Analysis of Conflicts in Arthur Miller's 'Focus'.
ABSTRACT
Dalam Tugas Akhir ini, saya menganalisis sebuah novel yang berjudul
Focus karya Arthur Miller; elemen yang saya analisis adalah konflik, baik konflik
sosial maupun konflik pribadi. Konflik-konflik dalam novel ini berhubungan
dengan anti sentimen Yahudi yang dialami oleh tokoh utama dalam novel ini
bernama Lawrence Newman.
Newman lahir dari keluarga yang berasal dari Inggris dan dia bekerja
sebagai personalia, tetapi kehidupannya berubah setelah dia memakai kacamata
yang membuatnya terlihat seperti Yahudi, dia harus menghadapi perlakuanperlakuan yang tidak adil dari orang-orang yang membenci Yahudi.
Konflik sosial yang dihadapi Newman berhubungan dengan usahanya
untuk menunjukkan identitas diri yang sebenarnya. Salah satu contoh konflik
sosial yang dialami Newman tentang hak untuk tinggal, tetangganya ingin
mengusir Newman karena dianggap sebagai orang Yahudi dan Newman berusaha
menolak pengusiran ini dengan melapor pada polisi. Sedangkan konflik pribadi
yang dialami Newman berhubungan dengan ketakutannya menjadi target
diskriminasi dan usahanya untuk menghindari diskriminasi. Salah satu contoh
konflik pribadinya terjadi ketika pertama kali dia memakai kacamata yang
iii
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membuatnya seperti orang Yahudi, karena takut menjadi target diskriminasi dia
tidak memakai kacamata tersebut di depan umum, dan dia hanya memakai
kacamata ketika dia sangat membutuhkannya.
iv
Maranatha Christian University
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………...
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………….......... ii
ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………….. iii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study ………………………………………………
Statement of the Problem ………………………………………………
Purpose of the Study …………………………………………………...
Methods of Research …………………………………………………..
Organization of the Thesis ……………………………………………..
1
3
3
4
4
CHAPTER TWO: ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT
IN ARTHUR MILLER’S FOCUS …………………………………… 5
CHAPTER THREE: CONCLUSION ………………………………………..17
BIBLIOGRAPHY …………………………………………………………….. 20
APPENDICES:
Synopsis of Focus ……………………………………………………… 22
Biography of the Author ……………………………………………….. 23
ii
Maranatha Christian University
APPENDICES
Synopsis of Focus
Lawrence Newman is a personnel manager in a company which refuses to
hire a Jew. He has a problem with his eyesight. Mr. Gargan, his employer tells
him to get a new pair of glasses then he buys new glasses, which make him look
like a Jew. After that he resigns from his job. Newman still lives with his mother,
and he lives in white American neighborhood. His neighbor, Fred, makes a plan to
have a meeting to get rid of the Jews that are living in the block, they reject the
Jews. With this new appearance Newman feels insecure because he looks like a
Jew. In the next morning he does not buy a paper from Finkelstein (Jew) as usual
because Fred and Carlson are there, watching.
Next morning Newman, full of spirit, goes to look for a job in Manhattan.
It was difficult for Newman to get a job but later Newman gets a new job in
Meyers and Paterson Company, there he meets Ms. Gertrude Hart; during the
meeting they explain and clarify the misunderstanding that occurred between
them in the past. Newman does not fully like the job, but he stays there because of
Gertrude. Newman loves her and wants to marry her and then they get married.
Fred and other neighbors start to consider Newman a Jew. Gertrude notices that
22
Fred and those men are having a plan to get rid of Jews so she asks Newman to
join the rally meeting and get involved with the Front before it is too late.
Newman decides to go to the rally meeting, yet he gets thrown out because he
does not applaud once. After that Newman and Finkelstein have a conversation,
which opens his eyes how ridiculous that they treat Jews like that. They do not
deserve to be treated like that. One night when Newman and Gertrude go home,
Newman is attacked by a group of people, but Gertrude was not helping him at
all; it was Finkelstein who helped him. Then he goes to the police station to report
the attack but the police officer mistakes him for a Jew and he lets the police think
that way.
Biography of Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller was born in October 17, 1915 in New York City. His father,
Isidore Miller, was a ladies-wear manufacturer and shopkeeper, and his mother a
school teacher. His father lost his business in the Depression (1930s) and the
family was forced to move to a smaller home in Brooklyn. As a young man during
the Great Depression, Miller was shaped by the poverty that surrounded him.
After graduation from high school, he worked in a warehouse and he was
the only Jew working in the auto part warehouse. He works there to earn enough
money to attend the University of Michigan, where he began to write plays. In
1940 he married Mary Grace Slattery and have a daughter and a son, later they
were divorced. In 1956 Miller married Marilyn Monroe and also gets divorced in
1961. After divorcing Monroe, Miller married Inge Morath, his last wife and has a
daughter. Arthur Miller is one of the leading American playwrights of the
23
twentieth century; his most famous works are The Crucible, The Death of a
Salesman, and A View from the Bridge. Miller's first public success was Focus
(1945), a novel about anti-Semitism. Miller died of heart failure at home in
Roxbury, Connecticut, on February 10, 2005.
Sources:
“Arthur Miller Biography (1915-2005)”
“Arthur Miller”
24
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Anti-Semitism is “hostility toward or prejudice against Jews or Judaism”
(Dictionary Reference). Jewish people are related to Judaism because Judaism is
the religion of Jewish people. “Judaism is a monotheistic religion based on
principles and ethics embodied in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)” (Judaism). In the
first half of the twentieth century, in America, there is anti-semitism and it was in
climax during the World War II. The form of hostility towards Jews could be
found in all aspects of life. “Jews were discriminated against in employment,
access to residential and resort areas, membership in clubs and organizations, and
in tightened quotas on Jewish enrollment and teaching positions in colleges and
universities.” (Antisemitism). The issue of anti-Semitism in America is tackled
masterfully by Arthur Miller in his novel Focus.
Miller himself is one of the great American writers in 20th century and he
has produced a lot of works that become masterpieces. He is considered “one of
the foremost progressives in American letters.” (McCarter). The strength in both
1
Maranatha Christian Unversity
the plays and stories that he writes is “Miller uses his memories to trigger our
own, forcing us to recall the hopes we once held dear —not just as individuals,
but as citizens.” (McCarter). Miller witnesses and experiences the anti-Semitism
when he works in the auto part warehouse (Arthur Miller) and this memory led
him to write Focus in 1944, a novel about anti-Semitism and published in 1945.
This novel not only talks about the issue of anti-Semitism but its more concern on
the effect toward Jewish, “the novel shifts from a straight discussion of antiSemitism to an analysis of the endless suffering of the Jewish people.” (Eden).
The novel portrays how Jewish people are not protecting themselves and they lack
self defence:
Miller is telling his readers that the fatal mistake of Jews throughout
history has been their repeated willingness to assume the role assigned to
them by anti-Semitic societies, allowing themselves to be transformed
from victims into partners in the crimes of the larger society. Miller, in
other words, believes that the Jewish people carry the mark of Cain--for
the sin of moral compromise. (Eden)
From this novel I would like to analyse conflict, which is one of the
important elements of a novel. Conflict in this novel is related to anti- Semitism,
where the prejudice and hostility toward Jews had assumed such forms of social
discrimination, and it was experienced by the protagonist, Lawrence Newman.
According to Harry Shaw, conflict is “the opposition of person or forces
upon which the action depends in drama and fiction.” (Shaw 91). There are three
types of conflicts: the first conflict is elemental or physical, which is “a struggle
2
Maranatha Christian Unversity
between man and the physical world.” (Shaw 91), the second conflict is social
conflict, which is “a struggle between man and man.” (Shaw 91), the third conflict
is internal or psychological, which is “a struggle between desires within a person.
External forces may be important and other character may appear in the narrative,
but the focus is always upon the central figures inner turmoil.” (Shaw 92).
In Focus the predominant conflicts that occur are inner conflict and social
conflict. Applying the formalist approach to analyse conflict in this novel, I can
understand more what causes the conflict and the resolution of the conflict.
Statement of the Problem
The problems are stated as follow:
1. What are the social and inner conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus?
2. What causes those conflicts?
3. How are those conflicts resolved?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is stated as follows:
1. To show the social and inner conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus.
2. To show the causes of those conflict.
3. To show the resolution of those conflict.
3
Maranatha Christian Unversity
Method of Research
The method of research used is library research. First of all, I read the
novel as the primary texts. I apply formalism to have a better understanding in my
thesis. I then gather and search the information needed for the thesis from some
references to support the analysis of the primary text. Finally I use the data that I
have collected for my analysis from which I draw a conclusion.
Organization of the Thesis
I divide this thesis into three chapters. Chapter One is the Introduction,
which contains Background of The Study, The Statement of The Problem, The
Purpose of The Study, The Method of Research and The Organization of The
Thesis. Chapter Two deals with the analysis of conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus.
Chapter Three is the Conclusion. The thesis ends with Bibliography and
Appendix, which consists of biography and summary of the novel.
4
Maranatha Christian Unversity
CHAPTER THREE
CONCLUSION
Having discussed the inner and social conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus, I
would like to give the conclusion from what I have analyzed in chapter two. Both
inner and social conflicts that are experienced by Lawrence Newman are caused
by the glasses, these glasses give the strong impression for him to look like a Jew
and he becomes the target of anti-Semitism.
There are four inner conflicts which I discuss in Chapter Two, his inner
conflicts deal with his fear of becoming an object of persecution and he always
tries to avoid things which are connected with Jews. The first inner conflict is
when he begins to use the glasses for the first time which make him look like a
Jew then he decides not to use the glasses in public. In his second inner conflict he
falls in love with Gertrude but on the other side he does not like her behaviour, he
does not want to become the object of persecution. The third inner conflict occurs
when Newman wants to buy a newspaper from his Jew neighbour. He usually
buys newspaper from his Jew neighbour but now that the situation is different, he
17
Maranatha Christian Universityy
must try not to make any connection with the Jew because it might endanger his life.
However, the inner conflicts which are experienced by Lawrence Newman are
resolved not in accordance with his effort. The fourth inner conflict he finally admits
that he is a Jew. I think everything that is done by Newman to protect his identity is
useless as if the persecutions make him a Jew.
I also notice that in the social conflicts Lawrence Newman struggles to show
his real identity and he takes a stand by refusing to escape because he is not a Jew.
There are three social conflicts which I discuss; first social conflict between Newman
and his boss, Mr. Gargan, he is resigning from his job because his boss treats him
unfairly. The second social conflict between Newman and his wife, once they got to
the hotel, the owner made an excuse that the hotel is full, he thought they are Jews,
then his wife wants to find another hotel but Newman does not want to find another
hotel. Here Newman does not want being insulted again. The third social conflict is
about his residential right; his neighbours try to drive him out because they consider
Newman as a Jew, but he refuses it by reporting to the police. Yet, it is not easy for
him; as a result he is insulted and abused by the people around him.
The prejudice and hostility toward Jews previously had assumed such forms of
social discrimination, here Jews are not seen as an individual but as a group it is
proven by the hostility which is experienced by Newman. The host people in this
novel only believe in what they see, they believe all the Jewish people are cruel,
stingy, and bring disaster for their society. Therefore they treat Newman as if he is a
disaster and they want Newman to leave their neighbourhood as soon as possible.
Ironically Newman is not a Jew, his identity has been mistaken and he becomes the
wrong target of anti-Semitism. These circumstances open his eyes; the racial
18
Maranatha Christian Universityy
discrimination toward Jew is not fair. Not all Jewish people have bad behaviour; thus,
it is ridiculous to treat Jew like that; they do not deserve to be treated like that.
I notice that Arthur Miller wants to show the racial discrimination from the
different side by using Lawrence Newman who is not a Jew to suddenly become the
target of anti-Semitism and also show a man’s inhumanity to a man. If Newman is a
Jew, he will not make a denial or confront it. However in this story, Newman is not a
Jew so he is struggling to show his true identity. Miller also wants to make the reader
imagine if the situations in this novel occur and experienced, he hopes the reader can
be wise in every step of their life.
According to me this novel is a story about human beings. We can not judge
someone only from their physical appearance and the important thing is we must have
the conscience of a human being.
19
Maranatha Christian Universityy
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Text
•
Miller, Arthur. Focus. United States of America: Penguin Books, 1945
References
1. Book:
•
Shaw, Harry. Dictionary of Literature Terms. New York: McGraw-Hill
Book
Company, 1972
2. Internet Website:
•
“Antisemitism”. Wikipedia. 2008. 2 Mar 2008
•
“Arthur Miller”. Thinkquest. 1999. 21 Feb 2008
•
“Arthur Miller Biography (1915-2005)”. Biography. 1996-2007. 21 Feb
2008
•
“American Heritage Dictionary”. Dictionary Reference. 2008. 21 Feb
2008
20
Maranatha Christian University
•
Eden, Amy. “Focus on Focus”. My Jewish Learning. 2002-2006. 27 Feb
2008
•
McCarter, Jeremy. “Miller’s Tales”. New York Times. 2007. 20 Feb 2008
•
“Judaism”. Wikipedia. 2008. 23 July 2008
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism>
•
Von Verschuer, Baron Omar, M.D. “Racial Biology of the Jew”. Faem.
2007. 24 July 2008
< http://www.faem.com/weber/jewbio.htm>
21
Maranatha Christian University
Dalam Tugas Akhir ini, saya menganalisis sebuah novel yang berjudul
Focus karya Arthur Miller; elemen yang saya analisis adalah konflik, baik konflik
sosial maupun konflik pribadi. Konflik-konflik dalam novel ini berhubungan
dengan anti sentimen Yahudi yang dialami oleh tokoh utama dalam novel ini
bernama Lawrence Newman.
Newman lahir dari keluarga yang berasal dari Inggris dan dia bekerja
sebagai personalia, tetapi kehidupannya berubah setelah dia memakai kacamata
yang membuatnya terlihat seperti Yahudi, dia harus menghadapi perlakuanperlakuan yang tidak adil dari orang-orang yang membenci Yahudi.
Konflik sosial yang dihadapi Newman berhubungan dengan usahanya
untuk menunjukkan identitas diri yang sebenarnya. Salah satu contoh konflik
sosial yang dialami Newman tentang hak untuk tinggal, tetangganya ingin
mengusir Newman karena dianggap sebagai orang Yahudi dan Newman berusaha
menolak pengusiran ini dengan melapor pada polisi. Sedangkan konflik pribadi
yang dialami Newman berhubungan dengan ketakutannya menjadi target
diskriminasi dan usahanya untuk menghindari diskriminasi. Salah satu contoh
konflik pribadinya terjadi ketika pertama kali dia memakai kacamata yang
iii
Maranatha Christian University
membuatnya seperti orang Yahudi, karena takut menjadi target diskriminasi dia
tidak memakai kacamata tersebut di depan umum, dan dia hanya memakai
kacamata ketika dia sangat membutuhkannya.
iv
Maranatha Christian University
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………...
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………….......... ii
ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………….. iii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study ………………………………………………
Statement of the Problem ………………………………………………
Purpose of the Study …………………………………………………...
Methods of Research …………………………………………………..
Organization of the Thesis ……………………………………………..
1
3
3
4
4
CHAPTER TWO: ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT
IN ARTHUR MILLER’S FOCUS …………………………………… 5
CHAPTER THREE: CONCLUSION ………………………………………..17
BIBLIOGRAPHY …………………………………………………………….. 20
APPENDICES:
Synopsis of Focus ……………………………………………………… 22
Biography of the Author ……………………………………………….. 23
ii
Maranatha Christian University
APPENDICES
Synopsis of Focus
Lawrence Newman is a personnel manager in a company which refuses to
hire a Jew. He has a problem with his eyesight. Mr. Gargan, his employer tells
him to get a new pair of glasses then he buys new glasses, which make him look
like a Jew. After that he resigns from his job. Newman still lives with his mother,
and he lives in white American neighborhood. His neighbor, Fred, makes a plan to
have a meeting to get rid of the Jews that are living in the block, they reject the
Jews. With this new appearance Newman feels insecure because he looks like a
Jew. In the next morning he does not buy a paper from Finkelstein (Jew) as usual
because Fred and Carlson are there, watching.
Next morning Newman, full of spirit, goes to look for a job in Manhattan.
It was difficult for Newman to get a job but later Newman gets a new job in
Meyers and Paterson Company, there he meets Ms. Gertrude Hart; during the
meeting they explain and clarify the misunderstanding that occurred between
them in the past. Newman does not fully like the job, but he stays there because of
Gertrude. Newman loves her and wants to marry her and then they get married.
Fred and other neighbors start to consider Newman a Jew. Gertrude notices that
22
Fred and those men are having a plan to get rid of Jews so she asks Newman to
join the rally meeting and get involved with the Front before it is too late.
Newman decides to go to the rally meeting, yet he gets thrown out because he
does not applaud once. After that Newman and Finkelstein have a conversation,
which opens his eyes how ridiculous that they treat Jews like that. They do not
deserve to be treated like that. One night when Newman and Gertrude go home,
Newman is attacked by a group of people, but Gertrude was not helping him at
all; it was Finkelstein who helped him. Then he goes to the police station to report
the attack but the police officer mistakes him for a Jew and he lets the police think
that way.
Biography of Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller was born in October 17, 1915 in New York City. His father,
Isidore Miller, was a ladies-wear manufacturer and shopkeeper, and his mother a
school teacher. His father lost his business in the Depression (1930s) and the
family was forced to move to a smaller home in Brooklyn. As a young man during
the Great Depression, Miller was shaped by the poverty that surrounded him.
After graduation from high school, he worked in a warehouse and he was
the only Jew working in the auto part warehouse. He works there to earn enough
money to attend the University of Michigan, where he began to write plays. In
1940 he married Mary Grace Slattery and have a daughter and a son, later they
were divorced. In 1956 Miller married Marilyn Monroe and also gets divorced in
1961. After divorcing Monroe, Miller married Inge Morath, his last wife and has a
daughter. Arthur Miller is one of the leading American playwrights of the
23
twentieth century; his most famous works are The Crucible, The Death of a
Salesman, and A View from the Bridge. Miller's first public success was Focus
(1945), a novel about anti-Semitism. Miller died of heart failure at home in
Roxbury, Connecticut, on February 10, 2005.
Sources:
“Arthur Miller Biography (1915-2005)”
“Arthur Miller”
24
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Anti-Semitism is “hostility toward or prejudice against Jews or Judaism”
(Dictionary Reference). Jewish people are related to Judaism because Judaism is
the religion of Jewish people. “Judaism is a monotheistic religion based on
principles and ethics embodied in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)” (Judaism). In the
first half of the twentieth century, in America, there is anti-semitism and it was in
climax during the World War II. The form of hostility towards Jews could be
found in all aspects of life. “Jews were discriminated against in employment,
access to residential and resort areas, membership in clubs and organizations, and
in tightened quotas on Jewish enrollment and teaching positions in colleges and
universities.” (Antisemitism). The issue of anti-Semitism in America is tackled
masterfully by Arthur Miller in his novel Focus.
Miller himself is one of the great American writers in 20th century and he
has produced a lot of works that become masterpieces. He is considered “one of
the foremost progressives in American letters.” (McCarter). The strength in both
1
Maranatha Christian Unversity
the plays and stories that he writes is “Miller uses his memories to trigger our
own, forcing us to recall the hopes we once held dear —not just as individuals,
but as citizens.” (McCarter). Miller witnesses and experiences the anti-Semitism
when he works in the auto part warehouse (Arthur Miller) and this memory led
him to write Focus in 1944, a novel about anti-Semitism and published in 1945.
This novel not only talks about the issue of anti-Semitism but its more concern on
the effect toward Jewish, “the novel shifts from a straight discussion of antiSemitism to an analysis of the endless suffering of the Jewish people.” (Eden).
The novel portrays how Jewish people are not protecting themselves and they lack
self defence:
Miller is telling his readers that the fatal mistake of Jews throughout
history has been their repeated willingness to assume the role assigned to
them by anti-Semitic societies, allowing themselves to be transformed
from victims into partners in the crimes of the larger society. Miller, in
other words, believes that the Jewish people carry the mark of Cain--for
the sin of moral compromise. (Eden)
From this novel I would like to analyse conflict, which is one of the
important elements of a novel. Conflict in this novel is related to anti- Semitism,
where the prejudice and hostility toward Jews had assumed such forms of social
discrimination, and it was experienced by the protagonist, Lawrence Newman.
According to Harry Shaw, conflict is “the opposition of person or forces
upon which the action depends in drama and fiction.” (Shaw 91). There are three
types of conflicts: the first conflict is elemental or physical, which is “a struggle
2
Maranatha Christian Unversity
between man and the physical world.” (Shaw 91), the second conflict is social
conflict, which is “a struggle between man and man.” (Shaw 91), the third conflict
is internal or psychological, which is “a struggle between desires within a person.
External forces may be important and other character may appear in the narrative,
but the focus is always upon the central figures inner turmoil.” (Shaw 92).
In Focus the predominant conflicts that occur are inner conflict and social
conflict. Applying the formalist approach to analyse conflict in this novel, I can
understand more what causes the conflict and the resolution of the conflict.
Statement of the Problem
The problems are stated as follow:
1. What are the social and inner conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus?
2. What causes those conflicts?
3. How are those conflicts resolved?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is stated as follows:
1. To show the social and inner conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus.
2. To show the causes of those conflict.
3. To show the resolution of those conflict.
3
Maranatha Christian Unversity
Method of Research
The method of research used is library research. First of all, I read the
novel as the primary texts. I apply formalism to have a better understanding in my
thesis. I then gather and search the information needed for the thesis from some
references to support the analysis of the primary text. Finally I use the data that I
have collected for my analysis from which I draw a conclusion.
Organization of the Thesis
I divide this thesis into three chapters. Chapter One is the Introduction,
which contains Background of The Study, The Statement of The Problem, The
Purpose of The Study, The Method of Research and The Organization of The
Thesis. Chapter Two deals with the analysis of conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus.
Chapter Three is the Conclusion. The thesis ends with Bibliography and
Appendix, which consists of biography and summary of the novel.
4
Maranatha Christian Unversity
CHAPTER THREE
CONCLUSION
Having discussed the inner and social conflicts in Arthur Miller’s Focus, I
would like to give the conclusion from what I have analyzed in chapter two. Both
inner and social conflicts that are experienced by Lawrence Newman are caused
by the glasses, these glasses give the strong impression for him to look like a Jew
and he becomes the target of anti-Semitism.
There are four inner conflicts which I discuss in Chapter Two, his inner
conflicts deal with his fear of becoming an object of persecution and he always
tries to avoid things which are connected with Jews. The first inner conflict is
when he begins to use the glasses for the first time which make him look like a
Jew then he decides not to use the glasses in public. In his second inner conflict he
falls in love with Gertrude but on the other side he does not like her behaviour, he
does not want to become the object of persecution. The third inner conflict occurs
when Newman wants to buy a newspaper from his Jew neighbour. He usually
buys newspaper from his Jew neighbour but now that the situation is different, he
17
Maranatha Christian Universityy
must try not to make any connection with the Jew because it might endanger his life.
However, the inner conflicts which are experienced by Lawrence Newman are
resolved not in accordance with his effort. The fourth inner conflict he finally admits
that he is a Jew. I think everything that is done by Newman to protect his identity is
useless as if the persecutions make him a Jew.
I also notice that in the social conflicts Lawrence Newman struggles to show
his real identity and he takes a stand by refusing to escape because he is not a Jew.
There are three social conflicts which I discuss; first social conflict between Newman
and his boss, Mr. Gargan, he is resigning from his job because his boss treats him
unfairly. The second social conflict between Newman and his wife, once they got to
the hotel, the owner made an excuse that the hotel is full, he thought they are Jews,
then his wife wants to find another hotel but Newman does not want to find another
hotel. Here Newman does not want being insulted again. The third social conflict is
about his residential right; his neighbours try to drive him out because they consider
Newman as a Jew, but he refuses it by reporting to the police. Yet, it is not easy for
him; as a result he is insulted and abused by the people around him.
The prejudice and hostility toward Jews previously had assumed such forms of
social discrimination, here Jews are not seen as an individual but as a group it is
proven by the hostility which is experienced by Newman. The host people in this
novel only believe in what they see, they believe all the Jewish people are cruel,
stingy, and bring disaster for their society. Therefore they treat Newman as if he is a
disaster and they want Newman to leave their neighbourhood as soon as possible.
Ironically Newman is not a Jew, his identity has been mistaken and he becomes the
wrong target of anti-Semitism. These circumstances open his eyes; the racial
18
Maranatha Christian Universityy
discrimination toward Jew is not fair. Not all Jewish people have bad behaviour; thus,
it is ridiculous to treat Jew like that; they do not deserve to be treated like that.
I notice that Arthur Miller wants to show the racial discrimination from the
different side by using Lawrence Newman who is not a Jew to suddenly become the
target of anti-Semitism and also show a man’s inhumanity to a man. If Newman is a
Jew, he will not make a denial or confront it. However in this story, Newman is not a
Jew so he is struggling to show his true identity. Miller also wants to make the reader
imagine if the situations in this novel occur and experienced, he hopes the reader can
be wise in every step of their life.
According to me this novel is a story about human beings. We can not judge
someone only from their physical appearance and the important thing is we must have
the conscience of a human being.
19
Maranatha Christian Universityy
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Text
•
Miller, Arthur. Focus. United States of America: Penguin Books, 1945
References
1. Book:
•
Shaw, Harry. Dictionary of Literature Terms. New York: McGraw-Hill
Book
Company, 1972
2. Internet Website:
•
“Antisemitism”. Wikipedia. 2008. 2 Mar 2008
•
“Arthur Miller”. Thinkquest. 1999. 21 Feb 2008
•
“Arthur Miller Biography (1915-2005)”. Biography. 1996-2007. 21 Feb
2008
•
“American Heritage Dictionary”. Dictionary Reference. 2008. 21 Feb
2008
20
Maranatha Christian University
•
Eden, Amy. “Focus on Focus”. My Jewish Learning. 2002-2006. 27 Feb
2008
•
McCarter, Jeremy. “Miller’s Tales”. New York Times. 2007. 20 Feb 2008
•
“Judaism”. Wikipedia. 2008. 23 July 2008
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism>
•
Von Verschuer, Baron Omar, M.D. “Racial Biology of the Jew”. Faem.
2007. 24 July 2008
< http://www.faem.com/weber/jewbio.htm>
21
Maranatha Christian University