11 action which can hint in at invisible states and properties. Indirect characterization
includes all manner of activities, from habitual movement to a description of actions a character performs in hisher working life. Therefore readers need to observe the
characteristics of a character from words, opinions, and actions in the novel until finally they can guess.
c. Method of Characterization
To describe a main character, the researcher uses the theory of characterization by Murphy and Card. According to Murphy 1972, there are nine
ways of characterization pp. 161-173. The first method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through personal description. He says that author describes
a person’s characteristics through hisher appearance and clothes. Characteristics can be seen
by looking at the wearing. The second method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through character as seen by another. A character is not only described through
appearance and clothes but it is also descr ibed by other characters’ point of views
toward himher. Other characters will state their judgments about others. Therefore, it will be easy to understand
someone’s characterization by considering other characters’ point of views. The third method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through
speeches. The speeches can indicate a deeper understanding about the character when the character produces utterances to propose an idea. When the character
utters an idea, what kind of person heshe is can easily be seen. Readers can know directly whether the character gives good or bad utterences.
The fourth method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through past life. The past life told in the story can help readers learn something about someone
’s history and
12 background. Telling about past life can be done in several ways through
conversation, direct comment, and t hought. One’s characteristics can be seen from
the past life through experiences. The fifth method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through conversation of others. A character
’ characteristics can also be seen from the conversation that happens among other characters. The way of the other
characters talk about the intended character can describe hisher characteristics. The sixth method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through reaction. The characteristics
can be seen from the way the character shows hisher reaction in various situations and events. The characteristics can be seen when the character reacts something.
Through the reaction, readers can infer the character’s characteristics. The seventh
method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through direct comment. The author can describe or give comments on a character
’s characteristics through narration, especially in third-person narrator.
The eighth method proposed by Murphy 1972 is through hisher own thought. An author gives direct information about a character
’s thought or even tells about what other characters think about a certain character. An author acts as heshe
knows everything that is on a character ’s mind. The last method proposed by
Murphy 1972 is through mannerism. The characteristics of a character can be analyzed through a
person’s mannerism and habit that tell about hisher characteristics. Most of characteristics are seen easily through the manners.
On the other hand, Card 1988 states other ways of characterization. He also proposes nine ways of characterization pp. 5-13. The first way proposed by Card
1988 is through motive. Motive is what gives moral value to a character ’s acts. In
