Epic of Mahabharata in Kuntowijoyo’s Novels: Aesthetic Response Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to describe and reveal the meaning of the Epic Mahabharata in Kuntowijoyo's novels in terms of Wolfgang Iser's Aesthetic Response theory. The study of Iser's aesthetic response is basically centered on the process of interpreting the text produced through communication between the text and its reader, concerning (1) the way or act of reading; (2) the interaction between the text and the reader. Readers are directed to react to the text. Called an aesthetic response because it stimulates the imagination of the reader and gives the desired effect. Aesthetic response must be understood in the interaction between the text and reader. The research data source is a novel entitled Mantra Pejinak Ular, and Pasar by Kuntowijoyo. This technique is carried out through 1) identification, 2) classification, 3) interpretation, and 4) inference. The results showed that 1) Kuntowijoyo's novels are inseparable from the epics of Mahabharata, especially in puppet (Javanese version). The Javanese version of wayang is shown by the appearance of the scene of Goro Goro and the Punakawan figures; 2) The epics of Mahabharata are the background for the creation of Kuntowijoyo's novels, including plots, names of characters, names of places and events.