AN ANALYSIS OF ERIN GRUWELL’S SOCIAL CONFLICT IN “THE FREEDOM WRITERS” FILM
AN ANALYSIS OF ERIN GRUWELL’S SOCIAL
CONFLICT IN “THE FREEDOM WRITERS” FILM
THESIS
By :
DESSI VILAST TRIAGUNA
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
AUGUST 2012
AN ANALYSIS OF ERIN GRUWELL’S SOCIAL
CONFLICT IN “THE FREEDOM WRITERS” FILM
THESIS
This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to achieve
Sarjana Degree in English Education
By :
DESSI VILAST TRIAGUNA
06360239
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
AUGUST 2012
This thesis written by Dessi Vilast Triaguna was approved on August 2, 2012.
By :
Advisor I
Advisor II
Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si
Rina Wahyu, S, M.Ed
This thesis was defended in front of the examiners of the Faculty of Teacher
Training and Education of University of Muhammadiyah Malang
and accepted as one of the requirements to achieve
Sarjana Degree in English Education
on August 2, 2012
Approved by :
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
University of Muhammadiyah Malang
Dean,
Dr. M. Syaifuddin, M.M
Examiners :
Signatures :
1. Drs. Hartono, M.Pd
1.
2. Bayu Hendro Wicaksono, M.Ed. Ph.D
2.
3. Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si
3.
3. Rina Wahyu, S, M.Ed
4.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page .………………………………………………………………..
Title page .………………………………………………………………..
i
Title page .………………………………………………………………..
ii
Advisor’s Approval .……………………………………………………..
iii
Examination Committee’s Approval .……………………………………
iv
Motto and Dedication .…………………………………………………...
v
Acknowledgment .………………………………………………………..
vi
Abstract ..…………………………………………………………………
vii
Table of Contents .………………………………………………………..
viii
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study ..…………………………………………
1
1.2 Statements of the Problem .…………..……………………………..
5
1.3 Purposes of the Study .…..………………………………………….
6
1.4 Significance of Study ………………………………………………..
6
1.5 Scope and Limitation ..……………………………………………….
7
1.6 Definition of Key Terms ……………………………………………...
7
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Literature ..………………….……………………………………………..
8
2.2 Film ..…………………….………………………………………………..
9
2.3 Elements of Film
....……………………………………………....
10
2.3.1 Character ………………………………………………………….
10
2.3.2 Theme …………….………………………………………………
11
2.3.3 Plot …………….…………………………………………………
11
2.3.4 Setting
……….………………………………………………..
13
2.4 Kinds of Film …………….………………………………………….
14
2.5 Social conflict …………….…………………………………………
17
2.5.1 Cause and Effect of Social Conflict …………….……………….
19
CHAPTER III : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design ..……………………………………………………
22
3.2 Approach …………….………………………………………………
23
3.2.1 Mimetic Approach …………….………………………………..
23
3.2.2 Pragmatic Approach
…………….………………………………
22
3.2.3 Expressive Approach …………….………………………………
24
3.2.4 Objective Approach …………….………………………………..
23
3.3 Object of The Study …………….…………………………………...
24
3.4 Data Collection ………………………………………………………
25
3.5 Data Analysis ...………………………………………………………
25
CHAPTER IV : FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1 Research Findings ………………………………………………….
26
4.1.1 Erin Gruwell’s Social Conflict in “The Freedom Writers” Film …
26
3.1.1.1 Erin Gruwell with Her Father ……………………………….
26
3.1.1.2 Erin with Ms. Campbell …………………………………….
28
3.1.1.3 Erin with her Husband, Scott ………………………………...
30
3.1.1.4 Erin with her Student, Eva ………………………………….
31
4.2 The Causes of Social Conflict faced by Erin Gruwell ……………….
32
4.2.1 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and her Father……..
33
4.2.2 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and Eva …………..
34
4.2.3 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and her Husband….
35
4.2.4 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and Ms. Campbell ..
37
4.3 The Effects of the Social Conflict toward Erin’s Life ………………..
4.3.1 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Erin and Scott……..
38
38
4.3.2 Positive Effect of Social Conflict between Erin and
39
Ms. Campbell ………………………………………………….
4.3.3 Positive Effect of Social Conflict between Erin and
41
Her Father ……………………………………………………….
4.4 Discussions …………………………………………………………..
41
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusions ..………………………………………………………….
45
5.2 Suggestions …….……………………………………………………..
46
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX
I
BIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX
II
SYNOPSIS
MOTTO AND DEDICATION
“ AC TUALLY THERE IS EASY WAY BEHI ND D I FFI C ULTY”
( AQ.S Al-Insyira : 6 )
Henda k ny a Ti a p k a Ta
Ta k Ha ny a meng a ndung Il mu,
t et a pi j ug a mel a hir k a n dz i k ir .
Henda k ny a Ti a p k a l ima T,
Ta k Ha ny a Mena Mba H Wa Wa sa n,
t et a pi Jug a Ket a qwa a n
-Salim A. Fillah-
Th i s t h esi s i s Ded i ca t ed t o:
M y Sou l m a t e
My b el ov ed Pa r en t s
M y b el ov ed Pa r en t s i n L a w
M y t w o l i t t l e A n gel s
M y l ov el y b r ot h er s a n d si st er
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil’alamin, All praise is to Allah S.W.T. Because of His
bless, merciful, and love, she can accomplish this thesis. Greeting, prayers, and love
are also presented to the beloved prophet Muhammad S.A.W, his family, and
companions who love us deeply.
First of all, the writer would like to present the greatest gratitude to both of
her advisors; Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si as the first advisor and Rina Wahyu, M.Pd as
the second advisor for the great contribution, meaningful guidance, corrections,
suggestion, encouragement, motivation, and use full feedback that have inspired the
writer over the completion of this thesis.
Furthermore, my sincere gratitude goes to all lecturers of English Department
who have taught her to be a good English graduation and given much knowledge
which influence her thought about anything. Especially to Ahmad Tohir Yoga
because of his motivation and suggestion the writer chose “The Freedom Writers”
film as object of the study.
The greatest appreciation, moreover, also goes to her beloved parents, Agus
Mukharam and Hasnawati for their motivation, helpful, and prays, her lovely
husband, her soul mate Augusty Firmansyah, S.Kom, S.PdI who always beside her in
happiness and sadness, for his love, pray, motivation, support, advice, and financial
support. Her beloved little angels, Hurum Maqsurotun Firdaus and Muhammad
Jazaa’ul Ihsan because of them the writer learnt a lot about patient and struggle. Her
beloved law parents, Al Musyafir and Bintan Maharani for their motivation and pray.
Her brother and sister, Ella and Ero for their pray and love. Her nephew and niece,
Rofi, Dilla, Fian, Radhi, Ari, and sheffa. Also the writer thankful her brothers and
sister in law, Mbak Ely, Mas Sentot, Mbak Ana, and Mas Nasrum for their love
The writer thankful for the close friend Yanti, Ema, Qurrota’ayun, Mbak Susi,
Tyas, Nuris, Arief, Masdiyan, Meidy, Wildan, and Iza who give her support and
motivation. Also, all of her friends whose name cannot be mentioned one by one
here.
Finally, the writer hopes that this thesis will give advantages for the readers.
Amin.
Malang, August 2012
Dessi Vilast Triaguna
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abrams, M. H. 1981. A Glossary of Literary Term. USA :Cornel University.
Andrie. 2007. Faktor-faktor Penyebab Sosial Konflik. http://andrie07.wordpress.com
Arp, R, Thomas, Johnson, Greg. 2006. Perrine’s Literature; Structure, Sound, and Sense,
Ninth edition. Canada: Michael Rosenberg
Ary, Donald. Et.al. 2002. Introduction to Research in Education. Sixth Edition. New York:
Wadsworth Thomson Learning.
Beaty, et.al. 2002. The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York
Bogdan, Robert C. and Sari Knopp Biklen. 2007. Qualitative Research for Education. Fifth
edition. USA: Syracuse University.
Darmadjati, Soepadjar. 2000. Nilai-Nilai Filsafat Timur. Gramedia Grup. Jakarta
Dirks, Tim. 2010. Kinds of Film. www.filmsite.org/filmterms9.html
DiYanni, Robert. 2004. Literature Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York:
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Faidah.2011. An Analysis on Isabella Swan’s Social Conflict in the Novel “Twilight” written
by Stephenie Meyer. Unpublished Thesis. The English Department of University
Muhammadiyah of Malang.
Flint,
Rebecca
&
Rovi,
Marx.
2002.
Richard
Lagravenese
Biography.
http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/richard-lagravenese/1275979/biography
Guntur, Tarigan Henry. 1986. Prinsip Dasar Sastra. Bandung: Penerbit Angkasa
Hartiningsih, Sri. 2001. Introduction to Literature. Unpublished. Malang: UMM
Irawanto. 2011. Effect of Social Conflict. http //febriirawanto.blogspot.com/
Kennedy, XJ. 1983. An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. Third Edition. New York:
Little, Brown and Company
Madden, Frank. 2007. Exploring Literature: Writing and Arguing about Fiction, Poetry,
Drama, and the Essay. Third edition. United States: Pearson Education, Inc.
Rebecca, Just. 2007. Synopsis forFreedom Writers . http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/synopsis
Schimdt, Bogarad, Crocket. 2006. Legacies. Fiction, Poetry Drama, Nonfiction. Third Edition.
USA: Thomson Wadsworth
Taufikkurrahman. 2010. An Analysis on Santiago Munez’s Psychological Conflicts in “ Goal”
Movie. Unpublished Thesis. The English Department of University Muhammadiyah of
Malang
Wellek, Rene & Werren, Austin. 1990. Teori Kesusastraan. USA: Harcourt, Brace and World,
inc.
APPENDIX I
BIOGRAPHY OF RICHARD LAGRAVENESE
Richard Lagravenese was born on October 30, 1959. LaGravenese came of age in
Brooklyn and studied acting at New York University's experimental theater wing at the Tisch
School for the Arts. As a student, he honed his skills with dialogue and formed a New York- and
Toronto-based comedy troupe, for which he also wrote sketches. After a disastrous turn on the
icky 1989 generation gap "comedy" Rude Awakening, starring Cheech Marin andLouise Lasser,
LaGravenese supplemented his (unrelated) day job by working on the script for what
became The Fisher King (1991) -- a project reflecting his lifelong fascination with mythology.
At the 64th Annual Academy Awards, the 32-year-old LaGravenese netted an Oscar nomination
for his original screenplay (Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), though he lost
to Callie Khouri for Thelma & Louise. Understandably shaken by Demme's passing,
LaGravenese officially took a couple of years off after their joint project, but used the time to
author the scriptFreedom Writers. This screenplay revisits thematic territory covered previously
by Stand and Deliver andDangerous Minds, in its story of a determined teacherHilary
Swank who vows to teach her tough-as-nails students compassion and tolerance by introducing
them to The Diary of Anne Frank and Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo. La Gravenese
assumed directorial duties as well, and Paramount slated the picture for release in January 2007.
He also doubles up as director and screenwriter on that same year's P.S. I Love You. Adapted
from the novel by Cecelia Ahern, the picture dramatizes the story of a widow who discovers ten
notes left behind by her deceased husband. Meanwhile, LaGravenese adapted and contemporized
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," the classic James Thurber story about a milquetoast
daydreamer, as a feature-length screenplay, and studio negotiations about the project continued
for an extended period of time, with its exact cast and production date uncertain. The material
was previously directed as a film by Norman Z. McLeodin 1947.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the background of study, statement of the
problems, the purpose of the study, the significance of the study, the scope and
limitation, and the definition of the key terms.
1.1 The Background of the Study
Literature is one of the courses that has to be taken by the students of English
Department at University of Muhammadiyah Malang. Literature consists of drama,
prose and poetry. Most of the students do not like those subjects because they think
that literature is difficult to understand and it deals with creativity and imagination.
Other students say literature is not necessary to learn since it has nothing to do with
real life.
Actually, if the students like literature and study well, they will get many
advantages. It will give them information, knowledge, new experience about human
daily life that they do not know. As human beings, we need entertainment to make us
better and get satisfaction. Entertainment can be taken from many kinds of product of
literature, such as watching TV or movie, listening to music, or reading novel.
According to DiYanni (2004:1), “Many people read literature for pleasure. Many
others read literary works mainly to satisfy academic requirement.”
We can find variation purposes why people read and write about literature.
Some writers do it for professional reasons, like as book reviewers, as scholars and as
teachers. According to DiYanni (2004:10), writing about literary works encourages
1
2
us to read it attentively, also stimulates thinking, and we can discover what we think
about literary works. Thus, writing provides opportunities for us to express our views
about the ideas and values in literary works.
According to Beaty et.al.(2002:xxvii),“literature is creative writing.” It is
important in our life because it is one of the ways of human beings express their ideas
and feelings. Literature expresses a series of happening of human life such as their
problems, struggle, and conflict of life. It also describes human beings’ thought,
feeling, behavior, and attitudes.
Moreover, according to Soepadjar (2000: 54), literary work is defined as a
media or way to express or view toward the condition around human feeling, such as;
politic, economic, social, and culture. Human being and literary work is one unity
which cannot be separated each other. It clearly describes that literary works is a part
of human culture produced by human beings.
Generally, there are several kinds of literary works in written forms and they
can be elaborated into deep analysis, namely; drama, poetry and novel. Drama
contains of setting, plot, character, and theme. According to Beaty, et al (2002: 1016),
drama or plays are generally written to be performed-by actors, on a stage, for an
audience. Thus, according to DiYanni (2004: 897), drama, unlike the other literary
genres, is a staged art. Plays are written to be performed by actors before an audience.
Furthermore, drama develops every period. One of the drama’s developments
which has great influence to the public interest is film (Schmidt, Bogarad, and
Crockett, 2006). Nowadays, film is to be an important art form, a source of popular
3
entertainment and powerful method for educating society. Films are created by
specific culture which reflects those cultures.
Furthermore, Film is a form of entertainment that makes a story by sound and
a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement (www.dictionary
.die.net: February 20, 2012). It also has a story that is written and to be acted for an
audience, but film has a screen as the media and the audience cannot see the actors
immediately (Taufik, 2010).
Cook (2007: 87) defines movies (also known as films or motion pictures) as a
type of communication which uses moving pictures and sound to tell stories or help
people learn about new ideas. People in every part of the world watch films that tell
stories as a type of entertainment; a way to have fun. Most films are made so that they
can be shown on big screens at cinemas or movie theaters. It is clearly explained that
film is the easy media of literary work that not only gives us many information and
knowledge from many kinds of human characters in certain time but also it can be an
entertainment to the audience.
Film types are the form, categories, group, and classification of the film. Film
is divided into eleven types, those are; action, adventure, comedy, crime & gangsters,
drama, epics/historical, horror, musical (dance), science fiction, war (anti-war), and
western film. (Dirks, 2012)
Films are made to entertain and convey messages to audiences. The
filmmakers often have a mission in the films that they make. They often insert
conflict and new experience into the film so that audiences can learn from it. Every
interaction in human always involves conflict because we have different goal, way of
4
life, and way of thinking with others. It is also supported by Tarigan (1984:134) that
conflict is a struggle completely to resolve all kinds of difficulties for searching his
purpose.
According to Jones (in Hartiningsih: 2001:26), social conflict is a conflict
which is related to the social condition. It can be conflict between one person and
another. Moreover, people life cannot be separated from conflicts which happen in all
aspect of family, school, society, country, etc. In addition, it is important to know
what cause and effect of social conflicts toward our life also how we react toward
conflicts and solve the conflict.
In this study, the writer chooses movie to be analyzed because she assumes
that movie is one of the interesting media of literary work that gives us many
advantages, such as; we get the lesson or message from film, also information,
experience, and new knowledge from human’s life.
Some students of English Department of University Muhammadiyah Malang
have already analyzed literary works. In the previous research, Faidah (2011), who
focused on Isabella Swan’s social conflict in the novel “Twilight”, found that there
were two factors can cause social conflict. They were social communication factor
and personal factor. Social communication factor includes differences in
interpretation, different perception, poor listening, sufficient in sharing information.
Personal factors include thing such as an individual self-esteem, their personal goals
or purpose, and needs. Also, based on the result analysis, she found the effect of
social conflict especially on main character’s personality, like; fear, anger, guilty, and
sadness.
5
There were still many researchers who analyzed social conflict in film or
novel, whereas it is very interesting to be analyzed. Nowadays, many people do not
know how to face and find the best solution for their conflict. They usually do not
aware about the cause and effect of their conflict, especially social conflict. Social
conflict can happen every time and with everyone. Therefore, it is very important for
the writer to conduct a further analysis about social conflict in order to know more
detail about the causes and effects of social conflict.
The explanation above is the reason why the writer wants to analyze “The
Freedom Writers” film. It is an interesting story that has good quality to be analyzed.
This film is based on the true story faced by an English teacher and it shows how
school life is. Furthermore, it reflects the life in senior high school with all
differences of ethnic and background of family among the students and how the
teacher handled and faced some conflicts, especially social conflict. It is expected to
give new insight and important lesson to the audience about social conflict that may
occur in human’s life. Also, this movie can give inspiration for all teachers in the
world.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
Based on the background, the problems of this study are stated as follows:
1. What are the social conflicts faced by Erin Gruwell as a main character in “The
Freedom Writers” movie?
2. What are the causes of the social conflict faced by Erin Gruwell?
3. What are the effects of the social conflict toward her life?
6
1.3 The Purpose of the Study
Based on the statements of the problem above, the purpose of the study are:
1. To know social conflict faced by Erin Gruwell as a main character in “The
Freedom Writers” movie.
2. To know the causes of social conflicts faced by Erin Gruwell in “The Freedom
Writers” movie.
3. To know the causes of social conflicts toward her life.
1.4 The significance of the Study
Every kinds of study has own significance. From this study, the writer hopes
that this study will bring some significances.
First of all, it is for English Department students. It is hoped this study will be
able to help the readers in analyzing literature especially film and this study may
provide helpful as one of reference for the further researchers who are interested in
conducting the study in the same field.
Secondly, it is for the readers. This study will provide description of how
important understanding social conflict that will happen in human’s life is. Also, the
readers can use it to learn and understand about the effect and causes of social
conflict. So they can choose the best solution if the conflict occurs.
Finally, it is for the teachers and lecturers. The writer also hopes, the result of
this study will encourage the teachers or the lecturers to use film as one of material in
teaching activity in order that the students’ knowledge and motivation toward
literature especially film improve.
7
1.5The scope and Limitation
The scope of this research is the conflict. There are many conflicts that can be
found in this movie, such as psychological, social, and physical conflict. From those
conflicts, the writer is interested in analyzing the main characters’ social conflict. The
writer focused on social conflict because this kind of conflict is more dominant than
other conflict. Therefore, the writer limits this research only on the main character’s
social conflict.
1.6 The Definition of the Key Terms
The definitions of the key terms which are necessary to be defined are as
follows:
1. Erin Gruwell is the main character of this film.
2. Social conflict is one of kinds of conflict that usually occurs in human’s life when
people have interaction with others. Human’s life cannot be separated with
conflict because every person has different idealism, thought, and feeling.
3. The freedom Writer is the title of movie that is investigated in this study.
4. Film is form of entertainment that makes a story by sound and a sequence of
images. Films are produced by recording images with cameras or by creating
images using animation techniques or special effects.
CONFLICT IN “THE FREEDOM WRITERS” FILM
THESIS
By :
DESSI VILAST TRIAGUNA
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
AUGUST 2012
AN ANALYSIS OF ERIN GRUWELL’S SOCIAL
CONFLICT IN “THE FREEDOM WRITERS” FILM
THESIS
This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to achieve
Sarjana Degree in English Education
By :
DESSI VILAST TRIAGUNA
06360239
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
AUGUST 2012
This thesis written by Dessi Vilast Triaguna was approved on August 2, 2012.
By :
Advisor I
Advisor II
Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si
Rina Wahyu, S, M.Ed
This thesis was defended in front of the examiners of the Faculty of Teacher
Training and Education of University of Muhammadiyah Malang
and accepted as one of the requirements to achieve
Sarjana Degree in English Education
on August 2, 2012
Approved by :
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
University of Muhammadiyah Malang
Dean,
Dr. M. Syaifuddin, M.M
Examiners :
Signatures :
1. Drs. Hartono, M.Pd
1.
2. Bayu Hendro Wicaksono, M.Ed. Ph.D
2.
3. Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si
3.
3. Rina Wahyu, S, M.Ed
4.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page .………………………………………………………………..
Title page .………………………………………………………………..
i
Title page .………………………………………………………………..
ii
Advisor’s Approval .……………………………………………………..
iii
Examination Committee’s Approval .……………………………………
iv
Motto and Dedication .…………………………………………………...
v
Acknowledgment .………………………………………………………..
vi
Abstract ..…………………………………………………………………
vii
Table of Contents .………………………………………………………..
viii
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study ..…………………………………………
1
1.2 Statements of the Problem .…………..……………………………..
5
1.3 Purposes of the Study .…..………………………………………….
6
1.4 Significance of Study ………………………………………………..
6
1.5 Scope and Limitation ..……………………………………………….
7
1.6 Definition of Key Terms ……………………………………………...
7
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Literature ..………………….……………………………………………..
8
2.2 Film ..…………………….………………………………………………..
9
2.3 Elements of Film
....……………………………………………....
10
2.3.1 Character ………………………………………………………….
10
2.3.2 Theme …………….………………………………………………
11
2.3.3 Plot …………….…………………………………………………
11
2.3.4 Setting
……….………………………………………………..
13
2.4 Kinds of Film …………….………………………………………….
14
2.5 Social conflict …………….…………………………………………
17
2.5.1 Cause and Effect of Social Conflict …………….……………….
19
CHAPTER III : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design ..……………………………………………………
22
3.2 Approach …………….………………………………………………
23
3.2.1 Mimetic Approach …………….………………………………..
23
3.2.2 Pragmatic Approach
…………….………………………………
22
3.2.3 Expressive Approach …………….………………………………
24
3.2.4 Objective Approach …………….………………………………..
23
3.3 Object of The Study …………….…………………………………...
24
3.4 Data Collection ………………………………………………………
25
3.5 Data Analysis ...………………………………………………………
25
CHAPTER IV : FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1 Research Findings ………………………………………………….
26
4.1.1 Erin Gruwell’s Social Conflict in “The Freedom Writers” Film …
26
3.1.1.1 Erin Gruwell with Her Father ……………………………….
26
3.1.1.2 Erin with Ms. Campbell …………………………………….
28
3.1.1.3 Erin with her Husband, Scott ………………………………...
30
3.1.1.4 Erin with her Student, Eva ………………………………….
31
4.2 The Causes of Social Conflict faced by Erin Gruwell ……………….
32
4.2.1 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and her Father……..
33
4.2.2 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and Eva …………..
34
4.2.3 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and her Husband….
35
4.2.4 The Cause of Social Conflict between Erin and Ms. Campbell ..
37
4.3 The Effects of the Social Conflict toward Erin’s Life ………………..
4.3.1 Negative Effect of Social Conflict between Erin and Scott……..
38
38
4.3.2 Positive Effect of Social Conflict between Erin and
39
Ms. Campbell ………………………………………………….
4.3.3 Positive Effect of Social Conflict between Erin and
41
Her Father ……………………………………………………….
4.4 Discussions …………………………………………………………..
41
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusions ..………………………………………………………….
45
5.2 Suggestions …….……………………………………………………..
46
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX
I
BIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX
II
SYNOPSIS
MOTTO AND DEDICATION
“ AC TUALLY THERE IS EASY WAY BEHI ND D I FFI C ULTY”
( AQ.S Al-Insyira : 6 )
Henda k ny a Ti a p k a Ta
Ta k Ha ny a meng a ndung Il mu,
t et a pi j ug a mel a hir k a n dz i k ir .
Henda k ny a Ti a p k a l ima T,
Ta k Ha ny a Mena Mba H Wa Wa sa n,
t et a pi Jug a Ket a qwa a n
-Salim A. Fillah-
Th i s t h esi s i s Ded i ca t ed t o:
M y Sou l m a t e
My b el ov ed Pa r en t s
M y b el ov ed Pa r en t s i n L a w
M y t w o l i t t l e A n gel s
M y l ov el y b r ot h er s a n d si st er
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil’alamin, All praise is to Allah S.W.T. Because of His
bless, merciful, and love, she can accomplish this thesis. Greeting, prayers, and love
are also presented to the beloved prophet Muhammad S.A.W, his family, and
companions who love us deeply.
First of all, the writer would like to present the greatest gratitude to both of
her advisors; Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si as the first advisor and Rina Wahyu, M.Pd as
the second advisor for the great contribution, meaningful guidance, corrections,
suggestion, encouragement, motivation, and use full feedback that have inspired the
writer over the completion of this thesis.
Furthermore, my sincere gratitude goes to all lecturers of English Department
who have taught her to be a good English graduation and given much knowledge
which influence her thought about anything. Especially to Ahmad Tohir Yoga
because of his motivation and suggestion the writer chose “The Freedom Writers”
film as object of the study.
The greatest appreciation, moreover, also goes to her beloved parents, Agus
Mukharam and Hasnawati for their motivation, helpful, and prays, her lovely
husband, her soul mate Augusty Firmansyah, S.Kom, S.PdI who always beside her in
happiness and sadness, for his love, pray, motivation, support, advice, and financial
support. Her beloved little angels, Hurum Maqsurotun Firdaus and Muhammad
Jazaa’ul Ihsan because of them the writer learnt a lot about patient and struggle. Her
beloved law parents, Al Musyafir and Bintan Maharani for their motivation and pray.
Her brother and sister, Ella and Ero for their pray and love. Her nephew and niece,
Rofi, Dilla, Fian, Radhi, Ari, and sheffa. Also the writer thankful her brothers and
sister in law, Mbak Ely, Mas Sentot, Mbak Ana, and Mas Nasrum for their love
The writer thankful for the close friend Yanti, Ema, Qurrota’ayun, Mbak Susi,
Tyas, Nuris, Arief, Masdiyan, Meidy, Wildan, and Iza who give her support and
motivation. Also, all of her friends whose name cannot be mentioned one by one
here.
Finally, the writer hopes that this thesis will give advantages for the readers.
Amin.
Malang, August 2012
Dessi Vilast Triaguna
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abrams, M. H. 1981. A Glossary of Literary Term. USA :Cornel University.
Andrie. 2007. Faktor-faktor Penyebab Sosial Konflik. http://andrie07.wordpress.com
Arp, R, Thomas, Johnson, Greg. 2006. Perrine’s Literature; Structure, Sound, and Sense,
Ninth edition. Canada: Michael Rosenberg
Ary, Donald. Et.al. 2002. Introduction to Research in Education. Sixth Edition. New York:
Wadsworth Thomson Learning.
Beaty, et.al. 2002. The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York
Bogdan, Robert C. and Sari Knopp Biklen. 2007. Qualitative Research for Education. Fifth
edition. USA: Syracuse University.
Darmadjati, Soepadjar. 2000. Nilai-Nilai Filsafat Timur. Gramedia Grup. Jakarta
Dirks, Tim. 2010. Kinds of Film. www.filmsite.org/filmterms9.html
DiYanni, Robert. 2004. Literature Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York:
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Faidah.2011. An Analysis on Isabella Swan’s Social Conflict in the Novel “Twilight” written
by Stephenie Meyer. Unpublished Thesis. The English Department of University
Muhammadiyah of Malang.
Flint,
Rebecca
&
Rovi,
Marx.
2002.
Richard
Lagravenese
Biography.
http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/richard-lagravenese/1275979/biography
Guntur, Tarigan Henry. 1986. Prinsip Dasar Sastra. Bandung: Penerbit Angkasa
Hartiningsih, Sri. 2001. Introduction to Literature. Unpublished. Malang: UMM
Irawanto. 2011. Effect of Social Conflict. http //febriirawanto.blogspot.com/
Kennedy, XJ. 1983. An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. Third Edition. New York:
Little, Brown and Company
Madden, Frank. 2007. Exploring Literature: Writing and Arguing about Fiction, Poetry,
Drama, and the Essay. Third edition. United States: Pearson Education, Inc.
Rebecca, Just. 2007. Synopsis forFreedom Writers . http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/synopsis
Schimdt, Bogarad, Crocket. 2006. Legacies. Fiction, Poetry Drama, Nonfiction. Third Edition.
USA: Thomson Wadsworth
Taufikkurrahman. 2010. An Analysis on Santiago Munez’s Psychological Conflicts in “ Goal”
Movie. Unpublished Thesis. The English Department of University Muhammadiyah of
Malang
Wellek, Rene & Werren, Austin. 1990. Teori Kesusastraan. USA: Harcourt, Brace and World,
inc.
APPENDIX I
BIOGRAPHY OF RICHARD LAGRAVENESE
Richard Lagravenese was born on October 30, 1959. LaGravenese came of age in
Brooklyn and studied acting at New York University's experimental theater wing at the Tisch
School for the Arts. As a student, he honed his skills with dialogue and formed a New York- and
Toronto-based comedy troupe, for which he also wrote sketches. After a disastrous turn on the
icky 1989 generation gap "comedy" Rude Awakening, starring Cheech Marin andLouise Lasser,
LaGravenese supplemented his (unrelated) day job by working on the script for what
became The Fisher King (1991) -- a project reflecting his lifelong fascination with mythology.
At the 64th Annual Academy Awards, the 32-year-old LaGravenese netted an Oscar nomination
for his original screenplay (Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), though he lost
to Callie Khouri for Thelma & Louise. Understandably shaken by Demme's passing,
LaGravenese officially took a couple of years off after their joint project, but used the time to
author the scriptFreedom Writers. This screenplay revisits thematic territory covered previously
by Stand and Deliver andDangerous Minds, in its story of a determined teacherHilary
Swank who vows to teach her tough-as-nails students compassion and tolerance by introducing
them to The Diary of Anne Frank and Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo. La Gravenese
assumed directorial duties as well, and Paramount slated the picture for release in January 2007.
He also doubles up as director and screenwriter on that same year's P.S. I Love You. Adapted
from the novel by Cecelia Ahern, the picture dramatizes the story of a widow who discovers ten
notes left behind by her deceased husband. Meanwhile, LaGravenese adapted and contemporized
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," the classic James Thurber story about a milquetoast
daydreamer, as a feature-length screenplay, and studio negotiations about the project continued
for an extended period of time, with its exact cast and production date uncertain. The material
was previously directed as a film by Norman Z. McLeodin 1947.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the background of study, statement of the
problems, the purpose of the study, the significance of the study, the scope and
limitation, and the definition of the key terms.
1.1 The Background of the Study
Literature is one of the courses that has to be taken by the students of English
Department at University of Muhammadiyah Malang. Literature consists of drama,
prose and poetry. Most of the students do not like those subjects because they think
that literature is difficult to understand and it deals with creativity and imagination.
Other students say literature is not necessary to learn since it has nothing to do with
real life.
Actually, if the students like literature and study well, they will get many
advantages. It will give them information, knowledge, new experience about human
daily life that they do not know. As human beings, we need entertainment to make us
better and get satisfaction. Entertainment can be taken from many kinds of product of
literature, such as watching TV or movie, listening to music, or reading novel.
According to DiYanni (2004:1), “Many people read literature for pleasure. Many
others read literary works mainly to satisfy academic requirement.”
We can find variation purposes why people read and write about literature.
Some writers do it for professional reasons, like as book reviewers, as scholars and as
teachers. According to DiYanni (2004:10), writing about literary works encourages
1
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us to read it attentively, also stimulates thinking, and we can discover what we think
about literary works. Thus, writing provides opportunities for us to express our views
about the ideas and values in literary works.
According to Beaty et.al.(2002:xxvii),“literature is creative writing.” It is
important in our life because it is one of the ways of human beings express their ideas
and feelings. Literature expresses a series of happening of human life such as their
problems, struggle, and conflict of life. It also describes human beings’ thought,
feeling, behavior, and attitudes.
Moreover, according to Soepadjar (2000: 54), literary work is defined as a
media or way to express or view toward the condition around human feeling, such as;
politic, economic, social, and culture. Human being and literary work is one unity
which cannot be separated each other. It clearly describes that literary works is a part
of human culture produced by human beings.
Generally, there are several kinds of literary works in written forms and they
can be elaborated into deep analysis, namely; drama, poetry and novel. Drama
contains of setting, plot, character, and theme. According to Beaty, et al (2002: 1016),
drama or plays are generally written to be performed-by actors, on a stage, for an
audience. Thus, according to DiYanni (2004: 897), drama, unlike the other literary
genres, is a staged art. Plays are written to be performed by actors before an audience.
Furthermore, drama develops every period. One of the drama’s developments
which has great influence to the public interest is film (Schmidt, Bogarad, and
Crockett, 2006). Nowadays, film is to be an important art form, a source of popular
3
entertainment and powerful method for educating society. Films are created by
specific culture which reflects those cultures.
Furthermore, Film is a form of entertainment that makes a story by sound and
a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement (www.dictionary
.die.net: February 20, 2012). It also has a story that is written and to be acted for an
audience, but film has a screen as the media and the audience cannot see the actors
immediately (Taufik, 2010).
Cook (2007: 87) defines movies (also known as films or motion pictures) as a
type of communication which uses moving pictures and sound to tell stories or help
people learn about new ideas. People in every part of the world watch films that tell
stories as a type of entertainment; a way to have fun. Most films are made so that they
can be shown on big screens at cinemas or movie theaters. It is clearly explained that
film is the easy media of literary work that not only gives us many information and
knowledge from many kinds of human characters in certain time but also it can be an
entertainment to the audience.
Film types are the form, categories, group, and classification of the film. Film
is divided into eleven types, those are; action, adventure, comedy, crime & gangsters,
drama, epics/historical, horror, musical (dance), science fiction, war (anti-war), and
western film. (Dirks, 2012)
Films are made to entertain and convey messages to audiences. The
filmmakers often have a mission in the films that they make. They often insert
conflict and new experience into the film so that audiences can learn from it. Every
interaction in human always involves conflict because we have different goal, way of
4
life, and way of thinking with others. It is also supported by Tarigan (1984:134) that
conflict is a struggle completely to resolve all kinds of difficulties for searching his
purpose.
According to Jones (in Hartiningsih: 2001:26), social conflict is a conflict
which is related to the social condition. It can be conflict between one person and
another. Moreover, people life cannot be separated from conflicts which happen in all
aspect of family, school, society, country, etc. In addition, it is important to know
what cause and effect of social conflicts toward our life also how we react toward
conflicts and solve the conflict.
In this study, the writer chooses movie to be analyzed because she assumes
that movie is one of the interesting media of literary work that gives us many
advantages, such as; we get the lesson or message from film, also information,
experience, and new knowledge from human’s life.
Some students of English Department of University Muhammadiyah Malang
have already analyzed literary works. In the previous research, Faidah (2011), who
focused on Isabella Swan’s social conflict in the novel “Twilight”, found that there
were two factors can cause social conflict. They were social communication factor
and personal factor. Social communication factor includes differences in
interpretation, different perception, poor listening, sufficient in sharing information.
Personal factors include thing such as an individual self-esteem, their personal goals
or purpose, and needs. Also, based on the result analysis, she found the effect of
social conflict especially on main character’s personality, like; fear, anger, guilty, and
sadness.
5
There were still many researchers who analyzed social conflict in film or
novel, whereas it is very interesting to be analyzed. Nowadays, many people do not
know how to face and find the best solution for their conflict. They usually do not
aware about the cause and effect of their conflict, especially social conflict. Social
conflict can happen every time and with everyone. Therefore, it is very important for
the writer to conduct a further analysis about social conflict in order to know more
detail about the causes and effects of social conflict.
The explanation above is the reason why the writer wants to analyze “The
Freedom Writers” film. It is an interesting story that has good quality to be analyzed.
This film is based on the true story faced by an English teacher and it shows how
school life is. Furthermore, it reflects the life in senior high school with all
differences of ethnic and background of family among the students and how the
teacher handled and faced some conflicts, especially social conflict. It is expected to
give new insight and important lesson to the audience about social conflict that may
occur in human’s life. Also, this movie can give inspiration for all teachers in the
world.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
Based on the background, the problems of this study are stated as follows:
1. What are the social conflicts faced by Erin Gruwell as a main character in “The
Freedom Writers” movie?
2. What are the causes of the social conflict faced by Erin Gruwell?
3. What are the effects of the social conflict toward her life?
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1.3 The Purpose of the Study
Based on the statements of the problem above, the purpose of the study are:
1. To know social conflict faced by Erin Gruwell as a main character in “The
Freedom Writers” movie.
2. To know the causes of social conflicts faced by Erin Gruwell in “The Freedom
Writers” movie.
3. To know the causes of social conflicts toward her life.
1.4 The significance of the Study
Every kinds of study has own significance. From this study, the writer hopes
that this study will bring some significances.
First of all, it is for English Department students. It is hoped this study will be
able to help the readers in analyzing literature especially film and this study may
provide helpful as one of reference for the further researchers who are interested in
conducting the study in the same field.
Secondly, it is for the readers. This study will provide description of how
important understanding social conflict that will happen in human’s life is. Also, the
readers can use it to learn and understand about the effect and causes of social
conflict. So they can choose the best solution if the conflict occurs.
Finally, it is for the teachers and lecturers. The writer also hopes, the result of
this study will encourage the teachers or the lecturers to use film as one of material in
teaching activity in order that the students’ knowledge and motivation toward
literature especially film improve.
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1.5The scope and Limitation
The scope of this research is the conflict. There are many conflicts that can be
found in this movie, such as psychological, social, and physical conflict. From those
conflicts, the writer is interested in analyzing the main characters’ social conflict. The
writer focused on social conflict because this kind of conflict is more dominant than
other conflict. Therefore, the writer limits this research only on the main character’s
social conflict.
1.6 The Definition of the Key Terms
The definitions of the key terms which are necessary to be defined are as
follows:
1. Erin Gruwell is the main character of this film.
2. Social conflict is one of kinds of conflict that usually occurs in human’s life when
people have interaction with others. Human’s life cannot be separated with
conflict because every person has different idealism, thought, and feeling.
3. The freedom Writer is the title of movie that is investigated in this study.
4. Film is form of entertainment that makes a story by sound and a sequence of
images. Films are produced by recording images with cameras or by creating
images using animation techniques or special effects.