Social Criticism in Indonesian Literary Works during the New Order Era
Abstract: The literary works
written and published during the New Order era were used as the data in this
article. During this era there were many literary works which contained social
criticisms towards the New Order government. The study focuses on the literary
work in the form of poems, and employed the qualitative research method. The
theory of literary sociology was used as the main theory while the structural
theory and semiotic theory were used as the supporting theories. The social
criticisms and meaning which were transmitted by the poets through their poems
could be optimally revealed using these theories. The result of the study shows
that the poems written by the poets during the New Order era, especially those
written by Taufiq Ismail contained a lot of social criticisms; he criticized
the law, human rights, politics, education and economy implemented by the New
Order government. Such social criticisms were shown through different poetic
elements such as the diction, language style, and rhetoric. The social
criticisms expressed by Taufic Ismail reflected that Indonesia (the readers)
should refer back to the nation’s identity and character as stated in the Five
Principles ‘Pancasila’ and the 1945 Constitution.
Author: I Ketut Sudewa
Journal Code: jpantropologigg160024
