching literature components in Malaysian Secondary schools. There were six novels selected from the ones used in teaching literature in Form two, Form Three and Form Five students. The instruments used in this study are; the framework of Masculinity Studies and also a formula adapted from Susan Witt (1998) which is used to calculate the gender role orientation of a character, which also include the use of Bern Sex-Role Inventory. After the character analyses were done on each novel, it was found that the male characters were portrayed to be engaged in a range of roles and was portrayed to be well built and strong physically. Aside from that, they were also placed in high positions in society such as the elitists and as breadwinners. However, despite from the former findings, they were found to be portrayed more emotionally than physically. Moreover, based on the calculation made, it was found that the male characters were portrayed in stereotypical male roles, with the masculine traits scored by the male characters outdid the rest of the androgynous and feminine traits with the rat io of 7: 1, Therefore, the findings of this study can raise awareness among the teachers who will be using the novels to teach the students, on the existence of gender stereotypes in the portrayal of characters in those novels. Modification on their teaching approach can be done in order to create a gender-neutral 1iterature classroom.

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