<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Adolescence in Argantara is not portrayed as a developmental stage that unfolds without pressure, but rather as an experience in which social demands confront individual readiness. This study explores how this issue is constructed through the narrative structure and the character’s environment, while also examining the transformation of the main character’s identity from the psychosocial perspective of Erik Erikson. A qualitative-descriptive approach was employed to examine Falistiyana’s novel Argantara. The data, consisting of words, phrases, sentences, dialogues, and narratives, were obtained through intensive reading and note-taking, then classified and interpreted according to the intrinsic elements, extrinsic elements, and identity versus role confusion. The findings reveal that themes of adolescent life, progressive plot development, characterization, and setting function as narrative devices that portray the character’s psychosocial transformation. Meanwhile, family, social environment, and cultural values serve as contexts that exert pressure while simultaneously shaping the character’s responses. Role confusion becomes most evident when the main character is required to assume the status of a husband while still being a student. The narrative subsequently depicts a shift from rejection and inner conflict toward increased responsibility, emotional regulation, acceptance of consequences, and a more mature identity. Thus, the novel positions adolescent identity as a dynamic process continually negotiated through the interaction between personal conditions and social demands. ABSTRAK Masa remaja dalam Argantara tidak digambarkan sebagai tahap perkembangan yang berjalan tanpa tekanan, melainkan sebagai pengalaman ketika tuntutan sosial berhadapan dengan kesiapan individu. Penelitian ini menelusuri bagaimana persoalan tersebut dibangun melalui struktur cerita dan lingkungan tokoh, sekaligus melihat perubahan identitas tokoh utama dengan menggunakan perspektif psikososial Erik Erikson. Kajian dilakukan secara kualitatif-deskriptif terhadap novel Argantara karya Falistiyana. Data berupa kata, frasa, kalimat, dialog, dan narasi diperoleh melalui pembacaan intensif serta pencatatan, kemudian dikelompokkan dan ditafsirkan sesuai fokus unsur intrinsik, unsur ekstrinsik, serta identity versus role confusion. Hasil kajian memperlihatkan bahwa tema kehidupan remaja, alur progresif, karakterisasi, dan latar menjadi perangkat yang menampakkan perubahan psikososial tokoh. Pada sisi lain, keluarga, lingkungan sosial, dan nilai budaya hadir sebagai konteks yang memberi tekanan sekaligus membentuk respons tokoh. Kebingungan peran paling kuat muncul ketika tokoh utama harus menjalankan status sebagai suami saat masih berstatus pelajar. Perjalanan cerita kemudian memperlihatkan pergeseran dari penolakan dan konflik batin menuju peningkatan tanggung jawab, pengendalian emosi, penerimaan konsekuensi, dan identitas yang lebih matang. Dengan demikian, novel ini memosisikan identitas remaja sebagai proses dinamis yang terus dinegosiasikan melalui pertemuan antara kondisi personal dan tuntutan sosial.]]>
