Theory of Character and Characterization

B. Review of Related Theories

1. Theory of Character and Characterization

According to Abrams‘ A Glossary of Literary Terms Characters are the persons characterized in a story, who are interpreted by the reader as being gifted with specific moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities by inferences from characters‘ conversation and their distinctive ways of saying it and from what they do Abrams, 1999:32. In order to have a clear explanation in the analysis, the writer provides the details about characterization theory by M.J Murphy in his book Understanding the Unseen 1972:161-173. a. Personal description The author can describe a character‘s appearance like the face, body, or the outfits of the character. The personal description is very important because each character has specific appearance in the novel or play. b. Character as seen by another The author can describe a character through another person‘s eyes and opinions. What people in the story think about certain people will help the reader to understand more about the character. c. Speech The author can give some clues or insights to the characters through what the character says. Whenever the character is in conversation with another character and gives an opinion, the author is giving us some clues about the characteristic of the character. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI d. Past life By permitting the readers learn something about people past life, the author can give some clues to the events that will help the readers to understand the character better. e. Conversation of others The author can also give the reader some clues to a person‘s character through what other character say about the character in the story. f. Reaction The author can also give the readers some clues to a person‘s character by giving the readers the way the character react to certain situation or condition. g. Direct comment The author can give the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about, what is the pers on‘s mind and he feels reflect his character. h. Thought The author gives the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. He is able to tell the readers various thoughts that are experienced by different people. In other words, the author gives the reader a privilege to know them in most thoughts of the character in the novel. i. Mannerism The author can describe a person‘s mannerism, or habits which are may also tell us something about the character. The habits or the attitude that the persons has are also the clue in observing the character closely. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

2. Theory of Conflict