Psycho-social Development of the Main Characters in the Novels Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and Cantik itu Luka by Eka Kurniawan: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the psycho-social development of the female protagonists in Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and Cantik itu Luka by Eka Kurniawan, using Erik H. Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development as the primary analytical framework. Through a qualitative comparative literary approach, the research examines how Angel and Dewi Ayu navigate complex psychological trajectories shaped by trauma, identity crises, and sociocultural pressures. Despite cultural differences, American evangelical society and postcolonial Indonesian contexts, their developmental paths reveal both parallels and divergences in the negotiation of agency, intimacy, and selfhood. The analysis highlights how each character’s psychological growth is influenced by intersecting personal and structural factors, including patriarchy, commodification, and cultural narratives of suffering and redemption. Angel’s progression toward psychosocial integrity contrasts with Dewi Ayu’s descent into existential despair, reflecting broader ideological distinctions in the authors’ respective cultural milieus. While Rivers frames healing through religious faith and personal transformation, Kurniawan presents a critique of systemic violence and unresolved trauma. Textual analysis is based on close readings of key narrative moments that illustrate psychosocial struggle and adaptation, with attention to character development, thematic construction, and socio-historical context. The findings underscore the value of comparative literature in illuminating universal patterns of human development while also accounting for culturally specific experiences. This research contributes to the discourse on literature, psychology, and cross-cultural analysis by demonstrating how fictional narratives can reflect and interrogate the dynamics between individual identity formation and societal structures.