understood by even those who know nothing about the international cultures and the myths regarding the Holy Grail, and at the same time presents a critical
statement regarding each of the cultures involved. The scenario in this novel brings a story of global proportions that makes the conspiracy theories around the
secret societies and religious groups seem perfectly believable to the readers. Mystery thrillers are weaved around clumsily-made-characters. This usually
creates defects in the storyline. However, W. R. Greer sees the Da Vinci Code as one novel that successfully brings about a beautiful storyline with effective use of
characters http:www.reviewsofbooks.comda_vinci_codereview. In the next review, Spinning a Thriller from the Louvre by Janet Maslin of
the New York Times issued on March 17, 2003, The Da Vinci Code is analyzed from the point of the story telling. Dan Brown, says her, has fine tuned the story to
blockbuster perfection. She even compares the story telling prowess of the novel to the Harry Potter series, and praises it for it for its ability to take readers through
a breathless chase and leading them through flawlessly crafted plot twists. The novel makes models of the mysterious Leonardo Da Vinci, whose whole life is
riddled with symbols and secrets, and the late Saunière of the 19
th
century, and takes the readers into a thrilling ride in solving the mysteries of the Knights
Templar and The Priory of Zion. It then draws reader to controversies around the Opus Dei of the Vatican and the Gnostics and taps into the core of worldwide
religious conspiracy theory. When the characters draw shocking conclusions, the readers too are surprised. Turns after turns of twists finally bring the main
characters to the close of all the mysteries and the answer of all the questions that 7
were raised, and finally, readers can rest knowing they have participated in a thrilling
and thought-provoking
adventure http:www.danbrown.comnovelsdavinci_codenytimes.html.
However, this study is trying to analyze something new and different from other related studies. This study is focused on the issue of religious fanaticism in
The Da Vinci Code; therefore this study gives a new contribution to literary
review.
B. Review of Related Theories
In this chapter, the writer will describe some theories that will be used as the background in doing a research. The theories are Theory on Character and
Characterization, Review on Religious Fanaticism, Divine Command Theory, Review on Christian Morality, which includes Several Catholic Approach to
Morality and a Contemporary Catholic or Christian Ethic, Review on philosophy, and last is the Relation between Philosophy and Literature.
1. Theory on Character and Characterization
Character is one of the intrinsic elements of literary work. According to Robert Stanton in An Introduction to Fiction, character is usually used to mark the
individual in the story and to show the combination of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that shape the said individual. A character also has reasons
behind its behavior, called motivation. Stanton emphasizes that “the character’s own dialogue and behavior” is “a manifestation of character” 1965: 18. E. M.
8 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Forster in Aspects of the Novel mentions that the character in the story is real when the author knows everything about it. He can tell all of the facts and he can
hide some of them 1974: 44. E.M. Foster in his book Aspects of the Novel introduces new way to
differentiate a character, and those are flat and round characters. Flat characters are characters that are created around a single idea and quality and they are
presented without many characteristics details. Whereas, round characters are usually presented with subtle characteristics and this kind of characters are more
like people in real life 1974: 57. In A Handbook to Literature, Holman and Harmon state that
characterization is the creation of imaginary persons in fictions drama, novel, short story, or narrative poem, in order that they exist for the reader as lifelike.
They define three methods of characterization: firstly, by the explicit presentation from the author of the character through direct exposition; secondly, by the
presentation of the character in action; and thirdly, by the representation from within a character 1986: 81.
There are several ways to make the characters understandable to the readers as mention in Murphy’s Understanding Unseen 1972: 161-173:
a. By personal description: the author describes a person’s appearance and clothes to build the character.
b. By presenting the characters as seen by another character: the author describes his character through another character’s eyes and opinions, instead of directly
describing the character. 9
