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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the analysis is divided into two parts. The first is about symbols presented in Andrea Hirata’s The Rainbow Troops while the second part
is about the significance of symbols in conveying the theme.
A. Symbols Presented in The Rainbow Troops
Here are some major symbols found in Andrea Hirata’s The Rainbow Troops
. In this part, there will be explained how to determine whether the symbol is really symbol, how to infer a reasonable interpretation from the novel, what the
extended meaning from the existing symbol is, and whether they give any special strength to the novel.
1. The Rainbow Troops
The first symbol which appears in the novel is the name The Rainbow Troops. This name is proven to bring symbolic meaning since the whole story of
the novel provides a clue that the name The Rainbow Troops is a symbol. Here, the name is chosen as the title of the novel. It also appears as the center of the
novel, the point that the writer wants to tell to the readers. Second, the entire context of the story supports the meaning of its literary symbol. Third, the
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meaning of The Rainbow Troops found in the novel has been proven to be different and wider from its literal meaning.
The title The Rainbow Troops known in Indonesia as Laskar Pelangi is taken from the name given by Bu Muslimah to a group of children, students of
Muhammadiyah Elementary School, Gantong, the center of the story. This novel explains that the name is given because of their habit to sit on the branches of
filicium tree after every rain and wait for the most spectacular natural phenomena
called rainbow. The Rainbow Troops is chosen as the title of the novel because it is what the author wants to tell throughout the novel. However, it is believed that
behind the title The Rainbow Troops itself, there is something that the writer tries to convey.
The “rainbow” itself is important. Hirata emphasizes it by mentioning the word “rainbow” in some crucial moments. He also describes it so detail that the
readers see how adorable it is. One evening, after a full day of heavy rains, a perfect rainbow stretched
across the sky to the west, a half-circle shining brilliantly with seven rows of color. The right end of the rainbow departed from the Genting Delta like
a sparkling carpet. The left end was planted in the dense pine forest at the slopes of Selumar Mountain. The rainbow curved, resembling millions of
maidens wearing colorful kebayas jumping down into a remote lake, hiding bashfully because of their beauty p. 125.
Mahar, one of main characters in the story, associates rainbows with time tunnels, “If we were to succeed in crossing the rainbow, we would meet our
ancient Belitong ancestors and the Sawang’s predecessors.” p. 126. Similarly, Jack Tresidder in his book 1001 Symbols explains that “rainbow has the power to
offer magical but always elusive treasures to those who chased them” p. 67. He
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also claims rainbow as “a ladder or bridge between the temporal and the spiritual” p. 354. On the other hand, rainbow, according to Ensiklopedia Iptek 2007, is a
result of refraction or reflection of sunlight which happens when rain comes and sunlight strongly penetrates or goes through the droplets of the rain. This
illumination results seven rows of beautiful colors known as rainbow. Regardless of how it formed, rainbow is often considered as a symbol of new hope and life.
Most people assume that rainbow comes after the rain. Other than a gift or bless which fertilizes soil, freshens and keeps us away from drought, rain can also be a
cause of suffer or pain when it darkens the sky and makes the sun disappeares. Sometimes, rain is connected to the tears of heaven which symbolizes tears,
sorrow, misery, darkness, and frustration. Regarding to the explanation above, the emergence of rainbow after the rain symbolizes a new hope for a new better life.
On the other hand, the word “troops”, according to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
, can be interpreted as soldiers, especially in organized groups “Troops”. It is often associated with strong people who struggle in a war
and fight for a victory. In short, as a title given to the ten students of Muhammadiyah Elementary
School, The Rainbow Troops symbolizes a hope that these small children will be a strong squad who struggles and fights for a new life and defeats suffer and pain
caused by discrimination and poverty. Ibu Muslimah calls them as The Rainbow Troops
to kindle the spirit of the students. Ibu Mus conveys her hope that her students will give a new life for themselves, for their family, for the school, and
for Belitong.
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2. Lintang
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