Method of the Study
mind tells her to do anything Grey commands because there is a fear of being left if she refuses all the things he wants.
The second evidence is also seen through her subconscious. ―The idea that
I might not see him again haunts me, unwelcome a nd too painful to contemplate‖
James, 2011: 160. From the evidence, Steele shows how she considers the relationship with Grey is very important and because of that she is afraid of losing
him. She does not want it happen since it will be so painful for her to lose him. Tentatively, I uncurl my legs.
Should I run?
This is it, our relationship hangs in the balance, right here, right now. Do I let him do this or do I say
no, and then that‘s it? Because I know it will be over if I say no.
Do it
My inner goddess pleads with me, my subconscious is as paralyzed as I am.
James, 2011: 192
The quotation above emphasizes her feeling about having relationship with Grey. She chooses to follow him so that she will not lose him. Her thought
represents her dependency because even though she wants to run from him, she finally decides not to do so.
Her dependency on Grey basically refers to the issue of her low self- determination. It is the ability to decide one‘s own life, the action, and the fate by
not being interfered by the others. Having low self-determination means Steele cannot make her own decision towards their relationship. She is influenced easily
by Grey‘s manipulation or certain circumstances created intentionally by Grey. The first evidence is seen through her hesitation about herself in his eyes.
―Is he worthy of me? That‘s an interesting concept. I always wonder whether I am worthy of him‖ James, 2011: 196. It is clear that she needs approval from others
to reassure her that she is really worthy of Grey. She is not able to reassure herself
that she is worthy of him. There is hesitation in her mind about how much he regards herself in his eyes.
The second evidence is shown after Steele has a conversation with Grey and the paradigm shift about the contract happens to her afterwards.
―For you, Anastasia, I will try.‖ He‘s radiating sincerity. And that‘s my cue. I unbuckle my seatbelt, reach across, and clamber into
his lap, taking him completely by surprise. Wrapping my arms around his head, I kiss him, long and
hard, and in a nanosecond, he‘s responding. ―Stay with me, tonight,‖ he breathes. ―If you go away, I won‘t see
you all week. Please.‖
―Yes,‖ I acquiesce. ―And I‘ll try too. I‘ll sign your contract.‖ And it‘s a spur of the moment decision. James, 2011: 249
From the situa
tion of the conversation above, Grey‘s changing mood as becoming tender and gentle influences her behavior and thought. It is done
intentionally by him to make her agree with him to sign the contract. As a result, she changes her mind easily and quickly about the contract. She agrees with the
contract just in a second after she realizes his changing mood because he is already back from his negative mood to the positive one, a good image which she
expects from him. It influences her to change her mind. More complicated, as a woman, Steele is not brave to fight against Grey
for her rights and for equality between them. Throughout the story, Grey has a lot of rules for Steele to follow and obey, and if she does not, there will be
punishments for her. As a result, she lives under fear and follows his rules because she does not have bravery to fight against him to show that he is wrong for
treating her as sexual object. Boy, he‘s angry. He grabs my hand and leads me back into the apartment
and straight into my bedroom… no passing go. My subconscious is behind