57 The third intrapersonal conflict is considered as a double approach-
avoidance conflict situation. It happens when Kai has to choose to be an American or remain a Chinese. Both choices have their own attractive and unattractive
aspects. Therefore to end this conflict, Kai makes a decision to be an American as a way to fix his identity in the place he lives.
Despite experiencing intrapersonal conflicts, Kai Ting faces interpersonal conflicts when he deals with other characters. He experiences conflicts that happen
between his stepmother and Big Willie and the Basher. In the process of dealing with all interpersonal conflicts, Kai applies a win-lose solution. One of the parties
gets what heshe wants. The conflicts that happen between Kai and his stepmother are solved by using a win-lose solution in which Kai accepts what his mother wants
him to be. He accepts to speak in English even though he cannot speak it well. The second conflict deals with the way of life. Edna forces Kai to go outside to make
friends as a normal child who is playing outside. D ue to Kai’s condition, he does
not want to make friends. Whenever he goes outside, he gets bullied. To end this conflict with Edna, he tries to negotiate it but his negotiation is rejected. As a result,
he accepts to go outside except during school and dinner. Similarly, to end this conflict he uses a win-lose solution.
The other conflicts happen between him and Big Willie, the leader of the street fighters. He hits Kai several times and Kai does not hit him back. As portrayed
in his characteristics, he is coward and used to crying whenever Willie gives his fists to him. At the end of the conflict with Big Willie, Kai is able to defeat Willie.
He learns boxing until he is successful to acquire the ability to defeat Big Willie.
58 To end up the conflict he uses a win-lose solution. He offers Big Willie to stop
bullying him and the other kids, and not be a superiority anymore. Having been defeated, Big Willie accepts his request. The last conflict happened between Kai
and his stepmother is about adjustment to Western manner. Edna teaches him about the table manner of eating but it is opposite to Chinese table manner. To end this
conflict Kai obeys what Edna teaches to him. This manner of interpersonal conflict is regarded as a win-lose in which Edna gets what she wants and Kai loses what he
used to do in Chinese table manner.
B. Implications
Teaching using a novel is appropriate for second language learners. An English
novel can improve students’ English language mastery as it presents some vocabularies, phrases, and sentences. As a result, students can learn English by
reading a novel. Since learning a language cannot be separated from learning the culture, this novel is a good resource to learn about English as well as the culture.
Lee’s China Boy is one from many kinds of novels which carries cultural matters. Through this novel students can learn both the language and the cultural aspects.
Students or second language learners can gather some benefits from the presented cultural differences. Students can learn English regarding the cultural differences
between China and America. There are many cultural differences that are presented in this novel. The
experiences that the major character experiences can give brief examples of how to deal with different cultural backgrounds. Therefore, when students or second
59 language learners take in the same position, they can handle individually the
symptom of culture shock. Thus, the novel can be a good resource in designing material for teaching.
C. Suggestions
Lee’s China Boy consists of several aspects to be analyzed. This study employs the psychology and the socio-cultural approach. The researcher suggests
future researchers who are interested in analyzing this novel to employ another approach such as a biographical approach because this novel presents the
author’s true story. Future researchers can also focus on children psychology in term of
personality development regarding the major character’s masculinity.
The researcher concerns with the characteristics in dealing with responses of culture shock experience. Therefore, future researchers can also analyze the
major character’ characteristics and relate it to the personality development after and before taking Y.M.C.A. Since Kai makes several characteristics changes till he
reaches his masculinity, future researchers can analyze the relation between abuses conflicts experienced by the main character to his personality development.
The researcher suggests English instructors and ELESP lectures should implement
Less’ China Boy to teach cross cultural understanding. Since language is regarded as a part of culture. It means when students learn English language, they
cannot learn it separately from the culture. In certain occasion, the differences between two cultures may create misunderstanding. Therefore, it is important for
60 students to learn cross cultural understanding and this novel can be best suit to be
implemented. Lee’s China Boy represents several different values, beliefs, interests and
ways of life. Lecturers can use several chapters to teach students about culture shock experience. Lecturers can distribute a handout and ask students to read it. While
reading, students can identify the culture shock condition on the chapter discussed. Lecturers can ask students to work as a group and discuss about culture shock,
examples of culture shock, and how to overcome it. In the end, lecturers can conclude the lesson.
