C. Theoretical Framework
This study focuses on Charlie as the main character of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and his behaviors that lead into his traumatic
experience. In analyzing Charlie, the researcher uses theory of character and characterization in order to get a deeper understanding about the characteristics of
Charlie and how his characteristics can help to reveal his post traumatic stress disorder PTSD.
Theory of psychoanalysis is important in this study. In order to know about how his traumatic experience can cause post-traumatic stress disorder
symptoms, the researcher uses this theory. Through this theory, the researcher can find out about the possible repression in Charlie unconscious.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is also important in this study. The researcher analyzes Charlie’s behaviors and their related to Charlie’s traumatic
experience. This theory helps the researcher to find a deeper understanding about the effects of traumatic experience that affect someone’s behavior in the future.
Since this study uses psychological approach, applying the psychological phenomenon about psychological disorder is needed to reveal Charlie’s traumatic
experience. Since literature is a reflection of people’s mind and very close in our daily
life, then, analyzing some elements of literary works will give us a deeper understanding about the works themselves. Analyzing Charlie who has
psychological issue in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower can give more knowledge about human condition.
18
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
Charlie as the main character in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the object of this study. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a semi-
autobiographical novel written by Stephen Chbosky and published in 1999. It is Chboskys most famous work, and it has been translated into 31 languages and has
remained on the New York Times Bestseller for several years. Stephen Chbosky is a screenwriter and director who was born in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chbosky reveals that many characters of the novel are inspired by the people he met when he was young.
Although the novel reach a great successful, but it also stirs controversy because of the content of drugs, sexuality, especially gay issue, and mental illness.
Despite of the controversy, this book brings a picture of American society, especially teenagers’ life in the year of 90s.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells a story about the life of American teenager who deals with his traumatic experience and how he starts living his live
with his childhood’s experiences by doing some crazy things with his friends. This book also gives a picture of friendship and family.
B. Approach of the Study
To answer the problems formulated in this study, the researcher applies psychoanalytic approach. Psychoanalytic approach is used to see the main
character’s behaviors that reveal the main character’s post traumatic stress disorder PTSD. In this study, there is one theory of psychology which is theory
of post traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Peter Barry says that psychoanalytic theory is a form of literary criticism
which uses some techniques of psychoanalysis in the interpretation of literature 2002:96. Psychoanalysis itself is the system of psychological theory to treat
mental disorders or mental illness by using interaction in investigating the conscious and the unconscious in the mind, so that the repression of someone with
mental disorder or mental illness can be brought into the conscious mind. Atkinson and Hilgard in book entitled Introduction to Psychology say that
psychoanalytic approaches personality from the point of view that explores the unconscious motives that direct behavior 1983:395
The psychoanalytic approach is considered as the best approach in this study since it analyze the presentation of post traumatic stress disorder PTSD as
the kind of psychological disorder in the story. Therefore, the researcher applies this method in order to answer two questions in the problem formulation.
C. Method of the Study
This study was library research. The primary source in this study was the novel by Stephen Chbosky entitled The Perks of Being a Wallflowers. The
researcher also got sources from the books related to psychoanalysis, human behavior, trauma, and character characterization. Some sources which were
important in the literary work in this study are Aspect of the Novel by E.M. Forster, Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H. Abrams and Story in Literary
Fiction: A Manual for Writers by William H. Coles. To know more about psychology and trauma, the researcher used some
sources such as From The Mind Into The Body: The Cultural Origins of Psychosomatic Symptoms by Edward Shorter, The Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide To Healing, Recovery, And Growth by Glenn R. Schiraldi, Counselling for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Michael J. Scott and
Stephen G. Stradling, and Critical Theory Today – Second Edition by Lois Tyson. There were several steps which were taken in the research. The first step
was reading the novel carefully in order to get a deeper understanding about the main character’s life, characteristics, and behaviors. From this step, the researcher
found the way the character behaved which led to his post traumatic stress disorder.
The second step was finding some references of theories of literature which could help the researcher to get a deeper understanding about the elements
in the novel, such as characteristic and post traumatic stress disorder behavior. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Kategori