61 Isolation. These following stages are the result of Dave‟s personality development
based on psychosocial theory:
1. The First Novel: A Child Called “It”
The first novel is based on Dave‟s life when he is 4 years until he is 12
years old. He has been through the first four stages.
a. Trusting Others
The first stage of Erikson‟s theory is basic trust versus basic mistrust. The domain of this stage is infancy period from birth to 18 months. Erikson as cited in
Feist 2006 states that children develop a sense of trust when care giver provides reliability, care and affection. A lack of those things will lead to mistrust. In the
first novel, Dave does not tell his life when he is a baby. As stated in the novel: In the years before I was abused, my family was the “Brady Bunch” of the
1960s. My two brothers and I were blessed with the perfect parents. Our every whim was fulfilled with love and care. My mother, Catherine
Roerva was a woman of average size and appearance. I never could remember the color of her hair or eyes, but Mom was a woman who
glowed with love for her children. Her greatest asset was her determination
A Child Called “It”, p.15 Erikson believes that this first stage is the important phase for the social
development of a baby in order to face the reality in the future. From the quotation in the novel, the researcher concludes that Dave can
develop basic trust from his mother when he i s a baby. Dave‟s mother is a great
woman who always takes care of her children. She gives affection to her children. When Dave is a baby, he can develop a sense of trust in himself and other people
around him.
62 Dave also has a trust feeling to his father. Dave‟s early years provide an
appropriate environment for the achievement of this stage. He feels that his father is a savior because whene
ver Dave‟s father at home, he feels safe. His happy memories of loving parents and the feelings of trust and safety that are achieved
by him fit appropriately with what Eriksons theory stated. Mooney 2000, supports
Erikson‟s theory by saying that basic sense of trust is necessary for children to move into the next stage and develop autonomy.
b. Autonomous Person
The second stage of Erikson‟s theory is autonomy versus shame and doubt. This stage happens in the ages of 18 months to 3. The developmental task of this
stage is to acquire a sense of autonomy without suffering extremes of shame and doubt. After children develop a sense of trust to their caregiver, they begin to find
that they have their own wish so they show their autonomy. According to Mooney 2000, children who successfully adapt during this stage of development will
acquire a strong sense of self. The autonomy of Dave is showed in the quotation: I remember the tortoise best because Mom let me pick a name for it. I
felt proud because my brothers had been chosen to name the other pets and it was my turn. I named the reptile after my favorite cartoon
character A Child Called “It”, p. 16
After children develop a sense of trust to their caregiver, they begin to find that they have their own wish. Children will show their autonomy by deciding to do
something or not willfully As a child, Dave is very happy when his mother gives him a chance to have
some pets like cats, dogs and aquariums filled with exotic fish and a gopher
63 tortoise. Dave is very proud of himself when finally he gets his turn to give a
name for his tortoise. He develops his autonomy by getting turn to give name his tortoise. According to Erikson in Money 2000, toddlers need to experience the
independence of being able to make some choices for themselves. Dave successfully develops his autonomy on making decisions to give a name for his
pets.
c. Initiative Person
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