Object of the Research

18 data. There were four steps in conducting this research in order to answer the research question. The first step was to read, understand and comprehend the novel. The second step was to determine the approach and theory that would be applied in analyzing this research. Based on the problem formulation stated, this research used psychological approach. The theories of psychology in this research were the theory of human motivation and theory of human needs. The third step was analyzing the novel using the theories and approach to answer the research question. The last step was drawing conclusion from the result of the analysis. 19

CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS

This chapter is aimed to answer the question which is stated in the research question. In this chapter, the writer tries to analyze the motivation of Komako, who is a Geisha, in keeping relationships with Shimamura, who is a married man. The writer divides the analysis into two parts. The first part discusses the characterization of Komako and the second part discusses the motivation of Komako as a Geisha in keeping the relationships with Shimamura as a married man.

4.1 The Characterization of Komako

There are two major characters in the novel. Komako is one of the major characters. The other major character is Shimamura. Komako is the major character because she is a complex character and frequently appears in the story of the novel. This characterization of Komako will help to identify the motivation of Komako in keeping relationships with Shimamura. The understanding of who Komako is can help to understand what motivates her in doing what she does. Motivation is seen as internal factor that moves human beings towards the goal that is to be achieved. Those internal factor drives person to behave and respond to the stimuli from external factor so that person can fulfill the needs. 20

4.1.1 Beautiful

Komako is a good-looking woman. By looking at her face, people know that she was given a natural beauty. Her face looks beautiful although she does not pay too much attention to it. Shimamura says that Komako is the most beautiful one in Snow Country. The author gives the direct comment about Komako and it can be seen through Shimamura’s thought in the quotation below. The high, thin nose was a little lonely, a little sad, but the bud of her lips opened and closed smoothly, like a beautiful little circle of leeches. Even when she was silent her lips seemed always to be moving. … the line of her eyelids neither rose nor fell … the short, thick hair of her eyebrows sloped gently down to enfold the line discreetly … with her skin like white porcelain coated over faint pink … the impression she gave was above all one of cleanness, not quite one of real beauty. p. 32

4.1.2 Perfectionist

Komako’s good manner can be observed in the way she cares about her life and her environment. She is totally concerned about anything around her. This behavior represents that she has purpose of her life and she makes plan of her life. She is aware of the situation in which she does not enjoy. People can be affected by the environment but people also can affect the environment through their behavior. It can be known from the quotation below through Komako’s mannerisms and habits. Shimamura sat idly smoking, his feet in the kotatsu. When the ashes dropped from his cigarette, Komako took them up in a handerchief and brought him an ashtray. He laughed a bright morning laugh. Komako laughed too.