Zafira’s Conflicts in Hafsah Faizal’s We Hunt the Flame Through a New Criticism Approach

Abstract

This study examines the character Zafira in the novel We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal using the New Criticism approach, which focuses on analyzing the internal conflicts and external conflicts experienced by the main character. The purpose of this study is to reveal how Zafira’s struggles reflect her inner battles as well as the environmental pressures that become sources of conflict for her. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method with a close reading of the text. The analysis focuses on intrinsic elements such as conflict, characterization, and theme without considering external factors such as the author’s background or historical context. Through this method, the study seeks to identify textual evidence that shows how Zafira confronts her own fears and the social restrictions placed on women in Arawiya. The findings show that Zafira’s internal conflicts between fear and courage is closely related to her external conflict against social norms. The interaction of these two conflicts creates a unified meaning that highlights the theme of perseverance and the search for self-identity in the novel.