The meaning of the metamorphosis as expericenced by Gregor Samsa, the main character of Frans Kafka`s The Metamorphosis - USD Repository

  

THE MEANING OF THE METAMORPHOSIS

AS EXPERIENCED BY GREGOR SAMSA, THE MAIN

CHARACTER OF FRANZ KAFKA’S THE METAMORPHOSIS

  A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

  

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree

in English Language Education

  By

  

Joachem Renrusun

  Student number: 091214001

  

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ART EDUCATION

FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2013

  

THE MEANING OF THE METAMORPHOSIS

AS EXPERIENCED BY GREGOR SAMSA, THE MAIN

CHARACTER OF FRANZ KAFKA’S THE METAMORPHOSIS

  A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree in English Language Education

  By

  

Joachem Renrusun

  Student number: 091214001 ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ART EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA

  “In the struggle between yourself and the world, second the world”

Franz Kafka

  I DEDICATE THIS THESIS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS TRIED HIS/HER BEST TO BE AN

  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I have to admit that this thesis can be finished because of others’ support and prayer. I also can complete this thesis because a lot of people around me have helped me especially in giving me the support and motivation. Therefore, I present my greatest gratitude to all people who have given their support, prayer, and motivation to me to finish this thesis.

  First of all, I would like to give my greatest gratitude to my Savior Jesus

  

Christ, who always guides me. He never feels tired to guide me to pass every

  single day without any obstacle. I also present my special gratitude to MSC

Congregation that gives me the financial support during the study in this college.

  I want to thank my parents, my family and my brothers in Palagan MSC study house which always supports me with their warmth and prayer.

  I would like to thank my advisor, Drs. A. Herujiyanto, M.A.,Ph.D. who has given me his time to go through the completion of this thesis. I thank him for his willingness to check, to read and to give feedback that I can finish this thesis. I also thank all PBI lecturers who have taught me a lot of experiences. I also thank

  

Sr. Margaret O’Donohue FCJ and Drs. Barli Bram, M.Ed., Ph.D. for

becoming my proof readers.

  I would like to thank my classmates in PBI 2009. I thank them for becoming my classmates and supporting each other. I also thank the others that I cannot mention one by one especially for their support to me.

  

ABSTRACT

  Renrusun, Joachem. 2013. The Meaning of The Metamorphosis as experienced by

  

Gregor, the main character of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Yogyakarta:

  English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.

  This thesis discusses The Metamorphosis, a novel written by Franz Kafka. The novel is about the life of Gregor Samsa, an obedient and diligent young travelling salesman. One day, he experiences a physical transformation into a monstrous verminous bug which shocks his family and circumstance. The transformation brings the confusion to them and changes everything. He is isolated and dies after suffering from depression.

  The reason for writing this thesis is derived from the writer’s curiosity to understand more about the meaning of The Metamorphosis as experienced by Gregeor himself. Because of the reason the writer formulates two problems that become the bases of this thesis. They are: (1) “How is the main character of the novel, Gregor Samsa depicted in the novel?” and (2) “What is the meaning of The

  Metamorphosis as experienced by Gregor?”

  This study applies library research. The novel itself becomes the primary source for the analysis. The books about literature and psychology become the secondary sources. The other secondary source also comes from the internet which is related to the analysis. In answering the problems, several theories on the literature are applied. The theory of character is applied to analyze Gregor’s character. The theory of psychology assisted by theory of motivation is applied to analyze the true meaning of The Metamorphosis.

  The findings in this study reveal that Gregor Samsa is an obedient, lovable, hardworking and isolated person. The other finding is about the literal and the true meaning of The Metamorphosis. There are three literal meanings. Firstly, Metamorphosis is a change of physical form; from ability to inability to live. Second, it is a tragic change of life of Gregor; from a hero to a loser. Third, Metamorphosis is the change of a family when facing a difficult situation. While the true meaning is that, The Metamorphosis is a symbolic language used to describe Gregor’s failure to gain his individual needs and to describe his physical and mental sufferings during his life. The judgment and expression as an insect comes from Gregor’s awareness that he is trapped in a difficult condition and fails to be an independent person. He is aware that he has tried to be what his family and society expected him to be and not his own needs. In Gregor’s view, he is the same with a disgusting bug in front of his family and acquaintances. The character of Gregor in the novel is a duplication of what is experienced by Kafka in his real life.

  Finally, besides making suggestions for future researchers, this study also provides a suggestion for the implementation on The Metamorphosis in teaching English. The lesson plan and material are designed as the implementation of the

  

ABSTRAK

  Renrusun, Joachem. 2013. The Meaning of The Metamorphosis as experienced by

  

Gregor, the main character of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Yogyakarta:

  Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.

  Skripsi ini membahas sebuah novel karya Franz Kafka yang berjudul The

  

Metamorphosis. Novel berkisah tentang hidup Gregor Samsa, seorang wiraniaga

  muda yang berdedikasi serta menjadi tulang punggung keluarga. Suatu ketika, secara tiba-tiba, dia berubah menjadi seekor kutu yang menjijikan serta mengagetkan keluarga dan lingkungannya. Perubahan fisik ini menimbulkan kebingungan diantara mereka dan merubah segalanya. Dia terisolasi hingga akhirnya meninggal karena depresi.

  Alasan penulisan Skripsi ini berangkat dari keingintahuan penulis untuk memahami lebih dalam arti dari metamorphosis seperti yang dialami Gregor. Berangkat dari alasan ini, penulis merumuskan dua permasalahan yang menjadi dasar penulisan; 1) Bagaimana Gregor Samasa, tokoh utama novel digambarkan? 2) Apa arti metamorphosis seperti yang dialami oleh Gregor?

  Studi ini menggunakan penilitian kepustakaan. Novel itu sendiri menjadi sumber utama, sementara buku-buku tentang literatur dan psikologi menjadi sumber sekunder. Sumber sekunder lain diambil dari internet yang berhubungan dengan topik pembahasan. Dalam menjawab permasalahan-permasalahan, beberapa teori literatur digunakan. Teori karakter digunakan untuk menganalisa karakter Gregor. Sementara teori psikologi yang didukung teori motivasi digunakan untuk menganalisa makna sesungguhnya dari The Metamorphosis.

  Hasil studi mengungkapkan bahwa Gregor Samsa adalah pribadi yang taat, penyayang, pekerja keras dan terisolir. Penemuan lain ialah tentang arti literer dan arti sesungguhnya dari metamorphosis. Terdapat tiga arti literer: pertama, metamorfosis adalah perubahan bentuk fisik; dari kemampuan menuju ketidakmampuan untuk hidup. Kedua, metamorfosis adalah perubahan hidup Gregor yang tragis; dari pahlawan menjadi pecundang. Ketiga, metamorfosis adalah berubahnya sebuah keluarga saat berhadapan dengan situasi sulit. Sementara berdasarkan arti sesungguhnya, The metamorphosis merupakan bahasa symbol yang menggambarkan kegagalan Gregor untuk menjadi dirinya dan merupakan gambaran atas penderitaan fisik-mental selama hidupnya. Pernyataan diri Gregor yang tak ubahnya seperti serangga muncul dari kesadaran bahwa dia telah terjebak dalam kondisi sulit dan gagal menjadi pribadi independen. Dia sadar bahwa dia hanya menjadi apa yang diinginkan keluarga dan bukan karena keinginan dirinya. Dalam pandangannya, dia tidak berbeda dari seekor kutu yang menjijikan di hadapan mereka. Karakter dari Gregor dalam novel sesungguhnya hanyalah duplikat dari apa yang dialami Kafka dalam kehidupan nyata.

  Akhirnya, disamping mengemukakan saran untuk para peneliti lain, studi ini juga menegaskan pentingnya penerapan novel The Metamorphosis dalam pengajaran bahasa Inggris. Rencana pengajaran dan materi disusun sebagai bentuk

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………. i APPROVAL PAGES…………………………………………………… ii STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY…………………………. iv DEDICATION PAGE………………………………………………….. v

  

PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ………………………… vi

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………….. vii ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………….. viii

  

ABSTRAK………………………………………………………………… ix

  TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………... x LIST OF APPENDICES………………………………………………… xii

  CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of Study…………………………………………….

  1

  1.2. Problem Formulation……………………………………………

  3

  1.3. Objective of the Study…………………………………………….. 3

  1.4. Benefits of the Study…………………………………………….. 4

  1.5. Definition of Terms………………………………………………. 4 1. 5.1. Metamorphosis……………..…………………………….

  4 1. 5.2. Transformation…………………………………………… 5 1. 5.3. Literal Meaning…………………………………………… 5 1. 5.4. True Meaning……………………………………………… 6 1. 5.5. Character……………..……………………………………. 7

  CHAPTER 2 THEORETICAL REVIEW 2. 1. Review of Related Studies………………………………………. 8 2. 2. Review of Related Theories……………………………………… 10 2. 2. 1. Theory of Character and Characterization………………… 10 2. 2. 1.1. Character.…………………………………………………. 10

  2. 2. 2. Theory of Motivation………….…………………………. 13 2. 2. 3. Theory of Psychology and Psychological Approach…….

  14 2. 3. Theoretical Framework………………………………………….. 17 2. 4. Context of the Novel…………………………………………….. 17

  CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 3. 1. Object of the Study……………………………………………… 20 3. 2. Approach of the Study………………………………………….. 20 3. 3. Method of the Study……………………………………………. 21

  CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS 4. 1. An Analysis on Gregor Samsa’s Character ….………………….. 23 4. 1.1. Obedient……………..……………………………………. 24 4. 1.2. Hard working……………………………………………… 25 4. 1.3. Lovable……………………………………………………. 26 4. 1.4. Isolated…………...……………………………………….. 27 4. 2. The Meaning of The Metamorphosis…………………………….29 4. 2.1. The Literal Meaning……………………………………….. 30 4. 2.1.1. A change of physical; from ability to inability to live …… 30

  4. 2.1.2. A tragic change in life of a misfortune person; from a hero to a loser …………………………………………… 31 4. 2.1.3. The change of a family when facing a difficult situation….. 33 4. 2.2. The True Meaning………………………………….………. 35

  CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS 5. 1. Conclusions ….…………………………………………………. 41 5. 2. Suggestions ….…………………………………..……………… 43 5. 2.1. Suggestions for Future Researchers……………………….. 43 5. 2.2. Suggestions for English Teachers……………..………….. 44

  REFERENCES…………………………………………………………… 46

  

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Summary of The Metamorphosis ……………………………..

  Appendix 2. Biography of Franz Kafka ……………………………………. Appendix 3. Lesson Plan for Teaching Reading. ………………………….. Appendix 4. Materials (students’ handout and worksheet) ……………….. Appendix 5. The Metamorphosis, part I, pp. 9-30 ………………………….

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  51

  53

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  58 study, which explains the reason why the researcher chose The Metamorphosis novel. The second is the problem formulation, which gives the general information about what is discussed in this study. The third part is the objectives of the study, which answers the problems stated in this study. The fourth is the benefit of the study, and the last one is the definition of terms used in this study.

  1. 1. Background of Study

  Human existence has been considered as one of the important things in human life. The core of human existence is the appreciation of human rights and freedom. There are a lot of writings that have been produced to appreciate such a recognition. One of them is The Metamorphosis, a novel written by Franz Kafka, a German-language writer who lives from 1883 till 1924.

  The novel itself describes a man named Gregor Samsa who transforms to a bug. Before the transformation, his family respects him because of his loyalty and obedience. He takes care of his family by working in a travelling company in order to repay his father’s debt. Shortly, he fulfills his family especially his father’s expectation and becomes the important member to his family. But after the transformation everything changes. No people comes and talkes to him biggest action which hurts him the most is the attack from his father who throws apples at his back and one of the apples caused the illness until his death. He is isolated from all people even his family and finally died after suffering from depression.

  In this novel we can find some interesting themes such as alienation, the misfortune workingman, suffering and some other themes that can be found easily by the readers. All of these made this novel recognized as one of the best that has ever been written by a great writer.

  The writer is not only interested in the themes conveyed in the novel but also interested in the title of the novel itself. The questions that arise in the writer’s mind are why Kafka used The Metamorphosis as the title of his novel? What is it all about? The metamorphosis itself means a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one but this novel must have a deeper meaning and not only about physical changes.

  The Metamorphosis of course has been significant not only as the title but

  also as the keyword to understand the purpose of the story. There are some possibilities to understand the using of The Metamorphosis as the title. The first one is that The Metamorphosis maybe used to describe a change in physical form or structure. The structure of human life has been changed to the materialistic and hedonistic society. The success of life is measured with the position in social structure and the economy position. People who have good works are placed in high position. Second, The Metamorphosis of Gregor to an insect can describe

  Gregor's "innermost self". The last, the metamorphosis can describe the changes in the members of Gregor’s family before and after his transformation.

  This study is meant to explain the meaning of The Metamorphosis in Gregor Samsa the main character of the novel. This can be achieved by studying the novel itself in order to find out a complete understanding about the right meaning of The Metamorphosis.

  This proposed study will outline the underlying idea that Franz Kafka’s

  

The Metamorphosis must be read in the context of Kafka’s life background and

  the society where he lived. In fact, Franz Kafka wrote this novel based on his own experiences and memories of his childhood and his bitter life. By studying this background, the writer of this thesis will understand more deeply about this novel and will know the true meaning of The Metamorphosis.

  1. 2. Problem Formulation

  The problem of this study can be formulated as follows: 1) “How is the main character of the novel, Gregor Samsa depicted in the novel?” 2) “What is the meaning of The Metamorphosis as experienced by Gregor?”

  1. 3. Objective of the Study

  The aim of the study is to find out the true meaning of The Metamorphosis as experienced by Gregor, one of the main characters of Franz Kafka’s The

  1. 4. Benefits of the Study

  This study is conducted to give a complete understanding about the meaning of The Metamorphosis to the writer himself, the readers, the lecturers and the students of English Language Education Study Program of Sanata Dharma University. The first benefit is intended for the writer and the readers.

  The writer finds that by conducting this study, the writer sharpens an analytical thinking to reveal literary works. The writer also finds some moral values and tries to live from these moral values. For the readers, this study is conducted to give a complete understanding about the meaning of The Metamorphosis and to help the readers in finding the moral values for their life. The second benefit is for the lecturers and the students. For lecturers, this study can be used as one of their materials in teaching-learning activity. For the students who want to work in literary, this study can be used as one of their references. This study can be their guide to conduct a literature study.

  1. 5. Definition of Terms

  In order to avoid some misunderstanding about the terms used, in the beginning of this thesis some difficult terms will be defined.

  1. 5.1. Metamorphosis

  The word “metamorphosis” means “to transform.” It is defined in two substance. Second, metamorphosis is a change of nature, a thing or a person into a completely different one (Merriam-Webster, An Encyclopedia Britanica

  Company).

  In this study, the “metamorphosis” means the change in physical form and the change of a person. It is a symbolic language used to describe Gregor’s failure to gain his individual needs and to describe his physical and mental sufferings during his life. The story of Gregor’s life honestly is the duplication of Franz Kafka’s life which is full of physical and mental sufferings. The transformation experienced by Gregor can also be understood as a declaration of Kafka’s needs that are not fulfilled. These experiences encourage him to use a verminous bug, a disgusting animal as a symbol of his The Metamorphosis novel.

  1. 5.2. Transformation

  Transformation is a change in form, nature, or appearance. Marcia Daszko and Sheila Sheinberg (2005) in Survival is Optional define transformation as the change of a whole new form function or structure. Transformation can be understood as a sudden dramatic change of scenery on stage (p. 1). In this study, transformation means the change in appearance and in quality of life. But the main thing that must be understood is the transformation needs process.

  1. 5.3. Literal Meaning Literal means following the original words exactly or lacking imagination. words the literal meaning is the meaning which appears or can be seen or noticed and it is not hidden. Jennifer Case & Delia Marshall in Deep and Surface

  

Approaches to Learning (2009) adds that a literal approach in learning is the tacit

  acceptance of information and memorization and does not promote understanding for long-term retention of knowledge (pp. 9-18).

  In this study the literal meaning means the meaning which can be seen or noticed in the surface of the novel. After reading the novel, the writer directly concludes about the meaning of The Metamorphosis based on what is seen and noticed.

  1. 5.4. True Meaning

  True means being accurate, real or exact which connected with the fact rather than things that have been guessed. Sylvan Barnet and friends in An

  

Introduction to the Literature (1994) says that true meaning is the meaning which

  is told for our sake because it is implicit (p. 28). John T. Fredrick in Adventures in

  

Fiction (1964) has the same opinion with Barnet. He says that the deeper meaning

  of the story is a meaning which has value for every reader (p. 75). Jennifer Case & Delia Marshall in Deep and Surface Approaches to Learning (2009) adds that a deep learning involves the critical analysis of new idea and promotes the application for life (pp. 9-18). From the statements above, it can be concluded that the true meaning is the meaning which is implicit and promotes the application for life.

  In this study the true meaning means the meaning which can be seen behind the symbols or utterances that are used in novel. The true meaning usually does not appear or cannot be seen directly because it is hidden. By reading the novel many times, the writer tries to find the true meaning that is meant by Kafka in his The Metamorphosis.

  1. 5.5. Character

  Character is all qualities and features that make a person or group of people different from others. In A Handbook to Literature, Holman and Harmon (1986) state that the character can be main or minor and it can be static and dynamic (p. 83). Robert Santon in An Introduction to Fiction (1965) says that character can be understood as a person or a mixture of all mental qualities that build each of an individual’s personality (p. 17).

  In this study, character deals to a person that appears or mental qualities of a person that build an individual’s personality. Gregor Samsa as the main character in this novel is dominantly known by his speech especially when he speaks to himself, the conversation of the family members and the comment of people around him. studies which includes criticism of the novel and the author itself. The second is the review of related theory. It discusses about the theories in which the subject of discussion is based. The third part of the theoretical review presents the theoretical framework of this study which becomes a guidance for the writer to focus on analyzing the subject of the study. The last is the context of the novel.

  2. 1. Review of Related Studies The Metamorphosis (1915), a novel about a young man named Gregor Samsa, is a literary work which is considered as the best writing of Franz Kafka.

  Since Kafka's death, critical interest in the novel has been considerable. Some critics argue that this novel is difficult to be understood due to the language used.

  Moreover, the novel is considered a dream only. If the readers read the novel only once or twice, they will find some difficulties in understanding the story, because it uses lots of symbols that are not easy to grasp.

  Although it is difficult, some critics realize that the novel is very interesting and challenging. James Byrne, a professor of Religious studies in

  Comment Kafka’s Die Verwandlung (2010) writes;

  “I had read this story a few times before now, but I had never really needed to think too deeply about it. I read it first when I was maybe fiction on TV and thought: “guy turns into insect (or something), what’s the big deal?” I read it again in my mid-20s and I both understood and liked it much more, as I now had some experience of life that gave me more compassion for Gregor Samsa (p. 1).

  Byrne then adds that in his view there are two factors which make this story so compelling and of such enduring interest to later generations. First, a person has freedom from family duty. Secondly is to free oneself from bourgeois obligation and convention (p. 1).

  From Byrne’s comment, it can be stated that although the story is difficult to read, it endures and compels interest of the young generation for their better life. The great Russian novelist Vladimir Nebokov in his Lecture on The

  

Metamorphosis (2012), also once remarked, "If Kafka's The Metamorphosis

  strikes anyone as something more than an entomological fantasy, then I congratulate him on having joined the ranks of good and great readers" (p. 1).

  Nicole Smith in Character Analysis of Gregor in “The Metamorphosis”

  

by Franz Kafka (2011) argues that Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is an exaggerated

  symbolic tale that tackles a number of themes. One of the most important is the collapse of justice and mercy, even among those people who are expected to be most fair and compassionate. The story brings the readers to understand others and to honor the justice. This elusive story, which chronicles the transformation of Gregor Samsa from a human being into an enormous insect, is renowned for its ability to inspire diverse (p. 2). For this reason The Metamorphosis has come to be considered one of the central enigmas of the modern literary imagination.

  Harold Bloom in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (1988), contended in symbolically speaking, Gregor’s metamorphosis from man to an insect represents his “judgment on himself by his defeated humanity” because he cannot find a way to leave his job behind and assert his own needs and identity because of his loyalty and sense of obligation to his family (p. 21).

  In correlation with the theme of transformation, Nicholas van Vector in

  

The Transformation of Kafka (2011) says that in The Metamorphosis, the

  transformation depicts more powerful than any fiction he has read, a consciousness tortured by the anxiety. The subject of this study is reflexivity or self-consciousness. It is about a character who incapable of action or someone in the last stages of a terminal illness whose only activity is thinking about himself and remembering his former life (p. 2).

  Some comments from the experts have been taken previously to understand the topic of the metamorphosis. According to the writer of this thesis the work of Kafka especially The Metamorphosis is a fabulous story which needs a deep understanding. The story is not only a dream but in fact it describes someone’s true life and it is Kafka, the writer’s personal life.

  2. 2. Review of Related Theories 2. 2. 1. Theory of Character and Characterization 2. 2. 1.1. Character

  There are many discussions on the term characters purposed by many writers. On the literal level, character is described as all qualities and features that

  

Introduction to Fiction (1965) says that the term character in a novel particularly

  used in two ways; firstly, as person or an individual that appears or is created by an author in a story of a novel, play, drama, etc. Secondly, it refers to a mixture of all the mental or moral qualities such as principles, value, desires, emotions and interests that build each of an individual’s personality. An alternative way to understand a character in a novel is by interpreting the name of the character himself (p.17). From this definition, it can be said that character is not only about a person but also the personal qualities. Likewise Abrams in A Glossary of

  

Literary Terms (1981) says “the characters are persons, in a dramatic or narrative

  work, endowed with moral and dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say – dialog – and what they do – action.” (p. 21).

  Basically, character can be divided into two categories, the main and the minor characters. A major character usually appears in the whole story and become the focus of the story. On the contrary, a minor character is the character which is functioned to support the major character (Abrams, p. 20).

  In A Handbook to Literature, Holman and Harmon (1986) stated that a character can be either static or dynamic. A static character is one who changes little. It does not perform in the whole segment. Dynamic character is modified by actions and experiences and one objective of the work in which the character appears is to reveal the consequences of this action (p. 83).

  Shortly, character can be understood as person or mental quality of the person in a literary works. It can be main or minor and it can be static or dynamic

  2. 2. 1.2. Characterization

  The existence of the character in a work of literature is very important to make the story seem to be the real one. Joseph H. Trimmer in his book Writing

  

with a Purpose (1992) says that the method by which an author creates, reveals

  and develops changes is called characterization. An author may describe characters by suggesting their appearance, personality and values through their words (p. 335). The same statement about the meaning of characterization is said by Holman & Harmon (1986). They say that in fiction such as novel, drama or short story, the author tries to reveal or create the imaginary person so that they exist for the readers as life is called characterization (A Handbook to the

  

Literature p. 81). This method includes the direct methods like the attribution of

  the qualities in description or commentary and indirect methods like inventing the readers to infer qualities from characters’ actions, speech, or appearance.

  In order to make the characters understandable to the readers, M.J. Murphy (1972) in Understanding Unseens: An Introduction to English Poetry and

  

Novel, proposes some ways. They are personal description, character as seen by

  another, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment and thought. Personal description means the author can directly describe appearance of the characters. Characters as seen by others mean that the author can describe the character through the eyes of others. Speech means that the author gives the reader clues to his characters through what they say. Past life means that the author lets the readers learn something about the person’s past life by giving them person’s character through his reaction to various situations. Conversation of others means the author can give the readers clues to a person’s character through the conversations of other characters and things they say about him. Thought means the author gives the readers direct knowledge of what a person thinking about (pp. 161-172).

  2. 2. 2. Theory of Motivation

  Based on The Oxford Paperback Dictionary and Thesaurus, Motivation is the reason for the action or behavior. Kendra Cherry in Theories of Motivation says that motivation is the desire that fuels a person to do certain things based on the wants and needs of a person. If a person wishes to meet these wants and needs, then it necessitates him to motivate himself so that he can make certain moves (p. 1). From this definition, it can be concluded that motivation is the driving force of the heart of a person to do or to achieve the objectives.

  Many psychologists have tried to explain the meaning and the essence of motivation, but in this thesis only two of the experts that will be discussed. They are Abraham Maslow (1890-1970) and Frederick Herzberg (1923-2000). Joseph Gawel (1997) in Hezberg’s Theory of Motivation and Maslow’s Hierarchy of

  

Needs says that in 1954, Maslow introduced theory of Hierarchy of Needs in his

  book Motivation and Personality. In the theory of Hierarchy of Needs, Maslow says that people have different motivations at different levels. The needs are biological needs (thirst, sex); safety needs (security, stability, protection); and respect others); and self actualization needs (to fulfill one’s potentialities). The first level is biological needs. He states that a person could not recognize or pursue the next higher need in the hierarchy until her or his currently recognized need was substantially or completely satisfied. A lower need took priority and it might be fulfilled before the others are activated (pp. 1-2).

  While Herzberg who has close links with Maslow believes that there are certain factors that will directly motivate employees to work harder. These factors are called Hygiene (extrinsic factors) and Motivators factor (intrinsic factor). Hygiene factors motivate a person to get out of dissatisfaction, which includes relationships, benefits and environmental conditions while motivator factors motivate a person to strive for satisfaction, which shall include achievement, recognition, advancement of living standards (Jim Riley, Theories of Motivation, pp.2-3).

  From the theories of hierarchy needs by Maslow and the factors influence in doing something by Herzberg, it can be concluded that people act based on the specific need and the factors from inside and outside their life.

  2. 2. 3. Theory of Psychology and Psychological Approach

  Psychology is a branch of science that discusses about the state of the human soul. It tries to understand human behavior, why and how they do and think as the creatures. There are various approaches in the literature, and one of the approaches here is psychological approach to literature. The approach is one

  Approach to psychology literature can be interpreted as a way of analysis based on psychological point of view. It begins from the assumption that literature is always talking about the events of human life which is emitted in the lives. David Daiches in Critical Approaches to Literature says that psychology comes into criticism in two ways, in investigation of the act of creation and in the psychological study of particular authors (p. 329). He then adds that by psychological investigation of individual authors can help us to see why those authors displayed certain characteristic qualities in their work and help us to explain how literature comes into being (p. 330). Here the function of psychology itself is doing the exploration into the inner soul that made the figures contained in the literature and to learn more about their actions to other measures.

  There are several prominent figures of psychology who have inspired the mystery of human behavior through psychological theories. But in this thesis Sigmund Freud will be discussed more, because of his contributions to the psychology literature through the psychoanalytic theory. He directly speaks about the process of art creation as a result of pressure in the subconscious which is then poured into the form of the creation of works of art (p. 332).

  Jess and Gregory Feist in Theories of Personality (2006) share that in his Psychoanalytic theory, Freud introduces the terms of unconscious and conscious in the level of mental life. They say:

  The unconscious contains all those drives, urges, or instincts that are beyond our awareness but that nevertheless motivate most of our words, feelings and actions. Although we may be conscious of our overt behaviors, we often are not aware of the mental process that lie behind Sigmund Freud believes that every individual has a conscious and an unconscious mind. Moreover, he believes that it was the unconscious mind that plays the largest role in shaping someone's personality. Freud then thinks that the work of creative literature is the symptoms of the author. Psychological conflict experienced by the characters is a reflection or representation of the author's own psychological conflict, and this goes unnoticed by both the author. In other words, the unconscious author works through the creation of novel activities. So, literature is actually a hidden enjoyment over the author desires in the unconscious (Daices, pp. 332-333).

  In his further explanation, Freud states that the human soul has three components; firstly is Id. It is a natural human spirit to think and act in accordance with whatever his own, without control, and without the desire for self-limiting. Secondly is Superego, which represents the moral and ideal aspect of personality guided by the moralistic and idealistic principles. The third one is Ego which contacts to the reality. It is the balance between the demands of self-control and self-limiting property superego, and the encouragement of control and Id's infinity. In his capacity as a counterweight, the ego is an extension of the mind awareness. This awareness controls the words, actions, and thoughts of a person in the face of society (Feist, pp. 27-30).

  If all of these compartments work in balance, then people will show reasonable character, but if the elements are not working in balance and one of them is more dominant, there will be a war in the mind or soul of a man. It will distribution. In his description of the author in creating literary works, Freud says that the author is attacked by neurosis.

  2. 3. Theoretical Framework

  In this study, the writer aims to analyze Gregor Samsa, the main character of the novel and find out the meaning of Gregor’s transformation. To accomplish the analysis, the writer uses some theories on character, characterization, theory of motivation, theory of psychology and other information related to the novel.