Ash-Shahabah English Literature.
Linguistics & Education Published by English Literature Study Program
Universitas Islam Makassar
ASHLITION JOURNAL
ISSN : 2985-5675 | Volume 2 Issue 2, 2024 Social Power Delineates in the Novel This Earth of Mankind .
Translated by Max Lane Risal Marasno1.
Andi Samsu Rijal2.
Nur Mutmainnah Halim3.
Alfiandy Kamal4 Universitas Islam Makassar1,2,4.
Universitas Negeri Makassar3 Corresponding Author risalmarsno@gmail.
Abstract: This study aimed to analyze how social power was depicted in the novel This Earth of Mankind .
translated by Max Lane and how the relationship among characters represents social power by using French and Raven's theory .
of social power.
This research used descriptive-qualitative.
This study focused on the dialogues among characters.
The results of this study showed that 2 data points on the reward power, 4 data points on the coercive power, 18 data points on the legitimate power, 14 data points on the referent power, and 13 data points on the expert power.
In representing social power, the characters in the novel describe various dynamics of social power.
The representation of social power shows that the relationship among characters affects the dynamics of social class and social interaction among characters.
Additionally, economic power highlights the character's dependence on material resources, which are often tools of control and domination.
The social power did not only influence individuals separately but also shapes social structures and hierarchies in the novel, reflecting complex and dynamic social realities.
Keywords: Literature Sociology.
Novel.
Social Power.
This Earth of Mankind
INTRODUCTION
Social power is reflected in literary works, so writers can illustrate how such power affects the lives of individuals or groups, and therefore, literary works are often a medium to explore and criticize the dynamics of power in society.
Literature is a creative written work created to convey messages, stories, or experiences through the use of rich and varied Literary works, which include novels, poems, and short stories, are the result of a writer's hard work and often stem from social phenomena in the surrounding environment.
According to Teeuw .
, literature as a work of art is mimetic in nature, mimicking or imitating reality.
This indicates that literary works are not only products of the author's imagination but also reflections of social phenomena.
Lestaluhu and Latupapua .
emphasize that writers creatively use language in literary works to tell stories, develop characters, and create environments.
These works often contain multiple levels of meaning, leading to different interpretations by each reader.
Literature reflects societal norms, specific cultures, and ideas, making it a primary tool for addressing difficult social and political circumstances, often resulting in oppression by the powerful.
Writers explore individual and collective human concerns, using their creativity and language skills to portray societal tensions and offer various perspectives that encourage introspection (Pramusita, 2.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.
0 International License ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al The relationship between literature and politics in Indonesia has undergone significant changes, with writers such as Chairil Anwar.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and Goenawan Mohamad using literature to raise political awareness, question authority, and fight for human rights and social power (Adji, 2.
Social power manifests in various contexts, including politics, education, social status, and even on social media.
Understanding the dynamics of social interaction and hierarchy requires comprehending power, which is often related to social class and rank (Moeini-Jazani, 2.
Power relationships involve group dynamics where individuals express dominance over others.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer's works, particularly the novel "This Earth of Mankind," are invaluable for understanding social and cultural phenomena, providing a comprehensive view of colonial life and illustrating how social power is portrayed in that context.
This study will analyze how Pramoedya Ananta Toer depicts social power, particularly in colonial settings, to uncover the underlying societal dynamics (Toer & Lane, 1.
Savitri .
: Hasan .
Both studies focus on how power and social dynamics influence characters' identities and interactions.
Hasan .
explores the influence of patriarchal social and power structures on the characters and their relationships, similar to how Savitri .
assesses the influence of power dynamics on Srintil's identity in her social interactions.
Both studies use theories of power to understand social impact on characters, although Hasan .
is more specific in the context of gender and social history, whereas Savitri .
uses Foucault's theory to see how power affects identity through social interaction.
Huang .
examined the influence of power and social norms on power decisionmaking.
This research shows the relationship between the decision-making process related to power and social norms.
Power is defined as control over important resources related to the functioning of the mind.
Community decision-making was observed through game Findings show that power-related decision-making methods are strongly influenced by social norms and perceptions of power.
Individuals who feel powerful tend to adopt a dominant style and rely on influence, whereas individuals with lower authority approach decision-making through legitimisation.
Krumhuber, et all .
examined how social power and gender affect face The study showed that gender influences the manifestation of the impact of social power.
Men who feel powerful tend to favour dominant self-images, while women who feel weak favour submissive self-images.
Women are more likely to notice othersAo weak facial features, while men tend to select strangersAo dominant facial features when feeling However, authority level did not influence judgements of dominance and Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al submissiveness, suggesting a complex interaction between social factors and personal The studies reviewed highlight the complexity of power dynamics and their influence on various aspects of social interaction and individual identity.
What distinguishes this study from the four studies above is that this study uses French & Raven's .
theory which divides into five social powers, namely reward power, coercive power, legitimate power, referent power, and expert power.
The significances of this research are to find out how Pramoedya Ananta Toer delineates social power in the novel This Earth of Mankind in the colonialism era, and the relationship among characters in representing social power.
Therefore, to focus on completing this research, the researcher following questions namely how is the social power delineated in the novel This Earth of Mankind .
translated by Max Lane, and how does the relationship among the characters in This Earth of Mankind .
represent social power.
METHOD
Research methods are crucial in conducting and presenting research, simplifying problems for better understanding.
In studying social power in "This Earth of Mankind" by Max Lane .
, researcher employed a qualitative descriptive approach, to analyze social phenomena in the novel.
Descriptive qualitative is one of the research methods to describe or describe social symptoms or phenomena contained in literary works or social science .
, both natural and human engineering, by maintaining the nature of its values (Halim, 2.
This method involves collecting, analyzing, and presenting data through descriptive narratives (Sari et al.
, 2.
The study focuses on dialogues and events in the novel, reflecting social power dynamics.
Data collection involved reading the novel, identifying, and selecting relevant data based on French and Raven's .
power theory.
The data were then analyzed, classified into five parts according to the theory, and discussed to identify patterns and compare with existing literature, contributing to the understanding of social power (Teeuw, 1.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
In this research, the researcher would show how social power is delineated in the novel This Earth of Mankind .
based on the theory of social power from French and Raven, which formulates five forms of social power: reward power, coercive power, legitimate power, referent power, and expert power.
This study also explaining the relationships between characters in representing social power.
Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al Table 1.
Form of social power Reward power Coercive power Legitimate power Referent power Expert power Total Source: Data processing result, 2024 Reward power Reward power is a form of social power, according to French and Raven.
Reward power is a subset of power that centers on the capacity to give workers or subordinates incentives, praise, or prizes for the tasks and duties they have completed.
in the novel this earth of mankind reward power is very clearly illustrated in the dialogue between Minke and Annelies Mellema which discusses a Darsam who became a confidant of Nyai Ontosoroh.
Page 97-98 AuAt the time Darsam arrived, he was an unemployed But he loved to work.
He would surely die.
Yes, there was a court case, but he was freed.
Since then.
I have put my trust in IAove made him my right-hand man.
In the meantime.
Tuan spent less and less time at home.
Ay Reward power in this context is demonstrated through the power of Nyai Ontosoroh to provide recognition, trust, responsibility, and opportunities to Darsam, which strengthens his loyalty and commitment.
Nyai Ontosoroh acknowledged Darsam's willingness and commitment to work, even though he was initially unemployed.
Nyai Ontosoroh explicitly stated that they trusted Darsam and made him their right hand after Darsam killed the thief who entered Nyai Ontosoroh's house.
This dynamic is consistent with French and Raven's concept of reward power, where the ability to provide rewards effectively increases the authority and influence of the power holder over the recipient.
Other data on reward power was also found in the conversation between Minke's father and Minke in the novel Page 139 AuNow there is another matter.
Pay attention.
Tomorrow night, you will act as an interpreter.
DonAot shame me and the family in public before the resident, assistant resident, controller, and neighboring Bupdtis.
Ay Reward power in this dialogue shows that there is an incentive to motivate behavior that is in line with expectations, offering rewards in the form of opportunities, reputation, and trust in the future.
The task of a translator is an opportunity to demonstrate ability and competence in front of important officials.
This is a form of reward power because it provides an opportunity for the individual to increase their personal status and reputation Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al in the eyes of influential people.
In this case.
Minke's father allowed Minke to be a translator at the regent's appointment.
This shows that Minke's father has the power to appoint someone as his interpreter.
Table 2.
data reward power Statement Since then.
I have put my trust in him.
IAove made him my right-hand Pay attention.
Tomorrow night, you will act as an interpreter.
Source: Data processing result, 2024 Data Page Both illustrate reward power to influence and motivate individuals, albeit with different approaches.
Both approaches illustrate French and Raven's concept of reward power, which provides rewards, both current and future opportunities that can increase the authority and influence of power holders.
one example of reward power based on French and Raven's theory is the appointment of Marsel Widianto as a candidate for deputy mayor of South Tangerang, who was appointed by the daily chairman of Gerinra.
Yudi Budi Wibowo.
in this case.
Yudi Budi Wibowo has the power to give Marsel a power.
Coercive power A form of power known as coercive power usually centers around the use of threats or punishment to persuade someone to act in a certain way.
One is considered to have coercive authority if he can penalize or inflict sanctions against others to try to make them do as he In this earth of mankind, researchers found 4 coercive power data illustrated in the novel, one of which is the conversation between Nyai Ontosoroh and Mr.
Hrman Melleme.
Page 47AuA mad European is the same as a mad native!Ay Her eyes burned with hatred and disgust.
AuYou have no rights in this house.
You know where your room is.
Ay The nyai pointed to a door.
And her pointed finger was clawed.
Mr.
Mellema still stood in front of me, hesitant.
AuDo I need to call Darsam?Ay She threatened.
In the dialogue fragment above, coercive power is manifested through threats and intimidation carried out by the Nyai.
She used threats to intimidate Mr.
Mellema by mentioning the possibility of summoning Darsam.
The Nyai hinted at the negative consequences that Mr.
Herman Mellema would face if he did not comply.
This is a basic form of coercive power because it involves the threat of punishment.
The Nyai asserted their power by stating that Mr.
Herman Mellema had no rights.
This statement not only explained Mr.
Herman Mellema but also strengthened his dominance, making Mr.
Herman Mellema feel intimidated and helpless.
Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al Table 3.
data coercive power Statement Do I need to call Darsam?Ay She threatened YouAore not my employer: look out! I pulled out my machete, and he You can all be charged! Dr.
Marteen, too! Watch out! YouAore trying to oppose my orders, hey! Source: Data processing result, 2024 Data Page Coercive power also happens to people who have lower social status, based on the In the context of the ransomware attack by the Brain Cipher hacking group on the Temporary National Data Centre (PDNS) 2.
French and Raven's theory of social power can be applied through the concept of coercive power.
Brain Cipher used the threat of data publication as a form of coercive power to force the authorities to respond to their demands.
By providing a free link for the decryption key but still issuing the threat of data publication if the second party does not fulfil their requirements.
Brain Cipher creates psychological pressure and a situation that urges the authorities to act according to their will.
Legitimate power A person who has accepted their position of authority within a social structure or organization is said to possess legitimate power.
This authority derives from established conventions, laws, or hierarchies, which are frequently connected to a person's rank or title.
legitimate power occurs between employers and workers, therefore, we analyse the depiction of legitimate power in this dialogue.
Page 25 AuMy guest is Moslem,Ay said Annelies in Javanese to her servant.
AuTell them out back not to let pork touch the other food.
Ay In this piece of dialogue.
Annelies is clearly in a position of authority over her servant, which is evident in how she gives instructions.
These direct instructions show that Annelies has the power to direct her servant's actions according to certain standards or needs, in this case, the rules for halal food for her Muslim guests.
Legitimate power is a form of power that comes from a formal position or role that is socially or institutionally The data researchers found on page 28 data 8 which occurs between Indo and Indigenous people.
Annelies has the legitimate authority to order workers according to what she orders.
Legitimate power that is happening now is the existence of a program from the government called Tapera.
Tapera is a people's housing savings, which is called a solution from the government for financing housing for workers.
legitimate power occurs in the Indonesian government that stipulates the implementation of Tapera.
Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al Table 4.
data legitimate power Statement I have some work for you Tell them out back not to let pork touch the other food After lunch like this.
I have work to so, but out at the back The young master is my guest, is Miss AnneliesAos guest Custodial care? His business, his wealth, and his family would be under the control of an executor appointed by a court of law I came out carrying a tray.
The coffee and cakes were on it.
I didnAot know what Tuan Besar KuasaAos face was like Put all your possessions and clothes into your motherAos suitcase Nyai shouldnAot worry.
Everything is fixed.
You can trust Darsam.
Nyai My orders are only to fetch tuan Fighting with the Dutch against the British Darsam is loyal only to Nyai, young master It is system or power structure to consolidate hegemony over occupied countries and people I fought in Aceh only because I assumed natives would not be able to fight back and so wouldnAot fight back And doctor he addressed me how is you patient? And without waiting for an answer, he resumed his work Good in my hand is the Surabaya courtAos decision regarding This complex is to be guarded by the Marechaussee DonAot you understand yet? IAom the government doctor Source: Data processing result, 2024 Data Page Referent power Referent power is a type of power based on the admiration, liking, example, personality, and charisma of a leader.
In the sense that these feelings arise when someone identifies with other people who have the qualities they desire.
Reference power occurs when someone is influenced by others because they admire, respect, or want to be like the individual who holds that power.
Page 32: AuYouAore amazed to see women working?Ay AuThey wear the same uniforms here as workers in Holland, but we can only give them calico.
Ay Based on the dialogue above.
Minke admires the workers at the Nyai Ontososroh We can see this from the dialogue excerpt as follows, "You're wondering to see women working? This gives the impression that there is an admiration or respect that is not yet commonplace for working women.
especially for women who work mixed with men without gender equality Minke also feels that this is the first time she has seen a woman die and will marry a native woman where they only serve their husband without leaving the Here there is a referent power that occurs in Minke where he admires and respects the workers who work at Nyai Ontosoroh's company.
Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al Table 5.
data referent power Statement YouAore amazed to see women working? And Jean Marais began to admire and love these noble, heroic natives, with their strong character and personality I answer respectfully, more respectfully, it felt, than to my mother Seeing that he wanted to travel the world as a soilar, perhaps he had read it Look, in E.
S and H.
S we are tough to admire the indies armyAos brilliance in subjugating us, the natives How education can, starting from nothing become an outstanding, self-education person IAove never met a female entrepreneur like her But even there she is, all the same, amazing Because sheAos a native, and a woman, and is indeed amazing So we are in agreement that they should be made eternal in a picture If someone outside school had developed into an individual with a sense of humanity, like Minke, we should be grateful and thanks God SheAos so strong.
Minke.
Her personality is so strong.
I admire her, no more so than during the court case I admir e and respect you greatly, much more than I have ever done Source: Data processing result, 2024 Referent power also occurs in Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was once known as a catering businessman, now rising to become the Vice President-elect for 2024-2029.
His career journey from a culinary business to a high position in politics shows his referent As Vice President-elect.
Gibran is not only recognised for his success in business, but also his significant power and influence in the political arena.
This strategic position reinforces his image as an influential figure, not only because of his relationship with President Joko Widodo, but also because of his independent achievements and accomplishments in different fields.
Expert power A type of power derived from knowledge and skill.
This power is based on the idea that to carry out their jobs and obligations, those in positions of authority need to possess more skill, knowledge, and understanding of particular subjects.
people who have the ability to influence other individuals or groups.
in this study, expert power occurs in nyai ontososroh who has knowledge and expertise that other indigenous women do not have.
Page 76: AuMama permit me to ask,Ay I started my effort to escape from her AuMama graduated from which school?Ay AuSchool?Ay she tilted her head as if spying on the sky, clearing her memory AuAs far as I can remember.
IAove never gone to school.
Ay AuHowAos that possible? Mama speaks, reads, and maybe also writes Dutch.
How is that possible without schooling?Ay AuWhy not? Life can give everything to whoever tries to understand and is willing to receive new knowledgeAy Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11 ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al In this dialogue.
Nyai Ontosoroh shows expert power through her extensive knowledge, even though she has never attended formal schooling.
Her ability to speak, read, and perhaps also write in Dutch confirms that Nyai Ontosoroh possessed significant knowledge without relying on formal education.
When Minke was shocked and questioned the origin of his knowledge.
Nyai Ontosoroh confidently explained that life can give everything to anyone willing to understand and accept new knowledge.
Thus.
Nyai Ontosoroh emphasizes that her knowledge comes from life experience and her willingness to continue learning, indicating that her expert power is based on the ability to understand and accept new knowledge from life experience.
Table 6.
data expert power Statement HowAos that possible? Mama speaks, reads, and maybe also writes Dutch ItAos impossible for you to be like a Dutch woman I thought so.
YouAore indeed clever.
Nyo.
Not one in a hundred people can write like that Not only his Dutch, but more importantly his attitude You are an H.
S student, yes Dr.
Snouck Hurgronje was a jewel of a scholar-daring to think, daring to act, daring to risk himself You can become a leader, a pioneer, an example to your race Your new teacher for Dutch language and literature A Minke whose use a Dutch to state his feeling and thoughts is brilliant, a Minke who has written a literary work Mr.
Tollenaar, we demand that you work part-time for the permanent basis I, and all of us, are proud to have a pupil as talented as you Despite facing so many trials, you still passed brilliantly And you all know painted this wonderful portrait hanging here? A painter of great talent! Not just any painter Source: Data processing result, 2024 Expert power refers to the power or influence that a person or organisation has because of special knowledge, expertise or skills in a particular field In the context of news about West Nile Virus (WNV), expert power comes from two prominent sources: WHO (World Health Organisatio.
and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
WHO, as the world health organisation, provides an in-depth explanation of WNV, including that the virus is deadly and attacks the human nervous system.
Johns Hopkins Medicine, as a leading medical institution, also adds validation by explaining the risk of serious complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, and meningoencephalitis.
Volume 2iC Issue 2 iCPage 01-11
ASHLITION JOURNALiCMarasno et al
CONCLUSION
Based on research using French and Raven's .
theory of social power in the novel "This Earth of Mankind," various forms of social power were identified through dialogues.
The data revealed 2 instances of reward power, 4 of coercive power, 18 of legitimate power, 14 of referent power, and 13 of expert power.
Economic power was also prevalent.
The novel illustrates how social power significantly influences character interactions.
Each type of social power shapes interpersonal dynamics and conflicts.
For instance, legitimate power highlights the impact of formal authority and rules on behavior, while referent power emphasizes the role of charisma and personal influence in relationships.
Economic power demonstrates characters' dependence on material resources as tools of control and Overall, the analysis confirms that social power not only affects individuals but also shapes social structures and hierarchies in the novel, reflecting complex social realities.
REFERENCES