Theory of Character Theory of Characterization

B. Review of Related Theories

1. Theory of Character

Holman and Harmon in A Handbook of Literature says that a character is a complicated term that contains the idea of the moral constitutions of the human personality, the presence of moral uprightness and the simpler notion of the presence of creatures in art that seem to be human beings of one sort or another 1986: 81. According to M. H. Abrams in A Glossary of Literary Terms, “character is a person presented in a work and the person is interpreted by the reader through his speech and action ” 2009: 42. Stanton states in An Introduction to Fiction that in most stories there is a central character who is relevant to every event in the story and the events can create some change either in him or in our attitude towards him. Moreover, what makes a character has a reason for behaving as he does is his motivation. Stanton differs motivation into two which are specific motivation and basic motivation. Specific motivation is the characters immediate reason, perhaps unconscious, for any particular speech or act. While basic motivation is an aspect of his general character: it is the ongoing desire that governs him throughout the story, the direction toward which almost all his specific motivations tend 1965: 17.

2. Theory of Characterization

Baldick in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms says that characterization is the representation of a person in narrative and dramatic works. This may include direct methods like the attribution of qualities in description or commentary, and indirect methods inviting readers to infer qualities from characters’ action, speech, or appearance 1990: 34. The creation of imaginary person so that they exist for the reader as lifelike is called characterization. According to Holman and Harmon in Handbook of Literature, characterization is the creation of exposing imaginary persons so that they exist for the readers as life-like. There are three fundamental methods of characterization in fiction: first, the explicit presentation of the character through direct exposition, either in introductory block or more often piecemeal throughout the works which are illustrated by actions. Secondly is the presentation of the character in action, in the expectation that the reader will be able to deduce the attributes of the character, without comments on the reader by the author, of the impact of action and emotions on the char acter’s inner-self, with the expectation that the reader will come clear understanding of the attributes of the character 1972: 81. Murphy in Understanding Unseen 1971: 161-173, stated that there are some ways in which an author attempts to make his character understandable and come alive for his reader, as follow: a. Personal description The author can describe the characters through the details of his appearance which are shown in the physical appearance of the character. Personal description helps the reader both to visualize the person and to understand his characteristics. b. Characters as seen by others The author can describe characters through the eyes and opinions of others. The other characters will give explanation about what the character is like. c. Speech The author can give us insight into the character of one of the persons in the book through what the person says. The characters of a person can be seen whenever heshe speaks, having conversation with others, and stated in hisher opinion. d. Past life The author can give us a clue to events that have helped to shape a person’s past life. The readers can learn to know the character’s personality b y learning something about a person’s past life. Whenever the author provides pictures of the character’s past life, it can be traced to help us figure out his motives of recent events. e. Conversation of others The author can also give us clues to a person’s character through the conversation of others and what they say about one another. The character’s conversation with others may help us understand and gain more information on the character to show more of hisher personality. f. Reactions The author can also give us a clue to person’s character by letting the readers know how that person reacts to various situations and events, the actions are related to hisher motives and thought. g. Direct comment The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly. A direct comment gives the reader a straightforward description about the character. h. Thoughts The author can give us direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. i. Mannerism The author can describe a person’s mannerism, habits, or idiosyncrasies, which may also tell us something about his characteristics. Those theories of character and characterization help the author present a character, as well as helping the readers understand the message implied to the work. Those theories will be helpful for the writer to identify and understand a character.

3. Theory of Symbol