Definition of Terms INTRODUCTION
9
Whether a character remains stable or changes, the reader of a traditional and realistic work expects consistency. 1999: 32
– 33. In the previous edition, Abrams states that;
“Character is the persons in a dramatic or narrative work, endowed with moral and dispositional qualities
that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and what they do-the action
” 1981:20. Reaske says that there are active characters and passive characters. Characters that do not change from the beginning to the end of
the story are called passive characters. These characters are usually static or unchanging. Conversely, active characters are the characters that have large
part in the play. They usually undergo some changes as a result of the action of the play 1966: 40.
Here in this Rodrigo Garcia‟s Mother and Child, the main characters are active characters and developed instantly. After knowing the real
situation of their mothers, the main characters are constantly changing their attitudes toward the values of their relationship with their mothers.
Mast states that film is like a play because it is “a sort performance art, presented for a group of persons gathered together at a specific place
and time” and concretely presents the characters in physical beings rather than abstract characters to enact their thoughts and feeling directly to the
audience 1982: 288. Bas ed on Mast‟s statement, the researcher has
considered using the theories on characterizations for play scripts or dramas to understand the characterizations of the characters that will be discussed
further in this thesis.
10
To present characters in a play script or a drama, an author may use the way a character portrayal which is known as characterization. According
to Reaske, there are six devices of characterization: a.
The appearance of the character Reaske states that the appearance of the character might help the readers
to understand the characterization. The prologue or the playwright often describes the character in physical sense.1966: 46
b. Asides and soliloquies
We learn about the characters as they speak. And specifically, we are apt to understand the characters best when they speak in short asides
or in longer soliloquies. On the occasions the character is, in effect; telling the audience of his specific characteristics: if he is a villain,
he usually explains his evil intentions or at least his malicious hopes; if a lover, he offers us poetic statements of devotions: if a hero torn
between love and duty, he tells us about his conflict, and his resulting agony. The use of soliloquies and asides is one of the most
expert devices of characterization.1966:46
From the quotation above, the writer concludes that the characters‟
soliloquies can be used as a device to characterize the characters. c.
Dialogue between characters The way character uses his language and makes a dialogue to other
characters also sheds a great deal of light on understanding his personality. 1966:47
d. Hidden narration
Another device to characterize based on what Reaske has stated is hidden narration. One of the devices of characterization frequently