The Impact of Patriarchal Practices on Cassie Hanwell in Things You Save in a Fire

Abstract

This research examined a literary work titled Things You Save in a Fire, written by Katherine
Center. The novel tells the story of a female firefighter named Cassie Hanwell who faces
sexual assault and workplace gender discrimination. There were two research questions
addressed in this study. The first question aimed to find the depiction of patriarchal practices
in the novel, namely the sexual assault and workplace gender discrimination experienced by
Cassie Hanwell. The second question examined the impact of sexual assault and workplace
gender discrimination on Cassie Hanwell. This literary analysis applied a qualitative research
approach by selecting and grouping the data for analysis. To answer the two research
questions, theories of patriarchy, feminism, character, and characterization were applied. The
data sources were books and journal articles. The results of the study showed the impact of
patriarchal practices on Cassie Hanwell. After the sexual assault and gender discrimination at
the workplace, Cassie becomes lonesome and skeptical. She also turns into a paranoid and
aggressive person and suppresses her feelings.