Problem Formulation Objectives of the Study Benefits of the Study Definition of Terms

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B. Problem Formulation

In analyzing the novel, there are two problems related to the topic of the study. The problems are formulated as follows: 1. How is Griet, the main character, described in the novel? 2. How does Griet struggle for life?

C. Objectives of the Study

The objective of the study is to find out Griet’s struggle for life as seen in Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Therefore, there are two problems to answer in the study. The first is to find out the description of Griet’s character in the novel. The second is to analyze Griet’s struggle to the situation she faces in her life.

D. Benefits of the Study

The novel deals with Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with the Pearl Earring. Firstly, this study is hoped to enrich the students of English Language Program of Sanata Dharma University with more literary works. Furthermore, the readers can take the values from the novel and be inspired to implement the values in life. Secondly, the researcher can find the meaning of struggle itself. By analyzing the novel the writer can learn about life experience through Griet’s struggle. How she faces and maintains her life. Although she almost gives up, she always keeps her effort to reach her better life. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 5 Finally, for the further researchers who conduct the same research of the novel. It may be helpful because it gives information in studying the novel and as a reference to write a thesis on literature concerning on struggle in life.

E. Definition of Terms

In order to avoid misconception about the content of the thesis, it is better to define some significant terms that are used in this discussion. 1. Character Character has an important role in the novel. Therefore, it is important to understand what character is. Abrams 24 defines that the word character means a person represented in a dramatic or narrative work who is interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities that is expressed in what they says through dialogue and by what they do. So, the readers can understand the characters through their thoughts, feelings, intentions and motives. Meanwhile, according Holman and Hormon 81 character is the presence of moral uprightness, and simpler notion of the presence of creatures in art that seem to be human beings of sort or another. The definitions of characters will guide the readers to comprehend the story of the novel. 2. Struggle According to Mc Kechnie 1806, struggle is “great effort or series of effort”. While Abate defines struggle as “make violent or determined efforts under difficulties” 1514. In this study, struggle refers to a persons’ effort to face difficulties and any hard conditions of her life to reach what she wanted. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 6 3. Housemaid Based on Mc Kechnie 563, a housemaid means a female servant employed to do housework. While according to Webster 881 housemaid is a women servant in a large house. Housemaid or maid could be a woman or a girl. She is hired to do the household, such as clean rooms, cook for the family or shopping. In this study, a housemaid is also called a servant or a maid; she is Griet who worked in the Vermeer’s family to do household duties and to clean the studio of painting. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 7

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE