GENDER PERFORMATIVITY IN THE FOLK TALE OF PRINCESS TADAMPALIK: AN ANALYSIS OF BUTLER AND GYNOCRITISM SHOWALTER

This study aims to analyze gender performativity in the folk tale Princess Tandampalik, a traditional story from the Kingdom of Luwu in South Sulawesi, using two approaches: Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity and Elaine Showalter's framework of gynocriticism. This paper aims to obtain an overview of gender performativity through the symbolic actions depicted in the story and how the representation of women's experiences in the story as a narrative heritage has the potential to empower women. The data source was obtained from the published text of the folk tale. The data analysis technique used Judith Butler's framework and Showalter's version of the gynocriticism analysis framework. The results of this study indicate that the character of Princess Tandampalik, from Butler's perspective of performativity, represents an active gender subject, a beautiful and obedient woman who does not simply accept traditional norms but instead shapes and renegotiates her social role through symbolic actions. The folk tale of Princess Tandampalik can be read as a local representation of fluid, negotiable, and performative gender. Based on the perspective of gynocriticism, which analyzes four main aspects, namely biological, linguistic, psychological, and cultural, it can be read as a text that highlights women's experiences, not merely as objects of narrative but as centers of agency and decision-making. This story provides space for women's voices to appear in their entirety, as subjects who love and are loved.