5 Moreover, it can help everyone to respect
other’s choice, for instance during communist era whether being Red or Green are the same for Bhisma. Therefore,
in helping others, those do not need to look at their backgrounds. Furthermore, the researcher expects this study can inspire the future researcher to examine this
novel from the other aspects, for instance, the analysis of relation between Bhisma and Amba viewed from other approaches, such as liberalism, humanism, and
feminism approach.
E. Definition of Terms
In the beginning of this study, some keywords will be defined further.
1. Struggle
According to Simmel as cited in Spacer and Flaming, 2006, struggle is a word taken from German term kampf which is translated as a conflict. It means a
way to achieve something. Even, it needs an annihilation of one conflict in a party. Simmel argues, “struggle paradoxially promotes social interaction with the
group of one’s struggle against” p. 8. In this study, struggles mean by fighting against power and unfairness.
2. Bhisma
Bhisma is a great warrior in Mahabarata story. He is one of the noblest among other warriors in Hastinapura Kingdom. He is a man who puts duty on
everything. In wayang Javanese puppet story, according to Sujamto as cited in Murtafiah, 2010, he is well known as Sabda Pandhita Ratu. It is because he is
loyal with his promise that he will not marry someone in his life. Therefore, the
6 gods grant Bhisma to choose his own death. In this story, Bhisma’s character is
based on the Mahabarata epic. However, the fate of the story is different from what Bhisma has in Mahabarata. In this study, Bhisma is portrayed as one of
ordinary people struggling against the unfairness.
3. Buru Island
Buru is the third largest island in the Maluku Islands. Buru obtains its major popularity
during President Suharto’s era. In that era, more than 12,000 people were accused of being communists and Communist Party followers. They
were detained without formally charged in such a clear legal process Pamuntjak, 2013. Thus, many prisoners are killed and died in Buru Island. In this novel,
Buru becomes t he setting of Bhisma’s life.
4. Tapol
Tapol stands for tahanan politik, which means political prisoner in New Order e
ra during President Suharto’s authority Pamuntjak, 2013. This term is commonly used to label those who are accused of being communists, left-wing, or
Indonesian Communist Party followers. They are popularly sent to Buru Island in Maluku. In this story, Bhisma is one of those who is accused of being a
communist. Therefore, he is imprisoned in Buru as a tapol.
5. Red
The title in the novel The Question of Red has a meaning of struggle from people in communist era which is popular as a red party. Red colour itself is a
symbolic colour for the Communist. It is firstly introduced in the Soviet Union to mobilize the proletarian class under communism and the Soviet Union itself
