PERSPECTIVES ON POLYGAMY IN DAVID EBERSHOFF'S THE 19th WIFE
A THESIS
BY
DEBBY YOLANDA KETAREN
REG.NO. : 140721028
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN 2017
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA PERSPECTIVES ON POLYGAMY IN DAVID EBERSHOFF'S THE 19th WIFE
A THESIS
BY
DEBBY YOLANDA KETAREN
REG.NO. : 140721028
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN 2017
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA PERSPECTIVES ON POLYGAMY IN DAVID EBERSHOFF'S THE 19th WIFE
A THESIS
BY DEBBY YOLANDA KETAREN REG. NO. 140721028
SUPERVISOR CO-SUPERVISOR
Drs. Parlindungan Purba, M.Hum Drs. Siamir Marulafau, M.Hum
NIP. 19630216 198903 1 003 NIP. 19580517 198503 1 003
Submitted to Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara Medan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Sarjana Sastra From Department of English.
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA MEDAN 2017
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Approved by the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara (USU) Medan as thesis for The SarjanaSastra Examination.
Head, Secretary,
Dr. Deliana, M.Hum Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, M.A., Ph.D
NIP. 19571117198303 2 002 NIP. 19750209 200812 1 002
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Sarjana Sastra from the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara, Medan.
The examination is held in Department of English Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara on July25th 2017
Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies
University of Sumatera Utara
Dr. Budi Agustono, M.S
NIP.19600805 1987031 001
Board of Examiners
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, M.A. Ph.D. ______
Drs. Parlindungan Purba, M.Hum ______
Dr. Martha Pardede, MS ______
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I, DEBBY YOLANDA KETAREN, DECLARE THAT I AM THE SOLE
AUTHOR OF THIS THESIS EXCEPT WHERE REFERENCE IS MADE IN
THE TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS CONTAINS NO MATERIAL
PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE OR EXTRACTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART
FROM A THESIS BY WHICH I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR OR A WARDED
ANOTHER DEGREE. NO OTHER PERSON’S WORK HAS BEEN USED
WITHOUT DUE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THIS
THESIS. THIS THESIS HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD
OF ANOTHER DEGREE IN ANY TERTIARY EDUCATION.
Signed :
Date : July 31, 2017
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
NAME :DEBBY YOLANDA KETAREN
TITLE OF THESIS : PERSPECTIVES ON POLYGAMY IN DAVID EBERSHOFF'S THE 19TH WIFE
QUALIFICATION :S-1/SARJANA SASTRA
DEPARTMENT :ENGLISH
I AM WILLING THAT MY THESIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR
REPRODUCTION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LIBRARIAN OF
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES,
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USERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE LAW
OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA.
Signed :
Date : July 31, 2017
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all I thank the Lord for all of the blessings and mercy so I can accomplish this thesis. Thank you Lord!
The first sincere gratitude is given tomy supervisor Drs. ParlindunganPurba,
M.Hum and my co-supervisor Drs. SiamirMarulafau, M.Humfor their support, encouragement and give beneficial advices to finish this thesis.
Mynext gratitude goes to Dr. Deliana, M.Hum, as the Head of English
Department and Secretary of English DepartmentRahmadsyahRangkuti M.A, Ph.D
And also to all my lecturers in English Department who have taught and gave me inspiration during this study. Dr. Budi Agustono, M.S as the dean of Faculty of
Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara as well as the members of administration for their valuable help throughout the academic years.
To my beloved Father, Alexander Ketaren S.H, thank you for your love, support and advices. You are my inspiration. To my dear Mother, Nurhafni
Matondang, thank you for your encouragement.
My very special thanks and gratitude to My husband Yohannes Simanjuntak, thank you for your love, patience, and support during my studies. Without your affection and support I would never be able to finish my bachelor's degree.
Last but not least for my friends Yenny, Kidok and Angie I thank you guys for always accompanying me and for all the laughs and silliness we have done together , and the countless memories through all these years. Let's stay in touch!
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Medan, July 31st, 2017
The Writer
DEBBY YOLANDA KETAREN Reg. No. 140721028
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA ABSTRAK
Skripsi ini memberikan analisa dari poligami di Mormon di dalam novel karya David Ebershoff yang berjudul The 19th wife. The 19th wife adalah cerminan dari kisah nyata Ann Eliza Young, istri ke 19 sang nabi, Brigham Young. Penelitian ini berisi tiga rumusan masalah yang akan dianalisis. Yang pertama adalah "Bagaimana perspektif budaya tentang poligami di dalam novel?" dan masalah yang kedua adalah "Apa pandangan wanita terhadap poligami yang digambarkan di dalam novel?" dan masalah ketiga adalah "Apa pandangan pria terhadap poligami yang digambarkan di dalam novel?." Poligami bertentangan dengan teori feminisme, hal ini berdasarkan pada teori Nina Rosenstand seperti yang diterapkan dalam skripsi ini. Metode analisis data dalam skripsi ini lebih dikenal dengan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Ada dua macam sumber yang digunakan di dalam skripsi ini. Sumber utama diperoleh dari novel itu sendiri, The 19th Wife. Sumber kedua diperoleh dari buku-buku yang berkaitan dengan mormon dan poligami, dan sumber lainnya berasal dari internet. Hasil dari analisa ini menunjukkan bahwa poligami di dalam mormon adalah simbol dan tradisi, dan poligami memberikan banyak dampak negatif kepada wanita, anak- anak dan kehidupan pernikahan.
Kata Kunci : Mormon, Poligami, Feminisme, Perspektif
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA ABSTRACT
This thesis provides an analysis of Mormon polygamy in David Ebershoff's novel entitled The 19th Wife. The 19th Wife is a reflection of the true story of Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of the prophet, Brigham Young. This study contains three problems formulation to be analyzed. The first problem is "How is cultural perspective on Polygamy in The 19th Wife Novel?" and the second problem is "What is female perspectives on polygamy as portrayed in the novel?" and the third "What is male perspective on Polygamy as portrayed in the novel?." Polygamy is contradict to feminism theory, this is based on theory of Nina Rosenstand as applied in this thesis. The method of analyzing the data in this thesis is better known as descriptive qualitative method.There are two kinds of sources that are used in this thesis. The primary source is obtained from the novel itself, The 19th Wife. The secondary source is obtained from the books related to Mormon and polygamy, and other sources are from the internet. The result of this analysis shows that polygamy in Mormon is a symbol of faith and tradition, and polygamy gives many negative impacts to women, children and marriage life. Key Words : Mormon, Polygamy, Feminism, Perspective
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA TABLE OF CONTENT
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ...... v
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ...... vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...... vii
ABSTRAK ...... ix
ABSTRACT ...... x
TABLE OF CONTENT ...... xi
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of The Study ...... 1
1.2 Problem of The Study ...... 6
1.3 Objective of The Study ...... 6
1.4 Scope of The Study ...... 7
1.5 Significance of The Study ...... 7
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Literature ...... 8
2.2 Novel ...... 10
2.3 Polygamy ...... 12
2.4 Mormonism ...... 15
2.4.1 Polygamy in Mormon ...... 20
2.4.2 Problem in Mormons Polygamy Practice ...... 22
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 2.5 Feminism ...... 23
2.5.1 Feminism and Polygamy ...... 25
CHAPTER III : METHOD OF RESEARCH
3.1 Data & Data Source ...... 27
3.2 Data Collection & Data Analysis ...... 28
3.3 Method of Collecting Data ...... 28
CHAPTER IV : ANALYSIS AND FINDING
4.1 Cultural Perspective on Polygamy in The 19th Wife ...... 31
4.2 Female Perspectives on Polygamy in The 19th Wife ...... 34
4.2.1 Polygamy is Injustice and Brings Jealousy
in Woman's Life ...... 34
4.2.2 Polygamy Brings Disharmony in Marriage Life ...... 36
4.2.3 Polygamy is A Crime ...... 37
4.2.4 Polygamy Makes Financial Problem ...... 39
4.2.5 Polygamy Directs Children to Get Less Attention ...... 40
4.2.6 Polygamy Makes Unhealthy Environment ...... 41
4.3 Male Perspective on Polygamy in The 19th Wife ...... 43
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA CHAPTER V : CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion ...... 46
5.2 Suggestion ...... 47
REFERENCES ...... 48
APPENDICES
i. Author's Biography and Works
ii. Summary of The Novel
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Polygamy is the practice or custom of having more than one wife at the same time. The word polygamy comes from the Greek “polygamos”,polysmeans"many" + gamosmeans"marriage". "Polygamy is form of marriage types wherein a person owns more than spouse." (Al-Krenawi and Gharaibeh, 2011;47:594–602). Polygamy is also known as plural marriage. Polygamy isn't a taboo thing around the world.
When a man has more than one wife in marriage life and builds a household together with many wives, people will call him a polygamist.Polygamy takes many forms across the globe, in some cultures in Himalayan village, Nepal and in Dehradun, north India one wife is shared by brothers (www.rawstory.com), in others a man who lives in Australia has 2 wives who are sisters (www.news.com.au), and in Salt
Lake City in the American state of Utah , Mormon sisters share a husband
(www.telegraph.co.uk). From some true story we found out that, it was very common for kings in Korea to have many wives, to produce many heirs in order to continue his bloodline as the holder of the throne (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr).
Polygamy does not fit the image of a modern society at all.Many women avoid the polygamy life and deny it in their marriage life, if polygamy happens in their marriage, many of them choose to end the marriage and leave their husband because it hurts their heart and they call themselves a victim. After all, nobody wants to get hurt and feel the pain of sharing your love one with someone else. But for those who accept polygamy, there is no problem in their marriage life, polygamous
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA wives may live together in the same house, or in separate households. "Polygamy is an endeavour to get more out of life than there is in it" by Elbert Hubbard, American writer (http://www.inspirational-quotes-and-poems.net).
Polygamy happens in many sides of the world, no matter what races and religion they are. Polygamy exists in society with or without permission from government and neighborhood.Actually this is a case of religious freedom, people have a right to believe what they want but right now almost all the western civilization and countries are strictly prohibiting the polygamy, but there are still a few of them that recognize the polygamous marriages. In most European countries for example the polygamy is considered to be a crime and it can be punished with prison time. Therefore the moment a person is going to try to get married with more than one partner is most likely going to get into a lot of trouble.
In United States the polygamy represents an illegal practice except for the
Utah state. In Canada the polygamy is illegal thanks to the Section 293 of the
Criminal Code of Canada and the bigamy is banned at Section 290. But at the same time it’s been more than 60 years since the last person was prosecuted for practicing it. In other countries like the ones that you can find in Africa, Asia (this includes
India) you can still find polygamy to be accepted by both the law and the society
(http : www.polygamy.com).
There is a well known religion that accept the polygamy concept in their beliefs, that religion is Mormon, where the followers are based in United states.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA The word "Mormons" most often refers to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) because of their belief in the Book of Mormon, though members often refer to themselves as Latter-day Saints or sometimes just
Saints. Joseph Smith, Jr., the church's founder and it's first president, was the one who introduced the idea of plural marriage.
"In these Book of Mormon stories, the heroes are Joseph Smith's alter egos; other people from his real life are diminished or presented as evil. I hypothesize that Smith's motive is to gain power over people and reverse his childhood helplessness, particularly during his surgery."(Robert D. Anderson, author of Inside the mind of Joseph Smith : Psychobiography and the book of Mormon ).
Smith is considered a prophet and continued to share revelations and new doctrines throughout his life. Among those revelations recorded in 1843 in the
Doctrine and Covenants, a book of Mormon scripture, were teachings about plural marriage. Joseph Smith introduced plural marriage early in the history of the Church as the result of a revelation from God. Although many justifications were offered for the practice of plural marriage, there was really only one reason for it: God had told the Mormons to do it. If we ask a Mormon woman, "how could you believe such a claim?" She will say "I was raised to believe plural marriage is the will of God and my faith is never easy to explain" (Wife number 19,1876,an autobiography of Ann
Eliza Young). I know it's hard to believe people really talk like that, but consider this if you didn't know anything else, if your only source of information was the Prophet, if you spent seven hours in Church on Sunday listening to a man who claimed to have direct line to God, who your father and mother swore was a Prophet, and your brother and sisters, and your teachers and your friends promised you his word was the word of God, you would probably believe it too.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Polygamy has long been associated with gender inequality, the United
Nations has consistently taken the position that polygamy contravenes women's equality rights. That is why polygamy against feminism theory. Feminism is the organized movement which promotes equality for men and women in political, economic and social environment. Feminists believe that women are oppressed simple due to their sex based on the dominant ideology of patriarchy. Polygamy is inherently patriarchal because there is only one man involved in the union meaning the man is the most valuable member. As a leader in radical feminist thought, Bell
Hook theory about feminism is :"Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression." (Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center : 1984).
According to Ritzer (2004:448)
“Feminism is kind of critical social theory which included in social context, political, economic, and history that is facing by injustice people."
The decline in polygamy has been related to changing social conditions, the increase in democracy, the decline in arranged marriages, and the improvement in the education of and human rights protections for women.
In this study I will analyze polygamy perspectives in David Ebershoff's novel The 19th Wife, a New York times bestseller novel. This is a historical novel, inspired by a true life story, real people and real events of a woman named Ann Eliza
Young (September 13, 1844 – December 7, 1917), a rebel wife of the leader of the
Utah saints and prophet of the Mormon church Brigham Young.Eliza Ann divorced
Brigham Young in 1873, that she wrote a book about her life among the polygamous
Mormons entitled Wife No. 19, A rich account of her family’s polygamous history is
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA revealed, including how both she and her mother became plural wives. She traveled around America giving lectures criticizing polygamy. In one of her speech, Ann
Eliza Young asked the government and the lawmakers to help her stop the Mormon polygamy practice,
"make it crime to neglect a wife, make it crime to neglect a child, make it crime to force one woman to accept another into her home, make it crime for that is what it is. It is not a religious practice, it is not a declaration of faith, it is not a testament of freedom, it is a crime of cruelty and abandonment."(Wife no. 19, 1875).
Ever since her apostasy from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1873, Ann Eliza Young has been a figure of controversy among Mormons and non-Mormons alike. Her story is so remarkable because she dared to reveal what thousands of other Mormon plural wives in bore in silence. In her battle against plural marriage she became a vocal enemy of both the Church and Brigham. Ann
Eliza wrote her books to affect public opinion and change policy, but also to shape her legacy.
As the Author of The 19th Wife, David Ebershoffreads more about Ann Eliza
Young, he recognized how remarkable she was; intelligent, outspoken, declarative, contradictory, somewhat unreliable, a tad melodramatic, very beautiful and she possessed a number of traits that can make a character in a novel unpredictable, and therefore interesting. To tell her story to the world and to make it relevant to today then the Author wrote the 19th wife novel.The 19th wife novel is contemporary narrative set on a polygamous compound in Utah.
A story of murder involving a polygamist family in present-day. Jordan Scott, a young man who was thrown out from his community, must reenter the world that
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA cast him aside in order to discover the truth behind his father's death. He wants to save his mother namedBeckyLyn, a Mormon follower and a wife number 19 of
Sawyer Scott, a modern polygamist from Utah. Because of circumstantial evidence,
BeckyLynis accused of killing Jordan's father (his husband)and imprisoned.The 19th
Wife novel intertwines historical narratives of Ann Eliza Young's life with
BeckyLyn story.Both women in this novel wereMrs. 19 in their plural marriages. The writer puts the feminism theory to analyze the main problems in this study.
1.2 Problem of the Study
The problem of the study is necessary for the writer to keep on the main idea of the study. Referring to the background of the study, the writer will analyze the main problems of this study, which are :
1. How is Cultural Perspective on Polygamy in The 19th Wife Novel?
2. What is female perspective on polygamy as portrayed in the novel?
3. What is male perspective on polygamy as portrayed in the novel?
1.3Objective of the Study
The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. These objectives should be closely related to the research problem.The objectives of this analysis are :
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 1. To find out the cultural perspectives on polygamy in The 19th Wife novel.
2. To reveal the female perspectives on polygamy in The 19th Wife.
3. To reveal the male perspectives on polygamy in The 19th Wife.
1.4Scope of the Study
In this research, the scope of the research is limited to the analysis of the novel written by David EbershoffThe 19th Wife. The writer focuses the study of
DavidEbershoff's novel The 19th Wife on how is Mormon plural marriage portrayed in the novel and what are the leading character's perspective on polygamy.
1.5 Significance of the study
In theory, the writer's purposes to bring these issues to this study is to enrich literature work about polygamy or plural marriage.
In practical, the writer's purposes to bring these issues to this study is to make this analysis as a reference for the reader.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1Literature
Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material.
Original from the Latin litteratura meaning "writing formed with letters," literature usually refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, and in some instances, song. Literature also means something that the writer does to express his/her ideas, emotions and feelings. According to
Jones Jr. (1986) literature is simply another way people can experience the world around them through the imagination. It can be divided into two different groups’ namely informative literature and imaginative literature. Informative literature deals with facts, explanation, real people’s life, and history. Imaginative literature, on the other hand aims to arouse thoughts and feelings.
Literature is important to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it affects us on a personal level. According to Rees ( 1973), there are two definitions of literature ( literature ) ; literature in the broad sense and literature in a special sense or narrow. Rees (1973), after describing what he regarded as literature, summed up that literature is a permanent expression in words of some thoughts or feelings in ideas about life and the world. Perrine (1959:311) defines literature according to the aim of writing literature. He makes two broad categories of literature, namely: escape literature and interpretative literature. Escape literature is that written purely for entertainment, to help is pass the time agreeably. Its only objet is pleasure.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA While, interpretative literature is written to broaden and deep and sharpen our awareness of life. It takes us, through imagination, deeper into the real world: it enables us to understand the reality of life better.
There are definitions of literature from different perspectives from literature experts : (www.goodreads.com)
"Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart." (Salman Rushdie) "Literature springs from our inborn love of telling a story, of arranging words in pleasing patterns, of expressing in words some special aspects of our human experience." (Moody :1987) "Literature from a functional perspective as theimaginative work that gives us R’s: recreation, recognition, revelationand redemption." (Boulton :1980) "I’ll call for pen and ink and write my mind."(William Shakespeare)
There are many kinds of literary work, such as poem or poetry, short story, novel or prose, drama or playlist, and etc. reading a literary work is a process interaction between the author and the reader. An author have the message to the reader through literary. The author expresses what he has experienced and seen in his life. They expect that the readers can get the value or message after read and learn literary work.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 2.2 Novel
Literally novel is derived from word "Novella", Italian language vocabulary, which means a story or a piece of the story.
"Novel is story in form of prose in wide of size measure. Wide of measure here can mean story with part, which is complex, immeasurable story atmosphere and immeasurable the story setting also." Explained by Jakob Sumardjo (1991 : 29).
Most of the written works like novels, short stories, plays, and poems are fictional. A work of fiction is a work of literature. The novel is a work of fiction prose written in a narrative and usually written in story form. Sometimes to create a novel with interesting story, the Author creates a story based on real life experiences.
In general, the novel tells the story of the characters in everyday life and all the nature, character and temperament including cultural values, social, educational and moral.Novel as a literary works has known since eighteenth century in England.
According to Singleton and Millet in their book "An Introduction to Literature" that
"novel is prose fiction of considerable length showing characters inaction and capable of greater complexity both character and plot than the story." (1966:1194).
These are some common types of novel :
1. Realistic Novel, the novel that based on the true story.
2. The picaresque novel,the novel which talk about adventures.
3.The epistolary novel, the novel written in the form of series of letters
between the characters.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 4. Historical Novel,a historical novel is a novel set in a period earlier than
that of the writing.
5. Gothic Novel,gothic novel includes terror, mystery, horror, thriller,
supernatural, doom, death, decay, old haunted buildings with ghosts and so
on.
6. Autobiographical Novel, an autobiographical novel is a novel based on
the life of the author.
7. Detective fiction is a subgenre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in
which an investigator or a detective—either professional or amateur—
investigates a crime, often murder.
8. The domestic novel, the novel which mostly talks about the domestic
problemsof certain family.
9. The didactic novel, the novel in which the message is used to teach something or to preach political or religious doctrines and social reforms.
Literature also refers to non-fiction (memoirs, biography, and other works that are factual in scope). As for the writer's definition of Literature is the art of language.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 2.3 Polygamy
Polygamy is not a new word for many people. Many people practicing polygamy secretly in this modern societies. Polygamy is the practice of taking more than one spouse. The word polygamy comes from the Greek “polygamos” , polys means "many" + gamos means "marriage". Polygamy can be of two types. One is
Polygamy where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man.The history of polygamy has been practiced for many centuries by cultures from all over the world. The Hebrew society has partially accepted polygamy and there are traces that say that it happened in the classical China too.
The polygamy was also found at the Native Americans, in the West African continent, Polynesia, India and the ancient Greece. The polygamy was widely accepted throughout the world until the Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic
Church has imposed the rules of having just one wife. Monogamy which is one husband with one wife , is now the rule in eastern and western Europe, North
America, South America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand and large parts of Asia, including Japan and China.Polygamy was practiced by great men of the
Bible. The first instance of polygamy/bigamy in the Bible was that of Lamech in
Genesis 4:19: " Lamech married two women ". Abraham had more than one wife.
"But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country." (Genesis 25:6 ).
"Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah." (Genesis 25:1).
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA King Solomon had more than one wife.He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. ( 1 King 11:1-3 ).
Jacob had more than one wife. He marries Leah and Rachel ( Genesis 29:17-19 ).
God did not condemn or punish any of these men for practicing polygamy, but just because the Bible records polygamous relationships does not mean that God approves of such things. But in the new testament of the Bible, all the Scriptures about marriage always speak of the husband and the wife in singular terms
"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." (Eph 5:22-23).
Notice the use of “wife” in the singular form. The Bible says that God’s original intention was for one man to be married to only one woman:
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife [not wives], and they will become one flesh [not fleshes]” (Genesis 2:24).
Christian now believes that God defined marriage between one man and one woman, not between one man and two or more women or one woman and two or more men. Polygamy is a part of our daily life living in this modern world. There are two main religions where polygamy is acceptable and their followers are practice it :
Islam and Mormons. But in Islam a man who has more than one wife must be able to afford each of them and their children equal protection and benefit.
Polygamy is part of some cultures. By practicing this form of culture, the people feel proud and dignified. In some cultures in Africa for a man to control a home of three or four wives with different behaviors, for example, is a great
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA leadership responsibility. And if a man can successfully manage this, then he’s most likely to manage great institutions or people. If one man can understand and deal with women easily and successfully, then he has great management and leadership skills.
In polygamy marriage, the most common complaint of second and third wives resulted from a husband displaying too little sensitivity to the needs of plural families or not treating them equally. Not infrequently, wives complained that husbands spent too little time with them. Morrison and Jutting (2004: 16) wrote:
“Polygamy entails inequality between men and women because usually there is a difference of 20 to 30 years between the second (or third) wife and her husband.”
Basically there are many reasons why a man wants to do polygamy, some of them are :
1. Increase the probability of children, particularly when a wife is barren or gives
birth to female children only.
2. Expand the range of a man's alliances so he is able to maintain or acquire a
position of leadership.
3. Perhaps provide sexual satisfaction to men, particularly in societies with
sexualtaboos view.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 2.4Mormonism
Mormons lived in Utah, the center of cultural influence for
Mormonism.Mormonism, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, claims to be the restoration of the true gospel and a revelation of the true God.
Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement of RestorationsChristianity. Joseph Smith, Jr.founded the movement in Western New
York in the 1820s. Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon,
Vermont.
In the spring of 1820, Joseph went to a grove of trees near his home and knelt in prayer. He described his experience: "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me [ …
] When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spoke unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-This is My Beloved Son. Hear
Him!"(Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17). This vision of Heavenly Father and His Son
Jesus Christ was the beginning of Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet of God.
He was told that none of the churches on the earth had the fullness of truth.
Over time, Joseph Smith was chosen to establish Christ's Church and restore the priesthood, or the authority to act in God's name. He was led by God to an ancient record and given the ability to translate it into English. This record is called the Book of Mormon. He continued to pray and receive revelation for the Church throughout his life.These revelations were compiled into a book of scriptures referred to as the
Doctrine and Covenants and shows that God still leads His children today. Joseph
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Smith formally organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6,
1830.
The Mormons teach that, for fourteen hundred years to the time of Smith's revelation, there had been a awful apostasy from the religion of the New Testament, so that all the known world have been left for centuries without the Church of Christ among them, without a priesthood authorized of God to administer ordinances, that every one of the Churches has perverted the Gospel. The new Church presented a modern prophet, who was in direct communication with God and possessed power to work miracles, and who taught from a Golden Bible which says that "whoever asserts that there are no longer revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues and the interpretation of tongues...not the Gospel of Christ."
(The Book of Mormon ix. 7,8)
Mormonism claim to be a Christian but different from Catholic or Protestant.
They do read and trust the bible but they also have some additional book including
The Book of Mormon. Every human being has the potential of becoming a god by keeping the requirements of Mormonism.A well-known statement within
Mormonism is, "As man is god once was, as god is man may become"( LDS Apostle
James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, Ch.24, p.430 - p.431 ). Like other Christians,
Mormons celebrate Christmas and Easter as their two most important religious holidays.
In Mormonism, The Prophet banned sports and other modern activities for his follower. He required all female follower to wear long sleeves, long skirt and long underwear that teaches that modest dress not only shows respect for one's own body and for God, but also has a positive effect on spirituality and behavior. Every
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Saturday was washing days for Mormons. Women would fill a zinc tub with cold water, throw two boys in at a time, scrub their backsides with a brush on a stick, then fling them out. The girls used the bathroom according to a schedule that kept the plumbing on this side of chaos. On Saturdays women washed their hair in special sinks. The prophet didn't let them cut it, he said they'd need it when they got to heaven to wash their husband's feet.
In Mormonism, most of the wives were working on the farms or in the few shops. Many worked in the church's sewing plant, making eyeglass cords. Some women were nurses and cashiers.And for the men, some of them worked construction in town, putting up more houses for wives and kids and more church admin building. But some men in the Church don't work at all. Same sex marriages,
Lesbian Gay Bi-sex and Transgender, tattoo, piercing, alcoholare sins in Mormon theory.
A young kids of Mormonare taught is that a family immigrated to the
Americas from Israel. Half the members of that family followed God - the other half chose not to. Those who did not follow God were cursed with a dark skin and lived as "heathens." The dark skin one they refers to American native people or Indian people. They don't want to have an Indian neighbor and refuse to speak with
American native people(http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com).
Mormonism is rejected by most of American, because it's not suit the modern life and modern society. That is why Mormon followers live in a small area with their community and refuse to adopt modern life into their lives.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA "Mormonism was an imperium in imperio ruled by a man who is prophet, priest, king and pope, all in one."(Strong 1981, 112-15 )
The prophet is afraid if his followers exposed to modern world they will act against him. Women in this community never teach to say no to whatever the prophet decides for them, whether they like or not they have to do it if they want to enter the heaven after they die.Based on the experience of a former Mormon follower(http://www.poinkie.com), Mormon has many rules. Some of them are :
1. No smoking, noalcohol,nocoffeeno tea.
2. Get married early. No sex before marriage. No living together.
3. Do not question Mormon authority. Mormons are taught that when their “prophet” speaks it is coming from God. They are told that when the prophet speaks the thinking has been done. Members are expected to obey whatever they are told without any hesitation or skepticism.
4. Have children early (right after you get married) and have many.
5. Wear only very modest clothing: this means no shorts above the knee, no low cut tops for women, nothing sleeveless, etc.
6. Fast once per month [which to Mormons is no food or water for 24 hours.]
These rules are very weird comparing to modern life that we live today. The Mormon practice has been banned from other states in United States except for Utah.
According to the Mormons Church they have come up with a certain passage from the bible in order to back up what they are doing. And here is the quote from
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA the Mormon Church about why they can practice polygamy: The standard doctrine of the church is monogamy, as it always has been, as indicated in The Book of Mormon
(Jacob chapter 2):
"Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none. For if I will, say the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.”
For Christian outside the Mormon, The Bible does teach eternal marriage, but not the Mormon version. The union is between Christ, the Bridegroom, and His collective body of believers, who are the bride (Matthew 25:1-13; John 3:29;
Romans 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2). Many who left Mormon because they finally realize Mormonism is not a Christian belief, it is so different with Catholic or
Protestant. Every follower who leaves Mormonism should leave their home, community and family. They are stranger now and can't enter the Mormon society anymore even their family also banned to meet them. Though Mormon life is very hard and out of date, some people still find peace inside Mormon belief.
They refuse to leave their traditional way of life and closed their door for outsider who wants to bring modernity to their lives. Mormons hold traditional views of gender roles inside the family and in their religious community. Mormons motto is
“family” or “family values.” This survey finds that family is, indeed, very important to most Mormons.Mormons are more likely than the general public to feel that marriage and childrearing are some of the most important things in life. Being a good parent and having a successful marriage rank as top priorities in life for both
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Mormon men and Mormon women, and for both the highly religious and those with lower levels of religious commitment.
"The most important part is just having our children know that we love them and we love spending time with them, and we are a family that is staying together," said Emilie Ahern(one of the MormonFollower).
Nowadays, Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be found at every level of society , in business and charity, education and the sciences, political parties and government, the entertainment industry and news media.
2.4.1 Polygamy in Mormon
Polygamy is illegal in The United States, every state has a law outlawing polygamy. There are many antipolygamist in America, they opposing polygamy to protect Christian-model monogamy and the patriarchal roles associated with it.
Additionally, the federal government has several laws that also criminalize the act of being married to more than one person, however Mormons in United states are polygamists. The fundamentalist Mormons practiced the original teachings of
Mormonism from its founder Joseph Smith. This teaching includes following the
Principle, which states a man must practice polygamy, marrying at least three wives to enter the Celestial Kingdom.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Many of the Mormon leaders, had more wives than one when they made their first trip across the plains, and the practice of polygamy. The Prophet is the earthly leader and mediator between God and man. Women are on this earth to serve their husband and obey the Prophet. If a woman does this faithfully, her husband may invite her to join him in the Celestial Kingdom. A woman's eternal fate depends on keeping this Principle. People must obey their prophet to avoid any sins.
For Mormons, plural marriage is the will of God. Love is not an important thing is Mormon life, they just obey and silent. Mormon marriages are different from most marriages because they are considered eternal. If a husband and wife are sealed together in the church, they can be together on into the celestial kingdom. The sealing ceremony varies little from most Christian wedding ceremonies. The difference, of course, is that instead of "until death do us part" the couple is united through eternity. The women vowed total submission to their husbands. The men vowed never to marry a wife without permission from the Church. Together they promised to obey the Church's authority fully. However, the church sees divorce as an unfortunately necessary evil.
"We believe in plural marriage because God has commanded it. He has spoken, first to Joseph and now to me. I cannot change the word of God to suit my needs, nor can I change His word to suit the politics of today. His word is the word of Eternity, and shall always be. A man who disagrees with our practice of plural marriage is disagreeing with God. His disagreement is not with us, but with his Maker. We look to the authority of Scripture, for there, in the Old Testament, are many examples of man with many wives. The Latter-day Saints are here to restore the truth of God as He intended it for man. With Joseph as His Prophet, and myself after, God has set out to restore His truths, and we are doing so."( Brigham Young, August 29, 1852)
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Mormons marriage life is one husband sharing a house with more than 3 wives sometimes 17 wives at once and with more than 30 children sharing meal, clothes and toys together. There are not limit for Mormons man to have as many wives as he wants to. Sometimes a husband will take sibling sister to become his wives. Husbands in Mormonism never announce the number of their wives to public.
Wife is an inadequate term, for each woman plays a different role in their life. They call their wives not only a wife, some are they mates and mother of their children, some are more like affectionate aunts, some are like friends because they can debate and discuss all matters, others are the keepers of the house, and the kitchen. The practice of plural marriage has eliminated adultery from Mormon society.
2.4.2 Problem in Mormons polygamy practice
Polygamy is acceptable if there are specific reasons behind that. For example when a man wants to marry a widow to help her financially, when a man has a permit from his first wife to have another woman because of her disability to be pregnant, or when his wife disable to give her husband what he needs because of her sickness. But in Mormonism a man is free to do polygamy just for his lust without any right reason, often a Mormon man tells a fake reason to his wife so he can take another woman as his wife. With so many wives and children in his house, often their marriage life is full of the misery. Disharmony and jealousy between wives, competition among children, and injustice feeling are most problem in Mormons plural marriage.When the husband can't treat his wives fairly and equally, thejealousybetweenwiveswillbethe result of his plural marriage, and it can make a
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA uncomfortable atmosphere in his house and for sure it will bring the negative effects to his children.
Mormon Polygamist also had significantly more problems in family functioning, marital relationships and life satisfaction. For some people who rejecting polygamy, they see polygamy as adultery. Marriage life means loyalty to one man or to one woman. Any sexual relationship outside of that is adultery, even if it’s not called that, normal people view is different with polygamist view.
2.5 Feminism
Feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.According to Humm (1990:74) in The Dictionary of Feminist Theory states that
"feminism incorporates both doctrines of equal rights of women (the organized movement to attain women’s right) and an ideology of social transformation which aims to create a world for women beyond simple social equality. She also states that “Certain terms in contemporary theory, such as work, family, patriarchy, and sexuality, are used to sum up the basis experiences of women”.
Davies (1996:62) in Gender Theories in Education states that
“Feminism is women's assertion of their equality with men and their demand for access to those roles and positions of public life traditionally regarded as the province of men."
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Feminist never hate man, but they refuse to obey man truthfully without never argue or fight for their voice and right. Feminism is about freedom to speak, freedom to live with your own choice, and freedom to act. Feminism rises because of injustice situation that many woman faces in everyday life all over the world. They forced to be a second class citizen under man power.
Feminism was also fighting for children voice, those who forced to work as a slave in poor country and those who live in cruelty life just because grown up people think they just a kid who has no right and voice to speak up their mind.
“Women and men should have equal opportunities, that women should not be discriminated based on their gender, and that women and men should get equal pay for equal work, chances are she will say yes and so will most men”, (Rosenstand:2006:566).
Feminism is a movement to empower women and hopefully allow them to one day be seen as more than the second-class citizens that the majority of our twisted society views them as today. Feminists agree on five basic principles:
1. Working to increase equality, Feminist refuse to be a stay at home wife or mom.
2. Expanding human action and choice, Feminists believe that both men and women should have the freedom to develop their human interests and talents, and when a woman wants to work in a man area it should be okay.
3. Eliminating gender stratification, Feminists oppose laws and cultural norms that limit income, political view, and educational for woman.
4. Ending sexual violence and promoting sexual freedom, Feminists feel that women should have control over their sexuality and reproduction.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA In some countries, women are sold for a very cheap price to a rich family or a very old man by their family to gain some money. If the family is poor, their young girl will be the victim of this condition, because a boy will be more useful for their family to help his parents work and to carry family name by having children. And a girl in this condition can't fight and refuses what her parents told her. Feminist is working to fight this kind or barbaric practice that happens in many parts of the world. It is same like human trafficking, where Human trafficking provides close ties with both protection of women’s rights as well as of children’s rights.The purpose of feminism theory is to understand women’s injustice in terms of gender, race, class, sexual and also how to change it.
2.5.1 Feminism and Polygamy
Feminism theory is equality for women and children just like men, women and children have equal right for living. Feminists believe that women are human beings who must be treated as human beings, feminists reject culture-endorsed female bondage. feministsclaim to be anti-sexist, and anti-patriarchal, but they argue that they are not anti-male. Feminism is the idea where a woman has the right to choose whether to stay single and the right to choose when to get married, because a woman has a right to say NO.
Feminism theory surely contradict to polygamy in Mormonism. Polygamy in
Mormonism teaches their followers that man is above woman and woman must obey man as they obey God. Woman has no right to speak up and woman should not questioning their doubt about polygamy theory.One of the Mormon belief in
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA practicing polygamy life is no career approaches in importance that of wife, homemaker, mother ,cooking meals, washing dishes, making beds for one's precious husband and children.
Polygamous marriage contravenes a woman's right to equality with men, and can have such serious emotional and financial consequences for her and her dependants that such marriages ought to be discouraged and prohibited.Women do not like polygamy and they should do something about it. Feminism theory can release them from this practice. Also, polygamy is often practiced secretively and in cloistered religious communities that exist quite literally outside the norms of broader society. This situation can create impunity for those men who are abusing women. every woman who lives in polygamy life and secretly hidden from outside world, must come out and speak their voice against polygamy so there will be equality for woman.
Polygamy is very old tradition that only makes woman living in worst condition of her life, woman is a victim, there will be no a good effect of polygamy for woman. The religious freedom, the right of woman voice, the freedom of woman choices should be an important matter to every government and laws. After all, there is no one who wants to live miserable life. And for marriage, women and men should understand the words "Marriage equality for all.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA
CHAPTER III
METHOD OF RESEARCH
There are three aspect needed to complete this chapter. Those are :
1. Data & Data Source
2. Data Collection & Data Analysis
3. Method of Collecting Data
3.1 Data & Data Source
The writer uses the primary and secondary sources. The primary source is the main source that gives major part to the data collector directly, while the secondary source is the source that gives the data to the data collector indirectly as supporting data.The main data of this thesis is comes from the novel that the writer analyzes.
The novel is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. The text of the novel has been read several times in order to understand the main problem to become the subject of analyze. The text is selected and classified in the form of quotations. The selected quotation will help writer to focus to the main problem of this novel. The data
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA selected only data relating to the issues to be analyzed ,which is the leading character's perspectives on polygamy.
The secondary sources that writer uses as references to write this thesis are some books about Mormon and Joseph Smith, articles from internet, and other novels which have same main issue about polygamy.
Data sources will help and support writer opinion about the leading character's perspectives on polygamy in the novel.
3.2 Data Collection& Data Analysis
In order to analyze the novel, the important data collecting procedure is by reading the novel more than once time, usually the writer needs to read it several times to understand the meaning of the novel and what the author wants to express in his/her novel. The writer can finally gain a support of her idea about the leading character's perspectives about polygamy by reading and understanding the novel.
In a complete ways, these are the steps that the writer does to collecting the data :
1. Read the whole story to obtain an overview of the contentsnovel , and to understand a novel certainly not just one readingbut it must be many time to have better understanding the problem that exist in the novel.
2. Analyze the text that related to the leading character's perspectives about polygamy things based on what the main character going through.
3. Giving the final opinion about analysis result in a subjective and objective ways.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA
3.3 Method of Collecting Data
There are 2 types of collecting data, Quantitative and Qualitative Data collection methods. The Quantitative data collection methods, rely on random sampling and structured data collection instruments that fit diverse experiences into predetermined response categories. They produce results that are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize. Typical quantitative data gathering strategies include:
1. Experiments/clinical trials.
2. Observing and recording well-defined events
3. Obtaining relevant data from management information systems.
4. Administering surveys with closed-ended questions (face-to face and telephone interviews, questionnaires etc).
Qualitative data collection methods play an important role in impact evaluation by providing information useful to understand the processes behind observed results and assess changes in people’s perceptions of their well-being.
The qualitative methods most commonly used in evaluation can be classified in three broad categories:
1. in-depth interview
2. observation methods
3. document review
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Different ways of collecting evaluation data are useful for different purposes,
and each has advantages and disadvantages. The method that writer uses in analyzing
the leading character's perspective about Mormon polygamy and how Mormon plural
marriage portrayed in the novelisdescriptive qualitative method. The writer will
write down any potentially useful data, accurately using notes.
The data that writer collects are from quotations and some text paragraph from the
novel that is related to the main problem which is about polygamy.
The chart of the method can be summarized in the pattern below:
RESEARCHER
CONCLUSION PRIMARY DATA SOURCE :
THE 19th WIFE
BY DAVID EBERSHOFF
DESCRIPTIVE DATA : QUALITATIVE METHOD : QUOTATIONS SELECTED INTERPRET AND ANALYZE THE QUOTATIONS FROM THE TEXT OF THE NOVEL
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSISAND FINDING
4.1 Cultural Perspective on Polygamy in The 19th Wife
Polygamy is a matter of cultural perspective which is different from one culture to another. It is a matter of belief that polygamy may be accepted without intrigue for one but can be problematic at the other. Yet, the phenomenon of polygamy is supposed to be natural both religiously and culturally.
In simple application of such a term, polygamy in Mormon is great opportunity for a man but a torture for a woman. On surface meaning, polygamy is a kind of disrespect on woman status. Polygamy event has made gap of woman and man understanding and misunderstanding to its proper destination. It is said so because some women are ready enough to be the second or even the third wife of a man.
Thus, this sort of event has become a matter of choice. It can be right or wrong depends on the belief it offers.
"A sister wife meant a woman was fulfilling her religious obligations. It meant she was that much closer to Heaven. More practically, a sister wife also meant help with the household chores and typically, some relief from conjugal relations. Many women found joy in the institution. But
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA many did not. The evidence suggests Elizabeth was among those who mourned the night she passed her husband to another woman. "A piece of my soul chipped off that night and fell away." (p. 120)
For most people, polygamy is something that they hope never happen in their life, but for many Mormon women, it is very clear their approval of plural marriage is for religious reasons.From the Quote above, it is clear that Mormon women are forced to believe if they accept and practice polygamy, they will be going to Heaven when they die.Although some Mormon women may have opposed this practice, their voices are not strong enough to prevent many women from advocating polygamy.
Their decision to reject polygamy is too threatening, they will lose their children, face economic hardship and their family will reject them. For woman who opposed polygamy, when her husband takes another woman into their life, the pain is real. It is like a part of herself is missing.
"We slept in triple-decker bunks; or five to a bed, head to foot, or on the couch, four boys elbowing over three cushions, or on the living room floor, on blankets and pillows, twenty kids laid down like tiles." (p. 35)
This quote is when Jordan Scott explain how the situation in their house when he has hundred siblings. The portrayal of the home situation pictures how crowded the people are with children. If the room were broad there would not be any matter. Conversely, the additional tool such as couch has indicated how poor the situation is. It is like two edges of sword in which it is nice with the number of persons, but so messy with the small space to live in.
It is said that life is a matter of choices at a certain moment for the grown up individuals. Yet the kids are not related to those choices because they are still
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA depending on the adult’s decision. Children enjoy their parent’s moment because they believe their parent give them as such. Nothing is explainable about choices for the children who have no understanding of what life is. Thus, the situation of being together is the symbol of running the life as the way it is. To say simply, children grasp life as what their parents define it.
The distinction of gender has also taken place among the kids. Female kids and male kids are actually distinctive in nature. Though they are grouped as children, it is clearly understood that they behave and talk differently. The cultural sense of being a female is soft directs a male looks at himself as a strong one. Activity of home between male and female kids is also different. Female kids are directed to see the kitchen which is placed behind at home constructively and female kids in
Mormon always do the housework. Male kids are free to play outside in order to see how matters exist outside world. This has made chaotic moment to adapt such a habit.
"A pair of sister wives would fill a zinc tub with cold water, throw two boys in at time, scrub their backsides with a brush on stick, then fling them out. They changed the water every tenth boy. It would take all morning”. (p.36)
This quote portrays how female kids are treated. Since they are young they have to do housework and they have to take care their male siblings. Because of this tradition, most of women in Mormon are housewives who stay at home, they don’t have a job or career like a man.
Polygamy in Mormon has some positive sides, and negative sides.In negative sides, they don't have privacy and they don't have’ me time’ because of too many people live in one house, but if we see it from the positive sides, living in a plural
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA marriage makes people share everything together, they never be alone and lonely, and no selfishness. Polygamy can produce children who are independent and discipline because they have to do the housework since they are young to help their parents.
Polygamy is portrayed as a symbol of obedience to the prophet. Perfect obedience produces perfect faith. No one could oppose the prophet. The prophet’s power is too strong to fight against. Mormon polygamy also portrays that Mormon men are selfish and women are not equal with men in every aspects. It is clearly the
Mormon polygamy belief is contradict with feminism theory, because feminism believe in equality, women and men are in the same level and opportunities.
4.2Female Perspectives on Polygamy in The 19th Wife
Polygamy brings negative impacts on woman, and children. Some of the negative perspectives about Mormon polygamy are :
- Polygamy is Injustice and brings jealousy in woman's life.
- Polygamy brings disharmony in marriage life.
- Polygamy is a crime
- Polygamy makes financial problem
- Polygamy directs children to get less attention.
- Polygamy makes unhealthy environment.
4.2.1. Polygamy is Injustice and brings jealousy in woman's life.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Polygamy is not culturally a haunting choice in real life. Some may have different perspectives to define it. It is not really matter for those who think they are able to fulfill both financial and biological needs to do polygamy. Others may have some religious dogma that allows the polygamy. In this case is Mormon way of life.
Ann Eliza Young, views polygamy on her own experience in running the life.
She looks polygamy provides negative impact in terms of injustice. Her perception is related to unequal treatment among wives. Each has her own selfish desire which is not the same as other wives. Such a phenomenon brings the woman into some kind of trouble. The injustice treatment has resulted some kind of jealousy that increases personal conflict, like this quote that show us the injustice treatment from his husband to her and the other wives :
"The Prophet's Favorite wife, Amelia (Prophet's 17th wife) ordered her silk from France, while Brigham's silkworms spun tirelessly for the rest of us. And most frustrating to her rival wives, she visited her husband whenever she desired". (p. 330)
Conflict happens because there is dissatisfaction when problem is not solvable. Conflict is a hopeless desire towards the desired wants. When the wants are not fulfilled the result is conflict. To resolve conflict relates to wise decision. The more destructive the conflict solved the more dangerous the result will be. Wise solution is addressed to frame of mind to accept what must be. Accepting the polygamy is not a point of what should be but it deals with what will be.
Jealousy is destructive when it tends to destroy good wills. Good wills are not illusion really. They are shaped in the form of dreams that are materialized. Yet they are not that easy to happen because sense of jealousy makes thing worse and worse.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Feeling of jealousy has come into being without any reason. There must be reason one feels jealous on something else in real life. Women’s feeling in terms of jealousy is a kind of self –expression for being unsatisfied. Unsatisfied feeling is hard to calm because woman is supposed to be easily offended.
Some causes of jealousy and oppression of wives portrayed in the novel. One of the cause is the wife’s list. The list is the documentation for every woman. When a man who has passion to a certain woman, she will be passed down to other by the acknowledgment of the church. The purpose of having this idea is to trace down with whom the women have been going with. The other feeling of jealousy grows as a man puts his highest concern to one particular wife, so he gives his highest fortune to the one he loves the most. Elizabeth put up with Lydia's selfish behavior for only so long. One evening she say this to his husband :
"I have drawn up a chart, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, you will spend the evening with her". Chauncey relented immediately to Elizabeth, "Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays will be yours." (p. 122)
4.2.2 Polygamy brings disharmony in marriage life.
The favorite wife in a polygamy marriage is what just about every wife wants to be to her husband. Therefore, it is not surprising that wives compete for the place of his favorite wife. Needless to say, wives fight for their husband's love and affection. A wife wants her husband to prefer her above the other wife. Polygamy can reduce a thoughtful, generous, mature woman to a sniveling, selfish little girl.
Perhaps it is the cruelest outcome, the removal and destruction of a woman's dignity.
Ann Eliza Young's mother, Elizabeth as a first wife, often fight with her sisterwives
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA to get her father attention. They fight over everything that they know it will get the attention from their husband.
"Lydia scratched my mother until there was blood, Elizabeth responded with a slap and pulling Lydia's hair." (p. 121)
Nothing dulls the pain of a new wife better than the next one after. There is a cruel logic in polygamous household. A wife generally ignores the women who preceded her but loathes the first woman to follow. When that woman gets replaced herself, the previous wife takes an un-Christian pleasure in seeing her pained as she had been.
The relationship between wives in polygamous marriages is varied and difficult to quantify. In some instances wives got along quite well and shared in completing daily tasks. In other instances, jealousy over the amount of attention and goods allocation resulted in the distrust and dislike of wives.This condition brings disharmony in marriage life, and can give a negative effects to the children.If a man treats his wives equally, it is easier for wives to treat each other with love and respect. Equality among women translates to each wife being provided with equal resources and time with their husband as well as collaboration among wives for the benefit of the whole.
4.2.3. Polygamy is a Crime
An unfair treatment and intimidation in polygamy is a crime for woman. This kind of a crime can happen at domestic matter such as violence on the family member especially a wife. It happens because woman is supposed to be weak and powerless compared to a man. Such a pattern relates to patriarchal concept culturally
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA in which man has been placed as the head inside the family. Woman is to look after the children and serve the husband because she is equal to be a decorated creature at home. Under polygamous marriage, women may be seen as slaves because they wait their master. Simply to say, at home the man is the king and other members are his followers. The man whose function and role as a husband is an absolute power.
The phenomenon of being the king at domestic matter is culturally natural for man universally. Again, the patriarchal pattern of mind has been accepted both earthly and heavenly. All the prophets in holy books in religious aspect are men in general. The image of strength and power physically belongs to man creature. On the opposition, woman tends to be the object of such power and strength. On cultural perspective, man is allowed to go outside home for making a living, while woman stays inside the home waiting and caring the kitchen.
The kitchen position at home is placed at behind of a home. Behind position may mean to be put aside though kitchen is a place for making a life. Woman cooks at the kitchen to go on living. The point is limited to what has been got by a man to take home that it is accepted by woman. It is not a matter of cooking but what to be found in the cooking. Thus, man has been placed more in front and woman is posited more behind. It is naturally acceptable in the domestic picture of man and woman to have role as husband and wife. Ann Eliza said
"I'm describing a world founded on fear, intimidation, and anti-reason." (p. 416)
The core of simple quotation above has meant a lot for woman as a weak creature at all. Three challenging words fear, intimidation and anti-reason are manifested for woman existence. Each word has meant weak side of being a woman
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA to be feared of, intimidated and anti-reason. Woman is fearful because she rarely uses her mind to grasp things in life. She has no reason for anything except her feeling. She needs to be intimidated because feeling matter tends to hurt than reason. Thus, woman is the object of fear, intimidation and anti-reason directs the sense of priceless creature compared to man culturally.
"Make it crime to neglect a wife. Make it crime to neglect a child. Make it crime to force one woman to accept another into her home. Make it crime, for that is what it is. It is not a religious practice, it is not declaration of faith, it is not a tastement of freedom, it is a crime of cruelty and abandonment." (p. 428)
Mormon Polygamy, is unnatural and unjust to wives and children. It is inevitable cause or consequence of sundry harms and crimes. It is a threat to women and children. Ann Eliza Young portrays polygamy as a crime because she is forced to believe that polygamy is God will and it is written in the Bible. She feels pains and sufferings that her husband has neglected her because of his marriage of new wife.
As we know, It is difficult enough for a man to meet the needs of one woman, but imagine trying to please multiples.
4.2.4 Polygamy makes financial problem
A husband is a head of a household. As a husband and a father, he has a responsibility to take care his wife and children. He must fulfill his wife and children needs. He must be able to support his family financially. For a polygamous man, he needs to double his income in order to support his big family.For a man to be able to take on several wives, he needed to be financially secure and emotionally mature.
His responsibility is the most important factor. Problems arise when a husband can't
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA support all of his wives and children needs financially because of too many people he needs to support.
When economy problems happen, a husband will cut his wives allowance.
This condition sometimes push the wives to work as the labors to earn money for their families. There are many women performing themselves as labors. Ironically, the job of the men is better and much easier than the women.
"When Brigham visited the cottage for the first time, he announced he was bearing bad news, "I am afraid my revenues are no longer what they were" he said. "We're all scaling back. I am going to have to cut your allowance." (p. 339)
The factual document of Ann Eliza shows that after a year of marriage with the prophet, Ann Eliza, her mother and her children should go to “The Farm” to live.
They were tasked to take care of the farm as well as the workers, meanwhile
Brigham returned to the city to lead the Church.
Women in polygamous marriages experience limited resources and financial support as compared to women in monogamous marriages. Many wives are gathered in one big house and they should do the household chores in daily basis without the help from the husband. Moreover, they are not only performing as workers but also as mothers of the children. The father no longer has the care to share the burden of a big family.When a husband cut his wife allowance, the burden now in her shoulder, she need to find a way to support her life and her children financially.
4.2.5 Polygamy directs children to get less attention.
Children start life as totally dependent beings. Children must rely on adults, presumptively their parents, for the nurture and guidance they need to grow towards
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA independence.Children's views are rarely heard and rarely considered in their families or in the political process.Many changes in society are having a disproportionate, and often negative, impact on children.The healthy development of children is crucial to the future wellbeing of any society.
Social research findings show that children's earliest experiences significantly influence their future development. The course of their development determines their contribution, or cost, to society over the course of their lives.
Polygamous marriages often have a negative impact on children. Most of the children reported neglect from the father once he got a second wife, and more so when he started having children from her.As the number of wives and consequently the number of children grew, there were fewer resources and lesser attention or affection to go around.
"Brigham loved his children, yet even his sincerity could not compensate for the fact that fifty seven children shared his fatherly heart." (p. 252)
This quote shows how Brigham loves all of his children, but because he has so many children, it's impossible to him to give attention fairly and equally to all of them. Because of polygamy doctrine, children get less attention from parents. In a very real sense, many children of polygamous families grow up virtually fatherless because the father is spread too thin between so many wives with so many children.
The lack of attention and absence of figure of a father made them fragile in social violence. This reality is neither good for the children nor for the father. The children will fight to get the most attention from their father, competition among children is a ordinary thing in polygamous marriage.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 4.2.6 Polygamy makesunhealthy environment.
The environment that the children grow up in affects their physical and emotional condition. The home environment can even affect a child’s brain development. Situation at home, family income, parental education is a strong influence on children’s behavior.Living in an environment affected by chaos and poverty can lead to changes in the brain’s stress system. Maternal depression is a grave threat to children’s healthy development, that is why a woman needs a good environment around her so she can raises her children nicely.
A normal and happy mother will spend her time take care and talking with her children, while depressed mother spend less time with her children.
Living in a polygamous marriage is a bad environment for women, they feel injustice, jealous, neglected and useless. In a same time they have to be strong for their children. Some problems in polygamy that makes polygamous marriage is a bad environment for women and children are : competition among wives, lack of cares from a father to his children, economy problem and a chaos home situation.
"Lydia seemed eager for the night to come to an end. After supper she disappeared into her room. Soon my father followed. I helped my mother with the dishes and the pots. I went outside to fetch water from the well. I had to pass by Lydia's window. I would be a liar if I said I did not look in. I witnessed what I expected-a mound of flesh. I didn't like the idea that they were doing this because of God. It's terrible to see your own father in such a manner." (p. 119)
Ann Eliza young describes how heartbroken she is when her father takes a new wife into their house. She feels sad for her mother because she knows how her mother loves her father and doesn't accept polygamy concept in her heart. In other side, she considers her father as a perfect husband who loves his wife and his
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA children. When she sees how her father treats his new wife, she knows that she is wrong all this time.
From this quote, it's clear that this kind of situation is unhealthy for the children. Children don't need to see how sad their mother because of a new woman disturb their peace and harmony. The children are under a lot of pressure in a very early age. They become the objects of harassment because they are in these chaotic situations and their parents can not provide them protection.
This unhealthy environment often makes children grow up with lack of happiness, bad behavior, less educated, and anti social. This quote shows how Ann Eliza Young wants to protect the Mormon children from the unhealthy environment in Mormon polygamy :
"Doesn't every child deserve something better than neglect? Don't you, and we, and all of us, have the obligation to protect that child?" (p. 428)
4.3 Male Perspective on Polygamyin The 19th Wife
Culturally, the patriarchal system belongs to male has made ultimate authority that man is above woman. Such a controversy has been descended from generation to generation that creates the belief man is superior than woman. Historically, it is man who is looking for food in the forest while woman stays at home to look after the children and serve the husband. that cultural construct has formed the reality that patriarchal system has made man independent and woman dependant.
The woman movement in terms of feminist has strongly denied the cultural construct that man is superior than woman. This movement echoes the equality of
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA being made as human on earth by the God. What man can do is able to be done by woman but what woman can do is not absolutely can be done by man such as pregnancy. Thus, the reality of claiming equality is natural for woman to be respected not degraded.
In this novel, the voice of woman freedom under the influence of man is so strong. Polygamy is supposed to be a blasphemy on woman since it gives partial benefit on male. Female has become an object of subordination under the control of male authority. Polygamy has brought deep gap on the existence to have free choice in marriage life. Woman has been powerless not because of what they have done, but only because of image created by the patriarchy ordinance.
"Yet if we are to listen to listen to our God, and follow His command, we can not choose those orders which most please us, and ignore those that cause us pain. For verily, it has been revealed, this is our way to Heaven, and to ignore the path is to ignore Salvation altogether. I remember telling a Brother and a Sister of the Revelation in Nauvoo. Together we fell to our knees and prayed. It was all I could offer, for truth comes as such." (p. 115)
This quote is dialogue between Brigham with Chauncey and Elizabeth when he asks Chauncey to take another wife. From the quotation above it is implicitly noted that male is supposed to be the representation of God. Male‘s voice is not to argue when it is related to woman. Such a sarcastic expression tends to hurt female’s feeling whose existence has been blended as weaker creature. The stigma that female is less powerful is not local, but it is universal. The saying this is the “man’s world” makes stronger oppression on woman whatever the reason is.
Mormon dogma has given man to have authority to have more than one wife.
In other word, polygamy is allowed as long as the marriage is on man’s agreement
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA without listening to woman’s voices. This unfair cultural decision sounds terrible for woman dignity. There won’t be fight back for such an oppression. It happens because it has been written down both historically and culturally that woman is in the side of the failure. What a woman may reply on this man’s power is only in silence and deep anger. The feeling of great anger is kept well inside the heart and it is hardly ever expressed verbally. It seems woman is supposed to be a fool in such a silence and makes the fury pass as the time goes by.
The woman’s little expression is supposed to be nothing related to man’s authority.
The point of such terrible controversy can be seen through this expression:
“A “small fury” burned within Elizabeth as explained the process. If she must submit to plural marriage, she wanted nothing to do with the selection of the wife. Although it is doubtful she thought of it in such terms, Elizabeth resented the complicity the institution was forcing upon her.” (p. 115)”
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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion
The thesis is "Perspective on Polygamy in David Ebershoff's The 19th wife".
The writer analyzes the cultural perspectives, female perspectives and male perspective on Mormon polygamy.
Plural marriage or polygamyin cultural perspective has set up man is superior and woman is inferior. It happens so because the influence of patriarch system has brought man to be independent and woman dependent. Woman subordinates to man has been culturally inherited from generation to generation in accordance with the passing of the time. Polygamy on the cultural perspective is to win the right of man that degrades woman’s free choice about marriage life.
Female perspective on polygamy is mostly negative. Some of the negative perspectives from female view are :
1. Polygamy is Injustice and brings jealousy in woman's life,
2. Polygamy brings disharmony in marriage life,
3. Polygamy is a crime,
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA 4. Polygamy makes financial problem,
5. Polygamy directs children to get less attention and
6. Polygamy makes unhealthy environment.
Male perspective on polygamy is strongly agreed as long as there is no matter to run marriage life. It means woman is allowed to look after the children and serve the husband, including to take care the family. On this respects, polygamy is natural for man and reliable for woman.
5.2 Suggestion
The study of novel scientifically is mostly related to insights the literary work offers. The interpretation of the text of literature has been closely connected to the meaning of life. Life has been the center of literature by imaginative creativity of the novelist’s imagination. As an individual and social being, the novelist portrays the life experience to be understood by the readers for the better of life. Thus, literature is a mirror of life means to see our faces either good or bad in the world of our living.
The phenomena of polygamy is sensitive anyway if it is not understood fairly. Religious perspective may give strength to the reason why polygamy is legitimate morally and religiously. The study of polygamy of this thesis is still far from being perfect in terms of perspective. The study on this novel will open the opportunities for the next researchers to conduct further analysis on the future. This will enrich the future researcher field of study, especially when it comes to Mormons polygamy topic.
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REFERENCES
Al-Krenawi, Graham and Gharaibeh. 2011. A Comparison Study of Psychological, Family Function Marital and Life Satisfactions of Polygamous and Monogamous Women in Jordan. New York: Springer.
Anderson, Robert D. 1999. Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon. Salt Lake City: Signature books.
Bennion, Janet and Joffe, Lisa Fishbayn. 2016. The Polygamy Question. Logan: Utah State University Press.
Davies, B.1996. Gender Theories in Education. New York: Macmillan Co Ltd.
Ebershoff, David. 2008. The 19th Wife. New York: Random House.
Hooks, Bell. !984. Feminist Theory: From Margin To Center. Boston: South End
Press
Humm, Maggie. 1990. The Dictionary of Feminist Theory. Ohio: Ohio State
University Press.
Jones, Edward H, Jr. 1968. Outlines of literature (short stories, novels, and poems). New York: El Comino College.
Linn, William Alexander. 1917. The Story of The Mormons, From The Date of Their
Origin to The Year 1901. Salt Lake City: Public Domain.
Rees, R.J. 1973. English Literature: An Introduction for Foreign Readers. London:
Macmillan Education.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA Rosenstand, Nina. 2006. The moral of the story : an introduction to ethics. Boston:
McGraw- Hill.
Singleton, Ralph and Millet, Stanton. 1966. An Introduction to Literature. Cleveland:
World Publishing.
Smith, Joseph Jr. 1830. The Book of Mormon. New York: Grandin.
Sumardjo, Jakob and Saini, K. M. 1991. Apresiasi Kesusastraan. Jakarta: PT.
Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Young, Ann Eliza. 1876. Wife no. 19 : Life in Bondage Mormonism. Washington, D.C. : Dustin, Gilman, & Co.
Website References :
______. Literature Definitions. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/literature (June 5, 2016) ______. Polygamy in Bible. Retrieved from http://www.bible.com (June 7, 2016)
______. How Mormons Assimilated Native Children. Retrieved from https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/history/events/how-mormons- assimilated-native- children (June 7, 2016)
______. Mormon Rules, The List. Retrieved from http://www.poinkie.com/2009/04/mormon- rules.html (June 7, 2016)
______. About Mormon. Retrieved from http: //www.mormon.org (June 5, 2016)
______. Ann Eliza Young, 19th wifeofBrigham Young. Retrieved from http://www.historynet.com/brigham-youngs-19th-wife.html (June 5, 2016) ______. Polygamy in Africa. Retrieved from http://www.polygamy.com (June 5,
2016)
______. High in The Himalayas, Brothers Share One Wife. Retrieved from http://www.rawstory.com( June 5, 2016)
______. Elbert Hubbard Quotes. Retrieved from http://www.inspirational-quotes- and- poems.net/elbert-hubbard-quotes-2.html (June 5, 2016)
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA ______. Confessions of A Polygamist: A man's love for two sisters. Retrieved from http://www.news.com.au/national/confessions-of-a-polygamist-a-tale-of-one- mans-love- for-two-sisters/news-story (June 5, 2016)
______. Mormon Sisters Share A Husband. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5831583/Mormon-sisters-share-a- husband.html (June 5, 2016)
______. Wives and Concubines. Retrieved from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture (June 5, 2016)
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA APPENDICES i. Author's Biography and Works
David Ebershoff is an American writer, editor, and teacher. His debut novel,
The Danish Girl, was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film of the same name in 2015, while his third novel, The 19th Wife, was adapted into a television movie of the same name in 2010. Ebershoff published his first novel, The Danish
Girl, in 2000. It is inspired by the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first people to have gender reassignment surgery. The novel won the Rosenthal Foundation Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Lambda Literary Award for transgender fiction, and was also a finalist for the New York Public Library's Young
Lions Award and an American Library Association Award. Additionally, it was a
New York Times Notable Book of the Year and an international bestseller. In 2015, his novel was adapted into a film also called The Danish Girl, directed by Tom
Hooper and starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Award, five Critics' Choice Awards, and five BAFTAs. Vikander won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a SAG, and a Critics Choice Award for her role in the film.
Ebershoff's collection of short stories, The Rose City, won the Ferro-Grumley
Award for excellence in LGBT fiction, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, and was named one of the best books of the year by the Los Angeles Times. Short story writers William Trevor and Alice Munro influenced Ebershoff's short fiction,
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA and he has discussed learning to write stories by studying their work. The epigraph of
The Rose City comes from Trevor: "Like all children, I led a double life."
Ebershoff's second novel, Pasadena, was his first New York Times bestseller and was inspired by the history of his home town. His third novel, The 19th Wife, was a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, selling almost a million copies around the world. The novel is about one of Brigham Young's plural wives, Ann
Eliza Young, as well as polygamy in the United States in the 21st century.[1]Publishers Weekly called it "an exquisite tour-de-force" and named it one of the best books of the year. Kirkus Reviews said that it was "reminiscent of Wallace
Stegner's Angle of Repose in scope and ambition", while the Los Angeles Times praised it by saying that "it does that thing all good novels do: it entertains us." In
2009, British television talk show hosts Richard and Judy chose The 19th Wife for their on-air book club, making the book a #1 bestseller in the UK. In 2010, the book was made into a television movie of the same name starring Matt Czuchry, Patricia
Wettig, and Chyler Leigh.[2] The novel was nominated for the Ferro-Grumley Award and the Utah Book Award. True West Magazine, citing Ebershoff's West Coast heritage and interests, named him the Best Western Fiction Writer in the United
States. His books have been translated into twenty-five languages. In 2017 Variety announced he was developing a television series with Keshet Studios.
Ebershoff worked at Random House for many years, starting as a summer intern and rising to Vice President and Executive Editor. He became known for helping literary fiction and nonfiction writers win major prizes and become bestsellers, including works by David Mitchell, Gary Shteyngart, Adam Johnson, former United States Poet LaureateBilly Collins, and Teju Cole.
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA He edited three Pulitzer Prize winners, one National Book Award winner, four
Booker Prize nominees, and four National Book Critics Circle Award finalists, and more than 25 New York Times bestsellers.
In 2013, Ebershoff became the first editor to edit the winners of the Pulitzer
Prizes for Fiction and for History in the same year (The Orphan Master's Son by
Adam Johnson for fiction and Embers of War by Fredrik Logevall for history). In
2015, he edited the winner of the National Book Award in fiction, Fortune Smiles by
Adam Johnson, and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography,
The Pope and Mussolini by David Kertzer. He edited "America's War for the Greater
Middle East" by Andrew Bacevich which was longlisted for the 2016 National Book
Award.
Ebershoff has also edited writers such as Charles Bock, Jennifer duBois,
Nobel Peace Prize-winner Shirin Ebadi, Academy Award-winning actress Diane
Keaton, and Pulitzer Prize winners Sonia Nazario, Amy Ellis Nutt, Sebastian Smee, and Robert Massey. Ebershoff was Jane Jacobs's editor on her final two books and was Norman Mailer's editor for the last five years of his life. Working with Truman
Capote's estate, he oversaw the Capote publications for Random House, and was the editor of The Complete Stories of Truman Capote, Summer Crossing, and Portraits and Observations. He also edited the posthumous publications of W.G. Sebald for
Random House. He was formerly the publishing director of Random House's classics imprint, the Modern Library.[3] Ebershoff retired from Random House in November
2015 to focus on his writing. ii. Summary of The Novel
UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA The 19th Wife is a novel by David Ebershoff. Inspired by the life of Ann
Eliza Young. In the case of “The 19th Wife” there are two 19th wives. One is the real historical figure Ann Eliza Young, which takes place in the late 1800s, who was decades younger than her husband, Brigham, and earned the nickname “Brigham’s headache” when she became a public crusader against polygamy’s woes. The 19th
Wife intertwines Ann Eliza’s story with that of Jordan Scott, a young man whose mother, BeckyLyn, was the 19th wife of a present-day polygamist leader in Utah.
Jordan Scott has been expelled from his fundamentalist sect in modern-day southern
Utah, but returns to discover if his mother killed his father.
Through Ann Eliza, this book describes the dynamics of an early Mormon household. Born in Nauvoo, Ill., September 13, 1844, Ann Eliza Young is a daughter of Chauncey G. and Eliza J. (Churchill) Webb. Ann Eliza Young's father has five wives and she was raised to believe plural marriage is the will of God. She was taught that Mormonism was the only true religion, and only through it could eternal salvation be gained. On april6, 1868 she married Brigham Young in a secret ceremony in the Endowment house. After four years of wedlock, Ann Eliza asked her boarders to help her get a divorce. It is 1875, and Ann Eliza Young has recently separated from her powerful husband, Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the
Mormon Church. Expelled and an outcast, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade to end polygamy in the United States. A rich account of a family’s polygamous history is revealed, including how a young woman became a plural wife.
Through BeckyLyn’s story and Jordan’s caustic reminiscences, it captures life among the latter-day separatists whose practices have lately aroused so much curiosity and controversy.
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