Stepchild in the Novel Garis Luka by Khairani Hasan: Dynamics of Powerlessness

This study examines the dynamics of powerlessness experienced by stepchildren in the novel Garis Luka by Khairani Hasan, focusing on the character Agra. The main issue explored is how psychological, social, and emotional pressures from family and the social environment influence powerlessness and the formation of a stepchild's self-identity. The objective of this research is to analyze the forms of powerlessness experienced by Agra, the coping strategies he employs, and their implications for his emotional and social development. The method used is literary text analysis with a psychological approach, where data is collected through relevant textual excerpts and analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that Agra faces powerlessness due to excessive family expectations, such as the demand to always excel academically and never fall behind his cousin, Sakha. Additionally, Agra experiences ridicule, betrayal, and negative stigma from his social environment. Despite these challenges, Agra demonstrates resilience through hard work, independence, and determination to prove his abilities. The implications of this study highlight the importance of creating a more empathetic and supportive family and social environment for stepchildren, as well as the need for psychological interventions and social support programs to help them cope with pressure and develop emotional resilience.