TRAVIS' LOYALTY ON GABBY AS DEPICTED IN NICHOLAS SPARK'S THE CHOICE.

TRAVIS’ LOYALTY ON GABBY AS DEPICTED IN

NICHOLAS SPARKS’

THE CHOICE

THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University of

Sunan Ampel Surabaya

By:

Mahrus Saputra

Reg. Number: A03212049

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERISTY OF SUNAN AMPEL

SURABAYA

2016

TRAVIS’ LOYALTY ON GABBY AS DEPICTED IN

NICHOLAS SPARKS’

THE CHOICE

THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic university of Sunan Ampel

Surabaya

By: Mahrus Saputra Reg. Number: A03212049

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL

SURABAYA

2016

ABSTRACT

Saputra, Mahrus. 2016. Travis’ Loyalty on Gabby as Depicted in Nicholas

Sparks’ The Choice. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Letters and

Humanities. State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

Thesis Advisor: Abu Fanani, S.S., M.Pd.

This thesis tries to analyse one of Nicholas Sparks’ Novels entitled The Choice. This thesis focuses on Travis as one of main characters in The Choice novel that is Travis’ description and his loyalty, so he accomplishes his consummate love. This thesis uses New Criticism theory to analyse Travis’ character as supporting theory and A Triangular theory of Love to show his loyalty as main theory. This thesis is descriptive analytic. It uses library based study to collect books, journals and internet sources having related with this analysis. The result of this thesis finds Travis’ character as main character who is young and rich man. Besides that, his loyalty is shown in keeping and maintaining his love to Gabby and his children.

xiv

INTISARI

Saputra, Mahrus. 2016. Travis’ Loyalty on Gabby as Depicted in Nicholas

Sparks’ The Choice. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Letters and Humanities. State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

Thesis Advisor: Abu Fanani, S.S., M.Pd.

Skripsi ini mencoba untuk menganalisa salah satu novel dari Nicholas Sparks

yang berjudul The Choice. Skripsi ini berfokus pada Travis salah satu karakter

dalam novel The Choice yaitu penggambaran tokoh Travis dan bagaimana bentuk kesetiaan yang ditunjukkan Travis, sehingga dia melengkapi cinta sejatinya. Skripsi ini menggunakan teori New criticism untuk menganalisa tokoh Travis

sebagai teori pendukung dan A Triangular theory of Love oleh Robert Steinberg

untuk menunjukkan kesetiaannya sebagai teori utama. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kepustakaan yaitu mengumpulkan buku-buku, jurnal dan referensi internet yang memiliki hubungan dengan analisis ini. Hasil dari penilitian ini menunjukkan karakter Travis adalah tokoh utama yang muda dan kaya. Selain itu, bentuk kesetiannya Travis ditunjukan dalam menjaga dan mempertahankan cintanya kepada Gabby dan Anaknya.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Inside Cover Page ...i

Inside Tittle Page ... ii

Declaration Page ... iii

Dedication Page ...iv

Motto ... v

Advisor’s Approved Page ...vi

Examiner’s Approval Page ... vii

Acknowledgment ... viii

Table of Contents ... x

Abstract ... xiii

Intisari ...xiv

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of study ... 1

1.2. Statement of the Problem ... 6

1.3. Objective of the study ... 7

1.4. Scope and Limitation of The Study ... 7

1.5. Significance of the Study ... 7

1.6. Method of the study ... 8

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Theoretical Framework ... 12

2.1.1 New Criticism ... 12

2.1.1.1 Character ... 13

2.1.1.2 Characterization ... 16

2.1.2 Sternberg’s A Triangular Theory of Love ... 17

2.1.2.1 Three Components of Love ... 19

2.1.2.1.1 Intimacy ... 19

2.1.2.1.2 Passion ... 20

2.1.2.1.3 Decision (Commitment) ... 21

2.1.2.2 Kinds of Love ... 22

2.1.2.2.1 Non-Love ... 22

2.1.2.2.2 Liking ... 22

2.1.2.2.3 Infatuated Love ... 23

2.1.2.2.4 Empty Love ... 23

2.1.2.2.5 Romantic Love ... 24

2.1.2.2.6 Companionate Love ... 24

2.1.2.2.7 Fatuous Love ... 25

2.1.2.2.8 Consummate Love ... 25

2.2 Previous Studies ... 26

CHAPTER 3 ANALYSIS 3.1 Travis’ Characterization ... 28

3.2 Travis’ Loyalty as Narrated in The Novel of Nicholas Sparks’ The Choice .. 30

3.2.2 Liking ... 33

3.2.3 Infatuated Love ... 35

3.2.4 Empty Love ... 36

3.2.5 Romantic Love ... 37

3.2.6 Companionate Love ... 39

3.2.7 Fatuous Love ... 41

3.2.8 Consummate Love ... 41

CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION ... 56

WORKS CITED ... APPENDIXES ... 59

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of The Study

There are many perspectives to define literature. As Wellek and

Warren (94) said that “literature is said to be creative, an art what an author

has been produced”. It means literature is a product of author’s imagination that imitates the reality into the art of writing. Robert says that literature refers

to compositions that tell a set of stories, dramatizes situations, expresses

emotions, and analyze and advocate ideas (1). In addition, Pope emphasizes

that literature has become narrowed in meaning to its current dominant sense

or creative or imaginative writing of a specifically aesthetic kind (60). In brief,

it can be said that literature is a reflection of life which is written in the form

of creative of imaginative writing. The creative or imaginative writing in

literature is literary work.

In general perspective, literary work is defined as a work of art which

has a mind, imagination and emotion (Siswanto 67). It means that it is enable

to be exploited as a thing that can affect the aspect of intellectual and

emotional aspect of human. It can be finally stated that literary work can be

identified as a work of literature that imagination, thought and emotion are

expressed by author within literary work, and it functions as emotional and

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for ideas, a reflection of social reality, and the incarnation of some

transcendental truth: It is a material fact, whose function can be analyzed (2).

Hereby, according to the form of literary work, literary work can be

categorized into several kinds of work: Prose, Poetry and Drama (Wicaksono

16).

Novel is a part of prose. According to Abrams (190), the term novel is

now applied into a great variety of writings that have in common only the

attribute of being extended works of written fiction in prose. The term for the

novel in most European languages is Romance, which is derived from the

medieval term, the romance (191). Maitzen defines romance novel as “a

fictitious narrative in prose or verse, the interest of which turns upon

marvellous and uncommon incidents” (157). It means that romance novel can be defined as a fictive narration which describes a wonderful and uncommon

evidence that we rarely find in our life. The romance novel has a characteristic

that the conflict and the climax should be directly related to the core theme of

developing a romantic relationship, although the novel can also consists of sub plots that do not specifically relate to the main characters’ romantic love (Barbour 8). Therefore, a romance novel must have an emotionally satisfying

and optimistic ending (Ramsdell 5).

The romance novel also has an intrinsic element which strengthens the

narrative story in the romance novel. Theme is one of intrinsic elements in

novel (Wicaksono 98). Barbour (8) says that theme is ubiquitous and variously

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passion between two people. Theme is performed and described in the form of

text in literary work, in which it addresses any number of topics, such as love,

the family, the effects of social pressure on the individual, the conflict

between good and evil, the initiation into adulthood, and the like (Tyson 41).

One of literary work which has an interesting and important theme is

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. This novel is seen having an interesting story which may lead to an interesting theme. Although the story cannot be

detached from romance, but the theme seems to be important to discuss. It can

be said that the novel The Choice has the aspect of psychology in which the

novel tells about the love relationship of man and woman. The love

relationship concerns with one’s feeling to another includes being concerned to help, understand and respect the person loved (Honeycutt and Milliken

104). Feeling is concerned with psychology (Singh 1).

Nicholas Sparks’ novel The Choice seems to be a romance novel, this

story is correlated with psychology theory which describe about two people

find themselves developing a physical attraction for each other that did not

develop immediately, and indeed did not develop until they achieved a certain

level of love through Sternberg’s theory. As in the novel The Choice, depicts

someone who shows his loyalty to his wife when his wife gets a coma in

hospital.

Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. He

S a p u t r a| 4

been New York Times bestsellers, with over 97 million copies sold

worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 65 million copies in the

United States alone (http://nicholassparks.com). One of his famous works is

The Choice that was published on September 24, 2007 by Grand Central Publishing. Travis is one of characters in a novel entitled The Choice.

Travis Parker is a 32-year old bachelor. All three of his best friends are

married and have children. Whereas, he also has everything such as boat,

motorcycle, good friends, a great job “Veterinary”, a cool dog, and a beautiful

house in a small town in North Carolina with a gorgeous river view. He also

likes some extreme sport adventures. He holds the vague conviction that a

serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. Until Gabby

Holland moves in next door, his convictions has changed.

The Choice was a love story. Travis and Gabby story was

unpredictable story, because at the beginning of the story, Gabby became

Travis's neighbor, Gabby disliked Travis when the first time they met, because Gabby’s assumption that Travis was bad man. But, step by step, they spent

their time one weekend together with Travis’ friends in some places. Before

meeting Gabby, Travis did not believe that woman was interesting person, that

was the way, he did not want to make a family in his life, although his friends

got married, He is the only one who did not get married yet. Until he met

Gabby and everything had changed, that he fall in love with her when he saw

S a p u t r a| 5

Friends and Travis’s Sister. By the previous personal characteristics of Gabby, Travis is interested to approach her and get her to marry with him.

They have married on Cumberland Island and have two children, but

in the middle journey of their life Gabby got an accident, her brain got

collision. From that incident Gabby is nursed in hospital and the doctor told to

Travis that Gabby did not wake up for a while and make Travis so sad. Then

in this case Travis takes a decision which correlated his relationship to Gabby

to show his loyalty, he treats her until she is healthy.

The researcher is interested in raising loyalty as topic in this thesis

because even though he is rich, young and handsome, he is not in chine to go

to another woman when she has an accident and is in coma. He is still loyal to

her and treats her to her health. Accordingly, the researcher uses Sternberg’s

theory which has kinds of love that Travis has.

It is due to the reason that loyalty or being loyal is very important in

love relationships (Leonard 5). On the other hand, loyalty in the personal

realm, which comes out of love, devotion, dedication and commitment to the

well-being of another, is human’s behavior. Yet, people are not aware of all

the aspects of loyalty within a relationship, that their love cannot reach the

level of loyalty

(http://www.relationshipmatters.com/loyalty-in-relationship-most-important-of-all/. May 21, 2016). Thus, love needs a loyalty to show

how much we love our mate, but sometimes people deny and do not show

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In general, loyalty is a social emotion, both in its expression and

formation (Connor 120). It appears as a guide of life, but as a revelation of our

relation to a realm which we have been obliged to define as one of an eternal

and all-embracing unity of spiritual life (Royce165). Royce mentions that

“loyalty is the will to manifest, so far as is possible, the eternal, that is, the conscious and superhuman unity of life, in the form of the acts of an individual Self” (166).

Loyalty also exists in love. In love, loyalty is known as an

integrity-enabling capacity responsive to a limited range of stress factors bearing on the

trust relation between lover and beloved (Harris 12). Such a story of Romeo

and Juliet that they remain loyal to themselves and to each other and to events

of both within and out of their control which leads to their deaths. Thus, it

reminds us about the relation between loyalty and love. In fact, love is an

infinite container for all the wishes, fantasies, needs, and impulse (Austin 1).

Loyalty and love are tied one another.

1.2Problem of The Study

There are some problems from previous background above, the

problems in this research are describe in the following:

a. How is Travis characterization in The Choice by Nicholas Sparks?

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1.3 Objective of The Study

Reconsidering the statement of problems above, this research has

objective of finding out:

a. To understand Travis’ characterization in the novel The Choice by

Nicholas Sparks.

b. To know kind of loyalties as performed by Travis in the novel The

Choice by Nicholas Sparks

1.4Scope and Limitation of The Study

This research will focus on Travis character in Nicholas Sparks’ The Choice as the scope of the study. Therefore, the limitation of the study will the way Travis to be loyalty man to his wife and his children by observing

his background, loyal friend, veterinarian, intellectuality, and some aspects

that made Travis to be loyal man in his life, due to the influenced by his

wife.

1.5Significance of The Study

For the researcher, the significance of this research is to improve

knowledge in understanding and applying Psychology theory deeply from Robert Sternberg’s A triangular theory of love and to increase the capacity in interpreting the character of human, especially the main character in The

Choice novel by using Psychology theory. Theoretically, this research will teach us about consummate love in a relationship through the literary works.

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problem which makes us difficult to take a choice. While reading a literary

work whether it is poem, play, or novel human will understand what the story

tells about. It is also presented in the novel The Choice that presents a

consummate love in human life through the story.

Practically, by reading this novel the researcher wants to show to the

readers that this novel will become one of literary works that presents a strong

commitment in a family. Through this study, the researcher hopes that the

readers understand more about strong commitment after marrying in order to

be a loyal man to his wife and his children in a family as reflected on the main

character in the novel The Choice, and the researcher hopes that it will

motivate the readers to do right things in making a decision in a family,

although we are difficult to practice it in a real life. In addition, the researcher

hopes that the result of this study will give a contribution as a provision of

literary study to the students of State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel

Surabaya, especially those who are interested in discussing consummate love

as one of psychological studies.

1.6Method of The Study

1.6.1 Research Design

A research method is an important point in analyzing an object. A

research methodology is scientifically a way to get data for definite

purpose and definite significance. Sugiyono (2) argues that, there are

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understanding, as they are empirical procedure, data, purpose, and

significance. As this research made, it is necessary to apply for descriptive

analytic based on library research.

As this research made, it is necessary to apply for descriptive

method which stands under a leading discourse of qualitative research

method. The first important point of qualitative research is a research

which uses a description through utterances, and it does not necessary to

use a counting (Endraswara 85). By the concern of qualitative research, the

descriptive method is established. Basically, the descriptive method is

defined as a way of researching by considering data as a text (Raco 60).

Hence, the data of descriptive method are usually collected through a

questionnaire survey, interviews, and observations (Jane 74). Thus, by

relying on the argument of Jane, the researcher emphasizes the data of this

research by using an observation to the object analysed and other

supporting books as supporting sources.

1.6.2 Data

Because the research uses of descriptive analytic method based

library research, the data would be closely related to the library data source

including book, documentation, journal, etc. It is important to divide the

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a. Primary Data

The primary data in this research is taken from the novel of

Nicholas Sparks entitled The Choice.

b. Secondary Data

The secondary data in this research would be books,

journals, and other scripts which describe the focuses in this

research.

1.6.3 Technique of Data Collection

The research would like to give several steps in collecting the data

in the search. Firstly, reading and understand the plot in the novel of The

Choice. Secondly, the research collects the data based on the problem of study. This research would like to focus on the way a person become

loyalty man to his wife through the character of Travis in the novel.

1.6.4 Technique of Data Analysis

The research will collect and analyze the data by using literary

theory. There are some steps in analyzing data. Firstly, Selecting and

collecting data in form of narration and conversation from the novel

related to the problem. Secondly, the research analyzes the data collected

related to the statement of problems and the applied theories in this

research. The third, the research will draw conclusion related to the data

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1.7Definition of Related Key Terms

In this phase, the researcher would like to cede several clues which will

help readers to understand the topic and problem discussed in this thesis. The

clues are formulated in the form of key term in which it would be defined clearly

in order to be a useful point in reading the thesis. Therefore, those related key

terms would be in the following below.

a. Love: Our most basic emotional need is not to fall in love

but to be genuinely loved by another, to know a

love that grows out of reason and choice, not

instinct (Chapman 31).

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1Theoretical Framework

In this chapter, the researcher discusses supporting theory and main theory.

Instead, the researcher discusses related studies.

2.1.1 New Criticism

According to Das, in the 1940s, New Criticism comes as a reaction against

historical (117). New Criticism also calls itself as New Critics. The New Critics

emphasize the formal structure of literary works, in which the New Critics isolate the

work from the author’s personality and social influences (Robson 9). Besides, New

Criticism is a formal of interpreting literature that precisely focuses on the structure

and content of the text by ignoring any outside influences include historical, social

condition and author’s biography (Smith and Kraynak 19). Therefore, New Criticism

concerns with an analysis towards literary work in the term of internal aspect of

literary work.

In the term of the short capture of New Criticism’s history, Rylance (721)

states through Coyle’s book entitled Encyclopedia of Literature and Criticism, that

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criticism in the century. Its origins are to be found in the 1920s, and its developed

theory was articulated by 1950. Thereafter, it exerts a powerful influence on the

practice of criticism and student’s study of literature until the late 1960s, and has

remained a benchmark for subsequent developments. Recent Anglo-American

poststructuralist theories, for instance, have frequently proceeded through a rejection

of its proposals, or those of its British equivalent called as Practical Criticism.

Furthermore, in the theory of New Criticism, we can know that if a given author’s intention or a given reader’s interpretation actually represents the texts’ meaning is to carefully examine and closely reading all the evidences that are

provided by the language of the text itself which includes its images, symbols,

metaphors, rhyme, meter, point of view, setting, characterization and plot (Tyson

131).

2.1.1.1Character

To analyze this research, the theory of character and characterization will be

used to describe the main character in the novel. Muller refers that characters are the

people in narratives. We generally know their sex, body features, age, jobs,

education, status in society, and family background. In other words, we know their

outward form and behavior. Their physical appearance and social background are

S a p u t r a 14

development in fiction (72). It means that the character can include his physical

appearance, behavior and social background.

A character is presumably an imagined person who inhabits a story (Kennedy

73). Character in fiction is created based on what people in real life. In some aspects,

it can be observed that functional character even better that what is known in real

people. For another to view the inner life in a way is impossible in ordinary life. As Roberts’ statement clarifies that character in literature is the author’s creation, through the medium of words, of a personality who takes on actions, thoughts,

expressions, and attitudes unique and appropriate to that personality and consistent

with it (12).

Furthermore, according to Kennedy, a character can be defined as either static

or dynamic. A static character also becomes one of type of character categorization in

a literary work. It is defined as a character which does not undergo any basic

personality change, or a significant change in his attitude as narrated in the story

(206). A Dynamic Character is on the other hand, is one who is modified by actions

and experiences, have one objective of the work in which the character appears is to

reveal the consequences of those actions (46). Static or Dynamic Characters are

important elements in composing and uniting of the novel. The interrelationship

between static and dynamic characters will give a better understanding about a

S a p u t r a 15

In proportion to the fullness of their development, the characters in a story are

relatively flat or round. The Flat Character which is usually a minor one in a novel, is

constructed around a single idea or quality (Resseguie 123). It means that his

personality can often be expressed in a single sentence, and he remains a type; for

example, the punchy boxer, the dumb blonde, the hick farmer. The Round Character

is a greater achievement than a flat character (Sharma 67). A round character must be

he, an individual, and he must be fitting to his role. He must reflect his environment.

If he is educated, his speech and thought should show it. If he lives in a very tough

neighborhood, there should be something about him that would reveal this. The round

character, furthermore, changes. He becomes fuller. He may become wiser, braver,

more cowardly, more tolerant or intolerant (Jones 84).

According to Perrine, both types of character may be given the vitality that

good fiction demands. Round Characters live by their very roundness, by the many

points at which they touch life. Flat character, though they touch life at only one or

two points, may be made memorable in the hands of an expert author through some

individualizing detail of appearance, gesture, or speech (85-86).

Reading for character is more difficult than reading for plot, for character is

much complex, variable, and ambiguous. Anyone can repeat what a person has done

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From the description of character categorization, Travis as the main character

in the novel The Choice is a dynamic character because he is not the same sort person

at the end of the story as he was at the beginning. In proportion his character is round

character, because he is almost in the whole story and he also has some changes of his

character in the story of The Choice.

2.1.1.2Characterization

In Pooley’s statement about the methods of characterization, an author reveals

a character’s personality and traits by describing his physical appearance. A writer

describes a character’s physical appearance, his speech and actions, and the attitudes

of other characters toward him. In addition, an author may use another method of

characterizing character in a literary work. In characterization, a writer can tell about a character’s inner thoughts and feelings (516).

This statement is also in line with Perrine’s. Perrine states that to find out how

to characterize a character can be seen from how the author describes the character.

An author may present the characters of his story either directly or indirectly. In

direct characterization, the author tells the readers straight forwardly, by exposition or

analysis, what a character is like or has someone else in the story who tells the readers

the characterization, and the readers may infer what he is like from what he thinks as

says or does (84). For indirect characterization, Ramos emphasizes that indirect

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shown rather than told. By using indirect characterization, it will bring more depth to

a story and allows reader to use more imagination.

From the explanation above, Nicholas Sparks presents her indirectly, because Nicholas Sparks uses “he” to tells the story in his novel. Besides that, Nicholas Sparks also presents his directly, because in the story he tells to the readers with

straight forwardly in his novel The Choice.

2.1.2 Sternberg’s A Triangular Theory of Love

Generally, there is a relationship between literature and psychology. By

psychology of literature, we may mean the psychological study of creative process

and the study of the psychological types and laws present within works of literature

(Wellek 75). Intrinsically, psychoanalysis is a similar way in real life. When we ask

ourselves why a fictional character act the way he does, we are essentially also taking

something about our own motivations (Veilleux 34). Psychoanalysis also concerns

with human emotion, and it is about feeling. Leeming claims that psychology has

studied love from five different perspectives: as individual emotion especially in

romantic love, as individual behavior, as a relationship between two or more people,

developmentally over time, and socially influenced by various social and cultural

group norms (527). Concerning with human emotional of love, there is one

outstanding and appropriate theory that takes a concern on love. The theory is a

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A triangular theory of love explains the topic of love in an interpersonal

relationship. A psychologist of Robert J. Sternberg’s theory describes about the types

of loved based on three different scales: intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment

(119). It is important to recognize that a relationship based on a single element is less

likely to survive than one based on two or more.

Furthermore, based on the theory, love has different stages and types, and it

can be explained as different combinations of these three elements. For example, the

relative emphasis of each component change over time as an adult romantic

relationship develops. The below picture shows a concept of Sternberg’s theory: A

triangular theory of love (123).

According to the theory of Sternberg, love has three components: (a) intimacy,

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experiences in loving relationship; (b) passion, which encompasses the drives that

lead to romance, physical attraction, and sexual consummation; And (c)

decision/commitment, which encompasses, in the short term, the decision that one

loves another, and in the long term, the commitment to maintain that love (119). The

amount of love one experiences depends on the absolute strength of these three

components, and the kind of love one experiences depends on their strengths relative

to each other. The three components interact with each other and with the actions that

they produce and that produce them so as to form a number of different kinds of

loving experiences. Sternberg argues, that the triangular theory of love subsumes

certain other theories and can account for a number of empirical findings in the

research literature, as well as for a number of experiences with which many are

familiar first hand (133). It is proposed that the triangular theory provides a rather

comprehensive basis for understanding many aspect of love that underlies close

relationships.

2.1.2.1Three Components of Love

Sternberg in a journal A Triangular Theory of Love proposes some

components of love. The three components of love in the triangular theory are

intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment. Each component manifests a different

aspect of love (119).

S a p u t r a 20

Intimacy refers to feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness in

loving relationships. It thus includes within its purview those feelings that give rise,

essentially, to the experience of warmth in a loving relationship. Sternberg said that

Grajek has analyzed data from the loving and liking scales of Rubin and a

close-relationships scale of Levinger, Rands and Talaber, as a result of which they

identified 10 clusters in intimacy: (a) desire to promote the welfare of the loved one;

(b) experienced happiness with the loved one; (c) high regard for the loved one; (d)

being able to count on the loved one in times of need; (e) mutual understanding with the loved one; (f) sharing of one’s possessions with the loved one; (g) receipt of emotional support from the loved one; (h) giving of emotional support to the loved

one; (i) intimate communication with the loved one; and (j) valuing of the loved one in one’s life (120-121).

2.1.2.1.2 Passion

Sternberg says that, Passion refers to the drives that lead to romance, physical

attraction, sexual consummation, and related phenomena in loving relationships

(119). In a loving relationship, sexual needs may well predominate in this experience.

However, other needs, such as those for self-esteem, succorance, nurturance,

affiliation, dominance, submission, and self-actualization, may also contribute to the

experiencing of passion (122).

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2.1.2.1.3 Decision (Commitment)

Decision/Commitment refers, in the short-term, to the decision that one loves

a certain other, and in the long-term, to one’s commitment to maintain that love.

These two aspects of the decision/commitment component do not necessarily go

together, in that one can decide to love someone without being committed to the love

in the long-term, or one can be committed to a relationship without acknowledging

that one loves the other person in the relationship (123).

The three components of love interact with each other: for example, greater

intimacy may lead to greater passion or commitment, just as greater commitment may

lead to greater intimacy, or with lesser likelihood, greater passion. In general, then,

the components are separable, but interactive with each other. Although all three

components are important parts of loving relationships, their importance may differ

from one relationship to another, or over time within a given relationship. Indeed,

different kinds of love can be generated by limiting cases of different combinations of

the components (123).

Kinds of Love Intimacy Passion Decision/Commitment

Nonlove - - -

Liking + - -

Infatuated Love - + -

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Romantic Love + + -

Companionate Love + - +

Fatuous Love - + +

Consummate Love + + +

2.1.2.2Kinds of Love

As furtherance to Sternberg’s journal of triangular of love, the kinds of love are then identified. Therefore, the components of love and the interrelationships can

better be understood by considering the kinds of love which they may give rise in

different combination. This various kinds of love are clearly clarified in the following

descriptive elements (123-124).

2.1.2.2.1 Non-Love

In this part, Non-love refers simply to the absence of all three components of

love. Non-love characterizes the large majority of our personal relationships, which

are simply casual interactions that do not partake of love at all (123).

2.1.2.2.2 Liking

Liking results when one experiences only the intimacy component of love in

the absence of passion and decision/commitment. The term liking is used here in a

nontrivial sense, not merely to describe the feelings one has toward casual

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experiences in relationships that can truly be characterized as friendships. One feels

closeness, bondedness, and warmth toward the other, without feelings of intense

passion or long-term commitment (123).

2.1.2.2.3 Infatuated Love

Infatuated love is “love at first sight.” Infatuated love, or simply, infatuation, results from the experiencing of passionate arousal in the absence of the intimacy and

decision/commitment components of love. Infatuations are usually rather easy to

spot, although they tend to be somewhat easier for others to spot than for the

individual who is experiencing the infatuation. Infatuations can arise almost

instantaneously and dissipate as quickly under the right circumstances. They tend to

be characterized by a high degree of psycho physiological arousal, manifested in

somatic symptoms such as increased heartbeat or even palpitations of the heart,

increased hormonal secretions, erection of genitals (penis or clitoris), and so on (124).

2.1.2.2.4 Empty Love

This kind of love emanates from the decision that one love another and has

commitment to the love in the absence of both the intimacy and passion components

of love. It is the kind of love one sometimes finds in stagnant relationships that have

been going on for years but that have lost both the mutual emotional involvement and

physical attraction that once characterized them. Unless the commitment to the love is

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susceptible to conscious modification. Although in our society we are most

accustomed to empty love as it occurs as a final or near-final stage of a long-term

relationship, in other societies, empty love may be the first stage of a long-term

relationship. For example, in societies where marriages are arranged, the marital

partners may start with the commitment to love each other, or to try to love each

other, and not much more. Such relationships point out how empty love need not be

the terminal state of a long-term relationship. Indeed, it can be the beginning rather

than the end (124).

2.1.2.2.5 Romantic Love

This kind of love derives from a combination of the intimacy and passion

components of love. In essence, it is liking with an added element, namely, the

arousal brought about by physical attraction and its concomitants. According to this

view, then, romantic love are not only drawn physically to each other but are also

bonded emotionally (124).

2.1.2.2.6 Companionate Love

This kind of love evolves from a combination of the intimacy and decision

(commitment) components of love. It is essentially a long-term, committed

friendship, the kind that frequently occurs in marriages in which the physical

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2.1.2.2.7 Fatuous Love

Fatuous love results from the combination of the passion and decision

(commitment) components in the absence of intimacy component. It is the kind of

love we sometimes associate with Hollywood, or with whirlwind courtships, in which

a couple meets on Day X, gets engaged two weeks later, and marries the next month.

It is fatuous in the sense that a commitment is made on the basis of passion without

the stabilizing element of intimate involvement. Although the passion component can

develop almost instantaneously, the intimacy component cannot, and hence

relationships based on fatuous love are at risk for termination and, in the case of

shot-gun marriages, for divorce (124).

2.1.2.2.8 Consummate Love

Consummate, or complete, love results from the full combination of the three

components. It is a kind of love toward which many of us strive, especially in

romantic relationship. Attaining consummate love can be analogous in at least one respect to meeting one’s target in a weight-reduction program: Reaching the goal is often easier than maintaining it. The attainment of consummate love is no guarantee

that it will last. Indeed, its loss is sometimes analogous to the gain of weight after a

weight-reduction program: One is often not aware of the loss of the goal until it is far

gone (124). In this case Sternberg stresses the importance of translating the

components of love into action. “Without expression,” he warns, “even the greatest of love of loves can die” (132). Consummate love may not be permanent. For example, if passion is lost over time, it may change into companionate love.

S a p u t r a 26

The balance among Sternberg’s three aspect of love is likely to shift through the course of a relationship. A strong dose of all three components-found in

consummate love-typifies, for many of us, an ideal relationship. However time alone

does not cause intimacy, passion, and commitment to occur and grow. Knowing

about these components of love may help couples avoid pitfalls in their relationship,

work on the areas that need improvement or help them recognize when it might be

time for a relationship to come to an end.

2.2Previous Studies

This study is based on the previous analysis which has been done earlier. In

the related studies, this study provides some previous studies that discuss similar

topic.

The first is The True Love of Travis And Gabby In Nicholas Sparks’ Novel

“The Choice”. This thesis is written by Epa Reslianti Harahap, a student of Diploma III on English Study Program Faculty of Culture Studies University of North

Sumatera Medan. The study has a focus on the two main characters in the novel “The

Choice” and also the intrinsic of elements. She uses Theory of New Criticism, and

she could make all people see, that the true love would exist, despite of the hard

times would not make a true love lost. In writing this paper, the writer used the

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For the second is The Relationship between Commitment Component of Love

and Readiness for Marriage in Young Adulthood. This thesis is written by Azaria Zakiah, a student of University of Indonesia Faculty of Psychology with her thesis

title This thesis examines the relationship between commitment component of Sternberg’s triangular theory of love and readiness for marriage in young adulthood.

Based on two related studies, there are some similarities and differences

indirectly shown in both related studies. In the first related study, both this study and the first related study has the same object of analysis: the novel “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks. In addition, in the term of theoretical bases, the related study and

this study apply for the same theory that is New Criticism that focuses on two

characters as analysed in the related study, and one character as analyzed in this

study. Although both studies have the similarities, those also have difference. The

difference of both related study and this study is available in the main theory. The

first related study uses New Criticism as the main theory, and this study uses

Psychology of Sternberg specifically in a triangular theory of love as the main theory.

The second related study also has its own similarity and difference with this

study. The similarity is available on the theory used that is a triangular theory of love

by Sternberg. Thus, the difference is seen from the discussion within both studies. It

means that, the second related study discusses readiness for marriage in young

adulthood, and this study attempts to discuss and analyse Travis’ loyalty on his wife

CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS

In order to do the analysis, the researcher will divide the chapter into two

sections. The first section consists of the analysis of the characterization of Travis

with New Criticism as the basic description about the character of Travis. The

second section is about components of love with a triangular theory of love by

Robert J. Sternberg.

3.1 Travis Characterization

Travis is described explicitly in terms of his physical. The author uses the

character Gabby to describe physical characteristics of Travis. In the excerpt,

Travis is a perfect physical man. It is evidenced by the whiteness of his teeth

which are arranged neatly, looking in the shape of his body, keeping the health,

treat and behave in accordance with the religion adhered.

She barely heard him as, despite herself, she noted again how good‐

looking he was. It annoyed her that she couldn’t get past that every time she saw him. It was as if his appearance constantly set off alarm bells in

her, and for the life of her, she didn’t know why. He was tall and lean, but

she’d seen lots of guys like that. He smiled a lot, but that wasn’t unusual.

His teeth were almost too white‐he was a definite bleacher, she decided‐

but even if she knew the color wasn’t natural, it still had an effect. He was fit, too, but guys like that could be found in every gym in

America‐guys who worked out religiously, guys who never ate anything

but chicken breasts and oatmeal, guys who ran ten miles a day‐and none of

S a p u t r a 29

Travis is known as a man who has a perfect man and he has a good

looking. At one time, the physical condition of the muscular of Travis appears

clearly when he meets Gabby.

The physical characteristics and appearance of a guy named Travis are

continuously expressed and portrayed directly and indirectly. In this case, he is

depicted as a muscular man who befits a man with a perfect posture. His physical

appearance is inviting a smile of Gabby on him: Travis.

“It’s my favorite time of year.” He opened his arms wide to take in the sky and trees. “Not too hot, not too cold, and blue skies that stretch forever.” She smiled, refusing to eye his admittedly sexy hip muscles, which, she always thought, were far and away the sexiest muscles on men. (50)

In addition to having the physical appearance, Travis is also known as a

man who has perfection in his economy. This is proven by the presence of the

boat he buys from the rest of his money when he is in his college. He buys a boat

that can be arguably quite expensive. It makes him a guy who has a pretty well

established economy.

“You’ll love it. And Travis knows what he’s doing. That’s how he earned extra spending money while he was in college. Or, at least, that’s what he claims. Actually, I’m fairly certain that everything he earned was used to buy the boat; they’re manufactured by CWS exclusively for parasailing, and they’re very expensive. And even though Joe, Matt, and Laird are his friends, they still insisted on getting paid when they took the tourists out during their student days. I’m pretty sure Travis never earned a nickel of profit.” (55)

Furthermore, the figure of Travis who is depicted as a man with a good

looking, luxurious, and has an elegant posture, making Gabby is comfortable with

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jolly, so other people including Gabby feels as if she is involved in the excitement

of him.

She was drawn to Travis; she couldn’t deny that. It wasn’t just that he was handsome and that he made her feel desirable. It had something to do with his natural exuberance and the way he’d made her feel a part of it; it was the fact that he had lived a life that seemed so different from hers, yet they still spoke the same language, a familiarity that belied the short period they had known each other. She’d never met someone like him before. (98)

From the quotation above, shows that Travis almost has everything in his

life. But in the beginning story, he has bad habitual activity when he enjoys in his

house that is too loud playing the music.

“It was less thrilling than you probably think. The music was so loud that

my ears are still ringing. I don’t know why I went with those guys in the

first place. I should have known I was in trouble when they started doing shots right after dinner, but someone had to keep an eye on them.” (Spark 85)

From the explanation above, shows that Travis does not care around him

especially to his neighbhor. It is also seen that the character of Travis is dynamic

because he modified his actions and experiences through the problem he faces in

the end of story.

3.2 Travis’s Loyalty as Narrated in the Novel of Nicholas Sparks The Choice

3.2.1 Non-love

Travis’ loyalty will be described on his steps in perfecting consummate

love in the novel through Sternberg’s triangular Theory of love. It begins with

intimacy, passion and commitment. In addition, the reasercher explains about

three components of triangular of love. Besides, the researcher also explains about Travis’ steps to get the kinds of love which are divided into eight kinds, in order

S a p u t r a 31

to make the readers easily understand about Travis’ stages to get his loyalty on

Gabby.

Travis was young vet in Beufort. He is also a rich man, but he did not have

a girlfriend. It is different with his friends who already have children. Then,

Travis has a new neighbor. Her name is Gabby. At the first time they met, Travis

has no interesting feeling to her as following:

She broke off when he slapped at his arm. “Me, too,” he said before she

could get started again. “I’ve been meaning to drop by to officially welcome you to neighborhood. Did you get my basket ?” (Sparks 18). From the conversations above, it is shown that between Travis and Gabby

have no a sense of love. According to Sternberg, They are just interacting from

one to each other as like most people usually do it (123). No more interest or

desire. The statement above is also strengthened by an argument as following:

“She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my neighbor.”

“Even better.” Stephanie took a seat. “How long have you been dating?” “We’re not. Actually, that’s the first time I’ve ever met her.” (Sparks 13) From the explanation above, Travis' older sister. Named Stephanie guesses

that Travis has already known about Gabby and Stephanie also presumes Travis

and his neighbor ever spend a time together. But Travis tries to explain to

Stephanie that it was the first time he met with and he felt that she just be a

neighbor of Travis only.

Instead Stephanie tries to be intrusive to him, and she says to him that

Gabby is a good woman whom she has ever met. However, Travis does not think

so about what his older sister says. In fact, Travis does not hear her, and it is

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“I am nice.” Stephanie leaned back, evaluating her brother. “She was kind of cute, don’t you think?”

“I didn’t notice.” (Spark 23)

The explanation above substantiates that Travis is not interested at all to

Gabby and he considers that she is just be his new neighbor, not more than that.

Sternberg said nonlove refers simply to the absence of all three components of

love (123). But, in addition, Travis finds himself secretly observing Gabby from

the window of his house. Travis sees her expression when Gabby plays around

with her dog "Molly", and this situation can be understood through the following

quotation.

Travis Parker stood by the window, watching as Gabby led Molly back to the car. He was smiling to himself, amused by her expressions. Though he barely knew her, he’d seen enough to conclude that she was one of those people whose expressions were a window to their every feeling. It was a rare quality these days. He often felt that too many people lived their lives acting and pretending, wearing masks and losing themselves in the

process. Gabby, he felt certain, would never be that way. (Spark 34)

In the first sentence shows that without being aware, Travis pays attention

to Gabby from the window. From the way he looks at her, Travis would like to

make a close friendship with Gabby. Travis also feels that he has never done it

before with any women. Another quotation which describes Travis realizes and

suddenly things about Gabby will be clearly explained as in the following:

As he got in the car, he found himself thinking about Gabby and

wondering whether she’d ever gone surfing or snowboarding. It seemed unlikely, but at the same time, he had the strange feeling that, unlike most of his exes, she would be up for either of those two things, given the opportunity. He wasn’t sure why, and as he started the engine he tried to dismiss the notion, doing his best to convince himself it didn’t matter. Except for the fact that, somehow, it did. (Spark 36)

S a p u t r a 33

From the explanation, it is described that Travis is thinking about Gabby

when he is driving his car. But, he is still not sure that he has been thinking about

his neighbor. Travis begins to be closed when Gabby comes to his house with a

nervously, because her dog gets sick, and Gabby tries to come to his house in

order to beg his help for checking her dog quickly.

Travis quickly helps her dog with messy circumstances, and then Travis

checks Molly. After checking Molly, Travis tells about her dog’s condition.

Travis explains to her that her dog is pregnant, not sick. Travis gives an advice to

Gabby for bringing Molly to the vet tomorrow. After the event of their first

meeting, they are starting to get some coffee together like a pair. Travis and Gabby’s first meeting bring them to the next stage according to Sternberg’s theory of love, and the next stage is about the Liking, in which they begin to like one

another.

3.2.2 Liking

In the first time Travis has a neighbor named Gabby, he still feels a doubt

to have a close relation with Gabby. But, Travis’ interest appears when he begins

to pay attention to Gabby in her care of her dog. Finally, they remain to have been

a friend.

Then again, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. Being friendly with a neighbor was one thing, making friends with a flirty guy was something

completely different. Especially a good‐looking flirty guy. Kevin wasn’t

normally the jealous type, but she wasn’t dumb enough to think he’d be overjoyed at the thought of Gabby and Travis having coffee on the back deck a couple of times a week, either, which was exactly the sort of thing

friendly neighbors did. As innocent as the visit to the vet might be‐and it

was going to be innocent, mind you‐it had a vaguely unfaithful feeling

S a p u t r a 34

As stated above, Travis thinks that there is nothing wrong if they become a

friend with his neighbor. They often get some coffee together and make a

conversation each other. Another scene of their friendship is proven when Gabby's

dog gets a birth and it has several children. Travis gives an advice to Gabby for

instantly finding or creating a place to keep her dog and her dog’s children who

are just born, and it is like the following quotation below.

And Travis . . . let’s not leave him out of it, either. It was as much his fault as the puppies? Granted, he had mentioned in passing that she should keep them contained, but he hadn’t really made a point of it, had he? He hadn’t explained what would happen if she didn’t listen to him, did he? (Spark 49)

Travis wants Gabby immediately to look for a stall for Molly and her

children, so that dirt from the dogs’ body does not dilate in her home. A nice

conversation appear on them and they are starting to first time introduce to

another after something happens to Molly (123).

“Okay, then,” he said.He retraced his steps to the deck. “Hi,” he offered, holding out his hand. “My name is Travis Parker, and I want to welcome you to the neighborhood.” She stared at his hand. After a moment, she took it and said, “I’m Gabby Holland. It’s a pleasure to meetyou.” (Spark 52)

From the quotation above, they are going to be a friendship. From that

way, it is the first time for Travis tries to invite Gabby for coming to his agenda

and his friends on the boat today. The reason of Travis invites Gabby to come to

his agenda in order to make her know about his friends, because when she moved

into Beufort, it is just Travis whom she knows.

“No, I don’t suppose you would.” He motioned over his shoulder. “Hey, by the way, my friends and I are heading out on the boat today. Would you like to join us?” (Spark 52)

S a p u t r a 35

From the explanation above, Travis tries to ask Gabby for coming into his

agenda and his friends’ agenda. Besides, Travis would like to know more about

Gabby. Gabby receives an allurement of Travis to come to the event of his and his

friends, and over there Travis starts to introduce her to his friends one by one.

After introducing, they conduct a conversation as following:

“They’re best friends, even if both would deny it. Travis would probably say that Laird was his best friend. Or Joe or Matt. Anyone but Stephanie. But I know better.” (Spark 58)

Travis tells that whatever about him and what he does with his friends is to

spend their holiday. When Travis makes a conversation with Gabby, he feels that

she is a good closed-friend for him and he feels that he remains emotionally

closed. The steps of Travis to get Gabby as a girlfriend increase quickly that he

amazes Gabby when he sees her in that night. The willing of Travis to raise

Gabby as his girlfriend bring a desirous of their relationship into infatuated love, as it is based on the love’s theory of Sternberg (124).

3.2.3 Infatuated Love

The willing of Travis to raise Gabby to be his girlfriend clearly appears

when he and Gabby have a conversation within their meeting in the boat with Travis’ friends. In that time, Travis assumes that she is a good friend and Travis is invited to be emotionally closed to Gabby, and that Travis is willing to raise her as

his girlfriend.

Travis stood, thinking that Gabby had grown even prettier overnight, which made no sense at all. “No big deal,” he answered. (Spark 86) This condition shows that Travis is falling in love with Gabby at first

S a p u t r a 36

Travis to get her love and her affection increase, because Travis saw her smiling

to her face so charming that inspires him to get her.

She rode back and forth along the road for a long while, Travis watching her confidence grow with every stop and start. Her turns were executed

with greater ease as well‐she even began driving in a circle‐and by the

time she stopped in front of him, her face was flushed. When she took off

her helmet, Travis was sure he’d never seen anyone more alive and

beautiful. (Spark 91)

The explanation above also shows that when he sees her while he is riding

his bike. Travis' heart suddenly increases so quickly and he feels his heart as

palpitation of the heart. Travis does not think that Gabby is able to make him

mesmerized and makes him does not say anything. He says in himself that it is the

first time he sees a beautiful mankind in this world.

3.2.4 Empty Love

After he has through the day with Gabby and he feels the comfort of the

time along with Gabby. He is also enchanted to her characteristic when he is

beside her. Travis tooks a step to reveal what is in his heart to her as follows:

“I don’t want to lose you, Gabby. I can’t imagine seeing you walk to your car in the morning and pretending that none of this ever happened. I can’t imagine not sitting here with you on the couch, like we’re doing now.”He swallowed. “And right now, I can’t imagine being in love with any other woman.” (Spark 102)

From the quotation above shows that Travis does not want to lose her and

he cannot image his life without her. Travis asks Gabby in order that their

relationship is more just a friendship and Travis wants her to be his wife. Travis

wants to their friendship be growing in a serious relationship, and Travis also

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“No. I’m just telling you what they say. I’m not saying I agree. Like you, I’m more of a happy‐ending romantic. My parents have been married forever, and that’s what I want to have one day, too.” (Spark 78)

From the explanation above, Travis does not want to be wrong in choosing

a wife in his life, as it has been done by his parents. Because, according to him, it

is enough to marry with one girl and he chooses Gabby to be his life partner as it

remains to the next stage: Romantic Love.

3.2.5 Romantic Love

After Travis reveals his feeling to Gabby, Gabby directly gives him a

respond with a lovely word and it is initially has been interesting to Travis. How

happy Travis was at the time. He is very happy, because all have been running

well, and it is proven by the following quotation below.

“I love you, too, Travis,” she whispered, and upon hearing her words, he

knew that the solitary journey he’d been on for years had somehow

reached its end. (Spark 104)

Like the statement above, Gabby also loves him. After that, Travis invites

Gabby to take a walk around Morehead City. It is a part of city in America on

Sunday. Travis does not only invite Gabby to take a walk in a road in Morehead

City, but he also aks her for bringing her dog "Molly" and she also brings his dog “Moby”, and it is like the following quotation:

Though they both returned to work on Monday, over the next two days Travis and Gabby spent every free moment together. They made love on

Monday morning before work, had lunch together at a small, family‐

owned café in Morehead City, and that evening, with Molly feeling better, they took both dogs for a walk on the beach near Fort Macon. As they walked, holding hands, Moby and Molly wandered the beach ahead like two old friends who’d grown used to their differences. When Moby chased terns and charged toward flocks of seagulls, Molly would hold her course, acting as if she wanted no part of it. After a while, Moby would realize that Molly was no longer alongside him and would bound back to

S a p u t r a 38

her, and the two would trot happily together until Moby went nuts again and the whole thing repeated itself. (Spark 106)

Travis is not only the figured as a man who is handsome, but he is also a

rich man and a romantic man in a serious relationship with Gabby in order to

make his patner be happy with him. Travis also invites Gabby to have a dinner as

when they have not become a couple. It is proven by following citation: “Can we eat there?”

He thought about it. “Sort of.” “Is it inside or outside?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said. “I don’t want to ruin it for you.” “It sounds exciting.”

“Don’t build it up too much. It’s just this place I like to go‐nothing spectacular.”

By that time, they’d reached the drive. Travis motioned toward the bike. “This is it.”

The chrome on the bike made Gabby squint, and she put on a pair of sunglasses.

“Your pride and joy?” “Frustration and angst.”

“You’re not going to start whining about how hard it is to get parts again, are you?”

He made a face, then chuckled. “I’ll try to keep it to myself.” (Spark 86) Travis does not only know about a great beach in Beaufort, but also he

knows a nice place for dinner, where that place has some delicious foods and

romantic place in Beufort. Travis is the perfect person for his couple, lots of good

things that he does on someone he loves so much as following citation:

Travis raised his hands. “Trust me‐there aren’t any cars on the road, no

one’s going to stop us, and I’ll be right there with you.” “Is it hard?”

“No, but it takes a little getting used to.” “Like riding a bike?”

“As far as the balance goes. But don’t worry. I’ll be right there, so nothing

can go wrong.? He smiled. “You up for this?”

S a p u t r a 39

“Great!?he said. “First things first. Slide forward, okay? On your right handlebar is the throttle and the front brake. On the left is the clutch. The

throttle governs your speed. Got it?”

She nodded.

“Your right foot controls the back brake. You use your left foot to shift the gears.”

“Easy.” (Spark 89)

From that explanation above, Travis’ romantic can be seen from his

gesture that he treats Gabby, especially when Travis teaches Gabby to ride a

motorcycle. The way Travis teaching Gabby to ride his motorcycle until Gabby

can ride a motorcycle very well, the patience of Travis is shown and he tries to

support her in order to make Gabby can ride a motorcycle very well.

3.2.6 Companionate Love

After their period of having a relationship through a shared romantic,

almost every week that they go to somewhere new that they have never visited.

All of a sudden thing that Travis appears in his mind that he wants to get married

with her, and it is like the following quotation:

Spending time with you showed me what I’ve been missing in my life. The more time we spent together, the more I could imagine it lasting in the future. That’s never happened to me before, and I’m not sure it’ll ever happen again. I’ve never been in love with anyone before you came along‐ not real love, anyway. Not like this, and I’d be a fool if I let you slip away without a fight.” (Spark 108)

The explanation above shows that Travis would like to undergo a more

serious relationship again that he wants to marry Gabby. Travis is not a young

man who has no prospects in the future, but Travis has prepared everything before

he takes a decision to marry Gabby. Like the House, the car, and a profession. He

S a p u t r a 40

the soul of hard-working to appease people whom he affects. Moreover, Travis

really feels the truth of love through Gabby:

“I don’t know what else I can tell you, other than that I can imagine spending the rest of my life with you. I know that sounds crazy. I know we’re just getting to know each other, and even admitting what I just did might make you think I’m nuts, but I’ve never been more sure about anything. And if you give me

a chance‐if you give us a chance‐I’m going to live the rest of my life proving to

you that you made the right decision. I love you, Gabby. And not just for the person you are, but for the way you make me think that we can be.” (Spark 108)

From the steps that have been undergone by Travis, starting from just

being a friend to become a lover, that increasingly strengthen Travis wants to

Gabby as a port of the last love in her life. Travis is not only love the look on the

pretty Gabby but Travis also liked from the way she interacts with her dog Molly

seems to be the figure of the good mother, patience and understanding Gabby

made Travis admiration, Travis also likes her when she serving him well

following Travis:

Or at least, that’s the way Travis remembered it. Had the evening unfolded exactly like that? He wasn’t sure. These days, it seemed that the only thing he was certain about was the knowledge that he wouldn’t trade his years with Gabby for anything. Without her, his life had little meaning. He was a

small‐town husband with a small‐town occupation and his cares were no

different from anyone else’s. He’d been neither a leader nor a follower, nor had he been someone who would be remembered long after he passed

away. He was the most ordinary of men with only one exception: He’d

fallen in love with a woman named Gabby, his love deepening in the years they’d been married. But fate had conspired to ruin all that, and now he spent long portions of his days wondering whether it was humanly possible to fix things between them. (Spark 113)

In the first Paragraph tells that the moment of occurrence of the events that

he passed along with Gabby. When Travis falls in love with Gabby's statement is

also like a Flashback from the beginning they were praising each other and fall in

S a p u t r a 41

3.2.7 Fatuous Love

The love of Travis to Gabby has now evolved into a commitment and a

very strong second passion, and it is proven by following quotation:

“I’m always going to love you,” he said, searching and failing to find adequate words to comfort her. (Spark 111)

From explanation above, Travis makes a promise to her that he will

always love whatever her condition and her situation. After that, in the next

month, Travis dan Gabby finally get married in Cumberland Island as following

quotation explains:

Despite his friends’ warnings to simply go with the flow, Travis relished being part of the process. He helped her pick out the invitations, the flowers, and the cake; he sat beside her as she flipped through albums in downtown studios, hoping to find the right photographer to memorialize the day. In the end, they invited eighty people to a small, weathered chapel on Cumberland Island in spring 1997; they honeymooned in

Cancún, which ended up being an idyllic choice for both of them. Gabby wanted someplace relaxing, and they spent hours lying in the sun and eating well; he wanted a bit more adventure, so she learned to scuba dive and joined him on a day trip to see the nearby Aztec ruins. (Spark 114)

Based on the explanation above, it is shown the excitements of the

wedding they look at that time has been with so many of flowers was beuty

around them and hustle to their guests. They also invite about eighty people in his

country especially his best friends from his school in his childhood.

3.2.8 Consummate Love

In this case, consummate love can be build when intimacy, passion and

commitment are related to each other. Many people conclude that they have

S a p u t r a 42

someone's failure at this stage is most of their individual capabilities in

strengthening the three components of the love in a relationship to their partner.

The commitment in the components of love is divided into two, namely,

which are short term and long term. For the short term is that this component of

the commitment is a decision to love someone. As for the long-term aspect is this

component of the commitment shows a commitment for sustaining or maintaining

the love.

In this section, Travis tries to describe the commitment in the long term on

Gabby as when she undergoes a coma a few months at the hospital in the novel

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. After Travis marries Gabby and they are on their honeymoon. After having their honeymoon, they are blessed with the presence of

two children. The first child named Christine and the second named Lisa.

The give‐and‐take of the honeymoon set the tone for the marriage. Their

dream house was constructed with little stress and was completed by their first anniversary; when Gabby ran her finger over the rim of her glass of champagne and wondered aloud whether they should start a family, the idea struck him as not only reasonable, but something he desperately wanted. She was pregnant within a couple of months, her pregnancy devoid of complications or even much discomfort. After Christine was born, Gabby cut back on her hours and they worked out a schedule that ensured one of them was always home with the baby. When Lisa followed two years later, neither of them noticed much of a change, other than added joy and excitement in the house.(Spark 115)

From the quote above, it is show that after their wedding, they are blessed

with the presence of two children, Travis commitment to Gabby has also been

released here. His desire comes true when in the past he want to make some

decorations around his house for Gabby and his children in order to create the

S a p u t r a 43

wife and his children to go to some places in this world, and it is like the

following quotation:

Christmases and birthdays came and went, the kids grew out of one outfit only to be replaced by the next. They vacationed as a family, yet Travis and Gabby also spent time alone, keeping the flame of romance alive between them. Max eventually retired, leaving Travis to take over the clinic; Gabby limited her hours even more and had enough time to volunteer at school. On their fourth anniversary, they went to Italy and Greece; for their sixth, they spent a week on safari in Africa. On their seventh, Travis built Gabby a gazebo in the backyard, where she could sit and read and watch the play of light reflecting on the water. He taught his daughters to wakeboard and ski when each was five years old; he coached their soccer teams in the fall. On the rare occasions when he stopped to reflect on his life, he wondered if anyone in the world felt as blessed as he did. (Spark 115)

Then Travis shows his loyalty to the his family at children and Gabby that

means he was a good father and he also invites his sightseeing to the part of

Europe, like Italy and Greece when they are in their anniversary. Besides, Travis

also builds a gazebo in his backyard for them to sit and rest to feel relax with their

exercises from their job that exists around the backyard. Not only inviting her

family to go to the way of the road, but Travis also does his side of his romantic in

their anniversary by giving flowers to Gabby as following:

He set the flowers on the sill, wishing he had remembered to bring a vase. He had chosen a winter bouquet, and the burnt orange and violet colors seemed muted, almost mournful. The florist considered himself an artist of sorts, and in all the years Travis had used him, he?d never been

disappointed. The florist was a good man, a kind man, and sometimes Travis wondered how much the florist knew about their marriage. Over the years, Travis had purchased bouquets on anniversaries and birthdays; he’d purchased them as apologies or on the spur of the moment, as a romantic surprise. And each time, he’d dictated to the florist what he wanted written on the card. Sometimes he’d recited a poem he’d either found in a book or written on his own; at other times, he’d come straight to the point and simply said what was on his mind. Gabby had saved these cards in a tiny bundle held together by a rubber band. They were a kind of history of Travis and Gabby’s life together, described in tiny snippets. (Spark 116)

S a p u t r a 44

Travis always gives Gabby a surprise in order to make their relationship

good and romantic. Travis is not egoistic father whom just pay attention and take

a care of just his wife, but Travis also loves his children. For one time, Travis

shows his love to his child, Lisa.

“And Lisa’s doing well. We watch either Dora the Explorer or Barbie every night. It’s crazy how many times she can watch the same DVDs, but she loves them. And for her birthday, she wants a princess theme. I was

thinking about getting an ice‐cream cake, but she wants to have her party

at the park, and I’m not sure they’d get to the cake before it melts, so I’ll

probably have to get something else.” (Spark 118)

Travis accompanies Lisa when she watches a movie “Dora the Explorer” every night. Although Travis is little bit dislike of the movie she watches, but

Travis does not leave for Lisa who watches the movie lonely. It means that Travis

is a multitalented husband. Moreover, Travis becomes a chef in his family.

Until that point, Travis had been the chef in the family, but little by little she began edging her way into the kitchen. She bought two or three cookbooks, and in the evenings, Travis would watch her as she lay on the couch, occasionally folding down the corner of a page. Now and then, she would ask him whether something sounded particularly good. She’d read aloud the ingredients of Cajun jambalaya or veal Marsala, and though Travis would say they sounded terrific, the tone of his voice made it obvious that even if she prepared these dishes, he probably wouldn’t eat them. (Spark 121)

Travis is a young man who has a multitalent. Besides his romantic

character and love of his children, Travis also becomes a chef in his family. Travis

teaches Gabby patiently and carefully. Finally, Gabby can cook well for their

family.

On their third anniversary, Gabby prepared a mozzarella‐stuffed, Italian‐

flavored meat loaf; in lieu of a gift, she asked him to eat it with her; by their fourth anniversary, they were sometimes cooking together. Though

CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION

The result of this study shows that a novel The Choice by Nicholas Sparks has a main character named Travis. Travis is a rich man and a handsome man who does not have a girlfriend while his friends already have children. A few times later, he has new neighbor named Gabby Holland. She is physically good and Travis admires her character when he sees her at once with her dog. Travis assumes and thinks that she has a sense of motherhood and has a sense of humor. It becomes the first time they recognize one another and it becomes a starting point of the further story of Travis and Gabby.

As narrated in the novel The Choice, Travis Parker is a character of 32-years old man. He is a young, handsome, and single guy. He is living in his small home town in North Carolina, enjoying the single life and his still close

relationships with his high school buddies (who are all married with kids).

Besides, although he is adventurous, a gentleman, and a bachelor, he is great with kids and he hopes to have them someday. At one side, Gabby does not like Travis at once, because he seems like an insensitive neighbor such as when he did his bad habitual activity like playing his music too loud which shows that he ignores his neighbor.

One time, Gabby is panic looking at her dog like having unwell condition. She immediately comes to Travis’ house to ask for his help to check whether her

S a p u t r a 57

dog is sick or not. Travis immediately welcomes her and agrees to check her dog’s physical condition. After checking her dog Molly, Travis tells to Gabby that her dog is pregnant, and he advises Gabby to bring it to the hospital. After that, they introduce their name one another and Travis tries to invite her into his agenda to come to his boat in order to introduce her to his friends, because when she arrives in Beufort, Travis is the only one whom she knows. After Travis spends his time with his Friends and Gabby, he feels that there is something missing in his life when he interacts with Gabby. Week by week they spend together, from place to another place, Travis’ heart is beating quickly when he is beside her and Travis begins to reveal his feeling to her. Day by day, their relationship grows up to be a serious relationship: from a friendship to marriage, and they finally have two children named Lisa and Christine, but 11 years later after their marriage, their family relationship does not run well. Gabby gets an accident and she gets a coma for a long time. Hearing that, Travis is in a terrible choice that he must take a decision whether he will let her if she does not wake up for six weeks or he makes a choice by herself to keep her and support her until she wakes up from her coma. But Travis has a choice by himself to support her and is still beside her to show his loyalty on Gabby in the way of maintaining his love. Month by month later, Gabby wakes up from her coma. Travis is right and lucky not to let her die and they can do their activity normally as usual.

In sum, Travis has shown his loyalty to Gabby when she lies down in the hospital until she wakes up from her coma in a long time. Travis indirectly shows to anyone around him to see that consummate love will exist in everyone if they

S a p u t r a 58

can try to do it for their couple in any condition. After reviving from their pain, they do their activity and live as normally with togetherness and happiness.

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