1 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents five parts, namely the background of the study, the objectives of the study, the problem formulation, the definition of terms, and
benefits of the study. The background of the study contains some reasons which serve as a basis for writing this study. The objectives of the study explain the aims
of the study. The problem formulation states the problems of this study. Benefits of the study, the writer states some benefits that can be obtained by the readers of
this study. In the last section, the definition of terms clarifies some significant
terms used in this study in order to avoid misunderstanding.
1.1 Background of the Study
Reading literary works is a good activity. By reading literary works, people can find some benefits such as knowledge and pleasure. Literary work is a
performance in words which is enjoyable, offering a unique delight or satisfaction and also giving a beneficial effect on readers. According to Walker 612, literary
works can be divided into three major genres: dramas, poems, and novels. Furthermore, he added that among others, novel is fairly easier to understand
since it is enjoyable to read. There are many valuable things in the novel that can be obtained by readers. As one of valuable things in novel, knowledge can be
practiced in the way people lives and make them wiser when they face several problems in their lives. It is also profitable to make a step forward without making
2 mistakes because people will be able to choose the right choices and make the
right decision. Stanton 1965: 44 states that the particular strength of the novel is its
ability to build a complex subject fully, to create a complete world through the presentation of the characters, a large complex of social situation, and a complex
relationship among few characters. From Stanton’s statement, it is clear that novel is a reflection of life. It reveals people’s experiences in their daily life and the
problems that may emerge. A novel, whether it is fiction or nonfiction, contains the condition of people’s real life, values, thought, and feelings about life through
the presentation of characters. A character is an important role for forming the plot in the novel.
Characters in the novel are various and interesting. Through a character, the author can convey his or her messages to the readers. From the characters, people
can learn about real human beings’ characteristics because the author will write the natures of the characters based on real life’s experiences. Human natures are
diverse with no boundary. One person can never have exactly the same nature with the others, though people might say that two people have the same nature,
they are never the same. Human natures influence the way people react toward the reality of life.
Since the human natures are various, people’s reactions toward the reality of his or her life also differ. People’s reactions can be beneficial for them in finding out
an effective or efficient way to solve the problems. However, it also can be harmful and inefficient for them if the way to solve the problem that they have
chosen is wrong.
3 Furthermore, there are a lot of factors influencing people’s reaction that
would be the fundamental reasons of doing it. Mostly, the factors themselves and the way people react are unpredictable. Therefore, it is interesting to find out how
one react toward the reality of his or her life and what underlies him or her to do certain reactions. Such an interesting fact as mentioned above is the main reason
why this study is conducted As seen in Amos McCracken, the main character of William Goldman’s
Father’s Day. He is described in the novel as a smart and famous song writer facing the reality that he has divorced and has no custody of his only daughter.
The discussion is focused on how Amos McCracken reacts toward the reality of his life. In order to do so, the theory of motivation and the theory of
psychoanalysis are applied. The theory of motivation proposed by Abraham Maslow is applied to explain the need that motivates Amos McCracken attitudes
as written in the novel 1981: 302308. Then, the theory of psychoanalysis proposed by Sigmund Freud 1975: 404408 is applied to explore the
unconscious drives that determine him to do his actions.
1.2 Objective of the Study
