Definition of Terms INTRODUCTION

While Nurhestianto’s study involves three intrinsic elements, the researcher’s study involves only two intrinsic elements. Those two intrinsic elements are characters and setting, and excludes plot which Nurhestianto takes up in study because this study intends to reveal the theme through analysis the connection between characters and setting as Roberts and Jacobs’ statement in Fiction: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. In addition to the previously mentioned related studies. The researcher also finds J.C. Bailey’s study relevant to this study. J.C. Bailey does analysis on Phoenix Jackson as the name of the character reveals her characteristics in relation to an Egyptian mythological creature, the Phoenix. He explains the mythological creature and then compares the character of “A Worn Path”, Phoenix Jackson, with the mythological creature, phoenix. Similarities are found between the two, for instance the physical appearance of the two. The mythological creature has scarlet and gold as their dominant colors, while Phoenix is described to be wearing a red rag on her head and her face has golden yet illumined yellowish color. Phoenix’s appearance is yet another aspect of her likeness to the phoenix. At the beginning of the story, Phoenix is described as having a “golden color [running] underneath [her skin], and the two knobs of her cheeks were illuminated by a yellow burning under the dark” Welty, par. 2. Welty further describes Phoenix’s hair as being tied back in a red rag” Welty, par. 2. These images cannot be taken to be a mere coincident as the phoenix form the ancient Egyptian legend is described as having a beautiful read and gold plumage Bailey, 2015. J.C. Bailey’s study compares the whole story of “A Worn Path” with the Egyptian mythological creature, phoenix and its legend. Considering the similarity between phoenix’s legend and the story, he makes an analogy from Phoenix’s journey to a nearby city and phoenix’s journey to Heliopolis. That is what he concluded in his study. Everything about Phoenix is indicative of the legend of the phoenix. Phoenix’s appearance, behavior, and the symbolism apparent throughout the story all point to the legend of the phoenix… Her repeated journeys reflect the “lifetimes” she has spent going back and forth from her home to Natchez – “Heliopolis” – with one goal in mind: to help someone who can’t help themselves Bailey, 2015 Bailey compares “A Worn Path” and phoenix, the Egyptian mythological creature’s legend and finds that they are similar. Therefore his study also implies that phoenix’s legend inspires Welty to write “A Worn Path”. In finding the theme, this undergraduate study takes up a different path from Bailey’s study, as it will not regard the legend as part of the discussion. It will only regard Phoenix Jackson as a character who plays an important role in the story.

B. Review of Related Theories

In order to answer the problem formulation, this undergraduate thesis uses some theories to analyze the concerned elements.

1. Theory of Character

In this theory of character, the researcher would like to use Abrams who state in his book A Glossary of Literary Terms. He defines character as a person that is presented in a dramatic or narrative work. The reader interprets them as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities. They are expressed in the dialogue and the action 1993: 193. He adds the that characters in fiction are to be categorized into two types; a. Major character This is the three-dimensional or more common word as round character. They reveal the bad and the good traits. They have goals, ambitions and values that change as the result of what happen to them. b. Minor character This is the two-dimensional or commonly called flat characters. They have only one or two significant traits. They are usually all good or all bad. 1993: 24

2. Theory of Characterization

In Understanding Unseen, Murphy defines nine ways of make easier to understand the character 1972: 161-173. There are: a. Personal description It is the author’s description of a person’s appearance and clothes. The author describes the character in details; the face, skin, eyes, and the castaway’s extraordinary clothing, for example white man wears a knightly cloth b. Character as seen by others The author tries to describe a character through the eyes and opinion of other characters. Through the other’s eyes and opinion, the readers may get a reflected image. The author succeeds in conveying to us through his choice of words and phrases; for example, another woman is seen through a man’s eyes. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI