Author:
Sulastri Irta,Sulaeman Sulaeman,Rahman Hakim Uky Firmasyah,Zakirman Zakirman,Novarisa Ghina,Ridwan M.
Abstract
In Padangsidempuan, Indonesia, the Sangkumpal Bonang market is a prominent place for individuals begging. A beggar is a person who earns money in public in various ways in the hopes of receiving charity from others and who engages in activities by exploiting physical impairments to make others feel sorry for them. In addition, some beggars deliberately create physical disabilities and poverty that lead to feelings of compassion from others. However, these beggars’ lives are not as poor as it seems; they live decent and luxurious life. The research focuses on how persons who engage in begging activities manage their front stage, backstage, and impressions. Through a study of dramaturgy, this study employs a qualitative methodology. The results demonstrate that beggars verbally managed impressions by saying, “have mercy, sir, madam.” Using bowls as a symbol of asking, beggars with unclean clothes, sorrowful faces, and sluggish movements remove their hands. Their onstage image takes advantage of physical handicaps, pretending to be crippled, and living an impoverished and nomadic existence to elicit sympathy. It contrasts with a figure in the backstage appearance who is in good physical condition, goes about her daily activities, dresses well, smiles, lives in luxury, and has good social contacts with her family and society.
Publisher
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Reference47 articles.
1. Ahmad, R., Irchamniah, N., Pujiana, O., & Purwasih, J. H. G. (2018). Konstruksi sosial dalam keluarga pengemis di Kecamatan Sukun Kota Malang [Social construction in beggar families in Sukun District, Malang]. Jurnal Sosiologi Pendidikan Humanis, 3(1), 47-54. https://doi.org/10.17977/um021v3i1p47-54
2. Al-Muhareb, T. S. A., & Alzyoud, M. S. (2018). Begging phenomenon in Jordan: Family role and causes. Modern Applied Science, 12(4), 57-68. https://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v12n4p57
3. Bethina, L., Rebekah, S., Salem A. R., Darren, B., Helen, D., & Lawrence, C. L. (2016). ‘Don’t make my people beggars’: A developing world house of cards. Community Development Journal, 51(4), 571-584. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsv047
4. Boenisch, P. M. (2012). Acts of spectating: The dramaturgy of the audience’s experience in contemporary theatre. Critical Stages/Scènes Critiques, (7). https://www.critical-stages.org/7/acts-of-spectating-the-dramaturgy-of-the-audiences-experience-in-contemporary-theatre/
5. Bogdan, R., & Steven, J. T. (1998). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A phenomenological approach to the social science. John Wiley and Son.