POLITENESS STRATEGY IN ANDREA HIRATA’S NOVEL LASKAR PELANGI

Abstract

Thesis Title: POLITENESS STRATEGY IN ANDREA HIRATA’S NOVEL LASKAR PELANGI ABSTRACT Andrea Hirata, an Indonesian author, gained prominence for his novel Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troops), published in 2005. Set in the remote Indonesian island of Belitung, it chronicles the challenges faced by a resilient group of young students striving for education, drawing from Hirata's own upbringing. The novel resonated widely for its depiction of Indonesia's educational struggles, particularly in underdeveloped regions, while also celebrating themes of friendship and determination. Praised for its compelling narrative and vivid characters, especially in highlighting the transformative power of education amidst adversity, Hirata's work has garnered acclaim. This study examines the politeness strategies within Laskar Pelangi using Brown and Levinson's theory (1987). Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the analysis identified 178 instances of politeness strategies in the novel. The data reveals four main categories: Bald-On record strategy (25 instances, 14.04%), Positive Politeness Strategy (81 instances, 45.51%), Negative Politeness Strategy (53 instances, 29.78%), and Off Record strategy (18 instances, 10.67%). Positive politeness emerges as the dominant strategy employed throughout the novel, reflecting Hirata's narrative style. Keywords: Bald on Record strategy; Negative Politeness strategy; Positive Politeness strategy: Off Record strategy