Violence Beyond the Utopian Society in Lois Lowry’S the Giver

Rendry Hanifa Ak Mallyta, Hat Pujiati – Violence Beyond the utopian Society in Lois Lowry’s the Giver VIOLENCE BEYOND THE UTOPIAN SOCIETY IN LOIS LOWRY’S THE GIVER Rendry Hanifa Ak Mallyta University of Jember email: [email protected] Hat Pujiati University of Jember email: [email protected] ABSTRACT This article discusses violence in a constructed utopian society in The Giver, Lois Lowry's distopian novel. We assume that 'sameness' as the governing system in the novel is the source of violence. Therefore, this article aims to reveal the real conditions beyond the utopian society. Applying genetic structuralism by Lucien Goldmann, we analyze the presentation of society in the novel through the narrative structure and relate them to discourses of American society in 1990s with Author as the bridge of the fiction and real life. The result of this analysis shows that comfort facilities provided by the government in a society is potential to hegemonize people and dehumanize them for the sake of power. Keywords : utopian society, genetic structuralism, worldview ABSTRAK Artikel ini mendiskusikan tentang kekerasan dalam masyarakat utopis yang dikontruksi dalam novel distopian berjudul The Giver karya Lois Lowry. Penelitian mengganggap 'sameness' sebagai sistem pemerintahan di masyarakat yang ada dalam novel sebagai sumber dari kekerasan tersebut. Selanjutnya, artikel ini bertujuan untuk menggungkapkan kondisi sebenarrnya dibalik masyarakat utopis ini. Dengan menggaplikasikan teori strukturalisme genetik milik Lucien Golmann, tulisan ini menganalisa tampilan dari masyarakat di novel ini melalui struktur naratif dan menghubungkannya dengan wacana tentang masyarakat Amerika pada tahun 1990- an dengan kehidupan penulis sebagai penghubung antara fiksi dan dunia nyata. Hasil dari analisa ini menunjukkan bahwa fasilitas kenyamanan yang disediakan oleh pemerintah dalam masyarakat tersebut merupakan cara untuk mendominasi dan menghilangkan rasa kemanusiaan mereka hanya untuk kepentingan kekuasaan. Kata Kunci: masyakat utopis, strukturalisme genetik, pandangan dunia 90 Rendry Hanifa Ak Mallyta, Hat Pujiati – Violence Beyond the utopian Society in Lois Lowry’s the Giver INTRODUCTION the literary work itself, such as The Giver is one of Lois Lowry’s theme, character, characterization, novels published in 1993. This novel etc. On the other hand, extrinsic is the first novel of The Giver’s elements are about the social Quartet’s series; Gathering Blue, background, the author’s (2000), Messenger (2004) and Son environment, and the historical (2012). The Giver shows fragility of background when the author wrote it. Utopian society. Lowry creates a Based on the definition above, genetic flawless society that lack of conflict structuralism will be the tool to and suffering with less individual examine the problems; first is about freedom and choice. All members of Utopian society presented in the society tend to abide by the rules. The novel, second is how American society seems to be secure and society in 1993, and last is the undergoes little problem. Lowry uses constructed worldview in the novel. Jonas’ disclosures to show the Lois Lowry’s The Giver reflects weakness of the Utopian society in the unsuccessfulness of social The Giver. The idealistic society conditions in the Utopian Society. transforms into the non idealistic one From the incompatibility of the when there are many things hidden in situation happened in the novel, there the process of making this “perfect” are several problems are explored : society. The members are filled with 1.How is the society presented in the no humanity on their mind since they novel? are created to be a robot. The use of 2. How is the social condition of genetic structuralism’s theory by America in 1990s? Lucien Goldmann in the study is to 3. What is the constructed worldview conduct the whole study. Goldmann in the novel? believes that literary works are a There are several purposes on structure. A literary work composed writing this thesis. First, to explain of the structure from the novel the society presented in the novel. (intrinsic elements) or socio history Second, is about American society in when the novel is written (extrinsic 1990s. Third, is to find out the elements). The intrinsic elements are worldview constructed in the novel. 91 Haluan Sastra Budaya, Volume 2, No. 1 Juni 2018 The last is hoped to give ways. First, the data are collected contribution both for the institution from the novel and second, library and the students. It is aimed to help research is needed to gather the the readers enrich their knowledge information and the data from and it is also useful to conduct their several books as additional research especially about Lois information. The classification of Lowry’s Novel The Giver,since this collected data will be divided into novel has never been made as an four major elements in genetic object of research by Faculty of structuralism. They are human facts, Humanities students in Jember transindividual subject, significant University. structure and world view (vision du monde). The research is conducted by RESEARCH METHODOLOGY genetic structuralism theory. The The type of this research is purpose of this research is to analyze qualitative research method. the genetic structuralism’s elements Qualitative research analyzes data on Lois Lowry’s The Giver. The based on interpretation of construction of perfect society leads observation. Gray states that the deeply investigation of Lois “Qualitative research method can Lowry’s life, when and where she take many forms and results from the writes the novel. This activity can use of data gathering instruments help the researcher collect some data such as observations, interviews, about situations, cultures and events questionnaires and document that influenced her which happened analysis. The qualitative research is in 1990s. It also refers to historical used to collect data and information background about the social which is related to the topic. The condition in America. The researchers usually concerns with investigations about Lowry’s life and theory building, interpreting the data social condition of America in 1990s to build concepts and categories that as the historical background are the can be brought together into extrinsic elements of the novel. theoretical frameworks (2004: 320). Furthermore, the collected intrinsic This thesis is composed in some and extrinsic elements will lead to the 92 Rendry Hanifa Ak Mallyta, Hat Pujiati – Violence Beyond the utopian Society in Lois Lowry’s the Giver next step which is processing the data DISCUSSION by using Genetic Structuralism in In this article, the analysis starts order to find the worldview with the society of the novel. The constructed in the novel. To apply the explanation about society in the novel theory, dialectic method is used to is started by analyzing the condition connect the intrinsic and extrinsic of the society and the citizens, how elements. This activity means the society affects the citizens and dialectic method connects the how they act toward the rules. The discourse about the construction of society follows 'sameness' as their perfect society with the author’s life guidance for life. The aspects of and the social condition of America in “sameness” cover everything in the 1990s. society. First is their individual side.As humans live by paying RESULT attention not only on their personal From the data analysis, it shown needs but also the social needs, that the 'sameness' applied in the people will need each others. This society brings failure. The idea of condition leads people to learn to 'Sameness' represents the lack of work together in order achieving differences not only their physical but their goals, although it is undeniable also their beliefs. The purpose is to that some people are rather to stick balance the society by living as a by their own and ignore others. This homogeneous group. The society selfishness is often becoming learns that by doing away with problems and put people in chaotic differences in citizens such as race states. Some people tend to choose to and economic differences, their life put aside their happiness and others will be more harmonious. In its interests to get a safe spot in society implementation, the attempt on and this condition is reflecting making perfect society by eliminating individualism. Weaver states, earned the citizens right only make them status, individualism, self-reliance numb for the truth. This condition and independence were all necessary also makes Jonas escape from the values for those who wanted to society. survive and prosper in the American 93 Haluan Sastra Budaya, Volume 2, No. 1 Juni 2018 frontier society of the 1800s and social perspective becomes the 1900s. These values allowed them to number one concern in the society. succeed and were vital for the They are assured by putting the country to grow economically (1999, individual acts aside, it will decrease h.10). Americans believe that the disunity. Citizens will grow as individual matters are needed in honest people with lack of individual order to achieve their American rights. It will be their major concern Dreams. The competitions are tight to live together side by side. This and people need to fight for their life. society believes that being individual This condition shows the willingness is a shame, both in thought and to sacrifice everything with purpose appearance. The quotation below finding their ways to success. shows the condition of individual side As being individual person, removal in the novel. people tend to put their personal “But what about the treatment? The Speaker says needs than society needs. It can lead that treatment must take to major destruction on their place.” Jonas felt miserable. Just when the Ceremony was tolerance. People will become about to happen, his Ceremony of Twelve, would sentiment and heartless. They do not he have to go away need others to complete their lives someplace for treatment? Just because of a stupid because they only believe on their dream? own.

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