LASKAR PELANGI: KAJIAN GENRE FIKSI POPULER

AYU BUDI KUSUMA WARDHANI, Dr. Aprinus Salam, M. Hum.

2013 | Skripsi | SASTRA INDONESIA

Latar belakang penelitian ini adalah adanya perdebatan mengenai novel Laskar Pelangi (LP) karya Andrea Hirata sebagai fiksi populer atau bukan. Perdebatan yang beredar di dunia maya tersebut ditemukan jawabannya pada penelitian “Laskar Pelangi: Kajian Genre Fiksi Populer”. Penelitian LP dengan menggunakan teori genre bertujuan untuk mengetahui unsur intrinsik dan ekstrinsik sehingga novel tersebut dianggap sebagai fiksi populer. Pada teori genre terdapat formula yang digunakan untuk menganalisis unsur intrinsik pada novel LP sebagai fiksi populer, seperti alur, tema, penokohan, setting dan suasana. Unsur ekstrinsik pada novel LP merupakan sambutan masyarakat terhadap karya-karya adaptasinya. Penelitian mengenai LP ini menghasilkan kesimpulan bahwa novel LP merupakan fiksi populer. Kesimpulan ini diperoleh karena unsur intrinsik LP sesuai dengan formula fiksi populer. Pada LP, alur tidak berbelit-belit, berakhir bahagia, dan tokoh utama selalu menang. Pada tema, LP mempunyai tema yang mudah dipahami oleh pembaca. Selain itu, tema LP membahas banyak persoalan, yakni persoalan kemiskinan di Belitong, perbedaan taraf hidup dan pendidikan antara masyarakat asli Belitong dan Gedong, persoalan percintaan Ikal dan A Ling, terjerumusnya anggota Laskar Pelangi dalam dunia klenik dan mistis, serta perjuangan para anggota Laskar Pelangi dalam mewujudkan mimpinya. Tema pada LP pun mengajarkan nilai-nilai kebajikan, seperti nilai-nilai religius, nilai-nilai teladan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, pun nilai agar berani memperjuangkan cita-cita yang dimiliki. Penokohan LP juga menunjukan kriteria fiksi populer, banyak tokoh digambarkan secara lengkap dan karakter tokoh-tokohnya berpikir dan bertindak seperti layaknya manusia dalam dunia nyata. Dalam LP, setting berperan sangat penting karena menjadi ciri khas yang membuat novel ini berbeda dengan novel populer lainnya. Setting mampu didramatisasi secara konkrit sehingga familiar oleh pembaca. Setelah setting, suasana pada cerita LP turut berperan penting, suasana gembira, misterius, mengharukan, sedih, dan romantis dibangun oleh tokohnya. Selain unsur-unsur intrinsik, booming-nya novel LP sebagai fiksi populer menyebabkan banyaknya adaptasi-adaptasi dari LP versi novel. Novel LP diadaptasi ke dalam berbagai macam bentuk, yakni film Laskar Pelangi, Musikal Laskar Pelangi, dan Laskar Pelangi The Series. Selain itu terdapat pula adaptasi dalam bentuk cetak, yakni Laskar Pelangi Song Book, Di Balik Layar Laskar Pelangi dan buku-buku seri Laskar Pelangi anak.

The background of this research is rooted to the debate on Andrea Hirata’s novel Laskar Pelangi whether it can be categorized as popular fiction or otherwise. The debate on virtual media found in the research “Laskar Pelangi: Kajian Genre Fiksi Populer”. The research employed genre theory with a purpose to understand the intrinsic and extrinsic factor of the novel so that it can be classified as popular fiction. In the genre theory, there is a formula to analyzes the intrinsic elements of the novel, like the theme, characterization, setting, and the mood/voice of the novel. Whereas, it can be seen the extrinsic elements are the reception of the society towards the adaptation of the novel. The result of this research argues that LP is a popular fiction. This conclusion is achieved from examining the intrinsic elements of the novel which goes along with the popular fiction formula. In LP, the story plot is not convoluted, it bears a happy ending, and shows that the character always win the challenges. From the theme, it would be easily understood by the readers. In addition, LP discussed many issues, ranged from the poverty problem in Belitong, differences in living standard as well as the education background between indigenous people and “Gedong” people, the romance story between Ikal and A Ling, the Laskar Pelangi members who fall into the occultism and mystical world, as well as the struggle of the so called “Rainbow Warriors” in realizing their dreams. The LP theme, then, produces good values, such as the religious values, and any exemplary values in everyday life, even the values to be brave in fighting the ideals. The characterization in LP also shows it fulfills the criteria of popular fiction; many of the characters portrayed the thoughts and action of any human in real world. In LP, setting plays important role as it differs the novel amongst other popular novels. The author dramatized the setting so that it becomes familiar for readers. The mood and tone of the novel is also important, happy situation, mysterious, sad, and romantic tone can be delivered well by the characters. Aside of the intrinsic elements, the booming of the novel is caused by adaptations of the novels. It is adapted into many other art forms, the movie Laskar Pelangi, musical performance Laskar Pelangi, up to the Laskar Pelangi the Series. In addition, there is also an adaptation into the same printed form: Laskar Pelangi Song Book, Di Balik Layar Laskar Pelangi and other book series for children.

Kata Kunci : Laskar Pelangi, fiksi populer, teori genre, novel, formula, intrinsik, ekstrinsik