Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya

Music plays a key role in shaping culture, reflecting societal norms, and serving as a tool for critique. This study examines how Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya challenges traditional gender roles using Derrida’s deconstruction theory, which questions binary oppositions and redefines female autonomy...

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Main Authors: Ahmad Taufiq, Ashadi Ashadi, Yeni Artanti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Prodi Sastra Inggris Fakultas Sastra Universitas Sanata Dharma 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Language and Literature
Subjects:
Online Access:https://e-journal.usd.ac.id/index.php/JOLL/article/view/10669
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author Ahmad Taufiq
Ashadi Ashadi
Yeni Artanti
author_facet Ahmad Taufiq
Ashadi Ashadi
Yeni Artanti
author_sort Ahmad Taufiq
collection DOAJ
description Music plays a key role in shaping culture, reflecting societal norms, and serving as a tool for critique. This study examines how Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya challenges traditional gender roles using Derrida’s deconstruction theory, which questions binary oppositions and redefines female autonomy. By analyzing the song’s lyrics and themes, this research explores how popular music can dismantle patriarchal norms and provide a more inclusive understanding of gender and identity. Using a qualitative approach and Derrida’s concepts of différance and binary opposition, the study reveals how the song critiques societal expectations that prioritize women’s physical appearance and passive roles, while emphasizing ambition and independence. Key findings include themes such as: 1) women and appearances, 2) women and identity, 3) women and self-sufficiency, 4) women and materialism, 5) women and control, 6) women and ambition, 7) women and gender expectations, and 8) patriarchy. The song goes beyond rejecting traditional norms; it reconstructs a framework of female identity centered on agency and empowerment. By destabilizing binary oppositions like active/passive and dominant/submissive, the song challenges listeners to engage with entrenched societal values critically. It highlights the importance of breaking free from patriarchal systems that perpetuate gender inequality and reimagines a world where women can define their roles and ambitions without societal constraints. This analysis demonstrates the potential of popular music as a transformative tool for deconstructing oppressive ideologies and fostering more inclusive identities.
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spelling doaj-art-e85a9027d7a44b08aab5cff41ba885d12025-08-20T02:26:15ZengProdi Sastra Inggris Fakultas Sastra Universitas Sanata DharmaJournal of Language and Literature1410-56912580-58782025-03-0125125026210.24071/joll.v25i1.106693872Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by DayaAhmad Taufiq0Ashadi Ashadi1Yeni Artanti2Yogyakarta State UniversityYogyakarta State UniversityYogyakarta State UniversityMusic plays a key role in shaping culture, reflecting societal norms, and serving as a tool for critique. This study examines how Sit Still, Look Pretty by Daya challenges traditional gender roles using Derrida’s deconstruction theory, which questions binary oppositions and redefines female autonomy. By analyzing the song’s lyrics and themes, this research explores how popular music can dismantle patriarchal norms and provide a more inclusive understanding of gender and identity. Using a qualitative approach and Derrida’s concepts of différance and binary opposition, the study reveals how the song critiques societal expectations that prioritize women’s physical appearance and passive roles, while emphasizing ambition and independence. Key findings include themes such as: 1) women and appearances, 2) women and identity, 3) women and self-sufficiency, 4) women and materialism, 5) women and control, 6) women and ambition, 7) women and gender expectations, and 8) patriarchy. The song goes beyond rejecting traditional norms; it reconstructs a framework of female identity centered on agency and empowerment. By destabilizing binary oppositions like active/passive and dominant/submissive, the song challenges listeners to engage with entrenched societal values critically. It highlights the importance of breaking free from patriarchal systems that perpetuate gender inequality and reimagines a world where women can define their roles and ambitions without societal constraints. This analysis demonstrates the potential of popular music as a transformative tool for deconstructing oppressive ideologies and fostering more inclusive identities.https://e-journal.usd.ac.id/index.php/JOLL/article/view/10669deconstructionpatriarchal normspopular musicsocial critique
spellingShingle Ahmad Taufiq
Ashadi Ashadi
Yeni Artanti
Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
Journal of Language and Literature
deconstruction
patriarchal norms
popular music
social critique
title Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
title_full Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
title_fullStr Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
title_full_unstemmed Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
title_short Patriarchal Deconstruction in the song “Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
title_sort patriarchal deconstruction in the song sit still look pretty by daya
topic deconstruction
patriarchal norms
popular music
social critique
url https://e-journal.usd.ac.id/index.php/JOLL/article/view/10669
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