In short, in the journey to explore his ability and fulfill his ambition, he meets several significant figures, has many odor experiences, and always learns
how to keep preserving the odor eternally. Therefore, this leads to his ambition to preserve a perfect odor that will make people aware of his existence and recognize
him. So, he will be freed from his state of being alienated. Unfortunately, the perfect odor that Grenouille wants to preserve is the human odor that comes from
the extract of beautiful virgin women.
B. Approach of the Study
Since in this research the writer discusses about the alienation experienced by the main character of a novel entitled
Perfume
, the most appropriate approach to be applied is psychological approach.
As Knellwolf and Norris 2008 deliver that psychological approach is the most appropriate approach to examine
human’s psychology in the state of being alienated. Hence, in this research the writer focuses
on the main character’s psychology.
In addition, psychological approach is appropriate to study about one’s
behavior. In the work of literature, this approach can be applied to study about the character’s psychological conflict such alienation. As stated by Guerin,
“Psychological approaches provide insight into the thematic and symbolic mysteries of a work of literature and enhance other readings. These critics
seek the possible motives behind the literary work, reading “between the
lines” for author’s and character’s psychological conflicts” Guerin, 2011: 222.
The writer applies psychological approach to study psychological conflicts of the main character in the story. The psychological conflicts that are found in the
main character’s characteristics are the main character’s state of being alienated. Thus, psychological approach is the most appropriate approach to analyze the
main character’s characteristics of being alienated.
C. Method of the Study
In this discussion, the writer applies a library research. Library research means that the writer uses books, theories, and any information related to the topic
to collect supportive data on the subject matter. A novel entitled
Perfume: Story of a Murderer
by Patrick Süskind and internet references related to Patrick Süskind and his work were used as the
primary source of data. The writer did several steps in order to answer the problem formulation and had a further understanding about
the main character’s alienation as seen in
Perfume: Story of a Murderer
by Patrick Süskind. In this dis
cussion, the writer’s purpose was to examine the characteristics of the main character and to reveal alienation symptoms through the characteristics of Jean-
Baptiste Grenouille as the main character of the story. First, the writer identified the common characteristics of the main
character named Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in
Perfume: Story of a Murderer
. The theory of character and characterization was prominent to examine the
characteristics of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. In addition, through several ways of
characterization, it helped the writer to have a deep understanding about Grenouill
e’s quality. Second, the further focus was narrowed on how
Grenouille’s characteristics revealed alienation symptoms. After the writer examined the
characteristics of Grenouille, the review on alienation in psychology and social psychology was applied to relate
Grenouille’s characteristics and the details of Grenouille’s portrayal in the state of being alienated. The last, after finishing those
two steps, the writer drew conclusion of the study.
In this discussion, the writer used references and data to support the analysis. The primary source was a novel entitled
Perfume: Story of a Murderer
by Patrick Süskind 1985.While, the secondary references came from the theories on literary works. Theories on literary works were such theory on character,
characteristic, and characterization by Abrams and Harpham 2012 from his book entitled
A Glossary of Literary Terms
, a book entitled
Understanding Unseens: An Introduction to English Poetry and English Novel for Overseas Student
by Murphy 1972, and also
Theory of Literature
by Rene Wellek and Austin Warren 1990.
Meanwhile, in order to reveal and identify Grenouille’s alienation symptoms, the writer used a book from Caveman 1973 entitled
Social Psychology: Understanding Human Interaction
, a book from Lindgren 1981 entitled
An Introduction to Social Psychology,
and a review on alienation from Barclay and Moncivaiz 2013. Those secondary references above were important
to support the writer’s analysis.
