A STUDY OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PORTRAYED IN DIANA PALMER’S COLTRAIN’S PROPOSAL.

A STUDY OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
PORTRAYED IN DIANA PALMER’S
COLTRAIN’S PROPOSAL
THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree at
English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities UIN Sunan Ampel
Surabaya

Nur Novelinda Sari
Reg. Number: A83212177

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES THE STATE ISLAMIC
UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL SURABAYA
2016

A STUDY OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
PORTRAYED IN DIANA PALMER’S
COLTRAIN’S PROPOSAL
THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree at

English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities UIN Sunan Ampel
Surabaya

Nur Novelinda Sari
Reg. Number: A83212177

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES THE STATE ISLAMIC
UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL SURABAYA
2016

ABSTRACT
Sari, Nur Novelinda. 2016. A Study of Character Development Portrayed in Diana
Palmer’s Novel Coltrain’s Proposal. English Department. Faculty of Letters and
Humanities. State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
The Advisor : Sufi Ikrima Sa’adah, M.Hum

Coltrain and Louise are the character in the novel Coltrain’s Proposal who touches the
deep truths about Coltrain and Louise is life and hate love relationship. They are young
doctor in hospital of Jacobsville, they also have feeling each other. However, on the other

side, they are like enemy. This thesis focuses on analyzing the characterization of
Coltrain and Louise and also how is the conflict between them. This thesis basically uses
New Criticism theory. In the process of analyzing, the writer uses telling techcnique, how
the author directly describes about how the character looks like, his or her attitude, his or
her personality, and the rest, and showing technique, the author shows a reader something
about a character that can emerge from the way he or she speaks, reacts, or thinks to
study about Coltrain and Louise character. The writer concludes that using the
interrelationship of the formal elements, the study finds that one could find that Coltrain
and Louise development character show how his or her unstable character gives big
influence to their relationship.

Keyword

: Character, Characterization, Conflict, Character Development.

xiii

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INTISARI

Sari, Nur Novelinda. 2016. A Study of Character Development Portrayed in Diana
Palmer Novel Coltrain’s Proposal. Program Studi Sastra Inggris. Fakultas Sastra dan
Humaniora. Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Pembimbing : Sufi Ikrima Sa’adah, M.Hum

Coltrain dan Louise adalah karakter dalam novel Coltrain’s Proposal yang mengisahkan
secara mendalam kehidupan Coltrain dan Louise juga antara hubungan cinta dan benci.
Mereka adalah dokter muda yang bekerja di rumah sakit Jacobsville, mereka juga
mempunyai perasaan yang sama. Namun, di sisi lain mereka seperti musuh. Tesis ini
berfokus pada analisis karakterisasi Coltrain dan Louise. dan Juga bagaimana masalah
yang terjadi di antara mereka. Tesis ini menggunakan teori New Criticism. Dalam
melakukan proses analisis ini, penulis menggunakan teknik bercerita, bagaimana
pengarang secara langsung menjelaskan tentang karakter tokohnya, dan sikap
kepribadiannya, dan penulis juga menunjukkan kepada pembaca tentang karakter yang
muncul dari cara bebicara, bereaksi, atau berpikir untuk belajar tentang karakter Coltrain
dan Louise. Penulis menyimpulkan bahwa menggunakan keterkaitan elemen formal,
penulis menemukan bahwa perkembangan karakter Coltrain dan Louise menunjukkan
bahwa ketidakstabilan emosi memberikan pengaruh yang besar terhadap hubungan
mereka.

Kata Kunci

: Tokoh, Penokohan, Konflik, Perkembangan Karakter.

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TABLE OF CONTENT
Inside cover Page ...................................................................................................... i
Inside Title Page ....................................................................................................... ii
Declaration Page ...................................................................................................... iii
Advisor’s Approval Page ........................................................................................ iv
Examiner’s Approval Page .......................................................................................v
Motto vi
Dedication Page ...................................................................................................... vii
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. viii
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... xi
Abstract ................................................................................................................... xiii
Intisari xiv

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1

Background of The Study ...........................................................................1

1.2

Statement of the Problem ............................................................................4

1.3

Objective of the Study ................................................................................5

1.4

Scope and Limitation ..................................................................................5

1.5

Significance of the Study ............................................................................5

1.6

Method of the Study ...................................................................................6

1.7

Definition of Key Term ..............................................................................7

1.8

Organization of the Thesis ..........................................................................8

xi

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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoritical Framework ........................................................................................9

2.1.1

New Criticism ...............................................................................................9

2.1.1.1 Character ......................................................................................................11
2.1.1.2 Characterization ...........................................................................................14
2.1.1.3 Plot ...............................................................................................................16
2.1.1.4 Review of Related Literature .......................................................................17

CHAPTER III CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN DIANA PALMER’S
COLTRAIN’S PROPOSAL
3.1
The Potrayal of Coltrain’s Character Development .....................................19
3.1.1 Coltrain’s Character as a Cold and Unpleasant ...........................................19
3.1.2 Coltrain’s Character Care with Louise’s ......................................................28
3.1.3 Coltrain’s Character having Brave to Propose Louise’s ..............................32
3.2
The Potrayal of Louise’s Character Development .......................................36
3.2.1 Louise’s Character as a Strong and Tolerant ...............................................36
3.2.2 Louise’s Angry with Coltrain’s ....................................................................44

3.2.3 Louise’s Character Accepting Coltrain Proposal .........................................49
3.3
Chronology of Coltrain’s and Louise’s Development .................................50
3.3.1 Coltrain’s meet Louise’s ..............................................................................50
3.3.2 Conflict between Coltrain’s and Louise’s ....................................................51
3.3.3 Coltrain’s and Louise’s becomes Married ...................................................53
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION
Conclusion ..............................................................................................................57
WORKS CITED .....................................................................................................59
Appendix
SYNOPSIS ..............................................................................................................61

xii

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Novelinda Sari |1

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of Study
Wellek and Warren define literature as a creative activity, which is mainly on
art (1). Meanwhile, Taylor says the definition by stating that: “literature, like other
arts, is essentially an imaginative act of the writers imagination in selecting,
ordering, and interpreting life experience” (81). Based on the explanation above, it
can be concluded that literature cannot be separated from life because it relates to
experience and imagination in life. Therefore, literature is one of the bridges to
make someone communicative with the society about life’s condition by his
works.
According to Diyanni, there are three major types of literary work, they are:
poetry, drama, and fiction (7). Meanwhile fiction can also be divided into the
novel, novelette, and short story. Here, the writer focuses on novel. Richard
Taylor (46) says: “Novel is normally a prose work with a quite length complexity
which attempts to reflect and express something of the quality of value of human
experience”. In other words, novel is long prose works with a great amount of
details on every page. The effect of this detail is that the readers can recognize the
complex reality of a character or event in the story.
Moreover, from John novel is one of literary products in writing form, and
relates the story of acts or events as narrative. Therefore, a novel is a prose
narrative, which is fictitious, being imagined by the author, pictures characters

and action in a sustained plot, and is long enough to fill one or more volumes

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Novelinda Sari |2

(367). As a narrative prose, novel has its own story that is similar to the real
world.
Literary work is fundamentally developed by two elements, as Wellek and
Warren classify, namely intrinsic and extrinsic elements. Intrinsic elements is
based of the text itself, which consists of plot, character, setting, theme, point of
view and style. Meanwhile, extrinsic elements are something out of the text, such
as history, environment, economy, social and politic. In other words, extrinsic
elements is the relationship between a literary works with evolving circumtances
at the time when the work is created (23).
Coltrain’s Proposal, a collection of connected fourteenth book in the Long,
Tall Texans series which was published September, 1995 by Harlequin, is an one
of literary work which was written in United States. This novel describes human
condition with their conflicts and joys. The beautiful thing about Coltrain’s
Proposal is the way it touches the deep truths about Coltrain and Louise life and

hate love relationship. The character, Coltrain has a complex and figures out his
emotions character. Then, Louise has a strong character.
Based on the explanation above, the writer is really interested in the novel
and intends to analyze the intrinsic elements focused on the character and conflict
in Diana Palmer’s Coltrain’s Proposal. The writer chooses Diana Palmer is
because Coltrain’s Proposal introduces an unforgettable character. Coltrain is a
stubborn man whose view of life often clashes with his partner. He is also
potrayed as a cold and unpleasant person. The reason why the development of

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Novelinda Sari |3

Coltrain’s and Louise’s character becomes an interesting topic to study is because
of the professional relationship between Coltrain and Louise. The ins and outs of
their medical practice brought a smile to the writer as they develop such a hate
love relationship. This story also was lighter and sweeter then the writer expected
as the two discover what they have in common. Therefore, the writer is also
interested to analyze the conflict between Coltrain and Louis.
Thus, the writer of the study intends to analyze Diana palmer is novel
Coltrain’s Proposal. The topic is about the character development and the conflict
in the stories. Therefore, the writer applies New Criticism theory. Because
according to Tyson, New Criticism focuses its analysis on the literary text, instead
of on the author’s life and time(136). Tyson also says that New Criticism
approach requires a scrupulous analysis of the formal elements (137).
Talking about the author of the novel, Diana Palmer was born on December
11, 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, United States. Her real name is Susan Elioise
Spaeth. Susan returned to college and graduated Summa Cum Laude from
piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, in 1995. She continues to work on her
master’s degree in history as time permits. Before published romatic novels she
also become the journalist. She is an award winning American writer. She has
published romantic novels since 1979. She has over 115 novels in print. Some of
her works are: Man of Ice, Darling Enemy, Coltrain’s Proposal and etc.
( http://www.paperbackswap.com/Diana-Palmer/author/)

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Novelinda Sari |4

Coltrain’s Proposal tells the story of a young man named Jeb Coltrain and
young woman named Louise Blakely. Dr. Louise Blakely did not want to love Jeb
Coltrain. They were supposed to be partners, running the Jacobsville medical
clinic together, but instead, he treated her like the enemy. Dr. Louise Blakely,
therefore, did not want to involve in any emotional relationship with Jeb Coltrain.
And finally, when Lou tells Coltrain that she wants to leave, he is shocked to hear
that, and suddenly, he proposes her the wedding proposal.
By giving the literary background stated above. The writer would like to
focus the study on the development of Coltrain’s and Louise’s character and the
conflict raised between them.
1.2 Statement of problems
Based on the background of the study explained above, the writer is interested
in analyzing the problems, which are formulated as follows:
1. How does Coltrain’s and Louise’s character develop in Diana Palmer’s
novel Coltrain’s Proposal?
2. How does conflict between Coltrain and Louise happen in Diana Palmer’s
novel Coltrain’s Proposal novel?
1.3 Objective of Study
According to the statement of the problems, the purposes of the study are:
1. To describe how Coltrain’s and Louise’s character develop portrayed in
Diana Palmer’s novel Coltrain’s Proposal.

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Novelinda Sari |5

2. To describe conflict between Coltrain and Louise happen in Diana Palmer
novel Coltrain’s Proposal novel.
1.4 Scope and Limitation
In order to prevent non-relevant problems, the study is limited to Diana
Palmer’s Coltrain’s Proposal. The writer focuses on the character development of
Coltrain and Louise. The writer also wants to describe the conflict between
Coltrain’s and Louise’s which is considered as hate-love relationship in the novel.
To answer statement of problem stated above, character, characterization and
conflict become the important point to analyze.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study is significant to be conducted due to both the theoretical and
practical functions. Theoretically, the writer does hope that the study enriches the
reader’s development of knowledge in the literary theory that is related to New
Criticism, especially on character, characterization and conflict. Therefore, the
readers are expected to comprehend more about it, especially for those who are
having interest in the study of character, characterization and conflict throughout
literature. Then practically, this study can give useful contribution for the readers
in understanding the content of Coltrain’s Proposal, mainly concerning about
critical analysis using the related theory. Also, the writer hopes that this research
can be a helpful reference for other researchers who are interested in conducting
further research.

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Novelinda Sari |6

1.6 Method of the Study
The writer uses the library research. This study uses novel Coltrain’s
Proposal by Diana Palmer. In presenting the analyses the writer applies
descriptive analitical method. The purpose of this method a real and valid
description about the development of the characters and conflict happen within the
story. The writer uses New Criticism theory, that is analyzing the formal or
intrinsic elements, specifically on character, characterization and conflict.
This study uses some books to help conducting the analysis. The novel itself
becomes the primary data sources. The writer also gets information from some
internet sources that support this study to improve the knowledge. The research
follows the following steps:
1. Reading the novel to get the complete and well understanding on the
whole story
2. Selecting and collecting the data in form of narration and conversation
from novel related to the problem
3. Analyzing the data collected by firstly categorizing them into two points,
dealing with the statement of problems. Then, each point is analyzed using
New Criticism theory, which refers to the objectives of the study
4. Making conclusion based on the result of data analysis
1.7 Definition of Key Term
To avoid any different perceptions between the writer and the readers in
understanding the study, it is essential to give some definition of key terms used
in this study. Here are the key terms explained.

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Novelinda Sari |7

1. Character

: The persons presented in dramatics of
narrative work who are interpreted by reader
as being endowed with the moral and
dispositional qualities that are expressed in
what they say and what they do in action
(Robert).

2. Characterization

: A way which authors usually use to give
clues or hints about the characteristics of
their fictional beings.

3. Conflict

: The struggle which grows out of the
interplay of the two opposing forces in a
plot. It means that two different sides that
are opposed against each other, bring about
conflict (Holman).

4. Character Development: The way in which a character changes
over time or throughout the course of a
fictional story
(http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/HandoutsGuides/Guides-(What-Are-You-Writing-)/CreativeWriting/Character-Development ).
1.8 Organization of the Thesis
This study consists of four chapters. Chapter one is introduction which
deals with bacground of the study, statement of the problems, objectives of the

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Novelinda Sari |8

study, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, methodology,
key to specific terms, and organization of the thesis. In chapter two, i.e. review of
the related literature which consist of the discussion on the theory New Criticism
including character, characterization, and conflict that the writer want to use to
analyze the thesis. Chapter three presents the analysis on the development of
characters and the conflict in Coltrain’s Proposal. Finally, conclusion is given in
chapter four. After the final chapter, the writer adds the bibilography and
appendix on the synopsis of the novel.

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Novelinda Sari|9

CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoritical Framework
In conducting this study, this study uses some theories. In order to know
who Coltrain and Louise is, this study applies New criticism theory which talks
about intrinsic view about character, characterization and conflict.
2.1.1 New Criticism
New criticism was a standard method of literary studies during 1940s
until 1960s (Tyson 135). Further, Tyson add some of its most important
concepts concerning the nature and importance of textual evidence (the use of
concrete, specific examples from the text itself to validate the interpretations)
have been incorporated into the way most literary critics today, regardless of
the theoretical persuasion, support the readings of literature. It supports for
literary interpretations because the New Critics introduced to America and
called “close reading.”(135). All the evidence provided by the language of the
text itself: its images, symbols, metaphors, rhyme, meter, point of view, setting,
characterization and plot, and so forth, because they form or shape the literary
work are called its formal elements. It needs to understand the meaning of text
itself first. It related to the beliefs concerning the proper way to interpret
it(137).
New critics believed that a single best, or most accurate, interpretation of
each text could be discovered that best represents the text itself. The proper
way to interpret the text is based on the text. That best explains what the text

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 10

means and how the text produces that meaning, in other words, that best
explains its organic unity (Tyson 148).
According to Rene Wellek and Austin Warren in Theory of Literature,
the natural and sensible starting-point for studying a literary work is based on
the interpretaion and analysis that directly toward the work (139), they not only
laid the basic notion that any literary research should begin with the
understanding and learning of its own matter, but also gave power to the
elements within the work itself, such as characterization, plot, and setting. This
knowledge becomes the foundation for thinkers like Richard Gill with his book
Mastering English Literature, Edgar V Robert in Literature: An introduction to
Reading and Writing and Robert Di Yanni in Literature: Reading Fiction,
Poetry, and Drama to explore and expand the depth of the elements of fiction,
especially character, characterization and plot (conflict). From Wellek and
Werren’s starting point, the writer decides to explore the thesis analysis by
applying new criticism theory which is focused on the character and
characterization as well as the conflict.
Nevertheless, New Criticism’s success in focusing the attention on the
formal elements of the text and on the relationship to the meaning of the text is
evident in the way we study literature today, regardless of our theoretical
perspective. The using of interpretation the text for whatever theoretical
framework, always support it with concrete evidence from the text that usually
includes attention to formal elements and with the notable exception of some
deconstructive and reader response interpretations, usually try to produce an

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 11

interpretation that conveys some sense of the text as a unified whole (Tyson
149).
It is understandable that the method worked best on short poems and
stories because the shorter text, the more of its formal elements could be
analyzed. When longer works were examined, such as long poems, novels, and
plays, New Critical reading usually confined themselves to the analysis of
some aspect (or aspects) of the work, for example, its imagery (or perhaps just
one kind of imagery, such as nature imagery), the role of the narrator or of the
minor characters, the function of time in the work, the pattern of light and dark
created by settings, or some other formal element (Tyson 149). In analyzing the
novel chosen, the writer analyzes some aspects of literary work. They are
character develop and conflict between Coltrain and Louise.
2.1.1.1 Character
Since the main character is being analyzed, it is important to
include character and characterization because from those concepts the
reader can understand the whole story of novel. Character takes the great
roles in the novel since it is the first element of intrinsic. Character is the
first focus when the reader reads the novel.
By analyzing his or her speech and action as well as what other
characters said about him. Abrams states the character is the name of a
literary genre; it is a short, and usually witty, sketch in prose of a
distinctive type of person (Abrams 32). A character represents a subject. It
is about whothe doer in the story is.

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 12

DiYanni says the characters live in a story, like human being. It
needs to be alert for how we are to take them , for what we are to make of
them, and we need to see how they may reflect our own experience. Many
people experience like characters done. It also needs observe their actions,
to listen to what they say and how they say it, to notice how they relate to
others characters respond to them, especially to what they say about each
other (54).
Holman in A book to Literature explains that character is a
complicated term. It is included the ideas of moral constitution of human
personality, the presence of moral uprightness, and the simpler notion of
the presence of creatures in art that seem to be human beings of one sort to
another (63). It means character is a representation of human being in
literary art which describes the life of human in the real life.
According to Kennedy and Gioia,there are some types of characters.
They are flat, round, major, minor , protagonist, and antagonist (78). While
Maden, states that when characters lack the development that seems to
bring them to life, lack the complexity that lets us know them as we know
people in our own lives, and seem to represent “types” more than real
personalities, they are called flat or stock characters (66). They are
especially convenient for writers of commercial fiction: they require little
detailed portraiture, for we already know them well. Although stock
characters tend to have single dominant virtues and vices, characters in the
finest contemporary short stories tend to have many facets, like people we

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 13

meet, Kennedy and Gioia(77). Sometimes we know even judge the
characters that they are good or bad.
Abrams says, a round character is complex in temperament and
motivation and is represented with subtle particularity; such a character
therefore is as difficult to describe with any edequacy as a person in real
life, and like real persons, is capable of suprising us (33). Wellek and
warren “Round” charcterization, like “dynamic,” requires space and
emphasis; is obviously usable for characters focal for point of view or
interest; hence is ordinarily combined with “flat” treatment of background
figures the “chorus.” (227). It means that a round character has attitude and
personality in complex. It is more complex than flat character.
Kennedy and Gioia, flat characters tend to stay the same throughout
a story , but round characters often change (78). So, a flat character is
known the character has his or her virtuous and vices from the start the
story tell about than a round character.
Moreover DiYanni, the major character is sometimes called a
protagonist whose conflict with an antagonist may spark the story’s
conflict. Supporting the major character are one or more secondary or
minor characters whose function is partly to illuminate the major
characters. Minor characters are often static or unchanging: they remain
the same from the beginning of a work to the end (55). Madden says, when
we find a character or characters who seem to be a major force in
opposition to the protagonist, that character or characters is called the

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 14

antagonist (66). So, there are some types of characters, namely: flat, round,
major, minor, protagonist, and antagonist character.
By studying character in a novel, someone can acquire the
knowledge about character types of human being since character is
representation of human life. Character becomes a prominent thing in this
study since it focuses on the main characters named Coltrain and Louise.
2.1.1.2 Characterization
Kennedy and Gioia define Characterization is the techniques a writer
uses to create, reveal, or develop the characters in a narrative (106).
Moreover characterization is development of characters in a story
(Madden 65). The method of characterization is narrative description with
explicit judgment. It is given facts and interpretive comment (Kennedy and
Gioia 55). From both facts and interpretive comment derives impressions.
Characterization is the author’s method of presenting the character
with literary work, in which the readers can capture or understand the
character personality (15). Author gives characterization in each character
to give them imaginary person as portrayed in the real life. Just like what
Holman says that “The creation of these imaginary persons so that they
exist for the reader as real within the limits of the fiction is called
characterization (75).” It means characterization is used to describe the
character. Characterization is the way that the author gives the personality
and the life of character inside of the story.

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 15

Holman in states that characterization can be seen in the explicit
presentation by the author through direct expression. It can be seen in the
presentation of the character’s action or inside of the character itself (75).
The characterization can be seen through the physical appearance, the
dialog that character said, the action that they did, and also from their
thought and feelings.
Moreover, DiYanni says that characterization is the means by which
writers present and reveal character. Characters are imaginary people
created by the author. It can be classified into major and minor, static and
dynamic. Major character is essential to the literary text since she is the
centre of the story’s action or theme. Minor character’s appearance is
aimed to support major character. Dynamic character experiences chage of
attitude, purpose, or behaviors during the progress of the story, while static
character stays the same from the beginning until the end(55-56).
Abrams in the Glossary of Literary Terms states there are two ways
to explain the characterization. He mentions those ways are showing and
telling. Showing is when the author simply presents the characters talking
and acting and leaves the reader to infer the motives behind what they say
and do (33). It means that the author not only needs the verbal dialog
between characters physically, but also deals with the thought and feeling
which is placed inside of the character. On the other side, telling process is
a kind of process of the author intervenes authoritatively in order to
describe, and often to evaluate, the motives and dispositional qualities of

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 16

the characters (34). Telling process described as

the ability of the

author to create the character. The author directly state what kinds of
person the character is like; Sneaky, honest, patient, innocent, evil, and so
on.
Characterization is important because it is a part of making story. In
order to make the reader interested in the character, they need to seem real.
The author achieves it by depicting them as real human. A good
characterization gives readers a strong sense of character’s personality and
complexities. It makes character alive and believable.
2.1.1.3 Plot
Plot is a casual sequence of events, the “why” for the things that
happen in the story. Plot draws the reader into the character’s lives and
helps the reader understand the choices that the character makes. Every
human has the desire in their life and they always try to fulfill it. When the
human fails to get capacity to satisfy most of his need, it makes conflict in
their life. Conflict is the universal problems of every human being as long
as they are still alive. It has become process happening in our life
involving our self, other people or group of people which have impact.
Conflict is a necessary element in a story. Brooks explains that without
any conflict, a story is considered to have no plot; as a result, conflict is
one of the essential tools in fiction in creating and developing a plot (130).
As DiYanni states, conflict is the most important thing that happens in the
story. It is what makes the story exciting (144). According to Holman (48),

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 17

conflict is the struggle which grows out of the interplay of the two
opposing forces in a plot. It means that two different sides that are opposed
against each other, bring about conflict.
Conflict is very important in a story because it implies the existence
of some motivation for the characters to be in opposition or some goals to
be archived thereby. When a story contains a true and dramatic conflict, it
means there is a class of two sides, the right against the wrong. Each side
presents a moral power of principle that is essentially worthy one itself and
each side separately has sympathy (Holman and Harmon 118).
Muller and William classify conflicts into two types, internal and
external conflict. Internal conflict is the struggle of main character or
protagonist against his or her own nature. It means, internal conflict
happens when the struggle or opposition of forces takes place inside the
mind of character. Hence, external conflict is the struggle of main
character (protagonist) against someone or something (antagonist) outside
him or himself (44).
2.2 Review of Related Literature
Up until this study is written, the writer has not found the previous
studies about the novel. But, the are some reviews which has relation with this
research in some aspects. One of the reviews is From Limecello who discuss
about Coltrain’s Proposal in the topic of rules of engagement between Coltrain
and Louise.

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 18

The writer also dreviewed some theses that are related to this study. The
first thesis belongs to Intan Meiana Pratiwi, a student of STAIN Tulungagung.
She wrote her thesis under the title The Significance of The main Character’s
Conflicts to the Plot in Oppenheim’s Novel Entitled “The Illustrious Prince”.
She wrote her thesis in 2011. Her study tries to explain about main’s character
conflict and the development of plot in the novel.
The second thesis belongs to Yulia Dewi, a student of University of
Sumatra Utara. She wrote her thesis under the title An Analysis of The Main
Characters Conflict In New Moon By Stephenie Meyer. She wrote her thesis in
2012. Her study tries to explain about the external and internal conflict of Bela
as the main character in the novel.
The similarity between this research and those previous studies is about
the conflict that happens between the main character. However, what makes
this research different is that this research also analyzes about the development
of Coltrain’s and Louise’s character.

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 19

CHAPTER III
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN DIANA PALMER
“COLTRAIN’S PROPOSAL”
In this chapter, the writer wants to analyze the character development and
conflict seen on Coltrain and Louise character. In order to make this chapter more
organized, the writer divided this chapter into three parts. The first part is about
the portrayal of Coltrain’s character development. The second part is about the
portrayal of Louise’s character, and the last is about the conflict between Coltrain
and Louise.
3.1

The potrayal of Coltrain’s character development

3.1.1

Coltrain’s character as a cold and unpleasant
His real name is Jeb Coltrain. Every body calls him Coltrain. But, his close

friends call him Copper. He is a young doctor in the Jacobsville medical clinic
together with Louise Blakely. He is one of the surgeons. He has high skill. At the
beginning, Coltrain is characterized as a cold and unpleasant, person :
"Why are you here on Saturday? I'm supposed to be doing rounds today
for both of us," he asked sharply.
Here he goes again, practicing Coltrain's First Law...jump to
conclusions, she thought. She didn't grin, but she felt like it.
"I wound up at a car accident scene," she began.
"The hospital pays EMTs to work wrecks," he continued, glaring at her
while hospital personnel came and went around them.
"I did not go out to—" she began hotly.
"Don't let this happen again, or I'll have a word with Wright, and you'll
be taken off staff here. Is that clear?" he added coldly. Wright was the
hospital administrator and Coltrain was medical chief of staff.
He had the authority to carry out the threat. (Palmer 7)

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 20

Coltrain as a cold and unpleasant character was presented through
Louise’s point of view. Louise’s disappointment to Coltrain is seen from the
citation above when Louise unexpectedly witnessed the little boy’s accident and
then accompanied him to the hospital. Dr. Coltrain asked her many times and
spoke to her sharply without any subtle words and drew arbitrary conclusions. It is
because Louise does not on her shift at the hospital that day. From Coltrain’s
response to his partner above, he wants Louise obey him as the medical chief of
staff at the hospital.
His personality also can be seen by examining how he expresses his
feeling through his words. His unpleasant attitude towards his partner shows that
he cannot control his emotion:
He spared her a cold glance. “You look unprofessional,” he said curtly.
“At least have the grace to dress decently if you’re going to cruise around
with the ambulance service.”
He just looked at her. “They don’t need any new EMTs…”
“. . .” “There was an accident in town. I was in the café, so I gave
assistance. I don’t need to hang out with the ambulance crew for kicks,
Doctor! And how I dress on my days off is none of your—” she almost
turned blue biting back the curse “—business, Doctor!” (Palmer 9)
Louise went to the hospital wearing her casual clothes because that time
she was off duty. However, Coltrain did not care about the fact. He said that
Louise looked unprofessional because of her clothes. Louise tried to explain that
she just witnessed the little boy injured, while Louise was having lunch in the
cafe. When one of the people called an ambulance, Louise accompany the little
boy to the hospital. But, Coltrain still would not listen to the words of Louise,

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 21

because the hospital was already providing emergency official and she did not
need to “ cruise around with ambulance service.” (Palmer 9)
How much Coltrain resents his partner is also seen when he mocked
Louise as a person who was “cold as ice” and that she would “freeze any normal
man to death” (9):
“Frostbitten,” he pronounced. “No wonder Drew Morris doesn’t take you
out. He’d need a blowtorch, wouldn’t he?” he added with a meaningful,
unblinking blue stare.
“Maybe so, but you’d need a grenade launcher,” she retorted without
thinking.
He lifted an eyebrow and gave her a look that held mingled contempt and
distaste. “You’d be lucky.” (Palmer 9)
Coltrain expressions to Louise is very fierce with an imperious gaze full of
hatred. He retorted that Louise would never get married because of her cold
personality. He also mocked her that it was not any surprise that Drew Morris
never ask her out. Drew Morris is one of Louise’s close friends who works at the
hospital. He also the one who gave news to Louise that Jacobsville hospital are in
need of partners and coincidentally Louise wanted to have the opportunity to work
in her own hometown.
Coltrain’s attitude is still as cold as he was in the previous week:
He’d been stiff with her this morning, probably because he was still
fuming over the argument they’d had about his mistaken idea of her
weekend activities. Accusing her of lollygagging with the EMTs for
excitement; really! (Palmer 13)
From the quotation above, it shows that the characterization of Coltrain is
still as usual. On Monday, the Coltrain attitude towards Louise was very stiff. He
seemed to try find Louise fault. He was alleged that Louise flirts with emergency

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 22

personnel. However, what Coltrain did not realize was that Louise actually had a
crush on him.
The more her partner in the medical practice ignored and antagonized her,
the harder she had to fight her dreams about him.
She didn’t want to get married; she didn’t even want to get involved.
(Palmer 13)
The quotation above shows that every single day, Coltrain’s attitude
towards Louise becomes more fierce. He acted more than enemies and always
ignore what has been done by her. His attitude made Louise thought that her
dream about Coltrain will not be realized, and she did not want to get married.
Coltrain has made her down.
One day, Louise accidentally heard Coltrain’s conversation with Drew
Morris. They both argued about Coltrain’s past experience that made him hate
Blakely family:
She picked up the receiver absently, her finger poised over the designated
line. But when she pressed it, before she could say a word, the sentence
she’d intercepted accidentally blared in her ear in a familiar deep voice.
“…told you I wouldn’t have hired her in the first place, if I had known
who she was related to. I did you a favor, never realizing she was
Blakely’s daughter. You can’t imagine that I’ll ever forgive her father for
what he did to the girl I loved, do you? She’s been a constant reminder, a
constant torment!”
“That’s harsh, Copper,” Drew began.
“It’s how I feel. She’s nothing but a burden here. But to answer your
question, hell no, you’re not stepping on my toes if you ask her out on a
date! I find Louise Blakely repulsive and repugnant, and an automaton
with no attractions whatsoever. Take her with my blessing. I’d give real
money if she’d get out of my practice and out of my life, and the sooner
the better!” (Palmer 14)
The quotation above tells the reason on Coltrain’s hatred towards Louise.
Actually, the person whom Coltrain hated the most is Dr. Blakely. But when he
know that Louise is the daughter of Dr. Blakely, he furiously vented his hatred

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 23

towards her. Blakely was a renowned physician and an expert in the field of
surgery. Before Dr. Blakely died, he worked in the same hospital with Coltrain.
coltrain hated Louise’s father because the woman whom he loved has been
seduced by her father. In fact, it is impossible to forgive the deeds done by her
father. Since Louise works in the same hospital as he is, it reminded Coltrain with
the past even and made him truly tormented. Although Drew argued that Coltrain
had been not fair with Louise, Coltrain answers that the same injustice also
happened to him. With Louise at the hospital, it became more burden for him.
Coltrain saw Louise as a woman who is disgusting and annoying and nothing
appealing. He also said that he would be relieved once when she was out of
practice and out of his life as soon as possible.
The cold and unpleasant character of Coltrain make Louise decide to stop
working at the hospital:
She typed out a neat resignation letter, put it in an envelope and went to
place it on Dr. Coltrain’s desk. It was lunchtime and he’d already left the
building. He made sure he always did, probably to insure that he didn’t
risk having Lou invite herself to eat with him. (Palmer 14)
After writing the resignation letter, Louise went to a local cafe to have
“black coffee” and “a small salad.” (Palmer15). When Louise was about to finish
her coffe, Coltrain walked toward her, looking “furiously angry.” He “slammed
the opened envelope” in front of Louise, saying : “What the hell do you mean by
that?” he demanded in a dangerously quiet tone. (Palmer 15)
Coltrain’s reaction for Louise resignation showed his resenting feling
towards her. He asked her the reason for her leaving. When Louise answered that
“[she’d] rather not discuss [her] private business in public,” Coltrain “walked her

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 24

over to Jacobsville’s small town square, to a secluded bench in a grove of live oak
and willow trees.” (Palmer 15)
“This is private enough,” he said shortly. “Why are you leaving?”
“I signed a contract to work with you for one year. It’s almost up,
anyway,” she said icily. “I want out. I want to go home.”
“You don’t have anyone left in Austin,” he said, surprising her.
“I have friends,” she began.
“You don’t have those, either. You don’t have friends at all, unless you
count Drew Morris,” he said flatly. (Palmer 15)
The quotation above tells Louise reason for her resignation. She told
Coltrain that her contract with the clinic or hospital was for one year and that the
time was almost up. She told him that she wanted to go home, although Coltrain
insisted that she had no friends anywhere.
Coltrain tried to make Louise stay despite his act that looked hateful
towards her. Louise argued that from the beginning she already felt that Coltrain
never wanted her in the practice. She also told her that she became sure about it
when she over heard Coltrain’s conversation with Drew Morris. Louise’s
explanation surprised him. It can be seen in the quotation below:
His eyes flashed oddly. “You heard what I said?” he asked huskily. “You
heard…all of it!” he exclaimed. He was remembering what he’d told Drew
Morris in a characteristic outburst of bad temper. He often said things in
heat that he regretted later, but in the past five minutes, he’d learned
disturbing things about her without a word being spoken. He’d hurt her.
He didn’t realize she’d cared that much about his opinion. (Palmer 16)
The conversation above tells Coltrain’s recall on what he was saying to
Drew Morris. He was remorse fully what he said about Louise. He did not think
that Louise attitude which always looked strong in front of him was just like a
mask. Coltrain realized that he had been troubling Louise self esteem and hurt her.
Coltrain was feeling really regret, but Louise ignored what he said and saying:

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N o v e l i n d a S a r i | 25

“You’ve hated me from almost the first day we worked together. Most of
the time, you can’t even be bothered to be civil to me. I didn’t know that
you had a grudge against me from the outset…”
She hadn’t thought about that