shackles
Good morning everyone. Today, I will be presenting on Shackles as a follow up on Karen’s presentation last week. Sorry, I was not able to present any earlier because of some personal matters. I would like to start with a brief introduction on what makes Shackles a unique novel in Indonesian literature. Shackles can be viewed as a piece of modern literature as it drifts away from the traditional mode of form and expression. It is
Indonesia’s first psychological novel which focuses on the thoughts, feelings and motivations of the characters. Ellipses and rhetorical questions are used to replace a large proportion of descriptive writing and readers are drawn towards the psychological conflicts faced by the characters. A novel which focuses on the moral dilemma and internal struggles of the characters is revolutionary in the history of Indonesian literature.
At that time, Indonesian novels focused on traditional themes where the good protagonist would triumph over an evil antagonist whereas in Shackles, it is not clear as to whether the characters are good or bad and if their actions are right or wrong. Traditional novels were centred on conflicts between people of different generations or problems that followed from forced marriages. Instead, Shackles focused on the social taboo of prostitution and adultery, which is common in Western literature but unheard of amongst Indonesians who are accustomed to idealised literature. This struck controversy in the general Indonesian populace as these acts were not condemned but were instead, portrayed as a facet of life. Interestingly, Armijn does not present solutions to the problems raised. There is no clear resolution at the end of the novel as readers are left with more questions than answers.
! I would like to discuss the reasons for the marital conflict between Tini and Tono. This conflict arises
Now,
from the unexpressed expectations that they have of each another. For instance, Tono’s expectations
Indonesia’s first psychological novel which focuses on the thoughts, feelings and motivations of the characters. Ellipses and rhetorical questions are used to replace a large proportion of descriptive writing and readers are drawn towards the psychological conflicts faced by the characters. A novel which focuses on the moral dilemma and internal struggles of the characters is revolutionary in the history of Indonesian literature.
At that time, Indonesian novels focused on traditional themes where the good protagonist would triumph over an evil antagonist whereas in Shackles, it is not clear as to whether the characters are good or bad and if their actions are right or wrong. Traditional novels were centred on conflicts between people of different generations or problems that followed from forced marriages. Instead, Shackles focused on the social taboo of prostitution and adultery, which is common in Western literature but unheard of amongst Indonesians who are accustomed to idealised literature. This struck controversy in the general Indonesian populace as these acts were not condemned but were instead, portrayed as a facet of life. Interestingly, Armijn does not present solutions to the problems raised. There is no clear resolution at the end of the novel as readers are left with more questions than answers.
! I would like to discuss the reasons for the marital conflict between Tini and Tono. This conflict arises
Now,
from the unexpressed expectations that they have of each another. For instance, Tono’s expectations