The support or help from adults for child characters might be in various forms. Adults could help children do little part of their task, make the problems little
bit simpler, conduct discussions, and give children reminders. Based on the data found from three Blyton’s novels being studied, The Six Bad Boys, The Naughtiest
Girl Again, and Naughty Amelia Jane, there are three classifications of adult roles: as reminders, partners in discussions, and supporters.
a. As reminders
The role of adults in the stories could be in the form of giving reminders to child characters. These reminders appear because the younger characters forget or do
not understand yet about what they can do. Below is the datum from The Six Bad Boys.
“Lock the back door when you go, and take the key,” his mother said.
“I’ve left the things in the larder for your tea. And here are your sandwiches ready for lunch. If you like to be useful when you get home, light the sitting-
room fire for me” Blyton, 2012:97 It shows that Bob’s mother tries to remind her son to do several actions
before he leaves home, such as to lock the door and bring the key. She reminds him in case her son might forget what he should do before he leaves home. In The
Naughtiest Girl Again, there are also adult characters playing a role as reminders for child characters. One of them is when
Mam’zelle, the teacher, reminds Kathleen about her homework.
“Ah I did say something then” cried Mam’zelle. “Truly, you think I did say
something? Ah, my Kathleen, that is so, so kind of you Perhaps if you think a little harder you will remember that I did give you some home-
work to do
—though, of course, that is no reason why you should do it.” Blyton, 1993:49
The dialogue above happens when Kathleen strongly claims that she does not have homework to do. Mam’zelle tries to remind her that the homework has been
given in the previous meeting. She asks Kathleen to remember little harder about the announcement of the given homework.
b. As partners in discussions
Discussions are important to help child characters in facing their problems. The discussions will open wider choices and thoughts for these characters. Therefore,
they will think deeper and consider more alternatives for their solution. Adult characters in this activity might give children questions to clarify the problems faced
by these children. In The Six Bad Boys, there are some nagging actions in the family, especially
Bob’s and Tom’s. Bob who lives with his mother only often gets involved in a debate with his mother. When his mother finds Bo making a mess, she talks to him to
discuss a little bit and clarify things. As soon as they were in the sitting-room she turned to him.
“Bob Did you leave all that mess about?” she demanded.
“What mess?” asked Bob. “You know quite well what I mean” she cried. “The broken cups and
plates —the—”
“Oh that,” said Bob, as if it was all nothing. “Yes, I did that. I just had to. I might do it again, if I get that feeling.”
His mother stared at him
. “Bob You seem so strange—talking like that about the awful thing you did.
Think what I felt when I came in with my fri
end and saw all that.” Blyton, 2012:116-117
The datum shows a discussion between Bob and his mother, Mrs. Kent. She is surprised the first time she sees mess in the kitchen because there are broken plates
and cups scattered about. She asks Bob to clarify the problem she found in the kitchen. However, Bob answers it as if it was not a kind of problem. To clarify the
problems aims to show children that there is a problem. The discussion in The Naughtiest Girl Again happens between Elizabeth, its
main character, and her mother. Elizabeth feels blissful because the new school term will be started very soon. Her mother gives response toward it.
Her mother looked at Elizabeth and laughed. “Elizabeth,” she said, “do you remember what a fuss you made about going away to school for the first
time last term? Do you remember how you said you would be so naughty
and disobedient that you would soon be sent back home again? I’m glad to see you happy this term
—looking forward to going back.” Blyton, 1993:5 This disc
ussion happens when Elizabeth and her mother prepare Elizabeth’s properties for school. The datum above shows that her mother opens a discussion
related to Elizabeth’s high spirit in welcoming the new term. She opens it by reminding her daughter about a serious case last term that made Elizabeth sent back
home. She tries to clarify to her daughter about her behavior last term and what she expects to behave in the new term.
In another occasion Elizabeth lost her books when she is in a class. It makes her teacher, Miss Ranger, feels uncomfortable. Therefore, she asks Elizabeth about
what is going on with her.
“Elizabeth How much longer are you going to have your head in your desk?” asked Miss Ranger.
“I can’t find my book,” said Elizabeth.
“Well, you had it yesterday,” said Miss Ranger. “Did you take it out of the classroom?”
“No, Miss Ranger,” said Elizabeth. “I hadn’t any arithmetic home-work to do. I just put the book back when I’d finished with it yesterday morning. But
it really isn’t here.”
“Take some squared paper from the shelf in the cupboard,” said Miss Ranger. Blyton, 1993: 65-66
The conversation above shows Miss Ranger’s effort to discuss with Elizabeth about her lost book. Although Miss Ranger dislikes this situation, she still
tries to confirm the problem with Elizabeth. She asks her to clarify the problem. It makes Miss Ranger come into a decision to forgive Elizabeth. She asks her to tear a
piece of paper so the class can be begun without any more delay.
c. As supporters
