AN ANALYSIS OF DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN THE MAIN

CHARACTER OF OLIVER TWIST, A NOVEL BY CHARLES

DICKENS (A PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH)

A Thesis
By:
Adi Prasetyo
K2202001

Submited to the Teacher Training and Education Faculty of

Sebelas Maret University as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for
achieving the Undergraduate Degree of Education in English

TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY

SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
SURAKARTA
2010

ABSTRACT
Adi Prasetyo. AN ANALYSIS OF DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN OLIVER
TWIST, A NOVEL BY CHARLES DICKENS (A PSYCHOLOGICAL
APPROACH) Thesis, Surakarta: Teacher Training and Education Faculty, Sebelas
Maret University Surakarta, April 2010.
The objectives of this research are to analyze the cause of frustration in
Oliver Twist and to analyze the types of defense mechanisms used in coping with
his frustrations. The concept of defense mechanism itself can be identified as the
mechanisms developed by the ego to reduce the conflict between id and superego.
The elements of the ego defense mechanisms are the id, ego and superego. The
conflict itself may produce frustration and anxiety that can also trigger the
employment of ego defense mechanism. The researcher uses Oliver Twist, a novel
written by Charles Dickens, as the primary data, and uses Sigmund Freuds theory
on defense mechanisms to analyze the main data. Literary works about defense
mechanisms from Anna Freud, Boeree, Ruch and other sources regarding the
subject of the study are used as the secondary data.
In analyzing the data, the researcher uses a qualitative research and
employs a descriptive method. By employing this method, the researcher
describes phenomena from the data being analyzed, and draws some conclusions
from the analysis. The researcher divides the data into two: primary data and
secondary data. The primary data are in the form of sentences and dialogues taken
from the novel entitled Oliver Twist, a Parish Boy Progress written by Charles
Dickens. The secondary data are taken from theories of literature, criticism on the
novel, theories of psychology and various sources related to this research.
The samples of this research are narrations and dialogues from the novel which
are suitable to the subject of defense mechanisms.
The results of the analysis are conclusions that Oliver Twists defense
mechanisms were mainly driven by the frustration caused by the environment,
conflict over internal standards and also personal limitation. The frustration by
environment was a result of the blocking of ids impulse by the environment. The
personal frustration was triggered by the personal limitation. And the conflicts
were triggered by conflict between id and superego.
Thus, the frustrations pushed Oliver Twist to employ ego defense mechanisms in
order to survive. The employment of defense mechanism successfully helped him
in coping with his frustration. The ego defense mechanisms used by Oliver Twist
were: repression, displacement, projection, rationalization, undoing, regression,
suppression, somatization, substitution and the identification with the aggressor
There are some benefits that can be drawn from the research: some of
them are; to give better understanding about Oliver Twist source of frustration and
the types of defense mechanism he used in coping with them. In practical field,
the result of this research may help us understand more about the ego defense
mechanisms as a way to cope the daily stress and frustration.

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This thesis has been approved by the consultants to be examined by the board of
thesis examiners of the Teacher Training and Education Faculty of
Sebelas Maret University Surakarta

Consultant I

Consultant II

Dr. Abdul Asib, M. Pd

NIP 19520307 198003 1 005

Drs. Muh. Asrori, M.Pd

NIP 19601015 198702 1 001

iii

This thesis has been approved by the board of thesis examiners of the Teacher
Training and Education Faculty of Sebelas Maret University as one of the
requirements for obtaining the undergraduate degree of English Education.
Day

Date

The board of thesis examiners:

1.

Chairman

Teguh Sarosa, S.S, M.Hum

NIP. 19730205 20064 1 001
2.

Secretary
Drs. H. A. Dahlan Rais M.Hum
NIP. 19510326 198303 1 002

3.

Examiner I
Dr. Abdul Asib, M. Pd
NIP. 19520307 198003 1 005

4.

Examiner II
Drs. Muh. Asrori, M.Pd
NIP 19601015 198702 1 001

TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY

SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
THE DEAN

Prof. Dr. M. Furqon Hidayatullah, M.Pd

NIP. 19600727 198702 1 001

iv

MOTTO

Its not how hard you can hit...

But its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward
Thats winning
(Rocky Balboa)

Trust not what you see

Trust not what you hear
Trust what you feel
(Sri Chinmoy)

DEDICATION

This thesis is whole-heartedly dedicated to:

His beloved Mommy and Daddy
His beloved big little brother

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Bismillah, praise be to Allah SWT for His blessing, help and guidance in
completing this thesis. The writer would like to thank all people who have great
role in finishing the thesis. He expresses his gratitude to;
1. The Dean of Teacher Training and Education Faculty Sebelas Maret
University, Prof. Dr. M. Furqon Hidayatullah, M.Pd for giving the writer
permission to write the thesis.
2. Chairman of English Department of Teacher Training and Education
Faculty Sebelas Maret University, Drs. Martono, M.A. for the guidance so
that the writer could do the job well.
3. His Academic consultant, Drs. H.A. Dahlan Rais, M.Hum for the guidance
so that the writer could do the job well.
4. First consultant, Dr. Abdul Azib, M.Pd, and second consultant, Drs. Muh.
Asrori M.Pd for the suggestions and motivation
5. His Mom and Dad for Unlimited love, best wishes, and the patience. Sorry
for taking it so long.
6. My Big Little brother for the endless prayer, sharing and coffee time.
7. On Nono and Mbak Ut for supporting both financially and morally.
8. Ibu Dolly Sri Trijatmi and Bapak Yan Kesuma for the encouragement and
helps.
9. His friends of English Department 2002.
10. My friends Salman, Ian, Ayik, Leo, Markoat, Rini Thanks for being my
best friends.
11. R.Ay Febri Hapsari Dipokusumo for the endless motivation and
encouragement. Matur sembah nuwun
12. His friends at FHD Motivation Solo. Mas Pri, Mas oky, Erik, Bayu, Riza,
Mega.
13. His friends, managers and Board of Solo Youth Heritage. Tim Rhewo
SYH: Erick, Bayu, Riza, Mega, Hanifan, Ayong, Dika, Tiwi, Intan, Elida,
Ratijah. You guys are awesome. Thanks for always reminding about the
thesis.

vii

14. His Friends at Rotaract club of Solo Pakarti.

15. His brother in arms. Apank, Planet, Teguh, Nano.
16. All of his colleagues in Solo, Tulungagung, Indonesia and all over the
world.

Solo, 30 April 2010

Adi Prasetyo

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TABLE OF CONTENT
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................
APPROVAL.................................................................................................
LEGALIZATION.........................................................................................
MOTTO.......................................................................................................
DEDICATION.............................................................................................
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...........................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENT...............................................................................

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iii
iv
v
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viii

CHAPTER
CHAPTER I.................................................................................................
A. Background......................................................................................
B. Scope of the Study............................................................................
C. Problem Statement...........................................................................
D. Objective..........................................................................................
E. Benefit..............................................................................................

1
1
5
6
6
7

CHAPTER II Review Related Theory.........................................................

A. Literature...........................................................................................
1. Forms of Literature......................................................................
a. Poetry.............................
b. Drama.....................................................................................
c. Essays.....................................................................................
d. Fiction....................................................................................
e. Novel..
B. Psychology........................................................................................
1. Ego Defense Mechanisms............................................................
a. Types of Defense Mechanisms...............................................
C. Defense Mechanism on Child Psychology
D. The Chart of Defense Mechanism.

8
8
9
9
9
10
10
12
13
17
20
27
30

CHAPTER III Research Methodology........................................................

A. Type of Research..............................................................................
B. Data..................................................................................................
C. Sample and Sampling technique......................................................
D. Technique Collecting Data...............................................................
E. Technique of Analyzing the Data.....................................................

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30
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CHAPTER IV Analysis...............................................................................
A. Oliver Twist Frustration and anxiety................................................
B. Oliver Twist source of Frustration...................................................
1. Environmental Frustration...........................................................
2. Personal Frustration ....................................................................
3. Conflict Frustration .

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C. Analysis on Oliver Twist Defense Mechanisms..............................

1. Repression ....
2. Displacement
3. Projection .
4. Rationalization .
5. Undoing
6. Regression
7. Suppression ..
8. Dissociation ..
9. Somatization .
10. Substitution ..
11. Identification with the Aggressor
D. Research Findings .

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CHAPTER V Conclusion and Recommendation........................................

A. Conclusion.......................................................................................
B. The Analysis and Its Implication in Teaching..................................
C. Recommendation.............................................................................

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX .

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