GRUWELL’S GREAT POWER TO REACH HER INTERESTS: A HEGEMONIC STUDY ON FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE

Abstract

This research is aimed at analyzing how Erin Gruwell, as the major character in this movie,
reaches her interest amidst the rejection of her boss and colleagues. Type of the study is
qualitative one by applying library research. Object of the study is the way Gruwell takes to
gain her interest. There are two data sources, namely primary data and secondary data. The
primary data consist of the texts of the movie concerning with the ways Gruwell takes to
achieve her interest. Secondary data cover another data that support the analysis. Technique
of the data cellection is carried out through examining the text of the movie, selecting the texts
relating to the main issue and determining the proper texts for the analysis. Technique of the
data analysis is done by applying the theoretical framework of Hegemony by Antonio Gramsci.
Based on the result of analysis, it can be drawn as follows. Gruwell approaches some persons
having higher authority to back up her interest, that is to teach, to educate, and to guide her
students to find out a solution of their complex life problems. In relation to AEC, the figure of
Gruwell can be a good teacher model in the Asia region, in which the implementation of
teaching through multicultural background of the students is absolutely needed.
Keywords: power, authority, interests, hegemony, inequality of power.