Object of the Study Approach of the Study

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CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY

In this chapter the writer will explain about the primary data, approach and procedures the writer uses to write this thesis. This part consists of subject matter, approach, and procedures. The first part, object of the study, explains about the novel the writer explores in this thesis. The second part, approach of the study, contains the approach the writer uses to analyze the novel. The last part, method of the study, consists of a series of steps the writer conducts in order to do this thesis.

A. Object of the Study

This thesis studied No Longer at Ease written by Chinua Achebe, an African author. The English version of this novel was published in 1960. This book has 194 pages which is divided into nineteen chapters. No Longer at Ease is Chinua Achebe’s second novel. The story tells about a young man, Obi Okonkwo, who has just come back to Nigeria after studying at a university in England. He studied in England for about four years. After his return, Obi Okonkwo has different ways of thinking. The influence of western culture makes Obi Okonkwo feel uncomfortable with his Ibo tradition and customs. Therefore, he rebels against the tradition by claiming to marry his lover, Clara Okeke, who is considered an osu, an outcast. Nevertheless, his parents do not approve of it. Obi decides to ignore the custom, and he decides to marry Clara. However, Obi’s mother warns him not to marry Clara otherwise she will commit suicide. Obi tells Clara what has happened. Clara becomes angry, and then she decides to break off their engagement. Afterwards, Clara’s speeches imply that she wants to tell Obi that she is pregnant. Knowing Clara’s pregnancy, Obi arranges an abortion but he does not have enough money to pay for it. Finally, Obi Okonkwo lends some money to his friend to carry out the operation. Therefore, the operation is held. Unfortunately, Clara is hospitalized because of some problems happened in the operation. After the operation, Clara refuses to see Obi Okonkwo. Then, she decides to leave Obi. Shortly after Clara leaves, Obi is informed that his mother is dead. However, Obi could not come to his mother’s funeral. Obi becomes very frustrated. Moreover Obi Okonkwo is in a grat financial difficulty. This situation makes Obi takes bribe for the first time and he did it with the feeling of guilt. Afterwards, his taking bribes become habitual. Unfortunately, when he takes his last bribes, he is caught and brought to the court.

B. Approach of the Study

In analyzing the work, the writer applied the approach that helped the writer finds out the answers to the problem. Since traditional customs and beliefs are related to culture and society, it is appropriate to use socio-cultural approach. Socio-cultural approach is used to analyze the different culture of Ibo and European in the story that causes the major conflict of Obi Okonkwo. The approach is also used to find out how Ibo traditional customs and beliefs and also how the character deals with the custom after he is influenced by the western culture.

C. Method of the Study