Review of Related Studies
It is impossible to separate character from characterization. Ordinarily, characterization is the process by which the author creates a character. It is the
process in which the author reveals the traits of a character. Hugh Holman and William Harmon in A Handbook to Literature 1986: 81 clarified that there are three
basic methods of characterization as quoted below. a.
The explicit presentation of a character by the author through direct explanation, whether in a block‟s introductory or throughout the work
which is illustrated by action b.
The presentation of the character in action, therefore the reader will be able to conclude the attributes of character from actions
c. The presentation from within a character, without comment on character
by the author, of the impact of actions and emotions on character‟s inner self, with the expectation that the reader will come to clear understanding
of attributes of the character.
Furthermore, the theory on characterization explains how the characteristics of the characters are described. According to M. J. Murphy in his book entitled
Understanding Unseens: An Introduction to English Poetry English Novel for Overseas Students
1972: 161-173, there are nine ways for an author can apply to present the characterization of character in literary works to make the character
understandable to the reader. a.
Personal Description The author describes character‟s appearance in details such as skin colour, body
shape, the clothes used by the character. b.
Character as Seen by the Author
The author uses another character‟s point of view to describe the character. What people in the story think about a certain character can be significant for reader to
picture the image of the character. c.
Speech The author can give insight into the character in literary work through what the
character says. Whenever a character speaks in conversation, we can see his personality from the opinion that he gives.
d. Past life
The past events of a character can help the reader to understand what shape the character to behave in such way.
e. Conversation of Others
The readers should pay attention through the conversation of other characters and the things they say about the character. The author gives clue to understand a
character‟s personality from other‟s conversation and their opinion about him. f.
Reactions The author helps the reader to recognize a person‟s character by the reaction he
gives toward the various situation and events. g.
Direct Comments The author gives direct comment on person‟s character.
h. Thoughts
The author can give the reader a direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about.
i. Mannerism
The author can convey something about a person by describing his mannerism or habits.
By analyzing how the character described by other people, observing the description about the past life, the reader may also understand the personalities given
by the author. There can be more than one method used by the author and it is intended to make the reader think that it is the author creation of real people.
Thus, a character‟s characteristics can be studied from the features shared by the character or actions that are found in the story directly or indirectly, in
coordination with other elements in the story.