THE CRITICISM TOWARDS THE IDEA OF
SELF-RELIANCE IN THE 20
thCENTURY AMERICAN SOCIETYAS
REVEALED THROUGH THE MAIN CHARACTER IN SEAN
PENN’S
INTO THE WILD
MOVIE SCRIPT
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
In English Letters
By:
BUDI PRIHANTORO 05 4214 039
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
Believe in yourself!
Have faith in your abilities!
Without a humble but
reasonable confidence in your
own powers you cannot be
successful or happy.
-This thesis is
ACKNWOLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my greatest gratitude to my Father, Jesus Christ for His blessing and guidance. He gave me a wonderful chance in my
life, so I can finish writing this thesis because of Him.
I would like to give my sincere gratitude to my advisor Elisa Dwi Wardani S.S., M.Hum. for her precious time and guidance in this undergraduate
thesis writing. I would like also to give my gratitude to my co-advisor Dr.F.X. Siswadi, M.A. for his time and willingness to correct my thesis. I thank all the
lecturers and all staffs in the secretariat of English Letters Department too.
I would like to thank my parents, Valentinus Sugeng Harjono and Tri Hertati Caecilia for their prayers, passion, advice and struggle to finance my
study. Both of them have been my motivation in finishing this thesis writing. I thank my sister too: mbak Heni and Etik. I love them all.
My special thanks go to Maria Delfina Dhae for the love, laugh, support,
help, and encouragement. She makes my days colorful.
Furthermore, I thank my closest friends in campus: Jimi, Fajar, Ucok,
Miki, Yohanes Bayu, Surya, Yoesf Bayu, Bruno, Fuja, Hardian, James, Acong, Adit, Rijek,Galih and Simbah. I thank all 2005 English Letters Department‘s
I am grateful to all my friends in my boarding house: Mas eka, Mas Joy,
Bembenk, Irfan, Ancah and Mas Bagus for the happiness, sadness, smile, tear, anger, and all the precious time.
Next, my sincere gratitude goes to my friends in KKN Angga, Renda,
Dita, Siwi, Rita, Jeje, and Ayu. I would not forget to say thanks to my best friends in Lingkar Hitam Deni, Tanto, Apenk , and Edo.My band mates Miko, Jay, Nizar,
Reza. They are rock guys. It is nice to have nice friends like them. There are many wonderful and exciting moments that we have shared together, ―Thanks for the
memories friends!‖
Last but not least, I thank everyone whose name I cannot mention one by one for helping and supporting me during the completion of my thesis. May God
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Theories of Character and Characterization ... 8
2. Theories of Self-reliance... 11
3. Theories of Relation Between Literature and Society ... 14
C. Review of Social Condition of USA in Twentieth Century ... 16
D. Theoritcal Framework ... 22
A. Concept of Self-reliance as Reflected in the Charcteristics of Christopoher McCandless ... 27
B. The Criticisms Towards the Idea of Self-reliance ... 41
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ... 53
BIBLIOGRAPHY ... 56
ABSTRACT
BUDI PRIHANTORO. The Criticism Towards the Idea of Self-reliance in the 20th Century American Society as Revealed Through the Main Character in
Sean Penn’s Into The Wild Movie Script. Yogyakarta: Department of English
Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma 2011.
This undergraduate thesis examines Sean Penn‘s Into The Wild Movie Script. It presents a true story experienced by Christopher McCandless. Christopher Mcandless as the main character shows a particular characteristic that is very unique. He becomes controversial and does some unusual actions. Somehow in this occasion, the movie script encourages the audience to think critically about particular ideas and values contained in the film. This thesis tries to analyze how a movie script criticizes the ideas of self reliance.
There are two problems to be discussed in this study. The first problem deals with the characterization of Christopher McCandless reflects the concept of self-reliance in the movie script of Into the Wild. The second problem deals with criticisms toward the idea of self-reliance by revealing the main character‘s characterization
The writer uses the library research in collecting the data. This analysis uses the socio-cultural historical approach. This approach is suitable for the analysis because it concerns on the criticism toward the self-reliance in America.
ABSTRAK
BUDI PRIHANTORO. The Criticism Towards the Idea of Self-reliance in the 20th Century American Society as Revealed Through the Main Character in
Sean Penn’s Into The Wild Movie Script. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris,
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini mengulas tentang teks film yang berjudul Into the Wild. Into the Wild adalah kisah nyata yang dialami oleh Christopher McCandles. Christopher sebagai tokoh utama dalam teks film ini memperlihatkan sifat-sifat yang sangat unik. Dia menjadi perdebatan karena melakukan hal- hal yang tidak biasa. Bagaimanapun juga dalam kesempatan ini, teks film ini mengharapkan para pembaca untuk berpikir lebih kritis tentang sebuah ide dan nilai yang terkandung di dalam cerita. Skrispsi ini mencoba untuk menganalisis bagaimana teks film Into the Wild mengkritik ide self-reliance.
Dalam skrispsi ini ada dua rumusan masalah yang akan dibahas. Yang pertama mengenai penggambaran perwatakan dari tokoh utama Christopher McCandless sebgai cerminan self-reliance. Yang kedua, membahas tentang kritik terhadap ide
self-reliance melalui perwatakan tokoh utama.
Penulis menggunakan metode studi perpustakaan dalam mengumpulkan data. Dalam pembahasan penulis menggunakan pendekatan sosialkultural historikal. Pendekatan tersebut adalah pendekatan yang paling sesuai untuk pembahasan, dikarenakan skrispsi ini mengacu pada kritik terhadap self-reliance di Amerika.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
A literary work is the result of human thoughts and feelings which are part of their life experience. The statement above is related to Hudson‘s definition
of literature in Introduction to the Study of Literature. Hudson states that literature is a depiction of what men have seen and experienced in life. It can be said that a literary work is the reflection of life through the media of language, which can be
found in the form of novels or poems (2006: 10). With literary works, the authors try to appreciate themselves and share their thoughts and feeling with others.
Arnold Kettle in Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things: A Critical Appraisal states that ―at the same time the good novel does not simply convey life, it says
something about life, it reveals some kind of pattern in life, and it brings significance‖ (2004: 42). Therefore, a literary work can serve as an instructional
medium for others. Many values and knowledge can be obtained through
literature. Values that are delivered through literary works are expected to be useful for the reader's life.
There are many types of literature, such as short story, novel, poem and drama. As parts of literature, they have some values. Human life and manners are presented on them (Wellek and Warren, 1956: 216). In his book Moral Choice,
characters, plot, and theme. Those elements can be used to interpret the message
and the values delivered through the novels (1979: 3).
It can be said that the authors of literary works have certain purposes that they try to deliver to the readers through the messages and values in their works.
In Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things: A Critical Appraisal, Amar Nath
Prasad mentions that ―every branch of literature has specific aim and novel, being
one the chief‘s branches of literature, has a decisive purpose or aim‖ (2004: 42).
Ideas or thoughts that are poured into a literary work have a specific purpose and motive for the readers. It means that through the ideas in literary works, the
readers will be expected to think critically to understand the purpose. It can range from the author‘s protest towards his surroundings to moral lessons.
Therefore, a literary work must have power and influence on the readers. This idea is also supported by Holland in New Literary History, as shown in the
following quotation.
Literature shows its apparent power when we are "absorbed" in a literary experience: Coleridge's "willing suspension of disbelief." We do not sense our bodies or our environment. We cease to judge the reality or probability of events. And we feel real emotions toward people and things we know are fictions. Our sensory and emotional systems behave in this special way because our "disinterested" stance toward works of art inhibits the brain's action systems to which these other systems are linked (2004: 395-410).
The process of revealing values and ideas in literary works can be done
in several ways; one of them is through the movie or film version. Nowadays, many novels have been adapted to the movie versions. Therefore, everybody can learn some values from literary works, both in the form of novels and movies,
Astruc in the book France, he states that ―a film maker or author writes with his camera as writer writes with his pen‖ (1971: 11). Movies also have a close
relationship with literature because films or movies must have a script, and Giannetti states that ―a film script is rarely an autonomous literary product‖ (1987:
256). People can analyze a film script in a similar way as they analyze a literary work because movies have aesthetical values which are also found in literary
works. Therefore, literary analysis can be applied on perspective film analysis, as suggested by Boggs below.
Perspective film analysis is built on the same elements used in literary analysis and if we apply what we have learned in the study of literature to our analysis film, we are far ahead of those who do not (1978: 20).
The criteria above can be found in a true story experienced by
Christopher McCandless, which was chronicled in a novel entitled Into the Wild by John Kreakuer and adapted into a movie with the same title by Sean Penn. Into
the Wild is an interesting story to discuss because McCandless as the main
character displays highly unique characteristics. Throughout the story, he has done some controversial and extraordinary actions. The movie script conveys
messages and values to the audience through the character of McCandless. Somehow, the script encourages the audience to think critically about particular ideas and values contained in the movie that will be useful for the readers‘ life.
In this study, the writer tries to analyze how the movie script of Into the Wild criticizes the idea of self reliance. Self-reliance is an interesting topic to be
the Wild. For instance, he decides to live in the Alaska alone without money, technology, and other important life necessities. He also leaves his wealth behind just to find the answers of his thoughts about self reliance. Through the analysis, the writer aims to find criticisms towards the ideas of self reliance in the movie
script, which are shown through the characterization of Christopher McCandless.
B. Problem Formulation
Based on the background of the study, the problem can be formulated into the following questions.
1. How does the characteristic of Christopher McCandless reflect the concept of self-reliance in the movie script of Into the Wild?
2. How does the movie script of Into the Wild criticize the idea of self-reliance through Christopher McCandless‘ characterization?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study aims to answer the problems that have been stated in the
problem formulation. The first objective of the study is to understand the ideas of self-reliance through the characterization of Christopher McCandless. Since the
movie script criticizes the ideas of self-reliance, this objective will be achieved by obtaining ideas about self-reliance from the text. The second objective is to identify how the movie script criticizes the ideas of self-reliance, as revealed
D. Definition of Terms
To avoid misinterpretation and to help the readers understand this study, the term used throughout this study is defined and explained in this part.
Therefore, both the writer and the readers have the same understanding of this term.
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus defines self-reliance as the capacity to
manage one's own affairs, make one's own judgments, and provide for oneself: independence, self-determination, self-sufficiency (1996: 842). On the other hand, Emerson as the creator of the term ―self-reliance‖ states in the book Self-Reliance
that self-reliance is the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A.Review of Related Studies
In the thesis entitled Christopher Johnson McCandless’ Trancendetalism
Values as Reflected in Sean Penn’s Into The Wild, Afida Arifiana from Sebelas
Maret University discusses about transcendetalism as reflected by the main character. Christopher McCandless. Arifiana tries to find trancendetailsm by examining the character of Christopher McCandless. In her thesis, she applies the
sociological, philosophical approaches and semiotics film theory. In her analysis, she finds that Christopher McCandless in Senn Pean‘s Into the Wild reflects the
transcendentalism values, for instance by living in simplicity close to the nature, believing that everything is Divine, having his own self-image and self-reliance, and opposing oppressions. McCandless‘ transcendentalism values are revealed
through his dialogue with other characters, quotes, and expressions. In addition, those values are also revealed from the mise-en-scène and cinematographic
elements, such as camera angle and shot (2009:74).
The writer essentially agrees to Arifiana‘s findings. However, she only
discusses the preface and does not discuss it deeper. As a result, her study becomes too general. The difference between Arifiana‘s study and this study is that this study will go deeper to discuss self-reliance as part of trancendetailsm
Aditria Putri from Airlangga University also discusses the same character in her
thesis, which was entitled A Study on Neurotic Problem of Christopher Johnson
McCandless as the Main Character in John Krakauer’s Into the Wild. Even
though the object of study is the original novel instead of the movie version, the
contents of the story remain the same. In her study, Putri argues that the reason behind Christopher‘s odyssey to Alaska is his neurotic problems, which were
caused by his father‘s poor parenting. Putri applies Karen Horney‘s theory on
neurosis to prove that poor parenting or parental indifference causes neurotic problems in the future. From Christopher‘s family background, it can be
concluded that Christopher copes with neurotic strategies and fulfills his neurotic needs through his journey to Alaska. This thesis argues that neurosis is one of the causes of Christopher‘s death (2010: 61-65).
The study above focuses on the psychological aspect of Christopher
McCandless, while this thesis focuses on the criticism towards self-reliance. Since Putri‘s study and this study analyze Into the Wild with different subjects and points of view, this study is definitely different from Putri‘s. The difference
between Putri‘s study and this study is that this study will explore the subject of
self-reliance and focus on the impact of self-reliance in American society as
B Review of Related Theories
1.Theories of Character and Characterization
Trottier in The Screenwriter's Bible he states the screenplay is a unique
literary form. A screenplay is written using technical jargon and tight, spare prose when describing stage directions. Unlike a novel or short story, a screenplay
focuses on describing the literal, visual aspects of the story, rather than on the internal thoughts of its characters (1998: 4) Despite the movie script or screenplay does not focuses on character, it cannot be denied that movie script still analyzes
the characters. It means we can apply the literary analysis to analyze the character on a movie script.
Since the movie script has similarities to the drama, the writer of thesis uses the theory from Reaske. In How to Analyze Drama, Reaske said that a
character is the fictitious creation of person presented in dramatic or narrative work that can be interpreted through the combination of the dialogue and action expressed (1966; 40). While according to Roger B. Henkle, characters could be
classified into major and minor characters. Major or main characters are characters that become the center of the story and are observed many times in the
story (Henkle, 1977: 90). The minor or secondary characters are characters that support the main character in the terms of storytelling the major character‘s personality in the story. Their function are various; as elements of society that
the major characters, or they can be symbols of aspects of the governing state of
being (Henkle, 1977: 100).
In the book A Glossary of Literary Terms, Abrams defines character as one of literary genre. According to Abrams, characters are not only about physical
appearances but also psychological. Both of the definitions are applicable for this thesis. Another definition that he states about character is 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 (Abrams, 1981: 20).
As for the characterization, Abrams states in his book, A Glossary of Literary
Terms, that there are two ways to present characterization. Abrams writes ―first
showing (dramatic method), the author merely presents his characters talking and acting and leaves the reader to infer the motives and dispositions lay behind what
they say and do. Second is telling, the author himself intervenes authoratively in order and often to evaluate, the motives and disposal qualities of his character‖
(Abrams, 1981: 24).
There is another theory that talks about how to analyze a character‘s
characterization in a play. Reaske in his book, How to Analyze Drama, says that
there are six devices of characterization. These theories will be used in this study. They are:
a. The appearance of the character
character‘s appearance we can know whether the character is old or young, small
or large, attractive or unattractive, etc. This appearance may be visible as well from narrator‘s description or other character‘s opinion towards the particular
character.
b. Asides and soliloquies
Through aside and soliloquies, we also can learn about the character.
When a character speaks in short asides or in longer soliloquies, he is telling his specific characteristics. For example; a lover, will have tendency to use poetic statements. Therefore, we may learn that the person is a lover for using poetic
statements which one speaks in short asides. c. Dialogue between characters
This means that we learn characters from dialogue between characters. Through character‘s language when he speaks to other character, we can know his
personality.
d. Hidden narration
Sometimes, there is a character in the play who is never directly
described by the playwright. In that case, we understand that characters through hidden narration, i.e. a narration of one character about another character.
e. Language
Language can also help to understand character. Both the kind of words which the character uses and how the character speaks are two important parts of language that can be used to learn the characters‘ characteristics.
This means that we can determine what kind of person a character is
when he acts on the stage. We can learn more about character through his action in the play. (1966: 44-48)
2. Theory of Self-Reliance
In his Essays: First Series Self-reliance Emerson explains the importance
of thinking for oneself rather than meekly accepting other people's ideas. As he states "To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men—that is genius.‘‘ (2007:14). It means a man
should believe in himself. When he has an original thought, he should embrace it and make it known to others rather than reject it. A man should trust his own
judgment of things and always try to search deep inside themselves for answers. According to Emerson to get the glory men should speak to their latent
conviction, and it shall be the universal sense, for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost. A man must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion when he already has the conviction that envy is ignorance and imitation is suicide.
Something does not come instantly so people should hard work for something. The power which resides in human is new in nature and none but man knows
what that is which man can do, nor does man know until he has tried.
In Emerson‘s essay someone must trust thyself, every heart vibrates to
that iron string. It means men are to be guides and adventurers, destined to
we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark. (2007:18)
In his essay, Emerson also speaks out about the society. According to
Emerson society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. When people accept the society, it means they sell their freedom for
securing life. People become conformity. In the eyes of Emerson, Self-reliance is its aversion. Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.
Emerson says ―What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think‖
(2007:20) therefore in self-reliance a great man is person that can keep his freedom and independence of solitude. A man does not need or want the approval
of other men.
Emerson in his essay also underlines the serious problem of men. They are conformity and consistency. As Emerson states ―To conform, to please others,
you put on a false face, smiling when in the presence of people with whom you feel uncomfortable or pretending to be interested in dull conversation‖ (2007:20)
Conformity can turn man life into a lie because in living according to the will of others it means a man is not being true to himself. If somebody doing this thing it
means what they do is fake. Second problem is consistency. If man strives to be consistent in all things and live according to a pattern, he will afraid to break out of because he is afraid that people will look down on him. According to Emerson
and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to
do. Somebody may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall.
In the Emerson opinion society is not the measure of all things; the individual is. The individual can find the label true man in his nature. Emerson's label for the
ideal individual, "belongs to no other time or place, but is the centre of all things. Where he is, there is nature." (2007:35) In this case nature is not only the objects around person, but also person‘s individual natures. And these individual natures
allow the great thinker and the ideal individual to battle conformity and consistency.
He says ―one should base on their life on the present and live naturally,
not relying on money or riches. Nothing but nature and you make up who you really are inside‖(2007:26) From Emerson statement can be concluded that a man
must be themselves and rely on the nature.
Emerson also writes important things about self- reliance. He says ―Insist on yourself; never imitate‖. (2007:45) It means for man it is better to learn by self. If
somebody learns from other people they will only get an extemporaneous, half
possession.
Emerson also argues that society does not necessarily improve from
material changes and the civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. For example, advances in technology result in the loss of certain kinds of wisdom: The person who has a watch loses the ability to tell time by the sun's
stature of human beings. He sees that nothing can bring men peace but
themselves. Nothing can bring men peace but the triumph of principles.
According to Emerson men who listen to themselves rather than to the common herd are true men. And it is true men who leave their mark on history. If
all men became self-reliant, then all of their activities and institutions would be better in religion, education, the way they live and the way they think.
In short paragraph self-reliance can be said as strong belief that someone is capable of successfully dealing with the challenges and able to take guidance from his or her self rather than from other people or other things. Put other way,
self-reliance means having the ability and courage to listen to self and cat by yourself rather than letting other people, things or events decide what someone
should do, be or have. Being self-reliant, a person has to realize and accepts that they are completely responsible for their life and if they want something done,
then they must do it themselves. They must follow his or her instincts and ideas in done something. Being self-reliant also means avoid conformity. They have to be nonconformist.
3. The Relation between Literature and Society
According to Wellek and Warren, there is an interaction between the writer as the producer of the literary work and the society. A writer lives in society and he is a part of society as social creature. From society we can collect
Literary work is the result of writer, so it can be concluded there is a relationship
between literature and society. Rene Wellek and Austen Warren in their book
Theory of Literature state:
The relation between literature and society is usually discussed by starting with the phrase, derived from the De Bonald, that literature is an expression of society, but what does this axiom mean? It is assumed that literature at any given time mirrors the current social institution ‗correctly‘, it is false; it is common place, trite and vague if it means only that literature depicts some aspects of social reality (1956: 95).
Therefore, they offer a specific evaluative criterion stating that the
relation between literature and society is that literature mirrors or expresses life because an artist is supposed to express life in his or her work. Yet, it does not
mean that an artist expresses or mirrors the whole life of a given time but means his or her time completely; the artist is aware of the specific social, economic, political, and religious condition in his or her era, and he or she should be representative of his or her age and society; it is the artist‘s duty to convey
historical as well as social truths as a symbol of artistic values in literature. Thus,
literature can also be viewed as the essence, the abridgement, and summary at all history. Therefore, the relation between literature and society is very close in which the reader can catch literature as the mirror reflects the society as well as in the author‘s era (Wellek and Warren, 1956: 95)
Elizabeth Langland in Society in the Novel explained that society in the
novels does not depend on points of absolute fidelity in an outside world in details of costume, setting, and locality because a novel‘s society does not aim at a mirror
of any real thing. The society in the novel is not always resemble or same with the
novel which is not influenced by the outside world. Society in the novel cannot
always be found in the real world, but there is a possibility that we can find it in the real world, although it is not exactly the same. Society in the novel might not be an absolute realistic mirror of the existent society in the real life, but there is a
possibility that it comments on the society in our life (1984: 5). The society in the novel has a possibility to become a social criticism in the real life of society.
Langland also explained that everything which is seen such as norms, conventions, codes, background, places, peoples, institutions are included in society. But its particular manifestations in a novel will be determined by its role
within the work (1984: 6-7).
C.Review of the Social Condition of USA in the Twentieth Century
In the twentieth century Americans can be said as individualist and
self-reliant. It is proved by Hoover in his successful speech at 1928 presidential campaign, Hoover. He expresses his view that the American system is based on
rugged individualism and self-reliance
(http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=466). Ronald E. Purser in Beyond Individualism and Collectivism explains that
Americans place self-reliance as the important things in their lives. The image of the self-reliant individual, so prized in American culture, can be traced back to Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s reaction against the cultural superficiality of
commercialism.
Jorn K. Bramann states that the individualistic self-reliance that
expresses itself in a general disregard for community and tradition, has come to be considered a central part of American ideology—together with such ideals as unabridged freedom of speech, free enterprise, democratic self-government, and
other support structures of individual liberty (http://faculty.frostburg.edu/phil/ forum/Tocqueville.htm).
Besides self-reliance, independence in America also becomes the important thing. Lord Bryce observes that everything tends to make the individual independent and self-reliant. Both Those independence and self-reliance – a trait
that has served Americans well in the past can manifest itself in go-it-alone policies and behaviours, reinforcing distrust of other nations efforts and concerns, and antagonizing America‘s actual or potential allies.
While William Herberg (1988:79) in Protestant, Catholic, Jew: an Essay
in American Religious Sociology sees that the American way of life is
individualistic, dynamic, pragmatic. It affirms the supreme value and dignity of the individual, it defines an ethic of self-reliance, merit, and character, and judges
by achievement: deeds, not creeds are what count. The American way of life is humanitarian, forward-looking, and optimistic. The American believes in
progress, in self-improvement, and quite fanatically in education. But above all, the American is idealistic. Americans cannot go on making money or achieving worldly success simply on its own merits; such materialistic things must, in the
In American society, the individual must choose his/her own path in life.
Although this opportunity is energizing, it is also disintegrative. The American middle-class is particularly possessed by the acquisition of wealth, and aspirations of upward social mobility. Elshtain in Democrazy in Trial asserts that this
obsession has forced children to break ties with community, family, and church as they search for opportunity. (1995)
Bellah et. a.l. notes "In a culture that emphasizes the autonomy and self-reliance of the individual, the primary problems of childhood are what some psychoanalysts call separation and individuation - indeed, childhood is chiefly
preparation for the all-important event of leaving home" (1985., 56-7). It shows most of Americans believe the virtue of self reliance, the belief that somebody
must free his or her self from his/her families of origin to pursue wealth, is a core element of American culture.
In The Age of Independence: Interracial Unions, Same-Sex Unions, and
the Changing American Family,Rosenfeld explains ‖ Young adults began to live
on their own, and to postpone marriage. A new life stage for young adults began emerging after 1960, the Independent Life Stage ―(2007:3). The Independent Life
Stage usually includes travel away from home to college, living apart from
parents, moving to the city, travelling abroad, and exposure to a variety of cultures.
The independence of young adults from their families has some
interracial and same-sex couples in the last few decades. The greater freedom of
young people to select their own mates may be experienced as a benefit of modernity by young people; their parents may have mixed emotions about this kind of freedom.
In addition to some beneficiaries, there are also certain to be some casualties of the new Independent Life Stage. Not all young people are well suited
to independence, and even young people who have plenty of independent spirit can get in to trouble. Without family close by, i.e. without family government, small problems can grow into more serious problems. Some therapists and
scholars believe that independence from our families of origin makes youths more vulnerable to anxiety and depression (Olds and Schwartz, 2009).
On the other hand, Americans also have conception to the social life. According to Bellah et. Al in Habits of the Heart, the therapeutic conception of
community is destroying American civility. The therapeutic doctrine holds that social life is an arrangement created for the fulfilment of the needs of individuals. Individuals gather together to meet their needs and validate themselves, rather
than to work toward shared ends.(1985:102)
The loss of community in America also is noted by Putnam in his book
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Social
scientists have been complaining about the loss of community for as long as social science has existed. In the modern era, they may have a point. The long term
lonely and disorienting, especially for young people who are only beginning to
figure out where they are headed. Even when the young adults have a strong idea of where they are headed, the path to full adulthood can be full of twists and turns. Parents will inevitably worry about their young adult children, even as their young
adult children exercise the very independence that the parents taught them to have. Daniel Yankelovich in How American Idividualism Is Evolving (1998) calls the
transformation in value from 1960‘s- 1970‘s as expressive individualism. He mentions some important value shifts. One of them is concept of duty: less value placed on what one owes to others as a matter of moral obligation. It means
American tends to do something they want rather than do for others.
Americans often justify their morals and values on the basis of their own
idiosyncratic preferences. Selves are defined by individual predilections. If each self constitutes its own moral universe, there exists no method by which to
reconcile conflicting claims about what is good in itself. The authors write,
All we can do is refer to the chains of consequences and ask if our actions prove useful or consistent in light of our own value-systems. All we can appeal to in relationships with others is their self-interest, likewise enlightened, or their intuitive sympathies (Bellah et al, 1985: 76).
There is an absence of fixed moral ends. Therefore, the self and its
feelings become the only moral guide. Because American souls lack such absolute moral obligations, Americans have the ability to alter our behaviours to become adaptive. Instead of acting out of goodness, Americans are obsessed with
self-gratification. As Bellah et. al write,
by autonomously pursuing happiness and satisfying its wants (Bellah et al, 1985: 79).
As has been mentioned before by Daniel Yankelovich in How American
Idividualism Is Evolving (1998) there are important value shifts in America. In
respectability, Americans less value placed on symbols of correct behavior for a
person. In social morality, Americans less value placed on observing society's rules. Then in expressiveness, Americans placed a higher value on forms of choice and individualism that express one's unique inner nature. The last is in the
environment: greater value placed on respecting and preserving nature and the natural. (http://www.danyankelovich.com/howamerican.html)
Talking about greater value placed on respecting and preserving nature and the natural, there is a fact shows that American loves nature. In 1964 there is Wilderness Act. It is the act to preserve and protect nature. Wilderness, according to the act, is space ―where the earth and its community of life are untrammelled by
man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.‖ Within those areas, the
act forbids cars, roads, structures and anything else that could impair the ―outstanding opportunities for solitude.‖
(http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/documents//publiclaws/PDF/16_USC_1131-1136.pdf)
At the same time, though, Congress wanted people to use the land for
recreation, so it allowed access to wilderness areas for hunting, hiking, canoeing and climbing. The other fact come from The Right to Risk In Wildreness, according to Leo H. McAvoy and Daniel L. Dustin, some people in America want
sociability, and freedom within limits. Others seek a more primitive experience
characterized by adventure challenge and risk.(1981:150). Robert Marshall, one of the leading proponents of a national wilderness preservation system in the United States argued that ―wilderness should provide an opportunity or complete
self-sufficiency.‖(1930:148). More recently, and others interpreting the Wilderness Act of 1964 have added that ―wilderness is a place where users are
responsible for their own safety, where a physical and mental challenge to survive exists, and where self-reliance reigns‖ Nash (1978:5). Lucas also has suggested that wildernesses meant to offer "the fascination of the natural scene, the
observation of natural processes at work, and the challenge of essentially undeveloped land.". (1973:152)
According to Aw, Wilderness! (Stroll, 2010) Over the decades an obvious contradiction has emerged between preservation and access. Many people do not
understand with the meaning wilderness. The mistaken view about wilderness area can be a recreation place. The result is every summer numerous backpackers, hikers and hunters get lost in the wilderness, with occasionally fatal results. The
other example is many hikers lost for days and nearly ran out of food (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/opinion/27stroll.html).
D. Theoretical Framework
In this study, the theories above are applied to answer the problems.
the main character‘s personal description, speech, thought, manner, and reaction
as the method to understand the meaning of the main character‘s attitude. Since
the character exhibits a kind of attitude called reliance, the theory of self-reliance is used to find the meaning and the specific traits. It is used to answer the
first problem and second problem formulation. The theory of relation between literature and society is also used because this study applies the
sociocultural-historical approach.
In order to discover important points in the second problem formulation, the writer uses information about the social condition in the United States of
America in the twentieth century because it helps the writer to understand about life in American society. This theory is needed to provide an insight to the social
condition experienced by the main character and to demonstrate that the society in the novel cannot be separated from the characters, because society has a strong influence to the characters. This theory also proves that this work is the author‘s
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of this thesis is the movie script of Into the Wild, which was written by Sean Penn. Into the Wild is a 2007 American drama film by Sean Penn
based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. The script consists of 165 pages, while the movie itself runs for about 148 minutes. Into the
Wild was released in September 2007 in the United States, and it has won several awards, including the Academy Awards, Golden Globe, Grammy Awards, Writers Guild of America and many more.
Into the Wild is an inspirational movie which is loaded with many values.
The movie describes the unusual life journey of Christopher McCandless, who is
depicted as an idealistic dreamer. After graduating from Emory University as one of the top students and athlete, he abandons his possessions, gives his entire savings worth $24,000 to charity, and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the
wilderness. Along the way, he encounters a series of characters that shape his life. He thinks and acts differently from ordinary people. For instance, ordinary people
seek wealth, but Christopher always has his own idealism. He decides to live in the nature alone outside the society. He learns particular concepts like Walden and
call of the wild. He is unique but also controversial. Into the Wild is a reflective
B. Approach of the Study
The sociocultural-historical approach is chosen as the approach in this study. This approach is considered suitable since according to Rohrberger and Woods in Reading and Writing about Literature, the only way to locate the real
work is in reference to the civilization that produced it (1971: 9). It means that it is necessary for the critics to investigate the social condition in which a work was
created and which it reflects. The reasons are firstly, literature is not created in a vacuum, and secondly, literature embodies ideas significant to the culture that produced it.
Therefore social-cultural-historical approach is an appropriate approach to be applied in this study, since this study analyzes a literary work from its social
and historical aspects through the attitude and action of the main character.
C. Method of the Study
Library research is used as the method of this study. Based on this method, some sources are used in this study. The primary source is the movie
script of Into the Wild, while the secondary sources are collected from various written texts on the topics of literature, character, characterization, self-reliance,
and historical background. The library research method is used to collect as much relevant data and information as possible.
Some steps were taken in conducting this study. The first step was
re-read them in order to get a better understanding. After all the data had been
collected, the data were examined, studied and divided according to the problem formulation. The second step was collecting theories related to the problem formulation. Those theories were used to answer the problem formulation. The
third step was analysing the problem formulation. To answer the first problem, the writer used the theories of characterization and the theory of self-reliance, while to
answer the second problem, the writer used the theory of literature and society combined with information on the social condition of America in twentieth century. After the answers were found, the last step was drawing a conclusion
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the writer will analyse and find the answers of the
questions in the problem formulation. This section is divided into two parts. The first part describes the characterization of Christopher McCandless in relation to
the concept of self-reliance. This part contains a clear and detailed explanation about the character of Christopher McCandless, while the second part discusses the criticism towards self-reliance through Into the Wild movie script. The writer
focuses on the movie script, which contains criticism against the idea of self-reliance.
In this study, the characterization of Christopher McCandless plays an important role. Through the characterization, the readers are expected to gain a
clear understanding of the idea of self-reliance. The writer applies the theories of characterization to find the specific form of self-reliance in the character of Christopher McCandless.
A.The Idea of Self-reliance as Reflected in the Characteristics of Christopher McCandless
Characters are important intrinsic element in a literary work. They can be interpreted by the readers as having moral and dispositional qualities that are
Henkle, there are two kinds of characters, namely the major characters and the
minor characters. The major or main characters are characters that become the center of the story and are observed many times in the story. The minor or secondary characters are characters that support the main characters in terms of telling about the main characters‘ personality in the story (Henkle, 1977:90).
Based on Henkle‘s theory, Christopher McCandless is the main character in Into
the Wild, because he becomes the center of the story and he is observed many
times in the story.
This study sees that the idea of self-reliance as a certain motivation as the
reason for behaving as character does. This specific motivation is his immediate reason, perhaps unconscious, for any particular speech or act.
To prove that self-reliance is the motivation for Christopher McCandless‘ behaviors, the writer analyzes the characterization of Christopher McCandless
based on Abrams‘ theory in A Glossary of Literary Terms. Abrams states that there are two ways to presents characterization, namely ―first showing (dramatic
method), the author merely presents his characters talking and acting and leaves
the reader to infer the motives and dispositions lay behind what they say and do. Second is telling, the author himself intervenes authoratively in order and often to evaluate, the motives and disposal qualities of his character‖ (1981: 24). By
analysing the characterization of McCandless, the writer can find the motivation for his behaviors.
says that there are six devices of characterization. By using the theories above, the
writer will present a detailed description of Christopher McCandless in order to reveal the idea of self-reliance.
1. Independent
Christopher is an independent young man. His independence can be identified through Carine‘s naration about Christopher. According to Carine,
Christopher is a young man who does not want to rely on the riches of his parents, as shown in her statement, ―At last he was unencumbered. Emancipated from the
stifling world of parents and peers. Abstraction, security, and material excess‖
(penn:1997 : 19).
In this movie script, Christopher is portrayed as a young man from a rich
family. Although he is rich, he does not want to rely on his family‘s wealth. He rejects all the wealth from his parents. His independence can be seen in his action
of leaving his material possessions and his family to go to Alaska. He decides to live alone in Alaska without any money, equipment, or help from people around him, including his parent. The other evidence of his independence can also be
seen in his reaction when he is in a conversation with Jan.
JAN : Alex could have a vehicle. If he didn‘t burn his money. Why would you want to do that?
CHRIS: I don‘t need money. It makes people cautious.
JAN : (a little irritated) Well, you have to be a little cautious Alex. That book of yours is all well and fine but you can‘t depend entirely on leaves and berries.
The conversation above shows that Christopher does not want to depend
on money. He presents his opinion that someone can live without money. He believes that living naturally is the right way to live. Because of this, he leaves his family and decides to live alone in Alaska.
Christopher‘s independence can also be seen in his action before his
journey to Alaska in the movie script. Before starting on his journey to Alaska,
Christopher does some unexpected things. He counts all of his savings, then donates $24,000 to Oxfam charity foundation in America. He also destroys his credit card and other important cards in his wallet.
Pulls all the cards and pictures from its sleeves. Considering each, he flicks them into a trash bin, one by one. Finally coming to his social security card, he holds it to the candles flame. As the flame burns bright we – (penn:9) start an independent life without any money or help from others. His crazy action does not stop there. Another indicator of Christopher‘s independence can be found
in the narrator‘s direct comment below.
What remains of Chris‘ travelling money burns in a pile beside the Datsun on the sun-lit but muddy desert floor. The abandoned Datsun nearly a mile behind Chris as he walks toward us wearing his backpack.(Penn:11)
Christopher leaves his family driving his old Datsun car. In the middle of
money given by his parents. He wants to go on an adventure naturally. He does
not want depend on the car, which helps him to move from one place to another place easily in his adventure.
All of the evidences above show how Christopher does not want to
depend on his parents and his wealth. He throws away valuable gifts from his parent, such as savings, credit cards, other important cards, and his Datsun car, and he refuses his parents‘ gift in his own graduation dinner.
Christopher‘s action is in accordance to the idea of self-reliance mentioned by Emerson, namely that ―one should base their life on the present and
live naturally, not relying on money or riches. Nothing but nature and you make up who you really are inside‖ (2007:19) It means that every individual has to be
able to depend on himself or herself for everything. In the movie script, Christopher McCandless is portrayed as a graduate from Emory University who
rejects a materialist, conformist life. Therefore what Christopher did in the story is relevant with the idea of self-reliance, where someone has to reject the material and depends on himself.
2. Brave
The other ways to identify a character can be seen from a narration of
CARINE: Chris had always been driven, had always been an adventurer. When he was four years old he once wandered six blocks away from home at three o‘clock in the morning. (p.63)
Christopher has shown an adventurous spirit since he was 4 years old. He
walked alone to his neighbour‘s kitchen at midnight at that age. Even as a child, he was already brave to make a journey at midnight. In Carine‘s opinion,
Christopher is built with the soul of a wanderer. From his past life described
above, it can be concluded that Christopher is a brave young man. Four-year-old children are usually afraid of the dark, but Christopher was different. He was
brave to walk alone in the dark without thinking of the risk.
In the movie script, Christopher McCandless is portrayed as an adventurous young man. He is a nature-lover and an adventurer who dares to face dangers. This portrayal is actualized through Christopher‘s plan to live in Alaska
alone, as shown in the conversation between Christopher and Wayne below.
CHRIS: No, Alaska, Alaska. I want to be all the way out there. On my own. No map. No watch. No axe. Just out there. Big mountains, rivers, sky. Game. Just be out there in it. In the wild. (p.49)
The conversation above is the evidence that Christopher McCandelss is a brave young man. He wants to unite with nature and dares to live alone in the
wilderness of Alaska without any survival equipment to help him. He is not afraid of the tough condition in the wilderness of Alaska. Going to Alaska without any preparation also demonstrates Christopher‘s bravery. In the story, Alaska is
As stated by Emerson in his essay Self-Reliance, men have to do
something higher and better, even if they have to face high risks. Men have to make big changes in their life because it is their destiny.
we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark (2007:15).
It can be concluded that Christopher McCandless‘ braveness is a
reflection of self-reliance, which demands men to do something higher and better even if they have to face a great deal of dangers and risks.
3. Self-Determined and Resolute
During Christopher‘s journey to Alaska, he meets several people who
love him as a friend or family. These people advise him to live a reasonable, ordinary life. They ask him to cancel his intention to go to Alaska due to several
considerations. Christopher sticks to his decision and he gives rebuttal to those suggestions with his own arguments.
The first people whom Chris meets in the story are Rainey and Jan. In the conversation, Jan asks some questions about Christopher‘s reason for leaving his
car and burning his money. Christopher answers that he burns his money and
leaves his car because money makes people feel conscious. Then Jan responds by giving him an advice. She asks Christopher to live reasonably, to depend not only on nature but also on society, family, love, and money. In the end of their
JAN: Come on Chris. You look like a loved kid. Be fair. characteristics as Christopher. She advises Christopher to go back to his parents. Jan tries to describe a parent‘s feeling when they lose their child. Although Jan
almost cries, Chris does not care about her advice. Referring to Murphy‘s theory,
the conversation above shows that Christopher is a self-determined and resolute young man. He is still not influenced by the people around him; he makes a decision to determine his own life and remains resolute to his principle, namely
the principle that true life can be found in nature, rather than in love, money, or family. Christopher‘s principle as depicted in this movie script is a reflection of
self-reliance.
Person needs to be able to live on his on and stand on his own two feet. Nothing but nature and you make up who you really are inside. Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time. You must be the way you are, the way nature made you (2007:32). In his journey, Christopher also meets Wayne. In Wayne‘s farm,
Christopher tells Wayne about his life purpose and his plans. He wants to go to Alaska. He wants to be all the way out there. He just wants to live there without
sick. On the other hand, Wayne thinks that Christopher‘s plans and opinions about
the society are mistaken.
WAYNE:(tapping a long finger against Chris‘ forehead) This is a mistake. It‘s a mistake to get too deep into that kind of stuff. Alex, you‘re a helluva young guy, but I promise you this: You‘re a young guy. Blood and fire! You cannot juggling blood and fire all the time!
CHRIS: Now, that‘s who could be President! Wayne buries his face in his hands.(p.49)
Wayne sees Christopher as a brave young man to take risks, but Wayne believes that Christopher cannot play with fire all the time. Because of that,
Wayne advises Christopher to cancel his plan. However, Christopher sticks to his decision and reacts by underestimating Wayne‘s advice. From Christopher‘s
reaction above, it can be identified that he is a self-determined young man.
Although Wayne advises him not to go to Alaska, Christopher sticks to on his decision. He wants to continue his life in Alaska and he believes that he is able to live alone there. Besides self-determined, the conversation above shows that
Christopher is also a resolute a young man. Although Wayne thinks that Christopher‘s perception of the society is wrong, Christopher still holds on to his
conviction that the society is sick and it becomes the main reason why he decides to leave the society and live alone in Alaska with the nature.
After Wayne, Rainey, and Jane, Ron is the last person whom Christopher
RON:Twenty-three years old! Son, don‘t you think you should be getting an education? And a job? And making something of this life? CHRIS: Look Mr. Franz. I think careers are a twentieth century invention
and I don‘t want one. You don‘t need to worry about me. I have a college education. I‘m not destitute. I‘m living like this by choice. (Penn:103)
The conversation above shows how Ron gives Christopher his feedback. In Ron‘s opinion, a young person should be getting an education or finding a job.
However, Christopher has his own opinions and holds on to his principle that he does not want to be like most people in the society, who always do the same thing,
such as working to earn money to obtain happiness. He still chooses to live with the nature. According to him, the real happiness is found in the nature, not in money or in a job.
Through Christopher‘s action how he rejects the advice and still stand on his opinion, it can be concluded that he is a self-determinate and resolute young man, who cannot be shaken by people around him. The principle that he holds is
not to rely on money, love, and society, but on nature. The conversation above indicates how Christopher intends to continue his unusual way of life.
All explanations above reflect the idea of self-reliance, which is found in Emerson‘s statement that "What I must do is All that concerns me, not what the
people think" (2007:20). According to Emerson, to become self-reliant, a person
must do what his heart says and never follow what other people say. A person should trust his own judgment and always try to search deep inside themselves for
the people around him. He keeps doing what he wants to do and lives alone in
Alaska without money. Emerson also gives the following statement.
To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, — that is genius. Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense; for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost,—— and our first thought is rendered back to us by the trumpets of the Last Judgment (2007:13).
Emerson‘s statement illustrates how Christopher tries to prove to everyone
that the principle he holds can bring happiness without money or regular society.
4. Progressive
In this movie script, Christopher is described as a progressive young
man. This characteristic can be identified through his language. In his speech, He shows how a person has to looks for new things in his life. He is described as
graduating with good grades; almost all of his grades are A. He can get the opportunity to continue his study in great universities, but he prefers doing an
adventure rather than continuing his study. His characteristic as a progressive young man can also be seen in his conversation with Ron.
CHRIS:Really. You‘re going to live a long time, Ron. You should make a radical change in your lifestyle. The core of man‘s spirit comes with new experiences. And there you are, stubborn old man, sitting on your butt. (penn:114)
Christopher‘s opinion shows that he has a progressive soul. According to
Christopher, a real man should have new experiences. Our life should be filled
According to Christopher, a new experience can make a big change in a person‘s
life.
Christopher‘s progressive characteristic matches with Emerson‘s idea
about self-reliance, namely ―If man strives to be consistent in all things and live
according to a pattern, he will be afraid to break out because he is afraid that people will look down on him‖ (2007:39). It means that a person who lives a
consistent life and makes a great soul simply has nothing to do. Somebody may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. People cannot develop themselves. Therefore, in self-reliance, man is expected to be guides and
adventurers, destined to participate in an act of creation modelled on the classical myth of bringing order out of chaos. A man should be brave to do something
higher and better.
Because of this reason, Christopher does not want to remain consistent
with his life. He decides to look for new life experience by doing adventures in the nature and leaving his past life as a good, wealthy student.
5. Nonconformist
Christopher is a nonconformist young man. This characteristic can be identified through his dialogue with Wayne. It is shown in his conversation with Wayne, when he states, ―Yeah. Maybe write a book about my travels, about
getting out of this sick society‖ (penn:49).In Christopher‘s opinion, the society is
sick and full of conspiracy. He shows his dislike towards the society in his
This is one of the characteristics of self-reliance. As mentioned before by
Emerson in Self-Reliance, society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. When people accept the society, it means that they sell their freedom for securing life.If a person wants to be a real man, he
must become a nonconformist. In the view of self-reliance, the society is not the right place to live and to develop personality. If somebody accepts the society, it means that they are conformist. Emerson says, ―to conform, to please others, you
put on a false face, smiling when in the presence of people with whom you feel uncomfortable or pretending to be interested in dull conversation‖. It means that if
someone becomes a conformist, he or she will be a fake person. Conformity can turn a man‘s life into a lie because he lives according to the will of others
(2007:2). It means that he is not true to himself. What Christopher does is nonconformity because he avoids the society in order to develop himself.
6. Nature Loving
As mentioned by Murphy, a character‘s characteristics can be identified
through his or her language. It is because the author of story can give a direct
description of what a character is thinking about. In the movie script of Into the
From his thought in the letter, it can be identified that Christopher loves
the nature. Living in nature without money makes him happier. Enjoying the nature and wilderness makes him feel alive. He prefers the nature to money.
In self-reliance, the nature is more important than anything else. The
nature is the right place for self-development, where somebody can find the truth and be a real man. This statement is supported by Emerson‘s theory of nature that
―belongs to no other time or place, but is the centre of all things. Where he is, there is nature.‖ In the idea of self-reliance, nature is the central object for men. Nature is the place to find and shape a true man‘s personality. Emerson states that
―nothing but nature and you make up who you really are inside‖. A man has to be
themselves and rely on nature. The statement above shows the nature as the
central object of self-reliance. The nature is the right place to develop human being‘s abilities. By living in the nature, a person can find the power residing in his or her body. Nature is the place to observe someone‘s abilities.
As mentioned before, Christopher McCandless is an adventurer and a nature lover, who wants to develop himself and find new experience in the
wilderness. In this case, he does not want to depend on material possessions, as he believes that being in the nature can make him happy. By using Emerson‘s
B. The Criticisms Toward the Idea of Self-Reliance
According to Wellek and Warren in their book Theory of Literature, the relation between literature and society is that literature mirrors or expresses life because an artist is supposed to express life in his or her work. Yet, it does not
mean that an artist expresses or mirrors the whole life of a given time but rather his or her own time. The artist is aware of the specific social, economic, political,
and religious condition in his or her era, and he or she should be representative of his or her age and society. It is the artist‘s duty to convey historical as well as
social truths as a symbol of artistic values in literature. Thus, literature can also be
viewed as the essence, the abridgement, and the summary of all history. Therefore, literature has a very close relation to the society, as the reader can
catch literature as the mirror reflects the society in the author‘s era (1956: 95) This means that there is a relationship between Into the Wild and the
society. It can be said that Into the Wild is a reflection of the social condition in a particular society and a particular time. Into The Wild does not only reflect the social condition but also reflects a criticism towards the society. This idea is
supported by Elizabeth Langland in Society in the Novel. She states that society in the novel might not be an absolute realistic mirror of the existent society in the
real life, but there is a possibility that it comments on the society in our life (1984: 5).
After analyzing and reading the movie script carefully, the writer finds a
