Structuralism in Bagus Sulistio's Short Story Pengorbanan Sulung (The Sacrifice of the Firstborn)

Abstract

This study analyzes a short story entitled “Sacrifice of the Eldest” using a literary structuralism approach that emphasizes intrinsic elements. The structural analysis is conducted using a descriptive-qualitative approach in this research.  Theme, plot, character, characterization, setting, point of view, language style, and point of view are he intrinsic elements of the analyzed short story text. This short story tells the story of he sacrifice of the eldest child for the youngest child. Parents who have two children. But his parents love their firstborn more than their youngest child. But the eldest brother is not so bad towards his youngest brother, As an older brother he is indeed good to his younger brother, he often pays attention to his younger brother, he never commands, scolds, hits. The eldest is indeed a good person. But the youngest feels jealous of his brother, because his brother's will is always followed by his parents, while the youngest's will is never followed at all. The results of the analysis show that the structural elements are interrelated in building a deep meaning about sacrifice, envy, and family love.