Background of the Study

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

In this chapter I would like to provide the background information of the study. This chapter includes background of the study, problem formulation, objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition of the terms.

A. Background of the Study

Literature with its development already has produced a large number of literary works. There are so many kinds of literary works, such as poems, short stories, and longer stories which are usually called novels. The development of literature cannot be separated from the development of social life. Social life gives great contribution to the development of literature. That is why most of the literary works are affected by the social life. One of the literary works which is affected by social life is Novel. In the nineteenth century, in some countries where the famous authors could be found, like in America, England, France, and others, the popular themes of most novels at that time were about royal families. The themes were influenced by the social background at that time, which mostly still dominated or had some inheritance of the life of royal families. The history of England became one of the most popular themes in the literary works because the writers were aware of the wealth of the history of England. England and its history had inspired some writers to write their literary works. They used the theme because they were interested in criticizing the social 1 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 2 life at that time. The stories were about the kings, the princes and the knights who lived in the palace, and also the life of the common people itself. In the 16 th Century, the English Nobles lived in luxurious surroundings, had great authority, different from the life of the common people who did not have the luxury and authority. Therefore, the stories were about the life of the royal families and the life of the common people. Mostly the writers criticized the life of the royal families or the nobles’ life, because at that time the nobles often did the wrong things and lived inappropriately Carter 61. The nobles used their authority to fulfil their ambition to have a bigger territory and authority. They used all possible ways to achieve their goals, for example by oppressing the poor, slandering the rivals, and others. Therefore, it is reasonable that there were so many writers who were encouraged to criticize the nobles’ life. Earl of Warwick John Dudley is one of the nobles who lived in the reign of Edward VI. This nobleman represented the actual behavior of the nobles in the real life. Warwick attempted to increase his position by persuading Edward VI to create him as Duke of Northumberland. He also slandered Duke of Somerset to get higher position as Lord Protector of the Realm and Governor of the Kings Person. Duke of Somerset, Edward’s uncle, was in that position Black 119. One of the writers who was interested in the life in England and inspired by the life in England in the age of kings is Mark Twain. Mark Twain used the theme to criticize the social life, especially on the nobles’ life in the sixteenth century. One of his novels, entitled The Prince and the Pauper 1882, tells the life of English people both the royal families’ life and the common people’s life. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 3 The Prince and the Pauper is one of Twain’s most strong thematic novels. Thematically, Mark Twain was particularly interested in contrasting the life of the rich with the life of the poor, the life of the nobility with the life of the lower classes. The title of the novel “The Prince and the Pauper” itself shows a strong contrasting background of the two major characters, Edward Tudor and Tom Canty. The first chapter of the novel describes the births of the Prince and the Pauper: …, Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, who lay lapped in silks and satins, unconscious of this fuss, not knowing that great lords and ladies were tending him and watching over him-and not caring either. But there was no talk about the other baby, Tom Canty, lapped in his poor rags, except among the family of the paupers whom he had just come to trouble with his presence 2. Tom Canty and Prince Edward Tudor are the main characters who are used by Mark Twain to criticize the English nobles. Edward Tudor is a prince, whose life has been extremely guarded and luxurious, while Tom Canty is a pauper, who comes from the lowest ranks of society and whose life has been very hard. The setting of this novel is in England in the 16 th century, in the reign of King Henry VIII. At that time, there was a big gap of the life of the nobles and the common people. In this novel, Mark Twain really wants to show the gap between the two major characters. Mark Twain presents the story of the prince and the pauper alternately. For example after he tells the story of the prince in a chapter or more then in the next chapter he switches to the story of the pauper and then back to the story of the prince again and so on. He describes how hard the condition of England in the novel where the nobles are also taking a part in that hard condition with their role. Through The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain wants to deliver PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 4 his criticism on the nobles’ life that causes a hard condition in England through the characters of Tom Canty and Edward Tudor.

B. Problem Formulation