Aku (poem)

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Chairil Anwar, author of "Aku"

"Aku" (meaning "Me") is a 1943 Indonesian-language poem by Chairil Anwar. It reflects his individualistic nature and vitality.

Poem

Release

Anwar first read "Aku" at the Jakarta Cultural Centre in July 1943.[1] It was then printed in Pemandangan under the title "Semangat" ("Spirit"); according to Indonesian literary documentarian HB Jassin, this was to avoid censorship and to better promote the nascent independence movement.[2] "Aku" has gone on to become Anwar's most celebrated poem.[3]

Indonesian writer Muhammad Balfas notes that one of Anwar's contemporaries, Bung Usman, wrote "Hendak Jadi Orang Besar???" ("So You Want to Be a Big Person???") in response to "Aku".[4] Balfas suggests that Usman was greatly irritated by the "vitality and new way of life" that Anwar showed in the poem.[4]

Analysis

Anwar's "Aku", on a wall in the Netherlands

According to Timorese scholar of Indonesian literature A. G. Hadzarmawit Netti, the title "Aku" emphasizes Anwar's individualistic nature, while the temporary title "Semangat" reflects his vitality.[5] Netti analyzes the poem itself as reflecting Anwar's need to control his environment and not be shaped by outside forces, emphasizing the first two stanzas.[5] According to Netti, through controlling his environment, Anwar is able to better protect his freedom and individualistic nature.[6] Netti sees the final line as reflecting Anwar's pride in his individualistic nature, finally surmising that Anwar would have agreed with Ayn Rand's philosophy of objectivism.[7]

Indonesian literary scholar Arief Budiman notes that "Aku" reflects Anwar's worldview, that others should not care for him as he does not care for others.[8] Budiman also notes that the third and fourth stanzas reflect Friedrich Nietzsche's view that suffering makes one stronger.[9]

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Netti 2011, p. 37.
  2. ^ Jassin 1978, p. 170.
  3. ^ Djamin & LaJoubert 1972, p. 51.
  4. ^ a b Balfas 1976, p. 73.
  5. ^ a b Netti 2011, p. 38.
  6. ^ Netti 2011, p. 39.
  7. ^ Netti 2011, p. 40.
  8. ^ Budiman 2007, p. 41.
  9. ^ Budiman 2007, p. 28.
Bibliography
  • Balfas, Muhammad (1976). "Modern Indonesian Literature in Brief". In L. F., Brakel (ed.). Handbuch der Orientalistik. Vol. 1. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-04331-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Budiman, Arief (2007). Chairil Anwar: Sebuah Pertemuan (in Indonesian). Tegal: Wacana Bangsa. ISBN 978-979-23-9918-9. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Djamin, Nasjah; LaJoubert, Monique (1972). "Les Derniers Moments de Chairil Anwar". Achipel (in French). 4 (4): 49–73. doi:10.3406/arch.1972.1012. Retrieved 30 September 2011. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Jassin, Hans Bague (1978). Chairil Anwar Pelopor Angkatan 45 (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Gunung Agung. OCLC 30051301. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  • Netti, A. G. Hadzarmawit (2011). Sajak-Sajak Chairil Anwar dalam Kontemplasi (in Indonesian). Surabaya: B You Publishing. ISBN 978-979-17911-4-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
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