Masculinty in seven pouuns movie

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Name : Nisa Purnama

NIM : 107026001463

Thesis Title : Masculinity in Seven Pounds Movie _________________________________________________

Synopsis of the Thesis A. Background of the Study

Literature is a reflection of civilization in human life. The progress of a civilization can be seen from the appreciation of a literary work. One type of literature that gets much attention from the public is a movie. The movie has a lot of understanding of each means that can be described extensively. Movie is a medium of social communication that is formed from the merger of the two senses, sight and hearing, which has a core or theme of a story that many express

social realities of the environment around the place where the movie itself grows.1

One of the movies that got people's attention, especially in the year 2008 was Seven Pounds movie. The movie was released on December 19, 2008. This movie was directed by Gabriele Muccino. The movie has drama genre and starring Will Smith as the main character. This movie tells of a man, Tim Thomas (Will Smith) who has a tragic experience with his girlfriend, played by Sarah Jenson (Robinne Lee).

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truck drivers, are the things that are considered masculine. Masculine today has undergone changes in many aspects. The first assumption of masculine is a strong man, brave, look for the livelihood in the outside of home and others, and not

related to women’s matters. Masculinity is the quality of being masculine.2 The

main character in Seven Pounds movie shows masculinity. For example, Tim

Thomas has a muscular body, it describes that he is strong. He also has the others characteristics of masculinity.

From the explanation above the writer wants to analyze masculinity that

showed by the main character, Tim Thomas in Seven Pounds movie.

B. Focus of the Study

Based on the background of the study, the writer restricts the research on characterization of the main character and analysis of the masculinity as the

representation by the main character in Seven Pounds movie.

C. Research Question

Based on focus of the study, there is one question for discussion, that is:

What types of masculinity are showed by Tim Thomas in Seven Pounds movie

based on Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept?

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D. Benefit of the Study

This research is expected to increase the repertory of scientific field studies and literary criticism to become more diverse and varied. In addition, the results of this study are expected to provide the accurate information and suitable description about the characterization of the main character and masculinity that

represented by the characterization of the main character in Seven Pounds movie.

E. Research Methodology 1. Objective of the Study

In general, this study aims to determine the relationship between the

characterization of the main character and masculinity in Seven Pounds movie.

Specifically the aim of the study is: to know how the characterization of Tim

Thomas in Seven Pound movie and what the masculinity that showed by Tim

Thomas in Seven Pounds movie is analyzed based on Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s

concept.

2. Method of the Research

Based on the formulation of the problem and aim of the research, the methods that will be used is a qualitative method which is analyzes the data that have been collected in the form of words and not in the form of numbers.

3. Data Analysis Technique

The collected data will be analyzed with the theory of character and characterization to reveal the main character. The collected data will also be

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analyzed by using the Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept of masculinity. Finally, the data will be analyzed through “Descriptive Analyzes Technique”.

4. Research Instrument

The study uses the researcher as the main instrument to obtain qualitative data about the characterization of the main character in a way to watch movies repeatedly, identify, and provide notes that can give more information about the characterization and masculinity.

5. Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis in this study is Seven Pounds movie, which was

released on December 19, 2008. This movie was directed by Gabriele Muccino. There is a main man character that represents the identity as the only man in the movie.

6. Place and Time

This research will be conducted in 2010 in English Letters Department, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, “Syarif Hidayatullah” State Islamic University. The activities include the preparation, data collection and analysis, as well as writing the report.

F. Theoretical Framework

1. Character and Characterization a. Stock Characters and Stereotypes

Stock characters are minor characters whose actions are completely predictable or typical of their job or profession. They are in

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the film simply because the situation demands their presence. They serve as a natural part of the setting, much as stage properties like a lamp or a

chair might function in a play. Stereotypes, however, are characters of

somewhat greater importance to the film. They fit into preconceived patterns of behavior common to or representative of a large number of people, at least a large number of fictional people.

b. Static and Developing Characters

Developing characters are deeply affected by the action of the plot and undergo some important change in personality, attitude, or

outlook on life as a result of the action of the story. Static characters

remain essentially the same throughout the film. The action does not have an important effect on their lives (as might generally be the case with the hero of an action/adventure film). Or they are insensitive to the meaning of the action and thus are not capable of growth or change.

c. Flat and Round Characters

Flat characters are two-dimensional, predictable characters who lack the complexity and unique qualities associated with psychological depth. They often tend to be representative character types rather than flesh-and-blood human beings. Unique, individualistic characters who have some degree of complexity and ambiguity and who cannot easily be

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categorized are called round characters or three-dimensional characters.3

Characterization

Besides the characters, the other elements which are also very important in the drama are the characterization. Characters are clearly different with characterization. If the characters are all individuals or figures in the story, the characterization is the way how the author shows the figures. The author displays those characters through several images such as dialogue, behavior, movement, and so on.

1. Characterization Through Appearance

Because most film actors project certain qualities of character the minute they appear on the screen, characterization in film has a great deal to do with casting. A major aspect of film characterization is revealed visually and instantaneously. Although some actors may be versatile enough to project completely different qualities in different roles, most actors are not. The minute we see most actors on the screen, we make certain assumptions about them because of their facial features, dress, physical build, and mannerisms and the way they move. Our first visual impression may be proven erroneous as the story progresses, but it is certainly an important means of establishing character.

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2. Characterization Through Dialogue

Characters in a fictional film naturally reveal a great deal about themselves by what they say. But a great deal is also revealed by how they say it. Their true thoughts, attitudes, and emotions can be revealed in subtle ways through word choice and through the stress, pitch, and pause patterns of their speech. Actors’ use of grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and particular dialects (if any) reveals a great deal about their characters’ social and economic level, educational background, and mental processes.

3. Characterization Through External Action

Although appearance is an important measure of a character’s personality, appearances are often misleading. Perhaps the best reflections of character are a person’s actions. It must be assumed, of course, that real characters are more than mere instruments of the plot, that they do what they do for a purpose, out of motives that are consistent with their overall personality. Thus, there should be a clear relationship between a character and his or her actions; the actions should grow naturally out of the character’s personality.

4. Characterization Through Internal Action

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of secret, unspoken thoughts, daydreams, aspirations, memories, fears, and fantasies. People’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations can be as important to an understanding of their character as any real achievement, and their fears and insecurities can be more terrible to them than any real catastrophic failure.

5. Characterization Through Reactions of Other Characters

The way other characters view a person often serves as an excellent means of characterization. Sometimes, a great deal of information about a character is already provided through such means before the character first

appears on the screen.4

6. Characterization Through Contrast: Dramatic Foils

One of the most effective techniques of characterization is the use of foils

– contrasting characters whose behavior, attitudes, opinions, lifestyle, physical appearance, and so on are the opposite of those of the main characters.

7. Characterization Through Caricature and Leitmotif

In order to etch a character quickly and deeply in our minds and memories, actors often exaggerate or distort one or more dominant features or

personality traits. This device is called caricature (from the technique used in

cartooning). A similar means of characterization, leitmotif, is the repetition of a

single phrase or idea by a character until it becomes almost a trademark or theme

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song for that character. Because it essentially exaggerates and emphasizes (through repetition), such a device acts very much like caricature.

8. Characterization Through Choice of Name

One important method of characterization is the use of names possessing appropriate qualities of sound, meaning, or connotation. This technique is known as name typing. Because a great deal of thought goes into the choice of names, they should not be taken for granted but should be carefully examined for the connotations they communicate. The connotations of some names, such as Dick

Tracy, are rather obvious and clear: Dick is slang for detective; Tracy derives

from the fact that detectives trace criminals.5

2. Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s Concept of Masculinity

Masculinity is characteristics, pattern, orientation and tendency that build

statement quotation male identity.6 It described that men are explicit, rational,

aggressive and intelligent. Masculinity also described as a traditional value from men’s attitude or men’s behavior that believes courtesy and morals in public.

Ibid. pp. 54-57.

Rahmat Hidayat, Ilmu Yang Seksis: Feminisme dan Perlawanan Terhadap Teori Sosial Maskulin, (Yogjakarta: Jendela, 2004) cet. ke-1, p.173.

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as virtue and virile (all from the Latin vir meaning man) reflect this. An association with physical and/or moral strength is implied. Masculinity is associated more commonly with men than with boys.

Janet Saltzman Chafetz describes seven areas of traditional masculinity

in Western culture. The first is the image of men’s physical; it concerns virile,

athletic, strong, brave and unconcerned about appearance and aging, it describes masculinity characteristic from men body whether it is virile and athletic, also men power such as strong and brave. He is not afraid of anything and he is a

savior for his women, relatives, and himself. The second is the image of men’s

functional, it concerns breadwinner, provider, it is about men as family’s

backbone or for himself. The third is the image of men’s sexual desire, it concerns

sexually aggressive than woman, experienced and in society, they accept single

status. The fourth is the image of men’s emotional; men usually can stoic their

emotional (men having self-control emotion). The fifth is the image of men’s

intellectual, it concerns of logical, intellectual, rational, objective, and practical.

The sixth is the image of men’s interpersonal, it concerns of become a leader, dominating, disciplinarian, more independent, individualistic (applies to western

societies). Then, seventh is the other men’s personal characteristics, it is

concerning of success-oriented, ambitious; proud, egoistical (applies to some

societies); , moral, trustworthy; decisive, competitive, adventurous.7

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G. Research Finding 1. Data Description

Seven Pounds movie has the only man main character named Tim Thomas. Tim Thomas represents the masculinity in this movie. From the movie there are some corpuses to analysis.

No Corpus Scene Explanatory Characterization

of Masculinity

1 Picture 1 1 Tim has a

muscular body. Physical

Doctor : No anesthetic. You ever donated bone marrow before?

You're a brave guy. How long have you known Nicholas

(Tim : hold the pain)

Tim is a brave man to do something that he never does before.

Physical

3 Picture 2 10 Tim has a

muscular body. Physical

4 Picture 3 1 Tim has a

house.

Function; as provider

5 Picture 4 2 Tim has a car.

Function; as provider

Tim :

So if there is one thing that I have learned...and you all should remember about winning these contracts: Three steps. First, tell them what you're gonna tell them. Step two, you tell them. Step three, tell them what you told them. We are gonna close by

reminding them...that old girl has a 3-percent better impulse from sea level to vacuum... ...and if they pass on that, quite frankly, they deserve another Sputnik.

Tim tries to give a

suggestion for his friends in the office. It is all for their works.

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Ben : Where are you staying, Tim? Tell me, because I don't know where my brother lives!

Tim : A motel. Five blocks from here.

For the first time, Tim does not tell to his brother when he moves from his house. Until one day his brother asks about it.

Interpersonal

Ben : Hello? Hey, it's me. It's your brother. Where are you?

Tim : I'm at the beach house.

...

Tim : I'll talk to you later. You take care of yourself. Ben : Hold on. I know it's been a while, but when you were staying here...you didn't take something of mine by mistake, did you? Tim : I remember giving you something. You remember that? Because remember that very clearly. Ben : Yeah. Yeah.

Tim : Just remember I love you.

Ben always to persuade Tim to live in his house. But Tim always refuses it.

Interpersonal

9 Picture 12 8 Tim screams in

his car. Emotional

Tim : I grew up in Oakland. Emily : Literally. Okay. Where did you go to college?

Tim : As far from Oakland as possible. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Tim was graduated from a college.

Intellectual

11 Picture 13 8

Tim tries to apologize to Emily with doing something. Sexual Aggressive 12

Tim : Now, if you will excuse me...I have a very 2

Tim tries to

fulfill his Sexual

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at home waiting for me. Tim : (at home) Sarah.. Honey..Everyone at work kept saying it was daylight-savings time.

Sarah : You were supposed to be here a while ago. I kept saying it wasn't. This happens all the time. It's work.

Tim : I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Sarah : No, I'm angry with you. I'm gonna be angry all night long.

his girlfriend. He is so appreciate her.

13 Picture 14 9

Tim so appreciate women. It is seen when he treats Emily.

Sexual Aggressive

14 Picture 15 12 Tim kissing

Emily.

Sexual Aggressive

Tim : What if we have children?. What if we got married? I love you. I love you.

Emily : I love you too.

Tim says that he loves Emily.

Sexual Aggressive

16 Picture 16 12 Tim and Emily

doing sex.

Sexual Aggressive

17 Picture 17 12

Tim feels doubt about his mission and his beloved.

Emotional

Connie : Who sent you here?

Tim : Please sit down. Connie : I'm not going to sit down.

Tim : Please, calm down. Connie : I'm not going to calm down.

Tim tries to calm down Emily when she angry with him.

Emotional

19 Picture 18 11 Tim dancing

with Emily.

Sexual Aggressive 20 Dan : So I lied to you

because I was so jealous. 5

Tim keeps doing his

Other Personal Characteristics

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And I realized that I've been carrying around this

lie...in my heart for the last 25...

Tim : Stop it! Stop it. Stay focused. Do what you promised me.

Dan : What, you think I'm...?

Tim : Do what you promised me.

Dan : You think I'm gonna let you down now, don't you?I've known you my whole damn life!

Okay?This? This? This is not something you do every day. Okay? This is... This is not easy for me. I'll make sure everything goes as planned. Don't worry. Tim : Thank you.

mission, although Dan, his best friend, does not want if Tim

continues his mission.

Connie : What if he finds us?

Tim : He won't.

Connie : What makes you so sure?

Tim : Stop it.

Connie : You don't know him.

Tim : Stop it. Don't be weak. Don't be weak. Connie : I'm not weak.

Tim convinces Connie to live in his house.

Other Personal Characteristics

22 Picture 19 11

Tim kissing Emily’s hand. It means that he so

appreciate Emily.

Sexual Aggressive

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2. Data Analysis

The character of Tim Thomas in Seven Pounds movie is independent and

consistency. The writer uses the Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept of masculinity to analyze this movie. Analysis divided into seven areas based on Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept of masculinity. The writer is going to analyze the masculinity

that showed by Tim Thomas in Seven Pounds movie from the scenes and the

character’s dialogue.

A. Physical

Physic means body, which is important of human performance. It is also related with health and sexy body which is appearing proud and confidence. Based on Janet’s concept; physical concerns virile, athletic, strong, brave, and unconcerned about appearance and aging, it describes masculinity characteristic from men body whether it is virile and athletic, also men power such as strong and brave. He is not afraid of anything and he is a savior for his women, relatives, and himself. Tim Thomas is represented as a middle age man, who has strong body. It can be seen from his athletic and muscular body. Tim Thomas is represented as a man with a short black hair, black skin and he does not wear any accessories like earring or necklace. The way his stand looks sturdy and brawny. Beside of the muscular body Tim also a brave man. He is brave to do something that he never does before. Tim has a mission to redeem his mistake that he tries to help seven peoples who even he does not know.

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B. Function

The movie represents the culture of men function as breadwinner or provider for their family or for himself. Based on Janet’s concept, it is about men as family’s backbone or for him. Tim is a provider for himself. As a tax collector, it gives Tim Thomas salary to fulfill his needs. He lives alone in the beach house. He does not depend on the other person, even his brother. He can stand alone. He is doing alone at all.

C. Sexual Aggressive

Sexual means intimacy or desire relationship with the opposite sex. Based on Janet’s concept, it concerns sexually aggressive than woman, experienced and in society they accept single status. Tim Thomas is not sexual aggressive but he is a man who appreciates the women and he tries to keep the relationship with his relatives. He always tries to do anything to get an apology from his partner when he had a problem. He takes the initiative to get women’s attention and then he can do something that he should do. Finally he was able to melt the heart of a woman. Tim Thomas is a man who accepts the single status. He is not concern about it. He is only thinking about how to redeem his mistake.

D. Emotional

Emotion is a strong feeling of any kinds of love, joy, hate, fear, and jealously. Emotional means showing a feeling of angry or emotion, belong to Janet’s concept, men can stability their emotion when they face the problem.

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Actually he was feeling sad and depressed with the problem. He was devastated by the incident which is his mistake. But Tim could hide everything calmly. Nobody really knows, except his brother. He is calm in its mission to help seven

people. Seven Pounds shows the character of Tim Thomas who has self-control.

Tim Thomas also has a quiet emotion. It is seen that he looks calm to face his problem. Tim is also able to control the emotion or his passion to love Emily. He can control it all and it made him hesitate to continue its mission.

E. Intellectual

Intellectual is connected with a person’s powers of reasoning. Belong to Janet’s concept; intellectual includes logical, rational, objective and practical. As a Tim Thomas, who works in a corporate tax, it includes an intellectual person. He is well-educated. He was reached the level of university education. Tim Thomas is a smart in doing approach to every person who would he help. Tim Thomas is able to make their hearts feel very close to him. He is able to control their emotions. He know how he should do when he dealing with them. Tim also shows logical and rational. Tim was brave to make a decision to help seven people that can hurt him. Based on his reasoning he have to do it because he killed seven people in the accident. That is his mistake and he would do something to redeem his mistake. He has a mistake, so he have to redeem all or he punishes himself.

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F. Interpersonal

Personal means relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs. And interpersonal means existing or done between two or more people where one of them can be leader and dominant. Based on Janet’s concept, the interpersonal is a leader, dominant, discipline, independent, and individual. Tim Thomas is showed as a leader in his work. This is also seen in its mission to help seven people. He tried every way how to help them. He set all the way with his own way. He also asked his friend to help him in doing his mission in order to run well. Tim Thomas is a kind of an independent and individual person. He lived alone. Although he has a brother but he did not want to stay with him. Even when his house has been given to others, he stayed at the motel and Ben did not know it. He did not want to rely on his brother to stay with him. He also made his entire mission alone. Although there are suggestions from some friends, but in his actions Tim Thomas always set up and run it.

G. Other Personal Characteristics

Men have strong characteristic through Janet’s concept, it includes of success-orientation, ambitious, proud, egoistical, moral, trustworthy, decisive, competitive and adventurous. The movie represents the characteristic through Tim Thomas character. Tim Thomas as success oriented person who do his mission successfully; he can face the problem in his life. Tim Thomas is a kind of trustworthy man. Tim Thomas is ambitious. Tim is very ambitious to do his mission to atone for his mistake. Tim is very brave in taking action, although he

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did not know the risks. He is very confident to do that, even if the risk is very hard for Tim Thomas. Adventure does not mean just an adventure from one place to

another place. But it can mean brave in doing risk. An adventure is defined as an

exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.8Tim Thomas is adventurous. It is seen from the way he is responsible for the mistakes he had done. He dared to do anything to redeem his mistake. It started with he helped her brother to donate lobes of his lungs. He donated his heart to Emily Posa, his cornea to Ezra, the right of his liver to Holly, his kidney to George Ristucia, his bone marrow to Nicholas and he gave his home to Connie. All this he did without any concern for the fate of his own. All of that is very high risk and hurt himself; even it is the reason for he is being suicide.

H. Conclusion and Suggestion 1. Conslusion

The writer analyses the Masculinity in Seven Pounds movie that is on the

how the masculinity of Tim Thomas is represented in Seven Pounds movie based

on Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept of masculinity. This research is to describe

the masculinity through the main character “Tim Thomas”. Seven Pounds movie

represents traditional masculinity than modern masculinity. The traditional masculinity is based on Janet’s concept that consists of seven areas; they are

physic, function, sexual aggressive, emotion, intellectual, interpersonal and other

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personal characteristics. The writer found that masculinity is shown by the main character that using Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept.

2. Suggestion

In analyzing the masculine characteristics, the writer suggests to the other researchers to develop their knowledge the concepts of masculinity that will help the issue of movie. Through this study, the writer hopes that this paper can be useful to all students who want to study in depth about the masculinity. Finally, the writer hopes that this study will be useful the future improvement of studying masculinity, especially for the students of English Letters Department who want to do the similar research.

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Literature is a form of human expression; it gives a big contribution for development of science and art for many years until now. From literature people not only know the way to express what their feelings, emotion and their experience, but also open their mind about their culture or another country’s culture. Besides that literature is the main center of written works such as drama,

short story, novel, and poetry.1 Literature is a reflection of civilization in human

life. The progress of a civilization can be seen from the appreciation of a literary work. One type of literature that gets much attention from the public is a movie. The movie has a lot of understanding of each means that can be described extensively. Movie is a medium of social communication that is formed from the merger of the two senses, sight and hearing, which has a core or theme of a story that many express social realities of the environment around the place where the

movie itself grows.2

Chris Baldick, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990), p.25

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(Will Smith) who has a tragic experience with his girlfriend, played by Sarah Jenson (Robinne Lee). When they are in travel, they suddenly have an accident that causing 6 people were killed and his girlfriend was also killed. How sad that Tim Thomas when he knew his girlfriend was killed and he thought that he had killed his happiness only on 7 seconds. During that time, Tim decided to make atonement for his mistake for the accident which causing 7 people killed. He decided to help the 7 life’s strangers, even though he was not familiar with them. He started redemption accident by donating lung lobe to his brother, Ben Thomas (Michael Ealy). Six months later he donates part of his liver to a child services worker named Holly (Judyann Elder). After that, he begins searching for more candidates to receive donations. He finds George (Bill Smitrovich), a junior hockey coach, and donates a kidney to him, and donates bone marrow to a young boy named Nicholas (Quintin Kelley). Then, Tim continued to search for the next other people who deserve his helps.

Character is one of the intrinsic elements contain in literary works. The term 'character' is usually used in two contexts. The first context, the characters refer to individuals who appear in the story. The second context, it refers to the mixing of characters from various interests, desires, emotions, and moral

principles of the individual.3 Characters in a story must have a characterization.

Characterization describes the character or physical condition, psychological and sociological of the character.

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Characterization describes the detail how the actual character. Based on these reasons, the writer wants to analyze the characterization of the main character. The main character in this movie is a man, and the character of this man represents masculine character. Masculine is considered typical of men and feminine is considered typical of women. In essence the nature of a man is above the female. Men tend to do things or work outside the home, while women work at home or take care of the household. Although it has now undergone many aspects of change, but the actual nature of man is to become a leader for women.

In general, the masculine is defined as something that has the properties of masculinity, whether in the form of personality, behavior, occupation, or other objects. For example, aggressive, dominant, ambitious, without emotion, motor racing, ride a big motorcycle, guns, boxing, body building, construction workers, truck drivers, are the things that are considered masculine. Masculine today has undergone changes in many aspects. The first assumption of masculine is a strong man, brave, look for the livelihood in the outside of home and others, and not

related to women’s matters. Masculinity is the quality of being masculine.4 The

main character in Seven Pounds movie shows masculinity. For example, Tim

Thomas has a muscular body, it describes that he is strong. He also has the others characteristics of masculinity.

From the explanation above the writer wants to analyze masculinity that

showed by the main character, Tim Thomas in Seven Pounds movie.

Oxford University Press, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (New York, 2005), 7th edition, p. 942.

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B. Focus of the Study

Based on the background of the study, the writer restricts the research on characterization of the main character and analysis of the masculinity as the

representation by the main character in Seven Pounds movie.

C. Research Question

Based on focus of the study, there is one question for discussion, that is:

What types of masculinity are showed by Tim Thomas in Seven Pounds movie

based on Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept?

D. Benefit of the Study

represented by the characterization of the main character in Seven Pounds movie.

E. Research Methodology 1. Objective of the Study

In general, this study aims to determine the relationship between the

characterization of the main character and masculinity in Seven Pounds movie.

Specifically the aim of the study is: to know how the characterization of Tim

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Thomas in Seven Pounds movie is analyzed based on Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s

concept.

2. Method of the Research

3. Data Analysis Technique

The collected data will be analyzed with the theory of character and characterization to reveal the main character. The collected data will also be analyzed by using the Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s concept of masculinity. Finally, the data will be analyzed through “Descriptive Analyzes Technique”.

4. Research Instrument

5. Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis in this study is Seven Pounds movie, which was

released on December 19, 2008. This movie was directed by Gabriele Muccino. There is a main man character that represents the identity as the only man in the movie.

6. Place and Time

This research will be conducted in 2010 in English Letters Department, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, “Syarif Hidayatullah” State Islamic University.

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The activities include the preparation, data collection and analysis, as well as writing the report.

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CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. Character and Characterization

One of the basic elements in a movie is the characters. With other elements, the characters build a story. Without the character there will not be a

plot and there is no story. The relationship between plot and character is a vital

and necessary one. Without character there would be no plot and, hence, no story.5

When we tell about the character in terms of literary analysis, we basically have to consider three separate but closely linked. We must note, first, the ability to build the character and personality of the character itself, and the ability to understand the main identification intellectual, emotional, and moral qualities. Second, we must consider the methods and techniques that authors use to create, develop, and provide character to the reader. Third, we are concern with whether the characters are presented so credible and convincing.

The term applies to the character of each individual in the literature. For the purposes of analysis, the characters in fiction commonly described in relation to the character itself with plot, with the character development level given by the

author, and with whether they occurring or not a significant change in character.6

James H. Pickering and Jeffrey D. Hoeper, Concise Companion to Literature (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1981), p. 23

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If we are not interested in a film’s most human elements-its characters-there is little chance that will be interested in the film as a whole. For the most part, the characters in a story are believable in the same way that the story is believable. In other words, they conform to be laws of probability and necessity (by reflecting externally observable truths about human nature), they conform to some inner truth (man as we want him to be), or they are made to seem real by the convincing art of the actor. If characters are truly credible, it is almost impossible

to remain completely neutral toward them.7

1. Stock Characters and Stereotypes

Stock characters are minor characters whose actions are completely predictable or typical of their job or profession. They are in the film simply because the situation demands their presence. They serve as a natural part of the setting, much as stage properties like a lamp or a

chair might function in a play. Stereotypes, however, are characters of

somewhat greater importance to the film. They fit into preconceived patterns of behavior common to or representative of a large number of people, at least a large number of fictional people.

2. Static and Developing Characters

Developing characters are deeply affected by the action of the plot and undergo some important change in personality, attitude, or

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outlook on life as a result of the action of the story. Static characters

3. Flat and Round Characters

categorized are called round characters or three-dimensional

characters.8

Characterization

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1. Characterization Through Appearance

2. Characterization Through Dialogue

3. Characterization Through External Action

Although appearance is an important measure of a character’s personality, appearances are often misleading. Perhaps the best reflections of

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are more than mere instruments of the plot, that they do what they do for a purpose, out of motives that are consistent with their overall personality. Thus, there should be a clear relationship between a character and his or her actions; the actions should grow naturally out of the character’s personality.

4. Characterization Through Internal Action

There is an inner world of action that normally remains unseen and unheard by even the most careful observer/listener. Yet the dimension of human nature that this world embraces is often essential to a real understanding of a character. Inner action occurs within characters’ minds and emotions and consists of secret, unspoken thoughts, daydreams, aspirations, memories, fears, and fantasies. People’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations can be as important to an understanding of their character as any real achievement, and their fears and insecurities can be more terrible to them than any real catastrophic failure.

5. Characterization Through Reactions of Other Characters

appears on the screen.9

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6. Characterization Through Contrast: Dramatic Foils

One of the most effective techniques of characterization is the use of foils

– contrasting characters whose behavior, attitudes, opinions, lifestyle, physical appearance, and so on are the opposite of those of the main characters.

7. Characterization Through Caricature and Leitmotif

In order to etch a character quickly and deeply in our minds and memories, actors often exaggerate or distort one or more dominant features or

personality traits. This device is called caricature (from the technique used in

cartooning). A similar means of characterization, leitmotif, is the repetition of a

single phrase or idea by a character until it becomes almost a trademark or theme song for that character. Because it essentially exaggerates and emphasizes (through repetition), such a device acts very much like caricature.

8. Characterization Through Choice of Name

Tracy, are rather obvious and clear: Dick is slang for detective; Tracy derives

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B. Janet Saltzman Chafetz’s Concept of Masculinity

Masculine or masculinity of the French language, masculinine is an

adjective, adjective which means "kepriaan" or indicate the nature of males. The

antonym is feminine. This term is different from the "kejantanan" (which

opponents said was "kebetinaan"). 11 Masculinity is characteristics, pattern,

orientation and tendency that build statement quotation male identity.12 It

described that men are explicit, rational, aggressive and intelligent. Masculinity also described as a traditional value from men’s attitude or men’s behavior that believes courtesy and morals in public.

Manhood is sometimes used as a synonym for masculinity. The antonym of masculinity is femininity; femininity in men is sometimes called effeminacy. In some cultures masculinity may be an indicator of social status as much as wealth, race or social class. In western culture, for example, greater masculinity usually brings greater social status for males among their peers. Many English words such as virtue and virile (all from the Latin vir meaning man) reflect this. An association with physical and/or moral strength is implied. Masculinity is associated more commonly with men than with boys.

Janet Saltzman Chafetz describes seven areas of traditional masculinity

in Western culture. The first is the image of men’s physical; it concerns virile,

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maskulinitas Accessed on January 2, 2010.

Rahmat Hidayat, Ilmu Yang Seksis: Feminisme dan Perlawanan Terhadap Teori Sosial Maskulin, (Yogjakarta: Jendela, 2004) cet. ke-1, p.173.

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