Social Inequality in The Short Story Fī Al-Qiṭār by Mahmud Taymur (Lucien Goldmann's Genetic Structuralism)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze social inequality in the short story Fī al-Qiṭār by Mahmud Taymur. The main theme of the short story is about the problems of free education for farmers. As reflected in the narrative focus on the Ministry of Education's efforts to promote education and combat illiteracy. The research method used in this study uses a qualitative descriptive method. The data collection technique uses the observe-sort-record technique. The short story is analyzed using Lucien Goldmann's genetic structuralism theory. The results of this study are: (1) there are two types of human facts in the short story: individual facts and social facts; (2) there is the author's worldview, which includes conservative and progressive perspectives. The short story discusses the problem of social inequality and class differences, and at the same time highlights the gap between the upper and lower classes with the dynamics of education as a central issue being debated. The narrative in the short story reflects conservative and progressive perspectives. The short story contains a distinctive antagonistic issue with several characters or figures in the story who oppose education for farmers, while other figures also support education as a means to improve the lives of farmers. The author's point of view actually supports the idea that education can bridge the social gap that occurs and at the same time raise the dignity and status of marginalized communities, as symbolized by farmers used by the author in the short story.