Mekanisme pertahanan diri tokoh Wagahai dari kecemasan moral dalam novel Wagahai wa Neko de Aru karya Natsume Sooseki

Abstract

Literary works sometimes present characters who experience an unpleasant condition that causes anxiety. Natsume Sooseki’s famous novel, Wagahai wa Neko de Aru (I am a Cat) features the character Wagahai, a street cat, who also experiences anxiety like humans or other living creatures. With the background of the culture of shame (haji no bunka) that exists in Japanese society, Wagahai experiences moral anxiety that makes him use defense mechanisms. This qualitative study applies a descriptive content analysis. The results of the study show that the shame (haji) and guilt of the character Wagahai are types of moral anxiety that cause him to use defense mechanisms. Wagahai uses six types of defense mechanisms, namely denial, repression, rationalization, displacement, reaction formation, and intellectualization. Each type of defense mechanism used by Wagahai is supported by his character. However, the moral anxiety from deep shame makes him use displacement without thinking about the impact on himself which causes Wagahai to have an accident and die.