Psychological Trauma of Characters in the Novel Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys and Pulang by Leila S Chudori

Herson Kadir; Sabria Febriani; Agista Palaji; Annisa Rumpabulu; Ikbal Syafii; Yusrin Djalilu; Iskar Abas

doi:10.55909/jpbs.v5i4.1576

Authors

Herson Kadir Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo Gorontalo, Indonesia
Sabria Febriani Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo Gorontalo, Indonesia
Agista Palaji Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Annisa Rumpabulu Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Ikbal Syafii Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Yusrin Djalilu Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Iskar Abas Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55909/jpbs.v5i4.1576

Keywords:

psychological trauma, charaters, novel

Abstract

This study aims to describe the forms and impacts of psychological trauma on characters in the novels Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys and Pulang by Leila S. Chudori. Both novels represent traumatic experiences born from different historical backgrounds, namely World War II and the Indonesian political tragedy of 1965. The study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive analysis method. Data are in the form of dialogue excerpts, narratives, inner monologues, and character actions that show symptoms of psychological trauma. Data collection was carried out through literature studies, while the analysis uses the perspective of Cathy Caruth’s literary psychology. The results show that trauma in Salt To The Sea is acute due to the threat of war and is characterized by guilt, fear, shame, anxiety, and avoidance behavior experienced by Joana, Florian, Emilia, and Alfred. Meanwhile, trauma in Pulang is chronic due to political exile, social stigma, and disconnection from the homeland, which is shown through alienation, identity crises, childhood wounds, and loss of emotional ties in Dimas Suryo, Lintang Utara, Segara Alam, and Bimo Nugroho. This trauma affects the emotional condition, thought patterns, behavior, and social relationships of the characters. The research findings show that psychological trauma in both novels represents the impact of historical experiences that shape the characters’ identities and responses to life.

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