AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERÂ’S SOCIAL CONFLICT IN FILM THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents background of the study, statement of the problems, purposes of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and definition of the key terms.

1.1Background of the Study

Human beings know the way to express their feeling, thought, and emotion. Something to provide “a place” for all of the people’s expression is literature. Literature means writing valued as work of art. It also refers to the composition that tells stories, dramatizes, situations, expresses emotions, and analyzes. Thus, literature for the readers can give a pleasure and knowledge.

According to Bennet and Royle (2004), literature is the kind of writing which most persistently and most provocatively engages with the uncanny aspects of experience, thought, and feeling. It means that literature connects human beings to share experience, thought, and feeling. Through literature people can express what they feel and their idea into written language.

Literature is divided into three genres: poetry, prose, and drama. Drama has developed into high technology form into film. Cascardi (2014) states that film builds on the novel, in some ways, but does not overtake it in any ultimate sense - no more, at least, than film put an end to photography or to the theatre. Film is media of literary work that give us information, knowledge, and entertainment to the audience. Film

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has also the elements of literary works, such as: character, plot, theme, setting, and conflict.

Conflict is an increasingly common feature of modern life, and often has disastrous and destructive outcomes (Liebmann, 2004). According to Kellett and Dalton (2001), conflict is part of our everyday lives in relationship, families, and workplaces. In literature, a conflict is a literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces usually aprotagonistand anantagonist. Moreover, people’s life cannot be separated from conflicts which happen in all aspect of family, school, environment, etc. Conflict happen as long as people live in the world when people communicate and socialize with other people. One of the best films which is valuable to analyze is The Pursuit of Happyness film.

The Pursuit of Happyness is a film directed by Gabriele Muccino, released on December 15, 2007 by Columbia Pictures. Based on a true story, this film tells about the struggle of main character from nobody to somebody. The main character, Chris Gardner can inspire people to pursue the happiness and the conflicts that he faced did not make him give up.

The writer choose The Pursuit of Happyness film to be analyzed because this film has interesting story dealing with struggles done by Chris Gardner in order to pursue his happiness, the conflicts which appear in this film inspire how to pursue the happiness, and this film won six awards for Movie of the Year, Best Breakthrough Performance, Outstanding Motion Picture, Best Young Actor, Choice Movie - Drama, Choice: Chemistry, Choice: Breakout Male. Seeing this phenomenon, the

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thesis is intended to analyze the social conflicts faced by Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness film.

The previous research related to this film was conducted by Mawardi (2014) entitled A Study on Chris Gardner Suffering in The Pursuit of Happyness Film. The result of his study found that there are three kinds of Chris Gardner’s suffering in the film they were, Chris Gardner had been left by Linda for going to New York, Chris was disappointed and frustated because he could not pay the motel and Chris was hit a by car. Then, there were three causes of Chris Gardner’s suffering. They are Chris Gardner’s carelessness to typing to be entrepreneur, Chris Gardner took the Bone Density Scanner from madman. Afterwards, there were three the ways Chris solved his suffering. They were Chris Gardner did positive action, Chris Gardner was queved in glade memorial to get a room sleep, and tried to sell the Bone Density Scanner.

Meanwhile, the other previous research related to social conflict was conducted by Triaguna (2012) entitled An Analysis of Erin Gruwell’s Social Conflicts in The Freedom Writer Film. The result of her study found that there are four social conflicts happened, three causes of social conflicts, and four effects of social conflicts Conflicts between Erin and her father, and between Erin and her husband caused by differences of idealism, interpretation, and thought. The effects, there are positive effect and negative effect. Conflict between Erin and her student, Eva, it was caused by differences kinds of the culture but the effects it can make the relation between Erin and Eva closer and more intense. Conflict between Erin and her department

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chair, Campbell was caused by differences goals among person and groups, the effects Erin was discharged from school but eventually she asked to return.

Based on those previous researches, it is clear that literature is very interesting to study to increase our knowledge about social conflict. Many people do not know how to find the best solution for their conflict. They are usually not aware about the cause and effect of their conflict. So, the writer wants to explain about cause and effect of social conflict that found in The Pursuit of Happyness film. In this film, social conflict is taken as the point of analysis because social conflicts always happen in human’s life.

1.2Statement of the Problems

Based on the background of the study above, the problems of this study are stated as follows:

1. What are the social conflicts faced by Chris Gardner as a main character in film The Pursuit of Happyness?

2. What are the causes of Chris Gardner’s social conflicts in film The Pursuit of Happyness?

3. What are the effects of Chris Gardner’s social conflicts on his life in film The Pursuit of Happyness?

1.3Purpose of the Study

Based on the statements of the problems above, the purposes of the study are: 1. to investigate the social conflicts faced by Chris Gardner as a main character in

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2. to find out the causes of Chris Gardner’s social conflicts in film The Pursuit of Happyness.

3. to find out the effects of Chris Gardner’s social conflicts on his life in film The Pursuit of Happyness.

1.4Significance of the Study

Every kind of study has its own significance. From this study, the writer hopes that this study will bring some significance:

1. For students

It is hoped this study will be able to help the students in analyzing literature especially film. Moreover, this study is also expected to enlarge the student’s knowledge and appreciation toward literary works and to motivate students always to get success.

2. For teachers and lecturers

The result of this study will encourage the teachers or lecturers to use film as reference in teaching learning process in order to improve the students’ knowledge and motivation toward literature especially film.

3. For the further researcher

It is also expected that the study may provide a helpful reference for the further researchers who are interested in conducting the study in the same field.

1.5Scope and Limitation

The study is analyzing The Pursuit of Happyness film. There are many things that can be analyzed in this film, but this study only focuses on “social conflict”.

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Meanwhile, for the limitation of study, the writer only analyzed Chris Gardner’s social conflict as the main character.

1.6Definition of the Key Terms

Definitions of key terms which are necessary to be defined are as follows: 1. An analysis is the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of the nature

of the literature, book, or text itself (Koss: 2008).

2. Conflict is the struggle either within or between characters that is often the basis of the plot of a play or story (Quinn: 2006).

3. Social conflict is a struggle over values or claims to status, power, and scarce resources (Coser, in Jha: 2003).

4. Main character or major character is the most important character in the story (Koesnosoebroto, in Hutami: 2014).

5. Chris Gardner is the main character in The Pursuit of Happyness film. 6. The Pursuit of Happyness is the title of film that is investigated in this study.

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AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTER’S SOCIAL CONFLICT IN

FILM T HE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

THESIS

By:

NILA TRI SEPTYARTI 201010100311102

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

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AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTER’S SOCIAL CONFLICT IN

FILM T HE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

THESIS

By:

NILA TRI SEPTYARTI 201010100311102

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

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iii

AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTER’S SOCIAL CONFLICT IN

FILM T HE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

THESIS

This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to achieve

Sarjana Degree in English Education

By:

NILA TRI SEPTYARTI 201010100311102

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Alhamdulillah, the greatest thanks belongs to ALLAH SWT for His Mercy and Blessing given to the writer in finishing her thesis. Sholawat and Salam may always be given to Prophet Muhammad SAW who brought the lightness from the darkness.

In arranging this thesis, a lot of people have provided motivation, advice, support, and even remark that had helped the writer. In this valuable chance, the writer would like to express her gratitude and appreciation to all of them.

1. The writer expresses deepest thank to her first advisor, Puji Sumarsono, M.Ed., M.Pd who has given her valuable guidance, suggestions, detail correction, and constructive criticism which lead to useful improvement. Then, thank you very much for your support, experience, and chance to me to finish this thesis in a short time.

2. The writer thanks to her second advisor, Drs. Munash Fauzie Anwar, M.M who always gives her advice and suggestions.

3. The writer thanks to all lecturers of the English Department of UMM for being so kind, patient, and generous in giving a lot of valuable knowledge.

4. The writer expresses greatest thank to her beloved family, her mother in heaven Tri Hartini, her father Suwito, her older sister Nina Widyaningrum, her oldest sister Nisya Dwi Cahyaningtyas and all of her big family for their never ending love, unconditional support, advice, prays, patience, and understanding.

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Reni, Iin, Mita, Diyah, who always give her the best power, help, advices, and happiness when I am getting problems and depress.

6. Finally, the writer also thanks to all her friends who cannot be mentioned one by one and who always help the writer in finishing her thesis and everything, may Allah SWT bless you all. Aamiin.

The Writer

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL ... i

LEGALIZATION ... ii

ORIGINALITY DECLARATION ... iii

MOTTO AND DEDICATION ... iv

ABSTRACT ... v

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ... vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Of Study ... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problems ... 4

1.3 Purpose of the Study ... 4

1.4 Significance of the Study ... 5

1.5 Scope and Limitation ... 5

1.6 Definition of Key Terms ... 6

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 Literature ... 7

2.2 Film ... 8

2.3 Types of Film ... 8

2.3.1 Western Film ... 8

2.3.2 Comedy Film ... 8

2.3.3 Musical Drama Film ... 9

2.3.4 War Film ... 9

2.3.5 Horror Film ... 9

2.3.6 Science Fiction Film ... 9

2.3.7 Fantasy Film ... 10

2.3.8 Thrillers Film ... 10

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2.4 Elements of Film ... 11

2.4.1 Character ... 11

2.4.2 Theme ... 11

2.4.3 Plot ... 11

2.4.4 Setting ... 12

2.4.5 Conflict ... 12

2.5 Types of Conflict ... 13

2.6 Social Conflict ... 13

2.7 Causes of Conflict ... 14

2.8 Effects of Conflict ... 14

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Resign Design ... 16

3.2 Research Approach ... 17

3.2.1 Mimetic Approach ... 17

3.2.2 Pragmatic Approach ... 17

3.2.3 Expressive Approach ... 17

3.2.4 Objective Approach ... 18

3.3 Object of the Study ... 18

3.4 Data Collection ... 18

3.5 Data Analysis ... 19

CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 4.1 Research Findings ... 20

4.1.1 The Social Conflict Faced by Chris Gardner ... 20

4.1.1.1 The Social Conflict between Chris Gardner and Linda ... 21

4.1.1.2 The Social Conflict between Chris Gardner and the Cabbie ... 22

4.1.1.3 The Social Conflict between Chris Gardner and Charlie ... 23

4.1.1.4 The Social Conflict between Chris Gardner and Cops ... 24

4.1.1.5 The Social Conflict between Chris Gardner and the Driver ... 25

4.1.1.6 The Social Conflict between Chris Gardner and Wayne ... 26

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4.2.1 The Cause of the Social Conflict between Chris and Linda ... 27

4.2.2 The Cause of the Social Conflict between Chris and the Cabbie .... 27

4.2.3 The Cause of the Social Conflict between Chris and Charlie ... 27

4.2.4 The Cause of the Social Conflict between Chris and Cops ... 28

4.2.5 The Cause of the Social Conflict between Chris and the Driver ... 28

4.2.6 The Cause of the Social Conflict between Chris and Wayne ... 28

4.3 The Effect of the Social Conflict toward Chris Gardner’s life ... 29

4.3.1 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Chris and Linda ... 29

4.3.2 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Chris and the Cabbie... 29

4.3.3 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Chris and Charlie ... 30

4.3.4 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Chris and Cops ... 30

4.3.4 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Chris and the Driver ... 31

4.3.5 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Chris and Wayne ... 31

4.4 Discussion ... 32

4.5 Lesson ... 33

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 5.1 Conclusions ... 34

5.2 Suggestion ... 35

5.2.1 Suggestion for the Students ... 35

5.2.2 Suggestion for the Lecturer ... 36

5.2.3 Suggestion for the Next Lecturer ... 36

5.4 Lesson ... 36

References ... 37

Appendices Synopsis of The Pursuit of Happyness ... 40

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