A STUDY ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICT IN THE NOVEL “THE BABY SURPRISE” BY JANELLE DENISON

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Literature is meant the expression of thought in language, where by “thought” I
mean the ideas, feelings, views, reasoning, and other operations of the human mind.
Literature, then, is of a personal character; it consists in the enunciations and
teachings of those who have a right to speak as representatives of their kind and in
whose words their brethren find an interpretation of their own sentiments, a record of
their own experience, and a suggestion for their ownjudgments, Singleton and Millet
(In Newman, 1966)
Literature is and cannot be anything but, a kind of extension and application of
certain properties of language. He sees the relationship between literature and
language on the basis of the very fact that the literary work is verbal work of art, and
this has long provoked in vestigators to speak of language’s leading role in literature:
an entire discipline, i.e., stylistics, has been created on the borderline between literary
studies and linguistics, Valery (In Koesnosoebroto, 1988)
According to Perrine (1959: 4), literature is an antidote to the conflicting
influences. To the stale picture of commercial-propaganda it opposes the fresh,
intense image, the vision of things “counter, original, spare, strange.”
In making classification of literature, Connolly (1955: 2) mentions characteristics
of literature and kinds of literature. Under characteristics of literature, he mentions

three points: first, that literature has power. The use of language in a certain piece

1

work of literature may create a powerful emotional impact in the reader’s mind. A
work of literature makes use of words producing multiplication of images which
sometimes lead people to action. Second, literature is also vivid. One of its great
achievements is (quoting Joseph Conrad); “by the power of the written word to make
you hear, to make you feel it is before all, to make you see.” Third, the language of
literature is clear. To clarify this, he uses a passage describing a character. In this
literary description of that character, it is clear that the writer clarifies his definition of
a person by showing what he does, why he does it, how he does it, or what he would
never do.
The reason why the writer chooses novel because novel as one of literary works
which has story relationship with human life, so the writer thinks that we can enlarge
our experiences about life through novel. The writer chooses the novel by the title
“The Baby Surprise” because it is a classic novel that has very interesting plot and
easy to remember the story. This novel is one of drama romantic novels by Harlequin
that can make the reader feel touched and emotional. Therefore, the writer would like
to study “The Baby Surprise”.

In this research, the writer explains about the effect and solution about the
psychological conflict that happen by Grace Holbrook as the main character in the
novel “The Baby Surprise”. In the other research by Maria MarselinaLiklikWatil
(2007), the writer explains about the cause and effect about the psychological conflict.
In the thesis by AstriDwiMariyam (2005), there are being three types of dramatic
conflict, which follows: personal conflict, interpersonal conflict and organizational
conflict. In this research, the types of conflict are approach-approach conflict,

2

avoidance-avoidance conflict, approach-avoidance conflict, and multiple approachavoidance conflict. In the thesis by Teguh Sri Wiyono (2005), there are being some
elements of conflict those are sources of instability in the initial moment, the middle
conflict, complication and climax. In this research, complication and climax are the
part of plot.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
The problems of this study are stated as follows:
1. What are the psychological conflicts faced by Grace Holbrook in the novel “The Baby
Surprise” by Janelle Denison?
2. What are the effects of the psychological conflict faced by Grace Holbrook in the

novel “The Baby Surprise” by Janelle Denison?
3. How Grace Holbrook does solve the psychological conflicts in the novel “The Baby
Surprise” by Janelle Denison?

1.3 Purpose of the Study
Concerning with the problem above, purposes of this study are as follows:
1. To know the psychological conflict that faced by Grace Holbrook in the novel “The
Baby Surprise” by Janelle Denison.
2. To know the effects of the psychological conflict faced by Grace Holbrook in the novel
“The Baby Surprise” by Janelle Denison.
3. To know how Grace Holbrook solves the psychological conflicts in the novel “The
Baby Surprise” by Janelle Denison.

3

1.4 Significance of the Study
This study is expected to give some contributions for the students and the next
researchers. Hopefully this study can be used to broaden the knowledge of the English
Department Students about literary work. Besides, it is expected to function as
additional reference that is useful for the next researchers who wants to conduct the

similar research.

1.5 Scope and Limitation
The scope of this study is psychological conflict in the novel “The Baby Surprise”.
The writer limits on the psychological conflict faced by Grace Holbrook as one of the
main characters.

1.6 Definition of Key Terms
1. Study is the activity of learning or gaining knowledge esp. from the book (Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)
2. Language is system of sounds, words, etc used by humans to communicate thoughts
and feelings (Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary)
3. Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces (Macmillan, 1984: 591)
4. Social conflict is a conflict between a person and another person, John Jr. (In Watil,
2007)
5. Physical conflict is a conflict between human being and nature or environment, John Jr.
(In Watil, 2007)

4


6. Psychological conflict is the conflict that happen between man and himself, John Jr. (In
Watil, 2007)
7. Main character is the most important character in a story (Koesnosoebroto, 1988: 67)

5

A STUDY ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICT IN THE
NOVEL “THE BABY SURPRISE” BY JANELLE DENISON

THESIS

The thesis is submitted to fulfill one of the requirements
to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education

By
Henny Fridayanti
201210100312299

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
2013

A STUDY ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICT IN THE
NOVEL “THE BABY SURPRISE” BY JANELLE DENISON

By
Henny Fridayanti
201210100312299

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
2013

MOTTO AND DEDICATION

MOTTO
NO PAIN NO GAIN


DEDICATED TO
My beloved parents Mr. Suparno and Mrs. Kustini
My patient advisors Drs. Estu Widodo, M.Hum and Puji Sumarsono, M.Ed., M.Pd
My beloved sister Diana Rosida
My beloved friends The PM’s Genk
My love Fahd Abdul Azis
Me amore all. Being with you makes my life colorful.

A STUDY ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICT IN THE
NOVEL “THE BABY SURPRISE” BY JANELLE DENISON

ABSTRACT
Literature is meant the expression of thought in language, where by
“thought” I mean the ideas, feelings, views, reasoning, and other operations of the
human mind. Literature, then, is of a personal character; it consists in the
enunciations and teachings of those who have a right to speak as representatives
of their kind and in whose words their brethren find an interpretation of their own
sentiments, a record of their own experience, and a suggestion for their own
judgments. Novel as one of literary works which has story relationship with
human life, so we can enlarge our experience about life through novel.

This study is intended to know the psychological conflict, the effect of the
psychological conflict that faced by Grace Holbrook and how does Grace
Holbrook solve the psychological conflict.
In this study, the writer of this thesis uses the qualitative research,
becauseits focuses on understanding social phenomena from the perspective of the
human participants in natural setting. While, objective approach was used in
analyzing this study, because the writer just wants to know the story of the novel
related to the topic without studying the author’s life.
The result of this study are (1) the psychological conflict that faced by
Grace Holbrook was avoidance-avoidance conflict. First, when Grace met Ford
McCabe, the conflict which faced by Grace made her felt confuse to choose
between Ford, the man who she loved and her father that was not agreeing their
relationship. Second, when Grace Holbrook felt confuse with her pregnancy, it
was because her father was not accept her baby to be his grandchild, on the other
hand, Grace wanted to marry with Ford because of the baby and also because she
loved him. (2) The effect of the psychological conflict that faced by Grace
Holbrook were stress and angry. First, Grace felt stress about her father and Ford.
Second, Grace felt angry at her father, because he did not want to accept his
grandchild. (3) Grace Holbrook solved the psychological conflict by two
solutions.


First, the solution used is algorithm. Her father did not want to accept Ford
as son-in-law, and Grace decided to choose Ford for her future. Second, heuristic
solution, because Grace took a quick solution to tell to her father about her
pregnancy but her father still did not want to acknowledge the baby as his
grandchild.

Malang, October 28, 2013
The Writer

Henny Fridayanti

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Bismillahirrohmaanirrohiim.
In the name of Allah SWT for benefit and merciful, Alhamdulillah,
because of Allah SWT’s blessing the writer of this thesis finishes the thesis.
Besides, Sholawat and salam is for the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The writer of this thesis would like to express her deepest gratitude to Drs.
EstuWidodo, M. Hum as her first advisor, for his sincere and generously spared

his time for guiding, correcting, commenting the manuscript, and giving
additional ideas. She also wishes to say her greatly indebted to PujiSumarsono,
M.Ed., M.Pd as the second advisor, who also gives invaluable guidance,
encouragement, suggestions, and correction up to final.
Her expression of thanks also goes to all of lectures of English Department
in University of Muhammadiyah Malang who contribute some knowledge to her.
Finally, the writer of this thesis wants to give special appreciation to her
beloved father, mother and sister, for all of their love and support.
Hopefully, Allah SWT always blesses those mentioned above and all their
sacrifice become their merciful deeds to help them gain success in their future life.
It is expected that this thesis will be beneficial for the reader. Amien.

Malang, October 28, 2013
The Writer

Henny Fridayanti

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL ……………………………………………………………


i

LEGALIZATION ……………………………………………………..

ii

MOTTO AND DEDICATION ……………………………………….

iii

ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …………………………………………… vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………..

vii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.1

Background of the Study ……………………………….

1

1.2

Statement of the Problem ……………………………….

3

1.3

Purpose of the Study ……………………………………

3

1.4

Significance of the Study ……………………………….

4

1.5

Scope and Limitation …………………………………...

4

1.6

Definition of Key Terms ………………………………..

4

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1

The Concept of Literature ……………………………..

6

2.2

Novel as Literary Work ………………………………

7

2.3

Elements of Novel …………………………………….

8

2.3.1

Theme ………………………………………...

9

2.3.2

Plot ……………………………………………

9

2.3.2.1 Exposition …………………………….

10

2.3.2.2 Complication …………………………

10

2.3.2.3 Climax ………………………………..

10

2.3.2.4 Resolution ……………………………

10

Character ……………………………………..

11

2.3.3.1 Flat and Round Character …………….

11

2.3.3.2 Protagonist and Antagonist …………...

12

2.3.3.3 Main and Minor Character …………….

12

2.3.4

Characterization ……………………………….

12

2.3.5

Point of View ………………………………….

13

2.3.6

Conflict ………………………………………..

13

2.3.6.1 Social Conflict …………………………

14

2.3.6.2 Physical Conflict ………………………

14

2.3.6.3 Psychological Conflict …………………

15

2.3.6.3.1 Types of Psychological Conflict

15

2.3.3

2.3.6.3.2 Theory of Psychological Conflict 17
2.3.6.3.3 Cause of Psychological Conflict

19

2.3.6.3.4 The Solution of Psychological
Conflict …………………….

20

CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1

Research Methodology ………………………………

22

3.2

Approach …………………………………………….

23

3.3

Data Collection ………………………………………

24

3.4

Data Analysis ………………………………………..

25

CHAPTER IV: FINDING AND DISCUSSION
4.1

Research Finding …………………………………….
4.1.1

26

The Psychological Conflicts Faced by Grace
Holbrook …………………………………….

26

4.2

4.1.1.1 Avoidance-avoidance Conflict …….....

26

4.1.2

The Effects of the Psychological Conflict …..

28

4.1.3

Solutions of the Psychological Conflict ……..

29

Discussion ……………………………………………

32

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1

Conclusions ………………………..............................

35

5.2

Suggestions …………………………………………..

36

BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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