Colonialism and Malay Masculinity: Malay Satire as Observed in the Novel Kawin-Kawin

Noritah Omar, (2006) Colonialism and Malay Masculinity: Malay Satire as Observed in the Novel Kawin-Kawin. Sari (ATMA), 24 . pp. 107-120. ISSN 0127-2721

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Affiliations

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Dept. of English.

Abstract

This article evaluates the novel Kawin-Kawin as a satire, and as a mode for forming social criticism on Malay society. An assessment of such a genre must consider the target audience and the Islamic cultural context of the novel. The discussion seeks to identify male domination that through legal frameworks such as the mut’ah, and reduces women to objects of male sexual pleasure.
The reading of cultural domination includes what may perhaps be considered a postcolonial analysis of notions of hegemonic masculinity, and of colonialism pertaining to Malay writings. Both notions share similarities in their functions and effects on marginalized groups and are debated under the categories of Islam and women.
The discussion concludes with an evaluation of the
literariness of Malay writings and the need for their detachment from Western literary frameworks if they are to break away from lingering aspects of colonialism.

Makalah ini menilai Kawin-Kawin sebagai sebuah satira, dan suatu cara membentuk kritikan sosial terhadap masyarakat Melayu. Penilaian terhadap kesesuaian genre seperti ini harus mengambilkira sasaran dan juga kedudukan konteks budaya novel tersebut, iaitu ugama Islam.
Perbincangan ini dibentuk dalam kerangka feminis pascakolonial untuk mengenalpasti dominasi budaya dengan lelaki diberi kelebihan dari segi kuasa dan kawalan perjanjian undang-undang seperti dalam kontrak mut’ah, manakala perempuan hanya menjadi objek keseronokan seksual lelaki. Pembacaan dominasi budaya ini merangkumi analisis aspek hegemoni maskuliniti dan kolonialisme dalam
penulisan sastera Melayu yang boleh dianggap pascakolonial. Kedua-dua aspek ini mempunyai persamaan dari segi fungsi dan kesan ke atas kumpulan yang terpinggir. Ugama Islam dan wanita adalah dua kategori yang diliputi dalam perbahasan operasi kolonialisme dan maskuliniti Melayu.
Perbincangan ini ditutup dengan isu yang berkait dengan penilaian semula aspek kesusasteraan dalam penulisan Melayu dan tentang perlunya penulis Melayu merenggangkan penulisan mereka daripada kerangka sastera Barat agar dapat keluar daripada pengaruh kolonialisme.

Item Type:

Journal

Keywords:

Novels, fiction, Malay literature, Criticisms, Malaysian authors, Islamic influences, Malay Masculinity, Colonialism, Hegemony, Satire, Sexuality, Feminism Maskuliniti Melayu, Kolonialisme, Hegemoni, Satira, Seksualiti,Feminisme

Subjects:

P Language and Literature
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion, Islam

ID Code:

6970