Travis’s Critique of Socio-political Condition in 1970s America represented in Taxi Driver (1976)
Travis’s Critique of Socio-political Condition in 1970s America
represented in Taxi Driver (1976)
THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Fulfilment of Requirements
for The Sarjana Sastra Degree in English Department
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Sebelas Maret University
By:
ISZANA WIDYASWARA
C1313009
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
SURAKARTA
2017
THESIS APPROVAL
Travis’s Critique of Socio-political Condition in 1970s America
represented in Taxi Driver (1976)
By:
Iszana Widyaswara
C1313009
Thesis Supervisor
Karunia Purna Kusciati, S. S., M. Si.
NIP. 19821124 200912 2 002
Head of English Department
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Sebelas Maret University
Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A., Ph.D.
NIP. 19670830 199302 1 001
Travis’s Critique of Socio-political Condition in 1970s America
represented in Taxi Driver (1976)
By:
Iszana Widyaswara
C1313009
Accepted and Approved by the Board of Examiners Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Sebelas Maret University on 10 April 2017
Position Name Signature
Chairperson Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph. D. ( )
Secretary Yusuf Kurniawan, S. S., M. A. ( )
First Examiner Karunia Purna K, S. S., M. Si. ( )
Second Examiner Dra. Susilorini, M. A. ( )
Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Sebelas Maret University
Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed., Ph.D.
NIP. 196003281986011001
PRONOUNCEMENT
I state this pronouncement truthfully that this thesis entitled “Travis’s Critique of Socio-political Condition in 1970s America represented in Taxi Driver
(1976)” is originally written by myself as the researcher. It is no way a plagiarism. The previous works which are related to this thesis are all written in the form of quotations and included in the bibliography. If later, this pronouncement is proved incorrect, I as the researcher am ready to take responsibility, including the withdrawal of my degree.
Surakarta, January 10, 2017 The Researcher
Iszana Widyaswara
MOTTO
Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, “We belong to Allah and to Him we will return”. Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided.
~ Quran Chapter 2, Verse 155-157
DEDICATION This thesis is fully dedicated to: Iskandar Zulkarnain
My beloved father in heaven, who is also my real teacher and hero,
my mom, Endang and my siblings,
Yul and Iis for their support and encouragement all this time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The process of writing this thesis has been long, but also very rewarding.Even though I stand as the author of this work, I could not have done it alone. I am very grateful for the help I have received along the way. I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to: 1.
Allah SWT. for all the blessings in my life.
2. Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed., Ph.D, as the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sebelas Maret University for approving this thesis.
3. Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A, PhD, the Head of English Department, for the permission to write thesis.
4. Karunia Purna Kusciati, S. S., M. Si., as my supervisor, for her support towards me in completing this thesis. She also encouraged me through the process of writing this thesis.
5. All of the lecturers at Sebelas Maret University who have shared their knowledge to me.
6. My beloved family for all the support and prayers.
7. My friends from matriculation program for all the laugh and tears.
8. My special friend, Ridho, for being there to support me.
9. All of my friends of American Studies Program who have studied with me and shared inspirations through these three memorable years.
10. For everyone who participated in the completion of this thesis.
Iszana Widyaswara
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ............................................................................................................. i
THE APPROVAL OF THESIS CONSULTANT ....................................... ii
THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS ........................... iii
PRONOUNCEMENT .................................................................................... iv
MOTTOS ........................................................................................................ v
DEDICATION ................................................................................................ vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................. vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................... viii
LIST OF PICTURES ..................................................................................... x
ABSTRACTS .................................................................................................. xi
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background .................................................................................... 1 B. Scope of Research ........................................................................... 8 C. Research Question ........................................................................... 9 D. Objective of the Study ..................................................................... 9 E. Significance of the Study ................................................................. 9 F. Research Methodology .................................................................... 10
1. Type of Research ......................................................................... 10
2. Data and Source of Data .............................................................. 11
3. Technique of Collecting Data ...................................................... 11
4. Technique of Analyzing Data ...................................................... 11
G. Theoretical Approach ...................................................................... 12
H. Thesis Organization......................................................................... 17
CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW A. Movie Literature: Taxi Driver (1976) ............................................. 20 B. Socio-political Condition of America in 1970s ............................... 22 C. Presidential Election during 1970s .................................................. 31 D. Film Semiotics Theory .................................................................... 33 CHAPTER III ANALYSIS A. The Movie Title: Taxi Driver .......................................................... 42 B. Bad Economic Situation in New York City .................................... 44 C. Presidential Election ........................................................................ 52 D. Presidential Assassination ............................................................... 62 CHAPTER IV CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS A. Conclusions ..................................................................................... 68 A. Suggestions ..................................................................................... 69
BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................... 70
LIST OF PICTURES
Figure 1. A taxi appears in the midst of smoke………………………............ 42 Figure 2. The film’s title appears………………………................................ 43 Figure 3. Sport tries to persuade Travis
…………………….......................... 46 Figure 4. Travis & Iris enters a hotel
……………………............................. 46 Figure 5. Travis is observing the night’s life from his taxi .......................... 48
Figure 6. Travis is observing the night’s life from his taxi ……..................... 48 Figures 7 & 8. Travis considers the rain as the dirt cleaner of the social illness
………………………..................…………………..................…….... 50 Figure 9. Travis hopes that the nasty things will be swept away soon............ 50 Figures 10 & 11. & Betsy are discussing about the campaign………………. 53 Figures 12 & 13. Betsy is reiterating Palantine’s images……..……………... 55 Figures 14 & 15.
Betsy & Tom are arguing about the exaggerated images…. 55 Figure 16. Palantine asks about social issue
……………...….….….….….. 57 Figures 17 & 18. Travi s gives his opinion for the next elected president…… 58 Figures 19 & 20. Palantine answers diplomatically
….....….....….…………. 59 Figure 21. Travis replies to Palantine’s explanation …...………..…............. 60 Figure 22.
Travis equips himself the weapon to attack Palantine….….……. 63 Figure 23. Travis approaches Palantine
….….…….….….…….….….……… 63 Figure 24. Travis reaches the weapon. …...………..…...........….……..……. 63
ABSTRACT
Iszana Widyaswara. C1313009. 2017.Travis’s Critique of Socio-
political Condition in 1970s America represented in Taxi Driver (1976).
Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sebelas Maret
University.This study purposes to discover how the critique of socio-political condition in 1970s America is represented in a movie entitled Taxi Driver through Travis Bickle character. It focuses on the analysis of the actual events in the 1970s decade which is portrayed within the movie. This study belongs to descriptive qualitative research. It is conducted under the framework of American Studies limited to history and politics as its branches of subject field. The source of data is
Taxi Driver movie produced in 1976. The primary data are taken from the
dialogues, scenes, and the mise-en-scene presented in the movie. The analysis indicates that the 1970s America was a decade full with complex socio-political issues, as the American society was in upheaval condition. The New York City as the setting of place of this movie presents how the metropolitan had an awful history during the decade, especially when President Ford rejected to cover for its bankruptcy. The socio-political condition is observed through the viewpoint of Travis Bickle as the main character.
The movie displays the representation of the real events with the film, such as the bad economic condition, the high number of prostitution, the presidential election, and the presidential assassination. All those events are connected with the actual events happened in the 1970s.
Keywords: 1970s, movie, socio-politics, critique, America