Deconstruction Analysis for Children Literature: Investigating Patriarchy in Indonesian Folktales

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the dominant issues of patriarchy in Indonesian folktales by utilizing Derrida's deconstruction concept. Five folktales chosen as objects of the study, and data collection did by document analysis. The findings then analyzed qualitatively by applying Derrida’ deconstruction concept as proposed by Barry that involves verbal, textual, and linguistic analysis to investigate the existence of patriarchy issues in the objects of the study. The results show that dominant patriarchal issues found in the folktales describe about labeling for women, violence against women, and male domination in cultural institutions and social life. Since the transcendental aspects considered problematic regarding the development of mental, moral, emotional, intellectual, and social skills in children, further deconstruction recommended to eliminate or to minimize the taboo issues, labeling, adult’ issues, and violence against women found in the folktales. Hence, to keep the folktales interesting and meaningful for todays’ children as the target audience of folktales, deconstruction in the form of a simple parody is highly recommended by enriching the texts with interesting pictures or illustrations, considering the use of simple yet communicative expressions, and focusing the themes about friendship, collaboration, and adventure relevant for children.