Muse: Journal of Art

CRUEL OPTIMISM IN JOHN STEINBECK’S THE PEARL

Lorenza Mardiana Siregar, Anselmus Ade — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study discusses the impacts of cruel optimism portrayed in John Steinbeck’s The Pearl. This is qualitative research with the novel as the primary data source. Supporting data are obtained from books, scholarly journals, articles, and websites. Data are collected through intensive reading and note-taking of relevant parts of the text related to the research focus. The data are then classified and analyzed using Berlant's concept of cruel optimism and Wellek and Warren's sociology of literature. This study focuses on three main impacts of cruel optimism, i.e., domestic conflict, social alienation, and obsession. These impacts are shown through the character Kino who becomes excessively attached to the pearl because he views it as the only opportunity to escape poverty and achieve a better future. This attachment gradually leads to conflict within his family, alienation from his community and social life, and obsession that characterized by paranoia and destructive actions. The findings reveal that excessive attachment to an object believed to bring hope, happiness, wealth, and social mobility becomes a source of conflict, isolation, and emotional suffering even death. Inconclusion, Steinbeck in the novel vividly reflects the condition of contemporary society who remain attached to unrealistic hope and instant solutions in pursuit of a better life despite their harmful consequences.

SELF-PRESENTATION STRATEGY THROUGH LETTERS IN JANE AUSTEN'S LADY SUSAN

Titin S Lumbantoruan, Jon Piter Situmorang — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes the self-presentation strategy through letters depicted in Jane Austen's Lady Susan. This research employs a qualitative method, with the novel serving as the primary source of data. Supporting information is obtained from books, journal articles, and other relevant references. The data are collected through close reading and note-taking techniques and analyzed using Wellek and Warren's Sociology of Literature and Erving Goffman's concept of self-presentation. The study focuses on three self-presentation strategies reflected through letters, namely front stage, back stage, and impression management. The findings reveal that Lady Susan uses letters not only as a means of communication but also as a strategy to construct a positive image, conceal her real motives and intentions, and influence other people's judgments. Through front stage, she presents herself as polite, friendly, and caring, while back stage reveals her true thoughts and intentions through private correspondence. Furthermore, impression management enables her to deceive, impress, and persuade others in order to achieve her personal goals. The study also reflects contemporary social behavior, where individuals carefully manage their self-presentation through various communication platforms, particularly social media, to create favorable impressions and influence how others perceive them.

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL ALGORITHM AS A SOCIAL JUDGEMENT IN YOMI ADEGOKE’S THE LIST

Cindy Anastasya Bondar, Rosa Maria Simamora — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the influence of social algorithms as a form of social judgment in Yomi Adegoke’s The List. Using a qualitative method, it applies Wellek and Warren’s sociology of literature and Ng’s concept of social algorithms. The analysis focuses on anonymous lists, viral content, and the rapid formation of public opinion. The findings show that algorithms amplify accusations through likes, comments, reposts, and shares, causing reputational damage, emotional distress, career uncertainty, and relationship problems for the characters. In conclusion, the novel reflects how digital platforms spread information quickly and encourage judgment before full verified.

THE MOTIVES OF CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION IN JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION

Twenty Mariana Sipahutar, Bonar Gurning — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to analyze the motives of conspicuous consumption portrayed in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It employs a qualitative research method, using the novel as the primary source of data, while supporting information is gathered from books, journal articles, and other relevant sources. The analysis is based on Wellek and Warren’s sociology of literature and Veblen’s concept of conspicuous consumption. The study focuses on three motives of conspicuous consumption: pecuniary emulation, invidious comparison, and conformity and avoidance of disapproval. The findings indicate that these motives are reflected in persistent efforts to preserve prestige despite financial decline, the tendency to compare oneself with others based on social rank and appearance, and adherence to aristocratic social standards to avoid social disapproval. These motives encourage extravagant spending, increase financial burdens, and place greater importance on maintaining social standing than on achieving financial stability. As a result, they contribute to excessive spending, financial hardship, status-oriented behavior, and the continuous pursuit of a favorable public image, which may ultimately lead to bankruptcy. The findings also indicate that material possessions and outward appearance are often used to gain social recognition and maintain one's position in society, even when they no longer reflect an individual's actual financial condition. In conclusion, Persuasion reflects social issues that remain relevant today, as social media, lifestyle trends, and competition for social recognition continue to influence individual behavior, often encouraging people to prioritize social image and social status over their actual financial circumstances. These findings suggest that Austen’s portrayal of conspicuous consumption provides valuable insights into the relationship between consumer behavior, social expectations, and the pursuit of social status in both the Regency period and contemporary society.

THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN PROMOTING SOCIAL MOBILITY IN LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY’S ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

Renisa Paniyola SM Malau, Pioro Benevolent Lariesto — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study discusses the role of education in promoting social mobility in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. This is a qualitative research with the novel as the primary data source. Supporting information is obtained from secondary sources such as scientific books, journal articles, and library research. The Data are collected through comprehensive reading and note-taking to identify relevant elements. This study employ’s Wellek and Warren’s theory i.e., sociology of literature and concept of social mobility from Sorokin and the concept of education from Dewantara. The findings identify three main roles of education, they are character building, self-development, and life determination, which reflected through character Anne. She gets informal education through family guidance that plays an important role in character building by developing self-control, responsibility, and humility. She gets formal education at school that contributes to her self-development by providing opportunities to recognize strengths and weaknesses, build self-confidence, and develop social skills. It is also found that education enables individuals to determine their life direction independently, as it is shown Anne’s decision to continue to university Anvolea school by winning scholarship. It means that she successfully transforms from a marginalized orphan into a respected and independent young woman through informal education especially formal education. This indicates that education is crucial to promote social mobility, and empower people from marginalized backgrounds, particularly orphaned children and women in rural communities.