EXISTENTIAL NIHILISM REFLECTED IN CARO L SHIELDS’S Existential Nihilism Reflected in Carol Shields’s The Stone Diaries (1993): An Existentialist Criticism.
EXISTENTIAL NIHILISM REFLECTED IN CARO L SHIELDS’S
THE STONE DIARIES NOVEL (1993):
AN EXISTENTIALIST CRITICISM
RESEARCH PAPER
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of
Education in English Department
by:
ALIT DESI RAHMAH
A320090060
SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
M UHAMM ADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2013
ii
iii
iv
MOTTO
“Jika kamu lunak terhadap dirimu maka hidup akan keras
terhadapmu dan jika kamu keras terhadap dirimu maka
hidup akan lunak terhadapmu”
− Andri Wongso
“The idea I have never ceased to develop is in the end that a man can
always make something out of what is made of him”
− Jane Paul Sartre
"...reading can be part of your life...and there will be times when it is
the best part..."
− Carol Shields
Jangan befikir untuk jadi sempurna tapi selalu berfikirlah
kearah kemajuan
− The Researcher
v
DEDICATION
This research paper is dedicated to:
Allah SWT
My dearest mother and father
My beloved sister
All my friends
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
All the praises and thanks be to Allah for His mercies and glories so I can
complete this thesis entitled “Existential Nihilism Reflected in Carol Shields’s The
Stone Diaries (1993): An Existentialist Criticism ”
I realize that this thesis never succeeds without the support, help and
compassion from others. For that I want to thank to firstly Allah SWT, without Him I
might be lost and never finish this thesis. I would like to extent m y thanks to the
following people:
1. Dra. Nining Setyaningsih, M. Hum. as the Dean of the School of Teacher
Training and Education Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
2. Titis Setyabudi,
S.S, M.Hum. as the chief of
English Departm ent in
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
3. Dr. M. Thoyibi, M.S. my first consultant who gave suggestions, guidance,
advices, instructions and also motivation.
4. Mauly Halwat H, Ph.D. as my second consultant who gave suggestion and
guidance in m aking this research paper better.
5. Drs. Abdillah Nugroho, M. Hum. as my third examiner who gave advises and
correction in completing this research paper.
viii
6. Giri Lumakto, S. Pd. as the academic consultant for the guidance.
7. All the lecturers in English Departm ent of Muhammadiyah University of
Surakarta who transferred their knowledge for me and for all students.
8. All staff in UMS Library who gave me an opportunity and convenience in
collecting data and reference to arrange this thesis
9.
My big family, especially m y dearest mother and father, I know “thank you” is
not enough for what you have given to me, you push me a lot to complete this
thesis and my sister who soon will be living far away from home, thank you for
giving me spirit.
10. All my friends in English Department year of 2009, thank you for your support
and motivation especially for MTL, thank you for the knowledge and spirit you
share to me, my “hang out friends” without you I cannot recover from these
stressful days and my best friends thank you for the togetherness for these four
years.
11. And for everyone whose nam es I cannot mention one by one.
I realize that this thesis is far from the notion of perfection. Because of that I
will really appreciate any critics and advices in order to develop this sort of writings
in the future.
ix
Finally I hope this thesis can give advantage for all readers and the future
researcher. Amin.
Surakarta, November 2013
The Researcher
Alit Desi Rahmah
x
TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE……………………………………………………………………..........
i
APPROVAL……………………………………………………………………
ii
ACCEPTANCE………………………………………………………………...
iii
TESTIMONY…………………………………………………………………..
iv
MOTTO………………………………………………………………………...
v
DEDICATION………………………………………………………………….
vi
AKNO WLEDGM ENT…………………………………………………………
vii
TABLE OF CONTENT………………………………………………………...
x
SUMM ARY……………………………………………………………………..
xiv
CHAP TER I. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………
1
A. Background of the Study…………………………………….
1
B. Literature Review……………………………………………
7
C. Lim itation of the Study………………………………………
9
D. Problem Statement…………………………………………..
9
E. Objectives of the Study……………………………………...
9
F. Benefit of the Study………………………………………….
10
G. Research Method…………………………………………….
10
H. Research Paper Organization………………………………..
12
CHAP TER II. UNDERLYING TH EORY……………………………………… 13
A. Existentialism………………………………………………..
13
1. Notion of Existentialism…………………………………
13
xi
2. Sartre’s Existentialism…………………………………...
14
a. Existence Precede Essence…………………………..
14
b. Freedom and Responsibility…………………………
16
c. Being………………………………………………...
18
d. Bad Faith…………………………………………….
20
B. Nihilism……………………………………………………...
21
C. Existential Nihilism………………………………………….
24
D. Structural Elements of Novel………………………………..
25
1. Plot……………………………………………………….
25
2.
26
Character and characterization………………………….
3. Setting………………………………………………….....
26
4. Point of View…………………………………………......
27
5. Theme…………………………………………………….
27
6. Style………………………………………………………
28
E. Theoretical Application………………………………............
28
CHAP TER III. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS…………………………………
29
A. Structural Element………………………………………….
29
1. Character and characterization………………………….
29
a. Major Character…………………………………….
29
b. Minor Characters…………………………………...
33
2. Setting…………………………………………………..
49
a. Setting of Place……………………………………..
50
b. Setting of Tim e……………………………………..
52
xii
3. Plot………………………………………………….......
53
4. Point of View…………………………………………...
53
5. Them e…………………………………………………..
54
6. Style…………………………………………………….
55
a. Grammatical Structure……………………………...
55
b. Sentence Construction……………………………...
55
c. Diction………………………………………………
57
d. Figurative Language………………………………...
58
7. Discussion………………………………………………
61
CHAP TER IV. EXISTENTIALIST ANALYSIS………………………………. 63
A. Existentialist Issues in Daisy Stone Goodwill’s Life……….
6
3
1. Existence and Essence in Daisy Stone Goodwill……….
6
3
2. Freedom and Responsibility in Daisy Stone Goodwill…
66
3. Bad Faith in Daisy Stone Goodwill…………………....
70
B. Existential Nihilism Analysis in Daisy Stone Goodwill……
73
C. Discussion…………………………………………………..
76
CHAP TER V. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION………………………..
78
A. Conclusion………………………………………………….
78
B. Suggestion…………………………………………………..
79
C. Pedagogical Implication…………………………………….
79
xiv
BIBLIOGRAPH Y
APPENDIX
xiv
SUMMARY
Alit Desi Rahmah, A320 090 060. Existential Nihilism Reflected in Carol Shields’s
The Stone Diaries Novel (1993): An Existentialist criticism. Research Paper.
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta. 2009.
This paper displays existential nihilism in The Stone Diaries. The study asking
firstly what the indicators of existential nihilism in the novel are, secondly why Carol
Shield necessarily presents such issue in her novel.
The object of this study is The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. It uses
Existentialist criticism. This study belongs to qualitative research. In this method there
are two types of data source namely primary and secondary data source. The primary
data source is the novel and the secondary data is other works or any information related
to the study. Both data are collected through library research and analyzed by
descriptive analysis.
The result of the study shows that: in the novel Carol Shields illustrates a search
for identity and meaning of life in which the major character experiences different
existential situation and the necessity of making moral choice.
Keywords: Existential Nihilism, The Stone Diaries, Existentialist Criticism
xiv
THE STONE DIARIES NOVEL (1993):
AN EXISTENTIALIST CRITICISM
RESEARCH PAPER
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of
Education in English Department
by:
ALIT DESI RAHMAH
A320090060
SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
M UHAMM ADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2013
ii
iii
iv
MOTTO
“Jika kamu lunak terhadap dirimu maka hidup akan keras
terhadapmu dan jika kamu keras terhadap dirimu maka
hidup akan lunak terhadapmu”
− Andri Wongso
“The idea I have never ceased to develop is in the end that a man can
always make something out of what is made of him”
− Jane Paul Sartre
"...reading can be part of your life...and there will be times when it is
the best part..."
− Carol Shields
Jangan befikir untuk jadi sempurna tapi selalu berfikirlah
kearah kemajuan
− The Researcher
v
DEDICATION
This research paper is dedicated to:
Allah SWT
My dearest mother and father
My beloved sister
All my friends
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
All the praises and thanks be to Allah for His mercies and glories so I can
complete this thesis entitled “Existential Nihilism Reflected in Carol Shields’s The
Stone Diaries (1993): An Existentialist Criticism ”
I realize that this thesis never succeeds without the support, help and
compassion from others. For that I want to thank to firstly Allah SWT, without Him I
might be lost and never finish this thesis. I would like to extent m y thanks to the
following people:
1. Dra. Nining Setyaningsih, M. Hum. as the Dean of the School of Teacher
Training and Education Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
2. Titis Setyabudi,
S.S, M.Hum. as the chief of
English Departm ent in
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
3. Dr. M. Thoyibi, M.S. my first consultant who gave suggestions, guidance,
advices, instructions and also motivation.
4. Mauly Halwat H, Ph.D. as my second consultant who gave suggestion and
guidance in m aking this research paper better.
5. Drs. Abdillah Nugroho, M. Hum. as my third examiner who gave advises and
correction in completing this research paper.
viii
6. Giri Lumakto, S. Pd. as the academic consultant for the guidance.
7. All the lecturers in English Departm ent of Muhammadiyah University of
Surakarta who transferred their knowledge for me and for all students.
8. All staff in UMS Library who gave me an opportunity and convenience in
collecting data and reference to arrange this thesis
9.
My big family, especially m y dearest mother and father, I know “thank you” is
not enough for what you have given to me, you push me a lot to complete this
thesis and my sister who soon will be living far away from home, thank you for
giving me spirit.
10. All my friends in English Department year of 2009, thank you for your support
and motivation especially for MTL, thank you for the knowledge and spirit you
share to me, my “hang out friends” without you I cannot recover from these
stressful days and my best friends thank you for the togetherness for these four
years.
11. And for everyone whose nam es I cannot mention one by one.
I realize that this thesis is far from the notion of perfection. Because of that I
will really appreciate any critics and advices in order to develop this sort of writings
in the future.
ix
Finally I hope this thesis can give advantage for all readers and the future
researcher. Amin.
Surakarta, November 2013
The Researcher
Alit Desi Rahmah
x
TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE……………………………………………………………………..........
i
APPROVAL……………………………………………………………………
ii
ACCEPTANCE………………………………………………………………...
iii
TESTIMONY…………………………………………………………………..
iv
MOTTO………………………………………………………………………...
v
DEDICATION………………………………………………………………….
vi
AKNO WLEDGM ENT…………………………………………………………
vii
TABLE OF CONTENT………………………………………………………...
x
SUMM ARY……………………………………………………………………..
xiv
CHAP TER I. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………
1
A. Background of the Study…………………………………….
1
B. Literature Review……………………………………………
7
C. Lim itation of the Study………………………………………
9
D. Problem Statement…………………………………………..
9
E. Objectives of the Study……………………………………...
9
F. Benefit of the Study………………………………………….
10
G. Research Method…………………………………………….
10
H. Research Paper Organization………………………………..
12
CHAP TER II. UNDERLYING TH EORY……………………………………… 13
A. Existentialism………………………………………………..
13
1. Notion of Existentialism…………………………………
13
xi
2. Sartre’s Existentialism…………………………………...
14
a. Existence Precede Essence…………………………..
14
b. Freedom and Responsibility…………………………
16
c. Being………………………………………………...
18
d. Bad Faith…………………………………………….
20
B. Nihilism……………………………………………………...
21
C. Existential Nihilism………………………………………….
24
D. Structural Elements of Novel………………………………..
25
1. Plot……………………………………………………….
25
2.
26
Character and characterization………………………….
3. Setting………………………………………………….....
26
4. Point of View…………………………………………......
27
5. Theme…………………………………………………….
27
6. Style………………………………………………………
28
E. Theoretical Application………………………………............
28
CHAP TER III. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS…………………………………
29
A. Structural Element………………………………………….
29
1. Character and characterization………………………….
29
a. Major Character…………………………………….
29
b. Minor Characters…………………………………...
33
2. Setting…………………………………………………..
49
a. Setting of Place……………………………………..
50
b. Setting of Tim e……………………………………..
52
xii
3. Plot………………………………………………….......
53
4. Point of View…………………………………………...
53
5. Them e…………………………………………………..
54
6. Style…………………………………………………….
55
a. Grammatical Structure……………………………...
55
b. Sentence Construction……………………………...
55
c. Diction………………………………………………
57
d. Figurative Language………………………………...
58
7. Discussion………………………………………………
61
CHAP TER IV. EXISTENTIALIST ANALYSIS………………………………. 63
A. Existentialist Issues in Daisy Stone Goodwill’s Life……….
6
3
1. Existence and Essence in Daisy Stone Goodwill……….
6
3
2. Freedom and Responsibility in Daisy Stone Goodwill…
66
3. Bad Faith in Daisy Stone Goodwill…………………....
70
B. Existential Nihilism Analysis in Daisy Stone Goodwill……
73
C. Discussion…………………………………………………..
76
CHAP TER V. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION………………………..
78
A. Conclusion………………………………………………….
78
B. Suggestion…………………………………………………..
79
C. Pedagogical Implication…………………………………….
79
xiv
BIBLIOGRAPH Y
APPENDIX
xiv
SUMMARY
Alit Desi Rahmah, A320 090 060. Existential Nihilism Reflected in Carol Shields’s
The Stone Diaries Novel (1993): An Existentialist criticism. Research Paper.
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta. 2009.
This paper displays existential nihilism in The Stone Diaries. The study asking
firstly what the indicators of existential nihilism in the novel are, secondly why Carol
Shield necessarily presents such issue in her novel.
The object of this study is The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. It uses
Existentialist criticism. This study belongs to qualitative research. In this method there
are two types of data source namely primary and secondary data source. The primary
data source is the novel and the secondary data is other works or any information related
to the study. Both data are collected through library research and analyzed by
descriptive analysis.
The result of the study shows that: in the novel Carol Shields illustrates a search
for identity and meaning of life in which the major character experiences different
existential situation and the necessity of making moral choice.
Keywords: Existential Nihilism, The Stone Diaries, Existentialist Criticism
xiv