The Cultural fluidity and conflict: multicultural dynamics in Pulang

Abstract

This study examines the manifestations of multiculturalism in the Indonesian novel Pulang (2015) by Tere Liye. Employing a qualitative descriptive method, the research analyzes the narrative through the theoretical lens of Mingsui Cai, focusing on the protagonist Bujang's shifting status as both an insider and outsider within diverse cultural contexts. The novel chronicles Bujang's journey as he confronts criminality and navigates interactions with individuals from a multitude of cultures and nationalities. The analysis reveals how Tere Liye portrays cultural phenomena such as adaptation to foreign customs and the fluid, complex nature of identity formation. Furthermore, the novel delineates the dynamics between dominant and marginalized groups, illustrating how these power relations engender discrimination. Despite these tensions, the narrative also foregrounds themes of loyalty and duty, which persist across cultural divides. Ultimately, this study argues that Pulang uses its multicultural landscape to explore how cultural backgrounds fundamentally shape individual personality, worldview, and interpersonal relationships.