4.1.3 Ambitious
The narrator is ambitious. This can be seen through the eyes and opinions of another. According to Murphy, analyzing a character through others’ eyes and
opinion is known as character as seen by another Murphy 162. The writer applies this technique in analyzing the narrator’s character related to his success
as a writer. The narrator’s friend, a publisher, says it directly when they talk about favor bank one day in a café.
“That does not matter in the least. Let me give you an example: I know that you’re an up-and-coming writer and that, one day, you’ll be very
influential. I know this because, like you, I too was once ambitious, independent, honest. I no longer have the energy I once had, but I want to
help you because I can’t or don’t want to grind to a halt just yet.” 29.
The narrator wants to be a writer from the beginning. The path to become a successful writer is not as easy as he thought before. To realize his dream, he
has to work in some companies. He works in a hardware store as a delivery man, in a newspaper office, and long before becoming a writer, he works as a song
writer. When his first book is not as popular as he wished, this makes him a little bit afraid to write another book. Although many people know him more as a song
writer, it does not diminish his dream to be a successful writer. He keeps trying to be a writer. He wants to do anything in order to make his dream come true. He has
a strong will to become a writer. This shows that he is ambitious. This can be seen from the narrator’s thought Murphy 171.
When people ask me what to do, I say I’m a writer. When they say they only knew my song lyrics, I say that’s just a part of my work. When they
apologize and say they’ve never read any of my books, I explain that I’m working on a project – which is a lie 17.
He still has a strong will to be a writer though for a time he finds it difficult to write. Realizing his condition, his wife, Esther, buys him a ticket to
Spain. She knows he can do it. He just needs to be forced to do it. Buying him a ticket is her way to encourage her husband, so that he can start writing his novel.
By going to Spain, Esther hoped he could concentrate on his work. The narrator thinks that it is ridiculous and will not help him at all, but one day words by words
come and he can easily type it and finish it. He succeeds to write a book, a popular one.
I learn, I suffer, my books are translated into French, and, in the tradition of that country, the stranger is welcomed. Not only that, the stranger is an
enormous success Ten years on, I have a large apartment with a view over the Seine, I am loved by my readers and loathed by the critics… 31.
4.1.4 Adventurous
The narrator is a person who likes adventure. The term adventurous has two terms; not afraid of taking risk and eager to go to new places and do exciting
things. He is not afraid of taking risks can be seen from the narrator’s thought Murphy 171. He cannot stay watching and waiting. He likes to find something
new or challenging. He admits it himself. The same conflicts I had with my previous wives begin to surface: women
are always looking for stability and fidelity, while I’m looking for adventure and the unknown. This time, though, the relationship last longer
17.
Moreover, the writer applies the technique of character as seen by another when the narrator’s wife says to the narrator about what kind of person he is
Murphy 162. The narrator’s wife, Esther, realizes that her husband likes to look for adventure. It is stated in her conversation with her husband.
“That’s not it either. I’m very happy with my self. I enjoy your company, but I just don’t think it’s going to work.”
“You enjoy my company, but hate being your self. You’re always looking for adventure in order to forget more important things. You always want to
feel the adrenalin flowing in your veins and you forget that the only thing that should be flowing through them is blood.” 18.
The narrator is in Spain in order to finish writing his book, but he does not complete it immediately. Though Esther is the one who gives him a chance to
write there, since the ticket is from her, he does not use this opportunity well. In fact, he enjoys his independence. “It is very comfortable being married and
knowing that I can always return to her arms, meanwhile enjoying all the independence in the world” 22. He falls in love with a Catalan scientist, with an
Argentine woman, and with a young woman who sings in the metro. This blonde singer then sleeps in the rented apartment where he lives and goes out every night
with him to enjoy la movida madrilène “the Madrid scene”. He has fun there by attending parties. Until one day Esther tells him that she wants to come there and
he has to stop all fun.
4.2 The Character of Esther
Esther is the narrator’s wife. She is thirty years old. She is such a great journalist, winning two international prizes for journalism. They meet for the first
time when she wants to interview him. They then meet again at a party and their relationship grows into a more serious one. Esther moves her things to his
apartment and they then live together. In the novel, the narrator says directly about PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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