the real life, in the same manner as they are reflected in the story through its characters.
C. Theoretical Framework
The topic that the writer wants to discuss and expose by this thesis is the messages that are reflected in characters and conflicts in Family Devotions. To
find out or discover the messages, the writer used some theories that considered important to the topic, such as theories on character, theories on characterization,
theories on conflict, and theories on messages. The writer used the theories on character and characterization because they
are essential to help the writer understand the character in the play before we learn more deeply about the messages. Through the characters, the writer wants to say
something, such as wisdom, honesty, patiently, knowledge, forgiveness and understanding others, sympathetic, etc.
Theories on conflict are considered important since the writer takes the messages in the story based on the conflicts and experiences that happens in the
story. This story gives a lot of conflict that makes it more interesting. The main characters have the conflict with their little brother.
To reveal the messages, the writer applies theories on message. Through the dialogue, the description of the characters, including what the character’s
experience and conflicts are, what the characters do, say, and respond, are taken as examples or suggestion that are reflected in the messages of the story. Theory
of message is used by the writer to obtain better understanding of the messages that the author wants to rise and say.
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
In this study the writer analyzes a drama by David Henry Hwang entitled Family Devotions. David Henry Hwang was born in Los Angeles, California in
1957. He is an American playwright who has risen to prominence as the preeminent Asian American dramatist in the U.S. He was educated at the Yale
School of Drama and Stanford University. His first play was produced at the Okada House dormitory at Stanford and he studied playwriting with Sam Shepard
and María Irene Fornés. Hwangs early plays concerned the role of the Chinese American and
Asian American in the modern day world. His first play, the Obie Award-winning FOB, depicts the contrasts and conflicts between established Asian Americans and
Fresh off the Boat newcomer immigrants. The play was developed by the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene ONeill Theater Center and
premiered in 1980 Off-Broadway at the Joseph Papp Public Theater. Papp went on to produce four more of Hwangs plays, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated
drama “The Dance and the Railroad”, which tells the story of a former Chinese opera star working as a coolie laborer in the nineteenth century, and “Family
Devotions”, a darkly comic take on the effects of Western religion on a Chinese
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