Elusidatori : Rengkuhan Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Dalam Antologi "Mengapa Luka Tidak Memaafkan Pisau" Dan "Empedu Tanah" (Perbandingan Sastra Pada Antologi Puisi Karya M. Aan Mansyur & Inggit Putria Marga)

Abstract

This research aims to describe the interpretation, comparison of social criticism, and evaluation of the fulfillment of the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa literary award criteria in the two poetry anthologies. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method with an elucidatory and comparative literature approach based on the literary criticism theory of Soeroso et al. (2009). The data consist of poetic texts analyzed through four stages: description, interpretation, analysis, and evaluation. The results show that both anthologies contain strong social criticism of modern human conditions, social inequalities, and existential wounds that shape spiritual and humanitarian awareness. Mengapa Luka Tidak Memaafkan Pisau highlights inner reflection and human existential problems through symbolic language and a lyrical-reflective style, while Empedu Tanah portrays social suffering and women’s experiences through concrete diction and naturalistic imagery. Both works meet the qualifications of the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award due to their linguistic strength, depth of meaning, and high social relevance to Indonesia’s contemporary reality.