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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
In this chapter, the writer of this thesis presents review of related literature.
It concern with theoretical framework underlying this study that is presented in
detail. Those are literature, novel, kinds of novel, elements of novel and
personality.
2.1 Literature
Literature is an amazing language art. According to Valery (in
Koesnosoebroto, 1988 : 1), literature is, and cannot be anything but, a kind of
extension and application of certain properties of language. The relationship
between literature and language on the basis of very fact that literary work is a
verbal work of art, and this has long provoked investigators to speak of language's
leading role in literatures.stylistics, has been created on the borderline between
literary studies and linguistics.
Perrine (in Koesnosoebroto, 1988 : 3), makes two broad categories. Those
are literature of escape and literature of interpretation, on the basis of the aims of
writing literature. Escape literature is that written purely for entertainment to help
us pass the time agreeably. It takes us away from the real word; it enables us
temporarily to forget our troubles. Its object is pleasure. Interpretation literature is
written to broaden and deepen and sharpen our awareness of life. It takes us,
through imagination, into the real world; it enables us to understand our troubles.
Its object is pleasure plus understanding. It makes us understand the reality of life
better.
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And, the novel “A Walk to Remember” is one of interpretation literature
which the author Nicholas Sparks creates the story of this novel based on his
imagination but deeper into the real world. He creates the characters, the place,
the plot so real, and he compares all of that things with a real life and it makes this
novel becomes a pleasure and touching book, because this novel make us know
well about reality life, the troubles around and how to solve it. Moreover, this
novel tug at reader's heartstrings and it makes the reader hard to forget it as the
title of this novel “A Walk to Remember”.
use the words to stimulate the imagination become a beautiful creations of arts
and give the readers a unique vision of life. Literature is an universal form of
expression that contains of emotional, spiritual, or intellectual concerns of
humanity. In this thesis the writer will discuss on the novel only.
2.2 Novel
According to Macmillan (1984 : 579), novel is an extended fictional prose
narrative. Like a short story writer, a novelist creates an imaginary world in order
defines novel as a picture of real life and manners, and of the time in which it was
written. Based on both opinions above, the story can be taken from the writer's
real life and it will be dramaticallized by adding the imagination of the writer to
make the story of the novel more interesting.
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2.3 Types of Novel
According to Macmillan (1984 : 953), there are nine types of novel. These
naturalistic, social criticism, and streamofconsciousness.
2.3.1 Picaresque Novel
Picaresque novel is a story which contains of a loose series of episodes
recounting the adventures of wanderers and lovable rogues.
2.3.2 Sentimental Novel
Sentimental novel is a kind of novel which makes the readers full of
emotional tale of romance and tears and, “A Walk to Remember” novel is one of
sentimental novel, because this novel rich with a romantic story which touch the
reader’s heartstrings and the story of this novel can make the readers full of tears
when they read it.
2.3.3 Gothic Novel
consist of a horror story which makes their readers have a sense of fear when they
read it.
2.3.4 Philosophical Novel
Philosophical novel is a story that makes their readers have a big question
about life and humankind. It opens their eyes to be more understand about their
real life.
2.3.5 Psychological Novel
Psychological novel is a narrative which observes the way of thinking
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behavior and motivation of it characters.
2.3.6 Realistic Novel
Realistic novel is a story that focuses on objectively view on the ordinary
life.
Naturalistic novel is a story of character which is trapped by
2.3.8 Social Criticism Novel
Social criticism is a story that exposes evils in its society for the purpose of
correction in that story.
2.3.9 Streamofconsciousness
This novel is a story which is told through to the readers about the free
following thoughts of the main character.
2.4 The Elements of Novel
2.4.1 Plot
According to Thomas R. Arp and Johnson (2006 ; 103), plot is the
sequence of incidents or events through which an author construct a story ; skilled
authors are careful to present the sequence in a significant order. Plot of a novel is
the series of incidents that takes us from a “beginning” to an “end”.
Kearns (1984 : 20) says that plot usually follows the pattern below :
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Exposition, the background of setting, situation and information vital to
our understanding of what will follow. Events that contribute to the conflict are
called the rising action, leading to climax, or the point of highest dramatic
tensions. The falling action presents the result of the climax, and the resolution
gives the final outcome.
2.4.2 Character
Meyer (1990 : 61) states that characters are no more than people in a
novel, whom the readers recognize from the word they read in the novel.
Characters are the people who undergo different kinds of experiences and
adventures. Their action and reactions form the basis of the plot of fiction in
which it appears. In other words, it may be said that the characters is the basic
element of fiction. However, characters are not always human beings. They can be
animals or other creatures.
Koesnosoebroto (1988) states that the characters are classified in forms of
importance into major and minor characters. The major character is the most
important character, but there is a need of presence of major characters to make a
story complete and interesting. The major characters are commonly the
protagonist and antagonist. The protagonist refers to the hero our heroine, and
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admirable character that embodies widely accepted strength and virtues, and who
is morally good. The antagonist represents contrary weaknesses and vices, and if
the antagonist really bad, he is called villain or villainies. Minor character is less
important.
E. M. Forster (in Koesnosoebroto, 1988) introduced popular new terms for
an old distinction in discriminating between flat and round characters. A flat
character is built around single idea of quality and is presented in outline and
without much individualizing detail, and so can be fairly adequately describe in a
single phase of sentence. A flat character is characterized by one or two traits. A
round character is complex in temperament and motivation and is represented
with subtle particularity; thus he is as difficult to describe with any adequacy as a
2.4.3 Characterization
character and the method that an author uses the reveal this personality. Direct
characterization is the writer directly states fact about a character’s personality.
through the characters physical appearance, thoughts, word and action.
2.4.4 Setting
According to Connoly (in Koesnosoebroto, 1988 : 79) setting is the time,
place and concrete situation of narrative, the web of environment in which the
characters spin out their destinies. Setting has function to give information about
the situation. Besides that it has function to give explanation about the character's
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feeling and emotion.
According to Kennedy (in Koesnosoebroto, 1988). There are two kinds of
setting, the specific and the general one. In the specific setting, the author gives
the reader a specific place and time for his story to take place, while general
setting, the author does not state the place but he gives the sign of what and where
the story takes place.
2.4.5 Theme
Kearns (1984 : 958) in English and Western literature says that theme is
the main idea of literary work and usually express as a statement about life. Some
of works have stated themes explicitly and most implied themes that are revealed
indirectly. Theme is reflection in fiction of human experience and to find the
theme reader has to read the whole story. The theme of this novel “The Power of
Love” is the power of love of the main character, Landon Carter who changes
become a good person.
2.4.6 Point of View
According Macmillan (1984 : 955) point of view is the relationship of the
storyteller to the story. It aids him in presenting us with those actions, objects and
thoughts we need to experience the story.
Meyer (1980 : 128) states, two categories of point of view:
1. The first person point of view
The first person point of view uses “I” to tell the story. I, here, present the
point of view of only one character's consciousness. The reader is
restricted to the perceptions, thoughts, and feelings of that single character.
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In this novel, the author uses the first person of view, because the author
uses the word “I” to tell the story.
2. The third person point of view
The third person point of view uses “he, she, or they” to tell the story and
does not participated
2.5 Personality
The term “personality” is derived from the Latin word “persona” which
referred to a mask word by an actor in a Greek drama. People tend to equate
personality with one’s charm, popularity, or public image.
According to Hjelleand Ziegler (1992 : 3) personality is an abstract
concept which integrates that many aspects that characterize what the person is
perceptions, and actions.
2.5.1 Personality Change
Personality change techniques are not disembodied things that springs up
spontaneously; they grow alongside personality conceptions (Phares, 1988 :9).
2.5.1.1 Characteristic of Change in Personality
Changes in the personality pattern fall into three major categories. First,
some changes are for better and some for the worse. Second, some are
quantitative. And third, some occur slowly and some rapidly (B. Hurlock, 1979 ;
120).
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2.5.1.1.1 Better Versus Worse
Personality changes for the better or for the worse reflect the kinds of life
adjustment the individual is making at the time. The more pronounced the
changes, the more indicative they are of how the person is adjusting. And, the
personality changes of the main character in “A Walk to Remember”, Landon
Carter is a better. Because he reflects a good adjustment.
2.5.1.1.2 Quantitative Versus Qualitative
This means that qualitative changes, either the complete replacement of a
desirable trait by an undesirable one or vice versa, do not normally occur even in
the early years of life. For the most part, changes are quantitative: Characteristic
already presents are reinforced, strengthened, or weakened.
2.5.1.1.3 Slow Versus Rapid
Changes are regarded as slow if they are barely perceptible, while rapid
changes are readily apparent to all. Normally, personality changes are slow and
gradual. They are slow, even in childhood before the personality pattern has
become well set, because every change involves the breaking of a previously
learned habit and the learning of a new habit to replace it.
Rapid changes at any age are danger signals. Changes of short duration are
usually due to some artificial stimulation which temporarily causes the person to
forget his real selfconcept and see himself as he would like to be.
2.5.1.2 Conditions Responsible for Personality Change
Changes in personality do not occur of their own accord. Usually they are
the result of multiple revisions in the thoughts and feelings related to the person’s
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concept of self. If some structural disturbance affects the brain, such as the brain
tumor, changes in personality can usually be traced to that one factor. But in a
normal person, there are usually several causes of personality changes. These
causes may or may not be interrelated.
Of the many conditions responsible for personality changes, the following
are reported to be most important: physical changes, changes in the environment,
changes in significant people, changes in social pressures, changes in roles, strong
2.5.1.2.1 Physical Changes
organic and glandular disturbances, injuries, or some other condition resulting
from the person’s life pattern but unrelated to the normal changes in the body
structure.
2.5.1.2.2 Changes in Environment
Changes in social environment may produce changes in the person’s self
concept and, in turn, in his characteristic behavior. A change in environment, per
se, will not guarantee an improvement in personality. In fact, the change may and
often does have the opposite effect and Carter conclude in this change, because
his changes influence by the environment around him, but this changes does not
make a bad effect for him, in the other hand, it gives a good effect for him.
2.5.1.2.3 Changes in Significant People
When the significant people in an individual’s life change, and when he
tries to adapt his pattern of behavior and his attitudes, beliefs, values, and
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aspirations to theirs changes in his personality pattern are inevitable.
2.5.1.2.4 Changes in Social Pressures
pattern thus encourage changes in a certain aspects of the personality. Traits which
are likely to lead to social rejection, such as shyness, bossiness, aggressiveness,
and greed, are more subject to change than those which are usually admired, such
as affection, ambition, cooperativeness, and generosity.
2.5.1.2.5 Changes in Role
Role changes result in status changes within a group. First role may change
because of a change in age. Second, may also come from changes in economic
conditions. And third, may be due to affiliation with a new group.
2.5.1.2.6 Strong Motivation
When the motivation to improve the personality pattern is strong enough,
changes can be affected. Ordinarily people are most strongly motivated to change
those traits which they believe will improve their social relationships and earn
them greater social acceptance.
2.5.1.2.7 Changes in the Selfconcept
Since the selfconcept is the core of the personality pattern and, as such,
determines the kind of adjustment the person will make, a change in the entire
personality pattern.
2.5.1.2.8 Use of Psychotherapy
can make better adjustments if he is helped to develop a more favorable self
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concept. Whether on an individual or group basis, psychotherapy helps a person to
get better insight into the reasons for his unrealistically favorable or unfavorable
selfconcept, to realize how his selfconcept affects the quality of his behavior, to
recognize how irrational his selfconcept and his behavior are, to achieve both the
motivation and knowhow to change his selfconcept, to secure the guidance
necessary to make this change without upsetting the entire personality pattern, and
to change the conditions in the environment which contribute to unfavorable self
concept.