Arranged by:
Sri Rahayu
(106026001025)
ENGLISH LETTER DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ADAB AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH
JAKARTA
A BINARY OPPOSITION IN THE FILM
MUSIC WITHIN
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Adab and Humanities
as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement’s for
Strata One Degree (S1)
By:
SRI RAHAYU
106026001025
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ADAB AND HUMANITIES
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH STATE
ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
i
SRI RAHAYU, REG: 106026001025, “A BINARY OPPOSITION IN THE
FILM MUSIC WITHIN”. A Thesis: English Letters Department, Faculty of Adab
and Humanities, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, 2011.
The research concerns on the literary study. In this research, the writer
focuses on the analysis of the binary opposition in film Music Within. This film
shows two objects: the society as the superior and Richard and Art as the inferior which oppose each other.
The writer uses qualitative descriptive method. She analyzes the movie by watching the movie and the founding the object that opposes. For this analysis the writer uses postcolonial theory especially in Edward Said theory of orientalism.
The goal of study is to find two objects that oppose in the film music
ii
APPROVEMENT
A BINARY OPPOSITION IN THE FILM
MUSIC WITHIN
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Adab and Humanities
as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Strata One Degree (S1)
By:
SRI RAHAYU 106026001025
Approved By:
Advisor
INAYATUL CHUSNA, M. Hum NIP: 197801262003122001
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ADAB AND HUMANITIES
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH STATE
ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
iii Name : Sri Rahayu
Nim : 106026001025
Title : A BINARY OPPOSITION IN THE FILM MUSIC WITHIN
The thesis has been defended before the Faculty Letters and Humanities Examination Committee on August 16, 2011. It has been accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of strata one.
Jakarta, August 16, 2011
The Examination Committee
Signature Date
1. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M. Pd (Chair Person) _________ ______
19640710 199303 1 006
2. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum (Secretary) _________ ______
19781003 200112 2 002
3. Inayatul Chusna, M.Hum (Advisor) _________ ______
19780126 200312 2 001
4. Drs. H. Abd Hamid, M. Ed (Examiner 1) _________ ______
158 181 922
5. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M. Pd (Examiner II) _________ ______
iv
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is my original work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extend has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgements has been made in the text.
Jakarta, June 2011
v
In the name of Allah SWT, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. All praises be to Allah, who has bestowed upon the writer in completing
this thesis. All praises belong to Him, the greater of living things from being
nothing to existence. Peace and salutation be upon to the greatest prophet
Muhammad SAW, his family, companions, and adherents realize that surely owes
much many people materially, morally, scientifically, and spiritually.
This paper is presented to English Letters Department Faculty of Letters
and Humanities, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta as partial
requirements for the degree of strata one (S1).
Second, the writer would like to express her gratitude to her beloved mom
and dad; Hj. Khudsiah and H. Wasidjan for all the love, attentions and
contributions that she needs until the end of her study in this university. The
writer also would like to thank to her sisters and brother; Ardiyan Sari, AMD and
her husband Rohimudin, Siti Fatimah, SE and her special friend Dono Arumaji,
SE, Arif Rahman, my nephew Bianca Azka Zhafira, and special her friend Zainal
Arivin thank you so much for support and always motivating and giving moral
encouragement to finish her study.
In writing this thesis, the writer wants to say many thanks to her advisor,
Inayatul Chusna M.Hum as her advisor, who has been sincerely and resentfully
vi
The writer absolutely realizes that this thesis would not finish without the
help from some people around her materially, morally, scientifically, and
spiritually. Therefore, she would like to express her sincere gratitude to those who
have given a valuable advice and guidance to finish this thesis.
She would like to say her trustworthy gratitude to the following noble
persons:
1. Dr. Abd. Wahid Hasyim, M.Ag, the Dean of the Faculty of Adab and
Humanities, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University.
2. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M.Pd, the Head of English Department, and
Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum, the Secretary of English Letters
Department.
3. All lecturers, who have taught and educated the writer during her
study at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University.
4. All her beloved friends in English Letters Department, Syarif
Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Iis, Lulu, Ikhel, Hani,
Mpok, Tika, Elin, Kiki Ma‟Cik, Tazki, Ega, Aqin, Putri, Izma, K rika,
Ozi, Toge, Akbar, Ocid, and Adnan for giving spirit and motivations,
she will never forget of what we have done together during in our
beloved university. Hopefully her friendship will be forever after.
5. All her beloved friend in dormitory, Rista, Lely, K Orien, Rida, Dede,
Indri, Ibu Euis, Eni, Ira, Lia, Nita, Devi, and Vie-Vie for giving spirit
vii
this thesis. Finally, she hopes this thesis is able to be a reference of some literary
interpretations.
Jakarta, 2011
viii
ix
1. Richard Character ... 18
2. Art Character ... 19
B. Data Analysis ... 20
1. Richard and Art ... 20
3. Binary Opposition ... 26
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION A. Conclusion ... 30
B. Suggestion ... 31
BIBLIOGRAPHY ... 32
1 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Postcolonialism is one of theory that enriches literary studies which
gives new color in analyzing literature. As we know, post-colonialism comes
from the root word "post" colonial "isms", literally means understanding
about the theory that entered after the colonial era. Basic semantic of the term
'postcolonial' seems only related to national cultures after the collapse of
imperial power. In previous works, the term postcolonial is also used to
distinguish the period before and after independence (colonial and
postcolonial). For example, in reconstructing the histories of national
literature or presenting comparative studies between the stages in these
histories. In general, though the term 'colonial' has been used to refer to the
pre-independence and as a term to describe the national works, such as
'modern Canadian writing' or a contemporary West Indian literature, the term
is also used to refer to the period after independence.1
Postcolonial, etymologically derived from the word 'post' and
colonial rule, while the colonial word itself comes from the root word
Colonial, roman languages, which meant „farm‟ or „settlement‟2 and referred
1
Nyoman Kutha Ratna, Postkolonialisme Indonesia Relevansi Sastra (Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2008) p. 105.
2
Nyoman Khuta Ratna, S.U, Teori, Metode, dan Teknik Penelitian Sastra (Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2008) p. 205.
to Roman who settled in other lands but still retained their citizenship.
Accordingly, the Oxford English Dictionary describes it as,
“A settlement in a new country . . . a body of people who settle in a new
occupation, domination, occupation and other exploitation connotations.
Negative connotations arising after colonial unbalanced interaction between
the indigenous population is dominated by migrants as a ruler.4
Alternative assessment has been developed primarily by
intellectuals from postcolonial countries. Like in India, Gayatri Spivak, Leela
Gandhi, Ania Loomba, Homi Bhaba, etc. Palestine and it is considered to
provide a basis for rational criticism of colonialism through the work of
Orientalism, Edward Said. From Africa, Frantz Fanon. Edward Said, Spivak,
Frantz Fanon, Bhaba and widely regarded as founding father of this new
study. But just take one prominent writer like Edward Said to analyze the film
Music Within that was published in 2007.
Postcolonial Studies, will not forget the colonial aspects of binary
opposition, the "occupiers" and "colonized". These two terms, intentionally
put in quotes, because its implementation is very wide. In a study of
3
Ania Loomba, colonialism/postcolonialism (London: new fetter lane, 1998) p. 1.
4
3
colonialism are always linked with "occupiers" and "colonized" or
marginalized minorities. Postcolonial is not just speaking about the west and
east but also discussing the existence of a binary opposition between women
and men, blacks and whites, normal and abnormal. Here, the film music
within that the writer will analyze is the binary opposition between people who are physically normal and abnormal.
Music Within movie is raised from a real story, which depicts the life of a young man named Richard Pimentel, a brilliant young man in
conveying something (speech) who wish to pursue his study to the university
but he has difficulty in financial. Richard is the main character who has the
desire to go to Porland University.
He got a great appreciation for race speech, which the race could be
a stepping stone for him to get into the university. Due to his success he was
given the opportunity to meet Dr. Padrow. Dr. Padrow is one of the faculty
selectors for new students. But when he tried to make a speech in front of Dr.
Padrow, his ambition made him rejected because he could not answer why he
likes to make a speech.
Dr. Padrow thinks that if Richard was not ready and he gave advice
to Richard for looking for other activity. Richard followed the advice of Dr.
Padrow, he followed the military duty of government to serve in Vietnam.
During the war, Richard lost his hearing, he permanently lost his
left ear hearing. Richard felt frustrated by what they experienced. When he
fury he told administration officials that he could go to school, he could pass
and he could get work. Finally he was desperate to go to college, but it didn‟t
change people's views on abnormal person.
After seeing this film, the writer interested to choose it as a thesis
analysis. Because in this film shows us “binary opposition” between normal
and abnormal in physically, where the abnormal one that become marginal
minority. The writer will feature elements associated with the focus being
researched.
B. Focus of the Study
As mentioned in the background of the study, this research will focus
on displaying binary opposition between superior and inferior. It is because of
limited research in terms of time, effort, and costs, and to make this research
more directed and focused.
C. Research Questions
In the study the writer attempts to propose the study into one question
as stated below:
How are Richard and Art as the inferior persons opposed to the normal people
5
D. Significance of the Study
The writer hopes that this research can expand the reader's views about
the meaning of "colonialism". In social life, there are some people who treat
disabled group unnaturally. Besides that, the writer wants the readers to know
the origin and the beginning of democracy to the disabled people, especially
in America.
The method used in this research is a qualitative method. In this study,
the writer describes the data which are collected from the script of Music
Within – movie as well as by watching the movie carefully that refers to a binary opposition of the characters, without applying them statistically.
3. Data Analysis Technique
In this study, the writer uses the descriptive analysis technique. In this
analysis, she uses the concepts of Edward W. Said concerning
4. Research Instrument
The instrument of research is the writer herself as the subject to obtain
data by watching the movie Music Within repeatedly and reading its
scripts to select data that are important are support this research. Than, The
writer analyses the data from sociological – views by using intrinsic
element of the study such as choosing characters of the film, opposing one
character to another in achieving the objective of the study – some
dialogues are also used to support the analysis.
5. Unit of Analysis
The unit analysis in this study is a film of Music Within produced in
2007, by starring Ron Livingston, Melissa George and Michael Sheen.
F. Time and Place of the study
This research was conducted on the ninth semester 2010 in the
Department of English Language and Literature of Adab and Humanities
Faculty, States Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, as well as in
7
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Postcolonial Theory
Postcolonial discourse was first introduced in literature field of study.
There are two important models in post-colonial literature (Postcolonial
literature), which is a model of "national" and model of "black writing."
National model focuses on the relationship between state and ex-colonialist.
While the black model focuses the writing on the works of the African
Diaspora of the Black Atlantic. This model was later expanded to include
other forms of writing, such as Australian Aboriginal writing or writings from
India, because this model more bases itself on ethnicity rather than
nationality.5
The literary and postcolonial theory has two main keys, namely the
domination-subordination and hybridity creolization. These issues appear at
first to the surface related to military control and economic backwardness.
Domination and subordination is a relationship that not only occurs between
countries or ethnic, but also within a country or within a particular ethnic,
even in gender power relations. As reviewed by Gayatri Spivak "Can
Subaltern Speak?", stating that subaltern cannot speak, that women in the
colonial context have a conceptual language to speak because there is no ear
of colonial and indigenous men to listen.6
5
Leela Gandhi, Teori Poskolonial: Upaya Meruntuhkan Hegemoni Barat (Yogyakarta:Qalam, 2001) p. vi-vii.
6
Akhyar Yusuf Lubis, Dekonstruksi Epistemologi Modern (Jakarta: Pustaka Indonesia Satu, 2006) p. 204.
The equation of postmodernism with post colonialism lies with its
position as the theory of critical because as a theory, both clearly intended to
reject the binary oppositions and thus the dichotomy of Western and Eastern,
non-indigenous and indigenous, narrative and narration of a small, developed
countries and developing countries, historical reflection and parodies,
documentary texts and inter-textual, and so forth. Conversely, as the era of
post colonialism. according to Said's experience over the past two and a half
centuries, colonization is more universally considered to be global and
therefore have a direct impact, both for the region that was colonized and the
colonizers themselves.
Postcolonial clearly is one section of postmodernism. That is, in the
theory of post colonialism and thus triggered by the use of a number of
concepts existed in postmodernism. Therefore, the basic meaning of 'post' in
post colonialism similar to 'post' in postmodernism is equally meaningful
post. The difference, in the modernity postmodernism seems retained but
given a new meaning, a meaning that has been deconstructed, in post
colonialism then colonial forms with a variety of abandoned due to be
removed.
The vision of postcolonial not linked with practical social politic
problems. In the analysis, especially works of literature, not necessarily
associated with the intention of the author. Greatness, as well as literary
failure is not caused by the oriental elements, but how these elements do
9
Power is not formed structurally, but flows through the community as
a capillary, not because of power control everything, but comes from
everywhere conformed to the characteristics of the colonial countries that
restrict freedom of thought for the people under their control, as well as all
relationship with cultural heritage it left behind. In this context it is said that
postcolonial theory is a theory to deconstruct colonial narrative.7
Postcolonial discourse analysis can be used, on one hand to trace the
hidden aspects that are known institution and its underlying ideology.
There are four reasons why literary works are considered appropriate for
analysis through postcolonial theory:
1. As a cultural phenomenon of literature showing a communication system
between the sender and receiver.
7
2. Literature masterpiece featuring kind of problematic social life itself.
3. Literary works are not bound by space and time.
4. Depicted symbolically so that the real purpose is not visible.8
Based on the above reasons, we can conclude that postcolonial theory
is a theory that studies the conditions of the situation afterwards, especially
regarding the state of 18th century until 19th century. This theory gives
attention to the indigenous culture which is the culture of the oppressed from
the power of colonialism; this theory is also related to the representation of
race, ethnicity and nation-state formation. For that, postcolonial studies aimed
at, first raised the history of science, technology and Western medicine, like
science in the Islamic perspective, Indian, Chinese and indigenous knowledge
and knowledge of other cultures through the study of empirical and historical.
Second, develop a contemporary discourse about the nature, style and scope of
science, technology and non-Western medicine. Third, develop science
policies that recognize and appreciate the scientific practices, technologies and
11
and set off against one another.10 It is the contrast between two mutually
exclusive terms, such as on and off, up and down, lift and right. Binary
opposition is an important concept of structuralism, which sees such
distinctions as fundamental to all language and thought.11 In structuralism, a
binary opposition is seen as a fundamental organizer of human philosophy,
cultural, and language. In the community of philosophers and scholars, most
believe that, as Derida put it, “useless a distinction can be made rigorous and precise it isn‟t really a distinction.12
Binary opposition originated in
Saussurean structuralist theory. According to Ferdinand de Saussure, the
binary opposition is the means by which the units of language have value or
meaning; each unit defined against what it is not.13
The critique of binary opposition is an important part of third wave
feminism, post colonialism, post anarchism, and critic race theory, which
argue that the perceived binary opposition between man and woman, civilized
and savage, and Caucasian and non-Caucasian have perpetuated and
legitimized Western power structures favoring “civilized” white men. In the
last fifteen years it has become almost routine for any good social and or
historical analysis to address the variable of gender, class, sexuality race.14
10
Smith, G 1996, Binary Opposition And Sexual Power In Paradise Lost, The Midwest Quartery, vol.27. No. 4. p. 383.
C. Orientalism of Edward Said
One of the famous figures of postcolonial theory is Edward W. Said,
born in Palestine who later developed a career in the United States. In
accordance with a history of his life, moved from one country to another, the
theme of his works too, especially Orientalism, described about separation,
marginality, hybridists, and other stranger characteristics.15
"It is the spirit of opposition, not accommodation, which is holding
me. For romance, interests, challenges found in the intellectual life of
defiance against the status quo at a time when the struggle for the interests of
the marginalized and the poor seem unfairly weighed. My background in
Palestinian politics reinforce this. In the Western world and the Arab rift
becoming more and more days with separate groups who are not wealthy
haves. And among the intellectual environment of power that produces
ignorance truly shocking," said Edward W. Said.16
The statement above, leads us to an idea that he was a man who is
always nervous at the injustice against humanity in any hemisphere. He
opposed not only injustice committed by his opponent, but also by his friend.
Said is not only destroying the "injustice" from a distance, but also from close
range. He does not use stones and bullets but by the sharpness of the pen.
Critics of color in the West apply Said's approach to raise the issue of
marginalized groups. The representation of marginalized groups by the
dominant discourse is seen as the practice of domination that uses language as
a tool of power.17
15
Leela Gandhi (2001), loc. cit. p.215.
16
Edward W.Said, Peran Intelektual (terj.) (Jakarta: yayasan Obor Indonesia,1998) p. ii.
17
13
In relation to post colonialism, Said refused the linearity of history; by
contrast, intellectual Orient must build a new historical consciousness of the
oppressed group. Postcolonial theory covers the entire national literature has
ever experienced since the beginning of colonialization imperial power until
now including, Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Caribbean, India,
Malta, New Zealand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Pacific Islands,
Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
Orientalism is to explore the history of unequal relations between the
Middle Eastern world and the "East" on one side with imperialism Europe
and America on the other. Edward Said's book Orientalism has produced
anxiety and fear as well as enlightenment in various scientific disciplines such
as cultural studies, area studies and in particular gave birth to a scientific
study known as the academic environment of colonial discourse analysis.18
Edward Said's idea is very knowledgeable, he discusses the various local
cultural contexts, so often referred to as "traveling theory". Edward Said has
acknowledged Thought brings tremendous influence for the analysis of
colonialism and colonial thinking. He has pioneered a new field for research
academic environment. Orientalism is generally regarded as the catalyst and
colonial studies are also constructing new forms of knowledge better with
honor and respect the other side (the other). Orientalism by Edward Said is
term that can be defined by three different ways. First, Orientalism as a mode
of thinking or paradigm based on epistemology and ontology that clearly
distinguish between the East with the West; Second, Orientalism can also be
understood as an academic degree to describe a series of institutions,
disciplines and activities that are generally found in Western universities who
care study Eastern society and culture; Third, Orientalism as an official
institution that is intrinsically concerned with the East.
Said ideological unloading behind the binary opposition of West / East
are constructed by the discourse of nation-Eastern country that produced by a
European. According to Said, a variety of knowledge about the "East" was
coined to project for each trend in Europe is not desirable: the primitive East
is used as a mirror image contrast to raise Europe as a pioneer of civilization.
Furthermore myths and stereotypes about Eastern Europe used as a means of
justification for colonization, master, tame and control the presence of the
other. By displaying marginal groups negatively reinforce the dominant
discourse of power, or provide justification for its domination.20
Said further suggests the meaning of Orientalism in three overlapping
areas, namely the First, Orientalism creates a long bitter history of relations
between Europe and Asia-Africa. Second, creating areas of science was
beginning since 19th century as a specialist in oriental languages and culture.
20
15
Third, colonialism created stereotypes and ideology of "the Orient" which is
associated with "The Other" or the other of "The Occident" (the Self). Thus,
Edward Said argued the need for understanding of very complex
philosophical problems in interpreting other cultures.
Said opinion above, clearly influenced by Foucault in which the
construction of Orientalist discourse is more a construction than a dialogue
between two cultures which are equal by assuming that the dialogue is more
emphasized rationality and achievement of an agreement that puts the side
dialogue on an equal position from the position of hegemonic and repressive.
In his book Orientalism, Said shows how the imagination of East and West
about how power and knowledge-hook intertwined in the writings of the
Orientalists. Said related discourse theory, power relations and knowledge to
society and the political struggle in everyday life. Both the “East” and "West"
is the result of the construction of an idea or ideas associated with a
social-used a sociologist or the humanities in the face of human social behavior, it
will result in imposition of meaning, the term or definition to the object and
this will trap it in the objectivity of scientists. This can be seen from the view
research and revealed text relevance to the context or "worldliness" of the
text. The notion of objectivity is actually an objective interpretation of the
text or ignores the relationship between the texts to the context. While in
subsequent works such as Culture and Imperealism as well as on the cover of
the book is a reissue of Orientalism in 1995, Said argued that the presence of
incredible consciousness revolution in the consciousness of women,
minorities and marginal groups influence directly on the idea of "mainstream"
in the whole world . Study the appearance of Orientalism was so attracted all
the people who care about cultural studies, theoretical and scientific.
D. Character and characterization in the film
In every story-whether it‟s in a literary, fairy tale or movie-there‟s a
representation of human being as the agent who plays in the story; it‟s called
as a character. A character usually refers to human, animal or thing that has
function to play its rule in a story. And every character has variety values to
make a story seems real, understandable, and worth caring about; the values
could be moral, emotional, intellectual, or appearance value.21 To give
impressive values toward character is called as characterization.
Characterization in film is different with characterization in literary works
because film is visual story telling so that the characterization of character in
film more complicated and more detailed than in literary.
21
17
Characterization of character in a film can be given in some ways;
such as characterization through appearance, dialogue, through external and
internal action, and through reaction of other characters. And even setting has
contribution as the characterization of character in a film; it can be a
determiner of character and reaction of character.22
Characterization in film has a great deal to do with casting since the
minutes viewers usually see most actor on the screen, they make certain
assumption about tem because of their facial features, dress, physical build,
and mannerisms and they way they move; it‟s called as characterization
through appearance. And the next characterization in film is through
dialogue; characters in film naturally reveal a great deal about themselves by
what they say and they say it, in other words, the values of character could be
interpreted through their word choice when they talk to other characters. Even
appearance is an important measure of a character‟s personality, but the
reflections of appearance are often misleading. So, another aspect that could
be considered is their action in facing some situation; it‟s kind of
characterization through external action. The reactions of other character are
also influence viewers in interpreting the characterization of certain character.
22
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH FINDINGS
A. Description of Character
In every story, whether in literary, fairy tale or movie, there‟s a
representation of human being as the agent who plays in the story; it‟s called
as a character. A character usually refers to human, animal or thing that has
function to play its role in a story. And every character has variety values to
make a story seems real, understandable, and worth caring about; the values
could be moral, emotional, intellectual, or appearance value.23
Before the writer analyzes the binary opposition in this film, she will
describe the character who supports the presence of binary opposition. The
first character is Richard. Richard is the main character in this movie. In the
beginning, this story tells that Richard is normal in physical until he became a
soldier in Vietnam. He lost his hearing in the war that stop him to enter the
university and was rejected by the administrator as a normal one. Basically,
Richard‟s body looks normal but he was deaf that made him different in
society. He looks different in society because he cannot understand what
people say. That‟s why he learns how to speak with others by reading their lips. Besides Richard, there is Art, Richard‟s friend when he was in university. Eventhough Art has difficulty in speaking, Richard can hear Art‟s
voice clearly. Art always helps Richard in communication and in everything.
Art is abnormal in physical, he gets cerebral palsy that affects his motoric
23
Rosenhaim, JR, (1960), loc. cit.
19
skills. He uses a wheelchair to go anywhere. Richard and Art study in the
same university.
1. Richard Character
When Richard was a child, he was known as a hard-working kid.
After he came back from school he helped his father slaughtering chicken
to restaurants which located around Chinese store. He never complained
and always followed his father‟s order.
Other proved showing that Richard was a hard worker. When he was
graduated from high school, he wanted to enter university but he could
not because he did not have enough money. Finally, Richard worked at
the restaurant as a chef to earn money. At that time Richard read a leaflet
announcing a speech Contest College to win Porland scholarship. With
the help of his friend Bembi, Richard got nice clothes to participate the
contest. And finally Richard won the contest and got the opportunity to
enter Porland University.
Richard: things didn’t happen as quickly as I expected. A few years after high school, I got a job working in the kitchen of a go-go bar to earn money for college. I still had my dream, but were a few
distractions.
Mr. Ben Padrow: Mr. Pimentel, I’m Ben Padrow with the University. I’m chairman of the Speech Department
Richard: Hi, Dr. Padrow, I know who you are.
Mr. Ben Padrow: well, congratulations. I’m impressed, nice suit
Richard: oh, thank you very much.
Mr. Ben Padrow: where do you go to school?
Richard: actually, sir, I’m not in school right now. I’m a little
strapped financially. But I’d love to come to state.
Mr. Bean Padrow: well, we have scholarship and financial aid.
We’d love to help. Come and see me
Richard was also good in articulation; since Richard was sitting in
junior high school he often won the speech competition. It began when he
joined Mr. Park‟s lesson, at that time Mr. Park explained that most people
died without discovering their own genius, without expressing the
uniqueness that made them special. Then, Richard took the opportunity to
show his talents to his friends. Richard raised his hand and came forward
and told the class his experience when working with his father. Mr. Park
impressed by the courage and love for what he told. That event changed
Richard‟s life until he grew up.
Richard was ambitious too, what he wanted was that he would get
with his own way. When Richard signed up for college and was rejected
because he was deaf. Richard did not stop there when he denied to the
administration, he said that he could go to college, graduate and get a job.
By learning to read lips, Richard started his days on campus and what he
said was proved. He finally graduated from the college and he could work
because of his ambition.
2. Art Character
Actually, in this film, Art character was not too dominant but he had
several characters that supported him in this film analysis, such as the
unyielding. Art was a strong willing person, for instance, it was shown
when he wanted to buy water can from a water machine. Because of his
hand couldn‟t move he tried hard to put the coin to the water machine.
Another example was shown when Richard was going through a
crisis of confidence, Art helped him to make decision. This was one of
21
for everything he asked. When Richard wrote a motivation book about
how to treat the physical defect, he asked Art‟s opinion about his book.
Richard: come on, man. Say something. Art: why did you want me to read this?
Richard: ‘cause I don’t thing I know what I’m doing, Art. But I never would’ve written that if I hadn’t met you. Now, you’re the smartest
guy that I know, and if you don’t thing that any good, I’m just gonna
tear it up.
B. Data Analysis
In data analysis, the writer will describe some events that are experienced
by Richard and Art which make them feel different from other people in
general. As a result of their abnormalities in terms of physical, they are treated
differently. In the data analysis, it can be seen the existence of binary
opposition between the normal and the abnormal in physical.
1. Richard and Art
Richard and Art have weaknesses in physical, Richard is deaf and Art
is deformed. Because of their abnormality, they receive different treatment
from other normal people. Thus, Richard and Art become the inferior
group. The group created by the superior in whom considered as the
inferior is not the same group as them. In this case, they consider
Richard and Art are regarded as inferior who receive unfair treatment
normal person who treats Richard unfairly. The administrator rejects
Richard‟s recommendation paper by harassing face. The administrator‟s
attitude towards Richard who is supposed to serve well candidates of
student is very impolite just because Richard is deaf. It caused different
treatment between the physically normal and abnormal.
Administration: I can’t authorize government funds to send you to
college. Richard: why?
Administration: you’re deaf
Richard: I’m what? It’s a deaf joke.
Administration: you’re worse than deaf, you’re confused. You can
hear only vowels. No consonants. Richard: yeah
Administration: well, if you can only hear vowels, you’ve got two
choices, learn to read lips or move to Hawaii.
Richard: I don’t wanna go to Hawaii, I want go to college.
Administration: listen, even if you graduate, they won’t be able to
place you
Richard: why? ‘Cause I’m deaf? Helen Keller was deaf and blind. She
had a job.
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Second, the normal students who are in the cafeteria do not care about
the two persons who need help. For example, Art needs help to open a can
of water but no one of them help him. Just because Art is disabled person,
so they are unwilling to help.
Third example, when there are two girls standing in the park,
unintentionally Art hit them by his wheelchair, but they are immediately
angry to him with a grumpy look they walk away with a bad word. These
kinds of treatment show that they are classified and do not accept the
presence of the disabled.
Women: hey, watch it! Richard: oh, sorry.
Women: can’t you go forward in that thing?
Art: yeah, sure, if you blow me. Richard: (laugh)
Women: what? What’s so funny? Richard: what’d she say?
A further example, when Richard and Art go to a pancake restaurant,
the restaurant‟s manager forces them to get out from the restaurant because
he thinks they will disturb other customers. He does some ways to Art and
Richard in order to get them out from his restaurant. Finally the manager
calls the police officer to take them away from that restaurant.
Waitress: I think you two needs to leave. You’re making the
other customers very uncomfortable. Richard: oh
Art: why?
Waittress: hey, we can refuse to serve whoever we want here.
Richard: you gotta be kidding me. It’s my friend’s birthday. All
he want is pancakes.
Art: I…I think she needs some hot man love.
Richard: maybe. I’ll ask her, but I don’t think she’s your type,
Art.
Waitress: okay, don’t you dare. You are the ugliest, most disgusting thing I have ever seen. I thought people like you died at birth. How do you expect people to eat around you? Normal
people shouldn’t even have to look at you.
Art: listen lady I’m sorry if I’m doing your job for you
Richard: he says he’s very sorry for turning your customers’
stomachs.
In addition, the owner of pancake restaurant only receives less
abnormal people in physical, it can be seen that he provides none special
equipment for the disabled in the restaurant. He only provides a ladder to
25
Finally, Richard and Art also receive different treatment from the
society when they have skating. The people who stand around the
ice-skating area are looking at them with cynical face. They seem do not
accept Richard and Art‟s presence and judged then that they will ruin the
view.
The examples described above are the attitudes of people who do not
accept the different sides of them. Richard and Art who represent the
inferior group that is physically imperfect. The people do not really
concern about Richard and Art‟s disability and considered them as
minority and as inferior group. This assumption is created by those who
claim themselves as superior as and more perfect than Richard and Art.
Meanwhile, as for Richard and Art, they do not consider themselves as
inferior and lower group. Richard and Art feel they are equal as others,
that is why they deserve to have equal rights.
It can be concluded from the explanation above that there are two
represent the side of as the inferior group and the society who represent as
the superior group. Where the superior side feel themselves have more in
everything compare to the inferior side. For that reasons, the superior
group treat their opponent unfairly.
2. Binary Opposition
Said reveals the ideological behind the binary opposition of West /
East are constructed by the discourse of nation-Eastern country that
produced by a European. According to Said, a variety of knowledge about
the "East" is coined to project for each trend in Europe is not desirable: the
primitive East is used as a mirror which gives contrast image to raise
Europe as a pioneer of civilization. Furthermore myths and stereotypes
about Eastern Europe used as a mean of justification for colonization,
master, tame and control the presence of the other. By displaying
marginalized groups negatively reinforce the dominant discourse of power,
or provide justification for its domination.24
As already known, Postcolonial theory discusses the events after
colonial. Where the opposition is viewed two opposites, commonly
referred to as binary opposition. The writer took one of the figures from
the Postcolonial theories; it was Edward Said, who known as a famous
figure of Postcolonial theories. Edward Said, in his famous book of
Orientalism explains the existence of a binary opposition between East and
24
27
West, in which the West was described more dominant than the East.
However, here the writer will not discuss the opposing between the West
and East, but emphasizing the Normal and Abnormal in physical.
In the previous explanations, the writer raises two opposites, between
Richard and Art as inferior group who are not normal in physical and
some people also the society who are normal as superior group. It can be
seen from how the normal treat the abnormal people especially in physical.
The discrimination occurs in it, in which the inferior group receives unfair
treatment from the normal group or the superior. For that reason, binary
opposition has occurred between them.
This binary opposition makes two groups in opposition to another. In
this film, the opposition is a group of normal and abnormal in physical.
Richard and Art are two people who represent the abnormal sides. There is
a group that is discriminated by other groups. Another group, called the
normal group in this case is society in general. This group feels that they
have more in everything so that they discriminate other group.
This binary opposition shows two things that contradict each other
such as the superior and the inferior. The superior feels more than inferior
and gives negative value for them. The value that they build on themselves
could determine whether a person physically belonged to an inferior or
superior. The negative value they built shows their attitude and behavior
While the inferior do not perceived themselves like that. They perform
daily activities just like other society in general. However, the attention
they received is not in positive terms but in terms of negative.
The normal groups who feel themselves more than the abnormal, have
seen themselves to have advantages and look perfect comparing to
abnormal group like Richard and Art. Meanwhile Richard and Art do not
see themselves as the inferior persons.
Richard and Art as inferior do not simply receive equal treatment from
them. Richard and Art refuse to put themselves as lower class. They
"struggle" of the assessment so far. Richard who has the articulate
character, is able to say to the world that he should not be differentiated in
terms of anything. Richard makes a program about how to treat people
who normally do not like him physically. With his ambitious character, he
always wants the best for his group. As a result of his hard working, he
succeeds in doing his program and was approved by the President.
Whereas Art has an unyielding character that always motivates
Richard to do anything with passion. Art always raises Richard‟s
enthusiasm to be optimistic. Richard and Art who have the media such as
the attitude, education and professionalism are able to eliminate the
discrimination between normal and abnormal differentiation.
Finally, it can be concluded that the binary opposition occurred is not
too significant, because Richard and Art do not want others to
underestimate them. With their ability, they could be equalized in the eyes
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CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion
After analyzing the movie of Music Within, the writer has a problem
concerning the issues of a binary opposition. The existence of two opposing
groups or conflicts, described by Richard and Art as inferior and the society
in general as superior. The writer uses Edward Said theory that discusses
about West and East. Edward Said describes West and East in his orientalism
theory that illustrates a binary opposition – system. In this way, the writer
compares the superior group and the inferior group.
Music Within is the film that shows the binary opposition, the superior
and the inferior. The society or who are described themselves as the superior
treat others the disabled people unfairly. The superior groups who feel perfect
do not accept the presence of other people who are not perfect in physical. I
this film, Richard and Art are considered as inferior who "struggle" is
working hard for getting human rights and equallty. By doing his effort, they
make the disabled program proposal directed to the government and approved
by the President even it becomes a common law right. Although the law is
excited, however, the superior do not accept it. At the end of this film shows
that the bar owner does not agree with the law anymore.
B. Suggestion
Therefore in this thesis, the writer suggests for those who are interested in
analyzing or comprehending a binary opposition analysis, they should enlarge
their knowledge about the concept of post colonialism, a binary opposition
and so on.
The writer also hopes that this study will be useful for the writer herself
and other readers for future improvement of analyzing the literary – works,
such as using criticism discourse, tracing the hidden aspect and the ideology
of literature.
Finally, the writer hopes that this study can be a mean of communication
31
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