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3. Theories of Characterization a. Definition of Characterization
Rohrberger and Woods 1971 define a characterization as the process by which an author creates a character p. 20. In addition, according to Roberts and
Jacobs 1989, a characterization is the way that an author uses to give information about the characters p. 147. The theory of characterization is used
to explore how the main character acts and how the author describes the main character in the novel. The author can use many ways to make the characteristics
of the main character understandable by the reader.
b. Ways of Characterization
Murphy 1972 in his book Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students
states that there are nine ways through which an author may reveal the characters‟ personalities and
traits to the readers pp. 161-173. First way is called personal description. The author can describe a character through his appearances and clothes. From the
description, the readers are given an image of the character looks like such as his hair, his looking, and his coat. The second way is called characters as seen by
another. The author can describe a character through the eyes and opinions of another. Through another characters‟ judgement toward the other ones, the reader
would be able to know the characterization of one another. Third way is called speech. The author can describe the characteristic of a character through the way
he speaks to other characters. Whenever the character speaks, involves in conversation with other, or gives opinion, he is actually giving the readers some
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insights to his characters. The fourth way is called past life. A person‟s past life
would be able to help readers to shape a person‟s characteristic. This would be done by the direct comment by the author, the person‟s thought, his conversation,
or through the medium of another person. The fifth way is called conversation with others. The author uses the conversation of other people and the things about
a character to know the characteristic of one character. The sixth way is called reactions. The author describes the p
erson‟s characteristic by letting the readers know how that person reacts to various situations and events. Reactions here mean
the way that person cries or laughs. The seventh way is called direct comment. The author can describe or comment on a person‟s character directly. The eighth
way is called thoughts. The author can give the readers a direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. The last way is called mannerism. The author can
tell the readers something about the person‟s characteristic by describing that person‟s mannerisms, habits, or idiosyncrasies.
4. Theories of Homosexuality
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