5
C. Objectives of the study
The purpose of conducting this research is to find out the symbols used in the novel and how they contribute in revealing the theme of the novel. In order to
fulfill the purpose of the study, the writer tries to find and examine the major symbols used in Eat, Pray, Love novel. After the symbols used have been
discovered, the writer examined the contribution of the symbols in revealing the theme of the story by uniting the meaning of the symbols and forming a theme
from it.
D. Benefits of the Study
There are some benefits of this study for the readers, teachers and also the future researchers. The first benefit is to the readers. It is beneficial to the
readers‟ development of knowledge about symbol, and theme of the readers, especially
students in English Language Education Program. Moreover, they are able to learn the relation between each intrinsic element of the novel especially symbol
and theme. The second benefit is for the teachers. This study may help the teachers to
introduce kinds of symbol and intrinsic element of a novel deeper. The student can learn how to find a symbol and theme and also able to know the relation
between symbol and theme. The last is the benefit for future researchers. This study helps the future
researchers understand the relation between each intrinsic element of the novel PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
6 and to know some theories related to symbols and theme. Furthermore, this study
may encourage them to do the research on others literary work.
E. Definition of Terms
In the study, there are some words that must be clearly defined in order to avoid miss understanding amongst the readers related to the formulated problems.
The terms are elaborated as follows.
1. Symbol
According to Roberts and Jacob 1989, the word symbol is etymologically comes from Greek word which
means “to throw together” syn means together and ballein means to throw
” p.279. While according to Abrams 1993 “symbol is anything that signifies something else.
” p.206
2. Theme
The theme in a literary work is a controlling or a central idea of a fiction. It describes the life generalization that is stated and implied by the story. It means
that the author tries to present that the theme is the idea of a story. “The theme
will happen when the author tries to explain the truth of life and to introduce a certain concept of life
” Perrine, 1974, p.49. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
7
CHAPTER II THEORITICAL REVIEW
This chapter exposes theories applied in the study. The theories are used to
analyze and answer the problem of the study. There are two parts in this chapter namely the review of related theories and the theoretical framework. The first part
is a review of theories which are related to the study. The theories are namely theories of symbol, theme and authentic happiness. The second part is the
theoretical framework. In this part, the writer clarifies the theories which are used to answer the problems.
A. Review of Related Theories
In order to answer the problem which has been formulated, the writer provides three theories, namely theories of symbols theme and authentic
happiness which are needed to be the basic foundation of the problem solving process.
1. Symbol
a. Definition of symbol
According to Perrine 1974, a symbol is something that means more than what it suggests on the surface. Guth 1997 also mentions that symbols may
come as an image which has meanings beyond its literal meaning. Based on those ideas, we can see that symbols are anything which has the capability
8 in carrying and expresses something beyond; not only the literal but also the
surface meaning.
b. Kinds of symbol
Abrams 1993 says that symbols can be anything in literary works that signify something else. Moreover, symbols can be classified into two kinds
according to Robert and Jacobs 1989. There are two kinds of symbols; the first one is a conventional or universal symbol and the second is a private, authorial or
contextual symbol. A conventional or universal symbol can be defined as ideas or emotions that the writer and the readers share in common as a result of their social
culture heritage. A conventional or universal symbol is likely to be recognized by most people because it has been commonly used. For example, it can be conveyed
in the word “black” which most people have accepted to be the symbol of darkness or sadness. Besides, according to Abcarian, et al 1989, private,
authorial or contextual symbols can be defined as the object and description that gain their symbolic meaning within the context of the specific work of fiction.
According to Abcarian, et al 1989, contextual symbols are objects or events that are
symbolic by virtue of the writer‟s handling of them in a particular work. It depends on the context that is made by the writer. This kind of symbol is created
by the author; therefore, the meaning of the symbol depends on the context that is created by the writer of the literary work. Another idea of the kind of symbols
comes from Myers and Simms 1989 “Symbols are categorized into three kinds. The first is an archetypal or a
cultural symbol which refers to a natural object that has a limited number of interpretations which transcend cultural barriers. The second is general
symbols. General symbols are symbol which appeal to a smaller audience PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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