Analysis Of Theme Throught The Portrayal Of The Protagonist In Paulo Coelho'S Brida.

iii Maranatha Christian University ABSTRACT

Dalam tesis ini, pertama-tama saya akan membahas beberapa karakteristik yang dimiliki oleh tokoh utama di dalam sebuah novel yang berjudul Brida karya Paulo Coelho. Berdasarkan karakteristik yang saya bahas, saya akan mengangkat tema dari cerita novel ini.

Karakteristik yang dibahas dalam tugas akhir ini menyangkut tokoh utama yang bernama Brida, seorang gadis berusia 21 tahun yang ingin mencapai impiannya menjadi seorang penyihir wanita. Brida digambarkan sebagai seorang gadis yang berani, memiliki pemikiran yang luas, dan tekad yang kuat untuk mendapatkan apa yang ia inginkan. Ia juga memiliki ambisi untuk mencapai keinginan akhirnya yaitu untuk menjadi seorang penyihir.

Masing-masing dari karakterisitik tersebut di atas telah membantu Brida untuk mendapatkan apa yang ia inginkan. Pada akhir novel ini, Brida berhasil menjadi seorang penyihir wanita setelah melewati ujian-ujian dari kedua gurunya yang bernama Magus dan Wicca.

Berdasarkan karakteristik yang dimiliki protagonis novel ini, saya menarik

kesimpulan bahwa tema dari novel ini adalah “seseorang dapat berhasil untuk

mencapai impiannya apabila ia memiliki tekad yang kuat dan pemikiran yang

ii Maranatha Christian University

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...i

TABLE OF CONTENTS...ii

ABSTRACT...iii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background of the Study...1

Statement of the Problem...2

Purpose of the Study...3

Method of Research...3

Organization of the Thesis...3

CHAPTER TWO: ANALYSIS OF The THEME THROUGH The PORTRAYAL OF The PROTAGONIST IN PAULO COELHO’S BRIDA...…...………...4

CHAPTER THREE: CONCLUSION...15

BIBLIOGRAPHY...18

APPENDICES: Synopsis of Brida...…………...19

1 Maranatha Christian University

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In this thesis, I would like to analyse the theme of Paulo Coelho’s novel

entitled Brida through the portrayal of the protagonist. I have chosen Paulo Coelho because he is a great Brazilian writer nowadays. He has been widely known for his spiritual novels and many messages which can give great impacts

on the reader’s lives, which makes him such a great writer. One of Paulo Coelho’s

novels is The Alchemist (1988), in which he states that people should follow their

dreams and that human beings’ mission on earth is to find God, the meaning of happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of the creation. “The Alchemist was one of the most important literary phenomena of the 20th century, which reaches the first place in bestselling lists in 74 countries, and so far has sold 35 million copies” (Coelho “Biography”). This novel has a great impact on the

readers’ life because it delivers a great spirit in the reader’s life to explore the meaning of life more deeply.

2 Maranatha Christian University

In this thesis, I am interested in analysing Paulo Coelho’s Brida (1990), which was launched to great success in Brazil after the publication of The Alchemist. Brida “is a moving tale of love, mystery and courage, of the spiritual side of eros and the erotic side of spirituality” (Coelho “Biography”). From this

statement, I can see that spirituality has shaped the protagonist’s characteristics.

Her belief in God has given her the power to undergo a successful progress in her life, and has formed some good characteristics such as determination and optimistic thinking.

To understand the message that the writer is going to convey, it is

necessary for me to analyse the theme through the protagonist, as “Theme is most

visible in the protagonist’s greatest choice in a story” (Cagil “Theme”). The

protagonist of the novel, Brida, has shown the readers how to face the reality in

this world. Brida’s characteristics in chasing her dream and transforming herself

shows how people should be like her. The protagonist plays an important role in

revealing the theme which “... enriches and inspires the reader while saying something substantial about the human condition” (Cagil “Theme”). For that reason, theme becomes an important element which controls the idea of the book and enables the readers to understand the meaning of the book more easily.

By analysing the characteristics of the protagonist, I hope to reveal the good theme and get some useful information to be applied in daily life.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 1. What is the theme of the novel?

3 Maranatha Christian University III. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Based in the statement of the problem, the purposes of the study are: 1. To show the theme of the novel.

2. To show how the portrayal of the protagonist helps to reveal the theme.

IV. METHODS OF RESEARCH

In my analysis, I use library research. I read Paulo Coelho’s novel, Brida, as the primary text. Then I read some information from several sources in order to support my analysis. Finally, I analyse the theme of the novel and draw some conclusion based on my analysis.

V. ORGANIZATION OF THE THESIS

This thesis will be organized into three chapters, which are preceded by the Acknowledgements, the Table of Contents and the Abstract. Chapter One is the Introduction, which consists of the Background of the Study, the Statement of the Problem, the Purpose of the Study, the Method of Research, and the Organization of the Thesis. Chapter Two contains the analysis of theme through

the portrayal of the protagonist in Paulo Coelho’s novel, Brida. Chapter Three is the conclusion of the analysis. The thesis ends with the Bibliography and the Appendices, which include the Biography of the Author and the Synopsis of the Novel.

15 Maranatha Christian University

CHAPTER THREE

CONCLUSION

In this chapter, I am going to draw a conclusion of the analysis presented in the previous chapter. The analysis is of the theme of Paulo Coelho’s Brida through the portrayal of the protagonist. In this novel, there are various characteristics that belong to Brida, a young, ambitious and open minded girl who has bravery and tenacity. This analysis reveals that such characteristics can help people to reach their dreams. Brida’s characteristics have helped her to find her own path to become a witch. She never surrenders to any circumtance that she is facing because she believes that at the end of her journey she can get what she wants, which is becoming a witch.

Through my analysis, I can make a conclusion that determination and optimistic characteristics in the story become an important thing to reveal the success of Brida’s journey. As a tenacious and brave girl, Brida has determination. She shows her determination to get what she wants and she is willing to face any danger that she might face in her journey. Brida has optimism which is supported by her open-mindedness and ambitious characteristics. She is interested in learning about new things which are useful for the continuity of her

16 Maranatha Christian University journey and from the beginning of the story, she has a strong desire to become a witch because she knows that she can fulfill her dreams.

Brida has tenacity which is clearly shown when she struggles to get what she wants. She never gives up to any circumstance that she faces especially when she feels down and desperate. This characteristic is clearly shown when Brida is tested by Wicca. Brida must perform a dance according to the sound of the world, and she must come to the sacred woods twice a week to learn more about herbs and plants. In fact, she succeeds in passing the test. Another example is when she is learning about tarot cards. Although the task is not easy and takes up a lot of time, she never gives up and tries her best to understand the messages which are revealed by the tarot cards. She does everything that she thinks might be helpful in revealing her dreams because she has great determination.

Brida’s determined characteristic is shown by her bravery. She comes to the dark forest and meets Magus. She does not know any danger that she might face in the dark forest. She does not give up when she is tested to stay in the dark forest alone. She has great determination to pass her first lesson although she is feeling nervous and uncomfortable when being alone in the dark forest. But finally, she can overcome her fears and she can pass this test because she has great bravery.

Brida’s optimistic characteristic is shown by her open mindedness. She is willing to accept others’ suggestions which might help her to find her path. She is willing to learn about her calling. Brida is willing to listen to others and to change her perceptions if necessary. In the beginning, she has a doubt about who she really is, but after she meets Wicca and listens to Wicca’s suggestion, she changes

17 Maranatha Christian University her perceptions about herself because finally she realizes that she has a gift and that she is an extraordinary person. She is willing to learn about Tradition of the Moon and do the tests given by Wicca and Magus.

Being an optimistic person, Brida has strong desire to become a witch. She is ambitious to learn things and do some tests given by her teachers. She never gives up in doing her best to learn about Tradition of the Sun. Brida is willing to do a test such as to wear each pieces of her clothes in her wardrobe although she exactly does not know the purpose of doing that. But with her ambitiuos charcteristic, she does the test and finally she can find the next step or test which shows the continuity of her journey untill she becomes a witch.

The characteristics of Brida are presented by the author to show that someone must struggle to pursue his or her dreams and never gives up to any circumtance that she might face in his or her journey. The writer succeeds in revealing the theme through the characteristic of the protagonist. As can be seen from the good characteristics which the protagonist has, finally she can reach her dream. If someone can pass everything which can make them feel dissatisfied or down, she or he exactly can get what she or he actually wants. In reality, we cannot always get what we want easily but with hard work and good characteristics, we can achieve our goal with satisfactory results.

19 Maranatha Christian University

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Primary text:

Coelho, Paulo. Brida. New York: Harpercollins Publishers, 2008 References:

Hornby, AS. Oxford Learners Pocket Dictionary. New York, Oxford University Press,1983.

Internet websites:

“Biography.” bookbrowse.com. 2009. 6 Nov. 2009

<http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=98 7>

Cagil, Joy "Brida by Paulo Coelho.” ezinearticles.com. 2009. 28 Nov. 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Brida-by-Paulo-Coelho&id=1370324>.

Cagil, Joy "Theme In Fiction: So Different From Non-fiction." ezineArticles.com. 2009. 29 Nov. 2009

<http://ezinearticles.com/?Theme-In-Fiction:-So-Different-From-Non--fiction&id=473840>.

Coelho, Paulo “Biography.” paulocoelho.com. 2009. 27 Nov. 2009 <http://www.paulocoelho.com/engl/>.

Coelho, Paulo “Brida.” sant jordi asociados.com. 2009. 29 Oct. 2009 <http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/titles.html>.

2 Maranatha Christian University In this thesis, I am interested in analysing Paulo Coelho’s Brida (1990), which was launched to great success in Brazil after the publication of The Alchemist. Brida “is a moving tale of love, mystery and courage, of the spiritual side of eros and the erotic side of spirituality” (Coelho “Biography”). From this statement, I can see that spirituality has shaped the protagonist’s characteristics. Her belief in God has given her the power to undergo a successful progress in her life, and has formed some good characteristics such as determination and optimistic thinking.

To understand the message that the writer is going to convey, it is necessary for me to analyse the theme through the protagonist, as “Theme is most visible in the protagonist’s greatest choice in a story” (Cagil “Theme”). The protagonist of the novel, Brida, has shown the readers how to face the reality in this world. Brida’s characteristics in chasing her dream and transforming herself shows how people should be like her. The protagonist plays an important role in revealing the theme which “... enriches and inspires the reader while saying something substantial about the human condition” (Cagil “Theme”). For that reason, theme becomes an important element which controls the idea of the book and enables the readers to understand the meaning of the book more easily.

By analysing the characteristics of the protagonist, I hope to reveal the good theme and get some useful information to be applied in daily life.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 1. What is the theme of the novel?

3 Maranatha Christian University III. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Based in the statement of the problem, the purposes of the study are: 1. To show the theme of the novel.

2. To show how the portrayal of the protagonist helps to reveal the theme.

IV. METHODS OF RESEARCH

In my analysis, I use library research. I read Paulo Coelho’s novel, Brida, as the primary text. Then I read some information from several sources in order to support my analysis. Finally, I analyse the theme of the novel and draw some conclusion based on my analysis.

V. ORGANIZATION OF THE THESIS

This thesis will be organized into three chapters, which are preceded by the Acknowledgements, the Table of Contents and the Abstract. Chapter One is the Introduction, which consists of the Background of the Study, the Statement of the Problem, the Purpose of the Study, the Method of Research, and the Organization of the Thesis. Chapter Two contains the analysis of theme through the portrayal of the protagonist in Paulo Coelho’s novel, Brida. Chapter Three is the conclusion of the analysis. The thesis ends with the Bibliography and the Appendices, which include the Biography of the Author and the Synopsis of the Novel.

15 Maranatha Christian University

CHAPTER THREE

CONCLUSION

In this chapter, I am going to draw a conclusion of the analysis presented in the previous chapter. The analysis is of the theme of Paulo Coelho’s Brida through the portrayal of the protagonist. In this novel, there are various characteristics that belong to Brida, a young, ambitious and open minded girl who has bravery and tenacity. This analysis reveals that such characteristics can help people to reach their dreams. Brida’s characteristics have helped her to find her own path to become a witch. She never surrenders to any circumtance that she is facing because she believes that at the end of her journey she can get what she wants, which is becoming a witch.

Through my analysis, I can make a conclusion that determination and optimistic characteristics in the story become an important thing to reveal the success of Brida’s journey. As a tenacious and brave girl, Brida has determination. She shows her determination to get what she wants and she is willing to face any danger that she might face in her journey. Brida has optimism which is supported by her open-mindedness and ambitious characteristics. She is interested in learning about new things which are useful for the continuity of her

16 Maranatha Christian University journey and from the beginning of the story, she has a strong desire to become a witch because she knows that she can fulfill her dreams.

Brida has tenacity which is clearly shown when she struggles to get what she wants. She never gives up to any circumstance that she faces especially when she feels down and desperate. This characteristic is clearly shown when Brida is tested by Wicca. Brida must perform a dance according to the sound of the world, and she must come to the sacred woods twice a week to learn more about herbs and plants. In fact, she succeeds in passing the test. Another example is when she is learning about tarot cards. Although the task is not easy and takes up a lot of time, she never gives up and tries her best to understand the messages which are revealed by the tarot cards. She does everything that she thinks might be helpful in revealing her dreams because she has great determination.

Brida’s determined characteristic is shown by her bravery. She comes to the dark forest and meets Magus. She does not know any danger that she might face in the dark forest. She does not give up when she is tested to stay in the dark forest alone. She has great determination to pass her first lesson although she is feeling nervous and uncomfortable when being alone in the dark forest. But finally, she can overcome her fears and she can pass this test because she has great bravery.

Brida’s optimistic characteristic is shown by her open mindedness. She is willing to accept others’ suggestions which might help her to find her path. She is willing to learn about her calling. Brida is willing to listen to others and to change her perceptions if necessary. In the beginning, she has a doubt about who she really is, but after she meets Wicca and listens to Wicca’s suggestion, she changes

17 Maranatha Christian University her perceptions about herself because finally she realizes that she has a gift and that she is an extraordinary person. She is willing to learn about Tradition of the Moon and do the tests given by Wicca and Magus.

Being an optimistic person, Brida has strong desire to become a witch. She is ambitious to learn things and do some tests given by her teachers. She never gives up in doing her best to learn about Tradition of the Sun. Brida is willing to do a test such as to wear each pieces of her clothes in her wardrobe although she exactly does not know the purpose of doing that. But with her ambitiuos charcteristic, she does the test and finally she can find the next step or test which shows the continuity of her journey untill she becomes a witch.

The characteristics of Brida are presented by the author to show that someone must struggle to pursue his or her dreams and never gives up to any circumtance that she might face in his or her journey. The writer succeeds in revealing the theme through the characteristic of the protagonist. As can be seen from the good characteristics which the protagonist has, finally she can reach her dream. If someone can pass everything which can make them feel dissatisfied or down, she or he exactly can get what she or he actually wants. In reality, we cannot always get what we want easily but with hard work and good characteristics, we can achieve our goal with satisfactory results.

19 Maranatha Christian University

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Primary text:

Coelho, Paulo. Brida. New York: Harpercollins Publishers, 2008 References:

Hornby, AS. Oxford Learners Pocket Dictionary. New York, Oxford University Press,1983.

Internet websites:

“Biography.” bookbrowse.com. 2009. 6 Nov. 2009

<http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=98 7>

Cagil, Joy "Brida by Paulo Coelho.” ezinearticles.com. 2009. 28 Nov. 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Brida-by-Paulo-Coelho&id=1370324>.

Cagil, Joy "Theme In Fiction: So Different From Non-fiction." ezineArticles.com. 2009. 29 Nov. 2009

<http://ezinearticles.com/?Theme-In-Fiction:-So-Different-From-Non--fiction&id=473840>.

Coelho, Paulo “Biography.” paulocoelho.com. 2009. 27 Nov. 2009 <http://www.paulocoelho.com/engl/>.

Coelho, Paulo “Brida.” sant jordi asociados.com. 2009. 29 Oct. 2009 <http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/titles.html>.