reactivity to affect-and mood-eliciting stimuli. Seeing from the age, the task of self- control begins early but extends well into the twenties.
2.3. Criticism
As a work of literature, this novel is surely evoking some criticisms. The aspects and topics of the novel cover wide discussions for the critics. The critics that
focus on literary aspects of the novel discuss its plot, characterization, language or theme. While the critics that focus on topics of the novel discuss emotion, romance,
social class structure, and many others.
The first criticism comes from Margaret Atwood as stated in the front page of the novel.
From its startling first scene to the final, provocative paragraph, this highly original view of the Jekyll and Hyde story is a feat of narrative engineering,
spare and atmospheric, the story is a dark, absorbing symphony. Mary Reilly is an unforgettable character. Martin’s striking imagination grows more
powerful with each of her accomplished novels.
By her statement, she notes that this novel is a psychological portrait of an
unusual and sympathetic woman. Seeing from the paragraph, it is a provocative paragraph which can be seen from the beginning to the end of the story. Through the
character of Mary, the story raises in a mysterious, dark and absorbing fiction. This critic relates to the topic of this study that talks about the description of Mary’s
character. Another criticism comes from Dr. Laurie Leach. This criticism talks about
Mary Reilly’s emotional appeal in the novel. This criticism is very helpful since it is related to the topic of my analysis that is the description of Mary’s emotional
maturity. The critic gives some points of view about Mary’s emotional appealing. Firstly, it is unbelievable to know how a father has a heart to abuse his daughter.
Seeing this reality, the critic is concerned with how later on Mary can pass her adulthood by struggling to control her emotions. Secondly, the critic sees that this
whole novel makes a grateful thinking that the ways of society have changed and for better. It is based on how Mary as becomes a servant, she has an enough freedom to
build relationship and to share her feelings with her master. The last comment from the critic deals with Mary’s personal emotions in being painful to accept the reality
of being abused, having trauma that remains to feel anxiety in her adulthood until at last she has to loose her mother. Still, according to the critic, this novel encourages
us to live our life better day by day, to be meaningful for our self and for the people surround. http: www. amazon.comexesobidostgcmmember-glance, accessed on
December 13, 2005.
2.4. Theoretical Framework
