32 Veronika’s beauty can also be seen through other’s opinion about her. When
Mari is having a conversation with Eduard about Veronika’s motives in committing suicide, Mari mentions that Veronika is a young, pretty, and healthy
person p.150. Furthermore, Veronika’s physical appearance is stated in the novel although
not in detail. This can be seen from Eduard’s first impression about Veronika. Eduard sees that Veronika has green eyes and brown hair p. 148.
Through Veronika’s thought and others’ opinion and thoughts about Veronika, we can conclude that Veronika is a young woman with green eyes and
brown hair who is pretty, and attractive.
4.1.2. After Living in the Mental Asylum
Veronika is sentenced to live in a mental asylum. Unexpectedly, her personality improves in the mental asylum. Veronika becomes a mature and brave
woman. 4.1.2.1.
Mature
Veronika is a mature woman. The time when veronica is committing suicide, she is twenty four years old. This can be seen in Dr. Igor’s statements
when he is talking to Veronika’s mother. Dr. Igor states that Twenty four is considered as the age when someone is achieving maturity. Thus, Veronika is able
to make her own decisions and choices p. 78. Besides being described as a twenty four years old woman, Veronika’s
maturity can also be seen later on in the story after she realizes her true motive of committing suicide. She is able to accept her persona and chose to open herself
33 more. Veronika makes a confession to a nurse that works in the mental asylum
about her true motives and feelings. “When I took the pills, I wanted to kill someone I hated. I didn’t know that
other Veronikas existed inside me, Veronikas that I could love. What makes a person hate themselves? Cowardice, perhaps. Or the eternal fear of being
wrong, of not doing what others expect. A few moments ago I was happy, I forgot I was under sentence of death; then, when I remembered the situation
I’m in, I felt frightened.” p. 66.
Veronika’s conversation with the nurse makes Veronika feels fear. Veronika is about to become unable to control the fear, but she motivates herself based on
her belief that she is mature enough to make the best choice for herself. Through Dr. Igor’s perception of Veronika, Veronika’s conversation with
the nurse, and Veronika’s thought, we can say that she is a mature woman. Veronika is already twenty four years old. Thus, she is mature enough to make a
decision for herself. Veronika is able to accept her old way of being, her persona, and Veronika is willing to move on. Veronika can control her feelings well.
4.1.2.2. Brave
Veronika becomes a brave woman as she lives in the mental asylum. Because all the member of the fraternity insults her, Veronika feels shame, rage,
and a desire to murder all of the members of the fraternity. Veronika allows herself to follow her feelings and desire. Veronika’s knowledge of the freedom in
the mental asylum makes her accepts her desire. Veronika slaps the oldest man of the fraternity pp. 42-45.
Veronika’s bravery can also be seen when she decides to escape the mental asylum with Eduard. Veronika is not afraid of the outside world, but is willing to
