The Contact with Self

50 of characteristics, the personality of the inhabitants who affect Veronika’s growth is acquired. Dr. Igor is a logical person. He is trying to find the cure to desperation and to safe many souls. Dr. Igor uses Veronika as his guinea pig by telling her that she only has a few days to live. Thus, Dr. Igor makes Veronika aware of her reason in commiting suicide. Zedka is an indifferent woman who is aware of her insanity. Through her indifference, Zedka invites Veronika to be more open, especially to open herself for a relationship with friends. Mari is a good mother with many qualities except the courage to chase her dreams. Mari cares Veronika as a friend and daughter. Mari’s affection makes Veronika able to trust a friend. Thus, Veronika is willing to join a meditation session led by Nasrudin. Nasrudin is a sufi master who lives within the mental asylum. Nasrudin’s meditation session leads Veronika to an awareness of her hatred, love, fear, curiosity, and a desire to live. Thus, Veronika becomes more aware of her true nature. Eduard is a brave and an educated man from wealthy family. Eduard’s interest in music grants Veronika an opportunity to realize her dream as a pianist. Furthermore, it is Eduard to whom Veronika is able to free her desire to a man of trust and love. Third problem deals with the significance of living in the mental asylum to Veronika’s growth that leads to Self-realization. By using the theory of psychosynthesis, Veronika’s old personality of being a perfectionist and introvert is deconstructed. The mental asylum not only provides freedom, but also friends with empathic love to Veronika. As Veronika’s relationship intensifies, she opens her soul to past memories that have been repressed. Thus, 51 Veronika achieves Self-realization. Furthermore, Veronika realizes her desire to live a more meaningful life.

5.2. Implications

Paulo Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die deals with various aspects in life which can be related to education. There are some implications that can be derived from this study for education. The first aspect is Veronika’s growth. Since Veronika faces a new environment, her perspectives of life changes. As an educator, maintaining class environment is important. A conducive classroom environment will improve the mood and atmosphere inside of a class. A conducive classroom also motivates students to actively participate in learning activities. Since students’ mood changes from time to time, teachers have to know when learning activity is not effective and then creatively recover the conducive environment. The second aspect is the condition within the mental asylum. In the mental asylum, the patients are free to express themselves. In class, the students’ mood will increase as the teacher gives students freedom to express their thoughts and feelings. Students’ interpretation and understanding may not be perfect because their knowledge is fewer than the teacher’s. However, it becomes teacher’s role to guide the students by encouraging their curiosity of the topic. The third aspect is related to Veronica’s cooperation with other patients. Through communicating with the other patients, Veronika can achieve self- realization. In a classroom, the students can perform better in a group. By