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in China. Ruth wants to recollect the puzzles of her mother’s memories to find her own origin.
Amy Tan uses ‘bone’ as the main symbol in the novel. Regarding this thought, the writer intends to conduct a study to analyze the symbol of bone found in
this novel, its meaning, its representation in life, and its relation with the author’s intention to convey particular messages to the readers.
1.2 Problem Formulation
Based on the explanation of the background, the problems are formulated as follows:
1. How is the symbol of bone presented in The Bonesetter’s Daughter? 2. How does the symbol of bone manifest its meaning in conveying Chinese
values?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study has two objectives. The first is aimed to discover the symbol of bone presented in The Bonesetter’s Daughter. The second aim is to propose the
manifestation of the meaning of symbol bone in conveying Chinese values.
1.4 Benefits of the Study
The study of literary work has several advantages. For the writer, this study is an attempt to look deeper in understanding the life and its values. Related to the
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world of literature, this study is also expected to enrich the literary exploration on the works of Amy Tan in particular, and other Asian American authors in general.
However, this study can also be addressed to the readers, who are mostly the students of English Language Education Study Program and English Letters Study
Program. They can access the knowledge of the symbol used in Amy Tan’s novel, The Bonesetter’s Daughter that leads to the semiotics study for those who want to
conduct an advance study on symbols and signifiers. Concerning the readers, this study can be beneficial as well as one of the
references in conducting further research on the same novel.
1.5 Definition of Terms
In analyzing this novel, it is necessary for the writer to highlight certain terms to provide an accurate analysis and a clearer explanation in answering the problems
formulated. As the title is “The Symbol of Bone in Amy Tan’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter” the writer will define the term of ‘symbol’.
According to Abrams, a symbol in the broadest sense is anything which signifies something; in this sense all words are symbols. In discussing literature,
however, the term symbol is applied only to a word or phrase that signifies an object or event which in its turn signifies something, or has a range of reference, beyond
itself. Some symbols are “conventional” or “public”: thus “the Cross”, “the Red, White, and Blue”, and “the Good Shepherd” are terms that refer to symbolic objects
of which the further significance is determinate within a particular culture 206. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
7
While Mallon state that symbols have a power beyond words, carrying a multitude of meanings that speak to the soul, the mind and the emotions. Symbols are
different from signs. Signs point the way, whereas symbol always stands for something more than immediate meaning. Symbols represent abstract ideas or
concepts that may not easily be put into words. The language of the unconscious is the language of symbols. Symbols express an inner reality of which we are often
unaware, although humankind has been in touch with his reality since earliest times 10.
Yet, Rohrberger and Woods explain that symbols are not things invented by an author to confuse the reader, not strange objects with far-fetched meanings
arbitrarily attached to them; but they are, in literature as in life, a vital part of our experience. A cross in a building says that it is some way connected to Christianity.
This call as “public”, “common”, or “conventional” symbols. Just as their meanings are understood in life, so are literary symbols. This use of the symbol in literature
does not offer many difficulties, even for the untrained reader. But occasionally authors use symbols in a more complex way. The symbol, by definition, stands for
something beyond itself and often for many things. The only way to tell what symbolic identification the author wishes to make is by reference to the author’s use
of his symbol within his text 15-16. However, Edgar Sedgwick notify that symbol is a word with a variety of
meanings. Usually, the word ‘symbol’ is taken as referring to a sign or action of some kind which is used to communicate a meaning to somebody in virtue of a shared set
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of norms and conventions. A symbol therefore communicates a meaning because it stands for something else, although there is no necessary connection between it and
what it stands for 394. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
