The reflection of lesbianism and american homophobic society as seen through the film Boys Don’t Cry

Oleh :
Ahmad Rifa’i - C0397018 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTACT This thesis is a library or referential study. It is a film study based on sociological and cultural studies approach. The thesis uses the semiotic approach to analyze the film and to find out the description about lesbianism and American Homophobic society. It also uses sociological approach to give a clear description about American social life. The objectives of the study are to find out the reflection of lesbianism in America and the reflection of American homophobic society in the film Boys Don’t Cry. Semiotic approach is used in this thesis to analyze any information from the film, which is considered as signs, to find out myth or ideological meaning behinds the information. By using this approach, the researcher can find out the phenomena of lesbianism and American homophobic society in the film. The researcher finds that the film clearly describes the phenomena of lesbianism through the characterization of Brandon Teena and Lana Tisdel. Supported by sociological aspects of American society, the researcher describes lesbianism as an American phenomena (social and cultural). In finding out the phenomena of homophobic society in the film, the researcher analyses the character of John Lotter, Thomas Nissen, Lana’s Mom, and Candace in perceiving Brandon and Lana’s lesbian behaviors. The researcher also analyses ‘Falls City’ social life as a sociological and cultural setting of the film, to find out the description of American society especially in perceiving the phenomena of lesbianism. The researcher also analyzes the theme song and original soundtrack. Based on the analysis of Teena and Lana’s behaviors, other character’s responses, cultural setting and the soundtrack, the researcher finds that there are some paradoxes in American social life, particularly concerning to the phenomena of lesbianism. Boys Don’t Cry portrays the life of rural people, which are economically depressed and frustrated. Rural community lives in poverty with high rate of criminality and they used to perceive social phenomena (Lesbianism) conservatively, just like Falls City to perceive Brandon. Most American people, as seen through the film, are homophobic in perceiving lesbianism. Moreover, the researcher also finds out that homophobia has already rooted in American culture. Homophobia also takes many forms by which it is infiltrated to the American society. Homophobia can take personal forms, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural. The phenomenon of Homophobia is a proof that the ideology of heterosexism is absolutely strong among American society