experiences. She observes many girls and women as her role models. There are positives and negatives role models in this novel that contributes to Esperanza’s
characterization and encourages her to respond the male domination in her community. This thesis is development of those review and criticism above. This
thesis is different because the writer will analyze the feminism value that is reflected through Esperanza’s response toward male domination in her
community. Since the writer raises the feminism value as the theme, this thesis will be viewed through feminism point of view. Hopefully, this thesis will help
the reader to understand this novel better.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
Character in literary works is one of intrinsic elements which are significant. It can be in form of human being, animal, etc. According to M. H.
Abrams in A Glossary of Literary Terms, characters are “the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed
with moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say and by what they do” 1985: 23. He also stated another point of view about
characters. There are two kinds of characters as quoted in the following. A flat character is built around “a single idea or quality” and is presented
without much individualizing detail, and therefore can be fairly adequately described in a single phrase or sentence. A round character is complex in
temperament and motivation and is represented with subtle particularly; such a character therefore is as difficult to describe with any adequacy as a
person in real life, and like real person, is capable of surprising us 1985: 24.
From the quotation above, a flat character is defined as a character which is presented generally without much individualizing detail. The emphasis is not in
the individual depth and details but in the general characterization of the character. So, it is possible to be described in a one sentence even a phrase. On the
contrary, round character is defined as a character which is more complex than flat character. The complexity is in term of motivation, and temperament. Round
character is able to surprise the reader because its complexities. It is a character which is not stable.
Murphy in Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Student stated nine ways how the author presents
the character in literary works as quoted below: a
Personal description. The author can describe the character’s appearance and clothes 1972:161.
b Characters as seen by another. The author can describe the character
through the eyes and opinions of other characters, so that the reader will get the reflected image 1972: 162.
c Speech. The author can give us an insight into the characters in the book
through what the character says. It can be seen wherever he speaks, having conversation or giving opinion 1972: 164.
d Past life. The author gives clue that helps to shape a person’s character by
letting the reader knowing the past life of the character. It can be done by direct comment from the author, through the person’s thoughts, through
his conversation or through the medium of another person 1972: 166.
e Conversation of others. The author gives the reader clues to a person’s
characters through the conversation of other people and the things they say about the character 1972: 167.
f Reactions. The author gives the reader clue to a person’s character by
knowing how the character reacts to various situations and events 1972: 168.
g Direct comment. The author can describe or comment on the character
directly 1972: 170. h
Thoughts. The author can give the reader direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. In this respect the character is able to do what we
cannot do in real life. The character can tell us what different people are thinking. In the novel the readers accept this 1972: 171.
i Mannerism. The author describes a person’s mannerism, habits or
idiosyncrasies which may also tell us something about the character 1972: 173.
Holman Harmon in their book A Handbook to Literature stated that characterization is the creation of the imagery persons who exist for the readers as
lifelike. Both character and characterization are related each other. There are three basic method of characterization in fiction:
1. The explicit presentation of the character by the author through direct
explanation whether in a book’s introduction or throughout the work, illustrated by action.
2. The presentation of the character in action; therefore the reader will be
able to conclude the attributes of the character from its actions. 3.
The presentation from within a character – without comment on the character by the author – of the impact of actions and emotions on the
character’s inner self, with the expectation that the readers will come to the clear understanding of the attributes of the character 1986: 81.
2. Theory of Patriarchy and Theory of Violence
