THE OPTIMISTIC SYMBOLISMS IN ERNEST HEMINGWAY’S THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA.

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ABSTRACT

Kusuma, Adi. 2123220001. The Optimistic Symbolisms In Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea. A Thesis : English Department. Faculty of Languages and Arts. State University of Medan. 2017.

This study aims at explaining the symbols used in the novel and describing the values of optimistic reflected in the symbols used in Hemingway’s The Old man and The Sea. This research is classified as a descriptive qualitative method. The primary data source of this study is the novel The Old Man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway. The collecting data process is note-taking technique. This study is also categorized as library research. Based on the findings and discussion, the researcher draws the conclusion such follow. First, it is found that there are eight symbols used in this novel. They are classified into Individual symbol and Universal symbol. The selected symbols taken from the novel that the researcher consider individual symbol is a symbol which is originally created by authors for the moment of work so interpretating it requires greater attention to context, for their meaning come almost entirely from ontext. In the novel the Old Man and the Sea the symbols which the researcher considers as individual symbols. Individual symbols are the old man as a symbol of someone who has optimistic, Manolin as a symbol of hope, Marlin as a symbol Struggle of life, Shark as a symbol of Destruction and problem, joe Di Maggio as a symbol Strong desire, bird as a symbol of help. The second category is Universal symbol. universal symbol are Sea as symbol of universe, Lion as symbol of strength. there are two elements or values which characterize someone as the one who has optimistic life which is reflected in the symbols used in this novel. They are the values of struggle and positive thinking, Second, Those symbols reflect the values of optimistic life which is to be the theme of the novel.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, the writer would like to thanks to Allah SWT and the Prophet Muhammad SAW for the blessings during her academic year at English and Literature Department, Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS), the State University of Medan, in completing the thesis. The writer also wants to thank to the following people:

 Prof. Dr. Syawal Gultom, M.Pd, the Rector of State University of Medan.

 Dr. Isda Pramuniati, M.Hum, the Dean of Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) State University of Medan for her advice and encouragement to complete the study.

 Prof. Dr. Hj. Sumarsih, M.Pd, the Head of English and Literature Department as well as Dra. Meisuri, M.A, the Secretary of English and Literature Department for their encouragement and motivation during the writing of the Thesis. Syamsul Bahri, S.S, M.Hum the Head of English Literature Program and Academic Advisor, who had already motivated her to finish the Thesis by giving advices, supervising, giving comments and correction during completing this Thesis and also for Citra Anggia Putri, S.S, M.Hum, as her Consultant and Academic Advisor for giving advices and supervising during her academic year.

 Nora Ronita, S.Pd, S.S, M.Hum, the Head of English Education Program for their encouragement to complete the Thesis.

 Eis Sri Wahyuni, M.Pd, the administration staff of English Department, who helped her to fulfill this Thesis.

 All the Lecturers of English and Literature Department during her academic year at State University of Medan, who have taught and given knowledge to complete this Thesis.

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 My beloved parents, Suwardi and Tukiatik, who have patiently given her encouragement, financial support, their love and prayers.

 Her beloved Girlfriend, Evi Sundari, who have patiently given her encouragement, financial support, love, prayers so that made the writer spirit to finished the academic.

 His beloved friends, Feisal Muhammad, Dede Syaifudin, and Muhammad Ridho Wibowo, for the four years and still counting friendship and the support in the very sad and happy situations.

 His all her friends and classmates in English Literature A 2012 for the support and time in motivated and accompanied her during the academic year.

Medan, February 2017 The writer

Adi Kusuma 2123220001

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ABSTRACT ... i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ... ii

TABLE OF CONTENT ... iv

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ... 1

A. The Background of Study ... 1

B. The Problem of Study ... 3

C. The Objective of Study ... 4

D. The Scope of Study ... 4

E. The Significance of Study ... 4

CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ... 6

A. Theoretical Framework... 6

B. Symbol ... 6

C. Semantic ... 8

D. Semiotic ... 10

E. Novel ... 11

F. Element of Novel ... 12

1. Characterization ... 12

2. Plot ... 14

3. Setting ... 15

4. Theme ... 16

5. Point of View ... 16

G. Optimistic ... 17

H. Synopsis of The Novel ... 19

I. Relevant of Studies ... 21

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CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHOD ... 24

A. Research Design ... 24

B. The Source of Data ... 24

C. The Techniques of Collecting Data ... 24

D. The Techniques of Analyzing Data ... 25

CHAPTER IV. DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS ... 26

A. The Data ... 26

B. The Data Analysis ... 26

1. Characterization Analysis ... 26

a. Individual Symbol ... 27

1) The old man as a symbol of optimism ... 27

2) Manolin as a symbol of hope ... 30

3) Di Maggio as a symbol of strong desire ... 32

4) Bird as a symbol of help ... 34

5) Marlin as a symbol of struggle ... 35

6) Shark as a symbol of destructor ... 37

b. Universal Symbol ... 42

1) Sea as symbol of universe ... 42

2) Lion as symbol of strength ... 45

2. Optimistic Life Reflected in Selected Symbol ... 47

CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ... 50

A. Conclusion ... 50

B. Suggestion ... 51

REFERENCES ... 52

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of Study

This thesis talks about Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Old man and The Sea. This novel is American literature that is very popular and rich in symbolism

and moral values especially optimistic. This novel tells more about the struggle of the old man Santiago. He tries to survive when the marlin tows him with his skiff in the sea for days. The story shows the patience, hard work, persistence, optimistic of the old man in conguering the marlin and the sharks that come after the marlin dies, The Old Man and The Sea is one of the literary work that was written by Ernest Hemingway. He wrote a novel which is simple and yet so profound that it is perhaps one of the greatest stories ever told. He was also awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954 shortly after publication of The Old man and The Sea.

Before we get started with the discussion, it is worth talking about what literature is. According to W.H. Hudson ( 2003 : 10 ) states that literature vital record of what men have seen in life, what they have thought and felt about those aspect of it which have the most immediate and enduring interest for all of us, it deals with the life of man and his destines on earth. It express, thought feeling, emotions, and attitudes towards life, which are permanent and universal, which, in other words do not change with the change of time and place. Literature is big Result of human civilization, in this life human and literature are living side by

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side. We realize that most events in our life are reflected in literature. As one of human’s creations, literature depicts what human’s life is like. Culture and its values give form of literature. Carter ( 2006:41 ) states that a literary work expresses an author’s mind and personality and that it also tells some essential truth about human life. Literature is divided into three parts; they are poem, novel, and drama. A poem is the word are arranged in separate lines, usually with repeated rhythm. A drama is a play considered as a form of literature. A novel is a story which is written in a book which the character and event are usually imaginary.

A novel is one the literary genres. In the novel contains intrinsic elements such as, themes, characterizations, plot, setting, and the message. By reading the novel, we will find the message, and pick the good values. Novel is an interesting narration of literary work that reveals thoughts, feelings and experience of human being. An interesting novel usually uses symbol and the researcher interesting with Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea because this novel contains of essential values of human life. With its simple language style but this novel a deep meaning, so many readers either the beginners or the linguist are attracted to read and analyze this novel. This novel is full of symbols, values to rise motivation, natural aspects and human values. This Research study about the optimistic symbolisms in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea, has not been analyzed yet by the previous researchers, start from this point, the research on this novel is conducted Entitled “ The Optimistic Symbolisms in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea ”. This research is significant because

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Indonesia’s young generation nowadays is experiencing moral degradation. Many young generation are trapped in drugs, fighting, and free sex and if it isn’t soon overcome, they will be disastrous. To overcome this such kind of situation, government through education department creates a new curriculum of 2013 which points on building students will be easily to understand the values that Hemingway want to deliver. There are many moral values that can be applied to the real world especially optimistic. The values are needed very much to build a good character and these values are described in the symbols used in novel. The research objectives are to describe symbols used the novel The Old Man The Sea to analyze optimistic life which are reflected I those symbols. Optimistic life is one of the theme among other theme which the readers interpret the content of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.

B. The Problems of Study

In line with the background the problems of the study are formulated as the follows :

1. What symbols are used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea ?

2. What are the meanings of the symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea

3. How is Optimistic life reflected in symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and the Sea ?

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C. The Objectives of Study

Related to the problems the objectives are :

1. to describe symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

2. to analyze optimistic symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

3. to elaborate meaning of the symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

D. The Scope of Study

This study is only concerned with the novel entitled The Old Man and The Sea which is used as the Source of data of symbols reflecting optimistic. The discussion of the study cover :

1. The identification of symbols used in the novel The Old Man and the Sea. 2. The identification of optimistic symbols used in the novel The Old Man

and the Sea.

E. The Significances of Study

Finding of the study are expected to add theoretical and practical contribution,

Theoretically, the finding and expected to : 1. Add up horizon to theories of literature. 2. Become reference for further studies.

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Practically, the finding and expected to :

1. This literary application can help readers understand Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea and other as well.

2. This thesis may help to understand and analyzing the symbol and the meaning of each optimistic symbols that contained on Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

A. Conclusion

After analyzing the data based on the theories, it is concluded that a symbol has complex meaning; it has not only “literal” meaning, but also additional meaning beyond the literal. Sometimes the literal meaning of a symbol is absurd, so that the symbolic meaning over-rides and cancels out the literal meaning. A symbol may have more then one meaning. In fact, the most singnificant symbols do convey an indefinite range of meanings.

The novel is rich in symbolism thet enhances both the plot and the

themes. In Ernest Hemingwa’s novel The Old Man and The sea, Hemingway uses

symbolisms to potray the traits of the main characters in his stories. Hemingway uses symbols to give the reader a better look and an easir understanding of what the book is about. The use of symbolisms in his books gives deeper meaning.

In Ernest Hemigway’s masterpiece The Old Man and The Sea, he uses much symbolisms to assist the readers understanding of the massage he is trying to portray. The Old Man and The Sea isn’t just a book about an old man and the sea. There are many hidden meanings do it. Each element represents different things. The marlin, for example, represent stength, beauty and the last challenge we all go thoug. The lions in his dreams resemble youth, freedom an also strength.

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guidence in our life to be a successful men. The values of optimistic life which Hemingway wants to share is in line with the them of this novel.

B. Suggestion

Referring to the result of the analysis, there are some suggestion as follows :

1. It would be useful for the lecturers of the English Department if they use this thesis as the examples of moral values especially optimistic symbols when they are teaching about literature or other related subjects. Hopefully, students can apply moral values in their life.

2. It is for students of the English Department to make further study in analyzing symbolisms. Hopefully, it can help them when reading English novels which contain various symbols. At last, this analysis can at least be a comparison for any studies in the same field.

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REFERENCES

Aminuddin. 1995. Pengantar Apresiasi Karya Sastra Malang: Sinar Baru Algesindo.

Carter,D. 2006. Literary Theory. Published by Pocket essentials, P.O.Box 394, Harpeden, Herts, ALS 1XJ, www.pocket essential.com.

Chandler, D. 2007. The Basic Semiotic ( second Edition ). New York: Routledge.

Creswell, J. 2009. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods SAGE Publications, Inc.

Hemingway, E. 2015. The Old Man and The Sea. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Narasi. Hemingway, E. 1952. The Old Man and The Sea. New York: Scribner’s

Hudson, W.H. 2003. An Introduction To Study of English Literature ( Second Edition ). Krishan Nagar, Delhi.

Hurford, R. B, Hesley and B, Smith. 2007. Semantics Coursebook ( Second Edition ). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Keller, H. 2010. Optimism. Mark C. Orton, Irma Spehar and the Online Distributed Proof reading Team.

Kennedy, X.J. 1993. Literature : An Introduction to Fiction Drama Third edition. Boston Torono : Little, Brown snd Company.

Meisuri. 2014. English Semantic. Medan: State University Of Medan

Palmer. 1996. An Introduction To Semantic ( Second edition ). Krishan Nagar, Delhi.

Peale, N.V. 2014. Positive Thinking Rediscover the power of positive Thinking with Norman Vincent Peale. U.S.A: Guideposts.

Seligman, M.E.P. 2006. Learned Optimism How to Chage Your Mind and Your life. New York: VINTAGE BOOKS A Division of Random House.

Simorangkir, N. 2009. An Analysis of Simbolic Meaning In Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man Sea. Skripsi Sarjana. Medan: Universitas Sumatera Utara.

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Sudrajat, J. 2007. A physcological Analysis of Santiago’s Motivation to Struggle

Far Out Into The Sea As Reflected in Hemingway’s The Old Man and The

Sea. Skripsi Sarjana. Semarang: Fakultas Sastra Universitas Negeri Semarang.

Setianingsih S. 2015. Optimistic Life Reflected In The Style of Ernest

Hemingway’s The Oldman and The Sea. Surakarta: Universitas

Muhammadia Surakarta.

Sobur, A. 2006. Semiotika komunikasi. Bandung: Penerbit PT Remaja Rasdakarya.

Stanton, R. 2007. An Introduction to Fiction ( Third Edition ). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Taylor and France. 2005. Introducing Sosial semiotics. New York:Routledge. Wellek, R and A Warren. 1997. Theory of Literature. New York: Harcourt Brace

and Company.

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C. The Objectives of Study

Related to the problems the objectives are :

1. to describe symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

2. to analyze optimistic symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

3. to elaborate meaning of the symbols used in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea.

D. The Scope of Study

This study is only concerned with the novel entitled The Old Man and The Sea which is used as the Source of data of symbols reflecting optimistic. The discussion of the study cover :

1. The identification of symbols used in the novel The Old Man and the Sea. 2. The identification of optimistic symbols used in the novel The Old Man

and the Sea.

E. The Significances of Study

Finding of the study are expected to add theoretical and practical contribution,

Theoretically, the finding and expected to : 1. Add up horizon to theories of literature. 2. Become reference for further studies.

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Practically, the finding and expected to :

1. This literary application can help readers understand Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea and other as well.

2. This thesis may help to understand and analyzing the symbol and the meaning of each optimistic symbols that contained on Ernest

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50 A. Conclusion

The novel is rich in symbolism thet enhances both the plot and the

themes. In Ernest Hemingwa’s novel The Old Man and The sea, Hemingway uses

In Ernest Hemigway’s masterpiece The Old Man and The Sea, he uses

much symbolisms to assist the readers understanding of the massage he is trying to portray. The Old Man and The Sea isn’t just a book about an old man and the sea. There are many hidden meanings do it. Each element represents different things. The marlin, for example, represent stength, beauty and the last challenge we all go thoug. The lions in his dreams resemble youth, freedom an also strength.

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Considering the above findings the researcher takes a conclusion that every selected symbols taken from hemingnway’s novel The Old Man and The Sea has values of optimistic life. The values implied in this novel can be used for guidence in our life to be a successful men. The values of optimistic life which Hemingway wants to share is in line with the them of this novel.