THE SYMBOLIC MEANING IN THE SHORT STORY "ANAK KEBANGGAAN" BY A.A NAVIS THROUGH A SEMIOTIC APPROACH

https://doi.org/10.23960/kata.v14i1.1826
Published: Apr 20, 2026

Abstract:

This study analyzes the symbolic meaning of the short story Anak Kebanggaan by A. A. Navis and concentrates on how symbols implicitly construct social critiques related to family values and societal expectations. The main focus of this study is that semiotic research is still limited and does not provide an in-depth analysis of the symbol structures present in the text. The purpose of this study is to identify various kinds of symbols, study how signs interact with each other, and interpret their meanings in social and cultural contexts. The method used is descriptive qualitative with a semiotic approach. Ferdinand de Saussure's dyadic and Charles Sanders Peirce's triadic models are integrated into this approach. Signifiers, signifieds, icons, indices, and symbols are classified after data collection through reading and note-taking techniques. The results show that the main symbols such as characters, actions, and situations in the story represent parental pride, social pressure, and moral contradictions. The layered meanings that emerge from these symbols reflect critiques of societal norms and the illusion of pride embedded in the family structure.

Keywords:
1. Semiotics
2. Symbolic Meaning
3. Short Story
4. Social Criticism
5. A. A. Navis
Authors:
1 . Sartika Situmorang
HKBP Nommensen University Medan
2 . Vina Merina Br Sianipar
HKBP Nommensen University Medan
3 . Ririn Pebriani Sihite
HKBP Nommensen University Medan
4 . Herti Paulina Tambunan
HKBP Nommensen University Medan
5 . Novita Sari Sirait
HKBP Nommensen University Medan
6 . Juanta Sinaga
HKBP Nommensen University Medan
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How to Cite
Situmorang, S., Br Sianipar, V. M. ., Sihite, R. P., Tambunan, H. P. ., Sirait, N. S., & Sinaga, J. (2026). THE SYMBOLIC MEANING IN THE SHORT STORY "ANAK KEBANGGAAN" BY A.A NAVIS THROUGH A SEMIOTIC APPROACH. Jurnal Kata: Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pembelajarannya, 14(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.23960/kata.v14i1.1826
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Issue & Section
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): Jurnal Kata : Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pembelajarannya
Articles
References

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  1. Oktaviani Ursullah, et all. (2022). Charles Sanders Peirce's Semiotics in The 2014 Film Who is Above The President? Icon Signed Meaning Analysis, Indexes and Semiotics Symbol in Charles Sanders Peirce in 2014 Who is the President? Movie introduction Using language as a medium , literature. 15(2), 293–310.
  2. Lili Agustina (2017). Semiotic Analysis in A Collection Of Short Stories, My Mother's Tears in A Bowl Of Chicken Soup. (April) Vol 2 No. 1.
  3. Hasibuan, et al. (2020). Semiotic study in poetry when you pray by emha ainun najib. 8(2), 26–29.
  4. Fatimah, et al, (2019). Analysis of the meaning of p there is a poem "small dictionary" by jo ko pinorbo using a semiotic approach. 2(September), 701–706.
  5. Cansrini, et al, (2022). Journal of Language and Literature Journal of Language and Literature. 16(1), 60–69.
  6. Karya, D., & France, S. (2012). The article was presented at the National Seminar of FCS UI, December 19, 2012. Permanent Lecturer of the French Department FBS UNJ. That is why we need to be careful not to overdo it.
  7. Sugiono (2019).Qualitative Research Methods. Bandung: Alfabeta.
  8. Novianti, W. S., Rohanda, R., Islam, U., Sunan, N., Djati, G., Islam, U., Sunan, N., Djati, G., & Darwish, M. (2025). The Symbolic Meaning of The City and Identity in Mahmoud Darwish's Shi' Ir Fi Al-Quds: A Study Of Semiotics. 8(2), 2094–2102.
  9. Piliang, Y. A. (2024). Textual Semiotics: 189–198.
  10. Vanessa, A., & Gumati, B. (2024). Wiyatabudaya: Educational Journal in the Context of Humanities Symbolic and Spiritual Meaning in a Collection of Poetry Books; The Lonely Road ( Semiotic Analysis of Roland Barthes )
  11. Soepandi, D. (2023). Analysis of the poem "I Bring the Wind" by Heri Isnaini using a semiotic approach. 1(3).
  12. Umaya Nazia, A. A. (2010). No Title. In Semiotics, Theory and Application to Literary Works.
  13. Zahro, W. P., Civilization, U., Literature, S., Social, K., History, A., Attribution-, C., & License, I. (2025). ("front stage"). 11(3).
  14. Jayanti, et all (2022). The Ability to Write Modern Poetry Using Music Media in Class X Students of SMA Negeri 2 Gedong Tataan, http://eskrispi.stkippgribl.ac.id/.
  15. Asfar, (2024). Narrative Analysis, Content Analysis, and Semiotic Analysis (Qualitative Research).