16
3. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS
3.1 Allyson Healey
Allyson is the main character in the novel. She is 18 years old. Allyson recently has completed her senior high school and continues her studying in
medical major in Boston, USA. She lives in the dormitory. When she graduates from school, her parents gave her a gift that is Study Tour but she was reluctant to
go. As written below,
“When my parents gave me this trip as a big high-school graduation present, I was a little reluctant to go. But Mom had reassured me that
she’d done her research. Teen tours Was very well regarded, noted for its high-quality educational component, as well as the care that was
taken of its students. I would be well locked after. “You’ll never be alone,” my parents had promised me. And, of course, Melanie was
coming too.” Forman 2013:5
Allyson is a good girl and very obedient to her parents. When some members of the tour took her to a night out to the local bars, Allyson refuses to
follow them, although most of them are legally old enough to drink alcohol in Europe. As written as follow,
“I don’t go to the bars. I usually just go back to the hotel rooms Melanie and I share and watch TV. You can almost always find
American movies, the same kinds of movies which, back at home, Melanie and I often watched together on weekends, in one of our
rooms, with lots of popcorn. Forman 2013:5
While Allyson and Melanie walk around the town, they are visited by a man with blond hair and give them a brochure. The man says that they will play a
drama near the canal not far from their hotel. And then they receive an invitation from the man. So they come and watch the whole drama until the end. The next
day they get ready to station to London, they reach the station, then Allyson hears
Universitas Sumatera Utara
17
the sound of his voice that is not far from her, after hearing the voice, Allyson instantly recognizes it, but Allyson is just relax when she sees him. It can be seen
in the following statement, “I should be surprised, but somehow, I’m not. I do have to bite my lip
to keep from grinning.”Forman 2013:20
When they meet in the station and get acquainted, and it turns out his name is Willem. When Allyson is speaking, Willem notices, and then Willem
says that she relates to Louise Brook because his hair model is very similar to Louise Brooks. As written below,
“No.” He peers at me with those eyes of his. They’d looked so dark yesterday, but now that I’m up close, I can see that they have all kinds
of colors in them –gray, brown, even gold dancing in the darkness. Allyson said.” “You know who you look like? Louise Brooks.” “She
was huge star in nineteen twenties. American amazing Actress. Willem said.”
Afterwards Willem calls her Lulu, which is shortened from the name of Louise Brook. When they arrive at the next station, the three of them feel down
simultaneously, she has just finished the tour to the big Europe cities: Rome, Vienna, Budaphest and now back to London. Allyson feels upset for not going to
Paris after Rome for several reasons. As written below, “Oh, come on. You’re not still moping about that?” Melanie turns to
Willem. “We were supposed to go to Paris after Rome, but the air traffic controllers went on strike and all the flights got cancelled, and it
was too far to go to on the bus. She’s still bummed out about it” Forman 2013:27
Seeing the situation, Willem immediately invites Allyson to visit Paris for a day. Then Allyson is shocked when she hears Willem’s invitation to visit Paris.
As written below,
Universitas Sumatera Utara
18
“My heart starts doing the most ridiculous flippy things, but my ever- rational mind continues to click off all the reasons this won’t work.”
“It’s totally crazy. I don’t even know him. And I could get caught. And how much of Paris can you see in just one day.”Forman 2013:28
Finally they go to Paris. After an hour, they arrive in Paris. When exiting the station Allyson sees the entire of Paris. Allyson feels her happiness is in this
city. Allyson is happy when she has arrived in Paris. It can be seen in the following statement,
“It’s official,” I declare. “I love Paris” “It’s just become my favorite city in the whole world.” “I should add that there wasn’t much
competition, seeing as I didn’t actually enjoy most of the places on the tour.” Forman 2013:46
Soon she transforms into Lulu. Lulu is different with Allyson, who is always obedient according to her parents and also her friends. Lulu is not
submissive girl and full rules. As written below, Lulu is not Allyson who lives in rooms without doors or windows.
Lulu is an adventurous girl who is free, brave, and free to do like the water flowing.
After that Willem takes her to his friend’s place. Willem finally meets his friend named Celine, they tell stories and they kiss the left cheek and right cheek
kiss before parting and Lulu sees them kissing and it makes her jealous. As written as below,
“When they do that cheek-cheek-kiss-kiss thing, I feel so much of the excitement from earlier dwindle. Forman 2013:57
When they are on the way, they meet with some skinhead who tries to disturb the two of them. Willem told Lulu to save themselves but Lulu does not
want to leave Willem. Willem then takes blurry Lulu. The skinheads throw broken glass towards Lulu. Suddenly there is a red liquid that comes out of her neck that
Universitas Sumatera Utara
19
turns out to be blood. Willem is angry because Lulu does not want to hear him. He told to Lulu, that Willem will return her to London. Lulu feels sad, when Willem
says that he will send her back to England. As written below, “Still, seeing this new Paris, it brings tears to my eyes that turn all the
lights into a big red scar. I wipe my face with my dampening cardigan, my returned watch still grasped in my hand.”Forman2013:113
However, Lulu feels that she really falls in love with Willem, but Lulu still annoys with Willem behavior lately to her. As written below,
“Willem looks at me for a long moment. But he does oblige with a refill and then that lazy half smile. In one day, I’ve come to love that
smile. And now I want to murder it.” Forman 2013:117
Allyson is curious to him. Why Willem want to invite Allyson to Paris just
one day and what can be done in one day in Paris, Allyson is still confused and do not know anything about Willem. It can be seen in the statement below,
“What did you bring me here for?”“Because he never answered that.” “Never said why he asked me to come to Paris with him for the day.”
Forman 2013:119-120
The next day, Lulu wakes up without any Willem on her side. Lulu is panic. Lulu is back to Allyson. Allyson is paranoid, panic, irregular, sad, and
begins to lose direction. As written below, “My hearts starts to pound. Panic is coming, breathless with fear. I hug
my knees, shivering in the damp morning. My tears make me hard to see. I take some deep breaths, swallow my sobs.” “I’m too scared, too
numb to be hurt. That will come later.” Forman 2013:136
But with the assistance from Ms. Foley, tour leader traveling around Europe yesterday, Allyson can get back to America safely.
Universitas Sumatera Utara
20
3.2 Melanie