Mimicry and Radical Resistance in Novel Saman

摘要

This study attempts to investigate the issue of identity seen from the issue of power relation in Saman, a novel by Ayu Utami. In particular, this study focuses on discussing the phenomenon of identity as an effect of superiority in the social order from postcolonial perspective. Data analysis revealed some phrases and sentences of postcolonial elements which show mimicry and radical resistance inside the novel. The novel shows how superiority in social order can bring the binary opposition of identity. The central figure of this novel who belongs to the inferior group in the society, Saman, accuses the Palm Oil corporation by mimicking their arrogance toward the farmers. Saman also uses the strategy used by the Oil Company in order to achieve his purposes. It is expected that this study will enrich the study of mimicry in postcolonial literary work.