B. Review of Related Theories
There are some theories that are used to analyze in Matthew Quick’s The Silver Linings Playbook.
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
Character is a person presented in literary works with so many different personality and background. In literary works, character is very important, it can help
the readers to understand the story.
“Characters are the person presented on a dramatic or narrative, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral, dispositional, and
emotional qualities that are expressed in the dialogue and the action” Abrams, 1981: 20.
Miligan states that the major characters are those who appear more often in the story than the other characters, while secondary characters are those who appear less
often in the story 1983: 195. “Not all characters play an important role. At least one character appears to be the center of the story”Miligan, 1983: 155.
Therefore both of the theories of character and characterization are needed and important to make the literary works more interesting.
The quotations above show that there are so many characters in literary works such as play or novel with different interesting personality but there is always one
character which is very important to be the center of the literary works.
M. J. Murphy 1972:161-173 suggests nine techniques to make the character understandable and come alive they areas follow:
First is personal description. Personal description means that the author tries to describe the character through his physical appearances. The author can describe a
person’s appearance and clothes and such as his-skin color, his hair or his face.
Second is character as seen by another. In this way, the author tries to describe the character through the eyes and opinions of the others. Their comments and opinions
about the characters can help the readers to understand the character.
Third is speech. The author can give the reader insight into the character of one of the person in the book through what the character says. Whenever a person is
speaking, he is giving the readers to come to clue to his character.
Fourth is past life. The author can give the readers a clue that has helped to shape a person’s character by learning about a person’s past life. This can be done by direct
comment by the author, through the person’s thought, through the conversation or through the medium of another person.
Fifth is conversation of others. In the way, the writer gives the readers clues to a person’s character through conversation and things they say about him.
Sixth is reaction. The readers will know a person’s character by seeing how he reacts to various situation or events.
Seventh is direct comment. It used by the author to describe or give comments directly on a person’s character.
Eighth is thought. The author gives the readers direct knowledge of what person is thinking about. In this respect, he is able to do what we cannot do in the real life.
He can tell the reader what different people are thinking. In the novel, we accept this. The reader then is in privileged position; he has as it were, a secret listening device
plugged in the most thoughts of a person in a novel.
The last is mannerism. The author may describe a person’s mannerism or habits that may also tell the reader something about his character.
2. Theory of Conflict
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