On leaders and literature<\/p>\n
The article under the eye-catching headline Leaders don't read
\nLiterature (The Jakarta Post, July 20) by Agus Maryono, the
\npaper's contributor, is, in my view, superb in that it exposes a
\nthesis, and not a mere opinion, of noted novelist Achmad Thohari
\nof Banyumas regency. The Post should pay special attention to
\nthis novelist for the reason that his novel Orang-orang proyek
\n(The project actors) is expected to be published soon. He became
\nfamous in 1981 for his widely acclaimed novel Ronggeng Dukuh
\nParuk (Ronggeng dancer from Paruk village), which succeeded in
\nits record of producing translations in five languages, including
\nGerman, Dutch and Japanese.<\/p>\n
But what is most stunning in that related story concerns the
\nthesis, which can be appraised for its originality. It has never
\nbeen heard of before from any person in his class, as that which
\nwas addressed to a special caste of elite, who are nowadays
\ncalled politicians.<\/p>\n
Achmad Thohari should be ready to assume accountability for
\nhis daring thesis that \"national leaders do not read literature\".
\nHis views assume prominent significance in terms of philosophical
\ndepth and psychological dimensions, as they illustrate his theory
\nthat \"literature generates spiritual refinement and enhances
\nsympathy toward fellow humans\".<\/p>\n
According to the novelist, the lack of this aspect of national
\ntraits is fundamentally responsible for the lack of compassion
\nand sensitivity among national leaders, and this in turn has
\ngiven rise to the nationwide political turmoil.<\/p>\n
Such a proposition is not easy to offer without a critical and
\nintrospective state of mind. Of course, any reader is free to
\nform his or her own judgment to assess the truth and quality of
\nthe novelist's theory respecting the worth of (good) literature
\nfor the public good.<\/p>\n
But the intrinsic value of this thesis must prevail despite
\nthe irony that its realization may need perhaps a span of two
\ngenerations to accomplish, as far as the national consciousness
\nregarding the worth of good literature for the public good is
\nconcerned. The reason is obvious in that the ideal is intertwined
\nin the process of educational development, which after all is
\nrecognized as being currently in bad shape.<\/p>\n
S. SUHAEDI, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-leaders-and-literature-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }