The  Marginalized Communities Life in the Drama Script Mega-Mega by Arifin C. Noer: A Sociological Study of Swingewood Literature

Herson Kadir; Alya Fitria Naki; Agnes Novianti; Vanni Asharit; Ummul Khairu; Lika Andarista

doi:10.55909/jpbs.v5i4.1586

Authors

Herson Kadir Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Alya Fitria Naki Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Agnes Novianti Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Vanni Asharit Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Ummul Khairu Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Lika Andarista Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55909/jpbs.v5i4.1586

Keywords:

marginalized communities life, drama script, sociology study

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the representation of the lives of marginalized groups depicted in the drama script Mega-Mega by Arifin C. Noer, by applying the theoretical framework of the sociology of literature developed by Alan Swingewood. Specifically, this study attempts to describe the portrait of the lives of marginalized groups while examining the socio-economic conditions reflected in the literary work. The study uses a qualitative descriptive approach supported by content analysis techniques, with data sources in the form of fragments of words, sentences, and dialogues in the script that are relevant to the theme of marginality. The research findings reveal that the Mega-Mega script represents the bitter reality of marginalized groups who are shackled by structural poverty, minimal access to welfare, and the erosion of their self-esteem in an unequal social structure. Within the framework of Swingewood’s sociology of literature, this work is positioned as an authentic record of social reality that also functions as a vehicle for criticism of systems that do not side with small communities. This research is expected to enrich the treasury of sociological studies of literature, especially in the realm of analyzing works that carry the themes of poverty and social marginalization.

References

Azzahrah, E. A., Mustika, A. F., Hasanah, M. N., Ningsih, I. R. N., & Azzahro, F. (2026). Analysis of Social Conflict in Arifin C. Noer’s Play Mega-Mega: A Sociological Study.

Harummi, F. (2024). Social Conflict in the 2021 Kompas Selected Short Story Anthology: The Holy Family and Its Implications for Indonesian Language Learning in High School (A Sociological Study of Literature).

Jailani, M. S., & Saksitha, D. A. (2024). Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques in Scientific Research. Jurnal Genta Mulia, 15(2), 79–91.

Muamaroh, M., & Khoiriyah, A. (2022). A Sociological Analysis of Literature in the Short Story “Mauthini” by Amani Ismail Based on Alan Swingewood’s Perspective. Afshaha: Journal of Arabic Language and Literature, 1(1), 58–80.

Muttaqin, A. (2014). Patterns of Religiosity Among Marginalized Communities. Komunika: Journal of Da’wah and Communication, 8(2), 129–156.

Nensilianti, N. (2023). Social Reflections in the Novel Manusia & Badainya (The Journey Toward Recovery) by Syahid Muhammad (A Sociological Study of Literature Based on Alan Swingewood). Lingua Franca: Journal of Language, Literature, and Their Teaching, 7(2), 156–163.

Noer, A. C. (1999). Mega-Mega: Naskah Drama. Jakarta: Pustaka Firdaus.

Nugroho, A. C., Andriyani, E. E. Y., Tarigan, Y. Y., Noper, A. D., Firmansyah, D., Juansah, D. E., & Fauziah, M. T. (2024). Structural Poverty Affecting Marginalized Communities. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (Widyakarya), 3(1), 1–12.

Lestari, D. A., Apip, A., & Hikmawan, M. D. (2018). Marginalized Subjects: Transgender Women Fighting for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Serang City, Banten (The Phenomenon of Transgender Women in Serang City).

Lusiana, M. (2023). Social Reflections on Indonesia in Putu Wijaya’s Short Story “Merdeka”: A Perspective by Alan Swingewood. Fon: Journal of Indonesian Language and Literature Education, 19(1), 69–80.

Ramdhan, M. (2021). Research Methods. Jakarta: Cipta Media Nusantara.

Razak, A. (2017). Metode Riset: Menggapai Mixed Methods Bidang Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia. Pekanabaru: Ababil Press.

Riyanto, M., & Kovalenko, V. (2023). Community Participation Toward a Welfare State: Understanding the Importance of Active Community Roles in Achieving Shared Prosperity. Indonesian Journal of Legal Development, 5(2), 374–388.

Sahruni, S. (2018). Aspects of Social Life in the Play Mega-Mega by Arifin C. Noer: A Literary Sociological Analysis by Ian Watt. Makassar: Makassar State University.

Sandora, M. (2019). The Concept of Education for Marginalized Children from the Perspective of Community-Based Education. Marwah: Journal of Women, Religion, and Gender, 18(2), 196–216.

Wahyudi, T. (2013). Alan Swingewood’s Sociology of Literature: A Theory. Poetika: Journal of Literary Studies, 1(1), 55–61.

Wahdiyati, D. S. W. S., Mutmainah, S., & Diena, E. E. S. (2025). A Structural-Genetic Literary Criticism Approach to W. S. Rendra’s Poem “Maskumambang” (Literary Sociology) in Poetry Studies. Diksatrasia: Scientific Journal of Indonesian Language and Literature Education, 9(1), 92–100.