Object of the Study
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the writer tries to answer the questions formulated in the problem formulation. This chapter is divided in two parts. The first part deals with
how Veronika, the main character of Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die, is described. In this part the writer will describe Veronika’s characteristics. In the second part, the
writer will analyse the literal and true meanings of Veronika’s decision to commit suicide as seen in Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die.
4.1 Characteristics of Veronika, the main character of Coelho’s “Veronika Decides to Die”
Characters are the central point of the readers’ interest. Each character has a different role in making the novel more interesting and dramatic. Coelho’s Veronika
Decides to Die involves some major characters such as Veronika, Mari, Zedka, Eduard, and Dr. Igor. Veronika is the main character who is the focus of the story and
the analysis of this study. Murphy 1972 states nine methods of characterization that can be used to
understand a character deeply, they are personal description, characters as seen by other characters, speech, past life, conversation of other characters, direct comment of
30 the author, character’s reaction to various situations and events, thoughts, and
mannerism para.160-173. In this analysis the writer will apply all those methods to understand the characteristics of the main character in Coelho’s Veronika Decides to
Die. Furthermore, the theory of motivation will also be used to understand the
personality of the main character. In this part, the main character will be analysed in details. Quotations from the novel will be used to support the characterization. The
writer will only focus on describing the characteristic of Veronika, the main character of Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die to help the readers understand Veronika’s
characteristics.