39 hadn’t gone to meet her. I played the second message-Geoff again.
He sounded more anxious this time. “Hi, Ed. Geoff here. Look, I know I’m probably being a bit of an
old woman but you were so definite about coming tonight and then you weren’t at the pub either… It’s probably totally innocent but-
well, just give us a call when you can, OK? Cheers.” He was worried about me 240
Geoff is not angry with Ed because he does not show up at the meeting. He phones Ed twice because he is really worried about him. He wants to make
sure that Ed is fine.
B. The Influence of Geoff on Ed’s Personality Development
The second part of this chapter will discuss how Ed’s personality develops and what the factors that influence his personality development are. The writer
applies the theory of personality development presented in chapter two in analyzing Ed’s personality development.
As mentioned in the theory of personality development proposed by Hurlock, there are some conditions that can change someone’s personality. Those
are physical changes, changes in environment, changes in significant people, changes in social pressure, changes in role, strong motivation, changes in self-
concept, and the use of psychotherapy. In the The Buddha, Geoff and Me novel, Ed’s personality is influenced by a significant person that is Geoff, his best friend.
Hurlock mentions that a person may have significant people who may influence his personality. When the significant people endure changes in their individual’s
life, and when he tries to adapt their pattern of behavior and attitude, beliefs, values and aspiration, changes in his personality pattern are inevitable 126. Ed
40 meets Geoff in a pub for the first time and they become best friends. Ed, who has
many problems, always shares his problems with Geoff and asks his advice. Meanwhile, Geoff, who likes talking about Buddhism, gives Ed some advices by
explaining the principles and the practice of Buddhism. During this time, Ed feels close with Geoff. He regards him as a person who has a satisfied and tranquil life,
the kind of life that he wants to become and it develops his personality. How Geoff influences Ed’s personality development is analyzed as follows:
1. Geoff’s Influence on Ed’s Religion
Ed is not a religious person though he grows up in a religious family. He refuses all things about religion because he does not believe in any religion. He
thinks that religion is not good. It separates people and sometimes it cannot make them live in harmony. Ed does not see religion as important and when he meets
Geoff, who is a religious person, he does not believe that Geoff wants to make a friend with him without any purpose. He is suspicious of Geoff’s intention to trap
him into a religion cult, but after some time and he gets closer to Geoff, he is sure that Geoff is a sincere friend. However, Ed still does not want to open up his mind
to religion. Geoff likes talking about Buddhism, but Ed cannot accept it as a religious teaching. He prefers to call what Geoff says as common sense. Geoff
realizes that Ed is not interested in Buddhism but it seems that he does not care about it. He continues talking about Buddhism. Ed, who needs someone to share
his problems and give him some advice, always listens to him. He wants to improve his life condition and he sees Geoff as a man with a good life. He
