The next was analyzing the characteristics of the two main characters by using the theory of character and characterization by M.J Murphy, and tried to
focus on any “dysfunctional” or abnormal behavior of them, because then it is possible to implement the psychoanalytic
concepts from Tyson’s Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide second edition. Finally, after writing
the analysis, the last step was bringing a conclusion based on the overall analysis.
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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
The writer will answer the two questions that have been stated in the problem formulation, which have been presented in the previous chapter.
Firstly, the writer will explore the three major characters, Mama, Maggie and Dee. Theories of character and characterization will support to know their
characteristics as well. The second problem that is the core issues that the major characters have and the defense mechanisms that are reflected on each
character to cope with those issues will be discussed by applying the theory of Psychoanalytic by Lois Tyson.
A. The Characterization of the Major Characters
Like what Abrams says that character is the person, in dramatic or narrative work, endowed with moral disposition and emotional qualities. And
the qualities are expressed in what they say-the dialogue-and what they do-the action 1981:2.
In this short story the major characters are Maggie, Dee, and Mama, and the writer will discuss all of them. Their emotional qualities are expressed in
the dialogue and the action. That is why the writer will apply theory of character and characterization by Murphy. Murphy says that there are nine
techniques to describe a character of a story. Their characterization can be seen through their personal description, speech, thought, past life, reaction,
conversation of others, direct comment, manners and character as seen by another. In this study, the writer will only use six of them which are character
as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation of others, personal description, and reactions to answer the first problem formulation.
1. Mrs. Johnson Mama
Mama is a single parent who raises two daughters, Maggie and Dee. She is
one of the protagonists in the short story and also the narrator of it. She is a woman with a solid foundation and tough roots, which means that she has a
great appreciation to her own heritage and family. Now the writer will analyze Mama’s characteristics through her personal description, her speech, and her
reactions. Mama is characterized by her personal description. Mama describes
herself as a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. She proudly tells of her ability to kill and clean hogs as “mercilessly” as any man.
Mama describes: In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-
working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as
a man. My fat keeps me hot in zero weather. I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing p. 315
From her description we can imagine how Mama looks like in real life. We can see that she is a tough woman and a hard worker.
Mama is characterized by her speech. Mama is characterized as a patient woman. We can see it when Dee changes her name and Mama did not even
get mad at her. “How do you pronounce this name?” I asked.
“You do not have to call me by it if you do not want to,” said Wangero.
“Why shouldn’t I? I asked. “If that is what you want us to call you, we’ll call you.”
“I know it might sound awkward at first,” said Wangero. “I’ll get used to it,” I said. “Ream it out again” p. 318
From what Mama says above she is willing to back down and call Dee with the name that she wants them to call her by. As a parent, Mama has the
right to reject what Dee wants because she is named after their ancestors and she cannot just change it easily. It is a kind of disrespect. But in this case
Mama does not even get mad but back down instead. She is willing to learn how to pronounce Wangero’s name. Mama is also honest. It is shown when
Dee wants to have the quilts which Mama promises to give to Maggie. Mama tells Dee, “The truth is, I promised to give them quilts to Maggie, for when
she marries John Thomas” p. 320. From that sentence, Mama shows that she is not afraid to tell the truth to Dee even though she knows that it might hurt
Dee’s feeling and makes her angry. W
hat Mama says about Dee, that “no” is a word that the world never say to her. But this time Mama really does say no to Dee. She knows that Dee might
not like the truth she tells but she says it anyway. Mama can think of any other reasons why she can’t give the quilts to Dee instead of telling that those are
Maggie’s portion since she knows that Dee used to hate Maggie, but she does
