ISSN 1799-2591

Theory and Practice in Language Studies, Vol. 13, No. 9, pp. 2303-2312, September 2023
DOI: [Link]

Dolphin Conservation in Pengelana Laut Short

Story: Greg Garrard's Ecocriticism Study
Juanda
Faculty of Language and Literature, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia

Azis
Faculty of Language and Literature, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia

Abstract—The short story "Pengelana Laut" by Linda Christanty focuses on the theme of preserving dolphins.
Therefore, this study aims to investigate the environmental phenomena and the importance of environmental
education in the story. This qualitative design presents descriptive data using the Grag Garrard ecocritical
approach. The primary data source is the short story "Pengelana Laut," published in Kompas newspaper and
[Link], containing words, phrases, and sentences related to marine ecological phenomena, collected
using the literature study techniques. The data obtained were analyzed using interactive interpretive models
involving data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing/verifying. The NVivo software program
was used to code the data. The result showed that the short story contains various environmental phenomena,
such as pollution, wilderness, apocalypse, dwelling, animals, and earth, with a focus on the exploitation of
dolphins by humans. In conclusion, environmental education is crucial for dolphin conservation, hence it is
imperative to incorporate such material in literacy skills for students to cultivate a sense of concern for and
environmental preservation of marine life.

Index Terms—dolphin, environmental education, ecocriticism, preservation, short stories

I. INTRODUCTION
Several Indonesian literary studies have explored themes related to the marine biota environment, including those
conducted by Jemmy Piran and Linda Christanty. For instance, Christanty's short story "Pengelana Laut" highlights the
theme of preserving dolphins. However, various human activities, such as exploiting dolphins for tourism, have
disrupted their conservation efforts (Carzon et al., 2023). Conservation efforts for marine animals, such as dolphins,
consider their behavioral responses as well as their impact on individuals and populations, leading to opportunities for
sustainable tourism that benefits pro-environmental socio-economic growth (Rocha et al., 2023, p. 2). Pollution caused
by garbage, such as plastic bags and fishing lures, poses a significant threat to dolphins, leading to gastric blockages and
strandings (Carzon et al., 2023). Semantic segmentation is used to extract dolphin fin contours from photos, identifying
them accurately (Maglietta et al., 2023, p. 2). Persistent organic pollutants were analyzed in 136 blubber samples of the
Brazilian Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), the most endangered dolphin in the Southwest Atlantic.
Dolphins were caught by fishing fleets and collected from 2000 to 2018 in the northern, central, and southern areas of
the state of São Paulo (Montone et al., 2023). Additionally, the recognition of the conceptual and material attachment
between human and animal oppression has been explored (Małecki et al., 2020, p. 365). Humans feel justified in
oppressing and exploiting animals because they consider non-human species creatures not worthy of moral
consideration.
In the last decade, literary experts have applied an ecocritical approach to analyzing literary works. This has led to
studies on short stories with an ecocritical lens, including those by Hillard (2009), Brereton and Gómez (2020),
Schneider-Mayerson (2020), Caracciolo et al. (2021), Min and Chen (2021), and Stanley (2022) that focus on climate
phenomena. Other studies, such as those by Hernandez (2020), Ringle (2021a), and Cossio (2022), examined human
interactions with forests, while Marland (2021) focused on turtles and trash, and Gooch (2021) on natural disasters such
as floods. Moe (2014) explored the topic of dolphins, Smulders (2022) examined the Pacific salmon life cycle, and
Huber and Brazier (2020) and Lewis (2021) investigated marine ecological damage.
The impact of climate change, waste, loss of biodiversity, resource depletion, and pollution is not evenly distributed
across society. Education is crucial in promoting sustainability and encouraging people to take action (Dí az-López et al.,
2023, pp. 1–2). In their book "God is Cool," Sujiwo Tejo and M. N. Kamba discussed the human relationship with
nature in Komat Kamit (muttering) and emphasized the importance of respecting and protecting it due to its
contribution to the ecological balance (Siwi et al., 2022, p. 1278). Furthermore, the Mahabharata study highlights
ecological imbalances due to human activities disregarding nature and provides guidance on achieving environmental
harmony (Raju, 2023, p. 441). Another example comes from environmental functions in Kaba Minangkabau with an


Corresponding Author. Email: juanda@[Link]

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ecocritical perspective, where four and six natural environment settings are represented as literary references and an
analogy in the physical form of humans (Nofrahadi et al., 2022, p. 214).
Previous studies have not investigated the short story Pengelana Laut using the Grag Garrard ecocritical approach,
despite its focus on dolphin conservation and marine ecology. Therefore, this study examines the environmental themes
and educational values in Linda Christanty's story. The study also aims to provide valuable literary material for schools
to develop students' literacy skills and foster an appreciation for marine conservation and environmental preservation.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

The Republika Newspaper published seven short stories in Indonesia between 2015 and 2018, focusing on
environmental themes. The dominant environmental phenomena are natural disasters and forests. The readers
understand the importance of maintaining a balance in nature to ensure the sustainability of the earth and its contents
through the characters' interactions with the environment. These short stories also promote environmental education by
emphasizing the need to preserve forests, protect and reforest trees, as well as maintain rare animal species (Juanda,
2018a).
Romli story reflects on how environmental phenomena affect rivers by comparing the cities of Bandung in Indonesia
with Paris. Faris Al Faisal's story, titled Cerita Daun Pohon and Petrichor, highlights the importance of trees in
maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Tjak S Parlan's story portrays the devastating impact of illegal logging due to
human activities in causing a landslide disaster. Usep Romli HM's short story narrates the problem of river water
pollution, specifically the Citarum River. The short story Go to the Hill depicts the tragic child loss of Kayah's mother,
who was buried in a landslide on a gold-digging hill and served as a reminder of the importance of caring for the
environment through proper waste and garbage management, greening, and building layout arrangements. Furthermore,
it is imperative to stop dredging mines excessively to maintain the ecosystem (Juanda, 2018b).
Ecocriticism emerged as a field of literary study in the 1970s and 1980s. However, only in the past few decades has
there been a growing interest in applying ecocritical approaches to ancient Greek literature, coinciding with the
emergence of Mediterranean ecocriticism, which examines the region as a 'cultural-diverse' (Post, 2023, p. 2). The
concept of "echo-criticism" posits that texts can significantly impact readers (Brozović, 2023; Pollard, 2022).
Ecocriticism is rooted in the study of nature (Jomah & Fawareh, 2023; Raihanah et al., 2014), as well as in the
examination of the relationships between humans and their environments (Schneider-Mayerson et al., 2020, p. 327).
Ecocriticism is a field that is characterized by a lively exchange of opinions and viewpoints, with audiences playing
an important role in the construction of works of art (Käck, 2022; Rodriguez-labajos, 2022). This approach challenges
readers to reconsider their relationship with the world and their surroundings, depict the interactions within them, and
re-envision the environment as a product of both natural and human influences (Tareq et al., 2021b, p. 158). Ecocritics
are interested in exploring the relationship between literature and nature and often use literary analysis as a means to
understand socio-ecological systems (Kiviat, 2021, p. 1). In addition, ecocriticism concentrates on the examination of
ecological ideology in literary works (Alvi et al., 2019). This field of study seeks to reveal how human involvement
shapes the natural world’s perception (Caracciolo et al., 2021, p. 2). In Old English literature, animals, weather, and the
environment are often figurative metaphors for human thoughts and emotions (Paz, 2022, p. 560).
Ecocritics explores the relationship between humans and nature with six main aspects, namely pollution, wilderness,
disasters, settlements, animals, and the earth. Pollution is the accumulation of various substances in inappropriate places
that pollute the environment, causing ecological problems (Garrard, 2012, p. 1). Air pollution, for example, can lead to
respiratory problems and diabetes in humans (Burkart et al., 2022, p. 586). On the other hand, the idea of wilderness
represents nature in a state uncontaminated by civilization and holds a special value in the relationship between humans
and the earth (Garrard, 2012, p. 66). Kimmerer, for instance, regards forests as animated organisms that exhibit
commensalism between animate and inanimate matter (Ringle, 2021). Settlements or dwellings refer to the long-term
place of humans in the landscape, including memory, ancestry, death, ritual, life, and work. The study of the
relationship between animals and humans consists of analyzing representations of animals in history and culture, as well
as philosophical considerations of their rights (Garrard, 2012, p. 146).
The impact of climate change on homes goes beyond displacement, as people who still reside in their environment
experience place-based pressures when dealing with drastic environmental changes (Wilson-Scott, 2021, p. 1).
Ecological awareness and environmental ethics are interconnected with planet earth (Krotz & Riquet, 2021, p. 24).
Ecocriticism's relationship between literature and nature creates environmental awareness through the ecological
messages conveyed in preliminary studies (Mihaljević, 2022, p. 306). The crisis affecting west coast fisheries has
inspired several picture books featuring the iconic fish, some of which have been endorsed as science books. Works
published in Canada and the United States are examples of Pacific salmon life cycle narratives (Smulders, 2022, p.
1055). Metaphorical language and affective responses play a critical role in negotiating human-non-human segregation
narratives in the face of climate change, as seen in non-fictional and fictional discourses such as McEwan (Caracciolo et
al., 2021, p. 4). Narazaki's investigation of loggerhead turtles' foraging behavior revealed that they use visual cues to
locate prey and move toward plastic bags, mistaking them for actual gelatinous prey like jellyfish (Marland, 2021, p. 1).
Environmental education is a multifaceted concept encompassing an approach, philosophy, tool, and profession
aimed at creating environmentally literate citizens who can address environmental and resource sustainability (Ardoin

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& Bowers, 2020; Damoah & Omodan, 2022; Zikargae et al., 2022). It emphasizes the development of attitudes, values,
knowledge, and skills that enable individuals to take pro-environmental actions and increase the sustainability of
human-nature interactions over time (Vieira et al., 2022). Environmental education seeks to increase public knowledge
about environmental issues and promote individual motivation and skills to protect or improve the natural environment
(van de Wetering et al., 2022). Its ultimate goal is to foster broader social and economic sustainability in addition to
environmental sustainability.
Literature serves as a powerful tool in promoting environmental education by instilling moral values in students that
encourage students to care for the environment (Lane et al., 2023, p. 1). In Indonesia, education is crucial in driving a
cultural revolution due to its ability to shape attitudes, ideas, and actions toward sustainability (Maulidiah & Fitrianti,
2023, p. 626). Therefore, by studying environmental humanities, students can deepen understanding of the ocean as a
planetary environment rich in history, culture, and materials (Huber & Brazier, 2020). The process of addressing the
issue of food waste requires not only educating individuals on the impact of their behavior but also utilizing elements of
behavior, such as imitation, which tend to be neglected (Piras et al., 2023, p. 1). Short stories and other literary works
are valuable resources for teachers to promote environmental awareness and character-building among students.

III. METHOD
This study employs a qualitative design that presents descriptive data. Furthermore, it utilizes the Greg Garrard eco-
critic approach, which explores the interconnectedness between humans and nature in literary works by analyzing
natural events or phenomena in texts. The data source is a short story called "Pengela Laut" by Linda Christanty,
published in Kompas on January 5, 2020, and available on the web page [Link]. Data was collected from
words, phrases, and sentences related to marine ecological phenomena using literature study techniques, and an
interactive interpretative model analysis technique was used for analysis. The data analysis process consists of three
stages, namely data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing/verifying (Miles et al., 2014, p. 31). The data
coding process was carried out by coding the data with the help of the NVivo software program. Furthermore, data
presentation was conducted by presenting or exporting coded data in the form of tables and graphs, displaying the
percentage coverage calculated automatically based on the frequency of appearance of the code in short stories as the
data source. Finally, conclusions are drawn based on the findings from the data analysis.

IV. DISCUSSION

A. Indonesian Short Story Pengelana Laut

The short story Pengelana Laut revolves around a child's quest to find his missing father, who is a passionate
advocate for marine conservation, particularly dolphins. The father and son often embark on diving trips to explore the
ocean and marvel at its wonders. However, the story takes a dark turn when the father attends a meeting about
protecting marine animals, and a suicide bombing occurs on a remote island, leading to his disappearance. The security
forces seem indifferent to conducting a thorough search, possibly due to the influence of a shadowy group controlling
the island or even the entire country. As the story progresses, the child discovers three large, sealed barrels while diving,
but their contents remain a mystery. The story sheds light on the dangers faced by conservationists and the urgent need
to protect marine life from harm.
Linda Christanty, an Indonesian author born on March 18, 1970, in Bangka, Graduated from the Department of
Indonesian Literature, FIB, University of Indonesia. Linda has won several literary awards, including two Khatulistiwa
Literary Awards in 2004 and 2010, as well as the 2013 SEA Write Award. Her short story titled "Leaves of Dry" was
awarded the Kompas Best Short Story in 1989 and won the SEA Write award in 2013. Among Linda’s published works
are a collection of short stories called "Mario Pinto's Flying Horse" and a collection of essays titled "Militarism and
Violence in Timor Leste".
B. Environmental Phenomena
Environmental phenomena found in short stories are pollution, wilderness, apocalypse, dwelling, animals, and earth.
The data are analyzed in the description below.
The short story Pengela Laut portrays a pollution phenomenon that can disrupt the balance of nature due to the
harmful substances it releases into the surrounding environment. The story features two types of pollution, namely
water and sound pollution. Those that occur in the sea are caused by shipwrecks, radioactive toxic substances, and
bombs. This is described in the following data. “Mereka melihat bangkai kapal yang telah berubah menjadi taman
bawah laut; Tahun lalu, ia kembali menyelam di lokasi yang cukup dekat dengan kapal karam. Ia melihat tiga tong
besar permukaan tong dilas. Mustahil dibuka. Apakah ayahnya dimasukkan dalam tong dan dibuang ke laut?” 'They
saw a shipwreck that has been turned into an underwater garden. Last year, he dived again at a location quite close to
the shipwreck and saw three large barrels of welded surface barrels difficult to open. Was his father put in a barrel and
thrown overboard?' (Christanty, 2020).
The given passage highlights the issue of water pollution caused by radioactive, toxic substances due to shipwrecks.
According to Huber and Brazier (2020), ships can pollute the sea with oil spills. Next data, “Pemerintah membantah

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secara resmi tentang pesawat luar angkasa yang dulu jatuh di sebuah ladang tebu. Kawasan itu ditutup karena
mengandung racun radioaktif. Lumba-lumba, menurut ayahnya, menyantap hewan-hewan laut beracun sehingga
membantu keseimbangan dan kelestarian alam” 'The government has officially denied that the spaceship crashed in a
sugarcane field with the area closed because it contains radioactive poison. Additionally, the story mentions that
dolphins consume poisonous sea animals, which helps in maintaining the balance and preservation of nature (Christanty,
2020).
The provided data sheds light on water pollution caused by radioactive poisons that contaminate marine life, such as
dolphins, and the government's efforts to prevent further contamination by closing off the polluted area. However, the
father in the story believes that dolphins can cope with this issue by feeding on poisonous marine animals, thereby
helping to maintain the balance and preservation of the sea. The story also depicts pollution caused by hazardous
substances, such as bombs. This is further described in the following data. “Pengalaman menyelamnya yang paling
mengesankan berlangsung pada puncak musim kemarau, di tahun bom bunuh diri meledak di ibu kota untuk pertama
kali” 'The quoted passage describes the author's most memorable diving experience during the dry season when a
suicide bomb exploded for the first time in the capital city, highlighting the devastating impact of human activities on
the environment (Christanty, 2020).
The data provided pertains to the occurrence of suicide bombings in the vicinity of the sea. In the short story, the
protagonist plans to go on a diving vacation but is confronted with the threat of a potential suicide bombing that could
endanger the sea and the surrounding people. There are two types of pollution, namely water pollution and noise
pollution. Water pollution is caused by shipwrecks, radioactive poisons, and bombs, while suicide bomb explosions
around the sea cause noise pollution. Both forms of pollution threaten the balance of the sea as hazardous substances
contaminating the water can harm marine life and its habitat. Pollution leads to ecological issues, such as accumulating
substances in inappropriate areas that pollute the environment (Garrard, 2012, p. 1). In this regard, pollution causes
serious problems for humans and other living things, such as health problems and dirty seawater (Amin-Hong, 2022;
Burkart et al., 2022; Bush, 2022; Carzon et al., 2023; Gooch, 2021; Boast, 2021; Hill, 2022; Małecki et al., 2020;
Montone et al., 2023; Stanley, 2022; Yang, 2022).
The forest is described as a crucial element of an ecosystem where the interaction between humans and nature occurs.
This interaction is described in the following quote. “Seorang saksi memberi keterangan berbeda kepada polisi.
Ayahnya berjalan menuju hutan; Aparat keamanan tidak serius melanjutkan pencarian, di kedai kopi dan di hutan,
karena atasan mereka mungkin terlibat jaringan operasi itu dan pengendali jaringan sekelompok orang yang
memengaruhi kehidupan di pulau, bahkan di sebuah negeri” ' The witness gave a different account to the police, stating
that the father walked towards the forest. However, the security forces appeared not to be serious about continuing their
search both in the coffee shop and the forest. This may be attributed to the potential involvement of their superiors in a
network of operations controlled by a group of people who exert significant influence over life on the island and beyond
(Christanty, 2020).
The information presented suggests that the security forces were searching for a missing father figure. However,
despite their efforts, they could not locate the individual within the forest. The author describes the forest as an integral
component of the ecosystem that influences human activities, a notion supported by various studies on human-forest
interactions (Hernandez, 2020; Ringle, 2021a; Cossio, 2022; Juanda, 2018a). According to Juanda (2018a), Indonesian
short stories usually emphasize the importance of forest preservation. The wilderness is almost sacramental and
promises a renewed and authentic human-earth connection (Garrard, 2012, p. 66). The forest, in particular, is a self-
expressive entity that creates its world through complex networks of relationships where diverse organisms interact,
develop, and communicate with each other (Cossio, 2022; Hernandez, 2020; Kiviat, 2021; Ringle, 2021; Tareq et al.,
2021a).
Meanwhile, apocalypses, or natural disasters have claimed several lives on this earth. These can be caused either
naturally or by human intervention. According to the following excerpt, disasters are also caused by human intervention,
“Pemerintah membantah secara resmi tentang pesawat luar angkasa yang dulu jatuh di sebuah ladang tebu. Kawasan
itu ditutup dengan alasan mengandung racun radioaktif” 'The government has officially denied that the spaceship
crashed in a sugarcane field. The area was closed because it contains radioactive poisons' (Christanty, 2020). This
illustrates the potential consequences of human intervention in natural ecosystems, leading to catastrophic outcomes.
The given information depicts the sudden crash of a spaceship into a sugarcane field. This led to the closure of the
area due to the production of toxic radioactive gas that could harm the surrounding living organisms. Humans caused
this catastrophic phenomenon. Based on this description, certain disasters are caused by humans, namely the crash of
spaceships and the spread of radioactive poisons. Apocalypse interferes with the survival of humans and other living
things because they are hindered by destructive events (Garrard, 2012, p. 93). In response to such calamities,
ecocriticism has emerged as a field that emphasizes the mystical substance of nature and advocates for the protection,
awareness, and eco-literacy to address environmental issues (Jomah & Fawareh, 2023; Lewis, 2021; Raihanah et al.,
2014). This field recognizes the importance of establishing a genuine connection with nature and taking essential
measures to safeguard the environment.
The concept of dwelling or settlement is related to the community or people who live in a certain area. The existence
of a community in an area results in the interaction between humans (society) and nature. This interaction leads to the

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formation of communities in urban and rural settlements, as depicted in the following statement. “Sesudah itu ayahnya
hilang; Sebelum menjadi penyelamat lumba-lumba, ia bekerja di sebuah lembaga yang mendukung konservasi kota
kuno di bawah laut. Lebih dari setengah abad lalu Jim Thompson, pensiunan tentara dan mata-mata berjalan-jalan di
sekitar penginapan, lalu hilang”. ‘However, after that, the father disappeared. Prior to becoming a dolphin rescuer, the
father worked for an organization that supported the conservation of ancient underwater cities. More than half a century
ago, Jim Thompson, a retired soldier, and spy, was wandering around the inn and then disappeared (Christanty, 2020).
The information provided describes the ambiance of urban settlements that offer a plethora of facilities. In addition,
among these facilities are offices of organizations that specialize in dolphin rescue or conservation. The father character
in the short story is employed as a dolphin rescuer in one of these offices. This character frequently participates in
various conservation operations by monitoring different areas around the sea. “Penyelaman terakhirnya berlangsung
kemarin di laut yang terletak dekat kampung terpencil, di sebuah semenanjung; Sejak ayahnya hilang, selain menyelam,
ia menghabiskan masa-masa liburan dengan berenang di perairan pulau-pulau kecil, mendatangi kampung-kampung
pesisir” The father figure’s most recent dive was conducted near a remote village on a peninsula, just yesterday. Since
the father's disappearance, the protagonist has been spending vacation time not only diving but also swimming in small
islands and visiting coastal villages (Christanty, 2020).
In addition to urban areas, there are also coastal villages that are inhabited. The earlier presented data pertains to a
coastal village visited by a family while on vacation. Since their hobby is closely tied to the sea, family members enjoy
diving and have a strong connection to coastal regions, which are inextricably linked to both nature and human behavior.
The aforementioned information suggests a relationship between nature and humans as reflected in their living
environments, which indicates a natural interaction between urban settlements and villages. Settlements represent a
place where humans reside for a long time, embodying memories, ancestors, death, rituals, life, and work (Garrard,
2012, p. 117). Ecocriticism illustrates the varied influences of human engagement with the imagined non-human world
(Alvi et al., 2019; Caracciolo et al., 2021; Kiviat, 2021).
The author of the short story uses animals to shedlight on the detrimental effects of human activities on marine
ecosystems and their habitats. The narrative focuses on various aspects of dolphin hunting and conservation. The
characters play an active role in safeguarding the welfare of dolphins and other marine creatures, as reported in the
following data. “Para nelayan di kampung ini pernah menangkap ikan terlalu banyak sehingga membuat laut nyaris
kehabisan ikan. Mereka kemudian meminta pemerintah melindungi ikan-ikan, menjadikan laut mereka sebagai cagar
laut.” ' Interestingly, overfishing by the local fishermen had a severe impact on the sea's fish population. This prompted
them to seek government protection by designating their waters as a marine reserve.' (Christanty, 2020).
The data presented describes fishermen who engage in large-scale fishing. This prompted the father figure to act and
collaborate with the government to conserve fish populations and prevent their extinction. It simply suggests that the
father has a caring attitude towards marine animals and feels responsible for protecting them. “Tiba-tiba seekor ikan
besar mendekat, mengagetkannya. Mola-mola, ikan pemakan ubur-ubur, bukanlah ancaman” ' Suddenly a big fish
appeared, and startled the father figure. The sunfish, a fish type that lives in the sea and feeds on jellyfish, is not a threat'
(Christanty, 2020). This species belongs to the genus Mola, and it has a distinctive bullet-shaped body due to the lack of
development of its back fin. The sunfish or Ocean Sunfish is a fish related to pufferfish and triggerfish. Despite their
large size, sunfish are not a threat to humans.
Lumba-lumba, menurut ayahnya, menyantap hewan-hewan laut beracun sehingga membantu keseimbangan
dan kelestarian alam; Sebelum hilang, ayahnya menghadiri pertemuan antar-negara yang membahas
perlindungan satwa-satwa laut; Tidak lama sesudah ayahnya menghilang, sebuah kapal patroli berisi para
ilmuwan yang menjaga lumba-lumba diserang kapal pemburu lumba-lumba. Lalu seorang wartawan
digantung sampai mati karena menulis tentang perdagangan lumba-lumba.
According to the father, dolpins consumed poisonous marine creatures, thereby aiding in maintaining ecological
balance and sustainability. Before the father’s disappearance, the character participated in an international conference
that discussed safeguarding marine fauna. Shortly after the father's disappearance, a patrol vessel containing scientists
responsible for protecting dolphins was attacked by a dolphin-hunting ship. A journalist was subsequently executed for
reporting on the trade of dolphins. News outlets financed by cartels argued that the dolphin population is not at risk of
extinction and will remain abundant indefinitely (Christanty, 2020).
The provided data highlights the vital role played by dolphins in promoting ecological balance and marine
sustainability. The father figure in the story participated in international discussions to protect marine animals, with a
particular emphasis on dolphins. They discussed the problems experienced by these species as a result of population
reduction due to poaching. Next data, “Barangkali ayahnya diselamatkan sekawanan lumba-lumba hidung botol yang
cerdas dan ramah atau diselamatkan ribuan camar laut yang menerbangkan tubuhnya ke pesisir, sebagaimana nenek
moyangnya dulu dikisahkan tiba di pulau” ‘The subsequent data suggests that the father might have been rescued by a
group of friendly and intelligent bottlenose dolphins or thousands of seagulls, and according to their ancestors, these
creatures have a history of transporting bodies to the coast upon arrival on the island' (Christanty, 2020).
The information presented earlier pertains to the presence of seagulls inhabiting coastal regions alongside dolphins.
However, Their coexistence implies the availability of ample fish in the surrounding marine environment. The data
“Massa ikan bersisik perak, bigeye jack, berenang mengitarinya saat ia menembus pusat kolom, membentuk arus

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seperti sungai besar yang mengalir.” A mass of silver-scaled fish, the bigeye jack, swam through the center of the
column, forming a current like a mighty flowing river.' (Christanty, 2020). This widespread species of large marine fish
belongs to the Carangidae family. The author notes that these fish tend to go away when divers are around them due to
feeling threatened.
The given description showcases the coexistence of various sea creatures, including dolphins, seagulls, and bigeye
jacks. However, in this short story, the author emphasizes the existence of dolphins more than other species. The
relationship between humans and animals goes beyond mere symbolism and encompasses historical and cultural
representations, animal studies, and philosophical considerations of animal welfare (Garrard, 2012, p. 146). The
relationship between the two material phenomena is more than metaphorical. Many environmentally conscious writers
use their literary works to criticize actions that harm or endanger the natural habitats of living creatures (Carzon et al.,
2023; Hillard, 2009; Huber & Brazier, 2020; Marland, 2021; Moe, 2014; Smulders, 2022).
The earth is a planet that is inhabited by humans and provides various resources for their survival. The author
describes it as a phenomenon that strives to maintain the preservation and balance of nature. The data “ Oksigen juga
berbahaya jika dihirup berlebihan karena merusak sistem saraf pusat; Namun, imajinasi punya sisi kelam, seperti
dampak penggunaan nitrogen dan oksigen yang melampaui batas dalam penyelaman.” ‘Oxygen and nitrogen are some
of the elements found on earth, and while oxygen is essential, excessive inhalation can cause damage to the central
nervous system. Some of their problems are quite interesting and testify to the power of the imagination. The author
also notes that imagination can have a dark side, as seen in the negative impacts of exceeding limits while diving.
(Christanty, 2020). This data implies that oxygen and hydrogen are elements found on earth, with oxygne used by
thecharacter to dive. The author describes certain elements found on earth, such as oxygen and nitrogen. Ecocritics
delve into various phenomena related to earth's preservation, climate change, and its elements (Garrard, 2012, p. 181).
In both fiction and non-fiction discourse, metaphorical language and emotional responses play a crucial role in
negotiating the human-non-human segregation narratives concerning climate change (Brereton & Gómez, 2020;
Caracciolo et al., 2021; Min & Chen, 2021; Paz, 2022; Stanley, 2022; Wilson-Scott, 2021). According to the
aforementioned description, there are six aspects narrated by the author, namely wilderness, pollution, apocalypse,
dwelling, animals, and earth. These aspects were analyzed using NVivo software and are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
THE ECOLOGICAL PHENOMENON OF THE SHORT STORY PENGELANA LAUT
Codes Percentage Coverage
Pollution 5.11%
Wilderness 3.06%
Apocalypse 0.78%
Dwelling 6.81%
Animals 11.32%
Earth 6.02%

According to Table 1, the most dominant aspect is animals with a proportion of 11.32% which has a significant
difference from the others. On the other hand, the least narrated aspect is doomsday, with only 0.78%. This proves that
in the short story “Pengelana Laut,” the author aims to highlight the issue of animal exploitation, particularly the
exploitation of dolphins, and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts to preserve them. This description is shown
in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The Ecological Phenomenon of the Short Story Pengelana Laut

C. Environmental Education

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THEORY AND PRACTICE IN LANGUAGE STUDIES 2309

Preserving the ocean and its wildlife is a crucial concern for everyone. Environmental education can play a vital role
in instilling a sense of responsibility towards the environment. The author highlights the issue of dolphin conservation,
which is the central theme of the short story.
“Mereka meminta pemerintah melindungi ikan-ikan, menjadikan laut sebagai cagar laut; Sebelum hilang, ayahnya
menghadiri pertemuan antar-negara yang membahas perlindungan satwa-satwa laut; Ia memimpin gerakan yang
menentang penangkapan lumba-lumba untuk sirkus; Para nelayan di kampung ini pernah menangkap ikan terlalu
banyak sehingga membuat laut nyaris kehabisan ikan" ' They urged the government to safeguard the fish and establish
the sea as a marine sanctuary. A character’s father attended an international conference on marine animal conservation
before passing away. Additionally, the character leads a movement against capturing dolphins for circuses. In the past,
the fishermen in the village had overfished, leading to a scarcity of fish in the sea ' (Christanty, 2020).
The provided data discusses Ayah's efforts in a dolphin conservation agency to protect endangered species and fight
against illegal capture. Ayah formed a movement against all forms of illegal capturing of endangered dolphins. This
effort is a form of human concern for the environment. Therefore, humans must care about the preservation of the sea
and the animals that live in it so that the earth's balance is maintained. Ecological awareness and environmental ethics
are related to planet earth (Krotz & Riquet, 2021, p. 24). The connection between literature and nature is significant in
creating ecological awareness by conveying environmental messages through literary works (Mihaljević, 2022, p. 306).
Ecocriticism is a branch of study that emerges from this relationship, focusing on the social, cultural, and political
aspects of texts from an environmental perspective. It is paramount to explore literary works with ecological concerns
for developing ecological awareness and environmental ethics (Jomah & Fawareh, 2023; Krotz & Riquet, 2021;
Mihaljević, 2022; Raihanah et al., 2014; Schneider-Mayerson et al., 2020).
Environmental education aims to create environmentally literate citizens who can address issues related to
environmental and resource sustainability. This is realized through the development of attitudes, values, knowledge,
dispositions, and skills to take pro-environmental actions. Environmental education encourages involvement in
increasing the sustainability of human-nature interactions over time. The nature writing genre can help students become
aware of and appreciate nature, and the writer's conceptual framework governing the attributes and intentions used in
this genre. Indonesia is an arena of unique and unavoidable cultural struggles, and in this setting, education must be able
to influence the cultural revolution, including ideas, attitudes, and actions. The transformative process must involve
cognitive and cultural systems to achieve a cultural revolution (Ardoin & Bowers, 2020; Damoah & Omodan, 2022;
Lane et al., 2023; Maulidiah & Fitrianti, 2023; Rocha et al., 2023; Siwi et al., 2022; Zikargae et al., 2022).
Marine ecosystems worldwide are negatively impacted by various human activities such as resource extraction,
industrialization, overfishing, oil spills, seismic detonations, microplastics, nuclear testing, rising temperatures, and
decreasing pH levels. However, by studying the ocean from a humanistic perspective, students can better understand its
cultural and material history as a planetary environment. Education plays a crucial role in addressing food waste among
consumers, including aspects of behavior such as imitation, which are often overlooked (Dí az-López et al., 2023; Huber
& Brazier, 2020; Piras et al., 2023; van de Wetering et al., 2022; Vieira et al., 2022).

V. CONCLUSION
Linda Christanty's short story "Pengela Laut" is a critique of dolphin hunting and environmental destruction that
threatens these animals' survival. In this story, volunteers who strive to preserve marine life do not receive protection
from local authorities, and some even cooperate with those who exploit dolphins. The short story highlights
environmental themes such as pollution, wilderness, apocalypse, dwelling, animals, and earth. The author's dominant
narrative describes the exploitation of dolphins by humans. However, through this story, the younger generation can
learn about environmental preservation, including protecting marine animals from overexploitation, preventing
pollution and fish bombing, designating marine reserves, and calling for government intervention in preserving marine
life. The author emphasizes the significance of conserving endangered marine animals to ensure their survival. This
study can serve as literary material to help students develop literacy skills while instilling a sense of environmental
responsibility and marine conservation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to the Dean of the Faculty of Language and Literature and Rector Universitas Negeri
Makassar, Indonesia, for supporting the publication of this study.

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Juanda was born in Wajo, South Sulawesi, Indonesia March 10, 1968, and is an alumnus of the Doctoral
Program of the Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Language Education Study Program. The Indonesian Masters
Program was obtained at Hasanuddin University in 1994. Has published an international Scopus journal
article entitled Student Mental Health Euphemisms (XLinguage, volume 16, issue 1, 2023); The Effectiveness
of Online Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic at Higher Education in Indonesia (Multicultural
Education, vol. 7, issue 5, 2021); Anxiety in Classroom Presentation in Teaching – Learning Interaction in
English for Students of Indonesian Study Program at Higher Education (International Journal of Education
and Practice, volume 7, issue 1, 2019). Contact me directly to e-mail.

Azis was born November 10, 1973 in Tanrutedong, Sidrap Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.
Doctorate (Dr.) in the PPs Language Education Study Program, Universitas Negeri Jakarta in 2012. Lecturer
at the Faculty of Languages and Literature, Universitas Negeri Makassar. International articles have been
published as the main author: Structure of Litotes Environmental Text on Students (Solid State Technology,
volume 63, issue 6 (2020); Student mental health euphemisms (XLinguae, volume 16, issue 1, 2023).

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