Obedient The Description of Chick Benetto

29 Generally, kids will prefer to do something which they like to do with their friends and they will choose the activities which may not hurt them. In contrary, Chick chooses to practice baseball although every hardball that his father throws always hurts him. Chick likes baseball just because his father loves baseball. He is also willing to play alone in the storeroom until evening only to wait for his father to ride home together Albom 21. Common children do not like to play alone. They will be happier if they have a lot of friends to play with. However, although his father is not attentive to him, Chick still always stays in his father’s side. When his father asks him to set his career to be a baseball player, Chick also really wants to make it come true. His desire to accomplish his father’s demand can be seen from this quotation below. He said I could make the major leagues one day if I had “a plan”, and if I “stuck to the plan.” And so, from the time I was seven years old, I scanned the newspaper for the box scores of my future employers. I kept a glove at my father’s liquor store in case he could steal a few minutes and throw to me in the parking lot. I even wore cleats to Sunday mass sometimes, because we left for American Legion game right after the final hymn. When they referred to the church as “God’s house”, I worried that the Lord did not appreciate my spikes digging into his floors. I tried standing on my toes once but my father whispered, “What the hell are you doing?” and I lowered myself quickly Albom 31. From the quotation, it is stated how Chick really believes in what his father says about plan. Chick also tries to work out the plan with his mind as a little kid at that time. He is always ready to practice baseball anytime and anywhere. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 30 Chick also believes in what his mother says. His mother concerns more to educational things. Since she does not have any good chances to continue her study further, she keeps on supporting Chick to have better education than she has. His mother always tells him that he is smart and being smart is a privilege. Thus, his mother asks him to read one book every week and every week Chick always goes to the library to choose one book that he likes and reads it Albom 33. Chick always believes in what his parents tell him and he always tries to fulfill what his parents want him to do.

2. Selfish

Chick is a selfish person. It can be seen from his manner. Since he was a child, Chick wants to be a professional baseball player and he tries hard to pursue his dream. He practices hard, joins baseball clubs and competitions. Chick always seeks for opportunities in which he can develop his ability and career in playing baseball. Once he plays for The Pirates to replace the backup catcher and they successfully reach the World Series although they do not win the game Albom 139. However, he does not stop playing baseball. He also keeps on looking for the opportunities. Even when his wife is pregnant, Chick takes her all over the country from minor- league city to minor- league city. They hire apartment in Portland, Jacksonville, Albuquerque, Fayetteville, and Omaha. His wife has three different doctors during her pregnancy Albom 141. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 31 At the end, his daughter, Maria, is born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island without his presence to support his wife Albom 141. This shows how Chick does not attentive enough to his wife. He is too busy with his ambition to chase his career in a baseball field. If he is not a selfish person, he should have thought about his wife’s condition. Moving from one country to other countries must be very tiring, especially for a pregnant woman who needs to have more time to rest. Chick quits baseball not long after his daughter is born. He tries to find a coaching position but he never gets it. So, he works as a salesman but he cannot work at it. Then, Chick attempts to have his own business. He wants to have a sports bar. When he talks about his plan of having sports bar to his family, actua lly his wife and his mother do not really agree with him. However, Chick really insists on having it. From the quotation below, it can be seen how Chick defends his desire. “But what do you know about running a restaurant?” my wife says. “It’s a sports bar, I say. We are sitting at our dining room table. My mother is there as well, playing peek-a-boo with little Maria. This is after I’ve quit baseball. A friend wants me to partner in a new business. “But isn’t it hard to run a bar?” Catherine says. “Aren’t there things you have to know about?” “He knows that stuff,” I say. “What do you think, Mom?” Catherine asks. My mother takes Maria’s hands and flops them up and down. “Would you have to work nights, Charley?”, she asks. “What?” “Nights. Would you have to work nights?” “I’m the investor, Mom. I’m not gonna wait tables.” PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI