provided in the library and internet. The primary source is the novel entitles Empress Orchid by Anchee Min. The secondary sources are some important
books such as An Introduction to Fiction by Robert Stanton, Reading and Writing about Literature by Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods, Psycology:
Understanding Human Behavior by Aaron Q. Sartain, Psychology and Life by Gerric Zimbardo and Understanding Unseen by Murphy. The others are some
of the writing from the internet. Moreover, there were several steps needed to do the research. The first
was choosing the literary work to be analyzed. It was a novel by Anchee Min entitled Empress Orchid. Next, reading the novel as the primary data in order to
understanding the study. The second step was formulated the problem formulations which can be analyzed. Third, the writer chose the appropriate
theory to analyze the literary work. They are the theory of character and characterization and the theory of motive. The next step, the writer chose the
appropriate approach of the study. The psychological approach by Rohrberger was the suitable approach to analyze and answer the problem formulations. The fifth
step, the writer analyze and answer the problem formulation. The first problem formulation was describing Orchid’s characterization and the second problem
formulation was the motive of the main character to become a concubine through Maslow’s theory of motive cited by Gerric Zimbardo. The last step was drew
the conclusion. It is presented the result of the analysis and the summary of the formulated problems.
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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter is divided into two parts based on the two formulated problems. The first part is the analysis of the characteristics of the main character.
The second is the analysis of the main character’s motives. The writer applies the theories that already discussed in chapter two.
A. The Characteristics of Orchid
As Robert Stanton said about major character that dominated the whole story, Orchid is the major character in the novel. In every chapter in the novel tells
about Orchid’s life since she was child until she becomes the Empress. Orchid was a daughter of governor of Wuhu. She was born and raised in Anhwei, the
poorest province in China. Actually she lived in a not well-off family, but they did not live in poverty. Her father was died in her young age and her mother had to
work hard to fulfill the family needs especially food. From her childhood, she fell in love with the woman warrior, Hua Mulan, although she never dreamed to be a
warrior when she grown up. As Murphy mentioned that appearance and others opinion can show the
characteristics of the character through the personal description. Physically, Orchid was described as pretty girl. The beauty of Orchid can be seen in the
conversation of Taotai to Orchid when she was on the journey to bring her father coffin to his birth place.
A moment later he turned to me. I expected him to speak but he didn’t. “You are not Chinese, are you?” he finally asked. His eyes were on my
unbound feet. “No, sir,” I replied. “I am Manchu.”
“How old are you? Fifteen?” “Seventeen.”
He nodded. His eyes continued to travel up and down, examining me.
“The road is filled with bandits,” he said. “A pretty girl like you should not be walking.” p.11
From the statement, it could be seen that the beauty of Orchid was mesmerized the people around even her appearance looked like a beggar. Her beauty makes her
pass the selection to be the candidates of consort. When she worked for Big Sister Fann, she discouraged Orchid when Orchid wanted to join the decree but it did not
stop her. The next morning she went to the local courthouse and the guard said that Orchid was qualified to be the candidates.
I went up to the man and got down on my knees. I stated my name and age. I said that my father was from Yehonala clan and was the late taotai
of Wuhu. “No, sir,” I replied.
“I am not allowed to let anyone enter the palace looking like a beggar.” “Well, may I have your permission to ask whether I am qualified for the
entrance? If I can get a yes from you, sir, I shall find a way to prepare my appearance.”
“Do you think I’d bother to waste my breath if I didn’t find you qualified?” p.24
The statement of the guard implied that the beauty of Orchid was qualified. Unfortunately, she does not have proper clothes to enter the palace. Then she tells
Big Sister Fann that she passed the entrance exam and she just admitted her beauty after study Orchid’s features. From then, Big Sister Fann helps her and
transforms her into a princess. To explore more about characteristics of Orchid, the theory of
characterization by Murphy is needed. There are nine ways of characterization but
