CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
B. Making a Change
Making a change is a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The story contains characteristics of each character, namely Julia, Frank and Mrs.Gordins
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senior. They are concerned about the children of Julia and Frank. They argue, they in various ways, but one goal is to have the children of Julia and Frank is care and they live in peace and happy. The difference is in the way they express their opinions, Frank is emotional man, Mrs. Gordins senior who blames Julia but regretted his actions and Julia who just resigned and patiently received insults from Frank and his mother-in-law. Julia sacrificed her dream of the best musician. This creates a conflict within their family.
1. Characters a. Julia
Julia is a musician. After marrying Frank, she became a young wife who just stayed at home and took care of her husband. They have a child and Julia is getting harder to become a musician again. Music can make Julia's life happy and she feels music is part of her life. Julia feels her dream of becoming the world's best musician has been destroyed. Julia loves her child.
She takes good care of her child because she knows that is her job. She spends her days fulfilling his son's needs. She gave up her bedtime to take care her son.
She had been an ardent musician before her marriage and had taught quite successfully on both piano and violin. To any mother a child's cry is painful; to a musical mother it is torment (Gilman, 1997: 49).
Here was affection, propriety, and peace. Here was a noble devotion on the part of the young wife, who so worshipped her husband that she used to wish she had been the greatest musician on earth—that she might give it up for him! She had given up her music, perforce, for many months, and missed it more than she knew (Gilman, 1997: 50).
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Julia has a child, Albert. She loves her son very much. She takes good care of her child. When Julia gets tired, she gives her son to Mrs.Gordins senior.
She can rest, because she believes the Mrs.Gordins senior can take care of her son.
She carefully picked up the child and his bottle, and carried him to his grandmother’s room.
“Would you mind looking after Albert?” she asked in a flat, quiet voice; “I think I’ll try to get some sleep (Gilman, 1997: 52).
Julia is a patient person. Mrs.Gordins senior and Frank insult her, she is patient and does not fight his mother-in-law. She also does not say rude to his mother-in-law. Her angers is only visible in her expression. She greatly respects her mother-in-law, although they differ in different ways, they are still loving each other. Julia is a reluctant woman because she does not make problems in her family.
Young Mrs.Gordins looked at her mother-in-law from under her delicate level brows, and said nothing. But the weary lines about her eyes deepened; she had been kept awake nearly all night, and for many night (Gilman, 1997: 49).
or a change of residence, offered the younger, in a deadly quiet voice (Gilman, 1997: 50).
From the analysis above, the writer concludes that Julia is a responsible mother. She gave up her dreams for the care of his son and husband. She is exhausted in doing her duties. No one knows that Julia has lost time to rest.
Though the people around her add to the burden of her mind, she displays a polite and patient attitude. Every time there is a debate, she always relents.
39 b. Frank
Frank is Julia's husband. He had changed his wife’s life. She decides to make Julia as housewife. She does not help Julia to take care of their child.
He is an emotional person. He shows his anger at Julia. He cannot keep his wife's feelings. He blames Julia for what happened to their child. He did not understand how Julia was taking care of their child.
Frank Gordins set down his coffee so hard that it spilled over into the saucer. “is there no way to stop that child crying? he demanded” (Gilman, 1997: 49).
Frank Gordins glared at his wife. His nerves were raw, too. It does not benefit anyone in health or character to be continuously deprived of sleep.
Some enlightened persons use that deprivation as a form of torture”
(Gilman, 1997: 50).
Frank is a responsible father and husband. Even though he had a fight with Julia, he kept thinking of his responsibility to make Julia and her son happy.
When Frank left home, he does not forget to kiss his wife. Frank does not think about the marriage problem, he did his job to earn money.
When a friend asked him, “All well at home?” he said,” Yes, thank you – pretty fair. Kid cries good deal – but that’s natural, I suppose.
He dismissed the whole matter from his mind and bent his faculties to a man’s task – hosw he can earn enough to support a wife, a mother, and a son (Gilman, 1997: 51).
The writer assumes that Frank is a husband who loves his wife and child.
He shows affection to his wife by kissing his wife. In addition, Frank is a responsible person. He performed his duties as father and husband. He works to meet the needs of his family. However, frank has a negative side, he is an
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irritable person. According to the writer, it is a natural thing. When a person experiences fatigue after work, he becomes emotional. No father could bear to hear his son cry, but he shows the wrong way by snapping at his wife.
c. Mrs.Gordins senior/Frank’s mother
Mrs.Gordins senior is Frank's mother or Julia's mother-in-law. She loves Julia and admires her beauty. Senior Mrs.Gordins lives with Frank and Julia.
He has saving in the bank, but not enough to buy a new home. She also blames Julia for not taking care of the child. She felt worthy to take good care of his grandson. But, Mrs. Gordins senior is also a loving mother. She saved Julia from attempting suicide. She realized that Julia needed a change to make them live happily.
“I do not know of any,” said his wife, so definitely and politely that the words seemed cut off by machinery. “I do,” said his mother with even more definiteness, but less politeness” (Gilman, 1997: 49).
“It does seem to be time for a change of treatment,” suggested the older woman acidly” (Gilman, 1997: 50).
Her tiny store in the savings bank did not allow of separate home, and Julia had cordially welcomed her to share in their household (Gilman, 1997: 50).
“Don’t say a thing, dearie- o understand. I understand I tell you! Oh my dear girl, my precious daughter! We haven’t been half good enough to you, Frank and I! but cheer up now- I’ve got the loveliest plan to tell you about! We are going to make a change! Listen now!” (Gilman, 1997: 53).
After discussing with Julia, Mrs. Gordins senior decides to become a babysitter. She rents upper flat to take care of baby. she turns the top floor into a garden for comfort to baby. The mothers are pay three dollars a week
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for her services. So, Julia can return to work without worrying about her son.
from the work, she uses to hire a housekeepe. Mrs. Gordins senior is also good at managing finances. She arranged the money that her received to be distributed to the people who helped her.
I rent the upper flat, you see—it is forty dollars a month, same as ours-and pay Celia five dollars a week, and pay Dr.Holbrook downstairs the same for looking over my little ones every day. She helped me to get them, too.
The mothers pay me three dollars a week each. And don’t have to keep a nursemaid. And I pay ten dollars a week board to Julia, and still have about ten of my own (Gilman, 1997: 55).
Mrs. Gordins senior is fond of his grandson. He does not refuse when Julia asked for help. Mrs.Gordins senior helped Julia to look after her son. Mrs.
Gordins senior puts his grandchild to sleep and she thinks she can take care of twenty children and enjoys. Mrs.Gordins senior, sat watching the baby for some long moments.
“He’s perfectly lovely child! “she said softly, gloating over his rosy beauty (Gilman, 1997: 52).
“And I could take care of twenty like him—and enjoy it! I believe I’ll go off somewhere and do it (Gilman, 1997: 52).
The description above shows Mrs. Gordins senior is involved in the household affairs of Julia and Frank. The author assumes that it is not an appretiation for a mother-in-law, because that is no longer his business. Mrs.
Gordins should only advise Julia, not blame Julia. Actually, Mrs.Gordins senior is a good woman. She loves Julia and her grandchildren. She wanted to take care of her grandchildren because she was sorry for Julia in needing of a
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break. Mrs.Gordins senior affection was also seen as she tried to save Julia and suggested solutions to their family problems.
2. Plot
The story tells about Julia, she is a musician. After marrying Frank, she became a young wife who just stayed at home and took care of her husband. One day, Julia was babysitting her crying son. Frank felt stressed with the cry of his son. Frank felt Julia was in trouble to take care of their son. At that time Frank's mother came, she also blames Julia and they had a conflicting opinion. Julia feels depressed over the pressure from her husband and mother-in-law.
“WA-A-A-A! Waa-a-a-aaa!”
Frank Gordins set down his coffee so hard that it spilled over into the saucer.
“is there no way to stop that child crying?” he demanded.
“I do not know of any,” said his wife, so definitely and politely that the words seemed cut off by machinery.
“I do,” said his mother with even more definiteness, but less politeness (Gilman, 1997: 49).
Then Julia decided to suicide. She feels desperate for his circumstances, her husband and mother-in-law who misunderstand with her and she desperated to be a musician. Fortunately, Mrs. The senior Gordins foiled Julia's suicide. Mrs.
Gordins senior feels sorry for his treatment of Julia. She realized that Julia needed a change to make them live happily.
“Don’t say a thing, dearie- o understand. I understand I tell you! Oh my dear girl, my precious daughter! We haven’t been half good enough to you, Frank
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and I! but cheer up now- I’ve got the loveliest plan to tell you about! We are going to make a change! Listen now!” (Gilman, 1997: 53).
They discussed and found a way for Julia. Mrs.Gordins senior advised Julia to become a musician, while she took care of her grandson and opened a daycare center. They can make money and hire an assistant. Frank was coming and met his mother with the children. He was shocked to see her mother become babysitter. His mother tried to explain to Frank. At first, he was angry over what his mother and Julia did. Suddenly Julia comes with a happy face, it makes Frank realize that Julia is happy with her choice. Finally, Women are happy, babies are well cared.
“we didn’t tell you at first, my dear boy, because we knew you wouldn’t like it, and we wanted to make sure it would go well. I rent the upper flat, you see—it is forty dollars a month, same as ours—and pay Celia five dollars a week, And pay Dr.Holbrook downstairs the same for looking over my little ones every day. She helped me to get them, too. The mothers pay me three dollars a week each, and don’t have to keep a nursemaid. And I pay ten dollars a week board to Julia, and still have about ten of my own.”
“and she gives music lessons, just as she used to. She loves it, you know. You must have noticed how happy and well she is now—haven’t you? And so am I. and so is Albert. You can’t feel very badly about a thing that makes us all happy, can you?” (Gilman, 1997: 55).
3. Setting
a. Setting of time
In this story, the author only finds one statement that shows the time, that is when Frank meets his mother. Frank meets with his mother in upstairs, they had a chance to discuss. Frank asks where Julia, her mother replies that
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Julia is coming at five o'clock. Suddenly Julia comes with a happy face. Julia had just come back from teaching music.
“Where’s Julia?” he demanded first.
Julia will be in presently, “she told him, “by five o’clock anyway. And the mothers come for the babies by then, too. I have them from nine or ten to five.”
Just then Julia came in, radiant from a brisk walk, fresh and cheery, a big bunch of violets at her breast (Gilman, 1997: 55).
b. Setting of place
Julia argued with her mother- in-law in a room. They negotiate that there will be a change to make their lives peaceful. During the debate, suddenly Frank's mother stood up and left the room. Mrs.Gordins senior left the room with angry face.
“well, by Jupiter! There’ll be a change of some kind, and p.d.q.!” said the son and husband, raising to his feet. His mother rose also, and left the room, holding her head high and refusing to show any effects of that last thrust” (Gilman, 1997: 50).
Frank came and looked for his wife, son, and mother. But he did not find them. Suddenly there was someone who told him that Julia was out and his mother was on the roof. Frank went to see his mother and he was surprised to see the roof of the house turned into a baby park.
Welcome to my baby garden Frank,” she said cheerfully. “I’m so glad you could get off in time to see it.”
She took his arms and led him about, proudly exhibiting her sunny roof garden, her sand-pile, and big, shallow, zinc-lined pool; her flowers and
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vines, her see-saws, swings, and floor mattresses. You see how happy they are,” she said.” Celia can manage very well for a few moments. “and then she exhibited to him the whole upper flat, turned into a convenient place for many little ones to take their naps or to play in if the weather was bad (Gilman, 1997: 54).
c. Setting of feeling
Frank surprised Julia by slamming her coffee cup. Frank is mad at Julia for not being able to calm her son’s cries. Suddenly Frank's mother participated in the violation of Julia. Frank thought his mother cannot take care of his son. As a mother, Julia disagrees with that. She feels appropriate to take care of his son. They were arguing in a room.
Frank Gordins set down his coffee so hard that it spilled over into the saucer.
“is there no way to stop that child crying?” he demanded.
“I do not know of any,” said his wife, so definitely and politely that the words seemed cut off by machinery.
“I do,” said his mother with even more definiteness, but less politeness”
(Gilman, 1997: 49).
Julia tried to kill herself. Her mother-in-law sought to save her. After successfully rescuing her, Mrs. Gordins senior hugs Julia and feels sorry to Julia. Frank's mother began to understand what Julia felt, and then they planned something to live in harmony and happiness.
Don’t say a thing, dearie- o understand. I understand I tell you! Oh my dear girl, my precious daughter! We haven’t been half good enough to you, Frank and I! but cheer up now- I’ve got the loveliest plan to tell you about! We are going to make a change! Listen now! (Gilman, 1997: 53).
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When Mrs. Gordins senior explained her plan to Frank, Julia came with a happy face, fresh and cheerful because she is back into a musician. Julia felt the spirit of her life had returned. The happy impression is also created when Julia shows a ticket. She managed to get Melba concert tickets for her mother-in-law, Frank and herself.
And she gives music lessons, just as she used to. She loves it, you know.
You must have noticed how happy and well she is now—haven’t you?
And so am I. and so is Albert. You can’t feel very badly about a thing that makes us all happy, can you?”. Just then Julia came in, radiant from a brisk walk, fresh and cheery, a big bunch of violets at her breast.
“oh, mother,” she cried, “I’ve get tickets and we’ll all go to hear Melba—
if we can get Celia to come in for the evening” (Gilman, 1997: 55).
4. Theme
Making a Change shows Julia's depressed figure in her family. She argues with her husband, Frank, because Julia does not agree with her mother-in-law's words. Frank and his mother think Julia cannot take care of the child. He feels that his family will suffer destruction. Julia looked at her husband with uncertainty, confused to begin the conversation. Julia thought that she and her husband would split up. Julia feels she's been crushed and her mind has collapsed.
“I will not stand having mother spoken to like that,” he stated with decision”
(Gilman, 1997: 50).
Julia was more near the verge of complete disaster than the family dreamed.
The conditions were so simple, so usual, so inevitable (Gilman, 1997: 50).
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So now she looked at her husband, dumbly, while wild visions of separation, of secret flight-even of self-destruction-swung dizzily across her mental vision. All she said was “all right, Frank. We’ll make a change. And you shall have-some peace” (Gilman, 1997: 55).
Mrs. Gordins senior and Frank do not Julia's attempt to care for her son. Julia tired all the words of her husband and mother-in-law. Julia gave up her day to meet the needs of her son. Before marriage, she passed his days as a music teacher and now she takes care of her son. It makes her tired but still love his son.
The child ws her child, it was her duty to take care of it, and take care of it she would. She spent her days in unremitting devotion to its needs, and to the care of her neat flat; and her nights had long since ceased to refresh her (Gilman, 1997: 49).
Apparently, Julia could not resist the pressure from Frank and her mother-in-law. While looking after her son, Julia felt very depressed, she tried to hold back and think positively. But she cannot, Julia immediately picked up her son and leave it to his grandmother. Julia tried to kill herself. Mrs.Gordins senior trying to save Julia. Mrs. Gordins senior does not want anyone to know about this event. When Julia awoke, she saw her mother-in-law was sad to see her. Frank and his mother loved Julia very much. Julia is just depressed because of being a young mother.
“That foolish girl has left the range going and it’s blown out!” she thought, and went to be kitchen. No, the little room was fresh and clean, every burner turned off” (Gilman, 1997: 53).
When Julia opened her eyes she found loving arms around her, and wise, tender words to soothe and reassure (Gilman, 1997: 53).