Gender-based Discrimination in “the Hidden Figures” Novel by Margot Lee Shetterly

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the issue of gender based-discrimination and women struggle in selected novel. In this study, the writer focused on how women were discriminated. It also analysed how they struggled facing the discrimination. The object of the study is Hidden Figures (2016) by Margot Lee Shetterly. The novel talks about the story of the discriminations experienced by three main female characters, named Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson, female mathematician in NASA who help Astronauts by calculating computer program in order to orbit the earth during 1960s. As women during this time, they were being discriminated such as disapprove of equal job as men, their prospect to having a high job were limited by the inequality system, gender barriers that women are not supposed to have a higher position than men. Moreover, women are paid less than men although they have same position. Conclusively, with the strong-willed and hard work, lead them to became the first African-American mathematicians who succeed at National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA). As guidance, the concept of feminism by Simone De Beauvoir entitled the Second Sex (1956). To be added, this study applied descriptive qualitative research method. The result based on the data analysis showed that the women characters were being discriminated domestically and institutionally. Women received limited access to education and career advancement compared to men. They were also given double burdens due to societal values that women must do the households. Moreover, the discrimination toward women caused them to struggle. It was because of the unequal treatments and stereotypes given by the society. This study also portrays how the female characters effort to deal with the gender-based discriminations by working against systems, focusing on hard work to get the high level of career advancement.

Keywords: African American, discrimination, gender, women, Hidden Figures