The representation of sweets in comic strips of Indonesian children’s magazine Bobo

Abstract

While receiving considerable scholarly attention, food’s portrayal in children’s literature remains largely studied within Western contexts, leaving Southeast Asian perspectives, notably Indonesian literature, underexplored. This research centers on sweets’ significance in Indonesian children’s literature, particularly within the comic strips of children’s magazine Bobo, employing qualitative content and semiotic analyses. Focusing on the 2021–2023 weekly editions, this study aims to discern sweets’ types, frequencies, and roles, connecting these representations to Indonesia’s colonial past. By applying Bourdieu’s cultural production theory and Barthes’ food symbolism theory, this research unveils the intersection between cultural practices, social structures, and food choices. The study’s methodology examines visual and textual elements in these comic strips, interpreting the symbolic meanings conveyed through the depiction of sweets. Key findings show the relationship between food choices, cultural capital, and societal perceptions of status and sophistication. This research contributes to a deeper comprehension of how food in children’s literature reflects cultural dynamics, emphasizing the cultural symbolism of sweets and their enduring impact, especially within the Indonesian context.