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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
The analysis is divided into two parts; the first part is the answer to the problem formulation number one and the analysis on how the Timorese struggle for
freedom as described in the poems. The second part is the answer of the problem formulation number two; it reveals
Xanana Gusmao‟s concept of freedom during struggle against Portuguese rule and Indonesian military occupation.
A. The Description of the Timorese Struggle for Freedom in the poems
Poetry and struggle for freedom. Poetry has become an important part of the Timorese struggle against colonialism. Xanana Gusmao as a poet and leader of the
Timorese resistance offers a lyrical portrayal of the future of Timor Leste, which is free from colonial oppression and exploitation, and the people would enjoy the
benefits derived from egalitarian self- determination. Most of Xanana Gusmao‟s
poems were written during struggle against Portuguese rule and Suharto‟s military occupation from 1975- 1999. The theme dominating
Xanana‟s poetry is a portrayal of Portuguese and Suharto‟s military oppression. The purpose underlying Portuguese
and Suharto‟s regime went to Timor Leste is to civilize and realize assimilation project that is more myth than reality. The theme depicting a
n image of Xanana‟s and his fellow Timorese daily participation against colonial hegemony are in line.
Xanana‟s poems “My Sea of Timor” and “I am at War” are the portrayal of Suharto‟s military invasion and the Timorese struggle against it. The themes of
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invasion and struggle are prominent and give an ultimate meaning in these poems, even though the words
“invasion and struggle” are not presented in the text. Textual details of these poems invoke strong imagery related to invasion; sea, ships, sky,
blood an d death; “erupting skysea were cries in agony”. The second stanza of “My
Sea of Timor” which is “sky is not minesea is not mine” in line one and the line three of “I am at war”, these images and the diction of “the sky is not mine sea is
notblood grav estone” describe how the Timorese struggle against the invaders.
Xanana in the poems has a role as a speaker and he is able to create the full meaning of the theme “invasion” and the struggle.
Immersed in my thoughts I was suddenly shaken
From the sea, my sea, out of the bellies of ships,
tremors came I looked at the erupting sky,
and the size of the sea were cries of agony
the smell of dust and blood the pebbles of the gravestone
and the pretty shells traced
the destiny of the Homeland Gusmao, 1975- 1999, stanza 1, lines 1-2, stanza 2, lines, 1-3 and stanza
3,lines 1-3,5,7 and lines 8-11 Three stanzas
of “My Sea of Timor” above, the tone of the speaker which is Xanana Gusmao, conveys a profound sense of grief and disintegration of the
Timorese from the invasion, through a series of dictions ; “out of the bellies of ships
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