Although this research shares several similarities with other studies, there are still various differences that make this study outstanding. This study highlights
the cause-and-effect-relationship between the overused defense mechanism and character change; it focuses on how the realization of excessive operation of
defense mechanisms which is the response towards internal conflict might transform one‟s character according to the psychoanalysis point of view.
B. Review of Related Theories
In this part, there are several theories reviewed as the underlying basis to conduct this study. There are four theories which are the necessary to be
elaborated further in this study, i.e. theory of conflict, character and characterization, defense mechanism and persona and shadow.
1. Theory of Conflict
According to X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia, a good play should present a conflict 1999: 1244. This expectation is because conflict may create and add
interest, suspense and tension to the whole plot Holman Harmon, 1986: 107. Conflict can occur when a character interacts with another character or
when one or more characters have a desire to accomplish something, but another character or something blocks their attempt Barranger, 1994: 339. Both
Kennedy and Gioia believe that the central action of the play is how those two opposing forces resolve the conflict 1999: 1244.
Like prose fiction, drama also makes use of plot which includes conflict Arp Johnson, 2009: 1023. Thus, the theory of conflict in fiction is regarded to
be relevant as well while applied in analyzing drama. Either drama or prose recognizes two kinds of conflict: internal and external conflict. Internal conflict is
a kind of conflict that happens inside the character Stanton, 1965: 16. It refers to the struggle inside the character‟s mind and heart. It means the character has to
deal with his or her own feelings and emotions Redman, 1964: 363. For that reason, internal conflict does not involve any physical struggle and usually it
cannot even be seen in any visible form. On the contrary, external conflict happens when the character opposes the
other characters or the surrounding environment Stanton, 1965: 16. While facing an external conflict, the character has to deal with the forces coming from outside,
e.g. God, the rival, the society or nature Barranger, 1994: 339. Thus, this kind of conflict may be visible, so the struggle in the conflict is depicted openly.
In his book, Elgin F. Hunt proposes the idea that conflict does not always appear in direct struggle, such as frontal war, riot or fight 1955: 31. Moreover,
the aspect that may trigger the conflict is not necessarily through hating and distrusting; conflict is possible to occur due to the limitation of differences of
opinion, judgment, perspective and the opposing arguments Hunt, 1955: 31-32.
2. Theory of Character and Characterization
