Although she already thinks about the matter of her business in buying the scarf, she still sticks on her side that her business is more important than the
miracle of a new life. By seeing the reaction, Rebecca can be characterized as a self-seeking. She sticks on her plan, no matter what, in order to get what she
wants.
B. Society in the Novel
According to Klarer, setting, location and social surrounding are the important point that supports the action to take place. In this novel, Confession of
a Shopaholic, location and social surrounding where Rebecca lives have influences to Rebecca’s characteristics. The term society in the novel is usually
related to the relationship of the characters inside the story. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Langland has described society as the social surrounding in the novel in some
points, such as the relationship, background, and places. In this discussion, the writer reveals the influence of the society toward
Rebecca’s disorder. By observing the social surrounding in the novel, the society will be the main point to be discussed. Society in the novel is the aspect that
supports the story to take place. It also determines the characteristic of the character in the story. In this study, the writer focus on the society that influences
the main character’s personality. Places, human relationship, and family background are the points that support the writer on analyzing the main
character’s personality.
1. Places
Someone’s lifestyle is usually determined by the place where heshe lives. Place will lead someone to be a certain kind of person that is similar toward
hisher surroundings. Social surroundings in the certain place are usually described as the lifestyle’s background of a person. In the novel, London is a
place where all of Rebecca’s story takes place. Trend-fashion in London is very famous. It is seen in the brand of the thing that London has. Almost every brand is
known by other countries. In London, Rebecca lives in the flat with her flat-mate, Suze. It is located in Fulham. The flat in Fulham is well-known as the luxury flat
in London. Suze suggested I move in with her. I’m sure the rent she charges is too low,
but I’ve never insisted I pay full the market rate, because I couldn’t afford it. As market rates go, I’m nearer Elephant and Castle than Fulham on my
salary. How can normal people afford to live in such hideous expensive places? Kinsella, 2005: 21
Rebecca and Suze live in the flat where rich people live in. Based on what Rebecca said above, the hideous expensive place itself is really expensive for
people who have good salary. Thus, the flat where Rebecca lives is surrounded by rich people who can afford to buy or rent the flat. People around them look like
as if they do not have any financial problem. They also have high-standard of life. It is also stated in the novel that certain magazine has a review about the girls who
live in the flat has a glamorous life. The glamorous life can be identified by seeing the neighborhood of the flat. However, this situation makes Rebecca feel that
glamorous is also her style. It changes her mind-set in terms of lifestyle. She tends to follow her surroundings for having glamorous life.
This situation is very different from Rebecca’s financial condition. She said that the flat is such a hideous expensive place. Financially, Rebecca does not
have enough salary to pay the rent. Then, she has to afford some money to rent the flat with Suze. Another fact about Rebecca’s flat is that the Flat in Fulham is also
known as a trendy-flat. It is described in the novel that there is something special with the people who live in the Flat. It can be the reason why those people have
high standard of lifestyle. An article said that the flat is surrounded by girls who live on trust funds. Thus, many people who live around Rebecca also have a high
quality of life. “Good weekend, Rebecca?” says Philip.
“Fine, thanks,” I say, glancing up from the brochures as though surprised to be interrupted while I’m at work.
“I was round your neck of the woods on Saturday,” he says. “The Fulham Road. Trendy Fulham.”
“Right,” I say absently. “It’s the place to be, these days, isn’t it? My wife was reading an articles
about it. Full of It-girls, all living on trust funds.” “I suppose so,” I say vaguely.
“That’s what we’ll have to call you,” he says, and gives a little guffaw. “The office It-girl.” Kinsella, 2005: 104
Philip as her boss in the office sees that Rebecca is also part of the It-girl in the Fulham road. Known as a trendy Fulham makes Rebecca become known as
the pop-girl with a hilarious life. This is called as the place that someone lives will be described as someone lifestyle’s background. The fact that Rebecca loves
shopping and buying something branded sometimes becomes the reason why she has high standard of lifestyle while financial problems follow her life. In this case,
Rebecca feels that she needs to be glamorous as the others around her.
