The Discourse of Power and Human Rights in the Short Story Collection Saksi Mata by Seno Gumira Ajidarma

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the representation of power and human rights violations in the short story collection Saksi Mata by Seno Gumira Ajidarma, employing a discourse analysis approach. The collection depicts the repressive political and social climate in Indonesia, particularly regarding military violence in East Timor. The study utilizes Van Dijk’s model of discourse analysis, which encompasses three dimensions: social context, social cognition, and text structure. The data collection technique employed was a literature review, while the data analysis method used was qualitative-descriptive, utilizing Van Dijk’s discourse analysis approach. The researcher describes the short story's structure as well as the individual and social facts within it: 1) the human element—specifically the social reality—depicted in the short story Saksi Mata reflects the fiery spirit of the people of Timor-Leste in their resistance to break free from Indonesia; the population engaged in this resistance to achieve their independence; 2) the short story Saksi Mata centers on the theme of struggle and follows a linear (chronological) plot. The findings reveal that the texts in Saksi Mata offer sharp criticism of authoritarian and opaque power structures while highlighting serious human rights violations, such as infringements on freedom of expression, the right to life, and the right to humane treatment. The stories employ narrative, metaphor, and irony to expose oppressive power dynamics and shed light on the suffering of individuals caused by systemic injustice. The study concludes that literary works—specifically short stories—can serve as a form of symbolic resistance against hegemonic power and as a medium for voicing humanitarian values.