21
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter deals with the methodology of the study which is used to analyze the findings from problem formulations. This chapter consists of three
parts. The first part describes the novel used in this study. The second part describes the approach used in this study to analyze the novel. The third part
shows the steps that are conducted to complete this study.
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study is a fiction novel entitled The Perks of Being a Wallflower written by Stephen Chbosky as his first published novel. Stephen
Chbosky is an American writer, editor, film and director. This novel was first published by Pocket Books on February 1
st
, 1999. However, the one that is used in this study is published by MTV Books Gallery Books trade paperback edition
August 2012. This novel consists of two hundred and thirteen pages and is divided into five parts.
Although Chbosky’s first book was banned in several schools because of its sexual content, it spent over six months at number one on the New
York Times bestseller list. The novel tells about a fifteen year old boy named Charlie writing a series
of letters to an anonymous stranger. Charlie chooses to do so because he assumes that there is a person out there who listens, understands and not be judgmental.
The letter starts with Charlie telling that the only middle school friend of his kills PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
22 himself as well as the death of his favorite Aunt Helen. Charlie perceives that
Aunt Helen’s death is his fault since she gets in an accident for buying Charlie a birthday present.
Charlie has an older brother and an older sister. His brother leaves to Penn State to play football. His sister dates an abusive boyfriend. Charlie witness his
sister’s boyfriend hits her on the face but he is not allowed to tell their parents. During Charlie’s first year of high school, his English teacher recognizes
Charlie’s talent for reading and writing. He gives Charlie’s a lot of novels to be read and eventually gets closer to Charlie. Although he is a wallflower, Charlie
makes friend with two seniors, Sam and Patrick. Patrick is a homosexual and Sam is Patrick’s stepsister. Despite of they are being senior, they accept Charlie and
their bond gets stronger. Charlie develops a crush on Sam and ad mits his feeling to her. Patrick mentions Charlie as a wallflower as he does not participate and
thinks too much. In school dance nights, Charlie stands at the back and watches people dancing instead of becoming one. As Charlie gets close with Sam and
Patr ick’s friends, he begins smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs.
As the school year ends, Charlie is anxious for losing his friends since Sam and Patrick graduates and will leave for College soon. One night before Sam
leaves for College on the next morning, Charlie and Sam begin to engage sexually but stop since Charlie feels uncomfortable. Charlie realizes his memories of being
molested by his favorite aunt Helen when is a child. Charlie feels numb and is taken to a mental hospital for two months treatment. When Charlie is released,
Kategori