Feminism and Self-Confidence in Literature: A Study of Appearance and Identity in Hello, Cello

Abstract

Feminism is a movement dedicated to achieving gender equality and advocating for women's rights, with a particular emphasis on enhancing women's self-confidence. By fostering self-confidence, feminism seeks to dismantle gender stereotypes and combat discrimination that often hinders women from realizing their full potential. Creating a supportive societal environment plays a crucial role in empowering women to build and sustain solid self-confidence. This study aims to contribute novel insights to the discourse on feminism and its impact on self-confidence, mainly as portrayed in literature. Employing a descriptive qualitative method, the research analyzes textual data extracted from selected quotations in literary novels. The primary subject of this study is the novel Hello, Cello by Nadia Ristivani. The findings reveal that appearance and fashion serve as symbolic expressions of individuality, while societal biases regarding women's clothing perpetuate injustice. Furthermore, the study highlights the restrictive influence of social and peer environments, which often exacerbates feelings of inadequacy and suppression, ultimately leading to diminished self-confidence. However, these challenges also ignite a desire for free expression, illustrating the complex interplay between societal expectations, individuality, and feminist empowerment.