REPRESENTASI KONFLIK SOSIAL DALAM NOVEL “BAGAIMANA CARA MENGURANGI BERAT BADAN” PADA TOKOH UTAMA KARYA AMALIA YUNUS DAN ALTERNATIF PEMANFAATANYA SEBAGAI SUMBER BAHAN AJAR SISWA SMP

ABSTRACT

This study aims to describe the representation of social conflict, social messages, the impact of conflict on the main character, and the use of Amalia Yunus's novel "How to Lose Weight" as teaching material in junior high schools. The study uses a sociology of literature approach with a descriptive qualitative approach. The research data source is the novel "How to Lose Weight," which is analyzed through intensive reading techniques, data recording, coding, and categorization according to indicators of internal conflict, external conflict, conflict-triggering factors, social messages, and conflict impacts. Data analysis was conducted using Alan Swingewood's sociology of literature perspective to examine the relationship between the characters' experiences and the social structure of modern society. The results show that the social conflict in the novel is represented through the pressure of modern beauty norms that place a slim body as the ideal standard. The main character experiences internal conflicts such as shame, self-rejection, and an identity crisis, and external conflicts such as social stigma, family pressure, and discrimination. Factors triggering the conflict include social norms about the ideal body, media influence, and social inequality. This conflict generates a social message in the form of criticism of narrow beauty standards, the importance of self-acceptance, and empathy for body differences. The impact of the conflict on the characters is seen in changes in their psychology, behavior, and social relationships. Furthermore, this novel has the potential to be used as an alternative literature teaching material in junior high schools because it contains character values and social literacy, and is relevant to a constructivist approach to learning. Through this use, students can develop empathy, critical thinking, and social awareness regarding issues of the body and health.