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There are some theories that are used by the writer in conducting the study. These theories give the writer valuable information which is very helpful in
analyzing the novel. The theories used are theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of character development.
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
M.H Abrams defines character as the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral
and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and by what they do- the action 1981: 20-21.
Another definition of character is given by Roberts and Jacobs in their book Fiction: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. They define that a character is
an extended verbal representation of human being, the inner self that determines thoughts, speech, and behavior 1989: 143.
Based on theories of character above, the writer defines that character is a person in a dramatic or narrative work, which is the representative of human
being. They can be described as a smart and fine young man or clumsy and reckless teenager. It depends on how authors characterize the characters in their
work. According to Henkle in Reading the Novel, there are two kinds of characters
based on the importance: “major” and “minor” characters 1977: 86. Major character is the center of the story. It has an important role in the story. It can be
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identified through the complexity of their characterization, the attention given certain figures, and the personal intensity that a character seems to transmit. The
reader will pay more attention to major character rather than minor character. In the other hand, minor character has less important point in the story than major
character. Although the role of minor character is not as significant as major character, minor character has a role as a supporter in the development of major
charter. Abrams stated in A Glossary of Literary Terms 4
th
edition, there are two types of characters: flat and round characters.
Flat character is built around “a single idea or quality” and is presented without much individualizing detail and can be described in a single phrase or sentence.
While a round character is complex in temperament and motivation and is represented with subtle particularity; thus he is as difficult to describe with any
adequacy as a person in real life, and like most people, he is capable of surprising us.
From the quotation above, flat character may have the same static characteristic from beginning to end of a work. Flat character is usually the minor
character, although not all the minor characters are flat. Round character is relatively fully developed by the author. Round character is considered as
dynamic as they possess many individual and unpredictable human traits. Round character is usually the major character because it has complex characteristics and
play central role to the plot. Characterization is the creation of imaginary persons so that they exist for the
readers as a lifelike Holman and Harmon, 1985: 81. There are three fundamental way characterizations in fiction according to Holman and Harmon
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a. The explicit presentation by the author of the character to direct exposition, either in introductory block or more over piecemeal throughout the work,
illustrated by the action. b. The presentation of the character in action with little or no explicit comment
by the author, in the expectation that the reader will be able to deduce the attribute of the actor from the actions.
c. The presentation from within character, without comment on the character by the author, of the impact of actions and emotions on the character’s inner self,
with the expectation that the reader will come to clear understanding of the attributes of the character. 1985: 81
In addition, there are some ways in which an author can make hisher character understandable to read and come alive for hisher reader. According to
Murphy in Understanding Unseens: An Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students there are nine ways of how an author
describes the character’s personalities and traits to the reader. They are as follows: a. Personal Description
The author can describe a person’s appearance and clothes. b. Character as Seen by Another
Instead of describing a character directly the author can describe him through the eyes and opinion of another.
c. Speech The author can give us an insight into the character of one of the persons in
the book through what that person says. Whenever a person speaks, whenever PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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he is in conversation with another, whenever he puts forward an opinion, he is giving us some clue to his character.
d. Past Life By letting the reader learn something about a person’s past life the author can
give us a clue to events that have helped to shape a perso n’s character.
e. Conversation of Others The author can also give us clues to a person’s character through the
conversation of other people and the things they say about him. f.
Reactions The author can also give us a clue to a person’s character by letting us know
how that person reacts to various situations and events. g. Direct Comment
The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly. h. Thoughts
The author can give us direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. He can tell us what different people are thinking.
i. Mannerism
The author can describe a person’s mannerisms, habits, or idiosyncrasies which may also tell us something about his character Murphy, 1972: 161-
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