An Analysis Of Moral Values Through Main Character In Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita

  

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Character

  Character is one of important elements of literary work. Character is an actor who takes on events so that the event can be a story; Character is the figure contained in the literature that has personality, values, moral and mental. Character in general is a human but can also form the desired animal or objects are created as living things, it means, the characters must live it naturally has an element of thought or feeling that can form the basis of fictitious characters convincing that readers feel as if dealing with a real human. Character is the representative and the description of person qualities in the real life. Therefore, although the character in literary works is fictitious, they have personal qualities as the real person because the authors of the novel are member of society and they write a literary work based on the real person in the real life. Roberts and Jacobs states (1955:31) that,

  In fiction, a character may be defined as a verbal representation of human being. Through action, speech, description, and commentary, authors portray characters who worth caring about, rooting for, and even loving, although there are also characters you may laugh at, dislike or even hate.

  A character has a strategic position as a carrier and delivery of messages, the message, moral or anything intentionally to convey to the reader. A story is usually concerned with a major problem that a character must face. In generally, characters are divided in to two classes, there are major character and minor character.

  2.1.1 Major Character

  Major character is kind of character, which often shows up repeatedly as if it dominates every parts of the event in the novel. They can act as a subject that has capability in doing something or as an object that suffers the impact from treatment done by the subject or circumstances. In the other words, major character does not only act as subject but also as object. This kind of character plays important role in the novel and it cannot be ignored. In this novel have major character; there are Humbert Humbert and Lolita.

  2.1.2 Minor Character A minor character is someone with a lot of parts and important to the story, but

not fully needed and still interact with or grab the attention of those main characters.

  

They might help to explain what is going on by talking to other characters and supports

  the main character in a story. They do no grow or change during the story . Would

  

usually be a good friend or enemy of the main character. In this novel have minor

  character: Gaston Godin, Ms. Phalen, and Miss Prat, Annabel Leigh, Valeria, Charlie Holmes, Ms. Opposite, Madeleine, and The Mc. Coo’s, Charlotte Haze, Mona Dahl, Richard F. Schiller and John Farlow and Clare Quilty.

  2.1.3 Flat Character Flat characters have few but easily recognizable traits that make them

stereotypical characters. In short, there are not many facets to this character's personality

that are revealed to the reader. According to Roberts and Jacobs (1995),

  Flat character is a character with a very simple personality. Flat characters do not grow. They remain the same because they may be stupid or insensitive or lacking in knowledge or insight. They end where they begin and are static, not dynamic. But characters are not therefore worthless, for they usually highlight the development of the round characters.

  Stock Character Often assumed to be a flat character, a stock character is actually

one who represents stereotypical personality traits which may root from culture,

appearance, or situations. Such characters are very easy to identify. In this novel have

flat characters; there are: Gaston Godin, Ms. Phalen, and Miss Prat.

  2.1.4 Round Character A round character is someone who has more facets to her/his personality than a

flat character. This is a character that develops through the story and therefore, her/his

qualities are difficult to identify completely, right up to the end. The personality of such

a character is not consistent, which makes the character more realistic than others in the

piece of writing. Roberts and Jacobs (1995) states,

  Round character is a character with a complex and realistic personality; a character whose personality changes during the course of the story; a character who grows, emotionally, due to or learns from the actions or events in the story. They recognize, change with, or adjust to circumstance. Generally, round character is the main character of a story, which may be shown in (1) an action or actions, (2) the realization of new strength and therefore the affirmation of previous decisions, (3) the acceptance of a new condition, or (4) the discovery of unrecognized truths. Because round characters usually play a major role in a story, they are often called the hero or heroine. In this novel have round character; there is Humbert Humbert

  2.1.5. Static Character A static character's personality does not change throughout the piece of work,

and save for the initial introduction; there is not much to learn about such a character.

  

Static characters as we notice that their personalities are consistent and do not change;

nor does our knowledge of these characters increase throughout. In this novel have static

  characters; there are: Annabel Leigh, Valeria, Charlie Holmes, Ms. Opposite, Madeleine, and The Mc. Coo’s.

  2.1.6. Dynamic Character A dynamic character is someone whose personality changes through the course

of writing, due to a change in the situation or the plot. This may be from weak to strong,

from strong to weak, from a cheery person to a person in distress, and the like. While

one would assume that a dynamic personality would be the protagonist, it is not always

necessary. In this novel have dynamic character; there is Lolita.

  2.1.7. Confidant The confidant is someone the main character confides in, and it is through these

confessions that the personality of the main character is revealed. . In this novel have

  confidant character; there are Charlotte Haze, Mona Dahl, Richard F. Schiller and John Farlow.

2.1.8. Foil

  The foil is someone who is used as a contrasting character to enhance the personality

of another character. A character who serves to point out the strength or weakness of the

protagonist; usually foil has the Opposite characters traits of the protagonist and often

(but not always) is called antagonist. . In this novel have foil characters; there are Clare

Quilty and Barbara Duke.

2.2. Novel

  There are many kinds of literary works, like essays, poems, novels, short stories,

  drama, and novel is the most read by the readers. The novel is a literary form most popular in the world. This literary form most widely circulated, because of the extensive communication in society. Novel is one form of a literary work. Novel is a fictional story in writing or words and has the intrinsic and extrinsic elements. A novel is usually told about human life in their interaction with the environment and each other. In a novel, the author makes every effort to direct the reader to the reality of life images through the stories contained in the novel. A novel main requirement is taken it must attract, entertain and bring a sense of satisfaction after the finished reading it. Reading a good novel is important for our self improvement. Good novel can humanize the readers.

  Many writers give a definition to novel. Boundaries or definitions that they give are different because they use different viewpoints too. The definitions are:

  1. The novel is the most popular form of literature in the world. This literary form most widely published and most widely circulated, because the community is widespread in society (Jakob Sumardjo Drs).

  2. The novel is a literary form in which there are social cultural values, morals, and education (Dr. Nurhadi, Dr. Dawud, Dra. Yuni Pratama, M Ed, Dra. Abdul Roni, M. Pd).

  3. The novel is a work of literature that has two elements, namely: intrinsic and extrinsic elements are related because both are very influential in the presence of a literary work (Drs. Rostamaji, M Ed, Agus Priantoro, S. Pd).

  4. The novel is a prose literary works that have intrinsic elements (Paul Tukam, S.Pd).

2.2.1. Elements of Novel

  Novel has two elements; there are intrinsic and extrinsic elements. The writer will explain about those elements.

1. Intrinsic elements

  An Intrinsic element is a builder element of literature that can be found in the

  literary text itself. There are intrinsic elements in novel. There are:

  1. Theme Idea, an idea, or main idea underlying a literary work is called theme. Or, the theme is something on which to base a story, something that animates the story, or something that is the main problem in the story. Theme is the soul of the whole story. Therefore, the theme became the basis of the development of the whole story. Theme in many ways is "binding" the presence or absence of events, conflicts and circumstances, including the various other intrinsic elements.

  2. Plot Plot is a series of events in the novel. Plot is divided into 2 parts; the plot forward (progressive) is if the event is gradually moving towards the chronological order of the story line. While the backward flow (flash back progressive) is going to do with the ongoing events (Paul Tukan, S.Pd).

  3. Character Character is an actor who takes on events so that the event can be a story;

  Character is the figure contained in the literature that has personality, values, moral and mental. Character in a story should be described clearly. So what is people says, what is people do, what people thinks, and what is perceived must be truly describing the nature of the characters.

  The main characters in the novel Lolita are as follows: Humbert Humbert: He is white, handsome, educated man but Humbert

   has a pedophile character, nomad, and tend to schizophrenia and paranoia too. Lolita: she is a young girl, beautiful, childishness and innocent.

  

  4. Point of View Point of View is the “narrative point of view,” how the story is told— more specifically, who tells it. There are two distinctly different types of point of view and each of those two types has two variations. o

  In the First Person point of view, the story is told by a character within the story, a character using the first person pronoun, “I”. If the narrator is the main character, the point of view is first person protagonist. If the narrator is a secondary character, the point of view is first person observer. o

  In the Third Person point of view, the story is not told by a character but by an “invisible author,” using the third person pronoun (he, she, or it) to tell the story. If the third person narrator gives us the thoughts of characters then he is a third person omniscient (all knowing) narrator. If the third person narrator only gives us information which could be recorded by a camera and microphone (no thoughts), then he is a third person dramatic narrator.

  5. Setting Setting is the natural, manufactured, political, cultural and temporal environment, including everything that characters know and own. The depiction in the background there is a detailed story, some are not. Settings are the same as described in fact, some are a combination of reality with fantasy. o Setting of Place

  Setting of place directs to the location where the events happened in a fiction. The use of this setting with certain name should reflect geographical. The setting of place in a novel usually consists of several locations, and it will move from one place to another because there is a development of plot and character. o

  Setting of Time Setting of time related to the matter of “when” the events happened in a fiction. The matter of “when” is usually connected with historical events. The setting cannot be separated from the place because it is to relate each other. o

  Setting of Society Social setting directs to the matters that are related to the behavior of social life in certain time of a novel. It can be habits, tradition, religion, ideology, the way of thinking, etc. this setting is part of the whole setting because there is a unity with another setting, such place and time.

  As for the setting in this novel the narrator, Humbert, moves from Paris to New York shortly after World War 2 (1947). They travel around from state to state staying in various motels.

  This thesis focuses on three intrinsic elements; there are character, setting and plot. Plot is a reflection of behavior or way the characters act, think, and behaves in dealing with the problems of life (Nurgyantoro, 2009: 114). Background is a concrete footing on the place and time of occurrence of the events experienced by the characters. And from Characters will know a character may be defined as a verbal representation of human being which builds a novel. Through an analysis of the plot, setting, character, and point of view will reveal the underlying theme of a story.

2. Extrinsic Element

  Extrinsic elements in the novel are the elements that are beyond the novel. But it does not directly affect the system organisms’ literature. More specifically, the extrinsic elements in a novel can be regarded as an element build a novel. According to Wellek and Warren (1977), extrinsic element is also known as extrinsic factors influencing literary works. It usually becomes a ‘causal’ explanation for some descriptions, analysis, and evaluation of a literary work. Therefore, extrinsic elements novel remains to be seen as something that important. Extrinsic factors are the literary elements/factors which are found outside the literary works but it indirectly influences the structure of the literary works. Extrinsic approach is used by critics to emphasize the importance of the context to the text. It is focused on the background, history, social conditions and biography of the author and the values in the story. Sometimes, it connects literature to the social context and psychology as well. The values in the story in a literary work embodied the values inserted by author. The values include: o

  Moral values are the values in the story that relates to the character / temperament or ethics. Moral values in the story could be good moral values; moral values can also be bad / ugly. o Cultural values, namely the concept of basic problem is very important and the value of human life (Eg, customs, arts, beliefs, ceremonies) o

  Social values, the things that related to norms in public life (Eg, mutual giving, helping, and tolerance) o Aesthetic values, values related to art, beauty in the literature (about language, plot, theme)

  This extrinsic element focuses on the values of the story uses philosophy moral teory. A study on the value of a study is important given its position as the initial problem in moral philosophy. In addition, a study of the value study touched substantial issues in moral philosophy. The question always comes in this study, whether the so- called "good" and "bad". Ideal moral behavior in the eyes of Immanuel Kant was born and moral behavior will emerge from the insistence that human beings as rational beings and understanding, so that every moral behavior does actually born of itself is not from outside himself. Moral or immoral behavior has actually been present and can be controlled at the stage idea. The influence of the strong sense of lust or influence in causing real action. When lust is more powerful effect it would appear otherwise immoral behavior moral behavior would appear reasonable if the effect is stronger than lust.

  Based on the opinion of Immanuel Kant can be said that a person's moral behavior is born and will appear on the insistence of a man as intelligent and virtuous beings to achieve happiness.

2.3. Moral,Value, and Moral Value

2.3.1. Moral

  Generally speaking, morality is what drives our decision about what is "good" and what is "bad. In “Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia” it is said moral is deciding good or bad considered behavior. Morality according to Bentham is art to maximize happiness; it can be seen by achieving the existence of happy and joyful life of all people. A morality is sacrifice from little goodness to big goodness. (Hazlitt, 2003: 111). According to Stemberg (1994:938), morality refers to concern with what is good or right in people’s relationships each other. A key to understanding morality is to be specific about definition of good (or bad) and right or wrong According to Immanuel Kant (Magnis Suseno:1992)

  Morality is the assurance and inner attitude and is not merely an adjustment to the rules of the outside, whether it's state law, religion or customs.

  Immanuel Kant, saying that morality concerning good and bad things, it means that what

is good in yourself, good on any restrictions at all. It is further said that, the quality of one's

  moral criterion is loyalty itself. Morality is the implementation of the obligations of respect for the law, while the law itself is written in the human heart. In other words, morality is determined to follow what the heart is recognized as an absolute obligation. Moral goodness is good in all respects, without restrictions, so it is good not only from some aspects, but either or both just absolute.

  A morality contains (1) beliefs about the nature of the man, (2) belief about ideals, about what is good or desirable or worthy or pursuit for its own sake, (3) rules laying down what ought to be done and (4) motives that incline us to choose the right or the wrong course. We learn as children that we should be unselfish, that we should not tell lies. (Paul Edwards: 1967: 150).

  2.3.2. Value

  The term “values” may suggest that judgments of right and wrong, lofty and base, just and unjust, and more personal preferences, that thing are useful as individuals happen to value them. (Benninga: 1991: 131). Value is something that interest for us, something that we look for, something that pleases, something that loved, and in short value is something good. Value have good connotation. (Bertens: 2000: 139).

  2.3.3. Moral Value

  Moral value is a reality that is hidden behind other realities. Judging means to judge a human activity to connect something with something else then for the next decision is made. Rooted in moral values that serve to encourage and direct (motivator) attitudes and human behavior. Value as a system is one manifestation of culture in addition to the social system and work.

  Then, there are four characteristic of moral value. There are as following:

  a. Moral value is related with responsibility Moral value is related with human personality, but beside moral value we also automatically can say other values. Moral value makes people wrong or not, because he/she has responsibility. Especially moral value is related with human personality of responsibility. Moral value just can be real in action wholly if it became responsibility of the involved person.

  b. Moral value is related with pure heart All values need to make it real. Because it has persuasive power, it should be practice. For example, aesthetic value, it should be practiced, play music composition or others. To make moral value to be real, it can be appealed from pure heart. One of special characteristics of moral values is this value will effect voice of pure heart to accuse us if oppose moral value and praise us if make moral value.

  c. Obligation Moral value obligates us absolutely and it can’t be compromised. Other values need to be real and admitted, for example, aesthetic value. Educative and cultural person will admit and enjoying aesthetic value. But in different people can’t we blame. Moral value obligates us as such, without requirement. For example, honesty orders us to return thing that borrowed, like or not, because moral value contains an imperative category. In other value for example, if badminton player want to be champion, he/she must try hard. It’s a must to be champion, but there is a limitation. d. Formality Moral value is not stand-alone without other value. Although moral value is top value that we must appreciate, but it is not in top without other value.

  Moral values did not separate with other values. For example, a seller applies moral values all at once with apply economic values. Moral values are nothing without other values. It is form of formality. (Bertens, 2000:143-147). Many spiritual values or we can mention with moral values that can be learned by all people.