Joan’s struggle in kimberly cutter’s novel a maid : a novel of joan of arc

This thesis discusses a novel entitled A Maid : A Novel of Joan of Arc. The story is about a woman who became the legend of France, the name is Jehanne or Joan. In analyzing this novel, the writer uses feminist literary criticism to analyze gender role and struggle of women. The theories is used to analyze the experiences of women in a literary work written by women. The data related to the discussion is taken using qualitative method and is explained with descriptive method. Based on this study, it can be concluded that, first, gender role during medieval times is dominated by Catholic Church and the Bible. There are usually strict gender roles for both women and men. Second, cross-dressing in medieval times is strange and forbidden. Peoples who do cross-dressing will get punishment such as being burnt in the fire by Church. Third, Jehanne said that she is the Maid sent by God and participate in the battle to defeat an English, Goddons. That is a part of her struggle in her mission. Fourth, Jehanne is not afraid to died although the churchmen had threaten and forced her to tell her vision. She believed and was obedient with the command given by God to not tell anyone until she was burnt.

Key words : Struggle, Women, Mission, Belief.