The impacts of the consumer behaviour revealed through the main character in Sophie Kinsella`s Confessions of a Shopaholic.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ABSTRACT
Cicillia Indrayanti Gunawan. The Impacts of the Consumer Behavior Revealed
through the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of Shopaholic.
Yogyakarta: Department of English Letter, Faculty of Letter, University of Sanata
Dharma, 2012.
A novel is one kind of literary works which contains both true and
fictional events. The issue which is always discussed is about economy. Consumer
behavior is the thing that people do every day and cannot live without. It is like
the daily activity. The reason why the writer chooses this topic is because
economy still puts an important role until now, especially the consumer behavior.
This undergraduate thesis is based on a novel entitled Confessions of a Shopaholic
by Sophie Kinsella, and focuses on Rebecca Bloomwood as the main character,
who has addiction in shopping. This literary work is chosen, because consumer
behavior is reflected through this novel.
The writer formulates three problems which are going to be analyzed, as
the main part of this undergraduate thesis. First is to list the characters of Rebecca
Bloomwood, which will be divided into three parts. Second is how the consumer
behavior is reflected through Rebecca Bloomwood. The impacts of consumer
behavior will be the third problem formulation which will be explained, and the

third part will be divided into two parts.
This undergraduate thesis uses both printed sources and online sources in
finishing progress. By using those sources, the writer finds out some theories
which relate to character, characteristics, economy and consumer behavior. Sociocultural historical approach is chosen because the topic concerns society, culture,
and history which are reflected through the main character.
After finishing this research, the writer has a conclusion. The writer is
able to divide Rebecca Bloomwood’s characteristics into three parts. The first part
is fashionable, the second part is shopaholic, and the third part is irresponsible and
immature. Each characteristic has relation to consumer behavior. This can be seen
from her appearances and her behavior. The second one is how consumer behavior
is reflected through Rebecca Bloomwod. The writer also provides several
quotations that can prove Rebecca as the victim of extravagant lifestyle. The last,
Rebecca faces some problems as the impacts of the consumer behavior, which is
the third problem formulation. This part is also divided into two parts, which are
debt and dependency on credit card. Each of them will be explained one by one.

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ABSTRAK
Cicillia Indrayanti Gunawan. The Impacts of the Consumer behavior Revealed
through the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of Shopaholic.
Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma,
2012.
Novel adalah salah satu karya sastra yang mengandung kejadian nyata
dan rekaan. Isu yang selalu didiskusikan adalah tentang ekonomi. Tingkah laku
konsumen adalah hal yang dilakukan oleh orang-orang setiap hari, dan mereka
tidak bisa lepas. Hal ini seperti kegiatan sehari-hari. Alasan mengapa penulis
memilih topik ini, adalah karena ekonomi masih memegang peranan penting
hingga sekarang. Skripsi ini berdasarkan sebuah novel yang berjudul Confessions
of a Shopaholic karangan Sophie Kinsella, dan memfokuskan pada Rebecca
Bloomwood sebagai peran utama, yang mempunyai kecanduan belanja. Karya
sastra ini dipilih karena perilaku konsumen tercermin melalui novel ini.
Penulis memformulasikan tiga permasalahan yang akan dianalisis,
sebagai bagian utama dari skripsi ini. Yang pertama adalah, membuat daftar
tentang karakteristik dari Rebecca Bloomwood, yang akan dibagi menjadi tiga
bagian. Yang kedua adalah bagaimana perilaku konsumen tercermin melalui
Rebecca Bloomwood. Akibat dari perilaku konsumen akan menjadi permasalahan
ketiga yang akan dijelaskan, dan bagian ketiga ini akan dibagi menjadi dua

bagian.
Skripsi ini menggunakan sumber buku-buku dan sumber internet.
Dengan menggunakan sumber-sumber itu, penulis menemukan beberapa teori
yang berhubungan dengan karakter, karakteristik, ekonomi, dan perilaku
konsumen. Pendekatan sosio-kultural historikal dipilih karena topik berurusan
dengan sosial, budaya dan sejarah yang tercermin melalui tokoh utama.
Setelah menyelesaikan penelitian ini, penulis dapat menarik kesimpulan.
Penulis dapat membagi karakteristik Rebecca Bloomwood menjadi tiga bagian
utama. Yang pertama adalah modis, yang kedua adalah penggila belanja, dan yang
ketiga adalah tidak bertanggung jawab serta tidak dewasa. Setiap karakteristik
berkaitan dengan perilaku konsumen. Hal ini dapat terlihat dari penampilannya
dan tingkah lakunya. Yang kedua adalah bagaimana perilaku konsumen tercermin
melalui Rebecca Bloomwood. Penulis juga menyediakan beberapa kutipan yang
dapat membuktikan bahwa Rebecca adalah korban dari gaya hidup yang boros.
Yang terakhir, Rebecca menghadapi beberapa masalah, sebagai akibat dari
perilaku konsumen, yang merupakan permasalahan ketiga. Bagian ini juga dibagi
menjadi dua bagian, yaitu mempunyai hutang dan ketergantungan pada kartu
kredit. Setiap bagiannya akan dijelaskan satu per satu.

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THE IMPACTS OF THE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR REVEALED
THROUGH THE MAIN CHARACTER IN
SOPHIE KINSELLA’S CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters

By
CICILLIA INDRAYANTI GUNAWAN
Student number: 084214085

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA
2012

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

THE IMPACTS OF THE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR REVEALED
THROUGH THE MAIN CHARACTER IN
SOPHIE KINSELLA’S CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters

By
CICILLIA INDRAYANTI GUNAWAN
Student number: 084214085

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012

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LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH
UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS

Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama

: CICILLIA INDRAYANTI GUNAWAN

Nomor Mahasiswa : 084214085
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
THE IMPACTS OF THE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR REVEALED
THROUGH THE MAIN CHARACTER IN SOPHIE KINSELLA’S
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC
Beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam
bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan
secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau media lain untuk
kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun memberikan
royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencamtumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.

Dibuat di Yogyakarta

Pada tanggal: 30 November 2012
Yang menyatakan,

CICILLIA INDRAYANTI GUNAWAN

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The Lord is with me; I will not be
afraid  Psalm 118: 6

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of
praise, and I have been saved from my
enemies  Psalm 18:3

Absolutely everything you ask in
prayer, believe it and you’ll receive it
 Matthew 21:22

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This undergraduate thesis is especially dedicated
to
Jesus Christ and Mother Mary
My beloved daddy
Indra Gunawan
My dearest mommy
Alie Gunawan

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I want to say million thanks to Jesus Christ and Mother
Mary for making me who I am today, and for the abundant blessings during

finishing my undergraduate thesis, because I know I am nothing without Them.
I would like to thank my advisor Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M. Hum for
her time, patience, and guidance during my process of finishing this
undergraduate thesis. I would also like to thank my co-advisor Dr. F.X. Siswadi,
M.A. for giving me corrections and usefull suggestions. Besides, I also thank all
the English Letters lecturers for teaching me in these four years patiently, and all
the staff in Sanata Dharma University and Sanata Dharma Library for providing
all the sources I need.
Nothing can express my huge gratitude to my parents. I thank my
beloved daddy, Indra Gunawan, for his hard-working in financing my study
from kindergarten until university, and also my dearest mommy, Alie Gunawan,
who never gets tired to pray for me, also for her affection and care during my
lifetime. They are the best parents I have ever had. This undergraduate thesis is
especially dedicated to my parents, as a proof of my study.
Friendship is the greatest gift that God ever gave to me. So, my next
gratitude is expressed for all my college friends in English Letters 2008 during
these wonderful four years, especially Novita, Siska, Vebry, Jeffry, Gustin,
Riris, and Palute for the friendship we have in these four years. I will never
forget our happy moments and sad moments which we shared together. I also

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thank my boarding-house mates Karina, Linda, Lydia, and Theresia for
cheering me up while doing my undergraduate thesis. I would also thank Vicky,
for the friendship we already had since we both were in elementary school and her
support when I am down in finishing my undergraduate thesis. I also totally
recognize that my undergraduate thesis will not be finished successfully without
my far away friend, Rissa, who helped me to find this novel in Periplus Jakarta
because it was out-of-stock in Periplus Jogja, and she sent it from Jakarta.

Cicillia Indrayanti Gunawan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE .............................................................................................
APPROVAL PAGE ....................................................................................
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ..............................................................................
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ........................
MOTTO PAGE ..........................................................................................
DEDICATION PAGE ................................................................................
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...........................................................................
ABSTRACT ...............................................................................................
ABSTRAK ..................................................................................................
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ..............................................................
A. Background of the study ..............................................................
B. Problem Formulation ....................................................................
C. Objectives of the Study ................................................................
D. Definition of Terms ......................................................................
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW ..............................................
A. Review of Related Studies ...........................................................
B. Review of Related Theories .........................................................
1. Theory of Character and Characterization .............................
2. Theory of Consumer behavior ...............................................
3. Theory of Compulsive Consumption .....................................
4. Theory of Credit Card and Debit Card ...................................
C. Theoretical Framework ................................................................
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ..........................................................
A. Object of the Study ......................................................................
B. Approach to the Study ..................................................................
C. Method of the Study .....................................................................
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ........................................................................
A. Characteristics of Rebecca Bloomwood .......................................
1. Fashionable ...........................................................................
2. Shopaholic ............................................................................
3. Irresponsible and Immature ...................................................
B. The Consumer behavior is Reflected through Rebecca .................
C. The impacts of Consumer behavior ..............................................
1. Debt ......................................................................................
2. Dependency on Cards ............................................................
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ..................................................................
BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................
APPENDIX ................................................................................................
Summary of the Novel ........................................................................

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ii
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iv
v
vi
vii
ix
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3
3
4
4
6
6
7
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
19
19
21
21
21
24
27
32
40
40
46
51
54
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ABSTRACT
Cicillia Indrayanti Gunawan. The Impacts of the Consumer Behavior Revealed
through the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of Shopaholic.
Yogyakarta: Department of English Letter, Faculty of Letter, University of Sanata
Dharma, 2012.
A novel is one kind of literary works which contains both true and
fictional events. The issue which is always discussed is about economy. Consumer
behavior is the thing that people do every day and cannot live without. It is like
the daily activity. The reason why the writer chooses this topic is because
economy still puts an important role until now, especially the consumer behavior.
This undergraduate thesis is based on a novel entitled Confessions of a Shopaholic
by Sophie Kinsella, and focuses on Rebecca Bloomwood as the main character,
who has addiction in shopping. This literary work is chosen, because consumer
behavior is reflected through this novel.
The writer formulates three problems which are going to be analyzed, as
the main part of this undergraduate thesis. First is to list the characters of Rebecca
Bloomwood, which will be divided into three parts. Second is how the consumer
behavior is reflected through Rebecca Bloomwood. The impacts of consumer
behavior will be the third problem formulation which will be explained, and the
third part will be divided into two parts.
This undergraduate thesis uses both printed sources and online sources in
finishing progress. By using those sources, the writer finds out some theories
which relate to character, characteristics, economy and consumer behavior. Sociocultural historical approach is chosen because the topic concerns society, culture,
and history which are reflected through the main character.
After finishing this research, the writer has a conclusion. The writer is
able to divide Rebecca Bloomwood’s characteristics into three parts. The first part
is fashionable, the second part is shopaholic, and the third part is irresponsible and
immature. Each characteristic has relation to consumer behavior. This can be seen
from her appearances and her behavior. The second one is how consumer behavior
is reflected through Rebecca Bloomwod. The writer also provides several
quotations that can prove Rebecca as the victim of extravagant lifestyle. The last,
Rebecca faces some problems as the impacts of the consumer behavior, which is
the third problem formulation. This part is also divided into two parts, which are
debt and dependency on credit card. Each of them will be explained one by one.

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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ABSTRAK
Cicillia Indrayanti Gunawan. The Impacts of the Consumer behavior Revealed
through the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of Shopaholic.
Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma,
2012.
Novel adalah salah satu karya sastra yang mengandung kejadian nyata
dan rekaan. Isu yang selalu didiskusikan adalah tentang ekonomi. Tingkah laku
konsumen adalah hal yang dilakukan oleh orang-orang setiap hari, dan mereka
tidak bisa lepas. Hal ini seperti kegiatan sehari-hari. Alasan mengapa penulis
memilih topik ini, adalah karena ekonomi masih memegang peranan penting
hingga sekarang. Skripsi ini berdasarkan sebuah novel yang berjudul Confessions
of a Shopaholic karangan Sophie Kinsella, dan memfokuskan pada Rebecca
Bloomwood sebagai peran utama, yang mempunyai kecanduan belanja. Karya
sastra ini dipilih karena perilaku konsumen tercermin melalui novel ini.
Penulis memformulasikan tiga permasalahan yang akan dianalisis,
sebagai bagian utama dari skripsi ini. Yang pertama adalah, membuat daftar
tentang karakteristik dari Rebecca Bloomwood, yang akan dibagi menjadi tiga
bagian. Yang kedua adalah bagaimana perilaku konsumen tercermin melalui
Rebecca Bloomwood. Akibat dari perilaku konsumen akan menjadi permasalahan
ketiga yang akan dijelaskan, dan bagian ketiga ini akan dibagi menjadi dua
bagian.
Skripsi ini menggunakan sumber buku-buku dan sumber internet.
Dengan menggunakan sumber-sumber itu, penulis menemukan beberapa teori
yang berhubungan dengan karakter, karakteristik, ekonomi, dan perilaku
konsumen. Pendekatan sosio-kultural historikal dipilih karena topik berurusan
dengan sosial, budaya dan sejarah yang tercermin melalui tokoh utama.
Setelah menyelesaikan penelitian ini, penulis dapat menarik kesimpulan.
Penulis dapat membagi karakteristik Rebecca Bloomwood menjadi tiga bagian
utama. Yang pertama adalah modis, yang kedua adalah penggila belanja, dan yang
ketiga adalah tidak bertanggung jawab serta tidak dewasa. Setiap karakteristik
berkaitan dengan perilaku konsumen. Hal ini dapat terlihat dari penampilannya
dan tingkah lakunya. Yang kedua adalah bagaimana perilaku konsumen tercermin
melalui Rebecca Bloomwood. Penulis juga menyediakan beberapa kutipan yang
dapat membuktikan bahwa Rebecca adalah korban dari gaya hidup yang boros.
Yang terakhir, Rebecca menghadapi beberapa masalah, sebagai akibat dari
perilaku konsumen, yang merupakan permasalahan ketiga. Bagian ini juga dibagi
menjadi dua bagian, yaitu mempunyai hutang dan ketergantungan pada kartu
kredit. Setiap bagiannya akan dijelaskan satu per satu.

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A.

Background of the Study
Literature is one of many ways to express feelings and emotions inside

somebody’s mind. It can be a fiction or non-fiction. A work of literature is a text that
is valued by its culture that uses a special language, and that affects people with
emotions that are valued by their own sake (Cummings and Simmons, 1982: 1).
Different culture will make a different literary work, as well
There are many kinds of literature, such as novels, poems, plays, short
stories, essays, and journals. Here, this undergraduate thesis will explore more about
one of them. According to Robert Stanton in his book entitled An Introduction to
Fiction, a novel can present the development of a person, and can create a complete
world.
Instead, it can also and usually does present in detail the development of a
character or a large complex social situation, or a relationship involving
many characters among a few characters. The peculiar strength of the novel
is its ability to render a complex subject fully, to create a complex world
(Stanton, 1965: 44).
A novel can also contain both true and fictional events which depend on the
story. It is stated on Terry Eagleton’s book, Literary Theory: an Introduction.
In the English late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the world
‘novel’ seems to have been used about both true and fictional events, and
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2

even news reports were hardly to be considered factual. Novel and news
report were neither clearly factual nor clearly fictional (Eagleton 1996: 1).
One of the issues that are always discussed is about economy. It seems that
this kind of topic has no ending to be discussed. Daniel R. Fusfeled in his book
entitled Economic: Principles of Political Economic also clearly stated that consumer
behavior is the thing that people do every day and cannot live without. It is like the
daily activity, about buying and selling. Money income determines one’s welfare and
status (Fusfeled, 1998: 5). This materialistic society influences most people to have a
consumer behavior lifestyle and become a consumptive person.
It is also noted in a book entitled Consumer Behavior by Leon G. Schiffman
and Leslie Lazar Kanuk that consumer may purchase products and services that they
expect will satisfy the needs, even these things are not essential (Schiffman and
Kanuk, 1994: 7).
In this modern era, earning more money is almost everyone’s wish, since
economy puts the important effort in daily life. Some of the society cannot live
without extravagant life style. Moreover, this modern era offers many easy ways to
pay. One of them is credit card and debit card. By using them, they can go shopping
easily, and spend more. In the end, they just realize how much they have spent, over
the limit of the credit card. They cannot pay off the bills.
Consumer behavior that recently happened is reflected in a famous literary
work entitled Confessions of a Shopaholic which was written by Sophie Kinsella, the
famous best-seller author in England. Actually, there are some series of Shopaholic,

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

3

they are Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic Ties
the Knot, and Shopaholic and Sister, but the most proper one is the first one, because
it represents the consumer behavior.
Overall, Confessions of a Shopaholic tells about the major character named
Rebecca Bloomwood. She is a twenty five-year-old financial journalist in Successful
Savings. Her job is to suggest everyone to control their finance, so they will not be in
debt. Actually, she is not an expert of finance. She even admits that. How irony it is,
that she herself has trouble in controlling her own finance, because of her addiction in
shopping. All of her salary is spent to go shopping. She never even thinks that her
habit will bring her into a big trouble.
The reason why the writer chooses Confessions of a Shopaholic is that the
setting is taken place in London, where the society tends to have a glamorous and
extravagant lifestyle. Here, the major character of this novel, Rebecca Bloomwood
represents both of the characteristics.

B.

Problem Formulation
According to background of the study that the writer has explained, here is

the problem formulation which will be analyzed.
1.

How is the main character depicted?

2.

How is the consumer behavior reflected in the main character?

3.

What are the impacts of the consumer behavior toward the main character?

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

C.

4

Objectives of the Study
This study contains three problem formulations which will be used to

explore more about the topic. The first objective is to describe the main character. It
is used to know deeper about Rebecca Bloomwood. After knowing her characteristics
deeply, the writer will move to the second objective, which is about how the
consumer behavior is reflected in the main character. The third objective is to know
the impacts of the consumer behavior toward the main character herself.

D.

Definition of Terms
The writer provides some definitions of terms that are used in this

undergraduate thesis. This is done to avoid some misunderstandings and
misinterpretations.

1.

Consumer Behavior
The definition of consumer behavior is taken from Merriam-Webster in

Encyclopedia Britannia Company. It is said that consumer behavior is an increasing
consumption

of

goods

is

economically

desirable

(http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/consumer behavior).

2.

Shopaholic
For this word, the writer cannot find any in the dictionary, but it has the

suffix –holic, like in the word workaholic. According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s

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5

Dictionary, the word workaholic means person who has strong desire to work hard
and finds it is difficult to stop working (Hornby, 1995: 1376). The suffix –holic
means a strong desire of something and cannot stop it. So from this, the writer can
say that the word shopaholic means someone who has a strong desire to shop and
cannot stop it.

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW

A. Review of Related Studies
To support this research, the writer provides some reviews of related studies
from printed sources only. Overall, all the reviews focus about the main character in
this novel, Rebecca Bloomwood. The writer only takes from previous Undergraduate
Thesis because they are reliable sources.
In Confessions of a Shopaholic, Becky’s attitude toward money is bad
because she cannot stop her desire to spend more and more money by
shopping. The bank facility of offering her a credit card brings her to huge
debt. At first she does not think that the effect of using her credit card will be
so bad until all the bills from the bank arrived to her (Nandini, 2006: 41).
Wididianingrum Nandini in her Undergraduate Thesis entitled Criticism to
Consumeristic Society in Don Delilo’s Cosmopolic and Sophie Kinsella’s
Confessions of a Shopaholic: a Comparative Analysis stated that Rebecca uses the
facility from the bank to support her hobby, which is shopping. It is a reflection of
consumer behavior which Rebecca has. Using a credit card too often until it gets the
limit can bring bad impacts. The customers will be in debt, moreover if they are not
able to pay off the debt.
Another review is found on a Thesis of Astrid Khairunnisa. In her
undergraduate thesis entitled Satirical Representation of the late 20th Cosmopolitan
London Women Seen through Rebecca to Reveal Criticism on Consumptive Lifestyle
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in Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic, she said Rebecca is an independent,
fashionable, stylish, and shopaholic woman (Khairunnisa, 2009: 27-38).
All the characteristics that she stated depict the characteristic of Rebecca. In
this novel, Rebecca is clearly considered as an independent, fashionable, stylish and
shopaholic woman.
Stella Indriani Tampi in her Undergraduate Thesis entitled The Effect of
Rebecca Bloomwood’s Compulsive Shopping Disorder Toward her Relationship with
other people in Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic Series stated that
Rebecca suffers from an impulsive disorder called Compulsive Shopping Disorder.
She explained that Rebecca’s Compulsive Shopping Disorder by analyzing her
character which shows more than four symptoms of psychological illness called
Compulsive Shopping Disorder. She also defines some cause of Becky’s syndrome. It
is caused by her family or friends and the society (Tampi, 2008: 50-51).
In this undergraduate thesis, the writer will explore more about the main
character herself, and also the impacts of consumer behavior that Rebecca has. The
writer focuses on the impacts toward Rebecca herself.

B. Review of Related Theories.
To answer the problem formulation, the writer needs some theories from
printed sources too. Here, the writer provides four theories. Each theory is related to
the three problems which have been formulated. The first one is theory of character
and theory of characterization, the second one is theory of consumer behavior, the

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8

third one is theory of compulsive consumption, and the last one is theory of credit
card and debit card.

1.

Theory of Character
The first theory is about character which is quoted from A Glossary of

Literary Terms by Abrams. This one is for analyzing the main character in this novel.
Theory of character is chosen because this research focuses on the main character.
A character may remain essentially “stable” or unchanged in his outlook and
dispositions, from the beginning to the end of the work, or he may undergo a
radical change either through a gradual development or as a result of an
extreme crisis (Abrams, 1981: 20).
This theory can be applied in this thesis. By applying this theory, the writer
can reveal whether the character of Rebecca remains stable from the beginning until
the end of the story, or either her character changes, and if her character changes, the
writer will find out what are the factors that influence her.
Another author will have different idea about theory of character. For
example, Robert Stanton who wrote a book entitled An Introduction to Fiction. He
wrote that a character’s reason for behaving as he does is his motivation. The specific
motivation is the immediate reason, and it can be unconscious. The basic motivation
is an aspect of his general character. An experienced reader might let each new clue
qualify his impression, and avoiding a final interpretation until he has seen all the
evidence (Stanton, 1965: 17).

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Also, according to Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods, Jr in their book
entitled Reading and Writing about Literature, character may have particular
personalities and physical attributes that distinguish them from the other. The process
of creating a character by author is called characterization which has two principal
ways in characterizing. The first one is direct means to describe physical appearances,
included the height, weight, skin color, hair color, etc. The second one is dramatic
means. This the way to characterize a character based on placing the character in
certain situations to show what she or he is by the way she or he behaves and speaks
(Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 20).
The other theory is found in Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to
English Poetry and Novel by M. J. Murphy. There are nine ways that can give a
clearer and better understanding in analyzing someone’s characteristics in a work, as
follows.
a.

Personal Description

Describing a person’s appearances and clothes. It can be seen from the details, such
as the face, skin, and eyes.
b.

Characters as seen by another

Describing a character through the eyes and opinions of another, so the reader can get
the reflected image.
c.

Speech

By giving an insight into the character by what people say it is such as a clue for the
reader to understand.

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d.

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Past Life

Giving a clue by knowing the past life or events from the character.
e.

Conversation of others

Giving a clue by the conversations of other people, and what they say about the
character.
f.

Direct Comment

Describing or giving comment on a person’s character directly.
g.

Thought

Direct knowledge is used since it is what a person is thinking about, and telling what
the others are thinking.
h.

Mannerism

Describing by knowing the manner, habits, or idiosyncrasies. It can be useful to tell
something about the character.
i.

Reactions

Giving a clue to reader by knowing how that person reacts to certain kinds of
situations and events (Murphy, 1972: 161-173).

2.

Theory of Consumer Behavior
The next theory that the writer will use is taken from Consumer Behavior

Buying Having and Being which was written by Michael R. Solomon. He clearly
wrote that consumer behavior is physiological or psychological which depend on
products or services. For example, a drug addict that consumer has or cannot control

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11

over his or her consumption. The products control the consumer (Solomon, 2009: 3133).
Michael R. Solomon also mentioned three common elements to characterize
any negative or destructive consumer behavior an experience strong feelings of regret
or guilt afterward (Solomon, 2009: 33).
By understanding the theory from Michael R. Solomon, the writer can say
that consumer behavior can create a strong feeling of regret or guilt, right after
shopping.
Furthermore, Leon G. Schiffman and Leslie Lazar Kanuk in their book
entitled Consumer Behavior said that consumer behavior is the study of making
decisions to spend their resources (time, money, effort) on consumption related items,
which include what, why, when, where they buy it (1994: 7).
According to a book entitled Consumer Behavior by William D. Wells and
David Prensky, consumer behavior might include some ways.
Consumer behavior includes the ways in which (1) consumers decide to
spend their time and money to buy and consume products and services that
will satisfy their needs; (2) marketers try to offer products and services that
will satisfy consumers so that they will buy from them; and (3) public policy
actors try to influence consumers, marketers, and the laws and regulations
that affect consumers and marketers (Wells and Prensky, 1996: 5).
William L. Wilke had another definition which he wrote on his book entitled
Consumer Behavior. According to him, consumer behavior is a mental, emotional,

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12

and physical activities people engage in choosing, buying, using, and disposing of
products and services so as to satisfy needs and desire (Wilke, 1994: 14).
Also by William L. Wilke, he summarized the characteristics of consumer
behavior into seven keys.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Consumer behavior is motivated.
Consumer behavior includes many activities.
Consumer behavior is a process.
Consumer behavior varies in timing and complexity.
Consumer behavior involves different roles.
Consumer behavior is influenced by external factors.
Consumer behavior differs for different people (Wilke, 1994: 14).

By using this theory, the writer has an understanding about some kind of
characteristics of consumer behavior. In short, the writer can say that consumer
behavior is a process which is influenced by external factors, vary in timing and
complexity, and it includes any activities. The application will be found in Chapter
Four.
The writer also finds out another theory about consumer behavior which
focuses on the definition of the word behavior itself. This is based on a book entitled
Consumer Behavior and Marketing Strategy, which was written by Paul Peter and
Jerry C. Olson. They wrote that behavior can be considered as a consumer’s physical
actions and it can directly observe and measured by others. Furthermore, according to
them, the examples of this kind of behavior can be these: shopping at stores or on
internet, buying products, and or using credit card (1996: 20).

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3.

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Theory of Compulsive Consumption
The writer also takes the theory of compulsive consumption, because it is

related to the solution of the problem formulation. It is found on Consumer Behavior
Buying Having and Being by Michael R. Solomon. In his book, he clearly states some
consumers are “born to shop” quite literally. For them, shopping is a pleasurable or
functional task (1999: 32).The words “born to shop” literally mean some people are
addicted to shopping, and cannot live without that. Shopping is like their life, indeed.
Compulsive Consumption refers to repetitive shopping, often excessive, as
an antidote to tension, anxiety, depression, or boredom. “Shopaholics” turn
to shopping much the way addicted people turn to drugs and alcohol.
Therapist reports that women clinically diagnosed with CSD outnumber men
by four to one. They speculate that women are attracted to items such as
clothes and cosmetics as a way of enhancing their inter-personal relationship
(Solomon, 1999: 32).
This theory by Solomon can give some ideas about what compulsive
consumption actually is. It is almost the same with consumer behavior, but this
compulsive consumption gives an explanation in detail.
The writer takes shopaholic as an example. Shopaholic is a person who has
addicted in shopping, such as drug and alcohol, especially women. They are usually
addicted to some women stuff, like clothes and cosmetic.
Two explanations above are quite similar. The first explanation tells that
shopping is sometimes for pleasurable or functional task, and the second one,
shopping is a repetitive action as an antidote to tension, anxiety, depression, and
boredom. If these explanations are combined, the writer is able to say that there is a

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14

time when shopping is not only for their needs, but also for pleasurable or functional
task. It also means when they go shopping, it does mean that they do really need to
buy something or it might be for pleasure only.
This can also be the reasons why sometimes consumers lose their control in
shopping. Unplanned shopping makes them buy everything, especially if they are
basically a shopaholic. Steiner and Shapiro mentions in their book entitled Money
and Banking that most of individuals think, count, and deal in money terms, because
economic problems deal with monetary aspects (1953: 3).

4.

Theory of Credit Card and Debit Card
This modern era offers some easiest ways in paying all stuff, especially in

London. In London, mostly people are so trendy. They wear better clothes, better
handbags; because these are how they are judged, and how they judge others. Money,
buying a place and a bigger place are topic they usually talk about. Life is expensive
(http://thehappinessprojectlondon.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/curb-your-consumer
behavior/).
Nowadays, people do not have to bring a sum of money when they are going
to go shopping and purchase some products or services. They just need to bring a
card; either it is credit card or debit card. Once the transaction without money is done,
and all the products are theirs. In order to ease more, some stores also provides credit
card machine or debit card machine. Here, what the writer is going to share is how
the easiness of credit card and debit card influences people nowadays.

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15

Credit cards are extremely popular. According to a recent American Banker
survey, 8 out of 10 U.S households carry one or more credit cards. Two out
of three households have at least one retail credit card. 56 percent have one
or more Visa cards, and 47 percent have at least one Master Card (Kapoor
and Hughes, 2004: 166).
Debit cards are often called bank cards, ATM cards, cash cards, and check
cards. Debit card electronically subtracts from your account at the moment
you buy goods or services, while the credit card extends credit and delays
your payment (Kapoor and Hughes, 2004: 170).
Two theories above explain how people depend on those cards. Even the
survey shows that there are more people who are using credit cards. Meanwhile, debit
card is also useful for some people. The difference is, when people are paying with
debit card, it automatically subtract from their account. While credit card, it does not
have any amount of money, but you need to pay later.
Somehow, the using of credit card can give you some disadvantage. The
biggest one is the temptation to overspend. It seems easy to pay using credit card,
people can purchase everything they want now, and can pay it tomorrow. But, once
they overspend because of continual overspending, it can drag them to serious trouble.
So therefore they should be careful in using credit card and avoid using it too over
(Kapoor and Hughes, 2004: 166), because extravagant using may drag them into a
debt too, and furthermore, being chased by debt collector.
Albert Gailord Hart and Peter B. Kenen in their book entitled Money, Debt,
and Economic Activity defines debt is an obligation to pay money, in certain amount,
time and place (1961: 8). The bank debt can be qualified into this definition. Usually,

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16

the debt collector asks customers to pay for the debt in limited time and certain
amount.

C. Theoretical Framework.
In this study the writer uses four theories. They are theory of character and
theory of characterization, theory of consumer behavior, theory of compulsive
consumption, and the last one is theory of credit card and debit card. Each theories is
the key to answer each problem that has been formulated in Chapter One.
At first, the writer needs to find the theory of character to get clearer
information and to help in understanding Rebecca’s characteristics better. Then, the
writer takes the theory of characterization, to reveal the process on how Rebecca has
those kinds of characteristics by applying those nine ways. It can be seen from some
aspects. The writer is able to define characteristics of Rebecca from her physical
appearances, what she wears, conversation of others, etc.
The second theory is theory of consumer behavior. It helps to understand
more about Rebecca’s behavior, and this is also used to explain about Rebecca’s
being shopaholic. This theory is taken from many sources, in order to have more
understanding.
The third theory, which is theory of compulsive consumption, seems like the
same with theory of consumer behavior, but this theory gives deeper analysis about
shopaholic and shopping. This can be a help of answering the second and third
problem formulation.

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Last but not least, theory of credit card and debit card. As explained above,
they give easiness in paying stuff, especially in big city. This theory is useful to
explore why some people are addicted to these two cards, and they have an important
role in consumer behavior world.

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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

A.

Object of the Study
The object in this study is a novel entitled Confessions of a Shopaholic

which was written by Sophie Kinsella. It was first published by Transworld UK
Edition in 2000, and it has 350 pages. The author then published the Shopaholic
series, which consists of Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan,
Shopaholic Ties the Knot, and Shopaholic and Sister. The other novels she wrote are
Can You Keep a Secret?, Remember Me?, The Undomestic Goddess, and Twenties
Girl. This shopaholic series brought Sophie Kinsella to be the UK bestseller list in
September 2000. The one that came to big screen in February 13th 2009 was only
Confessions of a Shopaholic. The responses were quite good. It starred by Isla Fisher
as Rebecca Bloomwood and Hugh Dancy as Luke Brandon.
By writing this novel, the author wants to show a life-story about a woman
who is addicted to shopping, and how she deals with all the problems that come to
her life. The story starts when Rebecca Bloomwood finds out that she gets a letter
from Endwich bank. She is a 25 years old financial journalist whose job is writing
articles to tell everyone how to manage their own finance, but it is an irony that she is
in debt because she uses her credit card too often, until it gets the limit. Every time
she tries to spend less, all is always ended with spending more.

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B.

19

Approach to the Study
Based on the topic of this undergraduate thesis which focuses on the

consumer behavior which is happened in the society, the writer decides to take sociocultural historical approach, because this deals with social, culture, and historical
approach.
Critics whose major interest is socio-cultural historical approach insist that
the only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization that
produced it. They defined civilization as the attitudes and actions of a
specific group of people and point out that literature take these attitudes and
actions as the subject matters (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 9).
From the quotation above which is taken from Reading and Writing about
Literature by Rohrberger and Woods, the writer can say that socio-cultural historical
approach concerns with the way if life and the attitudes. All of them are related to the
consumer behavior which is the representation of the lifestyle in London, the city
where this novel takes place. It can be seen through the main character in this novel.
Socio-cultural historical approach is chosen because the topic in this
undergraduate thesis concerns socio, cultural, and history. All of them are reflected
through the main character and the plot of the novel.

C.

Method of the Study
The primary sources of this study were the novel itself, Sophie Kinsella’s

Confessions of a Shopaholic. In order to get the useful information, the writer also

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20

searched more from library. Of course, the writer also used some previous
undergraduate thesis that has analyzed this work before. They were very useful.
Steps taken were quite long. At first, the writer needed to find this book.
Next, the writer read the book as many as possible, to comprehend the story deeply.
After that, creating the title and the problem formulation, based on what the writer
understood.
This undergraduate thesis used printed sources as the main sources. They are
Abrams’ A Glossary of Literary Terms, Robert Stanton’s An Introduction to Fiction,
Terry Eagleton’s Literary Theory: an Introduction, Mary Rohrberger’s Reading and
Writing about Literature, and Murphy’s Understanding Unseen: an Introduction to
English Poetry and Novel.
Some economic books were very useful too, considering that this work is
somehow related to economic. The books which were used are Consumer Behavior
by William D. Wells and David Prensky, Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and
Being by Michael R. Solomon, Consumer Behavior by Leon G. Schiffman and Leslie
Lazar Kanuk, Personal Finance by Jack R. Kapoor, Les R. Dlabay, and Robert J.
Hughes, and the last one Consumer Behavior by William L. Wilke.

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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS

In this chapter, the writer will answer and explain the problems that have
been formulated in Chapter One. The writer has already formulated three problems,
so this chapter will be divided into three parts. First, the writer will list the
characteristics and characterization of the main character, Rebecca Bloomwood.
Second, the writer will discuss how the consumer behavior is reflected through
Rebecca Bloomwood. The last is the impacts of consumer behavior through Rebecca
Bloomwood.

A.

The Characteristics of Rebecca Bloomwood
The main topic that will be discussed in this undergraduate thesis is the main

character, so the writer thinks it is essential to have a list of Rebecca’s characteristics
first. The writer divided the characteristics into three parts, which consist of
fashionable, shopaholic, and irresponsible and immature. In this part, the writer will
explain one by one, and will provide some proofs which are quoted from the novel.

1.

Fashionable
Murphy in his book said that the characteristics from a person can be

described from his or her appearances, and the details, such as face, skin, and eyes
(1972: 161). As a twenty-five-year-old woman who lives in London, Rebecca can be
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22

defined as a fashionable woman. She is deeply interested in fashion, and knows
exactly what kind of things which have good qualities, and can support her look. The
quotation below is the proof that Rebecca is the reflection a fashionable woman.
There is no question. I have to wear to this scarf. I have to have it. It makes
my eyes look bigger, it makes my haircut look more expensive, it makes me
look like a different person. I’ll be able to wear it with everything (Kinsella,
2000: 15).
Her imagination tells her that by wearing that scarf can make her eyes look
bigger, make her haircut look more expensive, and make her look like a different
person, even she never wears it before. She also notices that Denny and George is a
very famous brand in London.
A characterization of a person is shown by his or her habit. It can tell about a
character a lot. Rebecca is fashionably well-dressed every time, everywhere, and it is
the proof that she does not want to look ugly.
I don’t look bad, I think. I’m wearing my black skirt from French
Connection, and a plain white T-Shirt from Knickerbox, and little angora
cardigan which I got from M&S but looks like it might be Agnès b. And my
new square-toed shoes from Hobbs.
It’s a habit of mine, itemizing all the clothes I’m wearing, as though for a
fashion page. I’ve been doing this for yearsever since I used to read Just
Seventeen. Every issue, they’d stop a girl on the street, take a picture of her,
and list all her clothes. “T-Shirt: Chelsea Girl, Jeans: Top Shop, Shoes:
borrowed from friend.” I used to read those lists avidly and to this day, if I
buy something from a shop that’s a bit uncool, I cut the label out. So that if
I’m ever stopped in the street, I can pretend I don’t know where it’s from
(Kinsella, 200:14).

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Itemizing the clothes which she wears is one of Rebecca’s habits. The
quotation above proves that if the brand is not famous, she will cut the label out and
pretend she does not k