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This study aims to carry out a thorough analysis of the use of stylistic elements, particularly in terms of diction and language style, as applied by Pitoyo Amrih to shape the character of Gatotkaca in the novel Sisi Gelap Gatotkaca. The character of Gatotkaca, traditionally depicted as a flawless heroic figure, is reimagined by the author through a more humanistic and reflective linguistic approach. Using a qualitative descriptive method alongside stylistic literary criticism, this article examines how linguistic units within the text serve as rhetorical tools to reveal internal conflicts, existential burdens, and the darker aspects of the main character. The analysis process involves identifying word choices that carry a melancholic tone as well as the prominent use of figurative language, including comparisons, contrasts, and emphatic statements. The findings indicate that the use of archaic and philosophical diction, combined with sharp irony and metaphor, effectively transforms the image of Gatotkaca from merely a symbol of physical strength into a representation of human psychological fragility. This research contributes to literary criticism by highlighting how an author’s language style can alter readers' perceptions of established myths within society's culture.

Enforced disappearance during the New Order era represents a historical reality that has left profound wounds and prolonged uncertainty for both the victims and the families left behind. This reality is powerfully represented in Laut Bercerita, a novel by Leila S. Chudori, through the use of symbolic and evocative literary language. This study aims to reveal the representation of enforced disappearance through the use of figures of speech and metaphors in the novel. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method with a stylistic approach. The data consist of narrative excerpts containing figures of speech and metaphors related to experiences of loss, suffering, memory, and resistance. Data collection was conducted through intensive reading and systematic note-taking, while data analysis involved classifying types of figures of speech and interpreting their contextual meanings. The findings indicate that metaphors of the sea, silence, darkness, and alienation play a crucial role in constructing the representation of enforced disappearance as a traumatic experience that is not only physical but also psychological and collective in nature. The use of figurative language strengthens the narrative’s expressive power in conveying criticism of state violence while simultaneously preserving the memory of humanitarian tragedies that are often marginalized. This study implies that literary works can function as reflective media and as cultural documentation of histories of violence.