Hermeneutic Analysis of Poetry as a Medium for Self-Reflection and Emotional Therapy in the Poetry Anthology: Bicara Sunyi (2024)

Abstract

This study examines the Poetry Anthology: Bicara Sunyi (2024), published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and compiled by Ibnu Din Assingkiri, focusing on major themes such as solitude, love, personal struggle, self-reflection, and the human-nature relationship. The study employs thematic and hermeneutic analysis to understand the layered meanings conveyed through symbolism and metaphor in selected poems. Symbolic elements such as dry leaves, gentle breezes, the sea, mirrors, and twilight are used to portray complex human emotions, including alienation, loss, the search for identity, and the meaning of life. The findings reveal that the poems in this anthology function not only as artistic expressions but also as a medium for self-reflection and emotional therapy through introspection and the interpretation of lived experiences. The hermeneutic approach further demonstrates how poetic meaning develops through the relationship between text, symbolism, and the reader’s experience. The findings highlight the potential of modern Malaysian poetry as a medium for understanding human existential concerns and for establishing profound emotional connections between readers and texts. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of poetry in modern Malaysian literature, particularly as a medium for interpreting life within contemporary society.

Keywords: Poetry Anthology, Hermeneutics, Self-Reflection, Emotional Therapy, Symbolism, Modern Malaysian Poetry