Muse: Journal of Art

CULTURAL IDENTITY CRISES IN JESSICA HAGEDORN’S DOGEATERS

Rosa Maria Simamora — Kam, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

This research reveals cultural identity crises in Jessica Hagedorn’s Dogeaters. As an American Book Award Winner, Hagedorn represents certain countries undergoing the crises through phenomena such as excessive consumerism, sexual and drug abuses, and corrupt government. This is a library research where all data are taken from the library through extensive reading and internet browsing, and applies socio-cultural and mimetic approaches. Mimetic approach proposing by Abrams views that literature is the imitation of the real world, while socio-cultural approach proposing by Grebstein assumes that literary works cannot be fully understood apart from the culture or milieu that produces it. Cultural identity crises is focused on consumerism, drug and sexual abuses, corrupt goverment shown through characters, plot, point of view, image, language, and references. This research finds that Jessica Hagedorn in her novel Dogeaters vividly and beautifully conveys cultural identity crises undergoing by the ex-colonized countries, besides, crises is the result of negative impacts of globalization.

SOCIAL UPHEAVALS IN KHUSHWANT SINGH’S TRAIN TO PAKISTAN

Linus Rumapea — Kam, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

This is a study of Khushwant Singh’s novel Train to Pakistan which is seen as the reflection of social upheavals.The novel shows that people of different religions live together peacefully, but they are divided into enmity groups who kill each other having provoked by some irresponsible actors. They spread hatred issues of accusation and conspiracy and persons of high position and power intentionally let situation become worse to get the benefit. Brotherhood, neighborhood, and friendship disappear replaced by prejudice, hatred, and enmity. Conspiracy and provocation are the sources of tragedy where deaths are vanity, and ruins are regretful. These are intolerable condition of humanity all people have to prevent to happen and to take lessons of what the novel reflects.

THE FUNCTIONS OF NOUN CLAUSES IN LET’S LEARN ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS

Bonar Gurning — Kam, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines the functions of noun clauses in Let’s Learn English textbooks from the first grade until the third grade. The data are examined by using distributional method proposed by Sudaryanto (1988). The data are classified based on their functions as proposed by Quirk et al (1985). Noun clauses have nine functions, they are subject, direct object, subject complement, object complement, prepositional complement, adjectival complementation, extraposed subject, appositive, and adverbial. The result of the analysis shows that the frequencies of noun clauses in the first grade until the third grade textbooks are not stable. This will make students can not fully understand about the functions of noun clauses. Therefore, Let’s Learn English as a teaching material is inadequate in providing lesson about types and functions of noun clauses.

SOCIAL OPPRESION IN MULK RAJ ANAND’S UNTOUCHABLE

Wirayana Sipayung, Rosa Maria Simamomora — Kam, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

This is a study of Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable as the representation of social oppression. The novel shows that social oppression is felt as the impacts of poverty and stigmatization. This is library research and applies mimetic theory proposed by M.H. Abrams. Mimetic approach looks literary work as the imitation of natural aspects and replication of world life. The oppression which is represented by outcast characters feel oppressed because they do not have access to public facilities, education, health service, and job. They are not allowed to use public facilities such as well, temple, road, and get good job because they are poor, considered virus and cursed. They become the victims of stigmatization, prejudice, exile, and hatred.

CHARLES DICKENS’GREAT EXPECTATIONS AS THE REPRESENTATION OF HUMAN GUILT AND SHAME

Indah Sari Karo-Karo — Kam, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The research discusses guilt and shame as reflected in Charles Dickens’s novel, Great Expectations. This novel portrays guilt and shame as self-conscious and evaluates emotions that occur in people life. This is a library research and applies mimetic approach seing that literary work is an imitation or reflection of presentation of the real life. The analysis is focused on guilt and shame in which Dickens uses an orphan boy, Pip as the representation of thse two feelings. He feels guilty of his snobbery and snobbishness his family and shame of his low origin. These two feelings bring about inner conflict to him but it also gives an enlightenment to evaluate himself. Through research it is concluded that Charles Dickens through his novel Great Expectations vividly portrays guilt and shame in human life. Guilt feeling arises fromreaction of disapproved act while shame is reaction when one feels weak and inferior to others and disappointed about something inside, our basic nature.