that village sees that the lottery is the only way to solve the problems. That is why the term of postmodernism is used by the writer of the thesis.
Jackson’s “
The Lottery
” is
chosen because the characters’ attitudes from the story show the idea of postmodernism itself which is really interesting to analyze.
The way people think about the lottery is extremely far from being humane. The characters’ attitudes in the lottery
are the main concern of the writer. Besides of thesis, the writer also focused on the idea of postmodernism as seen through the
characters’ attitudes toward the lottery.
B. Problem Formulation
In relation with the explanations above there are three problems to discuss. 1.
How is the plot revealed in the story? 2.
How are the characters’ attitudes toward the lottery drawing reflected from the plot?
3. What are the ideas of postmodernism as seen through the characters’
attitudes?
C. Objectives of the Study
Based on the problem formulations that have been mentioned, the objectives of study are represented as follows.
The undergraduate thesis has a purpose to show that the characters’ attitudes can reflect the idea of posmodernism. That is why it is important to make problem
formulation for answering the questions. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
The plot from the story is the first point to know. The plot must be understood to know the basic concept in order to find out each attitude from the characters
that might be the concept of postmodernism. The point of view from all the characters in the story has different ideas that
make the idea of postmodernism comes up. The attitudes from the characters can be seen from before, during, and after the lottery drawing after analyzing the plots
from the story. Based on those, the characters show their attitudes toward the tradition. It becomes the concept that creates the idea of Postmodernism.
After mapping all those things, the writer has some ideas from the characters’
attitudes that become the concept of Postmodernism’s idea. This is where the idea
of Postmodernism rises. That is how the writer of this thesis answers the questions.
D. Definition of Terms
As stated in the tittle and explored in the above explanation, the writer wants to clarify some terms used in this undergraduate thesis. The term that is used by
the writer is postmodernism. 1.
Postmodernism The term of postmodernism is defined by Kevin Hart in his book where he
explains what Lyotard said about posmodernism ‘So let us return to Lyotard. The postmodern, he argued, was an attitude of
suspicion towards the modern. Why? Because the modern always appeals to a “meta-narrative” of some kind, something that overarches all human
activities and serves to guide them: the natural primacy of human consciousness, the fair distribution of wealth in society, and the steady
march of moral progress. To be postmodern is to distrust the claim that we PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
can attain enlightenment or peace by judicious use of reason, that we can become happy or prosperous, that any of our higher goals can be achieved
if only we wait and work, work and wai t.’ He clears his throat. ‘If the
modern designates the era of emancipation and knowledge, consensus and totalities, then postmodern marks an attitude of disbelief towards the
modern Hart, 2004: 2.
It is clearly stated that Postmodernism is different from Modernism. Derrida also says
that postmodernism attacked, “the ideals of reason, clarity, truth, and progress” Barry, 2002:86 that was provided by modernism. As a basic concept,
it means that they share different idea in it. To understand this idea, the term modernism should be understood.
According to Powell “Modernism is a blanket term for an explosion of new styles and trends in the arts in the half of 20
th
century” Powell, 1998:20. Modernism is term that is related to “the Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of
Reason. Probably the main value of the age, besides reason was the idea of progress” Powell, 1998:20. The writer wants to say that modernism is a new
idea for humanity based on reason and logic. At the 18
th
century people are optimistic that by using the universal values of
science, reason, and logic,
they could get rid of all the myths and holy ideas that kept humanity from progressing. They felt this would be eventually free humanity from
misery, religion, superstition, all irrational behavior, and unfounded belief. Humanity would use thus progress to state
freedom, happiness, and progress
Powell, 1998:20-21 Postmodernism, as Lyotard puts it, believes
“that the nature of knowledge cannot survive unchanged within this context of general transformation. The status of
knowledge is altered as societies enter what is known as the postmodern age” Sarup, 1993:118.
