2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549
TRANSGENDER PERSONALITY REFLECTED IN BUFFALO BILL’S CHARACTER AS SEEN IN HARRIS’ THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
Putri Ganef Pratama1), Samanik2) Faculty of Arts and Education Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, Bandar Lampung Indonesia [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract This research discusses transgender phenomenon as seen in Thomas Harris‟ novel entitle The Silence of the Lambs. The main purpose of this research is to reveal the Transgender symptoms in the novel through the main character Buffalo Bill. Transgender is a term of which one who fantasies being a woman or man by wearing woman or man dress and make gestures like woman or man. Transgender occurs because his or her background phenomenon of life. The writer arranges the literary review by discussing theory and approach. The theory that the writer applies is queer theory developed by Michael Foucault. Besides, the writer uses the theory of Judith Buttler that explains and describes about sex, orientation and gender. This queer theory is more correlated and understandable for the analysis. In addition, Psychology Literature approach by Ramajaru is also applied. The Result of this analysis shows some symptoms that exist in the character of Buffalo Bill. It was started with cross-dressing, assertion that transgender vital body parts are disgusting, have a desire to change gen types, existence of behavior and physical appearance of inside or abnormal genetic makeup. The writer hopes that by conducting this research it could give the reader more understanding about how is the implementation of queer theory in the literary field or work and become the new guidance to the future reader that are interested in discussing with same theory.
Keywords: The Silence of the Lambs, queer theory, transgender
Introduction harassment, and the threat of violence due to According to Foucault, “if sex is repressed, their sexual orientation, than hose that that is, condemned to prohibition, identify themselves as heterosexual.” nonexistence, and silence, then the mere fact (Subhrajit, 2014) that one is speaking about it has the So the social harassment is coming appearance of a deliberate transgression. A because of the society stigma that LGBT is person who holds forth in such language nearby HIV/AIDS disease. This term is places himself to a certain extent outside the actually mistakenly understood by the reach of power; he upsets established law; he society since the fact the cause of HIV/AIDS somehow anticipates the coming freedom.” spreading is not only coming from LGBT Nowadays, LGBT is not a rare thing people. The discrimination towards LGBT is again to be known by public. But still, there so extreme, started from bullying, is a wall that keeps the LGBT people feel so discrimination or even murderer that done by shame or hesitate to express them if they are heterosexual people. part of LGBT. The things that could make Transgender especially, is one of the LGBT people feel so afraid to show their social parts that mostly get the real identities because the social surrounding discriminations and harassment. The cause is is still anti-LGBT. Besides, they will get because they are explicitly shows their social harassment or even discrimination passion and sense in dressing not according from heterosexual people. by the gender culture. They are easily “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and recognized and normal or heterosexual transgender people are more likely to people will bully them directly. experience intolerance, discrimination,
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2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549
Moreover, there is still a chance of Thus, the writer here wants to LGBT or homosexual to live normally and conduct an analysis by using psychological happily with heterosexual. The support also approach. To support this research, the came from some of the great people and also writer uses queer theory from Judith Butler. some artists that could influenced the society The urgency of the writer to conduct through their works such as film, novel, this research is to discover about how drama, poetry or even music, such as the ex- transgender is reflected in Buffalo Bill‟s president of America, Barrack Obama and character. Hopefully, this research can be a some artist and singer such as Lady Gaga, new guidance of other researcher in doing Demi Lovato and others. the analysis especially dealing with queer In literary field for example, there is theory. As the result, the writer hopes that a novel that represents how is the life of the reader could get new information dealing being a LGBT especially transgender and the the issue. novel is entitled The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. a. Research Question The Silence of the Lambs is a novel According to the background of the by Thomas Harris, he is an American author. study which has been elaborated previously, He wrote the bestselling Thriller the writer formulates the problem into: How Psychological Horror in Hannibal Lectur is Transgender reflected in Buffalo Bill‟s Series, Red Dragon. The Silence of the character? Lambs novel was originally published on July 15 1988. This novel narrates about how b. Research Objective is the life of a man nicknamed Buffalo Bill, From the research question above, he wants to be a Transgender , he wants to the objective of this research is: To reveal get surgery to change his identity as a how is transgender reflected in Buffalo Bill‟s woman , because He hates his identity, he is character. not comfortable with his gender as a man. The issue that started Buffalo Bill has lack of c. Research Uses attention from his family, never making There are two uses of study, friends, since he was kid he thought that no theoretical use and practical use. one love him or care about him, since he was kid He suffered violence by his father, and d. Theoretical Use his mom cannot give attention to him Theoretically, this research is because actually His mom was a model, but expected to support and to contribute the she failed in one of competition, it made her field of literary study especially in a novel. become depression and consumed drugs and So it will be advantageous for the readers alcohol. After she got a baby, she expected who are interested in novel and the topic of that she has a baby girl so her baby can be a discussion. Hopefully, this research is able to model like her, but in fact she had to face the enrich the reader knowledge and to give reality that she got baby boy, so because of brief information and understanding about that she never accept buffalo bill as her LGBT especially transgender issue through child. Thomas Harris‟ The Silence of the Lambs. After one day buffalo bills saw a pupa , it‟s so ugly and disgusting but after it e. Practical Use transformed becoming a butterfly, its look so Practically, this research is to give beautiful, so after that he saw it, he thought information of LGBT especially transgender he have to change become a woman ,he hope in the novel. This research is expected to be that after he change, everybody will love and reference for reader or researcher who needs accept him. information about how the content of the
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2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549 novel according to the queer theory is and and self-perceive of gender identity. how to apply the theory to their relevant The third previous study from thesis, it research. gives brief information about Transgender that very useful for the f. Research Scope writer to conduct the research. By Based on the research question, the reading this thesis, it is giving clear writer focuses on analyzing how transgender information to the writer about is reflected in Buffalo Bill‟s character. Thus, Transgender can happen by various the approach and the theory used in this factors. research are psychology literature approach (3) Research into Sexual Orientation and and queer theory. Gender Identity Equality in Adult
Learning by Donna James (2010) g. Theoretical Framework This third previous study gives i. Previous Studies brief data it explains that how is the To conduct this research, previous gender identity of someone. It is study is needed when the writer wants to do unpredictable that if we are talking a research that dealing with the topic, the about gender identity. From this writer hopes that it will help and give journal construction of gender itself is guidance to the writer when the writer based on the society or the conducts the research. And I found 5 environment. previous studies: (4) Transgender in Julie Anne Peters‟ (1) Sexuality and Gender Findings from Luna by Annastasya Tyandias the Biological, Psychological and Kusuma (2014) Social Sciences by Lawrence S. This journal was written in Mayer (2016). 2014, it explains about Sex and gender This previous study gives brief are complex issues. Sex refers to the information to the writer in biological and physiological understanding of how are the sexuality characteristics that define men and and gender findings from the women; while gender refers to the biological, psychological, and social socially constructed roles, behaviors, construction of a person. It shows that activities, and attributes that a given mental health could not only be society considers appropriate for men genetic but can induced by the and women. People who could not environments around the individual. play roles as their assigned gender, So from this journal helps the writer to categorized as gender identity disorder. answer the research question that already elaborated earlier, (5) Why Hip-Hop is Queer: Using Queer Theory to Examine Identity Formation (2) Transgender in Tom Hooper‟s Movie in Rap Music by Silvia Maria Galis- The Danish Girl by Indah Sari in 2016. Menendez. Transgender occurs because In this journal, it used queer his/her background phenomenon of theory. However, the ambiguity life. The movie The Danish Girl tells surrounding the word “queer” presents about the main character Einar unique difficulties in constructing an Wegener becomes a transgender argument about the queerness of woman that causes by various factors. something, particularly as queer relates The result showed that transgender to race and gender. Queer has become phenomenon that felt by Einar widely used as an umbrella term, not Wegener caused by biological factor only for LGBT* people, but also for
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2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549
anything that is considered non- object such as literary work, music film and normative. As a result, “queer” is often so on. Queer is not a singular framework but stripped from its particular historical a collection of intellectual engagements context and queer theory and which means that all field in the study could queerness are often used to attempt to analyze the object by using queer theory so erase difference in experience along do in literary field. the lines of race and gender. However, Many people misunderstand about the term and politics of queerness they believe that the term "queer theory" is emerged during the AIDS crisis and just a synonym for "gay and lesbian studies." the activism coming from the LGBT* In fact, queer theory is a specific part of the communities, which is significant to gay and lesbian studies based on "the idea defining and using „queer.‟ So from thi that identity is not fixed and does not define journal, it gives the writer to who we are." The term was coined by Teresa understand that using queer theory not de Lauretis in 1990. Then the term queer only for analyzed LGBT but also it can was introduced in 1990, the important figure use for analyzing the rap music . and in this theory are Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, this journal also give contribution by Judith Butler, Adrienne Rich and Diana Fuss telling how to use queer theory and it who follows the work of Michel Foucault. helps the writer to answer the research These experts are rolling by the same flow of question. the theory and also the discussion. But, here the writer choose the theory that comes from For approach, this analysis using the Judith Butler as she stated in her book writer uses psychology of literature .because Gender Trouble that quoted by Wardhani in this approach more effective with this her journal. reseach question and in answering the Then here, the writer uses the theory research question. of queer by Butler in Wardhani (2013) as the Because the writer hopes that this next developer of this theory. She states that approach can help the writer to analyze the main problem formulation that stated the “The conclusion that Butler can be symptoms reflected on the character in the drawn from here is that sex, gender, and silence of lambs novel .in psychology sexual orientation are something that is literature, the writer use psychoanalysis and fluid, unnatural, and abstract, (and the writer uses queer theory that mostly use constructed by social conditions). So in Judith Butler's thought, LGBT is not a in psychological field, this theory is aim to social aberration, but a variation in find out and to discover the symptoms that is human identity based on performative appear in the literary work. action.”(Wardhani, 2013, p. 7) According to Foucault in Spargo (1999). From the quotation above, the writer believes that the theory of queer by Judith “„Queer‟ can function as a noun, an Butler could help the writer to conduct and adjective or a verb, but in each case is finish the research and answer the research defined against the „normal‟ or question that already written before. normalising. Queer theory is not a singular or systematic conceptual or According to Judith Butler is someone methodological framework, but a would like to change their gender due to the collection of intellectual engagements environment and social structure. with the relations between sex, gender And I put transgender element in this and sexual desire.” (Spargo, 1999, p. 9). theory. The main issue that the writer wants to discuss in LGBT is about the T or From the quotation, it is clearly seen Transgender, as the writer already that the definition of queer is the study of the mentioned earlier in the background of the same-sex relationship that does exist in the
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2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549 study. If we go back to definition, LGBT is theories from some books related to the a part of queer theory where the queer research. The writer uses the qualitative theory itself is an umbrella to LGBT itself. method to explore the behavior, perspectives, experiences, and feelings of ii. So what is Transgender? people and emphasize the understanding of According to APA (American these elements. Psychological Association) transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender 1. Data and Data Source identity, gender expression, or behavior does Data is very important element to not conform to that typically associated with support the writer in doing research. By this the sex to which they were assigned at birth. data, the writer can complete this research to Or in the simple way transgender is a prove the evidence about this research. In gender-changing that done by an individual this research, the writer has data sources. because of they are not conform to the sex at Data in this research are words, quotation, their birth. Or in other word, Transgender is and dialog from novel which describe about not something same as lesbian, gay or even queer analysis of the main character in novel bisexual. If we look deeper to the definition by Thomas Harris. that already mentioned earlier, lesbian gay and bisexual are the people that has different 2. Data Collecting Technique sexual orientation (or called homo because a. Reading and Understanding and finding they love the same gender as them) but they the issue that related with the research keep they sexual identity as their birth. question or related with queer theory. Transgender is something different, The issue is related with research according to APA that stated above question that already elaborated earlier. transgender is someone that change their sex b. Interprets deeply the chosen data from and gender because of they are not the novel to knowing whether or not the comfortable with it. And there are 7 data denote the issue about queer people symptoms that categories someone to be especially the transgender. In this part transgender. writer also do interpretation toward the meaning the text or the narration or the (1) Strong and persistent cross-gender dialogue to find the answer for solving identification the problem formulation. (2) Transgender male preference for c. Finding supporting data that can help cross-dressing or simulating female the writer to do the analysis such as attire journals, books that related to the (3) Cross-sex role discussion of queer, LGBT and gender (4) Assertion that transgender vital body findings in order to fulfill the parts are disgusting information that the writer needed in (5) Feeling uncomfortable and order to answer the research question. dissatisfied with their sex anatomy The supporting data here will help the (6) Have a desire to change gen types. reader in understanding the issue. (7) Existence of behavior and physical d. Arranging the data based on determined appearance of inside or abnormal order and gather into the right pattern as genetic makeup needed in this research. Here, the writer
will arrange the data that the writer got Methodology dealing with the issue in the novel. The writer use qualitative and library study to support the writer‟s research. From internet research, the writer browsed some journals and articles then figured out some
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2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549
3. Data Analyzing Technique used the dishmop to tuck his penis and Data analysis is a process of organizing the testicles back between his legs. He whipped data into description, so the writer could find the shower curtain aside and stood before the the theme and the issues. The data which the mirror, hitting a hipshot pose despite the writer got in data collecting technique will grinding it caused in his private parts. be analyzed by following the stage. Here the (chapter 20, page 280). writer uses several steps in analyzing the From that the data it shows that data: buffalo bills got uncomfortable feeling with his own sex. The data that the writer put here a. Selecting Stage is one of the symptoms that exist in This stage aims the writer to select someone‟s transgender. By understanding the data whether or not the data that chosen the data, the first symptom has been is relevant and significant or not with the discovered. research. Selecting data also relevant with choosing the data whether or not the data is 2. Transgender male preference for cross- match with the issue that the writer wants to dressing or simulating female attire analyze. A big bathroom, all white tile and skylights and sleek Italian fixtures standing b. Interpreting Stage and Classifying Stage against exposed old brick. An elaborate The points of this stage is to vanity flanked by tall plants and loaded with interprets the data that been chosen by the cosmetics, the mirror beaded by the steam writer and construct how is queer character the shower made. From the shower came contained in the novel. In this stage, the humming in a key too, high for the unearthly writer uses the theory and the approach that voice. The song was Fats Walter's "Cash for the writer have choose to analyze the Your Trash," from the musical Ain't discussion. Misbehavin'. Sometimes the voice broke into c. Concluding Stage the words: "Save up all your old newsPA- This is the final stage of the PERS, Save and pile 'em like a high analyzing technique. Every data that has skyscraper. been selected, classified and analyzed will Mr. Gumb played with the lights and be concluded after relate it with the his wigs for some dramatic effects, and he explanation and description toward the issue. tried a wonderful choker necklace of shells The concluding stage also has function as over the collar line. It would be stunning the answer of the research question that the when he wore a decollete gown or hostess writer has elaborated earlier. The conclusion pajamas over his new thorax. (Chapter 26, will be putted after those steps earlier have page 374) been done. In second data, it shows Mr Gumb or Buffalo bills, he wears wigs, necklace, he Findings and Discussion uses make up, he also imagine that how if 1. Feeling uncomfortable and dissatisfied he wears a decolette gown. Which is it is with their sex anatomy. very queer as man but he likes to dressing After his first rinse, Gumb applied like a female , so the second data is also Friction des Bains, rubbing it over his chest prove that buffalo bills has symptoms of and buttocks with his hands and using a transgender. dishmop on the parts he did not like to touch. His legs and feet were a little stubbly, but he Conclusion decided they would do. Gumb toweled In conclusion, The Silence of the Lambs himself pink and applied a good skin novel by Thomas Harris, the writer emollient. His full-length mirror had a discussed about Transgender Personality in shower curtain on a bar in front of it. Gumb one of character , which is Buffalo Bill, by
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2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Electronic ISSN: 2579-7263 Proceedings – (ELLiC Proceedings Vol. 2, 2018) CD-ROM ISSN: 2579-7549 using Queer theory the writer found 7 Etim, James. (2016). Introduction to Gender symptoms that categories someone to be Studies in Eastern and Southern Africa. transgender such as Strong and persistent The Netherlands: Sense Publisher. cross-gender identification, Transgender Habarth, Janice Mary. (2008). Thinking male preference for cross-dressing or ‘Straight’: Heteronormativity and simulating female attire, Cross-sex role, Associated Outcomes Across Sexual Assertion that transgender vital body parts Orientation. The University of are disgusting, Feeling uncomfortable and Michigan. dissatisfied with their sex anatomy, Have a Harris, Thomas. (1988). The Silence of the desire to change gen types, Existence of lambs‟: Transgender People, Gender behavior and physical appearance of inside Identity, and Gender Expression. or abnormal genetic makeup. From those James, Donna. (2011). Research into Sexual symptoms it makes the writer easy to Orientation and Gender Identity analyze this novel and finish the research, Equality in Adult Learning. New York: hopefully this research can be new guidance Babcock Research. for new researcher that using same theory or Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methology for anybody that interesting to analyze Method and Technique. New York: New Transgender issue. Age International. Kusuma, A.T. (2014). Transgender In Julie References Anne Peters’ Annamarie Jagose. (1996). Queer Theory: Luna.jurnalmahasiswa.unesa.ac.id/articl An Introduction. New York: New York e/15083/22/article.pdf.(Retrieved on University Press. December 30, 2017). APA (American Psychology Association). K, Yin Robert. (2011). Qualitative Research (2014). About Transgender People, From Start To Finish. New York: The Gender Identity, and Gender Guildford Press. Expression. Washington: Public and Lestari, Sefitri. (2016). Konseling Bagi Member Communications. Populasi Transgender. Indonesia: Aras, Goksen. (2014). Literature in Universitas Muria Kudus. Psychology-Psychology in Literature. Mayer,Lawrence S. (2016). Sexuality and www.sciencedirect.com. Gender Findings from the Biological, Barry, Peter. (1995). Psychnalytic Criticism. Psychological, and Social Sciences. New York: Manchester University. Washington: The New Atlantis. Butler, Judith. (1990). Gender Trouble: Menendez, Silvia. (2013). Why Hip-Hop is Feminism and the Subversion of Queer:Using Queer Theory to Examine Identity. New York: Routledge. IdentityFormation in Rap Music. Butler, Judith, „Critically Queer‟, in The Wellesley College. Routledge Queer Studies Reader, ed. Ramajaru. (2012). Analisis Jurnal Psikologi. Donald E. Hall and Annamarie Jagose, Malang: Universitas Brawijaya. (New York: Routledge, 2013), pp.18-31. Sari, Indah. (2016). Transgender in Tom Cuddon, J.A. (2013). Dictionary of Literary Hooper‟S Movie The Danish Girl. Terms and Literary Theory. England: English and Literature Department Adab Blackwell Publisher. and Humanity Faculty Alauddin State Dumity, Alexa. (2015). Queer Theory in Islamic University Makassar. Literature. Wardhani, Paramitha. (2013). The Unnatural https://prezi.com/g0mqym6s4z0b/queer- Sexual Orientation (LGBT and Queer theory-in-literature (Retrieved on Theory Judith Butler). Indonesia: December 30, 2017). Academia.
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