THE STRUGGLE OF MICHELLE IN BREAKING JOCKEY’S STEREOTYPE BY BECOMING THE FIRST FEMALE WINNER OF MELBOURNE CUP IN RACHEL GRIFFITHS’S FILM, RIDE LIKE A GIRL

Abstract

ABSTRACT

            The writer chooses this topic and the film Ride Like a Girl as the main sources to analyze because there is something interesting and it can be used as knowledge as well as new learning. This film tells the true story of the life and struggles of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey who win the Melbourne Cup. It’s difficult for her to adapt to the stereotypes which say that women cannot be jockeys or even participate in the Melbourne Cup. With Michelle's persistence, she was able to prove that she was worthy. This study uses qualitative methods to analyze the data in the film. To analyze the formulation of the problem the author uses a feminist and psychological approach and the theories male patriarchy, gender stereotypes, gender inequality, discrimination, rejection, and depression and motivation. By applying the approach and theory, it can be concluded that Ride Like a Girl shows the real struggle of a woman who breaks the stereotype that women cannot be a jockey. The failure and the problems that Michelle faces become challenges to motivate herself to be a winner of a jockey in Melbourne Cup.

Keywords: Struggle, stereotype