Portrait of Community Life in the Novel Laskar Pelangi and Anne of Green Gabl

Abstract

This study aims to describe the depiction of community life through socio-economic and educational dimensions in two novels, namely Laskar Pelangi by Andrea Hirata and Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, using the theoretical framework of Alan Swingewood's sociology of literature. The approach applied is descriptive qualitative. The main data sources come from the first edition of the novel Laskar Pelangi published in 2005 and the first edition of the novel Anne of Green Gables published in 1908. The research data includes fragments of words, phrases, sentences, and dialogues that represent community life, including aspects of education, economy, social, culture, and the relationship patterns between characters in both works. Data collection was carried out through literature studies, while data analysis went through a series of stages, namely in-depth reading, data verification according to the research focus, application of Alan Swingewood's sociology of literature theory, description of the analysis results, data interpretation, and conclusion. The results of the study reveal that the novel Laskar Pelangi represents the life of the Belitung community who are entangled in poverty, colored by social inequality, and face limited educational facilities and infrastructure. In contrast, the novel Anne of Green Gables depicts the simple yet relatively stable socio-economic life of the Avonlea community, with a much more conducive educational environment. The similarities between the two novels lie in the position of education as an instrument of social change and the formation of the characters' characters, while the differences are evident in the socio-economic conditions of each community, which directly influence their access to and the educational process they undergo. This research confirms that literary works can function as authentic reflections of the social realities of society in the eras that form their backgrounds.