The Analysis Of Main Characters In Nicholas Sparks’ Novel “The Notebook”

APPENDICES

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR

Nicholas Charles Sparks (born December 31, 1965) is an internationally published novels, with themes including

have been adapted to film, including

Nicholas Sparks was born on December 31, 1965, in His father is Patrick Michael Sparks, a (née Thoene) Sparks, a middle of three children, with an older brother Michael Earl "Micah" Sparks (1964–) and a younger sister, Danielle "Dana" Sparks (1966–2000), who died at

the age of 33. Sparks has said that she is the inspiration for the main character in

his novel

Sparks was raised and is

Catholics, and are raising their children in the Catholic faith. "I was raised Catholic, baptized, confirmed, Sunday School, went to Notre Dame, go to confession, go to church weekly," the author says. "My oldest son is an altar boy. All my children go to the Catholic school. My wife Catherine was raised Catholic. We were married in the Catholic Church. God is the most important thing in our lives. I suppose that's true of everybody's lives, whether or not they want to believe it."

His father was pursuing graduate studies, and the family moved a great deal, so by the time Sparks was 8, he had lived in Watertown, in 1984 as the In his freshman year, his team set a record for the 4 x 800 relay. Sparks majored in wife that year, Cathy Cote from

While still in school in 1985, Sparks had penned his first (never published) novel, , while home for the summer between freshman and

sophomore years at Notre Dame. He wrote another novel in 1989, also unpublished, The Royal Murders.

After college, Sparks sought work with publishers or to attend law school, but was rejected in both attempts. He then spent the next three years trying other careers, including withWokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Self-Understanding. The book was published by Feather Publishing, a after release.

In 1992, Sparks began selling transferred to

time,

The Notebook out of her agency's

to represent him. In October 1995, Park secured a $1 million advance for The

Notebook from

1996 and made the

With the success of his first novel, he moved to first publishing success, he wrote several international bestsellers. Six of his

novels have been made into films:

According to his website, he has also sold the screenplay adaptations of True Believer and At First Sight, though it is uncertain whether either film will

be made. His latest screenplay turned novel,

film produced by for

Sparks began his 16th novel, Safe Haven, on February 17, 2010, and it was published on September 14, 2010. Film producers asked Sparks on August 4 for rights to release a movie adaptation of this new novel and the deal was closed the next day. On June 17, 2011 Nicholas Sparks stated on his official website that Warner Bros. had bought the movie rights to his new book The Best of Me, which is coming out October 11, 2011. The production date for the movie has not been verified, although Sparks believes that filming of the movie will start in 2012. On August 2, 2011, Nicholas Sparks stated via his Twitter page that Safe Haven should begin production some time in October 2011.The Lucky One, starring

Sparks resides in Miles, Ryan, and Landon; and twin daughters, Lexie and Savannah. Sparks has donated a charities. He contributes to the of Notre Dame by funding

to $10 million" to start a Christian, international, college-prep Epiphany School, which emphasizes travel and life long learning.

SUMMARY OF THE NOVEL

The film stars who fall in love during the early 1940s. Their story is narrated from the present day by an elderly man played by home resident, played by

A modern-day nursing home, an elderly man named Noa year-old heiress Allie Hamilton immediately smitten. She continuously refuses his persistent advances until their well-meaning friends lure them together; they then get to know each other on a midnight walk through empty Seabrook.

Noah and Allie spend an idyllic summer together. One night, a week before Allie is to leave town, she and Noah go up to an abandoned house called Windsor Plantation. Noah tells her that he hopes to buy the house, and Allie makes him promise that the house will be white, with blue shutters, a walk-around porch, and a room that overlooks the creek so she can paint. They intend to make love for the first time, but are interrupted by Noah's friend Fin with the news that Allie's parents have the police out looking for her. When Allie returns home, her disapproving parents ban her from seeing Noah again. Allie fights with Noah outside and the two decide to break up. Allie immediately

reveals that they are going home that morning. Allie frantically tries to find Noah, but is forced to leave without saying good-bye. The Hamiltons then send Allie to New York, where she begins attending by his separation from Allie, writes her one letter a day for a year, only to get no reply as Allie's mother keeps the letters from her. Noah and Allie have no choice but to move on with their lives. Allie continues to attend school, while Noah and Fin enlist to fight in

Allie becomes a nurse for wounded soldiers. There, she meets the wealthy Lon Hammond, J is handsome, sophisticated, charming and comes from old Southern money. The two eventually become engaged, to the joy of Allie's parents, although Allie sees Noah's face when Lon asks her to marry him. When Noah returns home, he discovers his father has sold their home so that Noah can go ahead and buy the Windsor Plantation. While visiting Charleston to file some paper work, Noah witnesses Allie and Lon kissing at a restaurant, causing Noah to go a little crazy, convincing himself that if he fixes up the house, Allie will come back to him. While trying on her wedding dress in the 1940s, Allie is startled to read about Noah completing the house in the style section of a Raleigh newspaper and faints. She visits Noah in Seabrook and he invites her to dinner, during which Allie tells Noah about her engagement. Noah questions whether Allie's future husband is a good man and she reassures Noah that he is. Later in the evening, Noah invites Allie to come back tomorrow.

In the present, it is made clear that the elderly woman is Allie suffering from dementia, which has stolen her memories, and also that Noah is her husband. Allie does not recognize their grown children and grandchildren, who beg Noah to come home with them. He insists on staying with Allie.

The next day, Allie's mother appears on Noahs doorstep, telling Allie that Lon has followed her to Seabrook after Allie's father told him about Noah. Her mother takes Allie out for a drive to show her that there had been a time in her life when she could relate to Allie's present situation. On returning to Noah's, she hands her daughter the bundle of 365 letters that Noah had written to her. When alone, Noah asks Allie what she is going to do; Allie is confused and confesses that she doesn't know. Noah asks her to just stay with him, admitting it is going to be really hard, but he is willing to go through anything because he wants to be with her. Confused as ever, Allie drives off.

Allie drives to the hotel and confesses to Lon, who is angry but admits that he still loves her. He tells her that he does not want to convince his fiancée that she should be with him, but Allie tells him he does not have to, because she already knows she should be with him. The film goes back to the elderly couple, and Duke asks Allie who she chose. She soon realizes the answer herself; young Allie appears at Noah's doorstep, having left Lon at the hotel and chosen Noah. They embrace in reunion. Elderly Allie suddenly remembers her past before she and Noah/Duke joyfully spend a brief intimate moment together; after originally finding out about her illness, she had herself written their story in the notebook with the instructions for Noah to "Read this to me, and I'll come back to you." But

soon Allie relapses, losing her memories of Noah yet again. She panics, and has to be sedated by the attending physician. This proves to be too difficult for Noah to watch and he breaks down. The next morning, Noah is found unconscious in bed and he is rushed to the hospital; he later returns to the nursing home's intensive care ward. He goes to Allie's room later that night, and Allie remembers again. The next morning, a nurse finds them in bed together, having both died peacefully holding each other's hands. The last scene shows a flock of birds flying away.

REFERENCES

Booth, Wayne C. 1961. The Rhetoric of Fiction. London: University of Chicago Press.

Gill, Richard. 1985. Mastering English Literature. London: Macmillan Education Limited.

Mahsun. 2005. Metode Penelitian Bahasa. Jakarta: Raja Grafindo Persada.

Moleong, Lexy J. 1993. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.

Peck, John. 1983. How to Study a Novel. London: Macmillan Education Ltd.

Rees, R.J. 1973. English Literature. Hongkong: The Macmillan Press Limited.

Robert, Edgar V and Henry E Jacobs. 1995. Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. New Jersey: Pretice Hall, Inc.

Sparks, Nicholas. 1996. The Notebook. New York: Hachette Book Group USA. Sudiati, Vero and AloysWidyamartaya, Lic.Phil. 2005. Kiat Menulis Deskripsi

dan Narasi (Lukisan dan Cerita). Yogyakarta: PustakaWidyatama. Sumardjo, Jakob. 1999. Konteks Sosial Novel Indonesia. Bandung: Alumni. Surachman, Winarno. 1982. Pengantar Penelitian Ilmiah. Bandung: Tarsito. Suryabrata. 1984. Metode Penelitian. Jakarta: Angkasa.

Suryabrata, Sumadi. 2002. Metodologi Penelitian. Jakarta: Raja Grafindo Persada. Taylor, Richard. 1981. Understanding the Element of Literature. Hongkong: The

MacMilln Company.

Watson, George. 1978. The Discipline of English. Hongkong: The Macmillan Press Ltd

3.

THE ANALYSIS

3.1 Noah Calhoun

Noah Calhoun is the protagonist character of The Notebook. He is seventeen years old. He is a hard worker man. He lives with his father in New Bern. He likes watching the fade sun sink lower from the wrap-around porch if his plantation-style home and sit there in the evening, especially after working hard all day. He especially likes to look at the trees and their reflections in the river. North Carolina trees are beautiful in deep autumn: greens, yellows, reds, oranges, every shade in between. He always showers at the end of the day. After he has combed his hair back, puts some faded jeans and a shirt, then goes to the porch. He sits there everyday.

For the first time he sees a beautiful woman is playing with her friends in that town, he falls in love with her. Her name is Allie. She comes from another town, and spending her holiday with her family there. Day by day, they become closer and have a special relationship. They are very happy together.

Everyday he always thinks about Allie, every moment that they ever had is never forgotten. He loves her very much. Loving Allie is something special for him. He likes give surprises to her. He will do everything to make her happy. Sparks (1996:102) says,“I can remember every moment we were together, and in each of them there was something wonderful. I love you, Allie, more than you can ever imagine. I always have, and I always will.” He guided the canoe toward some trees near the bank. “Close your eyes,” he whispered, and Allie did,

bringing her hands to her face. “Okay, now you can open them.” They sat in the middle of a small lake fed by the waters of Brices Creek.

He works at a shipyard for six months before he is laid off, then moves to New Jersey because he has heard the economy is not so bad there. In December 1941, when he was twenty-six years old, the war began, just as Goldman had predicted. Noah walks into his office the following month and informs Goldman of his intent to enlist, then returns to New Bern to say good-bye to his father. He receives a letter from Goldman thanking him for his work. Sparks (1996:29) says, “I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re the finest young man who ever worked for me, even if you aren’t Jewish.”

At first he is one of twelve employees, but as the years dragged on, the company grew, and he is promoted. By 1940 he has mastered the business and is running the entire operation, brokering the deals and managing a staff of thirty. The yard has become the largest scrap metal dealer on the East Coast.

He spends his next three years with Patton’s Third Army, tramping through deserts in North Africa and forests in Europe with thirty pounds on his back, his infantry unit never far from action. He watches his friends die around him; watches as some of them are buried thousands of miles from home.

The following week he returns to New Bern and buy the house. He remembers bringing his father around later. He really loves his father. But his father seems weak as he walks around, coughing and wheezing. Less than one month later his father died of pneumonia and is buried next to his wife in the local cemetery.

3.2 Allie Hamilton

Allie is a beautiful and charming woman. She comes from a privileged family. She likes playing piano and painting. She spends a wonderful summer with Noah. Noah is struggling to get her heart. She is very happy to know him. She is younger than him. During their closeness, she is forced to leave when her parents disapprove. She does not really like her parents decision, because she does not want to part with Noah. But it can not. Finally, they are separated for many years.

For a few years, she gets a job. She works at the hospital downtown as a nurse. There, she meets Lon Hommond Jr, a lawyer. He loves her, but she never care to him and still remembers Noah. She tries to write many letters to him, but no answer. Lon has always tried to approach her with many ways, and she starts to like him and becomes engaged to him.

She loves him, and loves Noah too. But something in her makes her return to Noah to be sure she is not making a mistake and hurting anyone.

She is a permanent establishment to defend Noah to her mother. She never feels love so much to other men, as she feels to Noah. Her mother does not

Sparks (1996:140) says,“The answer was that I wanted two things. First I want you. I want us. I love you and I always have. But I also want a happy ending without hurting anyone. And I know that if I stayed, people would be hurt. Especially Lon. I wasn’t lying when I told you that I love him. He doesn’t make me feel the same way you do, but I care for him, and this wouldn’t be fair to him. I love you deeply. You are, and always have been, my dream.”

like him at all because between Allie and Noah have many diffrences. Her mother always tries to separated them. But even so, she loves Allie so much, so does Allie. Sparks (1996:136) says,”Anne whispered,”Do you love him?” “Yes, I do,” Allie answered softly, “very much.” “Do you love Lon?” “Yes, I do. I love him, too. Dearly, but in a different way. He doesn’t make me feel the way Noah does.” Allie shook her head. “No, this is up to me.” Allie nodded and watched her doughter for a moment, wondering. Finally she stood, went around the table, leaned over, and kissed her doughter on the cheek.

She gets Alzheimer disease. It makes her difficult to remember anything about her memories. She is so sad about that. She can not remember who she is, and about her memories with Noah, her husband. But deepest in her heart, she always loves him until forever. Sparks (1996:167) says,”The doctor says,”It is a barren disease, as empty and lifeless as a desert. It is a thief of hearts and souls and memories.” She really needs Noah to be beside her, accompanies her days, and keeps her. Noah is very sad to know about her disease. He always tries to make her comfortable and remember him. He is very loyal waiting for her to remind all about their memories.

3.3 Anne Nelson

She is Allie’s mother. She is charming, assertive, and rigid. She just has one child, Allie. She always protects her with everything, but Allie does not like her ways. They are always differences of opinion. Sparks (1996:135) says,”I know we’ve had our differences, Allie, and that we haven’t seen eye to eye on everything. I’m not perfect, but I did the best I could with raising you. I’m your mother and I always will be. That meansI’ll always love you.”

Allie does not want hear whatever she tells to her, esspesially about Noah. Her mother prefers to Lon than Noah. Lon has everything and his works is good. She thinks if Allie lives with Lon, then their life will be happy. She knows Noah is kind and sweet, but there is something that makes her does not like him. She does not want her only daughter living in distress, because Noah lived in mediocre family.

She wants the best thing for her. But over time, she relized that love can not be enforced, and whatever her decision, she finally agreed to her daughter and give her the freedom of choice. Sparks (1996:136) says,”I can’t make this decision for you, Allie, this one’s all yours. I want you to know, though, that I love you. and I always will. I know that doesn’t help but it’s all I can do. Allie was silent for a moment, then: “What should I do?” “I don’t know, Allie. That’s up to you. But I would think about it. Think about what you really want.” She ever felt the same thing before, so that she relizes that it is not good.

She tries to talk to Noah and tells Allie about Lon when she comes to his house. Allie stays there for a few days. She does not tell to her mother, but she

knows it. Sparks (1996:134) says,”Anne turned to Noah. “These last couple of days must have been full of surprises.” “yes” he answered simply, and she smile at him. “I know you don’t think so, but I always liked you, Noah. I just didn’t think you were right for my doughter. Can you understand that?” She turned back to her daughter. “This has nothing to do with trust. This has to do with Lon. He called the house last night to talk to me about Noah, and he’s on his way here right now. He seemed very upset. I thought you’d want to know.”

She comes to warn them that Lon is on his way to confront them both, and she finally gives Allie the letters. When she leaves, she whispers to Allie that she should follow her heart. She does it because she does not want her past as she used to. She relizes that prohibit child relationship, it is useless and not good for the life of the future.

3.4 Lon Hammond Jr

Lon is a successful lawyer. He is the fiancé Allie. He is handsome, intelligent, gentlemen, mature and responsible. He persues his job with passion, not only winning case, but also making a name of himself. He knows he will win the case because he masters the law and charms the jury. Part of it comes from being able to select the cases he has the expertise to win. He has reached that level in his practice. Sparks (1996:80) says,”But the more important part of his success came from hard work. He had always paid attention to details, especially when he’d begun his practice. Little things, obscure things, and it had become a habit now. Whether it was a matter of law or presentation, he was diligent in his study, and it had won him a few cases early in his career when he should have lost.”

The first time he meets with Allie, he is in love with her. He tells to her parents about his feeling to her, and her parents agree. Then he says that he loves her and proposes to her. She accepts him with smile and he is very happy. He hopes he can live with her together and forever.

As long as their relationship goes, Allie meets Noah again and it makes their relationship is not good anymore. Lon worries about Allie and always remembers her. He always thinks about her. He loves her, he is sure of that. Not only she is beautiful and charming, but she has become his source of stability and best friend as well. Sparks (1996:84) expresses,”And now, a little detail bothered him, not about the case. No, that was fine. It was something else. Something about Allie. She was everything he’d always needed, and he’d never find another quite like her.”

In the four years they has dated, she has become everything he ever wanted, and he knows he should spend more time with her. But practicing law makes limiting his hours impossible. She has always understood, but still, he curses himself for not making the time. Once he is married, he has shorten his hours, he promises himself. He has have his secretary check his schedule to make sure he is not overextending himself.

He is very patient with Allie. He does not know she has lied to him about his trip and Noah. He asks Allie’s mother about Allie, and she tells everything about Noah and the truth. He thinks he knows where Noah lives, New Bern. But he pales then, remembering what Allie’s mother has said. He tries to make his self happy and smile. Sparks (1996:83) expresses,”So what, he had thought when he’d heard it, and had turned to smile at Allie. But she hadn’t smile. Lon brought his palms together, as though he were praying, resting them against his lips. Then he made up his mind then not to lose her. He would do anything it took to keep her.”

4.

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

4.1 Conclusions

After having analyzed the description of main characters in this paper, character is the most important element in literature. It has a dominant part of literary work which determines the integrated of literature from beginning to the end. In literature, characters guide readers through their stories, helping them to understand plots and ponder themes.

There are four main characters in the novel The Notebook: Noah Calhoun, Allie Hamilton, Anne Nelson, and Lon Hammond Jr. The major characters are Noah Calhoun, Allie Hamilton and Lon Hammond Jr. The minor character is Anne Nelson.

The protagonists are Noah and Allie. They are very much in love, but nearly lose each other because of societal influences. They ultimately find the courage and the strength to be with each other as life soul mates. Unfortunately, nature deals them a bad hand at the end of their lives when Allie is struck down with Alzheimer’s disease. It is only Noah’s great love that draws out her own and keeps them together.

The antagonists are Anne and Lon. Anne does not think Noah is good enough for their daughter, and Lon, who neglects the woman he loves by prioritizing his career ahead of her. In the end, they have no power to keep these two soul mates apart.

The climax occurs when Noah had a stoke at eighty years old. He must read Allie’s final letter again and reminded of the promise she made when she

found out she had Alzheimer’s disease, that he would always accompany her in every moments. He tried to tell everything about their memories to her and helped her recovered.

4.2 Suggestions

At the end of this paper, the writer hopes that this paper will make the reader know more about character and plot of the novel. The writer realizes that this paper is still far away from being perfect. For that, in this paper the writer tries to use the simple words to make the readers understand it easily.

Finally, by read this paper the writer hopes that the readers are interested in read a literature’s works or even they can make a literary as good as Nicholas Spark’s work.

And the writer wants to add that this novel is very good to understand by its words and has positive messages to the reader. Such as the message from this novel is “the first time you fall in love, it changes your life forever, and no matter how hard you try, the feeling never goes away”

2.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1

A character is a person depicted in a narrative or drama. Characters may be flat, minor characters; or round and major. The main character in a story is generally known as the protagonist; the character who opposes him or her is the antagonist. Character is revealed by how a character responds to conflict, by his or her dialogue, and through descriptions. Character, particularly when enacted by an actor in the theatre or cinema. In literature, characters guide readers through their stories, helping them to understand plots and ponder themes. Since the end of the 18

Characterization

th

century, the phrase “in character” has been used to describe an effective impersonation by an actor. The first model in the study of literature is often called as Analytical. It means that the characters themselves are described by the author. In other words, the author analyzes of the characters.

Edgar (1995:51) says,”Stories, like plays, are about characters, characters who, though not real people, are drawn from life.” A character is a reasonable facsimile of a human being, with all the good and bad traits of being human. A story is usually concerned with a major problem that a character must face. The character may win, lose or tie. He or she may learn and be the better for the experience or may miss the point and be unchanged. Characters are the most analyzed elements in literature because they provide the richest critical analysis of

Characters are the most important aspects of literature. They drive the story and the plot. They also provide opportunities for authors to delve into general themes about life.

the author’s intent. In order to analyze characters in literature, it is important to read who and what these characters are and the ways they related to the overall themes in the story.

Peck (1986:105) says,”Characters in literary work are not like real life people for they have been specially created by authors. When authors create character, they select some aspect of ordinary people. Develop some of those aspect whilst playing down other and put them together as they please, the result is not an ordinary person but a fictional characters who only exist in the words of literary works.” A novel is a world specially made in words by an author. A novel exists in the way it does because an author has chosen to put it together in that particular way. This means that novels are not real life. Finally, character is the interest for the very personal that we want to see how others people live, how they persue their goals. We measure our selves by them. Through action, speech, description, and commentary, authors portray characters who are worth caring about, rooting for, and even loving, although there are also characters you may laugh at, dislike, or even hate. Whereas in life things may “just happen”, in a stories all actions, interactions, speeches, and observations are deliberate. By making such actions interesting, authors help you understand and appreciate their major characters. Characters may be ambitious or lazy, serene or anxious, aggressive or fearful, thoughtful or inconsiderate, open or secretive, confident or self-doubting, kind or cruel, quite or noisy, visionary or practical, careful or careless, impartial or biased, straightforward or underhanded, “winners” or

“losers”, and so on. With this sort of list, to which you may add at will, you can analyze and develop conclusions about character.

As with ordinary human beings, fictional characters do not necessarily understand how they may be changing or why they do the things they do. Nevertheless, their actions express their characters. Actions may also signal qualities such as naivete, weakness, deceit, a scheming personality, strong inner conflicts, or a realization or growth of some sort. What the author, speaking with the authorial voice, says about character is usually accurate, and the authorial voice can be accepted factually. For this reason, authors frequently avoid interpretations and devote their skill to arranging events and speeches so that readers may draw their own conclusions.

2.1.1 Main Character and Peripheral Character

Main character is the character that often appears in the almost each event and main character is the important and the special character, so that we feel is so dominates the story. In certain novel, the main characters always appears in almost each event and can be found in each page of the novel. When we read novel or any other literary work, we will usually deal with some character. There is character that classified as an important character and showed in the story continuously. In the case, main character has always related with other character.

Peripheral character is the character that appears once or sometimes in a novel, and may be relatively in short portion. It is called peripheral character often provide, support, and illuminate the protagonist.

2.1.2 Protagonist character and Antagonist character

A protagonist is the main

figure) of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical conflict because of the most identify. The terms protagonist and main character are variously defined and, depending on the source, may denote different concepts. In fiction, the story of the protagonist may be told from the perspective of a different character (who may also, but not necessarily, be the who relates the fate of several protagonists, perhaps as prominent figures recalled in a biographical perspective. Often, the protagonist in a person as the intrigue alone is what the audience feels toward a focal character, while a sense of empathy about the character's objectives and emotions is what the audience feels toward the protagonist.

An antagonist is a character, group of characters, represents the opposition against which the words, a person, or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters. In the classic style of story wherein the action consists of a respectively. Edgar (1995:88) says,”The controlling impulse in a connected pattern of causes and effects in conflict, which refers generally to people or circumstances that a character (often the protagonist) must face and try to overcome (often the antagonist).” Conflict brings out the extremes of human

energy, causing characters to engage in the decisions, actions, responses, and interactions that make up most stories.

The principal opponent of the protagonist is a character known as the overcome. As with protagonists, there may be more than one antagonist in a story. The antagonist may be the story's hero; for example, where the protagonist is a criminal, the antagonist could be a law enforcement agent that tries to capture him. Sometimes, a work will offer a particular character as the protagonist, only to dispose of that character unexpectedly, as a antagonists and protagonists may overlap, depending on what their ultimate objectives are considered to be.

2.1.3 Types of characters: Round and Flat

A round character is a major character in a work of fiction who encounters conflict and is changed by it. Round characters tend to be more fully developed and described than flat. The basic trait of round characters is that they recognize, change with, or adjust to circumstance. The round character usually the main figure in a story profits from experience and undergoes a change or alteration, which may be shown in (1) an action or actions, (2) the realization of new strength and therefore the affirmation of previous decisions, (3) the acceptance of a new condition, or (4) the discovery of unrecognized truths. Gill (1985:97) says,”It is important able to recognize whether a character is round or flat, but we should not confuse this with another kind of question.” Because round

they usually role in a story, round characters are often called the hero or heroin. The protagonist is central to the action, moves against an antagonist.

Flat character is a minor character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story. It remains the same because it may be stupid or insensitive or lacking in knowledge or insight. Edgar (1995:134) says,”Sometimes flat characters are prominent in certain types of literature, such as cowboy, police and detective stoies, where the focus is less on character than on performance.” Such characters might be lively and engaging, even though they do not develop or change. They must be strong, tough, and clever enough to perform recurring tasks like solving a crime, overcoming a villain, or finding a treasure. Such as characters with variations in names, ages, and sexes, have been constant in literature since the ancient Greek.

Authors use five ways to present their characters. Remember that you must use your own knowledge and experience to make judgements about the qualities of the characters being revealed. (1) Actions. What characters do is our best way to understand what they are. As with ordinary human beings, fictional characters do not necessarily understand how they may be changing or whay they do the things they do. (2) Descriptions, both personal and environmental. Appearance and environment reveal much about a character’s social and economic status, of course, but they also tell us more about character traits. (3) Dramatic statements and thoughts. Although the speeches of most characters are functional essential to keep the story moving along, they provide material from which you can draw conclusions. (4) Statements by other characters. By studying

what characters say about each other, you can enchance your understanding of the character being discussed. (5) Statements by the author speaking as storyteller or observer. What the author, speaking with the authorial voice, says about a character is usually accurate, and the authorial voice can be accepted factually.

2.2 Plot

Plot is a literary term define as the events that make up a story, particularly as they related to one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through cause and effect.

An intricate, complicated plot is called an imbroglio, but even the simplest statements of plot may include multiple inferences, as in traditional

ballads. Plot

than character. It is a beginning, a middle, and an end, and the events of the plot must causally relate to one another as being either necessary or probable. Plot also a These parts are: exposition (of the situation); rising action (through conflict);

climax (or turning point); falling action; and resolution.

The exposition introduces all of the main characters in the story. It shows how they relate to one another, what their goals and motivations are, and the kind of person they are. The audience may have questions about any of these things, which get settled, but if they do have them they are specific and well-focused questions. Most importantly, in the exposition, the audience gets to know the main character goal and what is at stake if he or she fails to attain this goal. This phase ends, and the next begins, with the introduction of conflict.

Rising action starts with the death of the characters or a conflict. Generally, in this phase the protagonist understands his or her goal and begins to work toward it. Smaller problems thwart their initial success, and in this phase their progress is directed primarily against these secondary obstacles. This phase

shows us how he or she overcomes these obstacles. Thus, at the end of this phase and at the beginning of the next they are finally in a position to go up against their primary goal. This part begins after the exposition. It consists of a beginnings of a tension or complication that continues with the development of conflict between the characters.

The point of climax is the turning point of the story, where the main character makes the single big decision that defines the outcome of their story and who they are as a person. The dramatic phase that Freytag called the 'climax' is the third of the five phases, which occupies the middle of the story, and that contains the point of climax. Thus "the climax" may refer to the point of climax or to the third phase of the drama.

Falling action in the sense that the loose ends are being tied up. However, it is often the time of greatest overall tension in the play, because it is the phase in which everything goes most wrong.

In this phase, the villain has the upper hand. It seems that evil will triumph. The protagonist has never been further from accomplishing the goal. For Freytag, this is true both in tragedies and comedies, because both of these types of play classically show good winning over evil. The question is which side the protagonist has put himself on, and this may not be immediately clear to the audience.

Resolution is a final confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist, where one or the other decisively wins. This phase is the story of that

confrontation, of what leads up to it, of why it happens the way it happens, what it means, and what its long-term consequences are.

A plot device is a means of advancing the plot in a story, often used to motivate characters, create urgency or resolve a difficulty. This can be contrasted with moving a story forward with narrative technique; that is, by making things happen because characters take action for solid, well-motivated reasons. As an example, when the cavalry shows up at the last moment and saves the day, that can be argued to be a plot device; when an adversarial character who has been struggling with himself saves the day due to a change of heart, that is dramatic technique.

The plot is based on the interactions of causes and effects as they develop sequentially or chronologically. That is, the story’s actions follow one another in time as the protagonist meets and tries to overcome the forces of opposition. One is generally interested in how well this pattern of events accomplishes some artistics or emotional effect. In a well-plotted story, things precede or follow each other not simply because time ticks away, but more importantly because effects follow causes. In a good story nothing is irrelevant or accidental; everything is related and causative. Often the protagonist’s struggle is directed against another character- an antagonist. The essence of this unity is the development and resolution of a conflict is an protagonist. Just as often, however, the struggle may occur between the protagonist and opposing groups, forces, ideas, and choices.

All of which make up a collective antagonist. The conflict may be carried out wherever human beings spend their lives, such as a kitchen, a bedroom, a

farm, or a workshop. The conflict may also take place internally, within the mind of the protagonist. Conflict is the major element of plot because apposing forces arouse curiosity, cause doubt, create tension, and produce interest. There should be uncertainty about a protagonist’s success, for unless there is doubt there is no tension, and without tension there is no interest.

1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Literature is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking, "literature" is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works. Literature refers to compotitions that tell stories, dramatize situations, express emotions, and analyze and advocate ideas. Literature helps us grow, both personally and intellectually. It provides an objective base for knowledge and understanding. In literature is known the kinds of literature as Prose fiction, Poetry, Drama and Non Fiction Prose.

Prose fiction or narrative fiction, includes myths, parables, novels or romances, and short stories. According to Wikipedia, novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century. In a literature there is a term which is known as character. Character plays a pivotal role in a drama, novel, short story and all kind narratives writing. The character guides readers through the story, helping them to understand plots and themes. In characters there are two basic types of characters, their qualities, functions, and importance for the development of the novel: flat characters and round characters. Flat characters are two-dimensional, in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work. By contrast, round characters are complex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader

In this paper, the writer will analyze about novel The Notebook who written by Nicholas Sparks who is an American author most noted for his romance novels, based on true story. The novel was later adapted into a popular romance film. The protagonists in the story are Noah and Allie. They live in a different status, it makes them separated by Allie’s mother. But it does not make Allie stop loving Noah. Their love is so strong. That is why the writer really interested to analyze this story. It teaches about a sincere love and how to fight it.

The author, Nicholas Charles Sparks can make the readers appreciate all events written in the novel. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska Dec 31, 1965. When he was 28 years of age in 1994, he wrote The Notebook over a six month period. It was published by Warner Books in October of 1996 and is currently only the third novel in recent history to spend over a year as a hardcover best seller and 7 others novel which were domestic and international best-sellers which have been translated into more than 35 languages, and 2 others which were unpublished.

1.2 Objective of the Study

Many readers will not understand the propose of the author without knowing the elements pictured on the main and major characters. Therefore, the problem of this study are the elements presented on the events done by the characters.

1.3 Scope of the Study

The writer just limits to analyze about main characters in novel The Notebook, and a brief about of plot in those novel. It is important to limit the topic in order to make the paper easily and clearly understood for the readers. The analysis is to throw ideas pictures through the characters.

1.4 Significance of the Study

By writing this paper, the writer hopes can finish the study at Diploma 3 English literature and improve the information about the main characters including the status and moral of them. By knowing this, it can improve the readers to increase the habit for reading among the young people.

1.5 The Method of Research

In writing this paper the writer uses some research methods, such as library research, field research, and experiment. The writer has three steps in writing this paper. First, the writer read the novel in several times to make her understand about the story. After having understood about it, the writer focuses to analyze the main character. Second, the writer watched the film twice to make more understood the story. The last, the writer browsed data from internet to look for the compliment sources and also to know the biography of the writer, then the writer makes conclusions about it.

ABSTRACT

The title of this paper is The Analysis of The Main Characters in Nicholas Sparks’ Novel The Notebook. In this paper, the writer will analyze about novel

The Notebook who written by Nicholas Sparks. He is an American author known for his novel filled with romance that is not fictional. The novel was later adapted into a popular romance film. The story is interesting to be analyzed because of the love story who are very strong. All the attempts of the characters to keep their deep love on each other. They show the readers that nothing can be disturb their love. Many readers will not understand the propose of the author without knowing the elements pictured on the main and major characters. Therefore, the problem of this study are the elements presented on the events done by the characters.

By writing this paper, the writer hopes that she can finish her study from Diploma 3 English Literature and improve the information about the main characters and a plot from the novel. In writing this paper, the writer uses some research methods, such as library research, field research, and experiment.

ABSTRAK

Judul kertas karya ini adalah Analisis Karakter Utama dalam Novel Nicholas Sparks The Notebook. Dalam tulisan ini, penulis akan menganalisis tentang novel The Notebook yang ditulis oleh Nicholas Sparks. Dia adalah seorang penulis Amerika yang terkenal karena novelnya yang penuh dengan keromantisan yang bukan fiktif. Novel ini kemudian diadaptasi menjadi sebuah film roman populer. Cerita ini menarik untuk dianalisis karena kisah cinta yang sangat kuat. Semua upaya karakter untuk menjaga cinta mereka yang mendalam satu sama lain. Mereka menunjukkan pembaca bahwa tidak ada yang dapat mengganggu cinta mereka. Banyak pembaca tidak akan mengerti tujuan penulis tanpa mengetahui elemen digambarkan pada karakter utama dan pendukung karakter. Oleh karena itu, masalah penelitian ini adalah elemen disajikan pada peristiwa yang dilakukan oleh karakter. Dengan menulis kertas karya ini, penulis berharap bahwa ia dapat menyelesaikan pembelajarannya dari Diploma 3 Sastra Inggris dan meningkatkan informasi tentang karakter utama dan plot dari novel. Dalam penulisan makalah ini, penulis menggunakan metode penelitian, seperti penelitian perpustakaan, penelitian lapangan, dan percobaan.

THE ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERS IN NICHOLAS

SPARKS’ NOVEL “THE NOTEBOOK”

A PAPER

BY

AGRENY MELISA SIMAMORA

REG. NO. 092202021

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH SUMATERA

FACULTY OF CULTURE STUDIES

DIPLOMA III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM

MEDAN

It has been proved by Supervisor,

NIP. 19610204 198601 2 001 Dra. Persadanta Br.Karo,M.Hum

Submitted to Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for DIPLOMA (D-III) in English

Approved by

Head of Diploma III English Study Program,

NIP. 19521126198112 1 001 Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A.

Approved by the Diploma III English Study Program Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatra as a Paper for the Diploma (D-III) Examination

Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the D-III Examination of the Diploma III English Study Program, Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera.

The examination is held on June 2012

Faculty of Culture Studies, University of North Sumatera Dean,

NIP. 19511013197603 1 001 Dr. Syahron Lubis, M.A.

Board of Examiners Signature

1. Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. (Head of ESP) 2. Dra. Persadanta Br.Karo,M.Hum (Supervisor) 3. Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A. (Reader)

AUTHOR'S DECLARATION

I, AGRENY MELISA SIMAMORA, declare that I am the sole author of this paper. Except where the reference is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material published elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from a paper by which I have qualified for or awarded another degree.

No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of this paper. This paper has not been submitted for the award of another degree in any tertiary education.

Signed : ...……….

COPYRIGHT DECLARATION

Name : AGRENY MELISA SIMAMORA

Title of Paper : The Analysis of The Main Characters in Nicholas Sparks’ Novel “The Notebook”

Qualification : D-III / Ahli Madya Study Program : English

I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction at the discretion of the Librarian of the Diploma III English Department Faculty of Culture Studies USU on the understanding that users are made aware of their obligation under law of the Republic of Indonesia.

Signed : ….………..

ABSTRACT

The title of this paper is The Analysis of The Main Characters in Nicholas Sparks’ Novel The Notebook. In this paper, the writer will analyze about novel

The Notebook who written by Nicholas Sparks. He is an American author known for his novel filled with romance that is not fictional. The novel was later adapted into a popular romance film. The story is interesting to be analyzed because of the love story who are very strong. All the attempts of the characters to keep their deep love on each other. They show the readers that nothing can be disturb their love. Many readers will not understand the propose of the author without knowing the elements pictured on the main and major characters. Therefore, the problem of this study are the elements presented on the events done by the characters.

By writing this paper, the writer hopes that she can finish her study from Diploma 3 English Literature and improve the information about the main characters and a plot from the novel. In writing this paper, the writer uses some research methods, such as library research, field research, and experiment.

ABSTRAK

Judul kertas karya ini adalah Analisis Karakter Utama dalam Novel Nicholas Sparks The Notebook. Dalam tulisan ini, penulis akan menganalisis tentang novel The Notebook yang ditulis oleh Nicholas Sparks. Dia adalah seorang penulis Amerika yang terkenal karena novelnya yang penuh dengan keromantisan yang bukan fiktif. Novel ini kemudian diadaptasi menjadi sebuah film roman populer. Cerita ini menarik untuk dianalisis karena kisah cinta yang sangat kuat. Semua upaya karakter untuk menjaga cinta mereka yang mendalam satu sama lain. Mereka menunjukkan pembaca bahwa tidak ada yang dapat mengganggu cinta mereka. Banyak pembaca tidak akan mengerti tujuan penulis tanpa mengetahui elemen digambarkan pada karakter utama dan pendukung karakter. Oleh karena itu, masalah penelitian ini adalah elemen disajikan pada peristiwa yang dilakukan oleh karakter. Dengan menulis kertas karya ini, penulis berharap bahwa ia dapat menyelesaikan pembelajarannya dari Diploma 3 Sastra Inggris dan meningkatkan informasi tentang karakter utama dan plot dari novel. Dalam penulisan makalah ini, penulis menggunakan metode penelitian, seperti penelitian perpustakaan, penelitian lapangan, dan percobaan.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, I want to express my gratitude, tribute, and honor to Jesus Christ who has blessed me with health and capability to finish this paper in order to fulfill one of the requirements to finish my study at English Diploma Study Program, University of North Sumatera.

Second, I would also to thank you so much to my beloved Dad, and Mom, because their great love and care to me, I can do all this paper well. And to my beloved brother, Suandry (Imon) who loves me and helps me whenever I need his help. And to all my families, I love you.

Third, I would also to thank the Dean of Faculty of Literature Studies,

Drs. Syahron Lubis M.A. I also thank to the supervisor, Dra. Persadanta Br.Karo,M.Hum who has guided me to finish this paper, and to the reader, Dr. Matius C.A.Sembiring, M.A who has helped me to fix this paper.

The last, thank you so much to all my best friends, Felicia (Emen), Nopita (Jang or bodyguard), and Zee (Sing) who have accompanied, helped, kind, and care to me. You guys are so important for me. I also thanks to Heri (Awan) because always ready to lend your motorcycle and accompany me to do this paper until midnight, and to Bang Tau thank you so much because you have become someone special for me. Thank you to all my Senior High School friends, and to all my Diploma III English Department friends, Class A and B, my seniors, bang Ferri, bang Io, kak Agnes, etc, and my juniors, Dhany (Any), Rahmad (Mamad), Mahyar (Mahyer), Andrian (Ian), etc.

Thank you for our time together during this moment. Hopefully we all success 

So many thanks to all the people in my life who have been willing to help and be a special person. I can not say one by one, but deep in my heart I am very greatful to you all 

Thank you…

Finally, I do realize that this paper is still far from being perfect. Therefore, I welcome any constructive critics and suggestions towards this paper.

Medan, 2012

The writer,

Reg. No. 092202021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ... i

COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ... ii

ABSTRACT ... iii

ABSTRAK ... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vii

1. INTRODUCTION ... 1

1.1 Background of the Study ... 1

1.2 Objective of the Study ... 2

1.3 Scope of the Study ... 3

1.4 Significance of the Study ... 3

1.5 The Method of Research ... 3

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 4

2.1 Characterization ... 4

2.1.1 Main Character and Peripheral Character... 6

2.1.2 Protagonist Character and Antagonist Character ... 7

2.1.3 Types of Characters: Round and Flat ... 8

2.2 Plot ... 11

3. THE ANALYSIS ... 15

3.1 Noah Calhoun ... 15

3.2 Allie Hamilton ... 17

3.3 Anne Nelson ... 19

3.4 Lon Hammond ... 21

4. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ... 23

4.1 Conclusion ... 23

4.2 Suggestion ... 25

REFERENCES ... 26

APPENDICES BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR... 27

COPYRIGHT DECLARATION

Name : AGRENY MELISA SIMAMORA

Title of Paper : The Analysis of The Main Characters in Nicholas Sparks’ Novel “The Notebook”

Qualification : D-III / Ahli Madya Study Program : English

I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction at the discretion of the Librarian of the Diploma III English Department Faculty of Culture Studies USU on the understanding that users are made aware of their obligation under law of the Republic of Indonesia.

Signed : ….………..

ABSTRACT

The title of this paper is The Analysis of The Main Characters in Nicholas Sparks’ Novel The Notebook. In this paper, the writer will analyze about novel

The Notebook who written by Nicholas Sparks. He is an American author known for his novel filled with romance that is not fictional. The novel was later adapted into a popular romance film. The story is interesting to be analyzed because of the love story who are very strong. All the attempts of the characters to keep their deep love on each other. They show the readers that nothing can be disturb their love. Many readers will not understand the propose of the author without knowing the elements pictured on the main and major characters. Therefore, the problem of this study are the elements presented on the events done by the characters.

By writing this paper, the writer hopes that she can finish her study from Diploma 3 English Literature and improve the information about the main characters and a plot from the novel. In writing this paper, the writer uses some research methods, such as library research, field research, and experiment.

ABSTRAK

Judul kertas karya ini adalah Analisis Karakter Utama dalam Novel Nicholas Sparks The Notebook. Dalam tulisan ini, penulis akan menganalisis tentang novel The Notebook yang ditulis oleh Nicholas Sparks. Dia adalah seorang penulis Amerika yang terkenal karena novelnya yang penuh dengan keromantisan yang bukan fiktif. Novel ini kemudian diadaptasi menjadi sebuah film roman populer. Cerita ini menarik untuk dianalisis karena kisah cinta yang sangat kuat. Semua upaya karakter untuk menjaga cinta mereka yang mendalam satu sama lain. Mereka menunjukkan pembaca bahwa tidak ada yang dapat mengganggu cinta mereka. Banyak pembaca tidak akan mengerti tujuan penulis tanpa mengetahui elemen digambarkan pada karakter utama dan pendukung karakter. Oleh karena itu, masalah penelitian ini adalah elemen disajikan pada peristiwa yang dilakukan oleh karakter. Dengan menulis kertas karya ini, penulis berharap bahwa ia dapat menyelesaikan pembelajarannya dari Diploma 3 Sastra Inggris dan meningkatkan informasi tentang karakter utama dan plot dari novel. Dalam penulisan makalah ini, penulis menggunakan metode penelitian, seperti penelitian perpustakaan, penelitian lapangan, dan percobaan.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, I want to express my gratitude, tribute, and honor to Jesus Christ who has blessed me with health and capability to finish this paper in order to fulfill one of the requirements to finish my study at English Diploma Study Program, University of North Sumatera.

Second, I would also to thank you so much to my beloved Dad, and Mom, because their great love and care to me, I can do all this paper well. And to my beloved brother, Suandry (Imon) who loves me and helps me whenever I need his help. And to all my families, I love you.

Third, I would also to thank the Dean of Faculty of Literature Studies, Drs. Syahron Lubis M.A. I also thank to the supervisor, Dra. Persadanta Br.Karo,M.Hum who has guided me to finish this paper, and to the reader, Dr. Matius C.A.Sembiring, M.A who has helped me to fix this paper.

The last, thank you so much to all my best friends, Felicia (Emen), Nopita (Jang or bodyguard), and Zee (Sing) who have accompanied, helped, kind, and care to me. You guys are so important for me. I also thanks to Heri (Awan) because always ready to lend your motorcycle and accompany me to do this paper until midnight, and to Bang Tau thank you so much because you have become someone special for me. Thank you to all my Senior High School friends, and to all my Diploma III English Department friends, Class A and B, my seniors,

Thank you for our time together during this moment. Hopefully we all success 

So many thanks to all the people in my life who have been willing to help and be a special person. I can not say one by one, but deep in my heart I am very greatful to you all 

Thank you…

Finally, I do realize that this paper is still far from being perfect. Therefore, I welcome any constructive critics and suggestions towards this paper.

Medan, 2012

The writer,

Reg. No. 092202021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ... i

COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ... ii

ABSTRACT ... iii

ABSTRAK ... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vii

1. INTRODUCTION ... 1

1.1 Background of the Study ... 1

1.2 Objective of the Study ... 2

1.3 Scope of the Study ... 3

1.4 Significance of the Study ... 3

1.5 The Method of Research ... 3

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 4

2.1 Characterization ... 4

2.1.1 Main Character and Peripheral Character... 6

2.1.2 Protagonist Character and Antagonist Character ... 7

2.1.3 Types of Characters: Round and Flat ... 8

2.2 Plot ... 11

3. THE ANALYSIS ... 15

3.1 Noah Calhoun ... 15

3.2 Allie Hamilton ... 17

3.3 Anne Nelson ... 19

3.4 Lon Hammond ... 21

4. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ... 23

4.1 Conclusion ... 23

4.2 Suggestion ... 25

REFERENCES ... 26

APPENDICES BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR... 27