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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter is concerned with theories related to the topic of this study. There are three major parts of references in this chapter. The first part is the review of
previous studies. The second part deals with theoretical studies of sociology of literature, autobiography, intrinsic e
lements of autobiography, Richard Wright‘s biography, American dream, term of individualism. The last part focuses on the
framework of study.
2.1 Review of the Previous Studies
A previous study related to the Spirit of individualism is conducted by Aji Prasetyo Putranto in his writing in The Pursuit of American Dream in the Main
Character of Dreiser’s Sister Carrie. The American dream depicted the novel Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. Under the perspective of American studies, this
research conducts the interdisciplinary theories. The theories being used are from the American studies theory from Tremaine McDowell and the literary theory
from M.H. Abrams. This research focuses on the analysis of the American dream that the main character, Carrie, achieves in her phases of life. This research shows
that Carrie does so many efforts and sacrifices in order to achieve the American dream.
10 The other study was conducting by Jeremy Reed in 2009 entitled The
American Dream and The Margins in Twentieth Century Fiction. Reed maintains that the components of American Dream in those novels are maintaining wealth
The Great Gatsby, establishing a happy family On the Road and, in case of imigrants, assimilation or becoming like other American The Joy Luck Club.
However, Reeds emphasizes that those components of American Dream is not only become the goals in the novel, but also the problems. He points out that the
novels he examined feature characters who achieved what they believe to be the American Dream wealth, a stable job, a good home, and undeferentiated
citizenship but those characters experiences thoses achievements as a lack of selfhood, energy and legitimacy. Thus this novels also create figures who have the
ability to re-create themselves and fulfill the demands of energy and innovation imposed by a progressive American Dream. All in all, Reeds concludes, that
American Dream is revealed to be less of a description of reality and more of structured belief. In narrative, such as novel, it provides the stable value that
supplies the necessary countour to personal and national identity and as a source of energy associated with self re-creation.
From the explanation of the previous studies above, the previous studies about American Dream above were discussed about American Dream in general
and analyzed the American Dream. Differing from the previous studies; I discuss American Dream specifically in spirit of individualism. This study is entitled
Spirit of Individualism as Reflected in Richard Wright’s Black Boy. Therefore, I
11 am interested in discussing this topic because it gives a big motivation how to
struggle in life and make the dreams come true.
2.2 Review of Theoretical Studies
