"Constructing the homosexual: A study of selected Indonesian contempora" by Rizki Theodorus Johan

Constructing the homosexual: A study of selected Indonesian contemporary novels, 2004-2008

Date of Publication

2008

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Language and Literature Major in Literature

Subject Categories

Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Literature

Thesis Adviser

Ronald Baytan

Defense Panel Chair

Gerardo Zaragoza Torres

Defense Panel Member

David Jonathan Y. Bayot
Dinah Roma-Sianturi

Abstract/Summary

This thesis is an analysis of the representation of homosexuality in five contemporary Indonesian gay novels, namely: Aksana's The Most Beautiful Man, Riantiarno's Red Mirror, Simamora and Ariestanty's Shit Happens. Setyadharma's Sarcastic Romance: Love, Men and Betrayal, and Ezinky's This Is, Life. Using Dede Oetomo and Tom Boellstorff's ideas on Indonesian homosexuality, this research examines the homosexual's representation in the novels through the analysis of characters, settings, and conflicts. It also addresses the following concerns: the dominant homosexual image in each novel, the problems facing homosexuals in Indonesia, the novel's transgression of the dominant heteronormative Indonesian society, and the features of the contemporary Indonesian gay novel.

The analysis shows that the dominant homosexual images are as follows: young professionals, masculine gay men, and loyal partners. The absence of the waria in the novels is worth noting. As discussed by Oetomo and Boellstorff, family, society, religion, and the law are the major obstacles that most of the characters have to face. The study contends that the publication of these novels in Indonesia is in itself a transgression of the heteropatriachal order. Regarding features of contemporary Indonesian gay novels, there are two major key themes: first one is self-discovery: and second, the search for true love. Besides the two key themes, I have also identified the absence of AIDS and the lack of an evolved political consciousness among the characters in the novels. This study ends with a recommendation for further possible studies in Indonesian gay and lesbian literature.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG004492

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy, Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

Keywords

Homosexuality in literature; Indonesian fiction

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12-5-2023

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