Subjectivity of Women in the Work of Seno Gumira Adjidarma Drupadi (A reconstruction)

This paper discusses the reconstruction of Drupadi's character as a strategy to present the subjectivity of women in the novel Drupadi by Seno Gumira Adjidarma. Drupadi is the retelling or the renewal of the epic Mahabharata which focuses on Drupadi as the female character in the story. As the representation of women, Drupadi in the novel Drupadi is presented with a new construction differ from the previous construction in Mahabharata both the Indian and the Javanese version (Serat Baratajuda). The method used in this study is the literary review with feminist perspective reading, and the application of feminist literary criticism reading as a woman. In its process, structural analysis is also applied to reveal gender issues within the narrative structure of the novel and the proof of Drupadi as the leading character of the story. The result of the study shows that the novel Drupadi is reconstructing Drupadi from Serat Baratajuda and retracing it back to the Indian version of Mahabharata. This reconstruction also shows a repudiation of women's weakness in the story of Mahabharata both Indian and Javanese versions by presenting the subjectivity of women through Drupadi's character, as well as denunciations over father/male lineage and myths of virginity. Keywords—drupadi; gender; feminist criticism; reconstruction;