Deconstruction of Hierarchical Relation in the Short Story ash-Shobiyyu al-A’raj by Taufiq Yusuf Awwad

Nur Afifah; Jarot Wahyudi; Lu'luun Nisai; Muhammad Reko

doi:10.15408/bat.v32i2.52182

Authors

Nur Afifah UIN Sunan Kalijaga
Jarot Wahyudi UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta
Lu'luun Nisai UIN Kiai Ageng Muhammad Besari Ponorogo
Muhammad Reko UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15408/bat.v32i2.52182

Keywords:

Ash-Shabiyyu al-A’raj, deconstruction, hierarchical relation

Abstract

Purpose

Unlike previous studies focusing on the intrinsic aspects of Ash-Shabiyyu al-A‘raj, this study examines the instability of hierarchical relations through deconstructive analysis. It criticizes the representation of hierarchical relations in this short story.

Method

This research is a descriptive qualitative study with a literary sociology approach that integrates Michel Foucault’s concept of power-knowledge relations and Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction theory. The research data consisted of primary data in the form of the short story Ash-Shabiyyu al-A‘raj and secondary data including books, articles, and relevant previous studies collected through through close reading. The collected data were then recorded, classified, and analyzed based on Foucault’s concept of power relations and Derrida’s deconstructive framework.

Results/findings

The findings reveal binary opposition between superior and inferior characters. However, these oppositions are deconstructed through evidence found within and beyond the text. The deconstruction is reflected in a character initially positioned as subordinate who later transforms into a courageous figure after mastering martial arts.

Conclusion

This study shows that the short story Ash-Shabiyyu al-A‘raj constructs a hierarchy of power through binary oppositions. Through Derrida’s deconstructive perspective and Foucault’s theory of power relations, this hierarchy is proven not to be fixed due to acts of resistance.

References

Afifah, H. N. (2025). Tindakan sosial dalam cerpen Ash-Shabiyyul A’raj karya Taufiq Yusuf Awwad [UIN Sunan Gunung Djati]. https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/120439/

Afifah, N., & Reko, M. (2026). Subjectivity Žižek ’ S Perspective In The Short Story Ash-Shabiyyu Al- A ‘ Raj By Taufiq Yusuf Awwad. An-Nahdah Al-’Arabiyah, 06(1), 63–76. https://doi.org/10.22373/nahdah.v6i1.8474

Alandira, P. (2025). Power Relations and Resistance in Naguib Mahfouz’s Layali Alf Laylah: Michel Foucault’s Hegemony. Jurnal Adabiyah, 25(1), 112. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24252/jad.v25i1a5

Awwad, T. Y. (2002). Ash-Shabiyyu al-A’raj (Noor Book). Lebanon Library Publisher. https://www.noor-book.com/en/ebooks-Tawfiq-Yousef-Awwad-pdf

Behar, D. (2025). The Magical Side of the Monstrous : Maskh as Critical Term for Modern Arabic Creativity. Journal of Arabic Literature. https://doi.org/10.1163/1570064X-12341541

Capodivacca, S. (2024). Discipline and Power in the Digital Age: Critical Reflections from Foucault’s Thought. Foucault Studies, 34(Foucault’s Legacy in Contemporary Thinking). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22439/fs.i36.7215

Djohar, H. I. (2013). The Power of Hegemonic Classes inF. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Buletin Al-Turas, 19(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15408/bat.v19i2.3722

Fathurrahman, M. S. (2025). Literature as critique of social stratification: Unveiling the intersectionality of race, class, gender, and ethnicity in sāq al-bāmbū by Sa’ūd Al-San’ūsī. Diwan : Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra Arab, 17(1), 20. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15548/diwan.v17i1.1863

Foucault, M. (1980). Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings 1972–1977 (C. Gordon (ed.)). Pantheon Books.

Hamzah, T. M. A. W. (2024). Dinamiyyat al-Salathatu wa Quwwatu al-Ta’tsir: Dirasah Nafsiyyah Ijtima’iyyah : Tahlili Madhmuuni Narwiyyat Arabiyyah Namuzjan. Al-Dauriyyat Al-Misriyyah, 33(64), 327–391. https://doi.org/10.21608/qarts.2024.292897.1965

Hernández-Ramírez, R. (2017). Technology and self-modification: understanding technologies of the self after Foucault. Catolica, 9(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7559/citarj.v9i3.423

Herza. (2023). Dekonstruksi Cara Pikir Oposisi Biner: Mengapa Perlu? Universitas Bangka Belitung.

Hidayah, N., Mashithoh, I. D., & Husna, A. L. (2022). Analisis Makna Konseptual Dalam Cerpen Ash Sabiyyul A’raj Karya Taufik Awwad. Al-Lahjah : Jurnal Pendidikan, Bahasa Arab, Dan Kajian Linguistik Arab, 5(1), 557–559. https://doi.org/10.32764/al-lahjah.v5i1.2448

Hidayat, S. M., Setiadi, D., & Suparman, F. (2025). A Reprensentasi Kekuasaan Yang Tercermin pada Cerpen “Protes” karya Putu Wijaya dan Cerpen “Ruang Isolasi untuk Si Gila” karya Han Gagas. DEIKTIS: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 5(2), 1137–1145. https://doi.org/10.53769/deiktis.v5i2.1502

Kristinawati. (2025). Ajamiy : Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra Arab Representasi Kekuasaan dalam Novel Al-Karnak Karya Najib Mahfudz. Ajami : Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra Arab, 14(1), 276–291. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.31314/ajamiy.14.1.276-291.2025

Kurniasih, R. M. (2024). Wujud Dekonstruksi Jacques Derrida dalam Novel Carita Calin Karya Aprilia Fatmawatis. Haluan Sastra Budaya, 8(2), 228–243.

Malandrino, J. (2019). The Undercommons and Subjugated Knowledge: The Powers of Non-State Practices that Decolonize Knowledge. Iris Publisher. https://irispublishers.com/gjfsm/fulltext/the-undercommons-and-subjugated-knowledge-the-powers-of-non-state-practices-that-decolonize-knowledge.ID.000509.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Nawawi, M. & Ahsana AS, Chairunnisa (2021). Struktur Kepribadian Tokoh Utama Dalam Cerpen “Ash-Shabiyul A’raj” Karya Taufiq Yusuf Awwad (Kajian Psikoanalisis Sigmund Freud). An-Nahdah Al-’Arabiyah, 1(1), 130–147. https://doi.org/10.22373/nahdah.v1i1.726

Ndi, G. S. (2020). Righting the Aftermath: On The Ethics of Recognition in the Postwar Novels of Alonso Cueto and Julien Kilanga Musinde. Comparative Literature Studies, 5(1).

Odysseos, L. (2016). Interrogating Michel Foucault’s Counter-Conduct: Theorising the Subjects and Practices of Resistance in Global Politics. Taylor & Francis, 30(2), 151–156. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2016.1144568

Rohazi, M. A. (2025). The Representation of Mimicry in the Short Story Al-Maliku an-Najarby Kamel Kaylani: A Postcolonial Study. Buletin Al-Turas, 31(2), 185–198. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15408/bat.v31i2.44796

Salsabila, Q. (2023). Deconstruction of Shirin’s Islamic Identity in A Very Large Expanse of Sea Novel. Buletin Al-Turas, 9(2), 297–308. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15408/bat.v29i2.30425

Sitorus, H. J. (2024). Kontribusi Dekonstruksi Terhadap Kritik Konsep Biner Gender dan Hierarki Patriarkal dalam Pernikahan dengan Pemikiran Jacques Derrida. JKOMDIS: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi Dan Media Sosial, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.47233/jkomdis.v4i2.1679

Ula, D. O. (2022). Milli etmek” [Making national]: masculinity, queerness and disability in Murat Uyurkulak’s Merhume. Middle Eastern Literatures, 24(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/1475262X.2021.2025744

Wardah, Y. S. (2025). Gender Discrimination In The Drama Series The Exchange: A Sara Mills Critical Discourse Analysis. An-Nahdah Al-’Arabiyah : Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 5(1), 132. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22373/nahdah.v5i1.6543

Wardani, S. R. (2019). Oposisi Biner dalam Sajak Abel dan Caïn Karya Charles Baudelaire. Metahumaniora, 9(1), 131. https://doi.org/10.24198/mh.v9i1.23411

Zaimah. (2024). Dekonstruksi Tafsir al- Qur ’ an Menurut Jecques Deridda. 2(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.46781/baitul_hikmah.v2i2.1228

Zullyansyah, A. (2025). Kritik Terhadap Oposisi Biner Pada Novel Animal Farm: Teori Dekonstruksi Jacques Derrida. Al Fathin : Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra Arab, 8(1), 141–160. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32332/94eqm719