DILEMMA AND DEPRESSION LIVING AS A WOMAN IN REBECCA MILLER’S MOVIE THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE (2009): Dilemma And Depression Living As A Woman In Rebecca Miller’s Movie The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee (2009): A Psychoanalytic Approach.

DILEMMA AND DEPRESSION LIVING AS A WOMAN IN REBECCA
MILLER’S MOVIE THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE (2009):
A PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH

RESEARCH PAPER
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for Getting the Bachelor Degree of Education
in English Education Department

Written by :
YULIAN ILHAM
A 320 080 101

SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2012

APPROVAL

DILEMMA AND DEPRESSION LIVING AS A WOMAN IN REBECCA
MILLER’S MOVIE THE PRIVATE LIVESOF PIPPA LEE (2009):

A PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH

Written by:
YULIAN ILHAM
A 320 080 101

Approved to be Examined by the Consultants

Consultant I

Consultant II

(Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, M. Ed)

(Titis Setyabudi, S. S., M. Hum)

ii

ACCEPTANCE


DILEMMA AND DEPRESION LIVING AS A WOMAN IN REBECCA
MILLER’S MOVIE THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE (2009):
A PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH

RESEARCH PAPER
Prepared and Arranged by:
YULIAN ILHAM
A 320 080 101

Accepted and Approved by the Board of Examiners
School of Teacher Training and Education
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
On...........
1.

Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, M. Ed.

(

)


(

)

(

)

NIK. 772
2.

Titis Setyabudi, S. S, M. Hum.
NIK. 948

3.

Drs. H. Abdillah Nugroho, M. Hum.
NIK. 589
Approved by


School of Teacher Training and Education
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
Dean

Drs. Sofyan Anif, M. Si.
NIK. 547

iii

TESTIMONY

The researcher states that in this research paper, there is no plagiarism
of the previous literary work which has been raised to obtain Bachelor Degree of
University, nor there are opinions or masterpieces which have been written or
published by others, except referred written in this research paper and mentioned
in the bibliography.
If it is proved that there are mistakes in the writer’s statement above
later in the future, the researcher will be wholly responsible.


Surakarta, April 2, 2012
The researcher

Yulian Ilham
A 320 080 101

iv

MOTTO

v

DEDICATION

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Aalamiin, as Allah SWT mercy. I gratefully
dedicate this research paper to :

 My beloved Parents, Bapak Muhammad Giyono,
and Ibu Kindarti.
 My beloved brother, Gilang Ramadhan.

 My beloved friends The Gembelz Community
 My beloved new family, dek Andre, dek Adji, dek
Darwin, and dek Oktorita.
 My all-best friends in Muhammadiyah University
of Surakarta.

vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Alhamdulillahi robbil ‘alamin, Praise be to Allah SWT, the
ALMIGHTY God, for blessing and guiding in completing this research paper as a
partial fulfillment of the requirement for the bachelor degree in English Education
Department. In this opportunity, the writer also wants to express his deep
gratitude to the following persons:
1. The first consultant, Mrs. Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, M. Ed, who has
given great help and guidance in finishing this research paper.
2. The second consultant, Mr. Titis Setyabudi, S. S., M. Hum, who has given
correction and criticism.

3. Drs. Sofyan Anif, M. Si, as the Dean of School of Teacher Training and
Education.
4. Titis Setyabudi, S. S., M. Hum, as the Head of English Education
Department, School of Teacher Training and Education.
5. The Academic of advisor of class C/2008, Drs. Sigit Haryanto, M. Hum,
and the entire lecturers in Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta.
6. His beloved and respectable parents bapak Muhammad Giyono, ibu
kindarti. Also his beloved brother Gilang Ramadhan, and all of his big
family for the prayer, love, affection, patient, support and advice so that
the writer can finish the research paper and study.

vii

7. All his best friends in the big family of “The Gembelz Community
English Education Department ’08”, Rendy Latif, Hood El Ghoriby,
Widhi Aje, Narco Luph Tika, Primitive Art, Ratih Nasalia Just-mine, Septi
Triana, Anna Ndutz, Tika Luph Narco, Laily Agustina, Rizka Ameliana
Fransiska Fransiska, Viema Thea, Anyax Simpson, Atik Pramitasih, Sakti
Wardhani, Dwi Susilowati, Miftahul Jannah, Dieniec Darmawan, and Elly
Fatmawati thanks for the kindness and friendship.

8. All his friends in the brotherhood of “Cakra Jadi Dua” who accompanied
him during the study in English Education Department, School of Teacher
Training and Education, Deny Cutez, Fernando Lathif Al Farizy, Andy
Kaka Leite, Saputra Aji, Aan’s Akrom, and mbah Irsyad Juragan Boxer.
9. All his new families who always give support and best motivation to him,
dek Harliyandri Iqbal Nugroho, dek Marcell Darwin, dek Adjie Handoko,
and dek Oktorita Pungkasiyanti.
10. All his best-friends in Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta,
Agustin Budiarti, dek Meita Ratna P. S., dek Arbideen Samaae, dek
Masolaeh Yalo, Iin Sofiyani, Tia Fifi Lestari, Sumarno Mathics, El Misky,
Tri Saparudin, Angga Deni P., Yusnita Rahmawati, Prasetya Manggarai,
Purnawati, Hani, Rodhil Mubarok, Nanstan Irin, Muhammad Nur, Ninok
Risky Amalia, Ratna Adi Tejaningrum, Astra Pamungkas, Arsida
Widayati, Yoan Neeta Rheezky, Vava Ovipi, Octa ViiEa IDa, Lilia
Asmoluty, Tika Cebonk, Lateeza Choconavia, Yun De’yun, Linda Pratiwi,
Ci Meey, Mey Land, Rina Wahyu Asmara, Fitri Nurwiyanti, Nyami

viii

Sunani, Hepi Swan, Ipung Anggoro, Mba’ Arifah Nurul Fauzi, Mba’

Roma, Rharha Yoelia, Ardiani Dian, Raya Gilang, Shenly Bhinti Mardani,
Arum SaaRi, Dea Intan Ngestihati, Fajar Novitasari, and many more,
never ending struggle for you guys.
11. All his friends in PPL Muhammadiyah Kartasura, Aziz Lukman
Hakim, Arofah Novitasari, Maya Saroh, Ninik Kurnia Indriastuti, Fajar
Rusdiati, Raditya Sofiyanto, Feni Dwi Pratiwi, Titis Rolaseri, Ika Wahyu
Wardhani, Retno Wulandari, etc., keep on fighting, get the spirit, and
don’t give up guys.
Finally, the researcher realizes that this research paper is still far from
being perfect, so all suggestions and criticisms for improving this research are
accepted widely and happily. Hopefully, this research paper will be useful for the
readers and prospective researchers.
Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Surakarta, April 2, 2012
The researcher

Yulian Ilham
A 320 080 101


ix

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE

......................................................................................

i

APPROVAL ......................................................................................

ii

ACCEPTANCE

..........................................................................

iii


TESTIMONY

..........................................................................

iv

......................................................................................

v

MOTTO

DEDICATION

..........................................................................

vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

..............................................................

vii

TABLE OF CONTENT

..............................................................

x

TABLE OF FIGURE

..............................................................

xiv

SUMMARY ......................................................................................

xx

CHAPTER I:

INTRODUCTION ......................................

1

A. Background of the Study ..........................

1

B. Literature Review ......................................

8

C. Problem Statement

..........................

9

D. Limitation of the Study

..........................

10

E. Objectives of the Study ..........................

10

F. The Benefit of the Study ..........................

10

G. Research Method ......................................

11

H. Paper Organization

..........................

12

UNDERLYING THEORY ..........................

14

A. Notion of Psychoanalysis ..........................

14

CHAPTER II:

x

B. System of Personality

.................................. 16

1. Id

.......................................................... 16

2. Ego

.......................................................... 18

3. Superego

.............................................. 20

C. Theory of Dilemma and Depression
1. Theory of Dilemma

.......... 21

.................................. 21

2. Theory of Depression .................................. 34
D. Structural Elements of the Movie ...................... 38
1. Narative Elements

.................................. 38

a. Character and Characterization
b. Casting
c. Plot

38

.................................. 39

.............................................. 39

2. Technical Elements
a. Mise-en-Scene

.................................. 41
.................................. 41

b. Cinematography .................................. 47
c. Sound

.............................................. 50

d. Editing

.............................................. 50

e. Point of View
f. Theme

.................................. 52

.............................................. 53

E. Theoretical Application .................................. 53
CHAPTER III:

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE MOVIE
A. Structural Elements of the Movie
1. Narrative Elements

xi

55

.......... 55

.................................. 55

a. Character and Characterization .......... 55
b. Casting

.............................................. 75

c. Plot

............................................. 78

d. Point of View
e. Theme

............................................. 84

f. Intent/ Message
g. Symbol

................................. 82

................................. 85

............................................. 85

2. Technical Elements

................................. 86

a. Mise-en-Scene

................................. 86

b. Cinematography ................................. 98
c. Editing

............................................. 101

d. Sound

............................................. 104

B. Discussion
CHAPTER IV:

............................................. 104

PSYCHOANALYTIC ANALYSIS

......... 108

A. Psychoanalytic Analysis ................................. 108
1. Id

......................................................... 108

2. Ego

......................................................... 114

3. Superego

............................................. 118

B. Dilemma and Depression Living as a Woman

121

B.1. Family-System Approaches ..................... 122
B.2. Depression as Psychic Symptom

......... 126

C. Discussion ......................................................... 129

xii

CHAPTER V:

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

......... 132

A. Conclusion

............................................. 132

B. Suggestion

............................................. 135

BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIXES

xiii

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1

: Seven Years Old Pippa Sarkissian ................................... 57

Figure 2

: Seven Years Old Pippa Sarkissian ................................... 57

Figure 3

: Seven Years Old Pippa Sarkissian ................................... 57

Figure 4

: Teenage Pippa Sarkissian

............................................... 57

Figure 5

: Teenage Pippa Sarkissian

............................................... 57

Figure 6

: Adult Pippa Sarkissians (Pippa Lee)

....................... 58

Figure 7

: Adult Pippa Sarkissians (Pippa Lee)

....................... 58

Figure 8

: Pippa Sarkissians when she tried to drink
Her mother’s medicine

Figure 9

............................................... 58

: Pippa Sarkissians when she tried to drink
Her mother’s medicine

Figure 10

............................................... 58

: Pippa Sarkissians when she tried to drink
Her mother’s medicine

Figure 11

............................................... 59

: Pippa Sarkissians when she tried to drink
Her mother’s medicine

............................................... 59

Figure 12

: Suky Sarkissian

........................................................... 60

Figure 13

: Suky Sarkissian

........................................................... 60

Figure 14

: Suky Sarkissian

........................................................... 61

Figure 15

: Suky Sarkissians shows her
unflagging energy

........................................................... 61

xiv

Figure 16

: Suky Sarkissians shows her
unflagging energy

Figure 17

........................................................... 61

: Suky Sarkissian’s picture when she
drunk the medicine ........................................................... 62

Figure 18

: Suky Sarkissian’s picture when she
drunk the medicine ........................................................... 62

Figure 19

: Suky Sarkissian’s picture when she
drunk the medicine ........................................................... 62

Figure 20

: Suky Sarkissian shorted out
like a run-down robot

Figure 21

............................................... 62

: Suky Sarkissian’s personality picture
after taking the medicine

Figure 22

: Suky Sarkissian’s personality picture
after taking the medicine

Figure 23

............................................... 62

............................................... 62

: Suky Sarkissian’s personality picture
after taking the medicine

............................................... 62

Figure 24

: Herb Lee

....................................................................... 63

Figure 25

: Herb Lee

....................................................................... 63

Figure 26

: Herb Lee

....................................................................... 63

Figure 27

: Chris Nadeau

........................................................... 64

Figure 28

: Chris Nadeau

........................................................... 64

Figure 29

: Chris Nadeau

........................................................... 65

Figure 30

: Chris Nadeau

........................................................... 65

xv

Figure 31

: Dot Nadeau ...................................................................... 67

Figure 32

: Sam Saphiro ...................................................................... 68

Figure 33

: Sandra Dulles

Figure 34

: Ben Lee

...................................................................... 69

Figure 35

: Grace Lee

...................................................................... 70

Figure 36

: Gigi Lee

...................................................................... 71

Figure 37

: Aunt Trish

...................................................................... 72

Figure 38

: Kat

Figure 39

: Shelly

Figure 40

: Des Sarkissian

.......................................................... 74

Figure 41

: Chester Sarkissian

.......................................................... 74

Figure 42

: Johnnie Nadeau

.......................................................... 75

Figure 43

: Pippa’s point of view when

.......................................................... 68

.................................................................................. 72
...................................................................... 73

she was having conversation
with her daughter Grace
Figure 44

.............................................. 83

: Pippa’s point of view when
she was in conversation with Dot

Figure 45

.................................. 83

: Pippa’s point of view when
she was telling about her own
decision to move with Ben .............................................. 83

Figure 46

: Pippa in thought

.......................................................... 84

Figure 47

: Pippa in dialog with Chris .............................................. 84

xvi

Figure 48

: Herb and Pippa’s New Condo
in Connecticut

Figure 49

........................................................... 87

: Dining Room of Herb and Pippa’s
New Condo ....................................................................... 87

Figure 50

: The hospital when Suky gave
birth to Pippa

........................................................... 87

Figure 51

: Restaurant in Connecticut

............................................... 87

Figure 52

: Dot’s House ....................................................................... 87

Figure 53

: Foodmart Connecticut

............................................... 88

Figure 54

: Aunt Trish’s Appartment

............................................... 88

Figure 55

: Herb’s Private Office

............................................... 88

Figure 56

: Beach of Manhattan ........................................................... 88

Figure 57

: Herb and Gigi’s beach house in Manhattan ....................... 88

Figure 58

: Baseball Field in Connecticut

Figure 59

: In the Church

Figure 60

: Worship in the Church With Priest ................................... 89

Figure 61

: Restaurant in Connecticut

............................................... 89

Figure 62

: Hospital Intensive Room

............................................... 89

Figure 63

: Sarkissian’s House ........................................................... 90

Figure 64

: CC TV Camera on Herb’s House

Figure 65

: Medical Equipment in the Hospital ................................... 91

Figure 66

: Pippa’s Formal Costume

............................................... 92

Figure 67

: Herb’s Formal Costume

............................................... 92

................................... 89

........................................................... 89

xvii

................................... 90

Figure 68

: Pippa’s Daily Costume

.............................................. 92

Figure 69

: Suky’s Daily Costume

.............................................. 92

Figure 70

: Chris’s Daily Shirt .......................................................... 92

Figure 71

: Herb’s Daily Costume

.............................................. 92

Figure 72

: Suky’s Daily Costume

.............................................. 92

Figure 73

: Pippa Lee’s Make-Up

.............................................. 93

Figure 74

: Herb Lee’s Make-Up

.............................................. 93

Figure 75

: Pippa Sarkissian’s Make-Up .............................................. 93

Figure 76

: Herb Lee’s Make-Up

Figure 77

: Suky Sarkissian’s Make-Up .............................................. 93

Figure 78

: Chris Nadeau’s Make-Up

Figure 79

: Hard Intensity

.......................................................... 95

Figure 80

: Soft Intensity

.......................................................... 95

Figure 81

: Frontal Lighting

.......................................................... 95

Figure 82

: Side Lighting

.......................................................... 95

Figure 83

: Back Lighting

.......................................................... 95

Figure 84

: Under Lighting

.......................................................... 95

Figure 85

: Top Lighting ...................................................................... 96

Figure 86

: Source from the Sun .......................................................... 96

Figure 87

: Source from the Lamp

Figure 88

: Natural Color from the Sun .............................................. 97

Figure 89

: Straight Angel

Figure 90

: High Angel ...................................................................... 99

.............................................. 93

.............................................. 93

.............................................. 96

.......................................................... 99

xviii

Figure 91

: Low Angel ...................................................................... 99

Figure 92

: Extreme Long Shot .......................................................... 100

Figure 93

: Long Shot

Figure 94

: Medium Long

.......................................................... 100

Figure 95

: Medium Shot

.......................................................... 100

Figure 96

: Medium Close Up

.......................................................... 100

Figure 97

: Close Up

Figure 98

: Extreme Close Up

Figure 99

: Duration of Shot (Shot in the Noon Day)

.................

101

Figure 100

: Duration of Shot (Shot in the Evening)

.................

101

Figure 101

: Axis of Action
.................

102

.................

102

Figure 103

: Establishing Shot (Shot 3a) .........................................

102

Figure 104

: Establishing Shot (Shot 3b) .........................................

102

Figure 105

: Establishing Shot (Shot 4a) .........................................

102

Figure 106

: Establishing Shot (Shot 4b) .........................................

102

Figure 107

: Reverse Shot (Shot 5)

.........................................

103

Figure 108

: Reverse Shot (Shot 6)

.........................................

103

Figure 109

: Eyeline Match (Shot 7)

.........................................

103

Figure 110

: Eyeline Match (Shot 8)

.........................................

103

Figure 111

: Reestablishing Shot (Shot 9)

.............................

103

...................................................................... 100

...................................................................... 100
.......................................................... 100

(Shot Over Herb’s Shoulder, Shot 1)
Figure 102

: Axis of Action
(Shot Over Pippa’s Shoulder, Shot 2)

xix

Figure 112

: Reestablishing Shot (Shot 10)

.............................

103

Figure 113

: Match on Action (Shot 11) .........................................

103

Figure 114

: Match on Action (Shot 12) .........................................

103

Figure 115

: Pippa open desk drawer
to find the medicine .....................................................

Figure 116

: Pippa takes the medicine into her hand

Figure 117

: Pippa drinking a few capsules

Figure 118

115

.................

115

of medicine at once .....................................................

115

: Pippa begins something strange happening
after drinking the medicine .........................................

115

Figure 119

: Pippa’s Ego decides to run away from home

.....

116

Figure 120

: Pippa’s Ego decides to run away from home

.....

116

Figure 121

: Pippa’s Ego decides to run away from home

.....

117

Figure 122

: Pippa’s Ego decides to run away from home

.....

117

xx

SUMMARY
YULIAN ILHAM. A 320 080 101. DILEMMA AND DEPRESSION LIVING
AS A WOMAN IN REBECCA MILLER’S MOVIE THE PRIVATE LIVES
OF PIPPA LEE (2009): A PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH. RESEARCH
PAPER. MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA. 2012.
The problem of the study is to reveal how major character reflects her dilemma
and depression living as a woman. The objective of the study is to analyze the
film based on the structural analysis and based on the psychoanalytic analysis.
The research is qualitative research. Type of data of the study is text and image
from two data sources: primary and secondary. The primary data source is The
Private Lives of Pippa Lee movie directed by Rebecca Miller released in 2009.
While the secondary data sources are other materials taken from books, journals,
and internet related to the study. Both data are collected through library research
and analyzed by descriptive analysis.
The study comes to the following conclusion. First, based on the structural
analysis of each elements, it shows that the character and characterization, casting,
plot, setting, point of view, theme, mise en scene, cinematography, sound, and
editing are related one another and form of unity. Second, based on the
psychoanalytic analysis, the writer concludes that the problems of the major
character cause the conflict of her mental condition. It happens when there is
contradiction between Id, Ego, and Superego and it brings her into dilemma and
depression living as a woman.
Keywords: Dilemma and Depression, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee,
Psychoanalytic Approach.

xxi