Novel of Ideas A Textual Analysis of Mohd. Affandi Hasan's Pujangga Melayu Base on Persuratan Baru

Abstract

The function of literary works, specifically that of fictional narratives, has been
source of debate in Western and Eastern civilisations throughout the ages. The
Malay literary tradition is no exception; V.1. Braginsky states that since the 16th
and 17th centuries, Malays have been aware of the functional value of Iiterature,
which among other functions serves to teach, and to enlighten mankind with
knowledge. It is important to note that the same issue is still a matter of debate
in contemporary Malay literature. Chief amongst those who regularly foreground
the issue is Mohd. Affandi Hassan (heralter Hassan), a contemporary Malay
literary critic and creative writer. As a literary critic, Hassan generated the notion of 'Persuratan Baru', a notion that amongst other principles urges authors
if Malay literary works to prioritise the transmittance of knowledge. Naturally,
thus invites scrutiny, especially given the context of Hassan being a creative
 himself, with such a standing (as a literary critic and creative writer) the
function that immediately springs to mind is whether Hassan heeds his own call
In the light, this article will analyse one of Hassan's works based on his own
analytical framework--Persuratan Baru--in an effort to determine whether the
contruction of said work truly takes into account his own identification of the
function of literary works, that is as a medium of knowledge. Hassan's novel
Pujangga Melayu (1997) will be the study material, with the employment of
the anlytical framework of Persuratan Baru. By using Persuratan Baru which
distinguishes between 'knowledge' (ilmu) and 'narrative' (cerita) as an analytical frame work, my findings answer the question brought up earlier that Hassan
has indeed practiced what he has preached, by presenting Pujangga Melayu as
a contens manifestation of his literary notion Persuratan Baru'.