Review of Related Studies
From the depiction of Rebecca the writer of this study finds that she suffered from a psychological illness called Compulsive Shopping Disorder
CSD. The writer finds that there are some reasons why Becky suffers from CSD. The first factor that most definitely
causes Becky’s CSD is caused by her family and friends. The other factors are caused by society and media such as
advertisements, TV programs and ‘sale’ promotions. The writer concludes that because of the main character’s obsession of shopping, she starts to have troubles
with people around her. Her relationship with some people close to her is harmed because of her disorder.
The study conducted by Cecilia uses the same approach as this thesis, which is the psychoanalytic approach. Another similarity is about the way of the two
researches are conducted. This thesis is conducted by analysing the intrinsic elements of the story and then moves on to the extrinsic elements. Both Cecilia’s
research and this thesis also analyse about person’s disorder. The difference between the study conducted by Cecilia and this thesis lies
on the way Cecilia tries to find the effect of character’s disorder towards her relationship with other people. Another difference lies on the theory that is being
used. Cecilia uses the theory about consumerism and materialism. This thesis, however, uses the Freudian theory of defence mechanism to reveal character
development. The review of the book by Julius Fast says that one type of conflict in this
particular book is manwoman versus manwoman. This is shown when Francesca is forced to eat by her parents. Another type of conflict is manwoman versus self.
This is the biggest conflict throughout the entire story. Francesca continues to battle herself over her weight. Yet another type is manwoman versus nature.
http:www.goodreads.combookshow885541.The_Best_Little_Girl_in_the_Wo rld This is shown when Francesca’s blood pressure drops to an extremely low
rate. He also mentioned the conflict because of the society. The pictures of skinny models that Francesca cuts out demonstrate the effect of society upon young
people. The review of the book conducted by Fast uses the same novel as this
thesis, however the difference lies on the focus of the study. In that review, the focus is only on the conflicts of the novel. The writer says that the conflict of the
story is not only between Francesca and her parents but also Francesca and the society she lives in. Since this related study discusses about people around
Francesca, this study can be used as a reference to find the factors that lead Francesca to have eating disorder. The people around her may have role in
influencing her to have eating disorder. The next study related to this study is from the other novel which is also
referred to eating disorder,
Wintergirls
by Halse Anderson. Marina Miller in her study says that:
The internal and external conflicts of the story are Lia struggled with her parents, the scale, and rumors about how Cassie dies, but internally she
struggles with something much more; something that only Cassie could have understood and that nobody else is even aware of.
http:www.tjjournal.com, 20 November 2014
She says the problem that exists in the book is the problem that so many teenagers struggle to cope with and seek for help. Through creative outlets, good friends and
many other methods, teenagers can learn to deal with the problems presented to them.
The study strengthens the idea that person who suffers anorexia symptom is not only because of parental issue but also because of other problems that might
be only the major character could understand and that nobody else is even aware of. However, the problem that exists in that novel is different from the main
source. In this related study, the writer focuses on how the main character deals with her society.
There is similarity between this topic and the previous study. This related study uses the same topic of the novel which discusses about eating disorder,
anorexia. Both of the study analyze about person’s disorder. Another similarity is the writer also uses the intrinsic elements of the story and then moves to the
extrinsic elements.