Representasi Simbol ‘Hantu’ dalam Novel Tentang Kamu Karya Tere Liye (Kajian Semiotika).

Abstract

This study examines the representation of the 'ghost' symbol in Tere Liye’s novel Tentang Kamu and its function in Sri Ningsih’s character development. Specifically, it aims to describe how the 'ghost' symbol is represented and explain its role in shaping the protagonist’s narrative arc. Employing a descriptive qualitative design, this research utilizes Charles Sanders Peirce’s triadic semiotics, focusing on the symbol category as a sign system that operates beyond visual resemblance (icon) or direct causal connection (index). Within this framework, the 'ghost' symbol is analyzed as a representament pointing to a specific object and generating an interpretant shaped by narrative context and cultural consensus. Textual data comprising words, phrases, and sentences from the novel were collected through close reading and note-taking, and subsequently analyzed through identification, classification, functional interpretation, and synthesis. The findings reveal that the 'ghost' symbol does not denote a supernatural entity, but rather manifests trauma, guilt, and lingering memories that haunt Sri Ningsih, specifically referencing the character Sulastri. Furthermore, the symbol acts as a narrative device that drives internal conflict, reinforces characterization, and bridges key plot points. This study demonstrates how semiotic analysis deepens the understanding of symbolic meaning in Indonesian literature, while offering valuable insights for sign-based character analysis and high school literature instruction.