Wiwien Rahayu, Vighna Hernawan

The Desire to Become a Chosen Woman in Sěrāt Mějang Dhatěng Garwa R.P. 366.45

Introduction

The desire to become a chosen woman in sěrāt mějang dhatěng garwa r.p. 366.45. Explore Sufi values & gender in Javanese macapat text Sěrāt Mějang Dhatěng Garwa R.P. 366.45. Uncover women's spiritual journey to become chosen, analyzed through a Lacanian lens.

Abstract

Sufism as a divine teaching is present in various Javanese literary works, one of which is Serat Mejang Dhateng Garwa R.P. 366.45, a macapat text that is part of the serat piwulang, containing the advice of a father to his daughter. Despite its didactic nature, this text is rich in Sufi values that guide women as active subjects toward the perfection of life and closeness to the Divine. This process of inner education aligns with the concept of suluk or the spiritual journey toward God, giving the text a spiritual didactic dimension. This study aims to understand how the father's advice to his daughter is conveyed, the strategies used, and how women are positioned as chosen figures. The research method used is qualitative with a Lacanian psychoanalytic approach to gender. The results show that in the text, the song serves as a medium for conveying messages; women are positioned as subjects who recognize their shortcomings to fulfill their spiritual needs. The title represents the symbolic relationship between the prologue (husband) and the content (wife). At the same time, the daughter as a subject relates directly to the mother and indirectly to the father. This text represents Sufi values and gender awareness within the aesthetics of macapat.

Review

This paper offers an intriguing exploration into the spiritual and gender dynamics embedded within the Javanese *macapat* text, *Serat Mejang Dhateng Garwa R.P. 366.45*. The core premise revolves around understanding how this didactic work, framed as a father's advice to his daughter, positions women as "active subjects" striving for spiritual perfection and closeness to the Divine, aligning with the concept of *suluk*. The title itself, "The Desire to Become a Chosen Woman," immediately signals a focus on female agency within a Sufi framework, presenting a compelling intersection of Javanese literary heritage, Islamic mysticism, and gender studies. The study's stated aim to dissect the father's communicative strategies and the ultimate positioning of women as chosen figures is highly relevant for understanding traditional Javanese perspectives on female spirituality and societal roles. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative approach, notably applying a Lacanian psychoanalytic lens to gender. This choice of framework is particularly ambitious and promises a deep, theoretical engagement with the text's symbolic representations and relational dynamics. The abstract highlights several key findings: the crucial role of *macapat* song as a medium for didactic messages, the positioning of women as subjects recognizing their own shortcomings to pursue spiritual fulfillment, and a symbolic interpretation of the title linking the prologue (husband) to the content (wife). Furthermore, the complex relational dynamics of the daughter with both mother (direct) and father (indirect) are uncovered, suggesting a nuanced understanding of familial and spiritual mentorship. Overall, this research appears to make a significant contribution by bridging Javanese literary analysis with sophisticated psychoanalytic theory, particularly in the context of Sufi spiritual guidance for women. The integration of "Sufi values and gender awareness within the aesthetics of *macapat*" is a notable strength, offering a fresh perspective on a traditional text. The application of Lacanian psychoanalysis to a Javanese Sufi text is particularly innovative and holds the potential to unveil profound insights into the construction of identity and desire within this specific cultural and religious milieu. The paper's ability to articulate women as "active subjects" moving towards perfection, rather than passive recipients of wisdom, is a powerful and timely message.

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