[:en]
Study Program of English Literature (SPEL), Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) Universitas Brawijaya (UB) held a bi-weekly discussion with the theme “Literature in Times of Crisis” on Wednesday (9/9/2020). The discussion was delivered by Nanang Endrayanto, M.Sc., a lecturer of SPEL FCS UB.
The participants of the bi-weekly discussion were mostly lecturers of the study program. So, the bi-weekly discussion was a platform for lecturers to share their thoughts and discuss literature in times of crisis.
The presentation began at 1 p.m. with Juliati, M.Hum. as a moderator. Nanang brought up “Why Does Literature (Still) Matter in Times of Crisis” as the topic of his presentation. He talked about how in a pandemic situation, literature, as well as literature researches, are equally as important as scientific researches which focuses on statistical data related to the pandemic.
“Literature can become a tool for investigation (in times of pandemic),” he said.
Literature can also play the role of strengthening the psychology of the people, for instance, so that the people will not be panicky in facing the pandemic. He said that danger and uncertainties can be managed strategically through the use of metaphors.
Nanang then proceeded by discussing literary works related to a pandemic situation, such as from a novel, “The Plague” by Albert Camus which tells about a plague that happened in the city of Oran, Algeria. The book depicted the situation of the city when facing the plague. His book portrayed how the local authorities were slow and reluctant to act because they were afraid of the economic consequences and the reputational damage to the town.
This shows how the people as well as the authorities now can learn from past situations that were written in literature. Nanang also discussed the use of metaphors during the COVID-19 pandemic, how the words ‘crisis’, ‘emergency’, and the phrase ‘to win the wars (against COVID-19)’ are often used these days.
After the guest speaker finished delivering his presentation, the discussion session was opened. The participants took the chance to deliver their opinion and ask about things that might be unclear during the presentation or things that might need further explanations from the guest speaker. [AVR/DTS/MSH/PR FCS][:]