Chinese Malay literature of the Peranakan Chinese in Indonesia 1880-1942

by Kwee, John B.

This thesis covers the 60-year Chinese Malay literature of the Peranakan Chinese in Indonesia. The period of its existence can be divided in two parts, the early literature from about 1880 till the 1920’s which covers translations of classical Chinese novels and works based on newspaper reports of crime, and the later literature from the 20’s till about 1942 which comprises novels with a variety of themes.

The novels with a Chinese or Peranakan setting generally claim to convey an edifying or moralistic message.

The socio-political background of the Peranakans, their everyday life and the realities of their society, the Westernized Peranakans and the relationship of the ethnic groups in Indonesia are discussed and then viewed as settings for the latter novels, including those with indigenous Indonesian themes.