Putri, Salsabila Az Zahra (2025) LIYA’S IDENTITY CRISIS IN MENG JIN’S LITTLE GODS (2021). Undergraduate thesis, Faculty Of Humanities.

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Abstract

This research thesis explores the theme of identity crisis experienced by Liya, the main character in Little Gods (2021), a novel by Meng Jin. The study aims to analyze the triggers, impacts, and Liya’s responses to her identity crisis by applying Stuart Hall’s theory of Cultural Identity and Diaspora. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method with a cultural approach, focusing on both intrinsic elements which are character, setting, and conflict, and the extrinsic factors shaped by socio-historical contexts. The data collection uses the library method, relying on Little Gods as the primary source, supported by secondary sources such as books, journal articles, and theoretical works, especially Hall’s. The analysis reveals that Liya’s identity crisis is primarily triggered by cultural dislocation, mixed heritage, and the loss of connection to her roots due to colonial influence. These factors lead to emotional detachment, alienation, and confusion regarding her cultural identity. As the narrative progresses, Liya gradually confronts her fragmented self and begins to reconstruct a hybrid identity that blends her personal experiences with inherited memory and cultural complexity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that identity, particularly in the context of diaspora, is not fixed but constantly evolving. Liya’s journey reflects Stuart Hall’s concept of identity as a continuous process of becoming shaped by history, displacement, and transformation. Her final acceptance of a hybrid identity signifies personal growth and the ability to navigate between multiple cultural realities.
Keywords: identity crisis, cultural identity, diaspora, hybrid identity

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