things in this world. It is showed by an opinion of Dr. Jane Greer, an author of How Could You Do This to Me? Learning to Trust After Betrayal
. She comments that:
Poignant and powerfully moving, Tuesdays with Morrie captures the essence and spirit of a truly gifted teacher and his unwavering belief that
the most important lesson in life is connecting to one another through compassion and love. Mitch Albom gives his cherished mentor the
greatest gift of passing it on to us all 1997: II.
Those comments, opinions, or statements cause the writer to become certain that the character of Morrie Schwartz in Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with
Morrie has different characteristics. The writer is interested in analyzing Morrie
Schwartz’s characteristics because of those comments. Many people say that Morrie Schwartz is different from other people in facing and seeing this life.
Those are some reasons why the writer is interested with the character of Morrie Schwartz and also the characteristics of Morrie Schwartz.
B. Problem Formulation
The problems that will be discussed in this study are: 1.
What are the characteristics of the main character, Morrie Schwartz, presented in Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie?
2. How does the main character, Morrie Schwartz, reveal his self-actualization?
C. Objectives of the Study
The aim of this undergraduate thesis is to emphasize the study of self- actualization of the main character. There are two objectives of this study. Firstly,
what the characteristics of the main character, Morrie Schwartz, are presented in Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. Secondly, how the main character, Morrie
Schwartz, reveals his self-actualization.
D. Definitions of Terms
In order to avoid confusion and misunderstanding, the writer presents the key terms that are going to be used in this undergraduate thesis.
1. Self-actualization
Abraham Maslow in Duane Schultz’s Growth Psychology: Models of the Health Personality
states that self-actualization can be defined as the supreme development and the use of all our abilities, the fulfillment of all our qualities and
capacities. We must become what we have the potential to become. Even though the lower-order needs are satisfied-we feel secure physically and emotionally,
have a sense of belonging and love and feel ourselves to be worthy individuals-we will feel frustrated, restless, and discontent if we fail to attempt to satisfy the need
for self-actualization. If that happens, we will not be at peace with ourselves and cannot be described as psychologically health 1977: 64.
2. Character Abrams in A Glossary of Literary Terms defines character as “a person
presented in a dramatic work, who are interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say-
dialogue and by what they do-the action” 1981: 20. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3. Characterization
According to Holman and Harmon 1986: 81 in A Handbook to Literature
, characterization is the creation of revealing imaginary persons so that they exist for the readers as life like.
4. Characteristics of Character
According to Allport as quoted by Larver and Scheier in Perspective on Personality
, the characteristics of a character are related with his or her behavior, thoughts, and feelings 1996:5.
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Review of Related Studies
Tuesdays with Morrie is based on a true story from an old dying man’s
life, Morrie Schwartz, with a young man, Mitch Albom, who talks about his life as the greatest lesson. This biographical novel is not merely about a story of a
dying man’s last words which are said in common way but it is deeper about a man whose spirit is endless. It is about a man who understands this life
thoroughly. It is emphasized by Stephanie Bowen, a book explorer of creative world writing at UCLA and CNN’s staff, in her article entitled “Tuesdays with
Morrie” in CNN on May edition, 1998. She says that: Tuesdays with Morrie
is more than just a dying man’s last words. It is an inspirational recount of a man’s life-a man whose passion for the human
spirit has continued to live long after his last breath http:edition.cnn.combooksreview980506index.html accessed on 20
September 2006. Bowen also comments on Morrie’s view about his experiences with death.
She states: Morrie speaks to every person because he is every person. He has led a
simple yet meaningful life that inspires you to live yours to the fullest. Perhaps his story is more powerful because you’re not only taking in his
wisdom, but you are experiencing his death. In his words, he is fortunate enough to know he is dying, to take stock of his life as it comes to an end.
He handles this with bravery and compassion, and when the final moment comes you feel as though you’ve lost a dear friend
http:edition.cnn.combooksreview980506index.html accessed on 20 September 2006.
7 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
