AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERS’ CONFLICT IN
DANIELLE STEEL’S NOVEL, DADDY
A THESIS
BY
MUTIARA DAHNIA
Reg. No. 080721009
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT EXTENTION PROGRAM
FACULTY OF LETTERS
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN
AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERS’ CONFLICT IN
DANIELLE STEEL’S NOVEL, DADDY
A THESIS
BY:
MUTIARA DAHNIA
REG. NO. 080721009
Supervisor, Co-Supervisor,
Dra. Swesana Mardia Lubis, M.Hum Drs. Parlindungan Purba, M.Hum NIP. 1957 1002 198601 2003 NIP.
1963 0216 198903 1003
Submitted to the Faculty of Letters University of Sumatera Utara in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Sarjana in English Literature.
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
FACULTY OF LETTERS
ENGLISH LITERATURE DEPARTEMENT
MEDAN
Approved by the English Liteature Department of Faculty of Letters University of
Sumatera Utara (USU) Medan as thesis for the Sarjana Sastra Examination.
Head,
Secretary,
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of requirement for the
degree of Sarjana Sastra from the English Literature Department, Faculty of
Letters, University of Sumatera Utara, Medan.
The examination is held at the Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara on
19th March 2010.
Dean the of Faculty of Letters
University of Sumatera Utara,
Prof. Drs. Syaifuddin. M.A, Ph.D.
NIP. 19650909 199403 1004
Board of Examiners
Dra. Swesana Mardia Lubis, M.Hum
NIP.19571002 198601 2003 ………..
Drs. Parlindungan Purba, M.Hum
NIP.1963 0216 198903 1003 ………..
Drs. Siamir Marulafau, M.Hum
ABSTRAK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
First of all, I want to thank and pray to Allah SWT, the Almighty God, for
blessing me in completing this thesis as one of the requirements to get a S-1
degree in English Department at Faculty of Letters University of Sumatera Utara.
I would also like to thank to:
1. My beloved Parents, Alm. El Supena and Suriani, for loving, caring,
supporting me morally, financially, spiritually, especially in studying in
English Department and in completing this thesis. Thanks for being my
inspiration Dad. My beloved Family, Aunty Lin and Mami, for their
support as my second mother. Atok, Dicky, Alda, and Radit, the important
person in my life.
2. My supervisor, Dra. Swesana Mardia Lubis, M. Hum. and Drs.
Parlindungan Purba, M.Hum., who have given their precious time, advice
and critics in reading and correcting this thesis for its completeness.
3. The ChocoLate Gank – Ditha, Dewi, Kak Ria, Lorenzt, Nadya, Nissa, and
Sanny for their support and motivation. I love you so girls.
Medan, March 2010
The Writer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of the Analysis
1.2 The Problem of the Analysis
1.3 The Objective of the Analysis
1.4 The Scope of the Analysis
1.5 The Significance of the Analysis
1.6 The Method of the Analysis
1.7 Related Review
2. CLARIFICATION OF TERMS
2.1 General Concept of Novel
2.2 General Concept of Character
2.3 General Concept of Conflict
2.3.1 The Types of Conflict
2.3.1.1 The Inner Conflict
3. THE RESEARCH METHOD
3.1 The Method of the Analysis
3.2 The Technique for Collecting Data
3.3 The Technique for Analyzing Data
4. AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERS’ CONFLICT IN DANIELLE
STEEL’S NOVEL, DADDY
4.1 Oliver Watson
4.1.1 Oliver Watson’s Inner conflict
4.1.2 Oliver Watson’s Outer conflict
4.2 Benjamin Watson
4.2.1 Benjamin Watson’s Inner Conflict
4.2.2 Benjamin Watson’s Outer Conflict
4.3 George Watson
4.3.1 George Watson’s Inner Conflict
4.3.2 George Watson’s Outer Conflict
5. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Suggestion
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
Summary of Daddy
ABSTRAK
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Analysis
Studying literature cannot be separated from human life, because literature
is concerned with all aspects of human life and universe in their entirety. In
literature, there are three important branches of literature; novel, poetry, and
drama. Novel is one of the important branches. Rees’ (1973:106) defined that
novel is a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length in which characters and
action representative of real life are portrayed in a plot of more or less complexity.
Characters take an important part of a novel. (Abrams, 1981:20) stated
that, “Characters are the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who
are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional
qualities that are expressed in what they say - the dialogue - and by what they do -
the action. The grounds in a character’s temperament and moral nature for his
speech and action constitute his motivations”. Every novel has a character.
There are so many conflicts in this life and many factors as a cause. Novel
has a character to representative the real life. Race, nationality, religion, love,
family, etc, all this aspect can cause the conflict that happened to the character.
Conflict is happen because people is in two or more choices in life and have to
choose or when people can not fulfill all choices in their life. Tennyson (1967: 14)
said that, the basic conflict most frequently cited is: 1) when the individual in
individual in conflict with an outside force or forces. From this statement, it can
get idea that conflict divided into two; inner conflict (when the individual in
conflict with himself), and outer conflict (when the individual in conflict with
another individual and outside force and forces). Characters as an individual
presentation in a story also have conflict.
Danielle Steel is one of wonderful author. Almost every novel of her is a
best seller. In her novel, her concern is with the emotional and moral character
rather than human physicality. Daddy is one of her fascinating novel that was
published in 1987. This novel had been awarded as American and International
Best Seller like others before. In this novel, Danielle is portraying the characters
in such wonderful way through a great story about three men; Oliver Watson,
George Watson, and Ben Watson; and their life that have to change into worse. In
this novel the main characters has so many conflict that they have to face, and
they have to struggling. Therefore, in this analysis will be analyzed about the
main characters’ conflict in Danielle Steel’s novel Daddy.
1.2 Problem of the Analysis
The problems of the analysis in this thesis are:
How do the characters; Oliver Watson, George Watson, and Ben
Watson overcome their conflict in the story?
1.3 Objective of the Analysis
The objects in the analysis are:
To explain Oliver Watson, George Watson, and Ben Watson
overcome their conflict in the story
To clarify how the conflicts are resolved.
1.4 Scope of the Analysis
Based on the background of study, this study is focused on the main
characters’ conflict in Danielle Steel’s novel, Daddy. The problem will be limited
by describing only the main characters’ conflict; Oliver Watson, George Watson,
and Ben Watson.
1.5 Significance of the Analysis
People can learn from the experience that happen to them, whether it
happiness or even sadness. But in real life, we more learn and grateful from the
conflict we had. We hope that the readers more appreciate the condition their
being and try to make a better way of their life. This thesis is also hoped to enrich
the literature study, especially about the character through Danielle Steel’s novel,
Daddy. Then, to enrich English comprehension through English literary text. It
can improve the English Students’ interest in studying literature as branch of
1.6 Method of the Analysis
Research on a written of literary work that has long been published is
usually carried out by library research. By this research, the writer has to read
some books related to collect some data needed for the thesis or other scientific
writing. After the data collected, the data are selected, while making notes before
writing the thesis. It is also needed a search from internet to complete the data that
had been collected. After the data had been collected, it is interpreted and
analyzed into a description. This method is known as descriptive method.
1.7 Related Review
In writing the thesis the writer has consulted and used some books which
are relevant to the topic of this thesis. Some of the books are as follows:
1. Theory of Literature by Rene Wellek and Austin Warren.(1977)
Rene Wellek and Austin Warren defined literature as a creative activity. It
is concerned with many aspects of human life and the universe at that their
entirety. So it means, through literary works we are able to understand and
see the writer’s background, knowledge, life, customs, laws at that time
etc. through literary works we are able to see the fact about life which is
reflected by theme of that work. Through this book, it is easier to
understand about literature that very useful in finishing this thesis.
In this book I can take kind of conflict based on G.B. Tennyson. He said
that, the basic conflict most frequently cited is: 1) when the individual in
conflict with another individual, 2) the individual in conflict with himself,
3) the individual in conflict with an outside force or forces. Of course this
statement is very useful as a main theory in this thesis.
3. An analysis of the protagonist’s conflicts in Emily Bronte’s Withering
Heights by Agustin Leonora (1997).
This thesis also analyze about conflict of the main characters’ of a novel.
But in this thesis, it is analyzed the protagonist conflicts in Emily Bronte’s
Withering Heights by Agustin Leonora. This thesis is very useful as guide
to finishing the thesis entitled, “An Analysis of Main Characters’ Conflict
2. CLARIFICATION OF TERMS
2.1 General Concept of Novel
There are so mainly three important branches of literature; novel, poetry,
and drama, one of the important branches is novel. In this point it will be
explained about novel because it is the main object in this thesis.
In Rees’ book (1973:106) defined that novel is a fictitious prose narrative
of considerable length in which characters and action representative of real life are
portrayed in a plot of more or less complexity. In another definition, Taylor
(1981:78) says that novel is a prose work of quite some length and complexity
which attempts to reflect and express something of the quality or value of human
experience or conduct.
Novel portray characters and action which represent of real life, dealing
with human life, passion or ambition, desire, joy, sadness, feeling, thought,
egoism and many related to human life.
There are so many aspects in novel, such as plot, theme, characters,
setting, point of view and symbol. It will be explained about each of the aspects.
Theme
Theme is simply the moral of your story. It is the message you wish to convey a
lesson you want the reader to learn. Theme is revealed through the value of
goal. It can be considered the foundation and purpose of your novel. Without
purpose, the story becomes trivial.
Plot
plot is the movement in a story toward the resolution. Nothing happens at random.
Every scene should further your plot. Plot is shown through the actions and
agendas of your characters. Throughout the story, they overcome obstacles until
they finally reach their goal(s). If the novel is well plotted, the stakes will get
higher and higher thereby creating tension.
Point of View
Point Of view is who is telling the story. This can be done several ways. In first
person, one character is speaking in the "I" voice. Second person, which uses
"you", is the least common point of view. Third person, who can be handled in a
variety of ways , is the most often used method. In third person limited, the
narrator can only go inside the head of the character telling the story. this requires
the character to be in every scene which must be told through their eyes. Third
person omniscient gives the author the most freedom. Using this, the author can
have different point of view characters for different scenes.
Setting
Setting is another aspect traditionally included in analysis of prose fiction, and it
is relevant to discussion of other genres. The term 'setting' about the location,
Setting can be defined as the place and periods of the story, the canvas on which
dramatic events are drawn in details.
All these elements built a qualified completeness of literary value. One of the
elements is character. People in a novel are related to characters; they are
members of society, and the author's distinctive view of how people are related to
society and reflected in the presentation of every character.
A novel can be analyzed from several of point of view. It can be analyzed from
the moral, social, and religious points of view. In this case, is interested in
discussing about the conflict that is dominant is novel, which it will related to
moral and social life.
Characters
Characters is the most important part of novel. Every novel has a character.
(Abrams, 1981:20) stated that, “Characters are the persons presented in a dramatic
or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral
and dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say - the dialogue - and
by what they do - the action.
Like real people, character's have hopes and fears, strengths and weakness, and
one or more objectives. Even if you don't use all of the information, it helps to
write down as many details about your characters as possible. One way to go
In this thesis will be analyzed about the main Character's Conflict, so character is
very important in this thesis. The more explanation about character will be
discussed in 2.2
Symbol
Symbol is defined something standing for something else. (Scott, 1980:284)
symbol can be used as a presentation of character or someone condition. We can
find in novel that character is represent as an animal, flower, etc. Lion, bird,
monkey, dove and rose is the most we can find. This is used to represent the
characteristic of the character. Lion, for example, is known as an animal which is
very strong and the king of jungle. the character that is presented as a lion must be
strong, brave and has power as if a lion and usually a man. dove is known as an
animal that is charming, calm and pretty. The character that is represent must be
charm, calm, and pretty as dove. It is usually a woman.
2.2 General Concept of Character
Until the seventeenth century the word ‘novel’, meant a short story of the
kind written and collected by Boccacio in his Decameron. By about 1700 it had
got something like its present meaning as written in the background of the study,
which, as The Shorter Oxford Dictionary (1973:106) tells us, is “a fictitious prose
narrative of considerable length in which characters and actions representative of
real life are portrayed in a plot of more or less complexity”. Every novel is an
theme. An author has a full freedom present character suitable with what her
work, whoever the person, the social status, the characterization and whatever
their life problems. Most novels are concerned with ordinary people and their
problem in societies where they interact. The creativity of the author cannot be
loose from the way they create the characters of a story.
In a book entitled Introduction to English Literature, compiled by Dra.
Oliviana Harahap (2007: 23-24), wrote that character has several meanings, the
most common of which is “the agregiate of traits and features that form the nature
of some person or animals”. Characters also refer to moral qualities and ethical
standards and principles. In literature, character has several other specific
meanings notably that of a person represented in a story, novel, play, etc. In
seventeenth and eighteenth-century England, a character was a formal sketch or
descriptive analysis of a particular virtue or vice as represented in a person, what
is a more often called a character sketch.
In a literary work, character is made to complete a novel operation to the
reader that has been planned by the maker. Richard Eastman (1965:17) stated that,
“Character is an apparatus, mechanism, a device planned by his maker to help
power the complete operation of the novel upon the reader.”
A character occupies a strategic position to bring and convey message,
moral, or something that is purposely conveyed to the reader. In a book entitled
Sastra Tradisi Indonesia by Ahmad Samin Siregar (1997;53), Abrams (1985:21)
says that characters are the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who
qualities that are expressed in what they say - the dialogue - and by what they do -
the action. The grounds in a character’s temperament and moral nature for his
speech and action constitute his motivations.
Scott (1980: 48) defined that character is short prose sketches of different
types of people moulded to a pattern. From this definition we can catch an idea
that characters are drawn from different types to a pattern. There are many
definition of character that supporting this idea. Two of them come from
Longman (1995: 215) and Webster (2000: 74), which say that, “Character is the
particular combination of qualities that makes someone a particular kind of
person”, and “Character is the combination of qualities that distinguishes an
individual person, group of things; moral strength; reputation; disposition.”
The distinguishing quality called trait or characterization, is different from
one character to another. Each of the character has his or her own traits.
Characters may be ambititious or lazy, serene or anxious, aggressive or tearful,
thoughtful or inconsiderate, open or secretive, confident or self doubting, kind or
cruel, quite or noisy, visionary or practical, careful or careless, impartial or
biased, straightforward or underhanded, “winners” or “losers” and so on.
Characters can be convincing whether they are presented by showing or
by telling. Michael Meyer (2002: 121) states: “Authors have two major methods
of presenting characters; showing and telling. Showing allows the author to
present a character talking and acting, and lets the reader infer what kind of
person the character is. In telling, the author intervenes to describe and sometimes
On the other hand, Hawthorn (1985: 57) stated that there are three methods in
presenting the character:
1. By description report
In this method, the author described the character through himself or
another character.
2. By the action or the character act.
3. By the character thoughts and speaking
According to Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs (1995: 135), authors
use five ways to present their characters, they are
1. Actions
What character does is our best way to understand what they are. As with
ordinary human beings, fictional characters do not necessarily understand how
they may be changing or why they do the things they do. Nevertheless, their
actions express their characters. Actions may also signal qualities such as
nalvete’, weakness, deceit, a scheming personality, strong inner or conflicts, or a
realization or growth of some sort.
2. Descriptions, both personal and environmental
Appearance and environmental reveal much about a character’s social and
3. Dramatic statements and thoughts
Although the speeches of most characters are functional -essential to keep the
story moving along- they provide material from which you can draw conclusions.
Often, characters use speech to hide their motives, though we as readers should
see through their action narrated in the works.
4. Statements by other characters
By studying what characters say about each other, you can enhance your
understanding of the character being discussed. Ironically, the characters doing
the talking often indicate something other than what they intend, perhaps because
of prejudice, stupidity, or foolishness.
5. Statements by the author speaking as story-teller or observer
What the author, speaking with the authorial voice, says about a character is
usually accurate, and the authorial voice can be accepted factually. However,
when the authorial voice interprets actions and characteristics, the author himself
or herself assumes the role of reader or critic, and any opinions may be
questioned. For this reason, authors frequently avoid interpretations and devote
their own conclusions.
From the three opinions, it can be concluded that there are three methods to
present character: by the action, description, and statements or thoughts.
In character, we also found the division of it. According to Burhan
criteria, the difference of point of view, and observations, character can be
categorized as follows: Main character and Peripheral Character, Protagonist
Character and Antagonist Character, Simple character and Complex Character,
Static Character and Developing Character, Typical and Neutral Character.
This paper discusses about the main characters’ conflicts. Therefore, it
concerns with the definition of main character and peripheral character for
clarification of technical terms used in the paper.
Main Character
Main Character is classified important and kept on performing that it
feels dominating the whole story. The narration of this character is considered as
the most important in a novel concern. He is the most narrated character, whether
as the hero or the one who is affected by the action. Even in certain novels, a
main character always presents in every event and can be found in every page of
the novel concern. Though his superiority values are not always the same, main
character in a novel can be more than one.
Peripheral Character
There are some characters that are presented only once or a couple times in
a story, and it may be in relative short narration. These characters are called
peripheral character. The appearance of peripheral character in the whole story
less, not important, and he appears only if there is any connection with the main
Protagonist Character
Reading a novel, readers often identified themselves with certain
characters, giving sympathy and empathy, involving themselves emotionally on
those characters. Those characters are called protagonist. Therefore, a protagonist
is a character that we adore – which one of its kinds is popularly called hero – a
character that is norms manifestation, values, that is ideal for us.
Antagonist Character
A fiction must consist of conflict and tension, especially conflict and
tension experienced by protagonist character. Antagonist character can possibly
be stated to be the opposite of protagonist character, directly or indirectly, either
physically or physiologically. In other words, the antagonist is the character,
force, or collection of forces that stands directly opposed the protagonist and gives
rise to the conflict of the story.
Simple Character
Simple character, in its origin form, is a character that only has certain
individual quality, one certain character. As a human being character, any
possibility of his life side is not revealed. He does not have any characteristic or
behavior that can give any surprising effect to the readers. A simple character’s
behavior and characteristic is flat, monotone, and reflects only one certain
Complex Character
Different with simple character, complex character is a character who’s
every possibility of life side and personality is revealed. He could have had a
certain characteristic that can be formulated, but he can also present various
characteristic and behavior, even can be in contradiction and hard to be guessed.
Therefore, it is difficult his characterization precisely in general. Compared with
simple character, complex character is more likely as a real human being, because
besides having any possibility of behavior and action, he also gives surprise.
Thus, complex character is more complicated to understand, less familiar because
the character presented is not really known before.
Static Character
Static character is a story character that essentially does not experience any
challenging or developing characterization as the result of events happened. This
character apparently less involved and not affected by any environment changing
happened because of relationship among human being. He is similar to coral stone
that is unshakeable though is rammed by the waves everyday. His behavior and
characteristic are relative consonant, undeveloping, from the beginning to the end
of the story.
Developing Character
On the other side, developing character is a character that experienced
and plot narrated. The changing that outside him, and the relationship among
human being which are affected each other can possibly touch his soul and can
cause the changing of his developing character and behavior. Thus, this character
and behavior will change and develop from the beginning, middle, and the end of
Typical Character
Typical character is a character whose individually situation is less
presented, but his nationality or works are more presented, or some other things
that possibly more represent. It is a description and reflection of people, or a
group as a part of one institute, which exist in real life.
Neutral Character
Neutral character is a character that only exists for the story itself. He is an
imaginary character who lives and exists only in fiction. He presents or is
presented only for the story; he could even be the storyteller, or the main
character. His existence does not have any pretensions to represent or to describe
something outside him, someone outside from real life. Or at least, readers
experience difficulty to interpret it, due to the lack of evidences reflected from
2.3 General Concept of Conflict
Conflict is an important element of fictional literature including Novel.
Every Novel has conflict. Conflict is actual or perceived opposition of needs,
values and interest. It is common that everyone will experience conflict in his life
since conflict is a natural part of human life. Conflict is happen because people is
in two or more choices in life and have to choose or when people can not fulfill
all choices in their life.
Marcus (2000: 366) defines that conflict is incompatibility of ideas,
believes, behaviour, roles, needs, desires, values, and so on. While Sanderson
(1991:505) defines that conflict as on opposition of interset between and among
various individuals and social groups, which may or may not be overtly
observable and which may not break out into open dispute or physical violence.
Based on the definitions above, it is seen that the existence of conflict
refers to the incompatibility of things between two or more people or groups of
people who get involved with each other.
Tennyson (1967: 14) said that, the basic conflict most frequently cited is
1. when the individual in conflict with another individual,
2. the individual in conflict with himself,
3. the individual in conflict with an outside force or forces.
From this statement, it can get idea that conflict devided into two; inner
(when the individual in conflict with himself), and outer conflict (when the
individual in conflict with another individual and outside force and force).
2.3.1 The Types of Conflict
There are two kinds of conflict that will describe in this thesis: inner and
outer conflict.
2.3.1.1 Inner Conflict
Internal conflict is the dilemma facing the character inside and its impact
on that character. Inner conflict is a private war within oneself. It could be
anything from deciding between two or more choices, to deciding many things in
our personal life. There is inner conflict between good and evil; strength and
weakness; love and hate, etc. Inner conflict refers to emotional or analytical
struggles a character has due to his values, his role and society, or the company
he finds himself with.
Inner conflict is the conflict which goes on with in the mind of the hero
and between him and goal he has set himself. Inner conflict provides an unstable
basis for positive results in the outsides world, as he self often chooses some
aspects of outer environment to match the group within themselves. People, who
notice that they have repeated negative aspects, may find that understanding
themselves is a basis for better results.
A character's inner conflict can be between what people thinks they want
and what they really want. An internal conflict comes from within the character,
based on problems and issues stemming from his or her past the creates trouble
may struggle for dominance. These aspects may be emotional, intellectual, and
moral. Such conflicts typically leave the character indecisive and agitated. When
such conflicts are resolved, the solution may be successful or unsuccessful.
Internal conflict is the issues a character faces; an issue that requires a
personal opinion or decision. These difficult decisions must be concluded with a
definite conclusive decision.
2.3.1.2 The Outer Conflict
Outer conflict indicates conflicts affecting two or more parties in the
physical world. Outer conflict is the conflict between two persons or group, in
one of which the hero is the kind person.
External conflict is the obstacle and 'outer' conflicting situations one faces that
works against your will is often the life changing situations that compromise
character development within a novel.
External conflicts are devided into three types:
1. Man vs. Man
Man vs. man is when there is a conflict of two forms of like beings. An
example is the hero's conflict with the central villain of a work, which may play a
large role in the plot and contribute to the development of both characters. There
are usually several arguments/disagreements before the climax is reached. The
conflict is external. Person vs. Person can usually be expressed by when a child is
2. Man vs. Society
Man vs. Society is a theme in fiction in which a main character's, or
group of main characters', main source of conflict is social traditional or concepts.
In this sense, the two parties are: a) the protagonist(s); b) the society of which the
protagonists(s) are included. Society itself is often looked at a single character,
just as an opposing party would be looked at in a Man vs. Man conflict. Man vs.
Society conflict gives the playwright an opportunity to comment on
positive/negative aspects of society as a whole.
3. Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Nature is the theme in literature that places a character against
forces of nature. Many disaster films focus on this theme, which is predominant
within many survivals in remote locales. Sometimes all the characters in the book
are the good guys and the conflict in the book is between all the people and forces
of nature that are out of the characters control. In this case the character faces a
problem with some force of nature such as cold, storm, radiation. The world
seems to be outside, and people seem to be strangers in the world. The world is
not going to be reconciled; if they are not going to obey it laws. Because of
conflict of our individuality with the universal nature, people suffer various pains-
3.
THE RESEARCH METHOD
3.1 The Method of the Analysis
In finishing this thesis, the writer applies the library research by collecting
the data from some books and many other supporting materials that relate to the
subject matter that will be analyzed. In this thesis, the writer use Danielle Steel's
novel entitled Daddy as the main source. This novel is the most important
information source for the subject matter that will be analyzed. It is also needed a
search from internet to complete the data that had been collected.
Besides, the method that used by the writer is known as descriptive method of
analysis. This method just describes the elements in doing the analysis.
3.2 The Technique for Collecting Data
By this research, the writer has some steps to do. The writer has to read the
novel for many times as the main source of inspiration to write this thesis. Then
the writer also read some books related to collect some data that needed for the
thesis or other scientific writing.
The writer evaluated the characters of the novel, their expression,
personalities, and all related aspects. After the data collected, the data are selected,
3.3 The Technique for Analyzing Data
The next step, the writers analyze the main data from the Danielle Steel's
novel, Daddy. This analysis is compared and supported by other supporting data.
The analysis is made of some drafts before changes into the main form with some
4.
AN ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERS’ CONFLICT IN
DANIELLE STEEL’S NOVEL, DADDY
4
.1 Oliver
Watson’s
Conflict
Oliver Watson is a man who loves talking about his dream, his beautiful
dream. Live with a big happy family (a beautiful wife, four kids, and a dog) in a
country, he feels that he is the happiest man in the world.
“He talked about things like living in the country, having Irish setters, wanting four kids, and a wife who didn’t work, and she made fun of him for it.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 2)
Oliver is a creative and smart person, who has graduated Magna from
Harvard. He has good personalities with a good temper, kind, wise, and strong.
As quoted:
“He had graduated Magna from Harvard, and he trends of the sixties had never touched him. When she marched, he fished her out of jail, when she argued with him, even calling him names, he explained quietly and rationally what he believed in. And he was so damn decent, so good hearted, he was her best friend, even when he made her angry.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 3)
From the text above, we can see that Oliver’s good personalities are shown
in daily life with his family, his wife. He could be Sarah’s best friend even before
their marriage.
With his MBA, Oliver gets a pretty good job in an ad agency on Madison
Avenue. In the office, Oliver also shows his good personalities. He is known as a
lots of insurances. Madison Avenue has been good to him, and at forty four, he
was the number three man at Hinkley, Burrows, and Dawson, one of the biggest
ad agencies in the country. He has brought in their four biggest accounts himself
and he was valuable to the firm and respected among his peers. He has been one
of the youngest vice-president in the business, and Sarah is proud of him. As a
payment of his work, he often gets a bonus and takes his family on vacation.
As quoted:
“What do you say we take the kids skiing after Christmas?” “That would be fun. Where? Vermont?”
“What about something a little racier this year? What about Aspen?” “Are you serious? That must have been one hell of a bonus you got last week.” He had brought in the agency’s biggest client ever. He still hadn’t told her how big the bonus was, and they had both been so busy in the last week, she hadn’t pressed him.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 17- 18)
Oliver has wonderful brain, good personalities and an excellent job. He
has been completed with his good- looking face. Oliver is tall and graceful and
athletic-looking, with thick, straight blond hair that has been the envy of every
mother when he is child and every girl when he is in college. But Oliver is never
aware of it.
As quoted:
4.1.1 Oliver Watson’s Inner Conflict
After Oliver’s eighteen years marriage, Sarah, Oliver’s wife decides to go
to Harvard to get her master’s degree. Schools in Harvard mean that Sarah has to
separate with her family in a long distance. And of course, it is a hard decision
from Sarah that Oliver ever heard. At once Oliver refuses it because he thinks a
family can not be separate, their children need their mother. But Sarah ensures
Oliver that all are not true.
It becomes the bigger conflict of Oliver’s Watson that is happening in this
novel. He is not ready when his wife Sarah decides to go to Harvard to get her
master’s degree. By Sarah’s left him, it means that Oliver have to live alone to see
their children grow up, and leave his dream to live a big happy family (a beautiful
wife, four kids, and a dog) in a country. He thinks a family cannot live separate,
especially for husband and wife. On the other hand, he doesn’t want to make
Sarah feels guilty because of her decision. Oliver wants to make Sarah‘s dream
become a journalist come true. He wants Sarah chasing her dream and let her go
to get her master degree in Harvard.
By this situation, Oliver has his inner conflict. Conflict comes when
people have to choose, Oliver finds his inner conflict when he has to choose his
own dream with happy family or her wife’s dream.
At last, Oliver makes a decision by let Sarah, his wife, to go to Harvard.
He considers that Sarah has her own rights to make a choice in her life. With his
As quoted:
“It’s your mother decision, Son. We can’t stand in her way. And she hasn’t given us much choice. She believes she’s doing the right thing and we just have to make the best of it and support her.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 77)
This solution brings Oliver a way out from his inner conflict. He puts aside his
ego and finds a solution.
4.1.2 Oliver Watson’s Outer Conflict
In this novel, Oliver has conflict with another character, but the most
conflict happen in the novel is when Oliver has a conflict with his wife, Sarah.
Sarah McCormick is Oliver’s wife. She is a beautiful woman. Her eyes
are blue and bright, her creamy skin is still fine and for the most part unlined, but
there are tiny traces of time here and there. They just give her face more
expression.
As quoted:
“She was a pretty woman, and she had been a pretty girl, long and lean, with a good figure and graceful hands, and a sense of humor that dance in her eyes.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 5)
As Oliver, Sarah is a smart person. She has graduated from Radcliffe in
1969 and gets the best mark. She is the assistant of the Crimson and a good
writer. Her writing has been published twice in the Atlantic Monthly and in the
New Yorker.
“Sarah McCormick, the rebel, the assistant editor of the Crimson, the girl who had graduated from Radcliffe in 1969 at the top of her class and knew she was different becomes one of them.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 1)
“She had got to live in Soho, in New York, and tried to write, and she had actually done pretty well. She’d been published twice in the Atlantic Monthly, and once… holy of holies…in the New Yorker. She was good and she knew it.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 2)
Sarah loves to make a rebellion. Her courage and her rabid determination
to stick by what she believes in, sometimes make her looks stubborn.
She does not like marriage and she does not want to. For her, marriage is
only for women who need support and cannot stand alone. And she believes she
does not.
As quoted:
“…Marriage is for women who are looking for someone who support them. I want to take care of myself, Oliver Watson.” (Steel, Daddy, 1987: 3)
Oliver, himself does not know why Sarah has agreed to marry him. Sarah
realizes that she loves Oliver and can not refuse to marry with Oliver and to fall
in love with him.
After they eighteen years marriage, Sarah, Oliver’s wife decides to go to
Harvard to get her master’s degree. This situation brings Oliver and Sarah to a
conflict. They always have a quarrel at home. Oliver thinks that Sarah becomes
mad or feeling bored with all she has.
As quoted:
Sarah, on the other sides, believes that what she wants is true. Sarah thinks
that it is the time for her to get her life. She cannot wait any longer.
“You don’t know anything about me…
You don’t know what it is like. Giving up everything you’ve ever dreamed of. You’ve got it all, a career, a family, a wife waiting to bring you newspaper and fetch your slippers. Well, what about me, God damn it! When do I get mine? When do I get to do what I want to do? When you’re dead, when the kids are gone, when I’m ninety? Well, I’m not going to wait that long. I want it now, before I’m too old to give a damn anymore, or enjoy it. I’m not going to sir around and wait until you start calling our children because you can figure out whether I got lost when I went shopping, or I was so goddamn tired of my life. I just decided not to come home again. I’m not waiting for that Oliver Watson!
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 55)
By this situation Oliver had to choose between his dream and Sarah that
he himself cannot choose which one is the best for them. This conflict besides
brings Oliver his inner conflict but also brings him to his outer conflict. In the end
Oliver make a decision that he has to put aside his ego to let his wife to go to
3.2.1
Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is Oliver and Sarah’s first son. Benjamin has a shock
bright red hair, bright eyes, and looks like Sarah, his mother. He has her
determination, stubbornness, and fiery temper.
As quoted:
“Benjamin Watson arrived with a shock bright red hair, and a look of astonishment in his bright eyes, exactly nine months and three days after his parent’s wedding. He looked anxious to discover the world, cried a lot, and looked almost exactly like his mother.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 8)
Benjamin screaming baby hood begins to fade into distant memory and he
turns into a sweet sunny child, who not only Sarah looks but seems to share all
her interests and passions, and values. He is little sponge. In many ways, he is
like mirror of Sarah.
In her teenager age, Benjamin is a cheerful boy and always happy. He is
also a smart boy like his parents and has a good prestige in athletic.
As quoted:
“He was applying to Princeton, too, Standford on the West Coast, Brown, Duke, and Georgetown. With his grades and athletic skill, he had a host of great school to choose from.” (Steel, Daddy, 1987: 71)
Benjamin has a humour sense. He likes making people laugh and he is
also a friendly boy.
“Great breakfast, Mom!” Benjamin teased. “You must have had a terrific time on vacation, you forgot how to cook!” he guffawed at his own joke, and Mellisa giggled.
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 19)
In his young age, many girls fall in love with him. It is not surprising his
mother because he inherits his father’s handsome, wisdom, and mature.
3.2.1 Benjamin Watson Inner conflict
In almost seventeen years old, Benjamin falls in love with a young
beautiful girl named Sandra Carter, his schoolmates. Then Sandra becomes his
girlfriend. They have relationship for months. Suddenly, a bad news comes to
them. Sandra is pregnant of Benjamin’s baby. Benjamin is shocked and does not
know what to do.
This situation makes a conflict for Benjamin as considered as an inner
conflict. Benjamin has to choose between his life and his responsibilities with the
woman his love, Sandra. How he can have a family in his young age and still at
school. He does not want Sandra has an abortion; eventhough, his father, Oliver,
told so. He decides to responsible what has been his responsibility. He chooses to
live with Sandra and stops his education, looks for a new job for his new family.
As quoted:
“Dad, I already told you.” Benjamin stood up, looking impatient. “I’m not going to leave her. She is alone and pregnant, and that’s my kid she’s carrying around. I care about her, and the baby.” And then suddenly his eyes filled with tears, he was tired, and drained, and didn’t want to argue anymore, things were tough enough for him without taking on his father too.”
Benjamin Watson is very strong in responsibilities. He believes that he has
to responsible for everything as the consequence of what he did. He tries to full it
whole his life, even if it needs any sacrifice. Living with Sandra, having a family
and trying to make them happy are a good responsible of Benjamin. Even though,
he has to pay much expensive for these by stopping his education and looking for
job. And he do all of these as his sacrifice.
3.2.2 Benjamin Watson Outer Conflict
The situation above also brings a conflict to Benjamin and his father,
Oliver. Oliver doesn’t want his son Benjamin sacrifice his future because of his
fault. On the other hand, Benjamin considered that he has a sin, and doesn’t want
to make another sin by let the woman his love in a suffering, and let his baby
grow up without a father. At last, as known before, Benjamin ensures his father
that what he wants to do is the best. Benjamin has to responsible for what his done
with Sandra and makes his own his small happy family. For the first, it is hard to
Oliver to accept it, but wit Benjamin strength believes, Oliver let his son to choose
what is the best for him.
3.3 George
Watson
George Watson is Oliver’s father. At seventy two, he seems somehow
more alert than his wife, yet at the same time much frailer. In his old age, he still
looks handsome just like his son, Oliver.
As quoted:
“He was still handsome, like his son, tall and straight with gentle eyes and a lovely smile, and yet there were times when he seemed older than he was, and Oliver worried about him.” (Steel, Daddy, 1987: 45)
Like Oliver, George is friendly. He loves his family so much. He is very
close to his son. He doesn’t like to keep his own problem, but he likes sharing
with him.
As quoted:
“I was wondering if I ought to go looking for her. I thought maybe Oliver…” Lately, he was relying on Ollie more, which wasn’t like him either.
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 45)
He is also very close to his grandchildren. He always cares with them and
loves sharing each other.
As quoted:
“How soon will you hear from all those schools?” George Watson was excited for his grandson.
“Probably not until late April.”
“That’s a long time to wait for a boy your age.”
especially to his family. He never wants any misunderstanding between his
families.
As quoted:
“She’s a good girl, Phyllis. Don’t be so hard on her. She was young when they got married. And she makes Oliver very happy.” George had always been more philosophical than his wife.
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 14)
3.4.1 George Watson Inner Conflict
One day, George wife, Phyllis, get an Alzheimer’s disease. She has to
cure in a hospital. George takes his wife back to their home from hospital. He
believes that he can do as well as they did. But one morning, Phyllis has an
accident because he lets her go out. Phyllis is dying in a hospital. She is not there
anymore if the doctor does not use medical tools to help her survive. The doctor
aware that it is not needed anymore, because in fact Phyllis is death. They try to
tell George about it.
The situation above brings George into his inner conflict that he has to
choose his wife life. It is very difficult for George to decide his wife’s life. He can
not kill his wife, eventhough he does not. On the other sides, George doesn’t want
to see his wife in suffering. It is very hard to George to decide.
By the last, George makes a good decision by let Phyllis went to a better
George can face and resolve his conflict in a very good way. The way he
faces the bad reality in his life by making a decisions to accept the death of his
wife need courage.
Through this, we can learn how to make the best for someone we loved
with our decision even it is too hard.
3.3.2 George Watson Outer Conflict
George Watson has a new relationship with Margareth, a woman next
door, only three months after his wife, Philys, passed away. He decides to marry
the woman, Margareth.
As quoted:
“We’re getting married next month, Oliver. I know that will be difficult for you to understand. But we’re not young. We don’t have much time, for all we know. And we don’t want to waste what’s was left. I think your mother would have understood it.”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 245)
This news cannot be accepted by Oliver’s mind. Oliver is very surprised
when his father told news that he wants to marry Margareth. Oliver thinks that it
is too early for his father to forget his wife.
As quoted:
“You’re what?” Oliver turned in his chair to stare at him. “Mom has been gone for three months, and you’re marrying your next-door neighbor?” Had he gone crazy? Was he senile? What was wrong with him? How could he even consider such a thing? It was disgusting.
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 245)
another woman in the time George supposed to be in sorrow. George realized that
what his son thinks is not definitely wrong, but he has to continue his life and he
believes that Margareth is the right woman.
Oliver cannot take his mind from this. He thinks about it a whole day. He
is conscious that what his father said is true. He just wants to continue his life
without forgetting the memory of Phyllis, her wife and Oliver’s mother. Oliver
picks up the phone and tries to call his father.
As quoted:
“Hi, Dad…I just wanted to tell you that…” He didn’t know how to say it. “I love you very much, that’s all. You do what’s right for you, and forget about the rest. You’re old enough to know what you want, by now, and what you need. And if she makes you happy,” tears stung his eyes as he said the words, “go for it! You have my blessing!”
(Steel, Daddy, 1987: 255)
George Oliver conflict can be resolved when Oliver is conscious that his
5. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion
After portraying the main character's conflict in Danielle Steel's novel,
Daddy, the writer has found some ideas. There are what the conflict is, the main
character's conflict in Daddy, how the main characters' over come their conflict in
the story and how the conflicts are resolve.
There are two kinds of conflict in this novel that happens to the main
characters; Oliver Watson, Benjamin Watson ,and George Watson. They are inner
and outer conflict. These three characters can overcome their conflict, both inner
and outer.
Oliver Watson, Benjamin Watson and George Watson when dealing with
their conflict, when they have to choose between two or more choices they can
pass it. They can choose which is the best for them and people they love. They
can put aside their ego by being selfish, and see the conflict wiser in order make a
right choice.
Oliver Watson let his wife Sarah go to Harvard and sacrifice his dream. It
is also happen to Benjamin he choose marry Sandra and responsible of what he
did by let his future. Different with George, when he decides to let Phylis rest in
peace, he has something more to left than a dream or future. He considers
whatever he chooses, he lost sacrifice nothing for himself, but both for the woman
So conflict needs solving in order to get better result what ever the way it
is. The important thing is how they bring and use they heart, thoughts and feeling
5.2 Suggestion
Studying conflict of characters in a novel is very interesting. The analysis
of this thesis entitled an analysis of novel characters conflict in Danielle Stell’s
novel, Daddy, is very useful as a source from another conflict of the analysis even
this thesis is far from excellent , but the theory of that is used in this thesis can be
used in another analysis .Besides this of thesis is also used as an example in doing
another analysis.
And there are still many elements of fiction that are also interesting to be
studied. Plot, point of view, setting, theme, is other elements of fiction that can be
studied, especially in the novel, Daddy.
Danielle Steel really knows how to tell a story. Daddy is one of her
masterpieces, which is gracefully written. It becomes an American and
International best seller. It enriches our knowledge and opens our eyes about other
conflict we find in daily life. For examples: a divorce, a responsibility, and many
contradictions in our life. By reading a novel, readers may get other information
that they cannot find from other books. Besides, Danielle also conveys a message
for the reader through her novel, Daddy, that different people have different
conflicts in this life, and different way to resolve them. We can learn some lessons
from the characters about their attitude facing their conflict that may be our
conflict. We can learn how they put aside their ego to get the best for all the
people that we love and learn how to do a better thing than they do. Danielle asks
REFERENCES
Cuddon, J.A. 1977. A Dictionary of Literary Terms. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books
Gwynn, R.S. 2002. Fiction of Pocket Anthology (Third Edition). New York: Longman Publisher.
Hawthorn, Jeremy. 1985. Studying the Novel: An Introduction. London: Edward Arnold
Hornby, A.S. 1987. Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary of Current English. England: Oxford University Press
Leonora, Augustin. 1997. An analysis of the protagonist’s conflicts in Emily
Bronte’s Withering Heights. Medan: USU Press
Longman. 1995. Dictionary of Contemporary English. England: Oxford University Press
Nurgiyantoro, Burhan. 1997. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gajahmada University Press
Rees, R.J. 1973. English Literature. Hongkong: The MacMillan Press Limited.
Robert, Edgar V and Henry. E. Jacob. 1995. An Introduction to Reading and
Writing (Fourth Edition). New Jersey: Prentice Hall
Scott, A. F. 1980. Current Literary Terms: A Concise Dictionary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Siregar, Ahmad Samin. 1997. Sastra Tradisi di Indonesia. Medan: USU Press
Steel, Danielle. 1987. Daddy. New York: Dell Publishing
Steel, Danielle. 1993. Ayah. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Tennyson, G.B. 1967. An Introduction to Drama. United States of America: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
APPENDICES
Danielle Steel’s Biography and
Her Literary Works
Steel was born on August 14, 1947, in New York City, the only child of
John Schuelein-Steel, a member of Munich's wealthy Lowenbrau beer family, and
Norma Schuelein-Steel, an international beauty from Portugal. Steel's parents
divorced when she was seven or eight years old. Afterwards, she was raised by
relatives and servants in Paris and New York. She graduated from the Lycee
Francais when she was not quite fifteen and in 1963 entered New York's Parsons
School of Design. However, she soon abandoned her dream of becoming "the new
Chanel" when the pressure to succeed caused her to develop a stomach ulcer. She
then enrolled at New York University, where she studied until 1967. When she
was eighteen, Steel married her first husband, a French banker with homes in New
York, San Francisco, and Paris. Within a few years, she became bored with her
jet-setting lifestyle and, against her husband's wishes, decided to find a job. In
1968, she was hired as vice president of public relations and new business for
Supergirls, a Manhattan public relations and advertising agency. A few years later
the five-woman firm began to falter and Steel was looking to the future.
One of her clients, then the editor of Ladies' Home Journal, suggested she
try writing, so Steel isolated herself at her home in San Francisco and wrote her
moderate sales. Around the same time, Steel's marriage broke up, and she turned
to writing in earnest. However, she composed five more novels that were rejected
before Passion's Promise was published by Dell in 1977. During these years she
also wrote advertising copy as well as poems about love and motherhood that
appeared in women's magazines. Some of these poems were included in the
abridged edition of her only volume of poetry, Love Poems: Danielle Steel (1981),
which came out in 1984. After Passion's Promise, Dell published three more of
Steel's romances: The Promise (1978), a novelization of a screenplay by Garry
Michael White, Now and Forever (1978), which was adapted for a film released
by Inter Planetary Pictures in 1983, and Season of Passion (1979). Sales of The
Promise, Steel's first big success, reached two million copies in 1979, and in the
same year she signed a six-figure contract with Dell.
Steel set a grueling pace for herself, composing two to three novels a year,
and in the early 1980s several more best-selling paperbacks appeared. In addition,
Dell's affiliate, Delacorte, began publishing Steel's books in hardcover. Thurston
House (1983) was the last of her novels to originate as a paperback. Steel tailors
her work habits to meet family considerations. In 1981 she married John Traina, a
shipping executive who, like herself, had two children. The couple has since
produced five children together. Steel works in concentrated marathon sessions,
which affords her blocks of time she can devote to her large family. Unlike many
of her heroines, Steel shies away from the limelight, refusing to do promotional
tours, and lives a relatively quiet life that is frequently far from glamorous. When
metal-body Olympia in a flannel nightgown.
Though she is an extremely wealthy woman - she recently signed a
sixty-million-dollar contract with Delacorte - Steel shows no signs of relaxing her
frantic pace. In 1994 she published three more novels, Accident, The Gift, and
Wings, and since 1989, she has produced two series of books for children, the
"Max and Martha" series and the "Freddie" series. Steel's romances feature both
contemporary and historical settings, and their exotic and exciting locales offer
readers fast-paced escape from the routine of daily life. They typically focus on a
glamorous, well-to-do heroine who proves that women can "have it all": love,
family, and career. However, Steel's characters are beset by obstacles on their road
to fulfillment; often they are confronted with the task of rebuilding their life after
an emotionally crippling tragedy. Sometimes Steel's heroines have one or more
unlucky romances before they find lasting love, but all their relationships with
men lead them to increased self-awareness, which, in many cases, helps them to
establish successful careers.
In Kaleidoscope (1987) and No Greater Love (1991) Steel turns her
attention to the love shared by siblings. In a few of her novels, Steel shifts her
focus to male characters. Fine Things (1987), for example, is about a department
store executive, Bernard Fine, whose beloved wife dies from cancer a few years
after their marriage, and Daddy (1989) describes the emotional recovery of Oliver
Watson after his wife of eighteen years abandons him and their three children.
Steel's fans have also been able to enjoy her stories in the form of
television movies. In 1986 Crossings was presented as an ABC miniseries starring
Cheryl Ladd, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer; NBC made television
movies from Kaleidoscope and Fine Things in 1990, and aired Palomino (1981),
Changes (1983), and Daddy in 1991; a miniseries called Danielle Steel's "Zoya,"
with Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner. Several of Steel's other novels,
including Thurston House and Wanderlust (1986), have also been optioned for
