21 based on the fact that this study focuses on a psychological problem which is
about loneliness. There are some theories applied to analyze the novel and answer the
problem formulation. Theory of character and characterization are used to answer the first question of the problem formulation. It is used as the basis in analyzing
the characteristic of Toru Watanabe as the major character in Norwegian Wood novel. Toru’s characteristic can be identified from his past life, personal
description, reactions, speech, thoughts, and character as seen by another. Therefore, in order to cope with the analysis of the character, it is important to
present theories related to the character. The writer uses review of related study, theory of human needs, and
review of loneliness to answer the second question of the problem formulation. The review of related study will be useful in analyzing the leading factors of
loneliness experienced by Toru Watanabe. Moreover, understanding the leading factors of Toru Watanabe’s loneliness will also help the writer to determine the
causes of loneliness as experienced by Toru. Theory of human needs and review of loneliness are beneficial to analyze the causes of loneliness as experienced by
Toru Watanabe in order to answer the second question of this study.
22
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter contains the methodology of the study, which is divided into three sections. They are the object of the study, the approach of the study, and the
method of the study. The object of the study presents the description of the novel. Moreover, the focus of the study is also presented in this section. The approach of
the study explains the approach that is applied in this study. The last method of the study explains the steps used in conducting the study, such as of the data
gathering and analysis of the work.
A. Object of the Study
The object of this study is a novel entitled Norwegian Wood, written by a well-known Japanese author named Haruki Murakami. Norwegian Wood is a
translated novel and originally published in Japan as Noruwei no Mori in 1987. Noruwei no Mori has been translated into English twice. This study used the
second translation by Jay Rubin which was first published in 2000. Published by Vintage International, the novel consists of 389 pages that are divided into 11
chapters. This story was also adapted to a movie with the same title with the novel, Norwegian Wood, which was released in 2010.
Norwegian Wood is narrated by Toru Watanabe as the protagonist, who at the age of 37 recalls his days as a college student in the 1960s in Tokyo. Toru is a young
man who is haunted by the suicide of his senior high school best friend named
23 Kizuki. He
falls in love with Naoko, Kizuki’s girlfriend who is damaged by Kizuki’s suicide and struggling with her depression. The death of Kizuki affects
Toru and Naoko deeply. Both of Toru and Naoko decide to attend college in Tokyo where they can escape from their past memories. Moreover, Kizuki’s death
also makes Toru experience loneliness during his college time. The further information about the author and the summary of Norwegian Wood can be seen
on Appendices I and II pp. 70 - 74.
B. Approach of the Study
The study is focused on the causes of loneliness as experienced by Toru Watanabe, the major character in Murakami’s Norwegian Wood. Therefore,
psychological approach is applied in this study. This approach aims to examine and analyze the novel from psychological point of view of human beings. In this
approach, psychological theories are used to know human behavior and motivation
that may affect someone’s personality in the literary works. The psychological approach is suitable in this study because it analyzes the
psychological condition, such as the characters’ behavior, thoughts, personality, and motivation. Thus, the approach helps to reveal the characteristic of Toru
Watanabe and the causes of loneliness.
C. Method of the Study
Library research was applied in this study in order to identify the sources which provide important information for this study. The sources of the study were
