CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW
This chapter gives a view on the theoretical framework used in analyzing the novel. The theories used are the theory of identity, theory of transgression, theory of
Ideological State Apparatuses, and theory of subaltern.
A. Theory of Identity
In the study of literature, investigation on the character’s identity is a common theme. Novels that raise issues such as post-colonialism, gender, and race, commonly
increase the tense of their plot when the characters are in a conflict between who they are and who they are supposed to be. According to Steph Lawler in Identity, there is a
tendency to cast identity as something to be considered only when it is in trouble. Often, one’s identity becomes a significant cause of conflict only when it is in crises;
in which people are not quite sure who they are 1. She also states that there is a tendency to notice change, rather than continuity, of someone’s identity 47.
According to Lawler, there are three forms of identity: personal identity, social identity, and ego identity or felt identity. Personal identity is the unique
characteristics of the person, both in his or herself and in terms of their relation with others. Social identity, also called categorical identity, is an identity that a person has
by virtue of their membership of social categories. Meanwhile, ego identity or felt identity refers to a subjective sense of ‘who we are’ or who we believe ourselves to
be Lawler 8. In shaping a person’s ego identity, one attaches a set of identity markers to differentiate one’s self from the other.
Social identity categories include a person on social groups such as race, gender, nation, age, sexuality, bodily ability, etc Lawler 8. These categories are
normative and ideological. Within a person, identity categories are in perpetual negotiation between his or her own subjectivity Lawler 9. This thesis believes that
Ammu is born into a certain set of identity categories that she ascribes from her kinship with her family. How a person’s identity is understood in terms of what is
genetically inherited is called genetic determinism Lawler 45. Genetic determinism may come with several obligations as the consequence. Lawler states,
In referring to ‘kinship’ here, I am not referring simply to the doing of familial relationship... but to a whole network of ties which may or
may not be characterized as ‘blood ties’, which typically involve various conceptualizations of relationships and which may ... involve
various obligations 46.
In this case, Ammu’s familial ties oblige her to prolong the family’s honorable name. Her ancestors and family members have done the obligation by
maintaining the tradition of inbreeding, besides other conducts of the Love Law. These various obligations bound Ammu and restrict her from fulfilling her desire, and
thus, lead her to transgression.
B. Theory of Transgression
Kategori