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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter is divided into four parts namely, subject matter, approaches, data collection and procedures. Subject matter deals with the physical description
of a novel. The approaches concern with literary approaches which are used to analyze the novel. Data collection deals with the sources which are used in
analyzing the study. Finally, the procedures concern the steps used in completing the study.
A. Subject Matter
The subject matter of this study is a novel entitled Alias Madame Doubtfire, written by Anne Fine. The novel is about a family problem. The novel
itself consists of 199 pages and was published by Little, Brown and Company, Inc. in 1988.
The story is about Lydia’s, Christopher’s, and Natalie’s parents who are in the midst of a divorce. Their parents divorce because the mother, Miranda, cannot
stand her husband, Daniel Hilliard, who is an unemployed actor. Miranda charges for divorce and gains temporary custody of the children. The judge gives Daniel
visitation rights only on Saturdays. As the time goes by, Miranda feels that she needs help. She needs someone to take care of the children and also the house
while she is working. She decides to put an advertisement and looks for a housekeeper on a newspaper.
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Actually the children refuse to have a housekeeper to watch and take care of them. They prefer to have their father to take care of them. Miranda disagrees
with her children’s idea. She does not want her children to have a problem, since Daniel is an irresponsible husband and father, according to Miranda. It makes
difficult for Daniel to visit his children. He tries to find an idea to get into the house. Finally he disguises himself as Madame Doubtfire.
B. Approaches
This study focuses on the influences of divorce on Lydia’s, Christopher’s, and Natalie’s behavior. I use psychological approach which involves the theory of
psychology to understand literary works Rohrberger and Woods Jr., 6-15. The reason I chose this approach because the influences of divorce on Lydia’s,
Christopher’s, and Natalie’s behavior only can be revealed by psychological theories. That is why psychological approach is the only appropriate approach in
discussing the problem in this study. By using psychological approach the analysis of the influences of divorce on Lydia’s, Christopher’s, and Natalie’s
behavior could be done effectively. This approach is used to examine the marriage life, the causes of divorce, the reactions and the influences of divorce on Lydia’s,
Christopher’s, and Natalie’s behavior.
C. Data Collection
