University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 1954-2016 University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2016 Image-i-nation and fictocriticism: rewriting of the Malay myth Nasirin Bin Abdillah University of Wollongong Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. 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For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] School of the Arts, English and Media IMAGE–I–NATION AND FICTOCRITICISM: REWRITING OF THE MALAY MYTH NASIRIN BIN ABDILLAH This thesis is presented as required for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Wollongong June 2016 Declaration I, Nasirin Bin Abdillah, declare that this thesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, of the School of the Arts, English and Media, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Nasirin Bin Abdillah, June 20, 2016 ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………… iii Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………… v Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………… vi PART 1 ………………………………………………………………………………... 1 CHAPTER 1 – Introduction 1.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………. 2 1.2 Critical Placement: Myth.……………………………………….. 6 1.3 Key Concept 1: ‘Image–I–Nation’.…………………………… 8 1.4 Key Concept 2: Fictocriticism…………………………………. 11 1.5 Outline of Project…………………………………………………... 15 1.6 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………. 17 CHAPTER 2 – Literature Review 2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………….. 18 2.2 Myth at a Glance: Functions, Types and Paradigms….. 19 2.3 Myth and Literature………………………………………………. 25 2.4 Rewriting Myth……………………………………………………... 27 2.5 Methods and Approaches in Traditional Malay Literature 30 2.6 ‘Image–I–Nation’…………………………………………………… 40 2.7 Fatimah Busu ……………………………………………………….. 53 2.8 Rewriting of Hikayat Hang Tuah …………………………… 55 2.9 Rewriting of Sulalat al-Salatin ………………………………. 59 2.10 Conclusion ………………………………………………………… 65 PART 2: THE RESEARCH ……………………………………………………… 66 CHAPTER 3 – The Malay Hero and ‘Story of the Nation’ in “Al-Isra’” 3.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………. 67 3.2 Translations of the Title, “Al-Isra’” …………………………. 68 3.3 Images of National Heroes …………………………………….. 73 3.4 The “I” in the Narrative …………………………....................... 79 3.5 The Story of a Nation ……………………………………………. 83 3.6 Sisyphus in “Al-Isra’” …………………………………………….. 87 3.7 Conclusion ………………………………………………………….... 94 CHAPTER 4 – Rakyat and Raja in “Gurindam Jiwa 50 Tahun Merdeka” 4.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………… 96 4.2 The Structure ………………………………………………………… 97 4.3 Transliteration (Transcribing the Myth)………………….. 100 4.4 Images of Rakyat and Raja ……………………………………… 105 4.5 The “I” in the Narrative ………………………………………….. 115 iii 4.6 The Nation in the Singapura Myth ………………………….. 125 4.7 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………. 130 CHAPTER 5 – Malay Nationalism and Fictocriticism in “Gurindam Jiwa 50 Tahun Merdeka” 5.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………… 131 5.2 The Structure …………………………………………………………. 133 5.3 Images of Malay Nationalists………………………................. 135 5.4 The “I” in the Narrative …………………………………………… 143 5.5 The Nation in the Appropriation of History ……………… 146 5.6 Analysis of the Gurindam and Other Literary Genres…. 150 5.7 Conclusion …………………………………………………………….... 164 PART 3: THE CREATIVE ……………………………………………………… 165 CHAPTER 6 – Lost and Found in Transnation – A Collection of Microfictocritical Writings ………………………………. 166 Exegesis ……………………………………………………………………. 232 PART 4 ………………………………………………………………………………. 242 CHAPTER 7 – Conclusion …………………………………………………….. 243 BIBLIOGRAPHY …………………………………………………………………… 249 iv Abstract The premise of this study centres upon the examination of rewriting the Malay myth in a critical and creative context. The main focus is on the way myth rewriting can reconfigure the notion of ‘nation’. In the scholarly component of this thesis, two of Fatimah Busu’s short stories, “Al-Isra’” (“Night Journey”) and “Gurindam Jiwa 50 Tahun Merdeka” (“50 Years of Independence: A Gurindam Jiwa”) are the main materials for analysis. Fatimah Busu’s works has been chosen as she primarily and consistently draws upon the idea of myth rewriting in many of her short stories. I intentionally chose these two particular short stories because they are referential to the two main Grand Narratives in Traditional Malay Literature: Hikayat Hang Tuah (Story of Hang Tuah) and Sulalat al-Salatin (Genealogies of the Sultans/Kings). “Al- Isra’” is based on Hikayat Hang Tuah whilst “Gurindam Jiwa 50 Tahun Merdeka” is based on Sulalat al-Salatin, respectively. This thesis uses the theoretical framework of mythology to support the textual analysis and a close-reading approach. In this study, I propose the concept of ‘image– I–nation’. This concept is loosely taken from the word, ‘imagination’ from which I have broken down into three words: image, I and nation. This is my way of offering a new critical analysis in investigating myth in the context of rewriting. The central argument in the concept is that myth, as I believe, originates in the collective consciousness of human imagination, then it is translated into tales and later is reproduced in various forms that has its origins in oral traditions, leading to the writing system and culminating in cinematic expressions. In the retelling of myth, I proffer that the tale retold carries within it, consciously or unconsciously, “image(s)” of the self/individual (“I”) and the other/society (“nation”). Furthermore, this concept aims at opening up discussions on the nation as delineated in the socio-cultural, political and historical contexts of Malaysia. The creative component of the thesis will also deal with the idea of myth rewriting. The notion of nation will serve as the main theme in which the creative work will explore this notion using the genre of fictocriticism. The creative component consists of a collection of micro-fictocritical writings that addresses issues pertinent to the nation by focusing on issues such as identity, self and other. Fictocriticism produces a dual narrative: one, which employs a fictional voice and the other, a critical voice. The critical voice in the format of fictocriticism is dominant in the narrative and allows for further personal commentaries on the negotiation between self and the other as seen in relation to the notion of nation. The use of fictocriticism further helps to explore how myth can be exploited to expand the notion of nation as explicated in the relationship between the self and the other. The use of myth in new writing and contemporary setting may engender a wide spectrum of new meanings and interpretations. It is hoped that the inclusion of the concept of ‘image–I–nation’ in this research and the use of fictocriticism in the creative component may contribute to the development of a new ‘way’ of approaching or looking at the Malay myths. v Acknowledgements Firstly, I am grateful to Allah the Almighty for the provision of good health and wellbeing that has facilitated the completion of this thesis. I would love to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Joshua Lobb for his unceasing support throughout my PhD endeavour. His motivation, knowledge and guidance have helped me tremendously in conducting this research until its completion. His patience, encouragement and understanding are priceless qualities that have been pivotal in the completion of this research. I could not have asked for a better supervisor and mentor for my PhD journey. God bless you, Joshua! My sincere gratitude also goes to my co-supervisor, Associate Professor Dr. Paul Sharrad whose insightful comments, especially in the early stages of my PhD study, has significantly contributed in further refining some of the arguments presented in the thesis. I wish to express my humble gratitude to the following individuals for their continous encouragement and assistance – Azizah