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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the analysis is divided into three parts. The first part is analysis about the problems faced by Tom Rath, the second part is analysis about
the way Tom Rath solves the problems, and the third part is analysis on the moral value revealed through Tom Rath faced the problems.
A. The Problems Faced by Tom Rath
Tom Rath is the major character of the novel and in this section the writer wants to discuss about the problems that he faced. Before discuss it, the writer
wants to tell about Tom Rath’s background. First, Tom Rath is 33 years old and army paratroop ofiicer during world war II. He has wife and three children. The
setting of the novel is in Westport, Connecticut around 1953. So this novel is made after world war II. He is a veteran world war II who holds some secrets
from his experience. The war kept him from getting on with his life, but it also gave him some help in living in civilian life. Actually it is not easy for him to
have a life after world war. He has deal with so many memories that haunted him after world war. Sometimes the memories have bad effects on his life. Besides
that he has to find a good job to earn living with his family. It is a big efforts to have a good payment at that time, because after world war the economy condition
in America is very bad.
1. Financial Problem
The first problem in Tom Rath’s life is about financial. Living as a veteran world war is not quite easy, especially in financial problem. Tom has to find
another job after world war. Everything in his mind is about to find money. With three kids is not easy if Tom doesn’t find a good job. Any kind of job Tom will
accept it if the salary is good. This is the quotation from the novel The Man In the Gray Flannel Suit
that strengthens the point above. “Betsy finished her drink and poured herself another. I’ve never thought of
you as a public relatios man, she said soberly. Would you like it? I’d like the money, Tom replied.” p. 6
In another part, Tom Rath almost sells his grandmother’s house in order to
get cash money. He does not think clearly about the consequences if he sells it. Maybe he can use the house to make money or something else, although the
house is inheritance from his grandmother. Luckily, the lawyer from his grandmother tell him not to sell the house too fast, and in the end Tom agree
with his advice. The following quotation is a proof to this explanantion above “I may need a cash,”Tom said. “I,m broke, and until the house is sold,
things are going to be tough. Don’t sell it too fast,” Sims said. “Your grandmother has twenty acres of the bast land in South bay.” p. 56
2. An Affair with Maria and War’s Bad Memories
This affair happened in Italy during the war. Maria is a girl from Rome that Tom met in Italy in 1944. Actually Tom had married before the war with
Betsy. But, With the chaos during the war, anything can be happen. Including having an affair with a local girl. The following quotation is a proof to to the
explanation above
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