Publication Date:
2009
abstract:
This paper deals with national identity problems of modern
Indonesia, as highlighted by literary manifestos issued by intellectuals in the
period 1925-1963, during which Indonesian national identity took form. It
will be shown that national identity was a primary concern for Indonesian
writers. National struggle, national culture, historical progress and
revolution were concepts debated as long as literary generations followed. A
deep influx of Western ideas such as nation-state itself, individualism,
revolution, and other Romantic ideals, was adopted by a group of authors,
while others chose a more Marxist approach. Both claimed that ‘revolution’
hadn’t been achieved with mere political independence, and it had to be
carried on according their own ideals in the cultural field.
Indonesia, as highlighted by literary manifestos issued by intellectuals in the
period 1925-1963, during which Indonesian national identity took form. It
will be shown that national identity was a primary concern for Indonesian
writers. National struggle, national culture, historical progress and
revolution were concepts debated as long as literary generations followed. A
deep influx of Western ideas such as nation-state itself, individualism,
revolution, and other Romantic ideals, was adopted by a group of authors,
while others chose a more Marxist approach. Both claimed that ‘revolution’
hadn’t been achieved with mere political independence, and it had to be
carried on according their own ideals in the cultural field.
Iris type:
1.1 Articolo in rivista
Keywords:
Indonesia, literature, intellectuals, national identity, colonialism
List of contributors:
Lauri, Marco
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