Maryam: A Literary Exploration of Human Rights in Indonesia

Abstract

Studying literary works, particularly those described as forms of human rights violations, is crucial for fostering empathy, understanding, and driving social change. In this case, literature serves as a powerful tool for advocacy, reflecting and critiquing societal values and injustices. Literature has the power to transform minds and societies by promoting values of human rights and fostering a better understanding of the suffering of others, thereby inspiring action towards a more equitable world. This study aims to analyze the representation of human rights violations depicted in Okki Madasari's novel Maryam using a new historicist approach. This research is a type of qualitative descriptive study that uses material objects in the form of the novel titled Maryam by Oki Madasari; the history books titled Sejarah Indonesia Modern 1200-2004 (2005); and several news articles in the mass media discussing the Ahmadiyah raid incident. Based on the characteristics of the new historicism approach, data collection is carried out through parallel readings of literary texts and non-literary texts, followed by note-taking, and complementing the analysis with literature studies. Meanwhile, the data analysis technique is conducted using Foucault's (2004) archaeological method and the thick description method advocated by Geertz (2017). The research results prove that Maryam novels depict the struggle of Maryam and the Ahmadiyah community in defending human rights amidst systemic oppression. Furthermore, Maryam emphasizes the interaction between personal and collective identities in the face of adversity. The characters' responses to discrimination reveal a deep-seated desire for autonomy and recognition as legitimate citizens. Through Maryam's journey, the author explores themes of resistance and survival, portraying her protagonists as active agents rather than passive victims. Their struggle against societal norms and state indifference not only critiques the political landscape but also calls for a broader understanding of citizenship that encompasses respect for diversity and human rights. Ultimately, Maryam stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of marginalized communities and a compelling indictment of the socio-political structures that perpetuate injustice.