Muhammad Afnani Alifian, Djoko Saryono, Yuni Pratiwi, Karkono
Discrimination against the Chinese ethnic group that occurred in Indonesia in 1998 caused a traumatic situation for the Indonesian people while also revealing gender and racial discrimination during this historical event. This study aims to present an in-depth analysis of a literary work in the form of a novel that portrays the traumatic events of discrimination against the Chinese in 1998 with the complexity of a metafictional narrative that incorporates elements of gender dichotomy. Adopting a qualitative approach with a theoretical framework of metafiction and trauma, this study analyzes data obtained from the novel Gentayangan (Haunting) by Intan Paramaditha. The data is explored, explained, and interpreted with an emphasis on how narrative strategies are used to reveal these complex issues. The results of this study indicate that the use of metafiction strategies serves as the foundation for deconstructing the dominant historical narrative. The non-linear storytelling causes psychological effects on the characters in the form of trauma (acting out), identity rejection, and haunting memories related to the events of 1998. These psychological issues run parallel to the emergence of a sharp gender dichotomy between progressive and conservative female characters. This conflict mirrors broader ideological tensions in society regarding social norms and individual freedom. This study emphasizes the importance of alternative narrative strategies in literature as a means of confronting a silenced history to prevent the recurrence of similar social and psychological issues. Such strategies are essential for articulating the profound and enduring impact of trauma on a society that is simultaneously haunted by its past. © 2026, Common Ground Research Networks. All rights reserved.
Department of Indonesian Language Education, State University of Malang, East Java, Malang, Indonesia; Faculty of Letters, State University of Malang, East Java, Malang, Indonesia
