RELIGIOUS THEME IN O’ HENRY’S SHORT STORIES: RELIGIOUS THEME IN O’ HENRY’S SHORT STORIES: A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE.

RELIGIOUS THEME IN O’ HENRY’S SHORT STORIES:
A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

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

By
PUTRI BETA CINTANTYA
A 320.070.305

SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2011

APPROVAL

RELIGIOUS THEME IN O’ HENRY’S
SHORT STORIES: A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE


By:
PUTRI BETA CINTANTYA
A 320 070 305

Approved by:

Consultant I

Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S.
NIK: 410

Consultant II

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

ACCEPTANCE

RELIGIOUS THEME IN O’ HENRY’S SHORT STORIES:
A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE


By:
PUTRI BETA CINTANTYA
A 320 070 305

Accepted by the Board of Examiners
School of Teacher Training and Education
Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta
On November, 2011

Team of examiners:
1. Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S

(…………………………)

Chair Person
2. Titis Setyabudi, S.S, M.Hum

(…….………….………..)


Member II
3. Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, M.Ed
Member III

(………..……….……….)

TESTIMONY
Herewith, I testify that in this research paper, there is no plagiarism of the
previous literary work which has been written or published by others, except those
which the writing are refereed in the manuscript and mention in literature review
and bibliography.
Hence, later, if it is proven that there are some untrue statements in this
testimony, I will hold fully responsible.

Surakarta,

November 2011

Putri Beta Cintantya



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ABSTRACT
PUTRI BETA CINTANTYA. A 320 070 305. RELIGIOUS THEME IN O’
HENRY’S SHORT STORIES: A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE.
MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA. RESEARCH PAPER.
2011.

This study examines how religious theme is reflected in O’ Henry’s short
story, based on sociological perspective. The aim of the study is to analyze the
short story in terms of its structural elements and based on the Sociological
Perspective.
This study belongs to qualitative study. In this method, there were two
types of data source, which was used, namely primary data and secondary data
sources. The primary data source and the object of the study was short stories in
The Best of O’ Henry by O’ Henry, meanwhile the secondary one was any
literature related to this study. The writer collected the data from both primary and
secondary data sources by taking notes for the texts and selecting the data by

rejecting the irrelevant information which did not support the topic of the study.
This study used library research to collect the data.
The study comes to the following conclusions. First, based on the
structural analysis, it is clear that the dominant themes in O’ Henry’s short stories
are religious theme. Second, based on the Sociological analysis, it is evident that
there is close relationship between O’ Henry’s short stories and social reality of
American Society at the beginning of twentieth century.
Keywords: Religious Theme, The Best of O’ Henry (2011), Sociological
Perspective.
Consultant I

Consultant II

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

Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S.
NIK. 410

Dean


Drs. Sofyan Anif, M.Si
NIK. 547

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Assalamu’alaikum wr.wb.
Glory to Allah SWT almighty the Lord of the universe, the Supreme being.
The writer so grateful to Him for giving her all the kindness, protection, power,
love and mercy to complete this research paper as a partial fulfillment of the
requirement for Bachelor Degree in English Department.
The writer is fully aware this work cannot be separated from other people’s
help and guidance. Therefore, in this opportunity, she would like to express her
gratitude and appreciation to:

1. Drs. M. Thoyibi, M.S as the first consultant who has advised and guided her
during the arrangement of this research paper.
2. Titis Setyabudi, S.S., M.Hum as the second consultant who has improved the
writing, in order to make this research paper more qualified to read in correct
sentences, and the content.

3. Titis Setyabudi, S.S., M.Hum as the head of English Department.
4. Drs. Sofyan Anif, M.Si as the Dean of School of Teacher Training and Education.
5. All the lecturers in Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta for giving her a
chance to be a good student, an endless knowledge and guidance during her study.

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6. Her truly beloved

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, she will never be able to pay for the entire

thing that they give attention, love, support and sacrifice.
7. Her beloved brother

, for prayer, love, support and coloring in her days.

8. Her best friends , -.


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her days in campus and everywhere.
9. Her close friends, 4 54 )

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happiness.
10. Her sweetest friends in &

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- 8 boarding house, 9

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*, who always gives her love and jokes.
* *, who always makes her happy when she feels

11. Her husband will be,

tired and bored. She loves him so much and proud because he could give her
everything that she needs.
:)

12. All her friends in English Department,
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so on.
13. People who have contributed greatly to the completion of this research paper, yet
the writer cannot mention them entirely.

For all she can present nothing but the deepest thank and she hopes Allah
SWT will bless all of you. She is really aware this research paper is far from being
perfect. Therefore, she hopes it can evoke some criticism for improvement.
Wassalamu’alaikum wr.wb
Surakarta, November 2011
Putri Beta Cintantya

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE ................................................................................................

i

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

ii

ACCEPTANCE .................................................................................

iii

TESTIMONY ....................................................................................

iv

DEDICATION ...................................................................................

v

MOTTO ..............................................................................................

vi

ABSTRACT.........................................................................................

vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..................................................................

viii

TABLE OF CONTENT .....................................................................

x

CHAPTER I:

CHAPTER II:

INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the study .................................

1

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

6

C. Problem Statement ..........................................

7

D. Limitation of the Study ...................................

7

E. Objective of the Study .....................................

7

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

7

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

8

H. Paper Organization ..........................................

10

UNDERLYING THEORY
A. Sociology of Literature ....................................

12

B. Perspective of Sociology of Literature ............

14

C. Structural Element of Short Story .....................

20

D. Theoritical Application ....................................
CHAPTER III:

27

SOCIAL HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY AT THE FIRST
HALF OF NINETEENTH CENTURY
A. Social Aspect ..................................................

28

B. Economic Acpect ...........................................

34

C. Political Aspect ...............................................

37

D. Science and Technology Aspect .....................

42

E. Culture Aspect ................................................

46

F. Religious Aspect .............................................

50

CHAPTER IV: STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
A. Structural Analysis

CHAPTER V:

1. Character and Characterization .................

53

2. Setting ........................................................

78

3. Plot ............................................................

89

4. Style ...........................................................

115

5. Theme ........................................................

121

B. Discussion ........................................................

123

SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND
DISCUSSION
A. Sociological Analysis
1. Social Aspect .............................................

127

2. Economic Aspect .......................................

134

3. Political Aspect ..........................................

136

CHAPTER VI:

BIBLIOGRAPY
APPENDIX

4. Religious Aspect …....................................

137

5. Cultural Aspect ...........................................

139

6. Science and Technology Aspect ................

142

B. Discussion .......................................................

143

C. Religious Theme ..............................................

146

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion ......................................................

151

B. Suggestion .......................................................

152