Read a Story #2: Cerpen "Rumah" Karya Kuntowijoyo

Summary

In the short story 'Rumah' by Kuntowijoyo, the narrator recounts their experience of renting a house in a rural area, drawn in by its affordable rent and spacious yard. However, they soon discover the house's eerie history, linked to a suicide and rumors of supernatural activity. As the story unfolds, the family navigates a mix of modern life and superstition, witnessing various tenants come and go, each influenced by the house's dark past. The narrative explores themes of belief, community, and the clash between tradition and progress.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator describes moving into a spacious and affordable house in a village located on the outskirts of the city, offering many conveniences such as a large yard and nearby amenities.
• 😀 The house, however, has an unsettling history, with rumors about a suicide that occurred in the neighboring house, which causes some initial discomfort for the narrator's wife.
• 😀 Despite efforts to cleanse the house spiritually, the family's experience continues to be shaped by local superstitions, such as concerns about the child’s health and the influence of the empty neighboring house.
• 😀 The house initially seemed like a great deal, but its reputation, coupled with its eerie history, led the family to question whether they were deceived by the intermediary who rented the house to them.
• 😀 The narrator shares the perception that some people find the house 'cheap' because of its grim backstory, yet it remains strategically placed in a developing area near educational institutions and other services.
• 😀 The family’s initial sense of bravery about living near an abandoned house eventually evolves into anxiety, especially when their child starts showing signs of illness, which is linked to the house's energy or superstition.
• 😀 After the illness scare, the family decides to take action by seeking herbal remedies, influenced by traditional beliefs that link physical health to spiritual or environmental factors.
• 😀 Over time, the abandoned house is renovated, and a family opens a small restaurant there. Despite the house's troubled past, it begins to show signs of life again, and the local community slowly accepts the change.
• 😀 As the village undergoes development with new infrastructure and businesses, the house's history is overshadowed by the rapid transformation of the area, which includes the opening of new shops and restaurants.
• 😀 Despite attempts to modernize the house and make it functional for business use, the house's previous reputation as a place haunted by tragedy still lingers, affecting its success.
• 😀 In the end, the narrator’s family relocates because of rising rent prices, marking a full cycle of change for both the family and the house. The area continues to develop, but the haunted reputation of the house is never fully erased.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the story?

The story is set in a village located on the outskirts of a city. The narrator and his family rent a house there, which is surrounded by a wide yard and various fruit trees. The house is initially empty, with a reputation tied to its past history.

What are some of the features of the house the family moves into?

The house is described as spacious, affordable, and strategically located near campuses. It has a large yard with melinjo trees, mango trees, and other plants, and is equipped with basic utilities such as electricity, water, and space for recreation like badminton or volleyball.

Why did the narrator and his wife choose to rent the house?

They decided to rent the house because it was cheap, offered good facilities, and was within their budget. They were able to pay three years' rent upfront, which they could afford due to savings from the narrator's study assignments and his wife's work abroad.

What strange occurrence does the wife notice after moving in?

The wife notices a nearby empty house that appears to be abandoned. It is described as roofless, unkempt, and overgrown with vegetation. Rumors about the house's tragic past, including a suicide, lead the wife to believe that they might have been tricked into renting a house with a sinister history.

What was the house's past history according to the narrator?

The house was rumored to have been the site of a suicide. The former owner had attempted to expel a ghost or spirit from the house, but the exorcism failed. The house was eventually abandoned, and the roof, doors, and windows were removed as part of an attempt to ward off spirits.

How does the family react to the eerie atmosphere around the empty house?

The narrator tries to remain skeptical and dismisses the rumors, while his wife becomes increasingly concerned. They both hear about the disturbing past but continue to live in their rented house, despite the strange atmosphere.

What happens to the empty house later in the story?

The house is eventually renovated, and a family moves in. Despite the house's flaws, it is transformed into a functioning home with basic improvements like a new roof, doors, and windows. The family sets up a small restaurant, which attracts some local business.

How do the neighbors react to the house being rented and renovated?

The neighbors are initially surprised, especially when a Padang restaurant is set up in the house. However, as the family settles in and the business runs, some of the locals begin to accept the changes, though there are still comments about the house's haunted past.

What is the significance of the rituals performed by the workers who come to the village?

The workers who come to help with the road construction are part of a cultural practice that includes reciting dhikr (praise), reading the Quran, and performing religious ceremonies. This ritualistic behavior contrasts with the modernization occurring in the area and offers the narrator a sense of nostalgia.

What ultimately happens to the house after the workers leave?

After the road construction work is completed, the workers leave, and the house remains empty again. The renovations and previous changes to the house do not prevent it from returning to its abandoned state. The house continues to change hands and be used for various purposes, but it never fully shakes off its history.