Background of the Study

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

For most parents and certainly for society, the development of morality in children is a great importance. Parents always question the moral message of what their children read and watch. They give an extra attention to avoid children of having bad behavior. It’s getting more anxious when some adults and experts suppose that the now generation is having moral degradation. It pushes parents to be more alert of their children’s morality development. Parents want their children to adopt the rules of the society in which they live to avoid breaking rules or giving offence, and to behave “properly” when they’re away from home or not being observed, and not just when their parents are standing over them. 1 Because of that, parents try to guide their children to behave well by giving them understanding about right and wrong. By understanding the right and wrong, children will understand how to behave morally. Then, they will have no difficulties to socialize and have acceptable relationship with family members, friends, and larger environment where they live. It’s a base need of human to be accepted by others. Therefore, parents obviously start giving the base principle of morality to their children early. Each parent has a different way to do this. Sometimes, some parents demand their children without giving a real explanation. In fact, they often send a message by the anger. Unfortunately, to grow the moral spirit in 1 Helen Bee, The Developing Child New York : Harpen and Row Publisher, 1975, p. 298 1 today’s children, we can’t force them to do this or not to do that. They feel more comfortable with the message without doctrine. 2 Consequently, both parents and various authorities such as teachers and government have to find out a means that can entertain children and in the same time it brings the moral message. It’s such a simple but important problem. Literature can be a solution of that problem. When children discover enjoyment in books, they develop favorable attitudes toward them that usually extend and into a lifetime of appreciation. It’s because literature basically entices, motivates, and develops. 3 As a reflection of life, it represents the author’s view, belief, dreams, and hope. To apply those main functions of literature, Fauzil Adhim strictly said that the author should think hard what values or message they will deliver to the readers. 4 It pushes the authors to be responsible of their work. The qualified work certainly can transfer a good influence to the readers both adult and child. By using it as a media, parents and adult can send a message to the children with a fun way. According to Murti Bunanta, a founder of “Kelompok Pecinta Buku Anak”, through the book, adult can build good values more effectively. She is certain that children can gain the humanity, morality, empathy, working hard and artistic value from books. 5 The pleasure of enjoying a literary work makes children conveniently absorb the message about morality. 2 Ugik, Manfaat Mendongeng Untuk Anak, Sastra Anak. Accessed on Dec 20 th 2008. http:ugik.multiply.comjournalitem03manfaat_aktifits_mendongeng_untuk_anak 3 Donna E. Norton, Through the Eyes of A Child Ohio : A Bell and Howell Company, 1983, p.5 4 Fauzil Adhim, Dunia Kata Bandung : Mizan Media Utama, 2004, p. 36 5 Utami, Antara Dunia Anak dan Buku Sastra, Sastra Anak. Accessed on December 20 th 2008. http:www.infoperpus.8m.comnews200129062001.1.htm The message about good and bad is one of the functions of literature to the human life. It means that literature informs the readers about good and bad, right and wrong. 6 It works with its own unique way as people say that literature educates by entertaining. It’s good to stimulate child’s moral behavior. As a means of stimulating child’s moral behavior, there are some major categories of children’s literature that can be chosen by children themselves or by their parents. According to Nancy Anderson, the associate professor in the College of Education at the University of South Florida, there are six major categories of children’s literature. They are early children picture books, traditional literature, fiction, non-fiction, biography and autobiography, poetry and verse. 7 Literature plays a strong role in children’s development. It can give a great influence. It was proved by David McClelland’s research. He found that children’s literature can build the need for achievement that influences the spirit of entrepreneurship. It shows that children’s literature has a power to shape one’s characteristic and personality. In fact, people can change a nation by changing what they read. 8 One of mostly chosen book is fantasy that includes fantasy and realistic fiction. The writer will focus on fantasy. People sometimes misjudge the existence of fantasy for its unreal world. They assume that fantasy is less useful than books which bring today’s problems of daily living. Against them, Lloyd Alexander argues that fantasy is of the utmost value for children. He said “fantasy touches our deepest feelings and in so doing, it speaks to the best and most hopeful parts of ourselves. It can help us 6 Putri, Pengertian, Fungsi, dan Ragam Sastra, Fungsi Sastra. Accessed on April 11 th 2009. http:sastradewa.blogspot.com200803pengertian-fungsi-dan-ragam-sastra.html 7 Children’s literature, wikipedia.org. Dece 20 th 2008. http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiChildren27s_literaturecite_note-bio-0 8 Fauzil Adhim 2004, op. cit. 35 learn the most fundamental skill of all – how to be human” 9 It’s such an interesting way to help children understand the fundamental skill to be a human. One of the popular fantasies is The Chronicles Narnia which was created by C.S Lewis in 1950. It has sold over 120 million copies in 41 languages. It has been adapted several times, complete or in a part for radio, television, stage and cinema. 10 Nowadays, there are many literary works that are adapted for cinema such as The Davinci Code, Harry Potter, Twilight, and also The Chronicles Narnia. Therefore, these literary works can be enjoyed not only by the books addict but the movie lovers can also enjoy it. For that reason, the writer will analyze the script of The Chronicles Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe that was released in 2005. She will try to figure out the reward and punishment values in this story that can be good way to introduce the moral value to children. Fantasy consistently asks the universal question concerning the struggle of good versus evil, the humanity of humankind, and the meaning of life and death. 11 In this research, the good will be reflected by rewards and the bad will be reflected by punishment. The reward and punishment values are considered can stimulate children’s understanding about morality. There are some popular stories that present these values such as Cinderella and Pinochio. Cinderella is well-known classic folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression or triumphant reward. The title character is a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances which suddenly change to remarkable fortune. The word 9 Charlotte S. Huck, Children’s Literature in the Elementary School New York : Mc Graw Hill, 2004, p. 308 10 Children’s literature, History, wikipedia.org. Mei 11th 2009. 11 Charlotte S. Huck 2004, loc. cit Cinderella has, by analogy, come to mean one whose attributes are unrecognized, or one who unexpectedly achieves recognition or success after a period of obscurity and neglect. Cinderella is well known as a character who is always patient to face her step mother and sisters after her father’s death. They always behave rudely and treat Cinderella as a servant. Her patient and kindness of obscurity and neglect give her happiness. Birds and mouse befriend with her. The fairy sympathizes to her pain and sadness. She comes to help her to have a normal life as her step mother and sisters. The last, the prince is unintended fall in love with her and eventually marry her. Best friends, nice fairy, and awesome prince are considered as rewards for her patience, tears, and sincerity. Meanwhile, her step mother and sisters got nothing for their hatred. It’s a kind of punishment for their scheme and bad behavior. The second story is Pinocchio. It is a wooden puppet made by Geppeto but dreams to be a real boy. Sometimes he is naughty and tells lie. Every time he tells lie, his nose becomes longer and longer. It can be considered as a punishment. When he tries to be a good boy, and saves his father, he is rewarded by being a real boy. Those simple stories are expected to inspire children to behave well. Fantasy consistently asks the universal question concerning the struggle of good versus evil, the humanity of humankind, and the meaning of life and death. 12 In this research, the good will be reflected by rewards and the bad will be reflected by punishment. The reward and punishment values are considered can stimulate children’s understanding about morality.Commonly if people do something bad and hurt somebody else, they just get nothing from it. In fact, they can’t feel the real happiness. 12 Charlotte S. Huck 2004, loc. cit The worry of parents and adults about morality of now generation pushes them to find out a fun way to give children the understanding about right and wrong. One of alternative way is literary work. Nowadays, there are many literary works that are adopted for cinema. One of them is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The visual literature is considered can create a fun way to introduce the human and moral value to the children. It attracts the writer to analyze the script of this story and try to break down the values of reward and punishment. The rewards are the consequence of doing good and the punishments are the consequence of doing bad. These values are considered can be the way to give the understanding about base principle to behave morally.

B. Focus of the Study