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