25
The quotation above shows that when Wilhelm has a desire, he will not easy to change it. Seven years is not a short time for a person to keep focusing on one goal.
Wilhelm pushes himself to realize his goal. Based on Wilhelm ’s thought and
reaction toward his problem, Wilhelm can be considered as a stubborn person because he is persistent in realizing his dream of becoming an actor in Hollywood.
4.1.3 Dishonest
It is told in the story that Wilhelm often tells lies to people near him. He is a dishonest person. He is dishonest because he wants to cover his weaknesses in front
of people. This character is clearly stated from the direct comment that Wilhelm often tells lies.
Wilhelm respected the truth, but he could lie and one of the things he lied often about was his education. He said he was an alumnus of Penn State; in
fact he had left school before his sophomore year was finished. His sister Catherine had a B.S degree. Wilhelm’s late mother was a graduate of Bryn
Mawr. He was the only member of the family who had no education. This was another sore point. His father was ashamed of him. Bellow 17.
Wilhelm lies to other people about his education because he does not want other people know that he has discontinued his study and has no degree. He does not want
people see him badly because they know the truth that Wilhelm is only a liar. People in hotel Gloriana know that Wilhelm is a man who is educated and successful in his
years. Another reason is that he does not want his father ashamed to have a son who is uneducated.
Concerning his jobs, Wilhelm also lies to other people that he has a high income when he works at Rojax Corporation as a sales representative. He works at
Rojax Corporation for almost ten years. He tells that he leaves his job at Rojax Corporation because he should share his territory with the son-in-law of the owner
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
26
of the company. Bellow 40. The fact is that Wilhelm loses his job at Rojax Corporation because he has an affair with Olive, a woman who also works at the
same company. It is too embarrassing for Wilhelm to tell the truth that he has been kicked out from Rojax Corporation because he has an affair with a woman, despite
the fact that he has already had a wife named Margaret. Pushing aside in advance all the objections that his son would make, the
doctor said, ―Why did you lose your job with Rojax?‖ ―I didn’t, I’ve told you.‖
―You’re lying. You wouldn’t have ended the connection. You need the money too badly. But you must have got into trouble.‖ The small old man
spoke consciesly and with great strength. ―Since you have to talk and can’t
let it alone, tell the truth. Was there a scandal – a woman?‖‖
Wilhelm fiercely defended himself, ―No, Dad, there wasn’t any woman. I told you how it was.‖
―Maybe it was a man, then,‖ the old man said whickedly. Shocked, Wilhelm stared at him with burning pallor and dry lips. His skin
looked a little yellow. ―I don’t think you know what you’re talking about,‖ he answered after a moment.
―No one special? Are you sure you haven’t gotten into complications? He had tried to unburden himself and instead, Wilhelm thought, he had to
undergo an inquisition to prove himself worthy of sympathetic word. Because his father believed that he did all kinds of gross things.
―There is a woman in Roxbury that I went with. We fell in love and wanted to marry, but she got tired of waiting for my divorce. Margaret figured that.
On top of which the girl was a Catolic and I had to go with her to the priest
and make an explanation.‖ Bellow 58-59. Based on that explanation, Wilhelm lies to people near him because he does not
want other people know about his weaknesses. He wants to hide his weaknesses in front of people. He always wants to look good in front of people, so other people
will respect him. Based on direct comment and Wilhelm
’s thought, it can be concluded that Wilhelm is a dishonest person. He wants to cover his weaknesses in front of other
people. He does that because he wants to always look good in front of people. He thinks that if he lies about himself, people will respect and accept him.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
27
4.1.4 Lonely