Article by Risa Deninta Irawan
Introduction
The cultural issue appears as the critic or to emphasize the meaning of the story. It often focuses on the phenomenon of ideology, ethnicity, nationality, gender, and social class. Nowadays, the cultural aspect can be a critic through literary works. I assume literary works which contains a cultural matter could help readers open mind to another culture. In order to support the thesis, I would provide an understanding of Indonesian culture and Western culture through two short stories: When Mother Came by Dwi Ratih and My Little St. Nick by Brenda Bokor Wismer.
1. Indonesian Culture
Indonesian culture is known as similar to Middle-east culture which preserves respect towards parents or the elderly. That culture is the highest value for Indonesian. In When Mother Came, giving respect to parent is obviously showed through the characterizations and dialogues. Children who obeying parents would have a good value for the characters. Riasmini et al (2013) explains the elderly still have a high enough position as a parent who should be respected because they have more experience so their opinion is still needed. However, parenting style in Indonesia is commonly normal when parent still help their children even though they have grown up as an adult. As in the part “Every day, Mother dictated what I should do with my baby, and even with myself” when the narrator’s mother still giving help even though the narrator is a young mother. Sometimes as Kiling-Bunga et al (2020) claims that conflicts between traditional and contemporary parenting ideals tend to disorient parents in Indonesia as they struggle to adjust. From the story, the readers may be open mind to Indonesian culture which the respect of obeying parents is the highest value.
2. Western Culture
On the other hand, being individual in Western culture is very normal. It because the parents teach their children to be independent at an early age. In My Little St. Nick, the character Nicholas (a six-year-old boy) gives a present (a can of asparagus) for his mother. He saves his pennies to buy that for the Christmas gift. Sariasih (2017) claims “Many children are taught at an early age to make decisions and to be responsible for their actions”. From the story, the readers could see how parents raise their children in Western and might be open mind about their individualism.
Conclusion
In this article, I have argued that literary works that contain a cultural matter could help the readers become open mind to another culture. The short story When Mother Came and My Little St. Nick clearly showed the difference in parenting style in Indonesia and Western culture. First, the respect of obeying parents is the highest value in Indonesia. Second, parents in Western teach their children to be independent at an early age. I conclude, nothing is better from both culture, literary works are the media to be criticized as a cultural matter to be open mind to another culture.
References
Riasmini, N. M., Sahar, J., Resnayati, Y. (2013). Pengalaman Lanjut Usia di Masyarakat dari Aspek Budaya Indonesia. Jurnal Ners, 8 (1), 99-100.
Kiling-Bunga, B. N., Margiani, K., Kiling, I. Y. (2020). Parenting Research in Indonesia: What We Have Done So Far. Buletin Psikologi, 8 (1), 68-69.
Sariasih, W. (2017). Cross Culture Understanding. South Tangerang: Unpam Press.