Exploring Colonial Mimicry in Affifudin Omar’s Paradoks (Mengkaji Mimicry Kolonial dalam Novel Paradoks oleh Affifudin Omar)

NURHANIS SAHIDDAN, HASHIM ISMAIL, TENGKU INTAN MARLINA TENGKU MOHD ALI

Abstract


ABSTRACT: This paper utilises the conceptual framework of Homi K. Bhabha’s mimicry to explain the elements of mimicry from the portrayal of the Muslim Malay characters in Affifudin Omar’s novel, Paradoks (2011) and to determine their resistance to colonial discourse. The conceptual framework is explicated into three major elements for the analysis of the novel in terms of: a) contesting colonisation, b) metonymy of presence, and c) splitting of colonialist discourse. A textual analysis of the novels has been conducted to examine whether the Muslim Malay characters possess elements of mimicry as colonial discourse and resist them with their Islamic beliefs. The results show that the Muslim Malay characters are mimic characters, but their Islamic beliefs lead to their spiritual successes. Their Islamic beliefs function as a tool for resisting colonial discourse and emancipation from colonial power. This paper is an expansion of research in colonial mimicry and Malay literature to resist colonial discourse.

Keywords: Literary theory; postcolonial; mimicry; Malayness; novel

ABSTRAK: Kajian ini akan mengaplikasikan kerangka konseptual mimicry oleh Homi K. Bhabha dalam menerangkan elemen mimicry dalam watak-watak Melayu Muslim dalam sebuah novel Affifudin Omar, iaitu Paradoks (2011) dan menganalisis penentangan mereka terhadap wacana kolonial. Kerangka konseptual dibahagikan kepada tiga peringkat untuk menganalisis novel-novel tersebut, iaitu; a) mempersoalkan konsep penjajahan b) metonimi kewujudan c) perpecahan wacana kolonialis. Kaedah analisis tekstual telah dikendalikan untuk mengkaji sama ada watak-watak Melayu Muslim tersebut mempunyai elemen-elemen mimicry dan menggunakannya untuk menentang wacana kolonial dengan kepercayaan mereka terhadap Islam (keimanan). Kajian ini mendapati bahawa watak-watak Melayu Muslim adalah watak-watak mimic, tetapi keimanan mereka membawa kepada kejayaan spiritual. Keimanan mereka berfungsi sebagai alat penentangan wacana kolonial dan pembebasan daripada kawalan penjajah. Kajian ini boleh memperkembangkan kajian dalam mimicry dan sastera Melayu sebagai sebuah penentangan terhadap wacana kolonial.

Kata kunci: Teori kesusasteraan; pascakolonial; mimicry; kemelayuan; novel


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References


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