Children Trafficking in Patricia Mccormick’s Sold

This thesis discussing this phenomenon is traced through characters, settings, image, plots and points of views. This a qualitative narrative research. The data source in this study is the text of the novel with the note-taking technique. The novel Sold is treated as the primary source of data. The secondary sources are attained from various books and other relevant sources from the internet, such as online journals and the author's official website. There are several steps taken in this research. First, search for and read the novel in depth to understand the events and problems in the novel, then collect data in the form of character dialogue and narrative by highlighting important events. Second, look for relevant data from various books, browse the internet, and look for tertiary sources at the same time. After all these sources have been collected, analysis is then carried out through aspects of the novel, such as characters, settings and images. This study employed qualitative narrative research and applies the theory of literary sociology by Wellek and Warren which states that literary works, goals and things implied in the work itself and are related to social problems. Three things that bring about children trafficking found the novel. They are: Poverty represented Lakshmi's family who are in a very dire condition because they do not have enough food, do not have a decent house, do not have clean water and do not have a job. The immigrant represented by Lakshmi who was sold by her stepfather who initially offered her a job as a domestic helper was deceived and employed as a sex worker. Gender inequality is shown in families that generally adhere to a patriarchal system where women are considered to have a much more valuable position than men and take more action or make decisions in the family. This study concludes that Patricia McCormick in Sold conveys that child trafficking can occur from various aspects, namely poverty, immigration and gender inequality