Spirituality of Le Guin’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature:
Taoist Reading
Seorang penulis Amerika Ursula K. Le Guin terkenal karena fiksi spekulatifnya, termasuk fiksi ilmiah berlatar Alam Semesta Hainish dan serial fantasi trilogi Earthsea. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji spiritualitas Le Guin yang dibangun di atas kesadaran keseimbangannya. Untuk tujuan ini, SF The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) dan Fantasy A Wizard of Earthsea (2004) yang ditulis oleh Le Guin digunakan sebagai teks utama dalam penelitian kualitatif ini. Diskusi tentang tema keseimbangan berpusat pada prinsip-prinsip Tao: 'saling ketergantungan antara makhluk dan non-makhluk' dan 'mencakup semua'. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa dalam karya sastra Le Guin pencarian universal untuk keseimbangan dicapai dengan rekonsiliasi dan integrasi unsur-unsur yang berlawanan, dan dengan kesatuan I dan Other. Dalam A Wizard of Earthsea pemikiran Tao diwujudkan melalui citra terang dan gelap dan keterkaitannya. Di Tangan Kiri Kegelapan, Le Guin mengedepankan kesatuan Aku dan Yang Lain berdasarkan prinsip konsep Tao Yin-Yang. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahwa dasar pemikiran Taois dalam fiksi spekulatif Le Guin adalah “kesatuan” dan “kesatuan dari hal-hal yang bertentangan”. Keesaan menandakan keterkaitan segala sesuatu di alam semesta. Kesatuan yang berlawanan adalah konsep fundamental yang mengatasi perbedaan dan membangun keseimbangan. Gagasan keseimbangan Le Guin diperluas ke perspektif ekologis yang mengatasi pembagian berlawanan dan mencari keseimbangan dan keseimbangan di alam semesta.
Kata kunci: spiritualitas; Fiksi ilmiah; Fantasi; Taoisme; Keseimbangan
An American author Ursula K. Le Guin is best known for her speculative fiction, including the science fiction set in the Hainish Universe and the fantasy series of Earthsea trilogy. This study aimed at examining Le Guin’s spirituality that is built up on her balance consciousness. For this purpose, SF The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) and Fantasy A Wizard of Earthsea (2004) written by Le Guin were used as the main text in this qualitative research. The discussion on the theme of balance centered on Taoist principles: ‘Interdependence of being and non-being’ and ‘all-encompassing’. The findings show that in Le Guin's literary works the universal quest for balance is accomplished by the reconciliation and integration of opposing elements, and by the unity of I and Other. In A Wizard of Earthsea Taoist thinking is embodied through the image of light and darkness and their interconnectedness. In The Left Hand of Darkness, Le Guin foregrounds the unity of I and the Other based on the tenet of Taoist Yin-Yang concept. This study concludes that basic Taoist thinking in Le Guin’s speculative fiction are “oneness” and “the unity of opposites”. Oneness signifies interconnectedness of everything in the universe. The unity of opposites is the fundamental concept that overcomes the differences and establishes balance. Le Guin’s idea of balance is extended to ecological perspectives that overcomes the division of opposite and seeks balance and equilibrium in the universe.
Keywords: spirituality; Science Fiction; Fantasy; Taoism; Balance