Representation of the Strengths of Santri Women in Pesantren Novels: A Feminism Antropological Perspective

Abstract

In the novel "Hati Suhita" and "Dua Barista", the authors were successful in portraying the image of santri women (the wives) who have diverse strengths in handling issues in their families. The strenght ingrained in pesantren culture. In order to distinguish itself from women in other areas of the world, the pesantren culture is exceptional in how it manages gender relations in the position and role of santri women (the wives).  The purpose of this study is to interpret the sources of strength of santri women (the wives) represented in two pesantren literary novels. This research uses a qualitative method with a hermeneutic phenomenology approach. The characters` life experiences depicted in "Hati Suhita" and "Dua Barista" are interpreted to see the strength of santri women in dealing with household problems. The results indicate that the strength is manifested through: (1) the imitation of the commendable attitude of ummi (mother), (2) the hope for the blessing of parents, (3) God worshiping, (4) the performance as the caretaker of pesantren, and (5) the application of Javanese cultural values ​​'mikul dhuwur mendhem jero' and 'tapa'. It is concluded that the strength of santri women in dealing with the problems they face is not only in physical form but also in mental and spiritual forms, as a characteristic of the pesantren community.