<![CDATA[This paper analyzes the legendary folktale from West Sumatra, the story of Malin Kundang. The story recounts the tale of a young man who leaves his hometown to seek his fortune and returns successful; however, he refuses to acknowledge his identity, thereby disowning his impoverished mother. This paper examines the story's contemporary relevance as an effort to revitalize national character amidst the myriad narratives circulating today. Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis method is employed in this study. The analysis reveals the following: (1) The narrative constructs a strong character set against the backdrop of the community's social structure; (2) The ideology within the Malin Kundang story highlights a paradox between the protagonist's achieved identity and the identity expected of him by others, serving as a key narrative draw; this ideology is dominated by the matrilineal and religious worldview of the Minang people; (3) Originating in West Sumatra, the Malin Kundang story has gained national acceptance due to its embodiment of universal themes such as *merantau* (migrating for success), social mobility, and social status; (4) The Malin Kundang story makes a significant contribution to shaping national character in an era where many contemporary narratives have lost their meaning.]]>
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