CREATIVE EFFORT OF ERIN GRUWELL IN RICHARD LAGGRAVENESSE’S THE FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE (2007): CREATIVE EFFORT OF ERIN GRUWELL IN RICHARD LAGGRAVENESSE’S THE FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE (2007): A PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH.

CREATIVE EFFORT OF ERIN GRUWELL IN RICHARD
LAGGRAVENESSE’S THE FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE (2007):
A PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH

RESEARCH PAPER
Research Paper Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of Requirement
for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education
In English Department

By

DENI AYU SUSIANINGTYAS
A 320 0060 043

SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2011

APPROVAL

CREATIVE EFFORT OF ERIN GRUWELL IN RICHARD

LAGGRAVENESSE’S THE FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE (2007): A
PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH

Research Paper

By:
DENI AYU SUSIANINGTYAS
A 320 0060 043

Approved to be examined
by the Consultants:
1st Consultant

2nd Consultant

Dr.Phil.Dewi Candraningrum,S.Pd,M.Ed
NIK. 772

 


Titis Setyabudi, S.S
NIK. 948

ii

ACCEPTANCE

CREATIVE EFFORT OF ERIN GRUWELL IN RICHARD
LAGGRAVENESSE’S THE FREEDOM WRITERS MOVIE (2007): A
PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH

By:
DENI AYU SUSIANINGTYAS
A 320 0060 043

Accepted and Approved by the Board of Examiners
Schools of Teacher Training and Education
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
on ..........


Team of Examiners:
1) Dr.Phil.Dewi Candraningrum, S.Pd, M.Ed
NIK. 772
1st examiner

(

)

2) Titis Setyabudi, S.S
NIK. 948
2nd examiner

(

)

(

)


3) Drs. M. Thoyibi,M.Si
NIK.410
3nd examiner

The Dean
School of Teacher Training and Education

Drs. H. Sofyan Anif, M.Si
NIK: 547

 

iii

TESTIMONY

I hereby assert that there is no plagiarism in this research paper. There is no
other works that have been submitted to obtain the bachelor degree and as far as I am
concerned there is no opinion that has been written or published before, except the

written references which are referred in this paper and mentioned in the bibliography.
If any incorrectness is proven in the future dealing with my statement above, I
will be fully responsible.

Surakarta, Agustus 2011

DENI AYU SUSIANINGTYAS
A 320 0060 043

 

iv

MOTTO

“Sesungguhnya sesudah kesulitan itu ada kemudahan, maka apabila kamu telah
selesai (dari sesuatu urusan) kerjakanlah dengan sungguh-sungguh (urusan) yang
lain, dan hanya kepada Tuhanmulah hendaknya kamku berharap”
(Q.S. Alam Nasyrah: 6-8)


“Ketika cinta memanggilmu maka dekatilah dia walau jalannya terjal berliku, jika
cinta memelukmu maka dekaplah ia walau pedang di sela-sela sayapmu
melukaimu”
(Kahllil Gibran)
“Kamu mungkin akan melupakan orang yang tertawa denganmu, tetapi tidak
mungkin melupakan orang yang pernah menangis denganmu”
(kahlil Gibran)
“Guru terbesar adalah pengalaman, keberanian terbesar adalah kesabaran,
kesalahan terbesar adalah putus asa, dosa terbesar adalah takut, kebanggaan
terabesar adalah kepercayaan, pemberian terbesar adalah partisipasi, modal
terbesar adalah percaya diri, rahasia terbesar adalah kematian”
(Ali Bin Abi Thalib)

 

v

DEDICATION

This research is dedicated to:

Y Her beloved parents for their love, support, and prayer that never gets dry.
Y My entire sister Chandra Susiarini, Betty Susiantini S.pd, Ratna Susianadewi S.pd, and
Fajar Kartika Susianingrum S.pd, for support and so many sweet things that have been
shared.
Y My entire brother Sutardiyanto, Sutarto, Abdul Salam, and Santoso S.pd
Y My entire nephew Fahira Ummu Hanifah, Najwa Lutfi Hanifah, Naufal Daffa Azhafron,
Salsabila Salma Alsa Putri, Mazaya Syaswina Tsaniya Alwaffa, Muhammad Nabil Attaqy,
and Muhammad Dzaky Safa Haffiludin.
Y All my best friend
Y All of my friends in English Department and Griya Dara boarding house

 

vi

SUMMARY 
DENI  AYU  SUSIANINGTYAS:  A  320  060  043.    CREATIVE  EFFORT  OF  ERIN  GRUWELL  IN 
RICHARD  LAGRAVENESSE’S  THE  FREEDOM  WRITERS  MOVIE  (2007):  AN  INDIVIDUAL 
PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH. Research Paper 2011.  
This  research  discusses  the  creative  effort  of  the  major  character  Erin  Gruwell,  in 

changing  her  students  related  with  Adler’s  theory  individual  psychology  and  it  aimes  to 
analyze the structural elements of Richard Lagravenesse’s The Freedom Writers movie such 
as character and characterization, plot, point of view, style and theme based on individual 
psychological perspective. 
This research is a qualitative research. The data are taken from document analysis. 
The  object  of  the  study  is  analyzing  the  structural  elements  of  the  movie  and  discusses 
creative effort of Erin Gruwell viewed from individual psychology perspective. 
The results of study show a close relationship between The Freedom Writer movie 
and  individual  psychological.  It  can  be  concluded  that  the  character  and  characterization, 
setting, theme, plot, and cinematography, directly supports the theme within the analysis, 
means that on the movie the entire structural elements consist of the whole narrative and 
structural  elements.  The  creative  effort  to  support  her  strives  such  as:  the  first  situation 
where,  she  starts  to  be  expected  by  her  students.  By  using  a  psychological  approach 
Gruwell tries to make a close relationship with them, this is the way to control the student’s 
atmosphere in class.  Gruwell creates small celebration event for them because they have 
been succeeded to change. 
Keywords: Individual psychology, Freedom Writer. 
                 Consultant I   

  


      

 

      Consultant II 

 

 

  Titis Setyabudi Ss. 

 
 
Dr.Phil. Dewi Chandraningrum.           

                   NIK . 772                                                      

          NIK. 948 


Dean  
 
Drs. Sofyan Anif, M., Si 
NIK. 547 

 

vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.
In the name Allah the merciful the compasionable, the researcher can finish this
research paper as a partial fulfillment of requirement for the Bachelor degree of
English Teaching. The researcher realizes that this research would never be
completed without the help of others. Many people have contributed to this writing,
therefore the researcher would like the express her appreciation to those who have
helped her.
1. Drs. H. Sofyan Anif, M.Si., the Dean of school of Teacher Training and

Education of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
2. Titis Setyabudi S.S., the chief of English Department has permitted her to
conduct this paper
3. Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, S.Pd., Med., the first consultant, who gives her a
very helpful guidance for the writer’s research
4. Titis Setyabudi, S.S., the second consultant, who gives guidance valuable advice
and critiques during the study conduced
5. Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.Si the third consultant, who gives her helpfil guidance for
writer’s research
6. Her beloved Father and Mother, your love always become my tears and my
smile. And your love become a candle in the dark of chimney.

 

viii

7. Her enteri sister, brother, and nephew, thanks your support and motivation to
study hard.
8. All her special friend; Fitri”Pitly”, Putri”dik POE”, Nophi”Nophil”, Ayu,
Yuni”nyunyun”, Inten”Tembem”, Amel”comel” thanks for your kindness for her.
9. All her friend in “GRIYA DARA ” boarding house, Lilist, Lina, Anna, Joan,
Inten, Amel, Maya, Heni, Gading, Mbak Lina, Elsa.
10. Her friend in English Department 2006 classes A, specially Noer Q, Putri, Wesly,
Doel, Rulik, Angga.
11. Her friend in” GAFUMA club futsal”
12. Her specially thanks for AD 2688 EE and
13. Her best friend Mas Nanang Wijayanto, Narkho“mbahe”, Andri “Domba”, Dika,
Mas Gondrong, Yudha “yudhut”, Mas Rony”Mas Pitik”, Kipli, Mas Catur
utomo, Singgih Saputro and the last thanks for Mas Glen
In the end, the researcher realizes that this research is still far from being perfect.
Therefore, she hopes any constructive criticism and suggestion from the reader for
the improvement of the research.
Wassalamualaikum Wr. Wb

Surakarta, Agustus 2011

DENI AYU SUSIANINGTYAS
A 320 0060 043

 

ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
TITLE ............................................................................................................

i

APPROVAL ..................................................................................................

ii

ACCEPTANCE .............................................................................................

iii

TESTIMONY ................................................................................................

iv

MOTTO ..........................................................................................................

v

DEDICATION ...............................................................................................

vi

SUMMARY ...................................................................................................

vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................................

x

LIST OF FIGURE ........................................................................................

xiii

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ...............................................................

1

A. Background of the Study .................................................

1

B. Literature Review ............................................................

5

C. Problem Statement ..........................................................

6

D. Limitation of the Study ...................................................

6

E. Objective of the Study .....................................................

6

F. Benefit of the Study ........................................................

7

1. Theoretical Benefit ....................................................

7

2. Practical Benefit ........................................................

7

G. Research Method .............................................................

7

 

x

1. Object of the Study ....................................................

7

2. Type of Data and the Data Research .........................

7

3. Type of Study .............................................................

8

4. Technique of The Data Collection .............................

8

5. Technique of the Data Analysis .................................

9

H. Research Paper Organization ..........................................

9

CHAPTER II UNDERLYING THEORY .................................................

10

A. Individual Psychology .....................................................

10

1. Notion of Individual Psychological ..........................

11

2. Basic Principle of Individual Psychology .................

12

B. Structural Elements of the Movie ...................................

20

C. Theoritical Application ....................................................

29

CHAPTER III STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS ..............................................

30

A. Narrative Elements ...........................................................

30

1. Character and Characterization .................................

30

2. Setting .......................................................................

37

3. Plot ............................................................................

38

4. Point of View ............................................................

42

5. Theme ........................................................................

42

B. Technical Elements .........................................................

43

1. Casting .......................................................................

43

2. Mise-en-Scene ...........................................................

44

3. Cinematography ........................................................

44

C. Discussion .......................................................................

45

 

xi

CHAPTER IV AN INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS ......

48

A. Individual Psychological Analysis ..................................

48

1. Inferiority Feeling ......................................................

48

2. Striving for Superiority ..............................................

52

3. Social Interest ............................................................

56

4. Fictional Finalism ......................................................

59

5. Style of Life................................................................

62

6. Creative Self (Power) ................................................

65

B. Discussion .......................................................................

69

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ...............................

72

A. Conclusion .......................................................................

72

B. Suggestion .......................................................................

73

BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX

 

xii

LIST OF FIGURES
 

 
Figure 1 Erin Gruwell ................................................................................

31

Figure 2

Eva Benitez ...................................................................................

31

Figure 3

Cindy Nigor ..................................................................................

32

Figure 4 Brandy Ross .................................................................................

33

Figure 5 Gloria Munez ...............................................................................

33

Figure 6 Andre Bryant ...............................................................................

34

Figure 7

Jamal Hill .....................................................................................

35

Figure 8 Margaret Campbell .......................................................................

35

Figure 9 Miep Gies .....................................................................................

36

Figure 10 External Conflict...........................................................................

41

Figure 11 Internal Conflict ............................................................................

42

Figure 12 Inferiority Feeling ........................................................................

49

Figure 13 Inferiority Feeling ........................................................................

50

Figure 14 Inferiority Feeling .........................................................................

51

Figure 15 Inferiority Feeling ........................................................................

51

Figure 16 Striving for Superiority ................................................................

52

Figure 17 Striving for Superiority ................................................................

53

Figure 18 Striving for Superiority ................................................................

55

Figure 19 Striving for Superiority ................................................................

56

Figure 20 Social Interest .............................................................................

57

 

xiii

Figure 21 Social Interest ..............................................................................

58

Figure 22 Social Interest ..............................................................................

59

Figure 23 Fictional Finalism .......................................................................

61

Figure 24 Fictional Finalism ........................................................................

62

Figure 25 Style of Life ................................................................................

63

Figure 26 Style of Life .................................................................................

64

Figure 27 Style of Life .................................................................................

65

Figure 28 Creative Self (Power) ..................................................................

67

Figure 29 Creative Self (Power) ..................................................................

68

Figure 30 Creative Self (Power) ..................................................................

68

 

xiv