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1.4. Benefits of the Study
This study would give some benefits to the reader, English teachers, the students of English Language Education, of English Letter, of Psychology Study
Program, and the other researchers. The readers of this research will find out the story of Veronika who accidentally and unwillingly lives in a mental asylum but
then find a great enlightenment for her life. In addition, this study gives information about the life of those who live inside of a mental asylum.
The students of English Education Study Program and English Letters will find this study capable of giving them better understanding of the novel from the
psychological point of view, especially through psychosynthesis. Psychosynthesis is rarely used. Thus, the research will give them more understanding of
psychosynthesis. Furthermore, this research will provide more information about Veronika Decides to Die
for other researchers. It is hoped that this study could encourage more people to be interested in reading literary works.
1.5. Definition of Terms
1.5.1 Character
Abrams 1981 explains that character is a person in dramatic or narrative work who is endowed with moral and disposition qualities that are expressed in
what they say in a dialogue and what they do throughout the story. Character is usually witty, sketch in prose of a distinctive person p. 20. Furthermore, Abrams
1999 explains two kinds of character. They are flat character who does not
6 undergo changes and round character who is described as a portrayal of a real life
and undergoes changes p. 33. 1.5.2
Mental Asylum Based on APA Dictionary of Psychology 2006, asylum is a refugee for
criminals and insane people. The term mental asylum was changed to mental institution in the 19
th
century because mental asylum emphasizes more on refugee than treatment p. 79. Furthermore, APA Dictionary of Psychology 2006, states that mental
institution is a treatment-oriented facility where people who have mental disorders are provided with care and therapy by psychologists, psychiatrists, and auxiliary staff p.
568. 1.5.3
Self-Realization Firman and Gila 2002 state that Self-realization is “the ongoing dynamic
relationship between “I” and self throughout all life experiences” p. 191. It means that a person willingly accepts hisher unconscious part which holds the true potential. A
person undergoes Self-realization as heshe acquire new experience in life whether the new experience is joyful or painful.
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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter is divided into four sections. The first section provides a review on related studies, in which some studies by other researchers on Paulo
Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die are mentioned. The second section contains a review on related theories, in which fundamental concepts on character and
characterization and psychosynthesis are explained briefly. The third section explains the historical background of Slovenia, including the mental asylum in
the 20
th
century. The last section of this chapter provides the theoretical framework, in which the previously mentioned concepts and theories are
described as contributing to the analysis of the novel.
2.1. Review of Related Studies
There are some researchers on Paulo Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die by undergraduate students of Sanata Dharma University which are important to
consider. First is Theofilus 2007, a student of English Letters who uses the formalistic approach to analyze Veronika’s character development in relation to
the minor characters. Theofilus explains the role of each minor character to Veronika’s growth inside the mental asylum. In conclusion, Veronika begins to
appreciate life more than before and is able to be herself. Second is Putri 2008, a student of English Letters who emphasizes on
Veronica’s meaning of life. Putri applies the psychological approach. In her study,
8 Putri explains the roles of Veronika’s environment inside and outside of the
mental asylum to help Veronika in finding a meaning of her life. Finally, Veronika is able to enjoy small things that lead her to find the meaning of life and
love.
Third research was conducted by Yulianingsih 2006, a student of English Letters who uses psychological approach to analyze Veronika’s process of
individuation. In analyzing the process, Yulianingsih correlates the theory of conformity and suicide. In the conclusion, Yulianingsih states that Veronika is
able to fulfill her inner needs and able to listens to her heart. Many researchers have conducted on Paulo Coelho’s Veronika Decides to
Die . There are psychological aspects which deals with the factors of Veronika’s
unpredictable decisions as told in the novel. In this study, the writer uses the theory of psychosynthesis. Through psychosynthesis, an analysis on the deeper
aspect of Veronika’s self-realization is established. Thus psychosynthesis is preferred to analyze the novel.
2.2. Review of Related Theories
Some theories are needed to answer the questions in problem formulation. They are the theory of character and characterization and theory of
psychosynthesis. Later on, the theories are integrated to find the appropriate answer the problems stated in the previous chapter.