On Simulacrum and Intellectualism in Di Negeri Belalang by Anwar Ridhwan

This article is concerned with the tendency observable in critical reception by literary scholars and critics of Anwar Ridhwan’s third novel, Di Negeri Belalang (henceforth, DNB). Many believe that DNB replete intellectual discourse. Even claims his novels are written based on Malay-Islamic tradition. However, this admission draws attention to publisher’s blurb which associates work concept simulacrum, a Western theory rooted philosophy postmodernism. It generally known postmodernism stark conflict principle tawhid Islam. Indirectly, reveals certain contradiction DNB’s intellectualism. Therefore, study aims identify tendency, fulfilling two objectives: analyzing Ridhwan summarizing question intellectualism said be contained its pages. employs framework Persuratan Baru PB), analysis formulated local scholar. choice ideas PB discuss questions knowledge, intellectualism, Islam literature. By employing PB, succeeds DNB. can explain portrays reality human life as being ever surreal, one elements simulacrum finds referred contradicts worldview tawhid.