Sexism and Misogyny as Products of Patriarchal Society seen in Taylor Jenkins Reid's Novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

This research studies a novel by a female author, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. This research aims to find forms of sexism and misogyny experienced by the female characters in the novel and to examine Reid’s influence as a female author from the gynocriticism perspective. This research is conducted based on feminist literary criticism, specifically Gynocriticism by Elaine Showalter. In order to strengthen the analysis, sexism theory by Glick and Fiske, as well as the misogyny concept by Kate Manne are also applied in this research. In presenting the data, this research uses a descriptive method. The findings of this research consist of several points. First, there are two forms of sexism found in the novel, which are hostile sexism and benevolent sexism. Second, female characters in the novel experience misogyny in three forms: objectifying women, male privilege, and gender-based violence. Third, Reid as a female author, draws a line from other male authors who use sexism to justify the mistreatment and discrimination of female characters as something natural and normal to be done in their writing. This conclusion comes upon the writer’s finding of Reid’s rejection of sexism and misogyny through her female characters’ portrayal. Reid offers an alternative way of thinking by pursuing the harm caused by sexism and misogyny should be the reason why the action of excusing and justifying men’s actions needs to be stopped, that if men behave sexist and misogynist, they should be held accountable for the damage