A STUDY OF MORRIE’S SELF-ACTUALIZATION AS SEEN IN MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
A STUDY OF MORRIE’S SELF-ACTUALIZATION
AS SEEN IN MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Lissa
Student number: 021214106
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
A STUDY OF MORRIE’S SELF-ACTUALIZATION
AS SEEN IN MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Lissa
Student number: 021214106
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
Life is like a book.
The title page is your name,
the preface your introduction to the
world.
The pages are a daily record of your
efforts, trials, pleasures,
discouragements, and achievements.
Day by day your thoughts and acts
are being inscribed in your book of life.
Hour by hour the record is being made
that must stand for all time.
Once the word ‘finish’ must be written,
let it then be said of your book
that it is a record
of noble purpose, generous service,
and
work well done.
Grenville Kleiser- -
And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love Him, who
have been called according to His purpose
(Romans 8:28, NIV)
I DEDICATE THIS THESIS TO: MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST & MY BELOVED FAMILY
ACKNOWLEDMENTS
This thesis would not be finished without the help of others. I believe each of them who has helped and supported me has been sent by God. Hence, my most tremendous gratitude is addressed to Jesus Christ, my source of love, joy, strength, and my all in all. I thank Him for every single thing I have and every single moment I experience. He always stands beside me and holds me tight every time I feel restless. He shows me what the real unconditional love is. I wish to walk the path of life in His embrace forever and ever.
I am so deeply indebted to my major sponsor, Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto
Y., M.Hum. that I wish to thank him for his willingness to guide me in finishing my
thesis by sharing his time to read, to check, to correct, and to criticize it. I also thank him for his wonderful patience, advice, and kindness as well. There are not enough words to tell how much I thank him. My sincerest gratitude goes to Sr. Maureen,
FCJ, for her kindness and willingness to check and correct my grammar. I really
appreciate her help.I would like also to address my gratitude to all of my lecturers who have taught and provided me with knowledge and skills to prepare me for the working world. My earnest appreciation also goes to Ms. Lanny Anggawati for her inspiring lessons in SPD’s class. She has shown me great qualitities of a ‘teacher’. Moreover, I would like to thank Mbak Danik and Mbak Tari for helping me to deal with the administrative stuffs.
My deepest gratitude goes to my beloved family. I am greatly indebted to my Yogyakarta. He is the best brother ever. To my only sister, my second brother, my
two little brothers, I thank them for always supporting, loving, and caring for me. I
am proud to be part of this big family. I love them all.I wish to thank my charming cousin, Mimi, for always telling me not to give up, for seeing me as a model, and for her persistence which inspires me a lot. I am so thankful to have Wex as my best friend. I thank her for showing me the real friend in deed and in need. I also thank Na for keep telling me to finish my thesis soon with her typical-straightforward style which may make some people feel offended, but for me her ‘harsh’ words are motivating. My next gratitude also goes to my friends in SunSix boarding house: Mbak SanQ, Citra, Te-Goy, Mbak Pic, Ade, Funny, and Nciz for every moment we have shared together and to my three beautiful sisters in my new boarding house, Ms. Happy, Ms. Neny, and Mondee. I also thank Ian for willing to read and post me some questions related to my thesis. My next appreciation goes to
my colleagues in CIC. I am really happy working with them.
I would like to thank my close friends with whom I have spent my days in campus: Ucil, Sasha, Echie, Ita, Vivi, and Mawar, especially to Wieda, my partner to share the progress of my thesis. She always encouraged me when I did no progress on my thesis. She deserves my sincere thanks. I also thank all of my PBI ‘02 pals. I am glad being part of this team.
I wish also to send my gratitude to my KTB’s friends: Mbak Othie as the leader, Connie Capunk, Corry-Morry, Tatatouile, and Amsal-Pancasila. I thank them for their motivating words, support, and prayers. I address my huge thanks also to my beloved sister, K’Darma, for her immense care, support, and prayers. Next, I
GKI Gejayan. I thank them for their boundless support and friendship we have
shared in the ministry. I am really grateful to be part of this wonderful ministry.My special gratitude goes to ‘Someone’ who has recently colored my days. I thank him for the small talks, discussions, laughter, and his greatly contagious spirit in serving Jesus. Those moments we shared together mean something to me. We might not be able to have them back, and therefore, I have written them in my heart as sweet memories in my symphony of life.
The last but not least, my appreciation goes to all people who have not been mentioned above but have supported me. I thank them for their care and prayers. I will not try to list each of them because I am afraid I will miss a name. Let God list their names because He is the only One who will not fail in doing so. May God be with them all, always.
Lissa
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs............................................ 14
C. Theoretical Framework............................................................ 22
B. Criticisms ................................................................................ 21
e. Self-Actualization ........................................................ 15 1) Definition of Self-Actualization .................................... 15 2) Characteristics of Self-Actualization ............................. 16
d. Esteem Needs .............................................................. 15
c. Belonging and Love Needs ........................................... 14
b. Safety Needs ................................................................ 14
a. Physiological Needs ..................................................... 14
3. Critical Approach ............................................................. 12
TITLE PAGE .............................................................................................. i PAGE OF APPROVAL ..............................................................................ii PAGE OF BOARD OF EXAMINERS.......................................................iii PAGE OF STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY .......................... iv PAGE OF LIFE MOTTO............................................................................ v PAGE OF DEDICATION.......................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................... vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................ x ABSTRACT ............................................................................................. xii
b. Ways of Characterization .............................................. 10
a. Definition ...................................................................... 10
2. Characterization................................................................. 10
b. Kinds of Character .......................................................... 9
a. Definition ........................................................................ 8
1. Character ............................................................................ 8
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study ........................................................... 1 B. Problem Formulation................................................................. 4 C. Objectives of the Study.............................................................. 5 D. Benefits of the Study ................................................................ 5 E. Definition of Terms ................................................................... 6 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. Review of Related Theories....................................................... 8
ABSTRAK ............................................................................................... xiii
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY A. Subject Matter ......................................................................... 23 B. Approach ................................................................................ 24 C. Procedures............................................................................... 25
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS A. The Characterization of Morrie Schwartz ................................. 27
1. Weak and Dying ................................................................ 28
2. Tough ................................................................................ 31
3. Straightforward .................................................................. 33
4. Wise .................................................................................. 35
5. Affectionate ....................................................................... 37
B. The Self-Actualization of Morrie Schwartz............................... 38
1. In Facing His Disease ........................................................ 39
2. In Talking to Mitch ............................................................ 50
3. In His Family ……. ...................................................... …..56
4. In the Society …….. ........................................................... 60
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS A. Conclusions ............................................................................ 68
1. Morrie’s Characterization 68
2. Morrie’s Self-Actualization ............................................. 69
B. Suggestions .......................................................................... 71
1. Suggestions for Future Researchers.................................. 71
2. Suggestion for Teaching Reading..................................... 71
REFERENCES ....................................................................................... 74
APPENDICESAppendix 1 Summary of Tuesdays with Morrie.............................(1) Appendix 2 The Biography of Mitch Albom .................................(6) Appendix 3 Lesson Plan for Teaching Reading .............................(9) Appendix 4 Questions to Teach Reading .....................................(10)
ABSTRACT
Lissa. 2007. A Study of Morrie’s Self-Actualization as Seen in Mitch Albom’s
Tuesdays with Morrie. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program,
Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This study discusses Mitch Albom’s novel entitled Tuesdays with Morrie. The novel tells about the life of Morrie Schwartz who is dying because of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis), a disease known also as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This study discusses the main character’s self-actualization.
There are two problems formulated in this study related to the topic disscussed: (1) How is Morrie characterized in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie? (2). How is Morrie’s self-actualization revealed in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie?
To answer the problems formulated, the psychological approach is applied since this study deals with a psychological issue on self-actualization. This is library research. There are two sources used, namely primary and secondary. The primary source is the novel itself, Tuesdays with Morrie. The secondary sources are books on psychology, literature, and internet sources.
Based on the analysis, Morrie is characterized as a weak and dying man who suffers from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a deadly disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Morrie is also portrayed as a tough, staightforward, wise, and affectionate man. From the analysis, Morrie is revealed as a self-actualizing person. He is able to self-actualize himself to the sort of person he really is. He posseses characteristics of self-actualizing people, which are an efficient perception of reality, a general acceptance of nature, others and oneself, spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness, a focus on problems outside themselves, a need for privacy and independence, autonomous functioning, a continued freshness of appreciation, mystical, or “peak” experiences, social interest, interpersonal relations, a democratic character structure, discrimination between means and ends, between good and evil, an unhostile sense of humor; creativeness, and resistance to enculturation. These characteristics are reflected in his ways of living by how he faces his disease, in his conversations and discussions with Mitch, in his family, and in the society.
This thesis provides some suggestions for future researchers who are interested in conducting another study of the novel. They may analyze Morrie’s positivism using the psychological approach. In addition, a study on Morrie’s culture that he creates compared to the popular culture in his society would also be interesting to discuss. This study, moreover, provides a suggestion to implement the novel to teach reading subject to the second semester students of English Education Study Program.
ABSTRAK
Lissa. 2007. A Study of Morrie’s Self-Actualization as Seen in Mitch Albom’s
Tuesdays with Morrie. Yogyakarta: Program studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris,
Jurusan pendidikan bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini membahas sebuah novel yang berjudul Tuesdays with Morrie karya Mitch Albom. Novel ini bercerita tentang kehidupan Morrie Schwatz yang sedang sekarat karena menderita penyakit ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis), sebuah penyakit yang juga dikenal dengan penyakit Lou Gehrig. Studi ini membahas aktualisasi-diri dari tokoh utama novel ini.
Ada dua pokok permasalahan dalam studi ini yang berhubungan dengan topik yang dibahas: (1) Bagaimana Morrie dikarakterisasikan dalam novel Tuesdays with Morrie karya Mitch Albom? (2) Bagaimana aktualisasi diri Morrie diungkapkan dalam novel Tuesdays with Morrie karya Mitch Albom?
Untuk menjawab pokok permasalahan tersebut, pendekatan psikologi digunakan karena studi ini berhubungan dengan topik psikologi tentang aktualisasi- diri. Studi ini adalah studi pustaka. Ada dua sumber yang digunakan, yaitu sumber utama dan sumber kedua. Sumber utama adalah novel Tuesdays with Morrie itu sendiri dan sumber kedua adalah buku-buku tentang psikologi dan literatur, serta sumber dari internet.
Berdasarkan hasil analisa, Morrie dikarakterisasikan sebagai laki-laki yang lemah dan sedang sekarat karena menderita penyakit ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis) , suatu penyakit yang mematikan dan juga dikenal dengan penyakit Lou
Gehrig. Morrie juda dideskripsikan sebagai laki-laki yang tegar,terus terang, bijaksana, dan penyayang. Dari hasil analisa, Morrie dinyatakan sebagai seorang yang mengaktualisasi dirinya. Dia dapat mengaktualisasi dirinya sebagai seorang yang menjadi dirinya sendiri. Dia memiliki ciri-ciri orang yang mengaktualisasi diri, diantaranya adalah persepsi yang efisien tentang realitas, penerimaan umum tentang alam, sesama, dan diri sendiri, spontanitas, kesederhanaan, dan sikap yang alami atau apa adanya, fokus akan masalah di luar dirinya sendiri, kebutuhan akan kebebasan pribadi dan kemandirian, kepuasan yang lahir dari diri sendiri, sikap selalu bersyukur, pengalaman mistik atau puncak, minat sosial, hubungan dengan sesama, demokratis tanpa memandang superioritas, pembedaan yang jelas antara sarana untuk mencapai tujuan dengan tujuan itu sendiri, antara hal yang baik dan tidak, selera humor yang tidak menyakiti orang lain, kreativitas, dan resistensi terhadap enkulturasi. Ciri-ciri tesebut tercermin dalam kehidupan Morrie dalam dia menghadapi penyakit yang dideritanya, dalam percakapannya dengan Mitch, dalam keluarganya, dan dalam masyarakat.
Skripsi ini memberikan beberapa saran untuk peneliti-peneliti lain yang tertarik membahas studi lain dalam novel ini. Mereka dapat menganalisa positivisme Morrie dengan menggunakan pendekatan psikologi. Di samping itu, studi komparasi antara budaya Morrie yang dibangunnya dengan budaya populer di masyarakatnya juga menarik untuk dibahas. Studi ini juga memberikan saran untuk
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This chapter is divided into five sections. The first one is background in which I mention the reasons for choosing the novel. The second section is problem
formulations which contain the questions to be answered in this study. The third section is objectives of the study which state the goals. The fourth is benefits of the study which elaborate some benefits obtained and expected from this study. The last is definition of terms which clarifies some terms related to this study in order to avoid misinterpretations.
A. Background of the Study
Human beings are said to be the highest and the most special beings in comparison to other creatures. Human beings have the ability to differentiate what is good or bad. Human beings have the highest intelligence, and therefore possess critical thinking. Human beings also have the ability to grow, not only physically as animals, but also psychologically.
By having these qualities, human beings always question. When a question comes up, the process of development begins. When an answer is found, another question comes. It is the nature of human beings to question continuously in order to find truths. Therefore, human beings are said to be the searchers of truth.
To make life better, or to reach a fully-developed life, many people always try to search for the essence of living. Some say that wealth, health, and fame are
2 perception is far from the truth. There are numerous numbers of wealthy, healthy, and successful people who seem to have an ideal life, yet they feel a great dissatisfaction with living.
A Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, who was very successful and famous, can be considered as a good example. He possessed what most people dream of, such as loving family, wealth, health, fame, and success. However, he suffered from severe depression. In a book entitled My Confession, he states that he is afraid of life and does not know what he wants in life. He has a good wife who loves him and whom he loves, good children and a large property. However, he notes how he is tempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from the rafters or shooting his head with a gun. He asks dramatically, “Why should I live? Why should I do anything?” (qtd. in James 159-161).
Leo Tolstoy is only one of millions of people who live in despair. Stoa (a famous philosopher) and Yukio Mishima (a famous Japanese writer) are also those who failed to bear the despairs of life, and then finally ended their life by committing suicide. Perhaps, we might have seen people around us who seem to possess an ideal life, yet they feel unhappy and desperate in living. Schultz states that:
We may live comfortably, have a secure job, a warm and loving family, be free of worry, and yet not know any great joy, any overwhelming enthusiasm, any intense feeling of dedication or commitment. Obviously, all is not well- our lives are not as complete as they could be, in spite of the surface experience (3). According to humanistic psychologists who work in the field of human
3 proposes a model of healthy personality, to which he calls self-actualization.
According to Maslow, self-actualization is “the tendency to become more and more what one uniquely is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming. Also, to self-actualize is to accept one’s own real nature for what it is” (qtd. in Kalish 34). A self-actualizing person is a person who realizes, grows, and develops to what and who he/she is capable of becoming. He or she presents himself or herself as a unique human being.
One of the literary works which portrays the issue of self-actualization is Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. The story tells about Morrie Schwartz, a professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts who always teaches his students to be fully human. One of his students is Mitch Albom who loves, adores, and admires him. Mitch takes all subjects in which Morrie is in charge of. Soon, Morrie and Mitch build a strong ‘friendship’. On his graduation day, Mitch promises to keep in touch with his beloved professor. However, he never keeps his promise not before he unintentionally catches his professor figure on “Nightline Show”, a very popular show with Ted Koppel as the host. At that very moment, Mitch becomes speechless knowing why his former professor is on the show.
Morrie suffers from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a fatal neuromuscular disease. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, taken from a famous baseball player who died from this disease. One of the fatal results is paralysis because of the progressive muscle debilitation.
Knowing that the professor is dying, Mitch visits him for the first time after sixteen years since his graduation day. From that day on, he routinely visits his
4 calls ‘The Meaning of Life’ with Mitch as the only student. Therefore, in each class, there is a lesson about life, such as regret, death, family, emotions, money, marriage, forgiveness, etc.
Having read the story, I found out that Morrie’s self-actualization is interesting to analyze. Although he is left by his mother since he was a child and then lives with an unaffectionate father, he grows to be very affectionate. He devotes himself as a loving teacher since he truly avoids jobs in which exploit others. According to Maslow, self actualizing persons possess strong and deep feelings of empathy and affection for all human beings, as well as a desire to help humanity. They are also committed to their work with a sense of high dedication (qtd. in Schultz 71).
Considering that the issue of self-actualization is worth discussing, I would like to analyze how Morrie reveals his self-actualization which is reflected in his ways of living. I would analyze not only his self actualization he reveals in each talk with Mitch on Tuesdays, but also his self-actualization from his past life. Hopefully this study will be beneficial for us as a reflection to grow as a self-actualizing person.
B. Problem Formulation There are two problem formulations which become the focus of this study.
They are formulated as follows:
1. How is Morrie characterized in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie?
2. How is Morrie’s self-actualization revealed in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie?
5 C. Objectives of the Study This study is intended to answer the problem formulations presented above.
Firstly, I would like to find out how Morrie is characterized in the novel. This would help me to answer the second problem formulation. Therefore, after knowing Morrie’s characteristics, I would like to reveal Morrie’s self-actualization.
D. Benefits of the Study
There are some benefits from this study. Firstly, I can gain more knowledge on literature and psychology by conducting this study. This study can broaden my knowledge on some theories of literature, and a give deeper understanding as well. Since this study applies psychological approach, I can understand more about psychology, especially about self-actualization. Morrie Schwartz, who becomes the focus of this study, is revealed as a self-actualizing person. Hence, I can learn a lot by seeing Morrie as a positive model.
Hopefully, this study will also be beneficial for future researchers who are interested in conducting a study on self-actualization for they may use this study as a reference. Finally, I hope that this study will be beneficial to the readers so that they can gain knowledge on how to be a self-actualizing person as modeled by Morrie.
E. Definition of Terms
There are some specific terms needing to be clarified in order to prevent confusion which might lead to misinterpretation.
6
1. Character
According to Stanton (17), there are two ways in which the term character is generally used. Firstly, character is “the individuals who appear in the story”.
Secondly, the term character also refers to “the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that makes up each of these individuals”. While Abram defines the term character as “the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional quality that is expressed in what he says -the dialogue- and by what he does –the action” (20). In other words, a character is a person who plays a role in a story. This person expresses interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles through what he says and what he does.
2. Characterization
According to Murphy (161), characterization is the way used by an author in an attempt to make his or her characters in a story understandable to and come alive for the readers. In this study, characterization refers to the way of how an author tries to develop his or her characters in a story so that they become alive for the readers.
3. Self-Actualization
Abraham Maslow states that self-actualization is “the tendency to become more and more what one uniquely is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming. Also, to self-actualize is to accept one’s own real nature for what it is”
7 becoming oneself, of developing one’s unique psychological characteristics and potentialities” (qtd. in Schultz 28). So, self-actualization refers to the process of making use of all one’s abilities, of fulfilling one’s qualities, and of becoming what one has the potential to become.
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter is divided into three sections, namely review of related theories,
criticism, and theoretical framework. The review of related theories consists of theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of critical approach, and theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These theories are used to help me analyze the topic of this study. In criticism, I state some critics’ views towards the author himself and his works. At last, in theoretical framework, I explain how the theories elaborated are used in this study.
A. Review of Related Theories
This section is divided into four parts. The first part is theory of character which discusses the definition and kinds of character. The second part is theory of characterization which explains about the definition and ways of characterization. The next part is theory of critical approach which elaborates some critical approaches used to analyze literary works. The final one is the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which discusses the five basic needs including the detailed elaboration of the theory of self-actualization.
1. Character
a. Definition
According to Stanton (17), there are two ways in which the term character is generally used. Firstly, character is “the individuals who appear in the story”.
9 defines the term character as “the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional quality that is expressed in what he says -the dialogue- and by what he does –the action”. In other words, a character is a person who plays a role in a story. This person expresses his or her interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles through what he says and what he does.
b. Kinds of Character
Foster (18) divides character into two kinds, flat and round. A flat character has only one outstanding trait or feature. He or she can be described in a single phrase or sentence and tends to remain the same in the story. In contrast, a round character is presented with more facets with greater depth and more details. He or she is complex in temperament and motivation. Therefore, a round character is difficult to describe as like a person in real life. Moreover, he or she has the ability to surprise the readers.
According to Perine (71), a character is divided into two kinds. The first one is static character who does not encounter changes from the beginning up to the end of a story. He or she tends to remain the same with almost no changes in the characteristics. The second character proposed by Perine is dynamic character. This character undergoes changes in his/her personalities and outlooks from the beginning up to the end of the story. It is also called a developing character since this character can develop for better or worse personalities. His/her experiences appear as the process of the character’s dynamical changing.
There are two kinds of characters proposed by Henkle (88). They are major and secondary characters. The former one is the most significant, important, and
10 or she holds the central point of the whole story. On the contrary, a secondary character is less complex than the major character. His or her way in responding to experiences is also more limited compared to the major character. Consequently, his or her performances are less significant.
Major and minor characters are the two kinds stated by Milligan (155). A major character appears more frequently in comparison to the other characters in the story. Thus, he or she becomes the focus and plays an important role in revealing the theme of the story. In short, the central experience lies in the major character.
Whereas, a minor character appears less frequently in the story. He or she plays a less important and significant role in the story.
2. Characterization
a. Definition
According to Murphy (161), characterization is the way used by an author in attempt to make his or her characters in a story understandable to and come alive for the readers. The theory of characterization is important in helping me understand how the main character, who becomes the focus of this study, is portrayed in the novel.
b. Ways of Characterization
Murphy (161-173) proposes nine possible ways in which an author attempts to portray the characters’ characteristics. They are presented as follows: 1) Personal description
An author can describe a character by his or her appearance. The author’s skillful choice of adjectives tells the readers about the character’s physical
11 know the characteristics of this character. The author describes what is visible in detail. 2) Characters as seen by others
An author can describe a character through other characters who appear in the story. The reader gets a reflected image from how others see and think about the character. 3) Speech
An author can also present a person’s characteristics through what the person says. Whenever he or she speaks, the readers can get some clues on what sort of person he or she is. 4) Past life
An author can describe a character from the author’s direct comments, the character’s thoughts and conversations, or from the medium of another character about the character’s past life. The information about what the character experienced in the past gives clues to the readers in understanding more on the character.
5) Conversation of others What others say in their conversations about a person give clues to the readers to know the person’s character. So, the author uses what people say about the character to describe the character. 6) Reactions
How a person reacts in different situations and events also gives clues to the readers in understanding the characteristics of the person.
7) Direct comments
12 8) Thoughts
An author enables the readers to know a person’s characteristics by what the person is thinking about. Here, the author knows what different people are thinking.
In short, the author describes the character by giving direct knowledge of what he or she is thinking.
9) Mannerism By letting the readers know about a person’s habits or manners, an author can reveal the person’s characteristics.
3. Critical Approach
To understand the nature, function, and positive value of literary works, a critical approach is needed. According to Rohberger and Woods Jr. (3-9), there are five critical approaches, namely the formalist approach, biographical approach, sociocultural-historical approach, mythopoeic approach, and psychological approach.
The details of each approach are discussed as follows:
a. The Formalist Approach This approach emphasizes the total integrity of the literary object. It concentrates almost on its aesthetic value by demonstrating the harmonious involvement of all the parts to the whole and by pointing out how meaning is derived from structure and how matters of technique determine structure. In short, this approach is merely concerned with the literary object and its aesthetic meanings.
b. The Biographical Approach This approach puts emphasis on the necessity to appreciate the ideas and personality of the author so as to understand the literary object. The knowledge of the
13 writings. The biographical material provides useful facts about the author which helps the readers to have a better understanding and appreciation towards the literary object.
c. The Sociocultural-Historical Approach This approach is concerned mainly with the social background in which a work of literary was created. The proponents of this approach say that the only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization that produced it. In short, before one can understand well a work of literature, he/she has to know the social, cultural, and historical aspects of the literary work because these aspects are inseparable from the literary object.
d. Mythopoeic Approach This approach emphasizes the universal recurrent patterns of human thought. It is believed that these patterns are found in ancient myths and folk rites which are so basic to human thought and have meaning for all humans.
e. Psychological Approach This approach believes that one’s imagination, capacity for creation, and complexity of thoughts and behaviors are expressed through symbolic words, thoughts and actions. These symbols are common to all humans in which can be interpreted in light of the individual’s experience. Thus, this approach applies the theory of psychology in understanding a literary object.
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
In the theory of motivation, Maslow in Schultz (62-64) proposes a hierarchy of needs which covers physiological needs, safety needs, belonging and love needs, esteem needs and self-actualization. The lowest needs should be satisfied before the higher ones. Hence, before achieving the highest needs, the four lower needs must be
14 at least partially satisfied. The brief explanation of the four lower needs and the detailed elaboration of self-actualization are presented as follows:
a. Physiological Needs Physiological needs involve the need for food, water, air, sleep, etc. the fulfillment of these needs are essential for survival.
b. Safety Needs Security, stability, protection, order, and freedom from fear and anxiety are the examples of the safety needs. We add to our savings account at the bank, buy insurance, and remain in safe, secure jobs so as not to lose the fringe benefits.
c. Belonging and Love Needs We satisfy our love needs by establishing an intimate, caring relationship with another person, or with people in general, and in these relationships it is just as important to give love as to receive it.
According to Maslow, belonging and love needs are difficult to be satisfied in this modern world in which people move a lot. We no longer stay permanently in one place. We change houses, neighborhood, cities, countries, or even spouses. We are not long enough in one place to develop a sense of belonging.
d. Esteem Needs There are two types of esteem needs, namely esteem derived from others and self-esteem. The former one is primary since very often we think well of ourselves if we are sure that others think well of us. Reputation, admiration, status, fame, prestige are examples of characteristics of how others think of us. On the other hand, self- esteem involves the desires for confidence, self-worth, adequacy, all those characteristics that if we lack them, we feel inferior, weak, and helpless in facing life.
15 Since this study deals with self-actualization, the detailed elaboration will be presented as follows: 1) Definition of Self-Actualization
Abraham Maslow states that self-actualization is “the tendency to become more and more what one uniquely is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming. Also, to self-actualize is to accept one’s own real nature for what it is” (qtd. in Kalish 34). It is “the fulfillment of all our qualities and capacities” (qtd. in Schultz 64).
According to Carl Rogers, “Self-actualization is the process of becoming oneself, of developing one’s unique psychological characteristics and potentialities” (qtd. in Schultz 28). So, self-actualization refers to the process of making use of all one’s abilities, of fulfilling one’s qualities and capacities, and of becoming what one has the potential to become. 2) Characteristics of Self-Actualization
Besides the definition and general points presented above, Maslow elaborates a number of specific characteristics of self-actualizing people (qtd. in Schultz 69-68).
They are as follows:
a) An efficient perception of reality Self-actualizing people have an objective perception of reality. They see the world as it is, not as they want or need it to be. They do not judge an object based on what others think, but based on their own judgment and perception without biases and prejudgments. This gives them a better ability to make logical reasons and correct conclusions.
16 Self-actualizing people possess a general acceptance of nature, others, and oneself. Even though they have weaknesses and imperfections, they are not shameful about them. They do not complain or worry about their shortcomings and strengths. They accept their nature as it is. Moreover, they feel relaxed and comfortable with their natures. Hence, they do not use either masks or social roles to hide themselves behind.
However, they do feel guilty and shameful, or even regretful about some aspects of their behaviors and shortcomings in which this could be improved and changed, such as laziness, prejudice, jealousy, thoughtlessness, or envy. This is mainly because these weaknesses are destructive which would lead to the inhibition of human growth.
c) Spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness Self-actualizing people do not pretend or hide their feelings or emotions. They express them in open and direct ways instead. Therefore, they behave simply, naturally, and spontaneously in accordance with their nature.
d) A focus on problems outside themselves Self-actualizing people are committed to their work. Their work is seen as a mission to which they totally devote their energy. According to Maslow if this sense of devotion and dedication is absent, it is impossible for someone to become self- actualizing.
Maslow gives an analogy that self-actualizing people and their jobs are described as a key and a lock. They fit and belong together. Most people work to earn money for living. However, for self-actualizing people, working is not merely a
17 It also brings them a great satisfaction. Moreover, they work very hard and consider their work as their play. Therefore, very often self-actualizing people continue doing their work although they do not really need the income from it.
e) A need for privacy and independence Self-actualizing people have a strong need for privacy and independence. It means that they do not depend on others to make up their own minds, reach their own decisions and exercise their own motivation and discipline.
f) Autonomous Functioning Since self-actualizing people are independent, they have the ability to function autonomously in social and physical environments. Their satisfactions do not depend on others, but on their own potentialities. Therefore, when they face problems or experience crises and misfortunes, they are able to remain calm. However, for less healthy people these things may be considered catastrophes.
g) A continued freshness of appreciation Self-actualizing people have the ability to continuously appreciate certain experiences with a fresh sense of pleasure, awe, and wonder even though they have experienced them repeatedly, such as everyday activities in which less healthy persons might not even notice. For self-actualizing people, a beautiful sunset may be seen as if it is their first experience although they see it almost every day. Hence, they are always thankful for what they have and experience and take little for granted.
h) Mystical, or “peak”, experiences Self-actualizing people continually experience mystical, or ‘peak’ experiences.
They are blissful and excited about being involved in any activities, working,
18 Self-actualizing people possess a great social interest in helping humanity.
They have strong and profound feelings of empathy, love and affection for all human beings. They consider themselves as members of a single family, the human race. As a result, they possess a feeling of brotherhood or sisterhood with the other members of the family. j) Interpersonal Relations
Self-actualizing people have strong relationships with others. They place love and deep friendship in relating to others. However, they do not like those who are hypercritical, pretentious or arrogant. They can be harsh and even cruel toward them. Certainly, this does not lessen their compassion and love for humanity in general because this occasional attitude happens only toward some individuals. k) A democratic character structure
Self-actualizing people tolerate and accept all people of different social class, educational level, political or religious background, race or color. They do not feel superior in their relations with others, even those who have a lower educational level and intelligence. They are ready to learn from anyone who can teach them something. l) Discrimination between means and ends, between good and evil
Self-actualizing people frequently consider a means, which is a way of achieving a goal, as an end in certain activities and experiences. For self-actualizing people, a means can become an end as they enjoy ‘doing’ those activities as much as or more than achieving the goal. Thus, the enjoyment and satisfaction of doing this make the means become the end.
In addition, self-actualizing persons have the ability to deal with ethical