Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 20

P-ISSN 2622-8831

Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

The Concept of Dilthey’s Hermeneutics as Reflected in Juliasih’s Potensi


Perempuan Amerika (Tinjauan Feminisme)

M. Afifulloh
English Departmen, University of Bangka Belitung
E-mail: afifulloh@mail.ugm.ac.id
ABSTRACT
This paper aims at the description of Dilthey’s hermeneutics concept in the book entitled
“Potensi Perempuan Amerika (tinjauan feminisme)”. This research is qualtative descriptive
research. The data were analyzed by Dilthey’s hermeneutic approach. The result showed that
in understanding and interpreting meaning, there are 3 formulas that can be used as
interpretive methods, namely Erlebnis (living experience), Ausdruck (expression), and
Verstehen (understanding). The experience referred to here is the life history of the author,
everything that was experienced by the director during his lifetime. The expressions are works
written by the author through the language used to voice their desires, opinions and actions.
Understanding is the process of bringing together all the data generated from the process of
experience and expression so that it can draw conclusions. In the research conducted by
Juliasih Kusharyanto, it can be concluded that the three main aspects of the hermeneutics
have been carried out well so that in the end the results of the research are able to provide a
complete meaning from the historical side as well as language expressions that exist in the
storyline of each novel studied.

Keywords: Wilhelm Dilthey, hermeneutics, potensi perempuan Amerika (tinjauan feminisme)

INTRODUCTION
Hermeneutics is a word relating to the 4). This definition gives us an
compilation of theological, understanding that hermeneutics is a
philosophical and interpretative texts method or principles for finding
such as literary texts. In its history, the meaning or intent of the author in a
term hermeneutics began to be used as work (the Bible). However, in its
a method in the interpretation of the development, the resolution of
biblical scriptures. The Third New hermeneutics is not broad enough to
International Dictionary in Webster, meet the need for meaning so that other
with the concept of hermeneutics is the considerations arise related to the
study of methodological principles of function and role of hermeneutics in
interpretation and explanation; Special some contexts and developments.
study of the general principles of Malbon (1983: 212) said that
biblical interpretation (Palmer, 2016: there are three basic meanings of

58
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

‘hermpneuein’ are: (1) to speak (or 95), defines hermeneutics as the art of
express or say), (2) to explain (or understanding, both to understand texts
interpret or comment upon), (3) to in the form of legal documents,
translate. All three meanings may be religious books, and literary works. So
expressed by the English verb 'to that the definition of hermeneutics is
interpret,' yet each constitutes an divided into two groups, namely the
independent and significant meaning of specific definition and general
interpretation. There are three definition. Special heremeneutics are
meanings of the word hermpneuein produced by general hermeneutics.
namely, speaking or expression, General hermeneutics depart from the
explaining, and translating. These three formulation of all principles of
meanings refer to the English verb ‘to language understanding, then the
interpretation’. But each is an results are utilized by special
independent and significant meaning of hermeneutics. However, for
interpretation. Schleiermacher, the division is still not
In its development, comprehensive enough so there is a
hermeneutics has expanded its more specific division, hermeneutics,
meaning, including the definition of philology, theology and law. Littlejohn
Recoer which states that hermeneutics and Fross in (Sobur, 2014: 241) state
is a transition between abstract that there are three branches of
reflection and concrete reflection hermeneutics, namely interpretation of
(Puspoprodjo, 2015: 111). Boech (in the gospel (explanation), interpretation
Zuchdi and Afifah, 2019: 189) defines of literary texts (philology), and
hermeneutics as the scientific interpretation of human action (social
methodology of the study of what is hermeneutics).
known already as a scientific method Palmer (2016: 95) explains that
study of something that is already hermeneutics is a source of theory that
known. In contrast to Recoer and serves as a support for the tasks of
Boech, Schleiermacher (Palmer, 2016: translators when they begin to interact

59
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

with the original text. In this case, the of study and the contemporary period
theory in question is not partial, but has with broad and general object of study
been collected in a continuous element not only religious texts but social texts,
and will be an important spirit during culture and communication. In this
the meaning of the text. Hermeneutics paper, the writer tried to link this
as an art of understanding also hermeneutic view in a book entitled
automatically acts as an art of listening. "Potensi perempuan Amerika (tinjauan
This means that hermeneutics rests on a feminisme)" by Prof. Dr. Juliasih
general statement of how all utterances Kusharyanto. There are several reasons
can be understood. The situation or underlying the selection of the object of
state of mind arising from the studied study, including the basic assumptions
text will certainly be part of a dialogic that form the basis of analysis in the
relationship. Then each relation will book and the models that are applied
bring up a speaker whose role is to more strongly towards hermeneutics,
construct a sentence or unity of speech namely the reading of literary texts
to represent the thoughts and feelings of through various related sources so that
the listener. The listener's position is the conclusions obtained through analysis
recipient of a series of words through an is the result of the meaning of various
unexplained process. This process is sources of the text.
called an unclear process because it is DISCUSSION
full of secrets and does not give a sign. 1. Wilhelm Dilthey
Schleiermacher called it a hunch that Wilhelm Dilthey (1833 - 1933),
was included in the study of born in the German city of Biebrich.
hermeneutics (Palmer, 2016: 97). Before studying philosophy, he had
Zuchdi and Afifah (2019: 200), studied theology at the University of
stated that hermeneutics as a science of Heidelberg. Dilthey and
interpretation in its development is at Schleiermacher are the two main
least divided into two periods, the figures in developing objective
classical period with theological object hermeneutics or often also called

60
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

intentional hermeneutic. Basically, explains nature, humanity understands


Dilthey's hermeneutics are almost the the expression of life.
same style as the hermeneutics In understanding the text,
developed by Schleiermacher, which Dilthey assumed that the meaning of
are both based on the view that the text the text must be traced from the
must be understood in accordance with subjective intent of the author. For
what is described by the author. Dilthey, hermeneutics is "a technique
Therefore, they are both categorized as of understanding expressions about life
objective heremeneutics. What is called arranged in written form". Therefore,
meaning or interpretation is not based he emphasizes historical events and
on our conclusions as interpreters but works which are expressions of past life
the meaning and interpretation are experiences. To understand this
derived and are instructive from the experience, interpreters must have
author. intense of the equality of perception
There are three important with the author. Dilthey holds that such
elements that have an important role in assumptions are historical. He
hermeneutics, namely the attitude of considers the external influence in the
understanding (verstehen) actions and development of the author's mind.
events, the appreciation of the human So, an understanding of literary
mind (erlebnis), expression (ausdruck) texts, both those that developed in the
of individual and social human life with past and the present will be better if you
historical approaches. The key word for use the method of living life
Dilthey’s geisteswissenschaften is experiences contained in it. Humans
understanding. Explanation is the understand themselves through the
property of science, but the approach to mediator of history as a process of
the phenomenon that unites the understanding and interpreting that
elements of nature and external never stops. As in a text, life can grow
elements is understanding. Science and develop based on the merging of
our experience with the experience of

61
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

the text based on the merging of the past (living experience), Ausdruck
with the present because the past has a (expression), and Verstehen
continuous relationship with the (understanding). The first concept in
present. Dilthey's theory is Erlebnis (living
How we understand a roman like experience). The word Erlebnis comes
Kuantar ke Gerbang of Ramadhan KH, from the verb erleben which means "to
or a literary work of the Earth of Man experience". Erlebnis (living
by Pramoedya Ananta Toer or other experience) involves the living and
classical works such as Charles contemplation of life experienced by
Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Shakespeare, humans in certain historical periods in
and so on, all can only be done by the midst of certain people's lives, with
dialogue with them to find out what the certain cultures as well, is a
author intends. Even after a few psychological process. Thus, research
hundred years or a few centuries ago, on these expressions involves an
we can still understand the stories in the understanding of the psychiatric
novel. These novels certainly have process that is assumed to accompany
meaning and meaning can only be the birth of cultural expressions (Hadi,
understood if we as readers are actively 2008: 69).
involved and immerse ourselves in the Erlebnis is a term used by Dilthey
inner experiences experienced by the to refer to life experiences. What is
author. Reading is not enough to meant by experience here is not
produce subtle meanings in text. We something that we have experienced.
must compare with other matters He is not a recording of the past before
related to the text and dive into the us as the object of research. Experience,
author's experience through existing for Dilthey (Hadi, 2008: 69), is also not
histories. something that is produced through
Hadi (2008: 92) states that the core reflection and so on. The experience in
of Dilthey's hermeneutics includes the question is the experience of life, where
concept of a triangle, namely, Erlebnis someone is in direct contact with

62
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

reality. Whether it's dealing directly or subject-object concept. For Dilthey, an


through a transposition process, where expression is not primarily the
someone will find himself in someone formation of one's feelings but rather an
else. Life experience involves the "expression of life", everything that
appreciation and contemplation of life reflects the product of life in humans
experienced by humans in certain (Palmer, 2016: 125-126).
historical periods in the middle of For Dilthey, understanding a
certain people's lives, with certain literary work can be understood by
cultures as well, is a psychological understanding the expressions of the
process. Thus, research on these author of the literary work. This
expressions involves understanding the understanding process follows the same
psychiatric process that is assumed to logic as one understands activities in
accompany the birth of cultural one's own autobiography.
expressions. According to Howard Autobiography is the best tool in
(2001: 164), experience has two understanding life and events in our
meanings, namely immediacy and lives. In other words, the expression is
totality. Immediacy shows that an objectification of relations or
meaning is present without the need for coherence in Erlebnis.
rationalization. Totality means that the The last concept of Dilthey's
content of meaning has a weight and is hermeneutics is Verstehen
significant enough to integrate several (understanding). Verstehen as a
moments in one's life. Experience in separate approach for humans is
this regard is seen as a historical source important, because the human world
Ausdruck (expression) can be contains meaning which in the physical
translated as "expression". The use of world is not as similar as. In addition to
this concept does not have to being bound to consciousness, human
automatically associate Dilthey with activities are also driven by goals and
the theory of artistic expression, arise from the interpretation of
because the theory is formed in the situations and appreciation of values.

63
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

Next is how can be found "meaning" meaning is something that is historical,


through the Verstehen process it is an overall relationship to the parts
(Priyanto, 2001: 125-126). Verstehen is that we see from a certain point of view,
a word that can be compared to at certain times, for a combination of
Erklaren which means to explain. The certain parts. The meaning changes
word Erklaren is usually used for over time, it is a matter of the
something that is certain, very suitable relationship in which the event is seen.
for Naturwissenschaften. Verstehen is a Thus, meaning is contextual and is part
process of understanding that is not of the situation
only cognitive, but also includes the
complexity of a human being. This
understanding is also interpreted in a
different meaning, namely 2. Hermeneutics and Literature
understanding the expression in life In the study of socio-cultural
experiences. The difference between sciences, the world of life cannot be
Verstehen's and Erklaren's objects also approached by scientific methods such
affects the results of both. as the natural sciences. In natural
Palmer (2016: 134-135) knowledge, humans perceive
explains that meaning has an important phenomena that are different from
role in understanding. The meaning is themselves, whereas in historical-
what is gained experience in reciprocal cultural knowledge, humans understand
interactions that are essential from the themselves. Therefore, a social scientist
whole and the parts of the must enter the world of elements that he
hermeneutical circle. a "meaning" wants to explain. To explain, he needs
obtained in the meaning of individual to understand, and to understand, he
parts. An event or experience will must be able to participate in the
change our lives, where what was processes that produce the living world.
previously meaningful becomes Finally, participation presupposes that
meaningless and vice versa. The he has entered into the living world.

64
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

Sobur (2014: 245) explains that experiences from a frame of


one of Dilthey's thoughts is a subjectivity to objectivity.
hermeneutic model that is able to break In each period, we can understand
through the cultural distance between a the past with new understanding, and
hermeneur and the 'past world' of the understanding of the past will be better
text he wants to understand by if the various conditions of objectivity
producing various events lived by the contained in the present are the same as
writer or author of the text. The those in the past. Our understanding of
presupposition that underlies this texts of literary works, both of those
hermeneutic is the ability to make developed in the past or those that have
'historical transposition', that is, it can evolved in the present, with the method
be separated from the context and of living life experiences contained in
entered into the author's historical them, will provide a better
situation. understanding of the past and the
According to Zayd (2003: 50), present simultaneously. In a text, life
Dilthey emphasizes that the can grow and develop based on the
foundations of heremeneutic theory can merging of our experience with the
explain general theories in experience of the text based on the
understanding because after all the merging of the past with the present.
building of the internal world can be This can happen because the past has a
found based on interpretations of continuous existence in the present, and
literary works, in which the sequence or the present can discover the past
woven of inner life reaches its most through its subjective experience.
perfect form in these works. Therefore, Sobur (2014: 247) explains that in
hermeneutics is an attempt to appreciating literary works, we start
understand experiences as contained in from our subjective experiences in
literary works, which often appear in certain historical events. Subjective
the form of language and transform experience will limit the meaning that
we can understand from a work that

65
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

also exists in a certain time. But our The problem is how we appreciate or
experience will change and gain a new research the literary work.
dimension through the new horizons Literary work is a description of
that appear in the text to us, and the next life as a result of literary observations
time our experience will really change of life, about life in literary works is
because our understanding of the work artificial life or fiction of the author
also changes. Meaning can be different who usually tells a human story with
forms, however, it is always a form of various problems of life and broad and
cohesion, connectedness or related complex life. Literary works are
power, it is in a context. sourced from the facts that live in
Words, phrases, sentences, society (objective reality) but life in that
paragraphs, chapters, and the whole society is not merely an imitation of
story in a literary work constitute a nature or an imitation of life. Therefore,
unified discourse that can be interpreted understanding literary works is
appropriately from each of the whole impossible to forget the historical
depending on the overall logical background that builds the life process
structure and its scientific, polemical, in the story. Literary work is not a mere
oratoric purpose and so on. Literary writing technique, but it has a set of
work is a unit of discourse which its facts to convey. But the understanding
meaning also depends on logical of the facts must be traced with the right
structure or relations between the method so that the interpretation is also
structures that build it. Literary work, right as close as possible. Hermeneutika
whatever its form, is essentially a view offers a method for the interpretation of
of ideas, ideas, or experiences of the literary works.
author. With this work the author 3. Dilthey’s Hermeneuitcs Concept
intends that the reading community also in Potensi Perempuan Amerika
feels what he is experiencing. Literary (Tinjauan Feminisme) by Juliasih
works can be appreciated or researched. Kusharyanto

66
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

The book entitles Potensi have not been explored and brought to
Perempuan Amerika (Tinjauan the surface. Actualization is a concrete
Feminisme) by Juliasih Kusharyanto is manifestation of the capacity of women
a part of her disertation entitled in work that occupies a strategic
“Potensi Perempuan Amerika dalam position as a messenger, mandate,
Novel Penulis Perempuan Amerika”. moral, or something that the writer
The purpose of the book are to show the intends to convey as part of a social
image of women and reveals the group (Kusharyanto, 2009: 17).
injustices experienced by women in
four works of American women the 3.1. Erlebnis in Potensi
awakening by Kate Chopin (1899), O Perempuan Amerika
Pioners! by Willa Chater (1913), The (Tinjauan Feminisme) by
Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Juliasih Kusharyanto
(1920), and Vein of Iron by Ellen As explained earlier, Erlebnis
Glasgow (1935). To describe is a living experience that involves
everything related to injustice based on living and reflecting on the life
the question of what, who, why, how, experienced by humans in a certain
and where the injustice occurs, and to historical period in the middle of a
show if there is injustice, it is necessary certain society, with a certain
to examine whether injustice is taken culture. The first thing described in
for granted or there is a process this book is a description of life
awareness of the image of women in experiences experienced by
literary works, including discussing the American women in a certain period
extent to which the process of according to the year in which the
awareness is understood, and then novels were first published. The
actualized by these women. objects of research in this book are 4
In other words, how do they American women's novels published
actualize the potential or abilities and in the mid 19th century until the
strengths that exist in themselves, but early 20th century (1899-1935).

67
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

According to Kusharyanto (p. 33), in husbands in farming,


1850 to 1930 was a period of volunteering (helping each
struggle in American history. In the other's neighbors), nurses (able to
words of the American female treat sick people or caring for sick
historian Cutter (1999), the period families). In this colonial period,
1850 - 1930 was a time of voice american women were very
problems in American culture, a poorly educated, only a few
transition from 'real women' to 'new received formal education and
women' (which) created major even then, only happened to
changes in women's identities and women who came from Europe
voices (p. 33). Furthermore, Cutter with middle and upper social
(Kusharyanto, p. 34) explains that class backgrounds.
women's literary works not only Furthermore, the discussion
reflect, but also shape the role is carried out by describing the
transition. This means that literary history of american women
works have the power of sound in during the American revolution
contributing American social (pp. 49-68). At this time,
culture. american women were divided
In the next discussion (pp. into two groups: lower-class
37-48), this book describes the women and upper middle-class
situation of american women and women. Lower-class women play
their role in social life from the the role of laborers who receive
colonial period (1600-1760) to improper salaries. While the
the industrialization period middle class and above are
(1800s). During the colonial women who have the title ‘lady’.
period, american women had a The role of women in the middle-
variety of roles, especially class and above remains in the
domestic roles such as being a domestic sphere, namely taking
housewife, partners in helping care of the house and family, her

68
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

life depends on her husband who by Juliasih Kusharyanto from


is economically established and various historical sources such as
has a business and trade. A lady is a book by Carrol Hymowitz and
a woman who is at home Michael Weisman (1978) titled
behaving properly, serving a "A History of Women in
husband, taking care of children America", Marylynn Salmon
and all things relating to feminine (2000) titled "The Limits of
matters. At this time american Independence : 1760 - 1800 ",
women also had the opportunity Virginia Sapiro (1986) with the
to work as teachers, although title" Women in American
with half the salary of male Society ", Martha J. Cutter (1999)
teachers, women at that time titled" Untrully Tongue, Identity
became independent and were and Voice in American Women's
able to have a business by Writing 1850 - 1930 ", and related
opening courses specifically for other books. This is the way how
women. Juliasih Kusharyanto brought to
American women's life the experiences of human life
movements began during this in certain periods related to her
revolution, such as religious research. The writings of
social movements, anti-slavery historian Henry Bamford Parker
movements, and missionary (1953) provide an outline of the
movements (pp. 98-107), socio-cultural conditions of
movements to have voting rights America ranging from an
(pp. 112-132), and feminism in agrarian country to the entry of
America (p. 132 - 168). technology and into an industrial
Detailed description of the state. From these writings, it can
history of American women from be traced how the life of
the colonial period to the American society in the transition
industrialization period was taken

69
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

from agrarian to industrial totality of people's lives giving


country. birth to the work was ignored.
Furthermore, to Quoting Junus (p. 22), the writer
complement the Erlebnis of speaks as a spokesperson in his
Dilthey concept, this book class determined by their social
describes the autobiographies of situation as a human, and that
4 authors of the novels studied. situation is reflected in their art.
The first autobiography was Kate Regarding the biographies of the
Choplin (pp. 203 - 209), followed 4 writers, Kusharyanto (p. 22)
by Edith Wharton (pp. 209 - 215), took from various sources such as
then the autobiography of Willa a book entitled Anthology of
Chather (pp. 215 - 219) and American Literature by Goerge
finally Ellen Glasgow (pp. 220 - McMichael (1980), Notable
224). In this autobiography, American Women 1607 - 1950 by
Kusharyanto explained about the Edward T. James et al. (1974),
author's genealogy, written and The Oxford Companion to
history and views and life American Literature by James D.
experiences experienced during Hart (1965). Through these books
the novel’s author lives that the order of the writers' years of
influenced the works their life, their philosophies, views,
created. As explained on page 22, and concepts about life were
it is stated here that in order to obtained.
analyze the works of the four
female writers, an understanding 3.2. Ausdruck in Potensi
of the writer's life setting, place, Perempuan Amerika
and time is required because (Tinjauan Feminisme) by
literary works are the result of Juliasih Kusharyanto
human culture that cannot be Ausdruck (expression) in
understood in their entirety if the Dilthey's hermeneutics is as one

70
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

step towards understanding, a phrase that shows that


because the expression itself is all American women are smart
the things that empirically give women but do not have the
the main points of the humanities. opportunity to develop
The things that cover it include themselves because women will
the communication of words that only become a housewife. In the
give birth to intentions, feelings, novel The Awakening, for
and deeds. example, the character Edna is an
In research conducted by intelligent woman and likes to
Juliasih Kusharyanto, Ausdrck or discuss everything, including
the analyzed phrases are politics and religion
expressions in the 4 novels (can Her most intimate friend at
school had been one of
be dialogues or narratives in
rather exceptional
stories in the novel) that have to intellectual gifts, who wrote
fine-sounding essays,
do with the research objectives,
which Edna admired and
namely those that describe the strove to imitate; and with
her she talked and glowed
image of women and the
over the English classics,
injustices experienced by women. and sometimes held
religious and political
clues as to what, who, why, how,
controversies. (Chopin,
and where these injustices occur 1976:18)
and expressions that indicate
Through expressions like
whether injustice is taken for
the example above, it can be
granted or there is a process of
understood that in the novels
awareness of the image of women
studied there are certain purposes
in literary works, including
to be conveyed by the writer. The
discussing the extent of the
author uses the story as a medium
process of awareness it is
to voice the desires that actually
understood, and then actualized
want to be achieved in the fabric
by these women. For example, in

71
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

of social life. The character's the meanings in the novels. The


expressions in the novel's story resulting meaning succeeded in
are used as a communication tool answering research questions
so that the reader knows the both in terms of American
intentions, feelings, and deeds of history, the author of the novel,
the writer. and related expressions through
the stories and actions of the
3.3. Verstehen in Potensi characters in the novel.
Perempuan Amerika For example, in
(tinjauan feminisme) by interpreting the intent of The
Juliasih Kusharyanto Awakening by Kate Choplin.
Verstehen as explained in Through historical facts,
the previous discussion above is Kusharyanto managed to explain
an understanding process that the environment and life
basically combines two processes experience behind Kate Choplin
namely Erlebnis and Ausdruck. writing the novel. Choplin, who
Combining these two processes is was born in the era of america
expected to be able to provide an Industrialization, experienced
understanding of the meaning various events specifically related
that is in the text. The research to the social norms of women at
"Potensi Perempuan Amerika that time. A lot of discrimination
(Tinjauan Feminisme)" and injustice happens to women.
ultimately produced the Therefore, The Awakening novel
meanings contained in the 4 voiced women's interests.
novels studied. Through the Through expressions, language,
process of reading Dithley's dialogue, and the actions of the
hermeneutics, Juliasih characters in the novel, Choplin
Kusharyanto was able to provide fought for the fate of women and
a comprehensive explanation of fought injustice. In the novel The

72
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

Awakening, there are many stories illustrate that american


narratives and actions that women have the potential to be
underline the marginalization of independent, advanced,
women even though women have intellectual, and able to become
the extraordinary potential to be leaders. However, the patriarchal
equal to men. In fact, in the system which at that time ruled
autobigraphy written by America did not provide a
Kusharyanto (p. 204), it was loophole for women to develop
stated that the novel The these potentials. This is in
Awakening was withdrawn from accordance with social facts that
circulation and the library occurred in America at that time.
because its contents were In the novel The Age of
considered to be in conflict with Innocence by Edith Warton,
the norms of the society at that Kusharyanto gives the meaning
time. While Chopin himself was that because Edith Warton lived
exiled by the public, including in the midst of the industrial
her friends. The Awakening told revolution, her works depict
of a woman who follows her heart much of New York society in the
and does not hesitate to leave her twentieth century. At that time,
child and husband because of New York society had turned into
having an affair with another an industrial society. The
man. Because of this, the book development of the industry
was considered a 'poison' that made the city of New York
endangered the mindset of the experience rapid development
people, especially women at that and as a result many emigrants
time. came and settled there. These
Three other novels studied changes are described in many of
also provide meaning similar to her works. Warthon does not
the novel The Awakening. All seem to like the changes in the

73
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

traditional values of the old her appearance, even though


society changing with the modern many people mocked her.
society which she thinks is a Alexandra Bergson lives
greedy, rude and money-oriented with her husband and younger
society. In The Age of Innocence, brother. He loved her sister very
Wharton illustrated that much, and was willing to raise
innocence, manners are only her. But it brought jealousy to her
bound to the surface, different husband, so that the younger
from the actual situation so that brother was killed. Over the
what arises is the attitude of years, Alexandra suffered greatly
hypocrisy and arrogance. after her beloved brother was
O Pioneers! is a classic killed by the person she married.
novel by Willa Cather, about the Willa Cather was able to invite
lives of the inhabitants of the her readers to share in the feelings
Nebraska prairie, O Pionner!, of the main character, through
known for its vivid portrayals of excellent choice of words.
the daily lives of Scandinavian Willa Cather is also very
immigrant pioneers. In his work, good at presenting images of the
Willa Cather placed a woman as life of the Nebraskan people who
the main character, who has a are at one with the natural
strong nature, and is able to break environment. In this research,
out of culture in her environment. through the Dilthey’s
Alexandra Bergson, the main hermeneutic process, this novel is
character in O Pioneer!, is interpreted as a novel that voiced
described as a tall and strong Cather's desire as a woman living
figure who often wears a man's within the limitations of the
coat, a round hat and a coat tied american version of the Victorian
around her neck, covering part of Era. In her autobigraphy, Cather
his face. She was not bothered by is described as a woman who has

74
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

a male style with a short whip and very comfortable and


belonged to her; carried it
likes to wear male-style clothes.
like a young soldier), and a
Quoting O'Connor (Kusharyanto, round plush cap, tied down
with a thick veil (pl. 6).
2009: 217), Cather's rebellion
against conventional dress and
Another image of Alexandria is
behavior became a sign of
described as the following narrative.
firmness that gave Cather the
‘Her figure is fuller, and
confidence to achieve success in she has more color. She
seems sunnier and more
a culture that still strongly
vigorous than she did as a
restrained women who could not young girl. Her face is
always tanned in summer,
accept the roles assigned to her
for her sunbonnet is oftener
based on that culture. This is also on her arm than on her
head. But where her collar
reflected in the character of
falls away from her neck, or
Alexandra Bergson in Novel O where her sleeves are
pushed back from her wrist,
Pioneer!, as contained in the
the skin is of such
following narrative. smoothness and whiteness
as none but Swedish women
“His sister was a tall,
ever possess; skin with of
strong gril, and she walked
snow itself (p. 88).
rapidly and resolutely, as if
she knew exactly where she
was going and what she All the discussion above
was going to do next” (p.
are the hermeneutical contributions
6).
in the meaning of the 4 novels
Beside being physically studied in the book. Hermeneutics
male, Alexandra was also provides a way for researchers to
described as happy wearing a 'break through' nature of literary
man's clothes as did the author of writers through history. Through a
the novel. historical approach, researchers are
She wore a man’s long able to present facts in the past
ulster (not as if it were an
through records or historical
affiction, but as if it were

75
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

sources related to the literary work.


Researchers are also able to be CONCLUSION
directly involved with the life According to hermeneutics,
experience of literary writers humans are not merely language
through autobigraphy. creatures, but existential beings. Since
Hermeneutics offers a way to the beginning man has never lived only
explore the facts that exist in the as a linguistic creature who only listens,
text of literary works through a writes and reads to later understand and
process that is passed through the interpret. More than that, humans are
mediation of history as a process of beings who understand and interpret in
understanding and interpreting that every aspect of their lives.
never stops. Humans experience In understanding and interpreting
change, progress, and become meaning, there are 3 formulas that can
moderate. Like a text, life can grow be used as interpretive methods, namely
and develop based on the merging Erlebnis (living experience), Ausdruck
of our experience with the (expression), and Verstehen
experience of the text based on the (understanding). The experience
merging of the past and the present, referred to here is the life history of the
so we end up circling in the author, everything that was experienced
heremeneutic circle. Third, by the director during his lifetime. The
through relations between the expressions are works written by the
hermeneutic elements author through the language used to
(hermeneutic circle), humans can voice their desires, opinions and
provide a comprehensive actions. Understanding is the process of
conclusion so that the meanings bringing together all the data generated
obtained are the result of from the process of experience and
interpretations between expression so that it can draw
experiences that lived in the past, conclusions. In the research conducted
reality of the past and present. by Juliasih Kusharyanto, it can be

76
P-ISSN 2622-8831
Berumpun Journal: An International Journal of Social, Politics and Humanities Vol. 2 No. 1 March 2019

concluded that the three main aspects of meaning from the historical side as well
the hermeneutics have been carried out as language expressions that exist in the
well so that in the end the results of the storyline of each novel studied.
research are able to provide a complete

REFERENCE
Ahimsa-Putra, H. S. 2009. Paradigma Ilmu Sosial-Budaya-Sebuah Pandangan-.
Makalah Kuliah Umum Paradigma Penelitian Ilmu-Ilmu Humaniora.
Pascasarjana Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Tidak diterbitkan.
Hadi, A. 2008. Hermeneutika Sastra Barat dan Timur. Jakarta: Depdiknas.
Hardiman, F. B. 2015. Seni Memahami: Hermeneutika dari Schleiermacher sampai
Derrida. Yogyakarta: PT. Kanisius.
Howard, R. J. 2001. Hermeneutika terj. Kusmana, Bandung: Penerbit Nuansa.
Kusharyanto, J. 2009. Potensi Perempuan Amerika (Tinjauan Feminisme).
Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press.
Malbon, E. S. Structuralism, Hermeneutics, and Contextual Meaning Source: Journal
of the American Academy of Religion, Vol. 51, No. 2 (Jun., 1983), pp. 207230
Published by: Oxford University Press
Palmer, E. R. 2016. Hermeneutics Interpretation Theory in Schleirmacher, Dilthey,
Heidegger, and Gadamer. (Terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia oleh Musnur
Hery dan Damanhuri Muhammed) Hermeneutika Teori Baru Mengenai
Interpretasi. Edisi III. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.
Priyanto, S. 2001. Wilhelm Dilthey: Peletak Dasar Ilmu-Ilmu Humaniora. Semarang:
Bendera.
Risman, A. 1981. Metodologi Humaniora Dilthey dalam Jurnal Al-Jami’ah No. 25,
Yogyakarta: IAIN Sunan Kalijaga.
Sobur, A. 2014. Filsafat Komunikasi. Tradisi dan Metode Fenomenologi. Edisi kedua.
Bandung: PT. Remaja Rosdikarya.
Sumaryono, E. 1993. Hermeneutik Sebuah Metode Filsalat. Yogyakarta: Kanisius.
Zuchdi, D. & Afifah, W. 2019. Analisis Konten Etnografi & Grounded Theory
Research dan Hermeneutika dalam Penelitian. Jakarta: PT. Bumi Aksara.

77

You might also like