Kesenjangan Kultural Dalam Novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck Karya Buya Hamka: Kajian Sosiologi Sastra

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the representation of cultural disparity in the novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck by Buya Hamka using a literary sociology approach. The novel was selected because it explicitly reflects cultural conflicts within Minangkabau society, particularly toward characters of mixed descent who face social rejection due to their lack of formal recognition under traditional customs. This phenomenon illustrates a socially discriminatory reality embedded within local cultural constructs that remain prevalent to this day. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with textual analysis as the primary method. The primary data is drawn from the content of the novel, while secondary data is obtained from books, scholarly journals, and relevant articles. The analysis utilises Alan Swingewood’s theory of literary sociology, Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, and George Herbert Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism to strengthen the reading of the social realities portrayed in the literary work. The findings indicate that the novel represents complex forms of cultural disparity, including discrimination against dual identities, the hegemony of customs in the Minangkabau matrilineal system, and resistance to traditional values by modernist characters. The character Zainuddin is portrayed as a symbol of marginalised groups unacknowledged by certain social structures due to lineage, reflecting an exclusive social system that restricts space for difference. The study concludes that Buya Hamka’s novel contains not only aesthetic value but also a powerful social critique against discriminatory cultural practices. Thus, the work is relevant as a medium for reflection and education in modern multicultural societies in recognising the importance of tolerance, inclusivity, and appreciation of cultural diversity.