Another Step Forward for Girl Power

As a modernized version of the folktale Jaka Tarub dan Tujuh Bidadari, 7 Wonders applies the view that women should perform the Javanese concept of three Ms: masak, macak, and manak to please men while also acting weak around them. However, in the story, Nawang Wulan’s actions do not indicate that she is weak. Instead, she can prove that she is a powerful woman who can construct her strategies to reach her goals. Thus, this study aims to discuss that the Nawang Wulan’s strategies are altering their looks, using her support, and acting as weak woman. Each of the strategy displays her power and freedom to use the Javanese concepts of three Ms to please Jaka Tarub. As a result, she can persuade the him to help her reach her goals, and thus proves that her strategies can be used to control the him.Keywords: Folktale, Girl Power, Men, Strategy, Women

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A BOOK REVIEW: FEMINISM ANDNERSUS FEMINITY OF MODERN WOMEN

Celt A Journal of Culture English Language Teaching & Literature ◽

10.24167/celt.v7i2.163 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 189

Author(s):

B. Retang Wohangara

Keyword(s):

Cultural Identity ◽

Young Women ◽

Pop Culture ◽

Politics Of Representation ◽

Girl Power ◽

Young Girls ◽

And Control

One important theme attached to pop culture is the politics of representation and sub-cultural identity. The pop singer Madonna and then the Spice Girls are frequently regarded as the representation of modern women offering a different face of feminism ideology. Successfully entering the market competition, Madonna, through her cry of 'material girl', characterizes herself as an independent woman in the still dominating patriarchal world while challenging the burden of morality placed on the shoulders of women. She asks young women to rebel against male-centred traditions and unashamedly exposes her sensuality as a source of power and even domination, or in short celebrating 'being women'. The flag of Girl Power is also waved by the 1990'sBritish female singers, the Spice Girls, who call young girls to "be strong, be brave, be loud and control your own destiny. Believe that your self can do anything you want to do and be confident. We have to be independent, but it does not mean that you don't need a boy" (Swastika 2004: 66).

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