Stereotypical Representation of Women in the Film Polite Society

Authors

  • Alif Arya Fernanda Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia
  • Fajar Junaedi Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29240/jdk.v11i1.15567

Keywords:

Representation of Women; Gender Btereotypes; Roland barthes's Semiotics; Patriarchy

Abstract

Purpose − This study aims to analyze the stereotypical representation of women in the film Polite Society through Roland Barthes' semiotic approach by examining eight scenes that demonstrate gender construction through denotative, connotative, and mythical signs.

Method − This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach. Descriptive analysis aims to systematically and comprehensively present data, facts, and phenomena. The analysis specifically focuses on scenes that depict stereotypes of women. The data consist of screenshots from selected scenes as well as excerpts of dialogue, which are used to interpret the meanings conveyed in each scene.

Findings − The results of the study show that the film represents various stereotypes that limit women, such as the assumption that they are not suitable for working in risky fields, are considered emotional, must obey the family structure, and make marriage the main achievement. Through language, gestures, social relationships, and family dynamics, the film shows how patriarchal values ​​work subtly and are normalized. These findings confirm that Polite Society not only provides entertainment, but also builds a critical discourse about the limitations of women in popular culture.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alforova, Z., Marchenko, S., Kot, H., Medvedieva, A., & Moussienko, O. (2021). Impact of Digital Technologies on the Development of Modern Film Production and Television. Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v13n4.72

Al-Kadi, T. T., & Alzoubi, A. A. (2023). The Mythologist as a Virologist: Barthes’ Myths as Viruses. Philosophies, 8(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies8010005

Amida, T. L., Nababan, S., Widhihatmini, & Utomo, A. S. (2024). General Election Commission Public Communication Strategy in Increasing General Election Participation in Blitar. MUKASI: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 3(1), 17–30. https://doi.org/10.54259/mukasi.v3i1.2364

Asri, R. (2020). Membaca Film Sebagai Sebuah Teks: Analisis Isi Film “Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (NKCTHI).” Jurnal Al Azhar Indonesia Seri Ilmu Sosial, 1(2), 74. https://doi.org/10.36722/jaiss.v1i2.462

Azahro, E. F., Amalia, N., Khamila, G. A. E., Indallaila, Cinta, N., Umar, S. M., & Hermanto, S. P. (2024). Representasi Perilaku Konsumtif Berbelanja Online Analisis Semiotika Terhadap Film Pendek “Jagoku untuk Mbak Mentik.” Karimah Tauhid, 3(2), 1921–1931. https://doi.org/10.30997/karimahtauhid.v3i2.11984

Azwar, A. (2022). Perubahan Paradigma Penelitian Ilmu Komunikasi (Dari Paradigma Klasik Marxisme - Hegelian Menuju Paradigma Kritis Mazhab Frankfurt). Ekspresi Dan Persepsi : Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 5(2), 237–246. https://doi.org/10.33822/jep.v5i2.4493

Barker, C. (2004). The SAGE Dictionary of Cultural Studies. https://doi.org/10.1353/rah.2013.0100

Beeghly, E. (2021). What’s Wrong with Stereotypes? Social Theory and Practice, 47(1), 33–61. https://doi.org/10.5840/soctheorpract2021112111

Bhandari, M. P. (2023). Women and society a major field of studies to understand the discrimination. SocioEconomic Challenges, 7(2), 78–93. https://doi.org/10.21272/sec.7(2).78-93.2023

Chandler, D. (2022). Semiotics. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003155744

Chrisler, J. C. (2008). 2007 Presidential Address: Fear of Losing Control: Power, Perfectionism, and the Psychology of Women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 32(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2007.00402.x

Christianson, M., Teiler, Å., & Eriksson, C. (2021). “A woman’s honor tumbles down on all of us in the family, but a man’s honor is only his”: young women’s experiences of patriarchal chastity norms. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1862480

Downloads

Published

13-04-2026

How to Cite

Fernanda, A. A. ., & Junaedi, F. (2026). Stereotypical Representation of Women in the Film Polite Society. Jurnal Dakwah Dan Komunikasi, 11(1), 60–78. https://doi.org/10.29240/jdk.v11i1.15567

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

Citation Check

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Alif Arya Fernanda, Fajar Junaedi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi agree to the following terms:
  • Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  • Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  • Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).