Discourse on Character Education of the Main Character Enong in the Novel Padang Bulan by Andrea Hirata
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36312/pqw04h20Keywords:
Discourse, Character education, Literary analysis, Social valuesAbstract
This study aims to analyze the character education discourse reflected through the main character, Enong, in the novel Padang Bulan by Andrea Hirata using F.W. Foerster's character education theory. The methodological approach employed is discourse analysis with descriptive qualitative methods. The research data consist of narrative excerpts and dialogues reflecting the character values of Enong, which are then classified based on Foerster's four main principles: orderliness (discipline), adherence to values (obedience to values), loyalty, and integrity of life (unity of life). The research findings indicate that the character education discourse in this novel is manifested through two main aspects: learning motivation and hard work. Learning motivation is reflected in Enong's enthusiasm for continuously pursuing knowledge, diligence in self-directed learning, and loyalty to her aspirations despite living in economic and social limitations. Meanwhile, the value of hard work is evident in Enong's persistence in bearing the family's economic burden, courage in taking on the role of a tin prospector, and resilience in facing failure without giving up. All four of Foerster's principles are consistently present in Enong's actions and words, demonstrating the integration of moral, intellectual, and social values. This study concludes that Andrea Hirata successfully constructs a humanistic character education discourse through the figure of Enong as a representation of a resilient, independent, and educated woman. These findings are relevant for use as literary teaching materials in character education learning in schools because they contain universal values such as discipline, responsibility, determination, and loyalty to one's aspirations.
Downloads
References
Afrizal, M. (2017). Badudu’s linguistic paradigm in the description of the Indonesian language (Vol. 2). Jurnal Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember. https://jurnal.unmuhjember.ac.id/index.php/BB/article/view/646
Agrifina, V. F., Vinka, V., Agustina, L. N., Supriyadi, & Izzatika, A. (2024). A literature review: The importance of learning motivation in improving student learning outcomes in elementary schools. Pedagogika: Jurnal Pedagogik Dan Dinamika Pendidikan, 12(2), 414–431. https://ojs3.unpatti.ac.id/index.php/pedagogika/article/view/15447
Ahmadi, F. Y., Firdausi, Y. A., & Gunawan, W. (2024). Critical discourse analysis in the field of education: A bibliometric analysis. Ranah: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, 13(1), 43–57. https://doi.org/10.26499/rnh.v13i1.5311
Anwar, A., Syahruddin, & Rosmini. (2024). Critical discourse analysis of educational service advertisements: A study based on Norman Fairclough’s perspective. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 09. https://journal.unpas.ac.id/index.php/pendas/article/view/17150
Dhuha, S. Al, Setiawati, O. R., Lestari, S. M. P., & Rukmono, P. (2020). Self-control and learning motivation at SMA Negeri 1. Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan Sandi Husada, 11(1), 190–196. https://jurnalsandihusada.polsaka.ac.id/JIKSH/article/view/238
Iskandar, R. A. (2022). A study of the struggle values in Mahbub Djunaidi’s novel using descriptive analysis method and its use as an alternative teaching material for historical novels. Al-Afkar Journal for Islamic Studies, 5(2), 160–179. https://al-afkar.com/index.php/Afkar_Journal/article/view/295
Jamin, A., & Subet, M. F. (2025). Discourse on community education in the novels of third millennium national literary figures from a Lukacsian realism perspective. Asian People Journal, 8(1), 96–113. https://journal.unisza.edu.my/apj/index.php/apj/article/view/707
Kasanah, U., Rahmayantis, M. D., & Pitoyo, A. (2023). Grammatical aspects in Tere Liye's novel Rasa (A discourse study). 7(2). https://ojs.unpkediri.ac.id/index.php/bind/article/view/20964
Kulsum, U., & Muhid, A. (2022). Character education through Islamic religious education in the digital revolution era. Jurnal Intelektual: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Studi Keislaman, 12(2), 157–170. https://ejournal.uit-lirboyo.ac.id/index.php/intelektual/article/view/2287
Lindawati, Y. I., & Chintanawati, S. M. N. (2021). Discourse analysis: Representation of women’s struggle for education in the film Mars (Mimpi Ananda Raih Semesta). E-Journal Pendidikan Sosiologi Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, 3. https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/JPSU/article/download/35842/18496/82078
Meitika, Amrizal, & Hiasa, F. (2023). Character education in Padang Bulan novel by Andrea Hirata. Jurnal Ilmiah Korpus, 7(1), 129–141. https://ejournal.unib.ac.id/korpus/article/download/24596/12829/84936
Nabila, M., & Israhayu, E. S. (2025). The value of hard work in the main character of the novel Dompet Ayah Sepatu Ibu and its relevance as literature teaching material in high school. Ruang Kata: Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 5(01), 50–62. https://jurnal.umnu.ac.id/index.php/jrk/article/view/1572
Nurachmana, A., Purwaka, A., Supardi, & Yuliani. (2020). Educational values in Orang-orang Biasa novel by Andrea Hirata: A sociological literature review. 1, 57–66. https://e-journal.upr.ac.id/index.php/enggang/article/view/2462
Putri, A., Warni, & Rustam. (2022). Character education values in the main characters of Merakit Kapal by Shion Miura and Padang Bulan by Andrea Hirata and their relevance to high school literature teaching. Silampari Bisa: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Bahasa Indonesia, Daerah, Dan Asing, 5(1), 86–105. https://ojs.stkippgri-lubuklinggau.ac.id/index.php/SIBISA/article/view/1696
Rahman, F., Rasyid, Y., & Anwar, M. (2023). Social conflicts and educational problems in the novel Guru Aini: A critical discourse analysis. Imajeri: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra Indonesia, 05(2), 133–146. https://journal.uhamka.ac.id/index.php/imajeri/article/view/10499
Rahman, S. (2021). The importance of learning motivation in improving learning outcomes. November, 289–302. https://ejurnal.pps.ung.ac.id/index.php/PSNPD/article/download/1076/773
Rismayanti, N. W., Martha, I. N., & Sudiana, I. N. (2020). Sociological literature review of the novel Puzzle Mimpi by Anna Farida. 9(1), 7–14. https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/JISH/article/view/24512
Rokhman, M. I. A. (2023). Educational values analysis in Reem novel by Sinta Yudisia. Jurnal Sastra Dan Bahasa, 2, 176–184. https://jurnal.anfa.co.id/index.php/sabda/article/download/1262/1222/3744
Sagala, K. P., Naibaho, L., & Rantung, D. A. (2024). Challenges of character education in the digital era. Jurnal Kridatama Sains Dan Teknologi, 06(1), 1–8. https://jurnal.umnu.ac.id/index.php/kst/article/view/1006
Sinaga, F. S. S., Winangsit, E., & Putra, A. D. (2021). Education, art, and culture: Local entities in the civilization of the modern era. Virtuoso: Jurnal Pengkajian Dan Penciptaan Musik, 4(2), 104–110. https://doi.org/10.26740/vt.v4n2.p104-110
Suaedi, H., & Hardovi, B. H. (2021). Reading training using the elaboration strategy with the use of regional cultural stories in SDN Sumberbulus 1. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Borneo, 5(1), 65–72. https://doi.org/10.35334/jpmb.v5i1.1969
Sukma, A. N., & Atikurrahman, M. (2024). Representation of isolated communities and the influence of education in Sang Penaklukan Kutukan novel: A sociological literary analysis. Konasindo: Konferensi Nasional Mahasiswa Sastra Indonesia, 136–152. https://proceedings.uinsa.ac.id/index.php/konasindo/article/view/2624
Ulinsa, Lembah, G., Nur, Y., Nuraedah, & Fadilah, N. (2023). Social criticism in Padang Bulan novel by Andrea Hirata (Sociological literature study). 12(1), 15–23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372994518_Kritik_Sosial_dalam_Novel_Padang_Bulan_Karya_Andrea_Hirata_Kajian_Sosiologi_Sastra_Sastra
Widiantari, D. (2020). Character values analysis through the vocational camp program at Madrasah Aliyah Daarul Ulum PUI Majalengka. Islamic Education Journal, 2, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.47453/eduprof.v2i1.28
Widiari, N. L. A. (2022). The struggle of the main character in Mimpi Sejuta Dolar novel by Alberthine Endah. Diskursus: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Indonesia, 5(3), 267–278. https://journal.lppmunindra.ac.id/index.php/diskursus/article/view/14614
Yanuardianto, E., Yasid, A., & Mahmubi, M. (2022). Social cognitive modeling strategies of Islamic Education teachers in shaping student character. FAJAR Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 1(2), 80–102. http://ejurnal.uij.ac.id/index.php/FAJ/article/view/1230
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Irfan Kholid Sofhan, Hasan Suaedi, Mohamad Afrizal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with JOLLS agree to the following terms:
- For all articles published in JOLLS, copyright is retained by the authors. Authors permit the publisher to announce the work with conditions. When the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to implement a non-exclusive transfer of publishing rights to the journals.
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
