conflicts, it turns out that she overuses the defense mechanism. These excessive defense
mechanisms play an essential role in transforming Alma‟s character at the end of the play.
The fact that Alma‟s reaction towards her conflicts is regarded as the action of defense mechanisms strengthens the idea that this play is undoubtedly an
object worthy of discussion and study. Moreover, fulfilling the nature of good literature, Summer and Smoke perfectly portrays the actual issue of human life
because it was written based on human experience. This idea is strongly supported by the statement of Ben Brantley in his critique,
“But every character is drawn with sympathy and awareness of William‟s vision of human existence...”
Brantley, 2006. Despite the fact that this play was written in the middle of the twentieth century, the issue discussed in the play is still relevant up until now.
These qualities make this play the right choice to be analyzed in the current study.
B. Problem Formulation
To accomplish the goal of this study, there are three questions in the problem formulation that need to be analyzed. Those questions are:
1. What are the internal conflicts Alma Winemiller faces?
2. How do Alma Winemiller‟s defense mechanisms respond to the
internal conflicts and become excessive? 3.
How does the realization of her excessive defense mechanisms contribute to change
Alma Winemiller‟s character?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study aims to analyze how the defense mechanism can change Alma Winemiller‟s character. To be able to attain the goal of this study, the writer
formulated three questions, which are stated above in the problem formulation. The first question aims to find the internal conflicts Alma faces. After the internal
conflicts are found, the next question inquires about how Alma Winemiller‟s
defense mechanisms react to her internal conflicts and how they develop to be excessive. Finally, the last question is formulated to examine the contribution of
the realization of excessive defense mechanisms in changing Alma‟s character.
D. Definition of Terms
In order to prevent misinterpretation of particular terms, it is essential to understand about three major terms that will be frequently used in this study. The
first term is character. As Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature states,
character has numerous definitions. Among them, there are two definitions used in this research. Firstly, character is defined
as “personality as represented or realized in fiction or drama” Kuiper, 1995: 229. In this context, character shares
the similar meaning with quality and personality. Secondly, character also means “one of the persons of a drama or novel” Kuiper, 1995: 229. The second
meaning of character stands for the specific figure involved either in a drama or novel.
Another fundamental term in this research that should be understood well is defense mechanism. In her book, Karen Huffmann defines defense mechanism
as “a strategy the ego unconsciously uses to reduce anxiety and resolve conflict by distorting our perceptions of reality” 2000: 478. According to Saul McLeod,
defense mechanisms aim to get rid of unpleasant feelings i.e. anxiety or make good things feel better McLeod, 2008. In psychoanalytic theory, it is a common
psychological phenomenon that everyone experiences in their life. Lastly, internal conflict is also an important term mentioned in the title of
this study. According to Redman, internal conflict refers to the struggle inside the character‟s mind and heart 1964: 363. In other words, the character should deal
with his or her feelings and emotions. Furthermore, internal conflict concerns about
“the character‟s self doubt and dilemma” in his or her struggle to achieve their goals Strathy, 2008.
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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE
