Kecerdasan Emosi dan Representasi Autisme dalam Sastera Kanak-Kanak Malaysia: Analisis Teks Chempaka dengan Piano oleh Nisah Harun: (Emotional Intelligence and the Representation of Autism in Malaysian Children’s Literature: A Textual Analysis of Chempaka dengan Piano by Nisah Harun

Abstract

Kajian ini berasaskan keprihatinan terhadap isu representasi golongan autisme dalam kesusasteraan kanak-kanak Malaysia yang masih kurang diberikan perhatian, khususnya dari sudut pembinaan emosi dan sosial. Dalam konteks ini, karya sastera berperanan penting sebagai medium empati dan pemahaman terhadap kepelbagaian manusia. Justeru, kajian ini meneliti hubungan antara Kecerdasan Emosi (EQ) dan representasi autisme dalam novel Chempaka dengan Piano karya Nisah Harun. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk (i) mengenal pasti cara pengarang membina watak autisme melalui aspek kecerdasan emosi dan (ii) menganalisis implikasi representasi tersebut terhadap pemahaman serta empati pembaca kanak-kanak terhadap kehidupan sebenar individu autisme. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan kaedah analisis teks berasaskan teori Kecerdasan Emosi (EQ) oleh Daniel Goleman. Data diperoleh melalui pembacaan teliti, pengekodan tema dan interpretasi terhadap unsur naratif, watak serta dialog yang berkaitan dengan emosi dan interaksi sosial. Dapatan menunjukkan pengarang mengaplikasikan strategi penceritaan yang lembut dan berlapis untuk menonjolkan perasaan, empati dan hubungan sosial watak autisme. Representasi ini memperlihatkan usaha membina pemahaman yang lebih mendalam terhadap dunia autisme. Implikasinya, kajian ini memperkukuh wacana kesusasteraan kanak-kanak Malaysia sebagai wahana pendidikan emosi dan sosial serta memberi panduan kepada penulis, pendidik dan pengkaji dalam penghasilan teks yang inklusif, empatik dan responsif terhadap isu kemanusiaan semasa.

Abstract: This study arises from the concern that the representation of autism in Malaysian children’s literature remains underexplored, particularly in relation to emotional and social development. In this context, literature serves as an important medium for fostering empathy and understanding of human diversity. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and the representation of autism in the novel Chempaka dengan Piano by Nisah Harun. The objectives of this study are to (i) identify how the author constructs an autistic character through aspects of emotional intelligence, and (ii) analyse the implications of this representation for children’s comprehension and empathy toward the real-life experiences of individuals with autism. A qualitative approach was employed, using textual analysis based on Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence (EQ) theory. Data were gathered through close reading, thematic coding, and interpretation of narrative elements, character development, and dialogue related to emotions and social interactions. The findings indicate that the author employs subtle and layered storytelling strategies to highlight the feelings, empathy, and social relationships of the autistic character. This representation offers readers a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of individuals with autism. The study contributes to the enrichment of Malaysian children’s literature as a vehicle for emotional and social education, while serving as a reference for writers, educators, and researchers in producing inclusive, empathetic, and socially responsive literary texts.

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