Reading Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s Voice in Mangir: Misogyny or Feminism?

Abstract

Pramoedya’s Mangir has long attracted critical attention for its ambiguity, particularly concerning whether the text reflects misogynistic tendencies or a feminist critique of women’s oppression. This article argues that Pramoedya adopts a feminist perspective; a writer who empathetically portrays female’s struggles, affirms women’s resistance to patriarchy, and values the women in his life cannot be considered misogynistic. Through his depictions of sympathetic characterization, and subtle criticism of patriarchal power, Pramoedya presents his female as a complex female torn between loyalty and love.

This article presents an analysis Mangir work using gender representation theory to determine whether the narrative reinforces misogyny or challenges patriarchal authority. Employing qualitative textual analysis, it explores female agency, patriarchal domination, and structural violence within the socio-political context of Mataram. Pambayun—caught between political manipulation and emotional vulnerability—emerges as the central figure illustrating the contradictions of gendered power relations.

The findings show that while the narrative depicts women’s oppression and objectification, Pramoedya simultaneously constructs a subtle feminist voice by exposing patriarchal cruelty, critiquing male political ambition, and highlighting women’s emotional and moral resilience. Rather than supporting misogyny, Mangir functions as a critique of patriarchal injustice, using female suffering to reveal the consequences of gendered power. This research contributes to broader discussions of gender politics in Indonesian literature and positions Mangir as a text open to feminist interpretation.