Literary Study: Radical Resistance of Women in Harold Pinter's Drama 'The Homecoming'

Apriyani Multitach Publisher Sabtu, Agustus 22, 2026
FORMOSA NEWS

A scientific study conducted by academics from Universitas Negeri Medan, Nadya Utami alongside Nazla Al Qayla, Livia Gustrianti Halawa, Icha Aulia Br. Hasibuan, and Syamsul Bahri, thoroughly explores the forms of feminist resistance in world literature. Published in July 2026, the study analyzes the classic drama script The Homecoming by renowned playwright Harold Pinter. This research provides vital insights into how women break down patriarchal domination and assert their autonomy within a male-dominated domestic environment through dialogue and symbolic interaction.

Gender inequality and social control over women remain pressing issues in modern society and literary works alike. In The Homecoming, the lead female character, Ruth, is placed within a heavily patriarchal household where male family members attempt to dictate, control, and exploit her position. Understanding how female resistance is constructed in literary narratives offers a deep perspective on power negotiation, identity reclamation, and the dismantling of gender stereotypes that often constrain women in daily life.

To ensure a comprehensive analysis, the research team applied a descriptive qualitative approach grounded in feminist literary criticism. Data were collected through library research involving a critical reading of dialogues, actions, and character interactions within the play. The researchers classified the data across six modern feminist theories: radical, liberal, cultural, socialist, intersectional, and anarchist feminism. This framework allowed the team to examine female resistance from multiple theoretical angles rather than relying on a single perspective.

The study analyzed 50 data units of dialogue and interaction reflecting feminist values. The team discovered that female resistance in the work does not always manifest as aggressive physical rebellion, but rather through linguistic rejection, composure, and strategic position negotiation.

  • Radical Feminism (30%): Represents the most dominant form of resistance with 15 data items. Ruth explicitly rejects patriarchal control systems and refuses to be defined or ruled by the male authority in the house.
  • Liberal Feminism (24%): Comprises 12 data items, showcasing Ruth's demand for equality, self-definition, and her refusal to be reduced to an object of the male gaze.
  • Cultural Feminism (16%): Accounts for 8 data items, highlighting how Ruth preserves her personal identity, values, and individuality as a woman amid traditional gender role expectations.
  • Socialist Feminism (12%): Includes 6 data items, reflecting a critique of structural dependency and domestic hierarchies that position women as subordinates.
  • Intersectional Feminism (10%): Encompasses 5 data items demonstrating the rejection of stereotypes, moral labeling, and prejudices imposed by male characters.
  • Anarchist Feminism (8%): Represented by 4 data items, reflecting a total rejection of domestic rules, hierarchies, and authority structures that restrict decision-making freedom.

The findings carry significant implications for literary studies, gender education, and media analysis. The study demonstrates that literature and performing arts serve not merely as entertainment, but as critical media for exposing social injustice. For the general public and literary enthusiasts, these results broaden understanding of how everyday language and interaction can be used as tools to assert rights, equality, and female independence.

"This study demonstrates that feminist resistance in drama does not always appear as open confrontation, but rather as subtle power negotiation within dialogue, where women reclaim authority over themselves from restrictive patriarchal systems," stated Nadya Utami and the research team from Universitas Negeri Medan.

Author Profile

This research was conducted by an academic team from Universitas Negeri Medan:

  • Nadya Utami, S.Pd. – Principal researcher and academic in English language and literature education, Universitas Negeri Medan.
  • Nazla Al Qayla – Researcher and scholar in English literature, Universitas Negeri Medan.
  • Livia Gustrianti Halawa – Researcher and scholar in English literature, Universitas Negeri Medan.
  • Icha Aulia Br. Hasibuan – Researcher and scholar in English literature, Universitas Negeri Medan.
  • Syamsul Bahri, S.SS., M.Hum. – Advisor and lecturer in literary studies and feminism, Universitas Negeri Medan.

Official Study Reference

 


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