The Voices of Anti-Capitalism in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes

Dimas Eko  Saputro; Rommel Utungga  Pasopati; Myrilla Shafa  Camila; Alvina Salshabilla Linjani  Putri

Dimas Eko Saputro Student of Magister of Literature, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Rommel Utungga Pasopati Student of Magister of Literature, Petra Christian University, Surabaya, Indonesia
Myrilla Shafa Camila Student of English Literature Program, Dr. Soetomo University, Surabaya, Indonesia
Alvina Salshabilla Linjani Putri Student of English Literature Program, Dr. Soetomo University, Surabaya, Indonesia

Keywords: Anti-Capitalism, Hans Christian Andersen, The Emperor's New Clothes

Abstract

This article investigates matters of voices of anti-capitalism in Hans Christian Andersen’s short story entitled The Emperor’s New Clothes. The story tells about a king who behaves arbitrarily and is concerned with his own personal affairs rather than his people. He is concerned with how he dresses so that a lot of people visit him and make it a stereotype that must be done. If the king passes in front of them, they must praise the king. However, his people trick him at the end. The capitalist behavior of the king who uses royal money to dress and care for himself is an interesting thing to research and raises questions about the existence of anti-capitalist voices in this short story. By using qualitative method and explorative approach, this study aims to reveal the voice of anti-capitalism reflected in royal lifestyle and fashion that the king wears. The voices are also matters of such silent rebellion to those who are too proud of themselves. Those arrogant beings never care to other people but themselves. The anti-capitalism works efficiently to the points that the king does not know that he is being tricked, not only by his tailor, but also by all of his people. In conclusion, the voices of anti-capitalism must not always loud. This story proves that the rebel could be done merely by tricking the powerful one.

Author Biography

Rommel Utungga Pasopati, Student of Magister of Literature, Petra Christian University, Surabaya, Indonesia

This article investigates matters of voices of anti-capitalism in Hans Christian Andersen’s short story entitled The Emperor’s New Clothes. The story tells about a king who behaves arbitrarily and is concerned with his own personal affairs rather than his people. He is concerned with how he dresses so that a lot of people visit him and make it a stereotype that must be done. If the king passes in front of them, they must praise the king. However, his people trick him at the end. The capitalist behavior of the king who uses royal money to dress and care for himself is an interesting thing to research and raises questions about the existence of anti-capitalist voices in this short story. By using qualitative method and explorative approach, this study aims to reveal the voice of anti-capitalism reflected in royal lifestyle and fashion that the king wears. The voices are also matters of such silent rebellion to those who are too proud of themselves. Those arrogant beings never care to other people but themselves. The anti-capitalism works efficiently to the points that the king does not know that he is being tricked, not only by his tailor, but also by all of his people. In conclusion, the voices of anti-capitalism must not always loud. This story proves that the rebel could be done merely by tricking the powerful one.

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