Claim Missing Document
Check
Articles

Found 1 Documents
Search
Journal : Journal of Language and Literature

Ambivalent Occidentalism in Mochtar Lubis’s Cold War Literature Maut dan Cinta  Taufiqurrohman, Muhammad; Sudibyo, Sudibyo; Manshur, Fadlil Munawwar
Journal of Language and Literature Vol 25, No 2 (2025): October
Publisher : Universitas Sanata Dharma

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24071/joll.v25i2.12538

Abstract

This article revisits Maut dan Cinta (1977), a seminal Cold War-era novel by Indonesian author Mochtar Lubis, to examine how the text engages with cultural imperialism in postcolonial Indonesia through its complex portrayal of the Occident. Employing Martin Suryajaya’s “wide-close-deep” methodology—a three-pronged framework for literary analysis—the study situates Lubis’s work within Indonesia’s Cold War cultural politics, highlighting the author’s contested ideological stance. Through the lenses of Occidentalism and cultural imperialism, the analysis reveals Lubis’s profound ambivalence toward Western influence: while critiquing Western hegemony and cautioning against uncritical adoption of Western values, his works simultaneously echo the capitalist Bloc’s anticommunist rhetoric, and his cultural-intellectual networks remain entrenched in Western capital. This paradox deepens with Lubis’s selective embrace of Western liberalism, which coexists with a striking silence on capitalism’s role in perpetuating global inequality. Crucially, his vehement rejection of communist internationalism starkly contrasts with his reluctance to address capitalism’s transnational exploitation of the Global South—a contradiction epitomized by his protagonist Sadeli’s distorted view of the Occident and the characters’ failure to recognize global capitalism’s neocolonial and culturally imperialist dynamics. By unpacking these tensions, the study argues that Lubis’s ambivalence in Maut dan Cinta reflects the broader ideological fissures of postcolonial intellectual resistance during the Cold War, caught between anti-imperialist critique and complicity in hegemonic structures. 
Co-Authors Abdul Aziz Agung, Langgeng Al Muttaqii, Muhammad Aldara, Intan Anggraeni, Pangesti Anggraeni, Tika Aprinus Salam Dahlan, Astryd Viandila Dewojati, Cahyaningrum Diah Riski Gusti Eddy Hermanto Fadlil Munawwar Manshur Fahmi, Muhammad Zaki faruk faruk Fauziah, Sarah Ferry Budhi Susetyo Frastica Deswardani Ginting, JP Hanafiah, Luthfi Harendika, Melania Shinta Hary Sulistyo Ilma, Awla Akbar Jafar Lantowa Jati, Anisa Ambar Joanita, Ulfi Krisyono, Danar Hari Laksmidevi Juwono, Ariadne Lenny Marlinda Lismeri, Lia Lubi, Ahmad Manshur , Fadlil Munawwar Muhammad Amin Muhammad Ikbal Muhammad Taufiqurrohman, Muhammad Muratin, Muratin Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti Nulhakim, Lukman Peri Oktiarmi Prabawati, Theresia Sekar Pramudya, Injira Rizqy Pratama, Dian Septiani Priscila Fitriasih Limbong Pudjiastuti, Titik Puspita, Afifah Lingga Putri, Descenda Angelia Putriana, Silvia Ramadhan, Cahyo Setiadi Ramandani, Adityas Agung Ramdhani, Aditya Dwi Rohman, Fakhrony Sholahudin Ronidin Ronidin Rozana, Monna Safitri Safitri Santiko, Erik Budi Saripudin, Khansa Syaima Rihaadatul Aisya Sarwan, Sarwan Sasmita, Ismoyo Aji Sinurat, Menita Situmeang, Rudy Tahan Mangapul Sjamsjul Anam Sugeng Priyanto, Sugeng Sukma, Vinda Avri Suprihatin Suprihatin Swastanto, Yoedhi Syaiful Anwar Tiurmaida, Serepina Tri Adi Sarwoko Wahyuni, Sri Amelia Widodo Widodo Wulandari, Yeni Ria yati, indri Yudanto, Sigit Dwi Yuli Darni Yustinah Yustinah Zalianty, Sebila Aulia Zipora Sembiring Zulian, Muhammad Rizki Zuliana, Rina