Theory of Critical Approaches Theory of Character and Characterization

7

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter is divided into two parts. They are review of related theories and theoretical framework. In review of related theories, I present theory of critical approaches, theory of characters and characterization, and theory of motivation. In the theory of motivation, there are definition of motivation, kinds of motivation and human motive. In the theoretical framework, I explain the functions of the theories in analyzing the problems in this study.

A. Review of Related Theories

In review of related theories I discuss the theory of critical approach, theory of character and characterization, and theory of motivation. The further discussions of those theories are as follows.

1. Theory of Critical Approaches

According to Rohrberger and Woods in Reading and Writing about Literature, critical approach is used to understand its nature, function, and positive values 3. They explain five kinds of approaches, they are, formalist, biographical, sociocultural-historical, mythopoetic, and psychological approaches. Formalist approach focuses on literary work as its integrity. It is not necessary to study about the author’s life and the psychology aspects or any sources related to the works. Biographical approach focuses on the author’s life and background. Sociocultural-historical approach is used to understand a literary work by investigating the social, cultural, and intellectual. It focuses on the cultural, economic, and political values contained in that literary work. Mythopoetic approach deals with the ancient myth and folks rites to understand the literary works. Psychological approach emphasizes the literary work by reflecting on the life as a representation of human motivation and behavior. It uses psychological criticism, such as human motivation, human personality, and human development.

2. Theory of Character and Characterization

In comprehending the literary works such as novels, readers may have their own understanding of the story in the novel. The story has the elements which help readers to understand the idea in the story, they are, plot, characters, dialogue, time and place. In this part, I explain the theory character and characterization in order to get a better understanding of the character in the novel. Graham Little proposes that character is a very important feature of the narrative forms of literature 89. He also states the importance of relationships between characters, and depth of portrayal of character. According to his opinion, characters have different ideas about another character, or false ideas about themselves. Abrams explains character can be divided into protagonist and antagonist 89. Protagonist character is the essential figure in the story and usually becomes the main character of the story. Though antagonist character usually creates some conflict in the story, it is not always human but it can be the situation and condition that creates conflict. Perrine divides character into two kinds, static and dynamic character 71. Static character is a character who does not undergo the process of change development as a result of the things that happen to him. Perrine also states, “Dynamic character undergoes an important, basic, and permanent change in his character, personality, or perspective” 71. Dynamic character is understood as character who changes when things happen to him Holman and Harmon 83. According to Milligan, there are two kinds of character, namely major and secondary characters. Major characters are those who appear more often in the story than the other characters, while secondary characters are those who appear less in the story Milligan 195. Different from Milligan, Rohrberger and Woods distinguish two types of character, namely flat and round characters. Flat characters construct a single idea or quality and usually can be summed up in a single sentence. Round characters are artistically speaking and have a higher achievement. There is always a surprise element in round character and the action is clear to reader because that action is quite suited. Laar and Sshoonderwoerd 170-171. Abrams also adds that flat character is one-sided or it can be said as characters who are built without much individualizing details Abrams 20-22. In addition, according to Forster, flat character is easily recognized and remembered by the readers, and the author describes him as the same sort of person at the end of the story as he was at the beginning Forster 46-48. In other words, flat characters are introduced from beginning until the end of the story in a stable description. Otherwise, contrast to flat character, round character is many sided. He has complexity in temperament and motivation. This complexity is shaped by the character’s environment Forster 48. Round characters are usually fully developed by the author, and when it is skillfully written then round character will be more memorable. There are two ways in describing round character. The first one is in the portrayal or using dramatic method. The author only presents the character talking and acting and lets the reader to conclude what motives and nature lie beyond what they say and do. The second way is in letting or using direct comment. In this way, the author gets strongly involved in order to describe, and often evaluate, the nature of dispositional qualities of the character Abrams 21-22. According to Rohrberger and Woods, there are two kinds of characterization, namely Direct and Dramatic means. Direct means is used to describe the physical appearance of the characters. Whereas, Dramatic means characters are portrayed in a situation to show what they are by the way they behave or speak. Murphy explains the nine methods in characterization in his book Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and The English Novel for Overseas Students 161-173. They are, personal description, characters as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation by others, reaction, direct comments, thoughts, and mannerism. First, personal description describes the characters’ appearance and clothes, what the character like and what the social class they are. Second, characters as seen by another, the reader learns about the character from another speech, therefore the reader can get a reflected image. Third, speech describes the character by presenting clues through conversation, through opinions or what the person says. Fourth, past life lets the reader learn something about the person’s past life and recognizes the event happened to the certain character. Fifth, conversation of others gives clues to a character through the conversations of other people and the things they say about the character. Sixth, reaction describes how the person reacts to various situations and events happen in the story. Seventh, direct comment means directly comments on a person’s character. Eight, thoughts give the reader direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. Ninth, mannerism describes a person mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies which tell more about the character.

3. Theory of Motivation