whose distrust of others keeps her from revealing her true self ohioswallow.com, 2015.
In this research , the writer aims to reveal the women’s characteristics in
Ladders to Fire which reflect the ideas of radical libertarian feminism. Since the previous researches which have been mentioned
focus on Nin’s characteristics as the author, it will be very useful as the supporting sources for the writer to reveal
the characteristics of the women characters in the Ladders to Fire. Anais Nin has been described as bisexual, independent, and attractive woman in the previous
researches, therefore the women characters in Ladders to Fire may be the portrayal of Nin’s characteristics.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
Characters plays important role in the flow of a story. M.H. Abrams explains that characters are the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative work, whoare
interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say-the dialogue-and by what
they do-the action 1971: 21. According to Robert Stanton, character is generally used in two ways. The
first character marks out the person who appears in the story. The second character refers to the traits or the elements in somebody’s personality that makes
up each of a person. A character’s reason of behaving as he does is his motivation 1965: 17.
From the definitions of character in the previous paragraphs, it is clear that character is one of the important elements in a story that has motivation in hisher
emergence. To analyze the characteristics of characters in a story, the theory of characterization is needed. Henkle in his book acknowledges that there are two
types of characterization which are major character and secondary character. Major character usually is the most important character in a story that functioned
to help the reader in drawing the theme, used by the authors in order to communicate their human qualities. A major character is also the most complex
character. Secondary character or minor character usually is the character, who has limited function in the story. His character is less complex and neccesary to
become the background of the major character 1977: 87-97. Moreover, Murphy points out nine ways to see the characterization of
characters in literary works 1972: 162-173. Those are: a.
Personal description Personal description refers to the description of the character as real person’s
appearance, such as face, skin, eyes, and clothes. b.
Character as seen by another The author describes a person’s characteristics through the eyes and
opinions of the characters. The reader can get it as the reflection image of particular character.
c. Speech
The author gives the readers a picture of someone’s characteristics in the novel through what the person says. The readers can see the description of the
character whenever the character speaks, has conversation with others, and whenever the character saysstates hisher opinion.
d. Past life
Past life influences someone’s characteristics. The author gives the readers clues to some ev
ents that have helped to shape someone’s characteristics. It can be seen through the author’s direct comment and the person’s thought.
e. Conversation of others
Someone’s characteristics can be described through the conversation of other characters in which they say, their opinions or everything about that person.
f. Reactions
The author gives a clue of someone’s characteristics through the reaction of the character in the novel toward various events and situations.
g. Direct comments
To understand someone’s charateristics, the author gives a clue by describing or commenting a person’s characteristics directly.
h. Thoughts
The author gives direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. Through this way, the reader can understand the character’s mind and feeeling.
i. Mannerism
Someone’s characteristics can also be seen through hisher mannerism and habbits given by the author.
