SOCIAL ACTIONS OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN CHINUA ACHEBE'S A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to describe the social action forms of the main characters in the novel A Man Of The People according to Max Weber's Social Action Theory. This research is important because this novel can open a new understanding of social action theory in a political perspective through the two main characters that have different political goals based on their social actions as individuals. The theory that will be used in this research is Max Weber's social action, social action is a conceptual benchmark for examining differences and similarities, as well as causal relationships, between social processes (Damsar, 2010, p. 35) which is focused on the main characters. The approach used is a sociological approach that focuses on literary works. Because the phenomenon of social action that occurs in society is often poured into literary works (Damono, 2004, p. 12). The method of this research is literary criticism. The research data is in the form of excerpts from the contents presented through conversations and narrations as social reality and depictions of social actions carried out by the main characters in the novel. Data collection is done by viewing and recording methods to get results and then proceed with discussion. The results obtained from this study are the social action of the main characters in the novel A Man Of The People: Max Weber's sociological study, that the four types of social action can be found in the main characters in this novel and how they achieve their own purpose based on their social actions. In the Rational-Instrumental action, Mr. Nanga did this action 7 times, while Odili only used instrumental actions once. In Traditional action, it was found that there were 3 actions related to tradition or actions that were carried out from generation to generation. In the value rational action, it was found that there were 4 actions that were all carried out by Odili. And for the affective action, Odili took 6 actions. This proves that Odili's moral value is higher to achieve his goals than using more efficient instruments that are counter-humanist such as instrumental rationality like Mr. Nanga did. But Odili's goals were not fully fulfilled because his country was overthrown by the Military and his party was dismissed. Keywords: Sociology of Literature, Sociology of Max Weber, Social Actions.