33 example, Amba and Manalisa. Bhisma is well known to walk alone into a wood,
reflecting everything in his life. Furthermore, Bhisma likes to go to a quiet place where there are trees,
birds, and rivers. Since he studies in Leipzig until he lives in Buru, Bhisma likes to go to the forest alone. He enjoys nature and himself, even in a solitude. He
muses what he has faced. It is proven in his letter to Amba on 23 December 1973 in which he says, “By a tree, a bird, by watching the river. Things we know as
lovely become magnified, almost Godly, as you come close to them. He continues, “But, I’ve discovered that learning to rest in solitude is in itself a
religious experience” p. 468. Bhisma finds a peace in his life that helps him to think and reflect it deeply. Because of his reflection, he is encouraged to keep his
struggles.
B. The
Meanings of Bhisma’s Struggles 1.
The Meanings of Bhisma’s Struggles Using Marxism Theory
Bhisma is one of the major characters in the novel in this research. The researcher analyses Bhisma using Marxism theory because Bhism
a’s character has Marxism ideology in term of social, political, economic, philosophical, and
scientific aspects. Therefore, the focus on the study is using Marxism in social and political field. The meaning of Bh
isma’s struggles can be viewed from his letters buried in a tree and collected by his sister, Paramita.
Bhisma lives in two Indonesian regimes: Old Sukarno and New Suharto Order. Both of them have totally different policy. In the Old Order,
34 Indonesian Communist Party PKI is allowed and becomes a bigger party in
addition to Indonesian National Party PNI. This party is able to attract many Indonesians from all ages. Therefore, there are various organisations under PKI.
One of which is CGMI The Unified Movement of Students of Indonesia. In his young age, Bhisma spends his life studying and being involved with many young
activists from some organisations under Communist Party. However, Bhisma does not clearly join any organisation. He prefers to stand on his line with his
profession as a doctor.
a. The Meanings
of Bhisma’s Struggles Using Theory of Ideology
In order to know the deeper meanings of Bhisma’s struggles, ideology by
Althuesser is used. According to Marxist theory of ideology by Althuesser 1918- 1990, the ideology is a representation of
somebody’s ideas. Bhisma’s ideology is influenced by some his idols as Rosa Luxemburg and Bertolt Brecht. His ideology
inspired by some people whom he has met and discussed with, for instance, Bhisma has a discussion of Albert Schweitzer with Gerard, one of his friends in
Leiden. Bhisma adores Albert Schweitzer because he is a doctor who leaves Germany and builts a free hospital for poor people in Gabon. From Schweitzer,
Bhisma learns that to be a meaningful person he needs a sacrifice p.267. The sacrifice itself is a part of politics. It means that as a doctor, his position and
choice could be meant as his life or his death. He would mean nothing if he does not do anything in that the horrible
political situation. Bhisma argues, “Sacrificing your life for a country at war with your o
wn country” p. 268. Bhisma has the
