Abstrack:
One problem that emerged early in the feminist struggle to Indonesia is the question of the importance of education for women and provide role in women working in the public domain. This is because in a society with a patriarchal system women are considered as domestic creatures, who must stay home and do domestic work (Fakih, 2006). In the history of Indonesia, this issue, is reason Kartini struggle as seen in his letters to his friends in the Netherlands (Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang/Door duisternis tot licht, Abendanon, 1979), followed by Dewi Sartika that founded a special school for women in West Java. This article will discuss sismbolic resistance against the hegemony of the patriarchy in education and the role of women in public life in the novel Kehilangan Mestika and Manusia Bebas. Both were chosen to represent the other novels. Raising the issue of education for women, the number of new thought that tried to resist or critique of patriarchal culture, the marginalization of women in the tradition of solitude and domestication. This study shows how the emergence of women’s education and educated women are represented in the novels of Indonesia. Based on the discussion of the novel Kehilangan Mestika and Manusia Bebas can be concluded that resistance to the hegemony of patriarchy through the struggle of women to have the opportunity to enjoy education and participate in the public arena, both as women’s work and women’s activist organization. These findings indicate that both the novel has had a role in making the criticism (symbolic resistance) against the prevailing patriarchal hegemony in society, since the colonial period up to now is full of gender inequality. Resistance is realized by providing opportunities for women to continue their education at school and outside school, as well as providing opportunities for women to participate in the public arena, both as workers and women’s activist organizations
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