Spotting Taboo in the SAMAN Novel: A Feminist Perspective in Digital Epoch
Keywords:
Literature Criticism,, Novel Analysis, Feminist Perspective, Taboo, Digital EpochAbstract
The novel "SAMAN" (1998) by Ayu Utami continues to provoke controversy due to its explicit portrayal of sexuality, which remains socially unacceptable even in today’s era. As a prominent figure of the "sastra wangi" generation, Ayu Utami garnered significant attention by highlighting real-life events that challenged societal norms and promoted freedom of expression during Indonesia's reformation period. Previous critics and studies had labeled the novel as vulgar and taboo. Furthermore, the digital era facilitates voices into this literary work from all people in unlimited space. Building on its issues, this paper provides a systematic examination of sexual taboos from a feminist perspective and explores potential threats to future digital literacy. Methodologically, it relies on qualitative descriptions presented in the original novel and literary critiques. The analysis results in two insightful findings, first, through the lens of a feminist perspective, the analysis uncovers disparities in women's participation, rights, roles, and positions, while also candidly depicting taboos evident in certain descriptions and activities. Second, it reveals the description of the cultural context that portrays the story. The findings not only provide insights gained from this analysis but also offer valuable perspectives for fellow writers and contribute to the ongoing digital discourse in feminist literature on related issues.
References
Ahmed, K., & Nasser, O. (2015). Incorporating iPad Technology: Creating More Effective Language Classrooms. TESOL Journal, 6, 751-765.
https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.192
Anderson, Pamela Sue and Beverley Clack (eds.), 2004, Feminist Philosophy of Religion: Critical Readings, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
Bronstein, C. (2005). Representing the third wave: Mainstream print media framing of a new feminist movement. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 82(4), 783–803.
Chairiyani, Rina P. "Representasi Seksualitas dalam Novel Saman Karya Ayu Utami." Humaniora Binus, vol. 3, no. 2, 2012, pp. 363-37.
Cochrane, K. (2013, December 10). The fourth wave of feminism: meet the rebel women. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/fourth-wave-feminism-rebel-women.
Clark-Parsons, Rosemary 2018. Doing it Ourselves: The Networked Practices of Feminist Media Activism. PhD Thesis. University of Pennsylvania.
Dede, C. (2010). Comparing frameworks for 21st century skills. 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn, 51–76.
Fixmer, N., & Wood, J. (2005). The personal is still political: Embodied politics in third wave feminism. Women’s Studies in Communication, 28(3), 235–257.
Focault, Michel. 1978. The History of Sexuality. Pantheon Books: New York.
Harding, Nancy, Jackie Ford, and Marianna Fotaki. 2012. “Is the ‘F’-word Still Dirty? A Past, Present and Future Of/for Feminist and Gender Studied Organization.” https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508412460993.
Listyowulan, Widyasari., M.A., June 2010, Southeast Asian Studies Narrating ideas of Religion, Power, and Sexuality in Ayu Utami’s novels: Saman, Larung, and Bilangan Fu (160 pp.)
McRobbie, A. (2009). The aftermath of feminism: Gender, culture and social change. Los Angeles; London: SAGE.
Mendes, K. (2012). ‘Feminism rules! now, where’s my swimsuit?’ Re-evaluating feminist discourse in print media 1968–2008. Media, Culture & Society 34(5): 554-570.
Nazneen, Sohela, and Awino Okech. 2021. “Introduction: Feminist Protests and Politics in a World in Crisis.” Gender and Development.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13552074.2021.2005358.
Rampton, M. (2015). Four waves of feminism. Retrieved from https://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/news-events/four-waves-feminism
Rarastesa, Z. (2020). Female Identity and Sexuality in Contemporary Indonesian Novels. University of South Florida ProQuest Dissertations Publishing
Ricketson,M., A. Dodd, L. Zion, and M. Winarnita. 2020.“Like Being Shot in the Face” or“I’m Glad I’m Out”: Journalists’ Experiences of Job Loss in the Australian Media Industry.”Journalism Studies 21 (1): 54–71.
Sowards, S., & Renegar, V. (2004). The Rhetorical Functions of consciousness-raising in third wave feminism. Communication Studies, 55(4), 535–552.
Udasmoro, Wening and Saktiningrum, Nur (2022) "The Transformation of the Social Imaginary on Women’s Sexuality in Indonesian Literature from the New Order to Reformasi Eras," Journal of International Women's Studies: Vol. 24: Iss. 1, Article 11.
Utami, Ayu. 2001. Saman. Jakarta: Kepustakaan Populer Garmedia.
Visser, M. (2012). Digital literacy definition. Retrieved from http://connect.ala.org/node/181197
Whelehan, I. (1995). Modern feminist thought: From the second wave to “post- feminism.” New York: New York University Press
Winarnita, M, Et al (2022). Gendered Digital Citizenship: How Indonesian Female Journalists Participate in Gender Activism, Journalism Practice, 16:4, 621-636, DOI: 10.1080/17512786.2020.1808856
Wulandari, F. D and, Dr. Phil. Dewi C, M.Ed. and, Nur H, M.Pd (2014) Sexual Taboo Reflected In Ayu Utami`S Saman Novel (1998): A Feminist Perspective. Skripsi thesis, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.
