Javanese Proverbs As Social Control And Human Character Imageries (Textual And Contextual Understanding)

Javanese proverbs (including paribasan, bebasan, saloka, pepindhan and sanepa) have their own uniqueness, in terms of the form, function and meaning. Javanese proverbs illustrate both good and bad characters inherent in Javanese people. The portrayal of good character is intended as an exemplary which enables human’s hearts incline towards imitating good characters and emulate good characters; while the depiction of bad characters concerns a warning to humans in order not to take exemplary of the bad characters, to avoid despicable characters, and eliminate the object characters inherent in them. In this case, Javanese proverbs as a text describing about good and bad characters, while characters, characters, behaviors that are social realities inherent in humans and which occur in society are the context. It is logically and empirically proven that context always precedes the text. In addition, Javanese proverbs function as persuasive social controls. That is, the Javanese proverb serves to control, thus the Javanese would imitate and emulate the good characteristics, attitudes, behavior, character running the social lives; in addition to avoid the bad characteristics, behavior, attitudes, and character. By understanding proverbs, we will know human nature and character".