A study of david`s inner conflicts as a homosexual in giovanni`s room by James Baldwin - USD Repository
A STUDY OF DAVID’S INNER CONFLICTS AS A HOMOSEXUAL IN GIOVANNI’S ROOM BY JAMES BALDWIN
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By
LIDIA ARDITA
Student Number: 014214042
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2007
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis
A STUDY OF DAVID’S INNER CONFLICTS AS A
HOMOSEXUAL IN GIOVANNI’S ROOM BY JAMES
BALDWIN
By
LIDIA ARDITA
Student Number: 014214042 Approved by
Adventina Putranti, S.S., M.Hum. April 16, 2007 Advisor Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum. April 16, 2007 Co-Advisor
A STUDY OF DAVID’S INNER CONFLICTS AS A
HOMOSEXUAL IN GIOVANNI’S ROOM BY JAMES
BALDWIN
By
LIDIA ARDITA
Student Number: 014214042 Defended before the Board of Examiners on April 23, 2007 and declared acceptable
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
Name SignatureChairman : Dr. Fr. B. Alip, M.Pd., M.A. _________________ Secretary : Drs. Hirmawan Wijarnaka, M.Hum. __________________ Member : G. Fajar Sasmita Aji, S.S., M.Hum. __________________ Member : Adventina Putranti, S.S., M.Hum. __________________ Member : Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum. __________________
Yogyakarta, April 23, 2007 Faculty of Letters
Sanata Dharma University Dean Dr. Fr. B. Alip, M.Pd., M.A.
Dreams can come true.
Credi in te!
Patrizio Buanne_ I dedicate this thesis to Almighty God and Saint Mary My beloved parents and my big bro
And to everyone and someone who love and
care of me a lot.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to thank to Jesus Christ and Saint Mary for Their love and blessing in my life. Their spirits have enlightened and strengthened me to finish this thesis. I would not be able to finish my thesis without Them.
My special thanks go to my Dad who has supported me with his own ways. I would like to thank my wonderful and lovely Mom who always prays and cares for me. I also would like to thank my greatest big brother, Eduardo Ardita, who has given me the computer. It means a lot for me. I love my family.
My gratitude goes to my advisor, Adventina Putranti, S.S., M.Hum., for all of the guidance, patience, advice, and support which helped me a lot in finishing the reader, for all the advice which helped me in making this thesis. I would like to thank my entire lectures in English Letters Department and for the secretariat staffs who have helped me during my study at Sanata Dharma University.
Finally, I would like to thank to all my best friends, especially Chitra, Liza, Budi, Margareth, Asis, Stephanie (thanks for the book), Alaster, Mas Daniel, and Freddy Hendrawan who have supported and encouraged me all the time. Also to all of PSM CF members and all of the people who have given me hands whose names I cannot mention here. I thank God that He sent them to me. I love them and God bless them!
Lidia Ardita
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ..................................................................................................... i APPROVAL PAGE ........................................................................................... ii ACCEPTANCE PAGE ...................................................................................... iii MOTTO PAGE ................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION PAGE......................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................... vii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... viii ABSTRAK ......................................................................................................... ix
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION...................................................................... 1
A. Background of the Study................................................................... 1 B. Problem Formulation ........................................................................ 2 C. Objectives of the Study ..................................................................... 2 D. Definition of Terms........................................................................... 3CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW..................................................... 5
Reviews on the Novel ....................................................................... 5 B. Reviews of Related Theories ........................................................... 71. Theories of Conflict in Literature ............................................... 7
2. Theories of Conflict in Psychology............................................. 8
3. Theories on Homosexuality ........................................................ 13
C. Theoretical Framework ..................................................................... 22
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY ................................................................. 23
A. Object of the Study............................................................................ 23 B. Approach of the Study ...................................................................... 24 C. Method of the Study.......................................................................... 25CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 27
A. David’s Inner Conflicts as a Homosexual......................................... 27 B. David’s Solutions to Solve his Inner Conflicts ................................. 47CHAPTER V CONCLUSION ......................................................................... 50
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................. 53
ABSTRACT
LIDIA ARDITA. A Study of David’s Inner Conflicts as a Homosexual in
James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters,
Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2007.James Baldwin wrote Giovanni’s Room in 1956. This novel receives a cordial welcome in the literary world. Even some critics say that this novel is a
th
masterpiece in the 20 century. This novel tells about the struggle of a homosexual named David in finding his self identity. In this novel, it is told about David’s perspective toward the society around him, the problems that he faces, and his way to solve those problems especially of his homosexuality.
The aims of this study are to answer the problem formulation, first, what the inner conflicts faced by David as a homosexual. Second, how he solves his inner conflicts.
The source of this study is taken from the novel titled Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. The writer takes other sources from several books and reviews which help as the references. The writer also takes some references from internet sites. Those sources support this study. The writer uses psychological approach to analyze David’s inner conflicts as a homosexual. The writer also uses theories of
As the result of the study, the writer finds that David has his own characteristics. He is described as a loveless, unhappy, lonely, coward, hypocrite, selfish, introvert, and unintelligent man. Those characteristics affect his personal and social life. Personally, he has inner conflicts such as fear, confusion, shame, disappointment, guilt, anger, hypocrisy, loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. Socially, he judges that the society underestimates homosexuals. David decides to solve his inner conflicts by letting Hella go back to America and leave him. Then he tries to accept his real condition as a homosexual and does not regret it. He does not try to find a new man as his homosexual lover and decides to move to Paris to live alone.
ABSTRAK
LIDIA ARDITA. A Study of David’s Inner Conflicts as a Homosexual in
James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris,
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2007.James Baldwin mengarang Giovanni’s Room pada tahun 1956. Novel ini mendapat sambutan meriah di dunia sastra. Bahkan beberapa kritikus menyatakan novel ini sebagai karya besar abad ke-20. Novel ini menceritakan tentang perjuangan seorang homoseksual bernama David dalam mencari jati dirinya. Dalam novel ini juga menceritakan tentang sudut pandang David terhadap masyarakat sekitarnya, permasalahan yang dia hadapi, dan cara dia mengatasi segala permasalahan itu, terutama permasalahan yang menyangkut homoseksualitasnya.
Tujuan dari studi ini adalah untuk menjawab rumusan masalah sebagai berikut: pertama adalah apa saja konflik batin yang dihadapi oleh David sebagai homoseksual. Kedua adalah bagaimana dia menyelesaikan konflik batinnya tersebut.
Sumber dari studi ini diambil dari novel berjudul Giovanni’s Room karya James Baldwin. Penulis mengambil sumber lain dari beberapa buku dan ulasan situs internet. Semua sumber tersebut sangat mendukung dalam penulisan studi ini. Penulis menggunakan pendekatan psikologis guna menganalisa konflik batin David sebagai homoseksual. Penulis juga menggunakan teori homoseksualitas untuk membahas masalah tersebut.
Sebagai hasil dari studi ini, penulis menemukan bahwa David memiliki sifat-sifatnya sendiri. Dia digambarkan sebagai orang yang kurang kasih sayang, tidak bahagia, kesepian, penakut, munafik, egois, tertutup, dan tak berpendidikan. Semua sifat tersebut mempengaruhi kehidupan pribadi dan sosialnya. Secara pribadi, dia kemudian memiliki konflik batin seperti ketakutan, kebingungan, malu, kekecewaan, merasa bersalah, marah, kemunafikan, kesepian, kesedihan, dan kegelisahan. Secara social, dia menilai bahwa masyarakat memandang rendah kaum homoseksual. Masyarakat sekitarnya dapat menerima keberadaan kaum homoseksual. David memutuskan untuk menyelesaikan konflik batinnya dengan membiarkan Hella kembali ke Amerika dan meninggalkan David. Kemudian dia mencoba untuk menerima kondisi dia yang sesungguhnya sebagai seorang homoseksual dan tidak menyesalinya, dia juga tidak berusaha untuk menemukan pria baru sebagai kekasihnya dan memutuskan pindah ke Paris untuk tinggal sendirian.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study Homosexuality has been a worth discussing topic since homosexuality is a
complex phenomenon of which the existence, according to The Encyclopedia
Americana, is caused by many different reasons, involving a variety of
combinations of constitutional factors, life experiences or both (1924: 333). A novel entitled Giovanni’s Room is a novel about homosexual therefore the writer chooses it as the study. a man named David who goes to Paris. In his homeland, he has a fiancée named Hella but she leaves him to Spain. In Paris, he meets Giovanni, an Italian bartender. He falls in love with Giovanni and at the end he has to leave Hella after the death of Giovanni.
In this novel, the readers can read that there are no obstacles to be homosexuals or if somebody chooses to have a relationship with the same-sex. It seems that the society does not really care about someone’s problem. Even, some of them support the homosexuals as friends.
The readers will get another perspective and new understanding about the situation that David has to face as a homosexual and how he has to negotiate with himself because of his inner conflicts. Giovanni’s Room provides different from the same point of view that is homosexuals’ point of view still it makes the novel interesting to be discussed.
Since a novel entitled Giovanni’s Room is a novel about homosexual, the writer chooses it because the writer wants to analyze deeper about the life of a homosexual, especially on his problems and how he solves his problems as a homosexual. This study will contribute a new understanding about homosexual and it can change the wrong perception believed by people so far.
B. Problem Formulation
Related to the background of study, the writer presents problem
1. What are the inner conflicts that are experienced by David as a homosexual in Giovanni’s Room?
2. How does he solve his inner conflicts as a homosexual?
C. Objectives of the Study Based on the problem formulation above, this thesis has two objectives.
First, the writer wants to find out the conflicts which are experienced by David as a homosexual. The objective focuses on David’s inner conflicts. Second, the writer wants to analyze how he solves his problems as a homosexual.
D. Definition of Terms
There are some terms in this study which are used by the writer:
1. Homosexual According to Huffman in his book entitled Psychology in Action,
“homosexual means a person who has a sexual attraction tendency toward members of his or her own sex. He or she is one whose preferences for members in the same sex” (1997: 340).
2. Homosexuality Based on Encyclopedia of Psychology by Corsini states that “homosexuality refers to sexual behaviors, desires, and attractions, relationship among people at them. For conceptual clarity, it is important to distinguish among four different phenomenon commonly included under the rubric of homosexual. First, the term is used to describe a specific sexual act. Second is to refer to enduring patterns of sexual or romantic attractions for partners of one’s own gender whether or not these preferences are expressed behaviorally. Third aspect is psychological identity, a sense of self-defined in terms of one’s attractions. Fourth, homosexual refers to a minority group membership. In this sense, individuals sharing a gay identity develop communities similar to ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities” (1994: 151-152).
3. Characters According to A Glossary of Literary Terms, “characters are the person identified by seeing what they say as in the dialogue and what they do as in the action”. Characters may remain essentially “stable”, or unchanged in outlook and disposition, from beginning to end of a work, or may undergo a radical change, either through a gradual process of motivation and development, or as the result of the crisis (Abrams, 1993: 23).
4. Gay Based on Coleman’s statement in his book entitled Abnormal Psychology
and Modern Life “gay is a slang term referring to homosexuals. It is a colloquial
term for a homosexual, now often adopted by homosexuals who have openly announced their sexual orientation” (1964: 662).
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW Chapter II contains three sections. The first section is the review of relatedstudies which reviews the studies that have done by the researchers related to the topic. The second section is the review of related theories which mentions the theories that are applied in the thesis. The last section is the theoretical framework which states how the review of the related studies and of related theories are coherent to the thesis.
Reviews on the Novel
There are several studies of the novels. However, the followings are only those which are related to the study of the thesis. The first reviewer is Magdalena J. Zaborowska from University of Michigan.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin is a masterpiece of narrative
composition and constituted a literal and metaphorical coming out for the young author, although Baldwin has already indicated his interest in the profound connection between race and sexuality in his successful novelistic debut, the autobiographical Go Tell It On The Mountain (1953).
Giovanni’s Room is a narrator introspectively and retrospectively in the
first person by a young, white American named David, who is trying to find himself in that Giovanni’s face and body- the only true love of his life- have been forever branded on his flesh and his memory, that he will never be free, for he has renounced freedom by renouncing love when it comes into his life ( http://www.litencyc.com ). Magdalena also states that the book is well-reading for everybody as said
This is a book that can require several breaks from the reader, simply because it is well-written despair worms its way into your mind and stays there. It is not the book you should read on a relaxing vacation, on your birthday, the day before your wedding, when you have already had an awful day. Still, it is a book you should read because of Baldwin’s insights into his characters and their situations (http:// www.litencyc.com ).
Next, is the review which comes from D. Quentin Miller, his essay challenges what seems to be a consensus: “that at the end of Baldwin’s career, bitter with his lock of recognition and the seeming failure of his political agenda, loses artistic control, producing works that do not live up to his earlier promise”.
He also explains that “Baldwin was caught in the classic double bind, for his readers demanded political polemics in his work, then simultaneously decried his perceived excessive rhetoric and politicized rage. Thus, Baldwin’s decline was seen as inevitable” (http:// www.fasthost.com ).
Another review is from Nicholas M. Evans. His paper examines “how understanding core values are the key to understanding character which, in turn, leads to understanding conflict, plot, and the underlying design of a narrative. It looks at how James Baldwin, in his book Giovanni’s Room, depicts a young man in a conflict. David is alienated from his own culture, and he is faced with making a choice concerning his sexual identity. It explores how we feel he must conform to the norms of having a wife and family, but is pulled toward sexual union with men, especially an Italian bartender with whom he has an affair”. We can see in Evans’ statement below.
Being an American does not provide David with the “tools” he needs to deal with the now cultural arena into which he allows himself. Social proximity in and of itself does not provide the ability to perceive the “true” reader authentication of the writer’s representation. Rather, specific cultural and historically contingent conditions shape both elements of the reputation-building process: the spokesperson is influenced by contemporary conventions of representation, construct certain meanings about cultural experience, while audiences evaluate the “truth” of the meanings according to similar conventions. The essence of his alienation is in terms of sexual preference (http://www.fasthost.com). From some reviews above, it can be concluded that Giovanni’s Room is a very good reading novel. The readers can learn something from this novel. Learn how to treat and understand the homosexuals as human being. Learn how to accept our identity and not deny it. The readers also can get new knowledge about homosexuality is not a disease that has to be avoided. Homosexuals are also human being who have to be hugged together not be ignored. This novel should the best. It is a masterpiece.
This study is new and different from the others because there is no other study which discusses about homosexuals and or homosexuality. Thus the readers can get new knowledge and understanding about those issues. Besides they can get new perspective.
B. Reviews of Related Theories
1. Theories of Conflict in Literature
In literature, a story has a plot before it gets or reaches the conflict. There are some theories in describing these plots. The writer will discuss from A Guide
to Literary Criticism by Bustami Subhan. He says that the structure of the plot action, and catastrophe. Exposition is the opening of the story. There is an introduction of the story, including the introduction of the situation, characters, and setting. Rising action is the beginning of the complication in the story. Crisis is reached when the conflicts become worse. Falling action is an explanation about the conflicts. Catastrophe is the ending of the story. There is a problem solution.
Based on A Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H. Abrams says that in a novel, exposition is the beginning of the story. A novelist usually draws the situation, the setting, and the main characters in this part. It is an introduction of the story. Rising action begins after the exposition. In rising action appear some developing conflict. The rising action reaches the crisis. Crisis is a time when the conflicts become worse. Then, it opens the falling action. In falling action there is an explanation about the conflicts and usually there is also a clearer picture about the cause of the conflicts. The last is catastrophe. It is the ending of the story. In catastrophe usually there is a resolution. It also applies the end of the action and intrigue or crisis. The problems or the misunderstanding are solved and cleared away.
2. Theories of Conflict in Psychology
Psychologically, there are two kinds of conflicts which happen in our daily life, those are internal and external conflicts. External conflicts mean conflicts Meanwhile, internal conflicts are conflicts between us. Atkinson and Hilgard also strengthen this statement in their book entitled Introduction to Psychology.
Sometimes conflict arises between a motive and a person’s internal standards rather than between two external goals. An individual’s desires may conflict with individual’s standards of helpful and cooperative; to succeed may require competing with – or even undermining colleagues and associates (Atkinson et al, 1983: 424). They also state that conflicts between motives and internal standards often can be more difficult to resolve than between external goals (Atkinson et al, 1983: 424).
According to Journal of Personality and Social Psychology by Lim and Corneval, communication among each other is the main source which causes conflicts. Words are sentences which said by a man that can influence another and cannot be solved, sometimes third-party mediator is needed to help. We can see it in the statement below.
Because poor communication is often the cause conflict, improving communication between sides can help resolve differences. Sometimes a third-party mediator, such as the marriage counselor, a courtroom judge, or the United Nations is needed to help negotiations (Lim and Corneval, 1990: 373). The statement above means that a communication is the important aspect in this life. The bad communication can make the situation becomes worse and causes a conflict.
Based on Psychology and Effective Behavior by Coleman, the concept of conflict is the assumption that the contradictory alternatives are approximately of equal attractiveness or unattractiveness and that some decision is required. Since as decision is often difficult to make. It is not surprising that the person in conflict often hesitates, vacillates, and goes through agony trying to make up his mind (Coleman, 1969: 178-179).
In the same book, Coleman says that conflicts are usually classified in terms of the reward or punishment value the alternatives have for the individual.
Thus the conflicts we all meet may be conveniently classified as approach- avoidant, double-approach, and double-avoidant conflicts.
a. Approach-Avoidant Conflicts In an approach-avoidant conflict there are strong tendencies both to approach and to avoid the same goal. It is sometimes referred to as “mixed accepted regardless of which course of action we select. Since many approach- avoidant conflicts involve multiple alternatives- the term multiple approach- avoidance is sometimes used here also (Coleman, 1969: 179).
b. Double-Approach Conflicts As the name implies, double-approach conflicts involve competition between two or more desirable alternatives. On a simple level, a decision may have to be made between two courses we would like to take. We cannot be in two places at once, we do not have the time and energy to do all the things we would like to do, and most of us have limited funds (Coleman, 1969: 179).
c. Double-Avoidant Conflicts In a double-avoidant conflict we are caught “between the devil and the minus” conflicts are severe, they can bring about serious adjustment problems because even resolution of the conflict will bring frustration rather than relief (Coleman, 1969: 180).
In the same book, Coleman says that most of the conflicts in our society are value conflicts. They are especially common and disturbing because to a greater extent than ever before individuals must choose what they are to become, both as individuals and as participants in our society. Each of us experiences many value conflicts, often accompanied by considerable pressure in one direction or another from family or friends, and such conflicts are often major sources of confusion, indecision, and stress. There are six value conflicts that will be
a. Self-Direction vs. Outer Direction The insecurities of our anxious age and the lack of a clear pattern for young people to follow make the development of self-direction and acceptance of personal responsibility especially difficult today. Often we are torn between contradictory demands and values advocated by parents, peers, and public officials; and of course, rapid social change including change in traditional values adds to the problem. Thus it is not easy task to construct a value system and chart a course of action that will meet our needs for both security and growth and for both self-esteem and social approval (Coleman, 1969: 180).
b. Commitment vs. Noninvolvement The conflict between commitment and noninvolvement is by no means the individual may choose noninvolvement rather than care or love. But noninvolvement also exacts a price in terms of lost satisfactions, feelings of estrangement and alienation, and a lack of meaning in one’s experience. Commitment also includes the espousal of positive values and causes and a feeling of responsibility for working toward maintaining and improving the quality of life in the society as a whole (Coleman, 1969: 181).
c. Avoiding vs. Facing Reality An approach-avoiding conflict familiar to all of us is the conflict between wanting to know the truth and wanting to be comfortable, especially about ourselves. Yet a central requisite of personal maturity is the ability to be objective is unpleasant. Facing reality not only may be uncomfortable but may confront us with the necessity for taking positive action that we fear will be hazardous and disagreeable (Coleman, 1969: 181-182).
d. Integrity vs. Self-Advantage We all experience times when it appears that our needs might be best served by actions that would conflict with our ethical values. Of course, individuals with very limited conscience development or with values consistent with such behavior will experience little conflict in such situations, nor will they have guilt feelings later if they choose expediency over principle. Throughout human history we have seen examples of men wrestling with their consciences as they tried to be true to their values and to stand up for what they believed in, even courage to follow one’s convictions under such conditions (Coleman, 1969: 182- 183).
e. Sexual Desires vs. Restraints Current investigators do not consider sexual conflicts the inevitable problems that Freud judged them to be. Yet they are common enough in our society to cause considerable stress, especially among young people. Freudian theory has placed great emphasis on the “Oedipal conflict” as a source of stress.
According to this theory, the situation is usually resolved as the little boy comes to identify with the father and the girl with her mother, and latent sexual desires give way to harmless tender affection. However, ambivalence or sexual feelings endure (Coleman, 1969: 183).
f. Other Conflicts Many of our most difficult conflicts are those in which our basic value assumptions are in conflict and we have to choose one at the sacrifice of another.
In many ways conflicts are the most severe type of stress we experience, for the type of the person we become depends on the way we handle them (Coleman, 1969: 183).
3. Theories on Homosexuality
Homosexuality is concerned with erotic relationship between members of the same-sex. Persons who commit on homosexuality are known as homosexuals. or primitive, large or small, ancient or modern. Even, they live in a group of a community.
Further, Coleman in his book Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life says that there tend to be clusters of homosexuals in certain residential areas of large cities. Several of the apartment building on particular streets may be owned by and rented exclusively by homosexuals. As a group, the homosexual community constitutes somewhat of a subculture with unique customs, values systems, and communication techniques in terms of language, dress, and gesture (Coleman, 1964: 392-395).
Coleman also says that most of the activities of the homosexual behavior is visible to the public. The visible portion is seen mainly in gay bars which function as social institutions where friend are met, news and gossip exchanged, invitations to parties issued, and warning about current police activities given (Coleman, 1972: 392-395).
In the same book, Coleman suggests that homosexuals are not free from problems. Homosexuals have to make adequate occupational, sexual, and general social adjustments in the face of society’s severe disapproval of their activities. Many live in continual fear of detection, loss of employment, and social disgrace even though they feel they have a right to their form of sexual adjustment. Others feel that their sexual desires are entirely wrong: they are in constant conflict within themselves. Especially where homosexual is alone and not affiliated with any organized group of homosexuals, he tends to be continually at war with himself and to feel insecure, apprehensive, and lonely (Coleman, 1972: 392-395).
Further, Coleman adds that homosexual relationships involve various types of sexual patterns. A male homosexual may always take a female sexual role or he may play a female role at one time and a male role at another. Similarly, a female homosexual may play a male role only or may alternate between male and female roles (Coleman, 1972: 392-395).
Meanwhile, the question of why human being may become homosexuals, heterosexuals or some combination of the two has already fascinated thoughtful people. Many researchers have focused primarily on the cause of homosexuality. the etiologic of homosexuality and they are generally either constitutional (biological) or psychosocial factors (Coleman, 1972: 395). The explanation of both constitutional and psychosocial factors will be drawn in the theories and applied in the analysis.
Although the majority people have a heterosexuality orientation, but some of them still have a homosexuality orientation. Hearing the word homosexuality, our minds directly go to love relationship between two men. The term of homosexual is used to explain or to show a man who is attracted to the same sex.
According to Pettijohn in his book Psychology: a Concise Introduction “a homosexual individual is a person whose sexual orientation and activities are directed toward other people of the same sex or engages in affection and sex term lesbian refers to a female homosexual whereas the term gay refers to a male homosexual (Pettijohn, 1992: 252).
Since men are born into the world, no one chooses or plans to live as a gay, a lesbian, or a bisexual. Not a single person wants to be judged as an abnormal or immoral person by living and getting married with the same sex. There are some factors that cause a man to become a gay or a lesbian. According to Coleman and Broen in their book titled Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life, there are two factors that make someone becomes a homosexual, those are constitutional factors and psychosocial factors.
a. Constitutional Factors he was a child that shows a man’s sexuality orientation. Biological factors are playing the important roles in the development of a human’s growth, such as genetic factors, hormonal balance, and hermaphrodites. i. Genetic Factors
During the early part of this century, most experts believe that a homosexual has a constitutional basis through direct genetic inheritance.
According to some psychologists’ researches, forty percent of people, unconsciously, become a homosexual because of the inheritance (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488-491). ii. Hormonal Balance
Early research leads many investigators to conclude that homosexuality where hormonal imbalances occur, they may have no casual significance: non homosexuals often show similar imbalances individuals may shift from a homosexual to a heterosexual pattern or vice versa without a change in hormone balance (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488-491). iii. Hermaphroditism
In this rare condition, the individual possesses well-developed genital organs of both sexes; thus there is an anatomical basis for ambiguous sexuality.
The most important factor in deciding to which sex a hermaphrodite should be assigned is considered to be the sex role established during the years of early development, particularly the first three years (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488-
b. Psychosocial Factors Besides the constitutional factors, psychosocial factors also influence someone becomes a homosexual. Psychosocial factors can be derived from men’s social interactions with another person, their love experiences or pressure from their families. Those are: i. Early Homosexual Experience and Their Reinforcement
In this case, the development of homosexuality is frequently associated with homosexual experience before sexual behavior is well differentiated into a heterosexual pattern. The experience then is continued to a pleasurable sexual relationship with the same sex which strengthens an individual becomes a homosexual (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488-491). ii. Negative Conditioning of Heterosexual Behavior A variety of circumstances may lead to conditioning in which heterosexual behavior becomes an aversive stimulus. For example, when a boy or a girl is ridiculed rebuffed and humiliated in his or her effort to approach members of the opposite sex, he or she may turn toward homosexuality as a safer source of affection and sexual outlet (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488-491). iii. Being Reared as a Member of the Opposite Sex
Very occasionally a mother who has wanted a daughter will treat her son as a girl, keeping his hair long, dressing him in girls’ clothes, and inculcating typically feminine attitudes and interests. Similarly, a girl may sometimes be iv. Pathogenic Family Patterns
In this case, the awful situation of the family influences an individual to become a homosexual. For the example, typically the mother, who is frustrated by an unhappy marital relationship, established a relationship with the son who becomes seductive and romantic but stopped just short of physical contact. The son, over stimulated sexually, felt anxiety and guilt over his incestuous feelings and the mother aware of his feelings and fearful of exposing her own incestuous impulses discouraged overt signs of masculinity (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488- 491). v. Blocking of Sexual Expression
Since the only sexual role that is considered appropriate during early period, it is not surprising that sexual tensions, coupled with curiosity, often lead to experimentation with members of one’s own sex or to fantasies about such activities in connection with masturbation (Coleman and Broen, 1972: 488-491). vi. Association With Other Psychopathology
Homosexuals are subject to special stresses that may precipitate psychopathology; they are often forced to live under the threat of social sanctions, such as loss of employment if their sexual behavior is revealed, which makes personal adjustment difficult. However, there is usually no direct relationship between homosexuality and the particular behavior pattern. This strain is often reflected in brittle humor which varies from defensive mockery of the straight 491).
R. Murray Thomas, in his book title Conflict and Negotiation Process, divides three theories of the cause of a man becomes a homosexual, those are biological, socio-psychological, and interactionist.
a. Biological Biological theories assume that a person’s homosexual traits are the result of some characteristics of the physical organism, such as a person’s ratio of male hormone (androgen) to female hormone (estrogen). In other words, the balance or imbalance of hormones has been caused by gene patterns inherited from parents (R. Murray Thomas, 1990: 373-374). b. Socio-psychological Socio-psychological theories refer to the quality of an individual’s relationship with other people during childhood and adolescence that determines whether the person becomes a homosexual or a heterosexual, or even an asexual is not interested at all in physical lovemaking (R. Murray Thomas, 1990: 373-374).
c. Interectionist Interectionist ones draw upon both biological and socio-psychological factors in the belief that some combination of body chemistry and environmental factors account for the development of homosexual behavior (R. Murray Thomas, 1990: 373-374). pro and contra. For some people who agree to homosexuality, says that homosexuals are not bad people, and consider that it is not violence. For those people, it is their rights to live as gays or lesbians. This opinion is also supported by Davison and Neale in their book entitled Abnormal Psychology.
Homosexual is not considered as a mental disorder. The factors that predispose homosexuality are those societal attitudes toward homosexuality that have been internalized. In addition, features associated with heterosexuality, such as having children and socially sanctioned family live, may be viewed as desirable and incompatible with homosexual arouse pattern (Davison and Neale, 1994: 236).
Meanwhile, according to Crooks in his book title Our Sexuality says that the other side rejects the homosexuality and the society feel disgusting to accept homosexuals. For some people, homosexuals are still considered as abnormal persons who will bring many diseases, thus the society reject the existence gays or
In recent years, there has been sifted in attitudes toward homosexuality. The belief that homosexuality is immoral has been replaced to some opinions by a belief that individuals with same sex orientation are mentally ill. The notion that homosexuality is a sickness is still common (Crooks, 1983: 294-295).
Many men who have already had homosexual experiences since they were boys. Their homosexuals’ orientation develops as a response to pleasurable homosexual experiences during childhood and adolescence perhaps coupled with unpleasant heterosexual experiences. In seeing this reality, Frank N. Magill says his opinion.
Many boys have homosexual experiences as part of their normal sexual experimentation while growing up. Some boys will find these experiences more pleasurable or successful than their experiments with heterosexuals and will continue to seek homosexual interactions Based on Schofield’s book entitled The Sexual Behavior of Young People said that teenagers who have already experienced sexual intercourse with the same sex feel guilty and shame because of their behavior. They must hide their experiences from people around them, particularly from their families. They also cannot accept the changes of their sexual orientation yet because of their experiences.
Between sixteen and nineteen those with homosexual tendencies went through a period of shame and guilt combined with a strong determination to combat these inclinations. Only at a later age, usually in the early twenties, can the homosexual begin to accept himself and find his way to the homosexual coteries (Schofield, 1967:58).
C. Theoretical Framework
The reviews of related studies and theories in this chapter are related to the study of the thesis. They are chosen because they support the study of the thesis.
The review of the related studies by other researchers says that Giovanni’s Room as a gay novel is an outstanding novel.
The theories of conflict in psychology are needed to answer problem formulation number one in chapter one. These theories are important because the thesis will discuss David’s inner conflicts as a homosexual.
The theories of homosexuality are also important to answer the question number two in problem formulation. These theories can explain how David will While, theories of conflict in literature are significant to answer both problem formulations because by knowing the plot of the story, the writer and the readers can understand David’s thought and experiences which explain his inner conflicts. Psychological theories of conflict are as significant as other theories to answer problem formulations by knowing these theories, we can know what the inner conflicts that David experienced and therefore we can know how he solves those problems.
Thus the theories are relevant to answer the problem formulations in chapter one. They will give explanation about the characteristics and his homosexuality.
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY A. Object of the Study Giovanni’s Room is a gay novel written by James Baldwin. This novel is
published by Michael Joseph Ltd, London, in 1957. The novel analyzed in this thesis is the first edition. The novel is divided into two parts. Part one contains three chapters and 102 pages while part two contains five chapters and 140 pages. The novel has been performed in Drill Hall Arts Centre, London on 16 July 1996.
The first part of this novel tells about David’s life in Paris, in an apartment David’s past life in America where David, his father, and his aunt move from one town to another town after his mother died. Besides describing David’s homosexuality, Baldwin also tells about David’s first sexual experience when he was teen with his friend, Joey. In this part also told the way David meets Hella for the first time and the way he meets Giovanni.
The second part tells about the problems which are faced by David. This part focuses on the life of David and Giovanni after Hella went to Spain. This part also shows how David loves Giovanni and cares about him and protects him in front of Jacques, his friend, when Giovanni will be executed because of a homicide case. This part shows that Hella finally knows that David does not only love her but also loves Giovanni, a man who becomes his homosexual lover. In David decides to accept his homosexuality and move on his life. He also decides to live alone in Paris without anybody he loves around him.
B. Approach of the Study
This novel is analyzed using psychological approach. The thesis will discuss David’s inner conflicts as a homosexual and how he solves those problems by using psychological approach. Since the study more focuses on the psychological aspects, therefore, the psychological approach will be applied.
Rohrberger and Woods state in their book entitled Reading and Writing
about Literature , that psychological approach is an approach to literature which
which refers to a different body of knowledge that is psychology. It means that psychological approach in literature involves literary works to show the relation between the works with the psychology. It is applied when the attention is focused on psychological interpretation for enhancing the understanding and appreciation of literature. In applying this approach, psychological theories are generally used as the interpretive tools. Further, they say that psychology is a study of man’s life together with his mind and behavior (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 13-15).
This psychological approach helps the writer to analyze David’s inner conflicts. Thus, the writer can know how he solves his inner conflicts as a homosexual. Since this study analyzes David’s inner conflicts and how he solves his problems as a homosexual. It means that this study deals with his life together approach because the better understanding of human’s personality development can be achieved.
C. Method of the Study
In finishing the thesis, the writer used a library research to find the main data. The main data of the thesis was the novels. Giovanni’s Room written by James Baldwin. That novel gave a clear description about homosexuality in America and also the way of the character to solve his problems as a homosexual.
The data were collected to support the writer’s analysis.
The writer did not only use the main data but also used references as the homosexuality and literary theories that supported the analysis in the thesis. The references which gave the important contribution were Holman and Harmon’s A
Handbook to Literature , Husband’s General Psychology and other books which
were related to the study.The other references were gotten from the internet search. These references were the reviews of related studies by the other reviewers which were relevant to the study of the thesis. These reviews supported the discussion of the thesis.