Inferiority and Superiority of the Character Vera in the Novel Jobin by Pidi Baiq: An Alfred Adler Psychological Study

Abstract

This research is motivated by the complex personality of the character Vera in Pidi Baiq’s novel Jobin, which reveals the dynamics between feelings of inferiority and the drive to achieve superiority, as explained in Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology theory. The study focuses on the forms of inferiority and superiority exhibited by Vera and the interconnection between these two aspects in shaping her personality development. The research aims to describe the manifestations of Vera’s inferiority and superiority from the perspective of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology. A qualitative descriptive method with a literary psychology approach was employed. The data source is the novel Jobin by Pidi Baiq, while the research data consists of narratives, dialogue, and actions by Vera that reflect her psychological state. Data were collected through intensive reading, note-taking, and the classification of relevant excerpts, followed by analysis using a qualitative model involving data reduction, data presentation, interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that Vera experiences feelings of inferiority—influenced by life experiences, emotional conflicts, and social relationships—which give rise to self-doubt. However, this condition acts as a catalyst for various forms of compensation, reflected in her courage to make decisions, her adaptability, and her efforts to maintain self-esteem and develop her potential. The findings confirm that inferiority and superiority are interconnected aspects in shaping Vera’s personality development, consistent with the concepts of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology.