24
CHAPTER III RESEARCH FINDING
A. Character Analysis
In this chapter, the writer would like to analyze psychological problem of the main character in Darkly Dreaming Dexter novel. Before explaining about
psychological problem, the writer wants to analyze Dexter‘s character as the main
character in this story due to know further and deeper understanding of the main character in this novel which can be seen from his thought, direct statement,
dialogues, and his interaction with other characters. Then, the writer uses Sigmund Freud‘s theory to explain his personality that can be assumed as a
mental problem that leads him to become a murderer. Dexter Morgan is identified as the protagonist because the author
describes Dexter‘s minds and actions as a central figure of a story larger than any other characters in Darkly Dreaming Dexter novel. It makes the readers can
understand the main character clearly. He works for the Miami Metro Police Department as a forensic blood spatter pattern analyst and described as a man that
was adopted by Miami police officer Harry Morgan and wife Doris Morgan at the age of three due to the murder of his mother. It can be seen from the following
quotation. ― I dont have a family. I mean, as far as I know. Somewhere out there must
be people who carry similar genetic material, I‘m sure. I pity them. But I‘ve never met them. I haven‘t tried, and they haven‘t tried to find me. I
was adopted, raised by Harry and Doris Morgan, Deborah‘s parents. And
considering what I am, they did a wonderful job of raising me, don‘t you think? Lindsay 2004, 15
24
25
His foster mother died because of cancer when he was a teenager, and his foster fathe
r died few years after. Since Harry‘s death, Dexter‘s only family is his sister Deborah, Harry and Doris‘ biological daughter. Deborah also works for the
Miami Metro Police Department as a cop. In the beginning of the story, Dexter introduces as the main character. He
is seen by other people as a normal person, and Dexter appearances are very usual. He always wears a nice clothes. There is no sufficient information about his
age, but from several informations, the writer concludes that he is about 30 years old.
― In the mirror I looked the way I was supposed to look. Carefully composed features. Calm and mocking blue eyes, a perfect imitation of
human life. Except that my hair stuck up like Stan Laurel‘s, there was no sign of whatever it was that had just zipped through my half-sleeping brain
and rattled me out of my slumber. Lindsay 2004, 79
From the quotation above, it can be seen that Dexter physical appearance is almost perfect. He is a good
– looking white man, he has blue eyes, he likes to exercise so he has extremely fit body.
“In fact, sweating was one of our favorite activities. We had cycled through the Everglades, done 5k runs, and even pumped
iron together.” Lindsay 2004, 54 Behind his casual persona, Dexter hides a very dark secret. He is a serial
killer. Although everyone knows Dexter Morgan as a good-looking and has a good personality; in the reverse of all those things, Dexter has a really dark life.
Normally, childhood is a moment when children spend their time with family and friends everyday.
45
They get love comfort, and good treatment from people surround them. Unfortunately, Dexter‘s hopes do not meet the reality. He gets bad
experience in his childhood that becomes traumatic memory.
45
Leland H Scott, Child Development: An Longitudinal Approach. United Stated: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1967, p. 256
Kategori