Conventional postcoloniality versus Pramoedya’s Rumah Kaca: Metaphor of “glass house”
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Minke’s death, in Pramoedya’s Rumah Kaca, stands a very important phenomenon. Firstly, it represents the new perspective in postcolonialism, especially dealing with the traditional dan conventional postcoloniality. Secondly, it emphasizes that technology is mandatory in the context of new civilization. As known, African and Asian postcolonial texts conventionally put postcolonial hero/heroin as the postcolonialist and he or she deserves the readers’ empathy and on the other hand, the colonizer should take the blame as the oppressor. However, compared to them, Rumah Kaca appears to bring its new perspective that postcolonialism is not about the doer/s but its sustainable spirit to face against colonial oppressions. Further, Rumah Kaca delivers that implementing technology is new perspective dealing with the advancement of civilization. Minke’s death proves that the power of brain overcomes the power of hard weapons. The strategy of “glass house” can’t be encountered by the colonized’s conventional deeds. Minke and his postcolonial friends are totally helpless, dan the result is Minke’s death which positions the colonial agent, Pangemanann, as the winner in destroying the dreams and hopes of the local postcolonialists. This research does postcolonial approach by applying postcolonial theories, and theory on metaphor is to complete to explore the message of Rumah Kaca about the importance of data as the ultimate weapon of the present civilization. The findings show that “glass house” represents powerful data and conventional physical works belong to the past civilization, which is already replaced by technology of the new civilization
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