main character by using the theory of character and characterization in order to get clear description about the main character and people around her. It started from
the intrinsic elements then moved to the extrinsic elements. The thesis started from analysing the characteristic of Francesca. From the analysis, the thesis
identified that Francesca’s depiction changed in the middle of the story. It showed that there was something wrong with her.
After the depiction has been found, then it was able to find out that Francesca suffers from Anorexia Nervosa. The thesis analysed the reason behind
Francesca’s anorexia nervosa by using four concepts of psychoanalytic approach by Bressler in
Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice
by Bressler. In this part the writer used four concepts of psychoanalytic approach by
Bressler. Bressler stated that people used defences to protect mind from the distressing event. From the analysis it is found that Francesca unconsciously used
eating disorder as her defence mechanism to protect her mind from the distressing event.
The last step, the writer drew a conclusion based on the analysis about the depiction of Francesca and why she suffers from anorexia nervosa.
25
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses the questions stated in the problem formulation in two parts. The first part discusses question number one on the depiction of
Francesca Dietrich. The second part discusses question number two on Anorexia Nervosa as seen in Francesca’s character development.
A. The depiction of Francesca Dietrich
According to Abrams the characters are “the persons presented in a
dramatic or narrative work, who are 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” 1993: 23. The characters can
be observed not only from the author’s narration but also from the characters’ speech and actions. Further Harmon 2009: 95 says, “The characterization is the
creation of imagery persons so that they can seem lifeli ke.” It means that the
characterization is a method of describing the character. In part A, this thesis discusses the characteristics of Francesca Dietrich by looking at her
characterization in the novel.
The first depiction of Francesca is the depiction of her physical appearance. In the novel, Francesca is described as “a fifteen years old girl with
pale complexion and blond hair” Levenkron, 1978: 13. Francesca describes herself as a fat and five-foot-four, ninety-eight-pound monster. It can be seen from
the quotation below: PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Francesca turned from the girl’s image to her own. Her thighs were grotesque bulges under the leg warmers. Above them her buttocks
protruded offensively. Her torso seemed to be all flab. Her breasts hung uselessly, obscuring the straight line that should have risen above her ribs.
She was fat. Worse than that, she was a monster. A five-foot-four, ninety- eight-pound monster Levenkron, 1978: 10.
“You are so thin” Levenkron, 1978: 23. From the quotation, Francesca often compares herself towards her friends;
she compares her friends’ image to her own. She feels that she is fat even though her friend tells her that she is so thin. She also describes herself ugly and looks
like a monster. From the way Francesca describes herself previously, we may see her low
self-esteem. For example, she feels that she is fat although her friend tells her that “you are so thin” Levenkron, 1978: 23. She does not feels confident with herself
and always consider herself as an ugly figure. Her low self-esteem can also be seen from her thought about her friends in the school.
Francesca thinks that her friends in the school are considered as perfect school girls and they are famous among the others student. Her friends’
appearances are different from hers. Francesca sees them as girls with perfect figure, slim and straight.
In the mirror a black leotard, taut and slim and straight, caught Francesca’s attention. She was perfect. Not an awkward gesture. Not an extra ounce
flesh. The figure was pure movement, all energy and strength Levenkron, 1978: 9.
Her friends are the type of person that put attention to their appearance. Those things make Francesca lacks of confidence. She thinks that she is far for being
perfect like them. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
