Background of the Study

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents background of the study, problem formulation, objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and the definition of terms. The background of the study provides the information of the topic and the reason that becomes the basis of writing this thesis. The problem formulation states the problems or questions of the study. The objectives of the study aim to answer the questions stated in the problem formulation. The benefits of the study explain the advantages and importance of the study. Finally, the definition of terms provides explanation of some important terms used in the study.

A. Background of the Study

It is doubtless that everyone in this world always wishes for happiness in life. However, reality is not always the same as what we want. Life is not only about happiness, as we will face various problems and difficulties, which may concern family, jobs, friends, financial burden and so on. Although we have already had great plans throughout our lives, something can always go wrong and consequently problems will occur whether in predictable or surprising ways. We cannot avoid the problems emerging in our life since we have no control of our destiny. Ready or not, problems will come into our life. However, we must not be fragile or even give up. Although it might be very hard, we still have to continue our path in life, as we cannot stay in the same place. We must move on and always try to have dreams to hold on since they will strengthen our efforts to struggle. We must have faith that there is always a bunch of joy behind sorrow and we must seek for that joy since in fact sorrow exists to show us how sweet happiness is. All we have to do is struggling to cope with the difficulties and trying to put our dreams into reality. People have to struggle and survive to win the battle of their lives. According to McKechnie 367, struggle is a task or goal requiring much effort to accomplish or achieve. People will keep their struggle even in their difficult and painful condition to reach their dreams. Unlike animals, human beings are considered as special since they have mind to think. When they face problems, they will carry out some efforts to cope with the problems. Braun, Linder, and Asimov 478-480, state that there are many life events happening in life forcing people to struggle. These life events can be death of spouse, divorce, personal injury or illness, gaining a new family member, family members leaving home, etc. People will react differently toward life events that occur in their lives. Considering that human beings have intelligence, they will do anything to overcome the problems emerging in their lives. They will seek for ideas and ways to solve the problems. A work of literature can portray human life experiences as such since it is a reflection of human life. Hudson states that literature is the expression of life through the medium of language. It can be regarded as something essential since it portrays real life, experiences, people, thoughts, and people’s feeling about life 10. An author of literary work observes human life or shares his own experiences in his work. In addition, novel is the most common medium used to express human life experiences. Van De Laar and Schoonderwoerd 163 say, “A novel is a work of art in so far as it introduces us into a living word; in some respects resembling in the world we live in, but with an individuality of its own”. One of the novelists who presents her life experience in her work is Constance Briscoe. Her novel entitled Ugly tells us a story of a girl who struggles for life in a difficult and painful condition. Clare, as she is known, is beaten, abused, and bullied by her own mother in her early teens. Everything in her life grows worse since her father, George, abandons his family after winning Littlewoods Pools. He leaves his wife and his growing brood of children, and only returns at Christmas time with food and presents in his hands. Her mother’s treatments toward Clare are getting worse and worse after her mother finds a new husband. Her mother systematically abuses Clare both physically and emotionally. Besides, Clare is also never given enough food and decent clothes. The treatments result on Clare’s anxiety, which makes her piss on the bed at midnight. Moreover, it just worsens her mother’s treatments on her. Being told as “ugly” and “germ”, she ever tries to commit suicide. Her struggle for life begins when she has to earn money working as a shop assistant at Roses for her Saturday job. At the age of thirteen, her mother simply moves out from the house, leaving her daughter to fend for herself. There is no food, no gas, even electricity. Life is getting harder since she has to pay the rent by living in her mother’s house. Working as a cleaning service too, Clare keeps struggling in her painful life. In reaching her dream of becoming a barrister, she faces so many obstacles including financial burden. Clare then has to work as a nurse first before finally she is able to go to university. Clare’s struggle in her terrible condition makes me amazed. I can see how she reacts toward different problems occurring in her life. She keeps her efforts to reach her dreams no matter how hard they are. This story provides me a valuable lesson that life is hard and full of obstacles. So many problems will certainly happen in life, and some of them might be very difficult. However, Clare’s spirit of life teaches me to keep struggling, even in the most terrible situations I have to deal with. That is why this story is interesting to discuss.

B. Problem Formulation