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"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have
clung to me all my life."- Abraham Lincoln
“Fortiter in Re, Suafiter
in Modo.”
Dedicated to:
Life, Breath and the Source of My Life
My Beloved Parents and Brothers
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In this page, I would like to thank those who so kindly have given me
spirit and encouragement to finish every part of my thesis. First of all, my greatest
praise goes to Lord Jesus Christ, the Almighty Merciful God for every blessings,
loves and strengths so that I can struggle myself to conduct this study. Then, my
gratitude goes to Mother Mary, The Holy Mother of God, who becomes the real
mother for me in every single minute in my life. Her love enables me to dig out
my potential and reminds me to be a more patience, religious and humble person.
My sincere gratitude goes to my sole sponsor, Bu Henny Herawati, S.Pd.
M. Hum., who has generously spared her precious time among her busy days to
guide me in writing this thesis. I am deeply grateful for her significant suggestion,
advice, assistance, and criticism from time to time so that I can complete all the
part of my thesis. Also, this deep gratitude is for all PBI Lecturers and Staff who
have been into my life for the past four years of my student life in Sanata
Dharma University. My gratitude also goes to Bu Mitha, Vembry and Olive for
correcting my grammar and some suggestions for my thesis.
I would like to thank my family, my father Ignatius Sukemi and my
beloved mother Anna Supariyem, my brothers Nanang and Wiga, Lek Yono
and families, Cak As for their everlasting pure loves and unending assitances.
They always support me with the prayer, advice and everything that I cannot
mention one by one.
I would like to thank Mas Jantri who is so kindly suggests the novel as
the source for my thesis. Then I thank all of my friends in Bebek boarding house,
my friends from KMPKS, PBI 2006, Synergy group and NTC’s Staff and
students who always become good friends for me with your story, shares and
jokes.
The last but not the least, my gratitude goes to everyone who always
supports and prays for me. As all human beings are brothers therefore together we
can develop good life now and in the future. God always bless you all.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE ... i
PAGES OF APPROVAL ... ii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ... v
PAGE OF DEDICATION ... vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ix
ABSTRACT ... xiii
ABSTRAK ... xiv
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1B he Study ... 1
1.2Pr ackground of t oblem Formulation ... 5
bjectives o nefit of the Study ... 6
1.3O f the Study ... 5
1.4Be 1.5Definition of Terms ... 6
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 9
2.1Review of Related Theories ... 9
2.1.2 Theory of Critical Approaches ... 13
.1.3 Theory of P 2.1.3.1Theory of Personality ... 15
2.1.3.2Personality Pattern ...
2.1.1 Theory of Character and Characterization ... 9
2 sychology ... 14
... 15
2.1.3.3Theory of Psychosocial Development onality Development ... 2
2.1.3.5The influence of Family on Personality Development ... 21
4.1.6 Firm, D 3 etermined and Perfectionist ... 4
4.1.7 Humorous ... 4 ... 47
4 ical ... 5
4.1.10 Helpful ... 4.2Chick Benetto’s Personality ... 51
4 ... 53
4.2.3 Obsessive ... 56
4.2.4 Indecisive ... 58
4.3Posey’s Influence on Chick Benetto ... 60
4.3.1 Posey’s Influence in Chick Benetto’s Childhood ... 60
4.3.1.1 One to Three Years ... 61
4.3.1.2 Three to Six Years ... 63
4.3.1.3 Six Years to Puberty ... 64
4.3.1.4 Puberty to Adulthood ... 66
4.3.2 Posey’s Influence in Chick Benetto’s Adulthood ... 69
4.4.2 ing More Appreciative Life ... 74
4.4.3 Being More Open to Others Be Appendix 3 Lesson Plan to Teach Advance Listening ... -9-
4.4.4 ing Aware of His Mother’s Love ... 78
CHAPT UGGESTIONS ... 81
Conclusions ... 81
5.1.1 Posey Benetto’s Personality Traits ... 81
5.1.2 The Ch c of Chick Benetto ... 83
5.1.3 Posey B uence on Chick’s Personality ... 83
5.1.4 Chick Benetto’s Personality Development ... 85
Suggestions . ... 8
Suggestion for Future Researchers ... 5.2.2 Sugges aching Listening Using Literature ... 8
... Append ... -1-
Appendix 2 Biography of Mitch Albom ... -4-
Appendix 4 Implementation ... -12-
Appendix 5 Picture of Mitch Albom ... -18-
ABSTRACT
Chick Benetto’s Personality Development as Seen on Mitch Albom’s For One Nursusanto, Stevanus Widuri. (2010). The Influence of Mother’s Personality on
More Day. Y nt
of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, ogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Departme
Sanata Dharma University.
This study discusses Mitch Albom’s Novel, For One More Day. I am interested in this novel because the story of the novel is gratifying and tells many lessons which make life become more meaningful. I am also interested in finding out the influence of mother figure on her son’s personality development as the novel mainly tells about the relationship between a son and a mother.
This thesis is aimed to answer the three problems formulated, namely: (1) how is Pauline “Posey” Benetto, the mother of Chick, portrayed in the novel? (2) how is arles “Chick” Benetto reflected in the novel? and (3) how do Pauline’ rsonality influence Charles Benetto’s development as an individual?
In solving the three problem
Ch es
s pe
s above, the writer applied the psychological approach, theory of character and characterization and Erikson’s theory of psychos
in this study namely the main source and the secondary sources. The main source is Mitch
ocial. This study used library research. There are two sources of data used
Albom’s For One More Day. The secondary sources are books and some related articles on literature and psychology.
charming, secretive, wise, hardworking, firm, determined, perfectionist, and helpful person. Meanwhile, Charles “Chick” is described as
, indecisive, and longing for his father’s love. Posey during her life is showing her pure love to Chick although Chick does not appreciate her
made by his mother throughout his life. He condemns himself as being an
gets comma then he experiences a personal encounter with his “dead” mother. Based on the analysis, Pauline “Posey” is portrayed as a caring, beautiful,
humorous, brave smart, introverted
since he just thinks about getting his father’s love. The story is changed upside down after the dead of Posey. Chick feels so sorry. He realizes the deep influence
irresponsible child in the family. Finally, he tries to kill himself. However, he just
This experience finally brings him to be a man who is aware of his mistake, more appreciative of life, more open to others and aware of his mother’s pure love.
This thesis provides some suggestions for other researchers who want to conduct a study on Mitch Albom’s For One More Day. The future researchers may analyze the family pattern and function based on the comparison of
socio-implementation of teaching Advance Listening using Mitch Albom’s For One cultural-historical context between American families in World War II and the modern American families. This thesis also provides some suggestions for the
More Day.
ABSTRAK
Nursusanto, Stevanus Widuri. (2010). The Influence of Mother’s Personality on Chick Benetto’s Personality Development as seen on Mitch Albom’s For One More Day. Yogyakarta: Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pengetahuan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini membahas tentang sebuah novel dari Mitch Albom yang berjudul For One More Day. Penulis tertarik pada novel ini karena cerita novel ini menyentuh hati dan menceritakan banyak pelajaran yang membuat hidup menjadi lebih berarti. Penulis juga tertarik untuk menemukan pengaruh dari sosok seorang ibu pada perkembangan kepribadian anaknya, karena novel ini secara umum
engis
ber data yang m ahkan tentang hubungan antara seorang anak dan ibu.
Skripsi ini ditujukan untuk menjawab tiga permasalahan yang telah dirumuskan. Masalah pertama adalah bagaimana Pauline “Posey” Benetto digambarkan dalam novel. Masalah kedua adalah bagaimana sosok Charles “Chick” Benetto dilukiskan dalam novel. Masalah ketiga adalah bagaimana kepribadian Pauline berpengaruh pada perkembangan kepribadian Charles Benetto sebagai individu.
Dalam menjawab ketiga masalah di atas, studi ini menggunakan pendekatan psikologi, teori karakter dan penokohan dan teori psiko-sosial dari Erikson. Studi ini menggunakan metode studi pustaka. Ada dua sum
digunakan dalam studi ini yaitu sumber utama dan sumber-sumber tambahan lainnya. Sumber utama dari studi ini adalah novel dari Mitch Albom yang berjudul For One More Day. Sedangkan sumber-sumber tambahan adalah buku-buku dan artikel-artikel yang berkaitan dengan sastra dan psikologi.
Berdasarkan analisis, Pauline “Posey” digambarkan sebagai seorang yang perhatian, cantik, mempesona, suka berahasia, bijak, pekerja keras, teguh, tabah, selalu ingin sempurna, humoris, berani dan suka membantu. Sedangkan, Charles “Chick” digambarkan sebagai pribadi yang pandai, introvert, plin-plan dan merindukan kasih sayang ayah. Posey selama hidupnya selalu menunjukkan cinta tulus pada Chick tetapi Chick tidak menghargainya karena dia hanya memikirkan bagaimana mendapatkan cinta dari ayahnya. Ceritanya berubah drastis ketika Posey meninggal. Chick merasa sangat bersalah. Dia menyadari adanya pengaruh dari ibunya sepanjang hidupnya. Dia mengutuk dirinya sebagai pribadi yang tidak bertanggung jawab pada keluarganya. Akhirnya dia mencoba bunuh diri. Akan tetapi dia hanya koma. Dalam keadaan koma dia bertemu kembali dengan ibunya yang telah meninggal. Pengalaman ini akhirnya membawanya menjadi pribadi yang sadar akan kesalahannya, lebih menghargai kehidupan, lebih terbuka pada orang lain, dan sadar akan cinta tulus dari ibunya.
Skripsi ini menyertakan beberapa saran bagi para peneliti yang hendak membuat studi dengan menggunakan novel dari Mitch Albom yang berjudul For
xv
ne More Day
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter includes the background of the study, problem formulation,
objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definitions of term. In the first
part, the background of the study, I intend to describe the reasons why I choose
the novel and the topic. In this area, I describe important information related to the
topic discussed. The problem formulation gives the general idea in the form of
questions that covers the problems being analyzed and discussed. The objectives
of the study provide the expected answers for the problem formulated. The
benefits of the study contain people who get the benefits by the completion of this
study. Finally the last part, the definition of term, reveals the definitions of key
terms which are important to know to avoid misconception in reading, learning
and understanding this study.
1.1Background of the Study
Throughout this part, I intend to elaborate why I am eager to choose the topic and
the novel. The reasons are based on three main ideas. The first is the correlation
between novels to life. The second is coming from the reflection from the story to
human nature and the last is based on the experience of mother’s love
in my life. Those three ideas bring me to analyze the novel entitled For One More
Day.
We cannot disintegrate literature with life. Life has a different meaning to
every person. It can be about idealism, pursuit of happiness, dreams, way of
thinking and beliefs. Because of these different meanings, every person has his
own perspectives about how he deals with life itself and how he maintains and
manages his life for his own sake. How he deals with his life can be influenced by
his social, intellectual, experience, and religion background.
Since literature is made by human being’s reflection of their life, there can
be so many values which can be learned from it, namely ethics, social, moral, and
all life values. We can learn how to deal with life values from the work of the
authors. Therefore, reading literary work is a kind of interesting things to do,
parallel with the advantages written above.
Moody states that literature can give more than just pleasure and
enjoyment. Literature can give more understanding about knowledge whether it
happens in us as a unique human being or in our social life with other people in
our circumstances, race and world. Literature also makes better understanding of
any possibilities on human life. The possibilities include the good side and also
the bad side. From literature, human being can also understand how he comes to
live in this world in a particular time and space. Human being can also learn about
we can determine a good decision for our life rather than make the wrong one
(Moody 2-3).
For that reason, by reading literary works, we are brought to make our
choices regarding our problems, to reveal what will happen. Daiches, based on
Aristotle’s definition, also states that literature brings out its special, differentiates
qualities, demonstrates its function and assesses value in terms of that function,
and vindicates it against those who consider it useless or immoral (Daiches 4).
One of the literary works is novel. In a novel, the author may use human
beings, plants, animals, and even supernatural beings such as spirits, ghosts, gods
and goddess become the characters. These characters play such kind of roles to
build the story. These characters are usually the representatives of the human
being. Their experiences, conflicts, problems and achievements might represent
what we, human beings, experience in our life. De Laar and Schoonderwoerd in
their book, An Approach to English Literature, mention that “a novel is a work of
art in so far as it introduces us into a living world in some respects resembling the
world we live in (De Laar 163).” It means that novel is like a mirror in which we
see our life. That is why sometimes when we read a literary work we can find that
a character in literary work is just like us. A character might represents us in our
life.
Mitch Albom’s novel entitled For One More Day is a novel that portrays
the story of Charles “Chick” Benetto as he struggles to get a grip on his life. It
Chick Benetto regarding his experience to value his life among his choice and the
influence of his parents. Growing up, Chick has always been contented with the
dilemma of doing either what his father, Leonard Benetto (Len), wants or
following his mother, Posey Benetto. Because Len has gone most of the time to
make a living for his family, his son longs for his presence and approval. This
longing is reinforced when Chick’s parents get divorced, which is a rare
circumstance in those days. Being the daddy’s boy, Chick unconsciously blames
his mother for driving his dad away. He does not care that his father already leaves the family, him, his sister and his mother by the divorce. He does not know
the reason of the divorce. Chick just wants to be a daddy’s boy. As the result,
Chick does everything to fulfill his father’s dream for him – to be a professional
baseball player. Furthermore, he ignores his mother and makes her feels sad and
lonely. Actually Chick loved his mother so much. This feeling is ignored just for
reaching his dream to be a best baseball player. This becomes a kind of dilemma
again. Much as Chick wants to please his dad, he also loves his mother. This is
manifested in the focal point of the novel when Chick tried to take away his own
life in his adulthood after being ignored and left by his wife and lovely daughter.
In a bizarre turn of events, he ends up spending a day with his mother who has
been dead for years. In this experience, he feels deep compassion and love from
his mother again.
From this novel, it is interesting to discuss the influence of mother’s love
which leads the main character to finally find the meaning of his life. Therefore,
(mother/Pauline/Posey) conveyed through another major character, Chick
Benetto, in Albom’s For One More Day. I see that this is not just about love but it
is also about personality and motivation. Therefore, the topic to be discussed in
this study is the elaboration of the personality changes made by Charles Benetto
caused by thedeep influence of his mother.
1.2 Problem Formulation
There are three problems that will be discussed in this study.
1. How is Pauline “Posey” Benetto, the mother of Chick, portrayed in
the novel?
2. How is Charles “Chick” Benetto reflected in the novel?
3. How does Pauline’s personality influence Charles Benetto’s
development as an individual?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this study are to answer the questions that are formulated
in the problem formulation above. First of all, I intend to dig deeply about the
characters in the novel especially the mother. How the author develops the
characteristic of themother becomes a good start to answer this question. Second,
the third problem formulation about the changes on Chick Benetto’s personality
because the influence of his mother’s personality.
1.4 Benefits of the Study
This study is expected to give some contributions to many people. First of
all, this study may give some insights for students who want to explore more
about literary works especially novel. The second, this study can enrich students’
knowledge and ability to observe novel.
Third, it may assist English teachers who want to use For One More Day
as a study guide in the literature subject for students. It may also enrich the topic
discussed in classroom concerning with the value of life, love, influence and
personality development.
Finally, this study may give benefits for the general reader to give some
understanding of the characters being discussed in the novel and influence general
reader to give more respect to mother.
1.5 Definition of Terms
In this thesis, there are some terms that are needed to be clarified more in
1.5.1 Influence
Influence means the power to affects somebody’s actions, character or
beliefs, especially by providing an example for them to follow, winning their
admiration or making them afraid to disagree (Hornby 611).
Here, influence means the effect made by a figure of mother and her
experiences which directly or indirectly admired, inspired, learned and followed
by her son.
1.5.2 Personality
Personality is the set of psychological traits and mechanisms within
individual that are organized and relatively enduring and that influence his or her
interactions with and adaptations to the environment (Goets 1).
Personality also means the dynamic organization characteristics attributes
leading to behavior and distinguishing one individual from other individuals and it
refers to the total individual and includes needs, motives, method of adjusting,
temperament qualities, self concept, attitudes, role behaviors, values and abilities
(Kalish 52)
In this study personality means the set of psychological traits that distinguish
individual from others in the qualities of needs, motives, method of adjusting,
1.5.3 Development
Development is the process by which individual learns, and thus becomes
able to move and grow from past condition to the real condition (Martin 10).
In this study development means growth and progressive changes made by
the main character as a result of maturation and learning from the experiences.
1.5.4 Personality Development
Personality development according to David Riesman on his paper
Personality Development is all of the patterns of thought and emotions that
change every time and cause us to do and say things in particular ways that
expressed through our temperament or emotional tone(Riesman 3).
Here, personality development means the individual changes that are very
unique and different from others as the result of the pattern of thoughts, values,
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter consists of two main parts named review of related theories
and theoretical framework. Review of related theories deal with the theories
applied in conducting the study. Theoretical framework intends to explain the
contribution of the theories and reviews in solving the problems. The theoretical
framework is needed to synthesize in order to make the applicable answer for the
problems.
2.1 Review of the Related Theories
I must consider the theory of literature to deal with the novel’s analysis
process. Therefore, it will be beneficial to include theories that can be used as a
means to answer the problems. These theories are the theory of character and
characterization and the theory of critical approaches.
2.1.1 Theory of Character and Characterization
It is necessary for the novelist to present characters to be convincing
and acceptable to the readers. Characterization is the way author reveals and
develops the characters presented in the novel to the readers. Therefore, the
theory of characterization in this study helps the readers to understand the
process in which those characters are developed.
The characters presented in Mitch Albom’s For One More Day
become alive and understandable for the readers through their actions,
reactions to situations or to other characters, physical appearance, speech and
gestures and expressions. Murphy in his book Understanding Unseen: The
Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students
stated that there are nine ways which enable an author to present the
character in the story understandably and lively for the readers. The ways are
personal description, character as seen by another, speech, past life,
conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thought, and mannerism
(Murphy 161-173).
The first is the personal description. Characters’ impression of personality
is affected by their appearances. The author can depict characters through their
clothes and appearances. For example, the way characters wear clothes are able to
show their personality. Therefore, readers can recognize their characters from
their images of appearances.
The second is through character as seen by another. The author tells
readers by describing them through other characters’ opinions or comments. Other
characters’ opinions and comments can be very helpful for the readers to
understand a character better and deeper. Thus, the readers can determine a
character’s characterization easily.
The third is through the speech. The readers can obtain the perception of
characters. Those speech and conversation give us clues of the characters’
characteristics. In other words, the characters’ speech implicitly shows their
personality.
The fourth is by observing the character’s past lives. The author takes the
reader to learn about characters’ past lives because characters’ past lives show
significant clues to know more about characters. For this reason, it is important to
show characters’ past lives within the story. This can be done by the author’s
direct comment, through the person’s thoughts and through his conversation or the
medium of another person. One’s past life also influences his or her personality
and ways of thinking on solving problem and his or her behavior to socialize with
other people. Therefore, by showing the characters’ past lives, the author can
shape their personality more understandable.
The fifth is through the characters’ conversations of others. The author can
give the ideas of understanding characters’ characteristic by showing their
conversation between other characters. This is natural in our life that people do
talk about other people. Based on their conversation, we can have our personal
impression of other people. Therefore, conversation of others gives insight into
characters’ talk about.
The sixth is from characters’ reaction. The author can give us clues about
characters by letting us know how those characters react toward various situations
and events. The certain reaction of character shows his or her characteristic in
The seventh is through character’s direct comments. It is possible for the
author to describe or comment on a person’s character directly. Commonly, the
author gives his or her opinion about the characters in the story. Therefore, the
author’s opinion can give additional information about the characters in the story.
The eighth is from character’s personal thoughts. In real life, it is not
possible for us to know people’s personality through their thoughts. In
accordance, the author may give readers direct knowledge of characters’ thought
in the story. In brief, the author can do what he cannot do in the real life. The
author can tell what is in a person’s mind. As a result, the readers can understand
characters’ personality.
The ninth is through character’s mannerism. The author can describe a
person’s mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies (mode of behavior), which are able
to tell the readers something about his or her character. In the story, the author
reveals characters’ habit or mannerism either positively or negatively. Therefore,
the characters’ positive and negative habits help us to obtain more knowledge
about their characteristics.
A character is one of internal aspects in the novel. The term character is
used in two ways. First, Abrams states that character is individual who appears in
the story and it shows distinctive type of person. The last refers to the mixture of
interests, desires, emotions, and principles that make up each of these individuals.
In the second definition, thus, character is synonymous with the word personality.
Through these ways, the author is able to make the reader aware of the
2.1.1 Theory of Critical Approaches
In order to have reasonable judgments of the study, it is necessary to
employ some theories. Therefore, the reasonable judgments enable me to
reach further analysis of the novel and do more exploration. In brief, by
employing the critical approaches, I can acquire the understanding both on
how literature is formed and the values which can be revealed.
Rohberger and Woods in their book Reading and Writing about Literature
determine five critical approaches. The first is called the formalist approach. This
approach focuses on its total integrity of the literary works and becomes
references to the understanding to the piece of literary work. Therefore, formalism
seeks to emphasize the importance of the format elements of literature related to
the language, form and content of literary text.
The second is called the biographical approach. A work of art can be a
reflection of personality of its author. Therefore, this approach attempts to learn as
much as it can be about the biography of the author. As a result, the biographical
approach provides knowledge that can be useful for a better understanding and
appreciation of his or her work.
The third is the sociocultural-historical approach. This approach insists the
analysis of socio, cultural and historical background as the references to the
further understanding of the story. This approach is used in analyzing the literary
works by referring to the civilization or society in which the literary works are
The fourth is the mythopeic approach. This approach attempts to find the
particular recurrent patterns of human thought that is used to find expression in
significant works of art. In general, the patterns involve death, and rebirth,
guilt and sacrifices, primitive rites, or patterns of behavior basic to Christian
technology. This approach shares same universal belief; myth or folk rights to
certain community mind.
The fifth, the psychological approach involves theories of psychology to
analyze characters in the story because the characters have a close
relationship with human life. It draws on a different body of knowledge that
is psychology. Various theories of psychology explain the character’s
personality, motivation, and behavior pattern in a story.
To conduct this study, I use the psychological approach especially about
theory of personality development and theory of psychosocial development as the
guideline to analyze the character in the novel. By using psychological approach,
each character’s attitudes can be compared to the psychology of human being. This
approach involves the theory of psychology to analyze the characters in the story.
Consequently, the characters’ thought, attitudes, behavior and personality can be
marked more deeply.
2.1.2 Theory of Psychology
To analyze Posey’s and Chick’ personalities and self developments, it is
worth to review the theory of psychology especially some theories on personality
2.1.2.1Theory of Personality
Many psychologists have their own perception to describe personality.
They propose their theories on personality in an attempt to explain human
behavior. Personality assessment is really important in many areas of
psychology, and a variety of methods have been developed to measure personal
characteristics accurately. The personality theories provide concepts to identify
the factors that influence the development of personality and everyday behaviors
in individual. It helps us understand why everyone is unique.
The word personality is defined as “the dynamic organization
characteristics attributes leading to behavior and distinguishing one individual
from others” and it refers to the total individual and includes “needs, motives,
and methods of adjusting, temperament qualities, self concepts, role behaviors,
attitudes, values and abilities (Kalish 51-52). This means that a dynamic person
is forceful, always moving and filled with energy.
Personality can be defined as dynamic because human being is constantly
changing. Each change affects the entire personality. No element of personality
is isolated from any other element (Kalish 52). Therefore every single change in
personality gives influence to the whole personality even affects others’ in a
bigger circumstance.
2.1.2.2The Personality Pattern
Personality is not inherited. Personality is a product of individual learning
Personality Development, we could reiterate that there are three major factors
that work to determine the development of personality pattern. Those factors are
like following.
The first is from individual’s heredity gift. Physique, intelligence and
temperament are the result of heredity. The personality pattern can be determined
by and closely associated with the process of becoming mature from both of
physical and mental characteristics. However, that factor cannot control self but
just evolves within individual. Therefore, the personality pattern develops from
the interaction with the environment.
The second factor is the early experiences within the family. This factor
provides the understanding that an individual will be so affected with the length
process of life in the family.
The third is the important events in later life outside the home
environment. The personality pattern can be defined by the experiences with the
environment whether it is close to the home or far away. Individual can choose
whether he or she would like to imitate what he or she gets from environment or
follows his or her own initiate.
Therefore, the personality pattern is not the product of learning or just
from the heredity. Those factors can create individual’s personality pattern
because the individual selects it from his environment about what fits to his
needs and rejects what doesn’t. However, people are not totally free to choose
and develop personality pattern they want, because people have a limitation
2.1.2.3Theory of Psychosocial Development
Erikson (1902-1994) maintains that children develop in a predetermined
order. Instead of focusing on cognitive development, he is interested in how
children socialize and how this affects their sense of self. Erikson’s theory of
psychosocial development as it is read from Feist and Feist Theories of
Personality, Diane Papalia, Olds and Feldman in their book Human Development
and Bukatko in his book Child and Adolescent Development: A Chronological
Approach has eight distinct stages which have two possible outcomes. According
to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality
and successful interactions with others. Failure to complete a stage can result in a
reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy
personality and sense of self. These stages, however, can be resolved successfully
at a later time.
The first is basic trust versus mistrust. From the age after born up to the
first year, children begin to learn the ability to trust others. If trust is developed
successfully, children gain confidence and security in the world around them.
Unsuccessful completion of this stage can result in an inability to trust, and
therefore a sense of fear about the inconsistent world. It may result of the anxiety,
insecurities, and an over feeling of mistrust in the world around them.
The second is autonomy versus shame and doubt. Between the ages of one
to three, children begin to assert their independence, by walking away from their
to wear, to eat, etc. Children begin to explore and make choices in order to
understand what is manageable and socially acceptable. Children in this stage
need encouragements and supports to be independent. Therefore, they become
more confident and secure in their own ability. Children will feel inadequate in
their ability to survive if parents criticized them or do not give opportunity to
assert themselves.
The third is initiative versus guilt. Between three years to six years,
children assert themselves more frequently. They begin to plan activities, set
goals, make up games, and initiate activities with others. Children will develop a
sense of initiative if parents give the opportunity. However, if parents give
criticism or over control, children will develop a sense of guilt. Therefore, they
will become a lack initiative person.
The fourth is industry versus inferiority. Start from six years to puberty,
children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments. They see the
project from the completion and achievement. During this period, teachers have a
big role in children development. Teacher should encourage and reinforce
children, and then children will feel industrious and confident in their ability. If
teachers ignore those treatments, the child will feel inferior. They feel doubting of
his/her own abilities and therefore may not reach his potential.
The fifth is identity versus role confusion. During adolescence, children
become more independent, and begin to look at the future in terms of career,
their own identity. This sense of who they are can be caught up, which results in a
sense of confusion about themselves and their role in the world.
The sixth is intimacy versus isolation. When children entered young
adulthood stage, they begin to share their selves more intimately with others. They
explore relationships leading toward longer term commitments with someone.
Successful completion can lead to comfortable relationships and a sense of
commitment, safety, and care within a relationship. Failure on this stage can lead
to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression.
The seventh is generativity versus stagnation. During middle adulthood,
people establish careers, settle down relationship, begin their own families and
develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. People give back to society
through raising children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in
community activities and organizations. Failure in fulfilling these roles, people
become stagnant and feel unproductive.
The eighth is ego integrity versus despair. When the time to grow older
comes as senior citizens, people tend to slow down productivity. It is the time to
contemplate our accomplishments and our ability to develop integrity if we see
ourselves have a successful life. However, if we see our lives unproductive we
will feel guilt about our pasts. We become dissatisfied with life and develop
2.1.2.4Theory of Personality Development
Almost all of human being is not completely satisfied with his or her
personality. Therefore, some of us intend to change it (Hurlock 119). As a human
being it is usual that through our experiences with our family, friends, co-workers,
companions and the society, we find that one or some of our personalities are not
accepted by them. Then, we want to change it.
Elizabeth Hurlock states that there are at least three major categories of
personality changes named better versus worse, quantitative versus qualitative and
slow versus rapid changes. The changes on personality can be named better or
worse depend on the kind of life adjustment the individual is making at the time.
If the life adjustment is success in every stage like the improvement of
self-concept, self-confidence and self-assurance, we can call it a better change. In
contrast, if there is no life adjustment because of a sense of failure from
self-expectation, inferiority and inadequacy which can be expressed in antagonism,
defensive reaction, depression, distress and many others, we can name it worse
changes.
Another type of personality change is quantitative versus qualitative.
Quantitative personality change is the development of personality that can be
easily seen from the increase of predominant modes of behavior as the person
grows older. The examples of it are the characteristics that already present are
being reinforced, strengthened or can be weakened. While, qualitative personality
or vice versa. Furthermore, qualitative changes do not normally occur even in the
early years of life. Therefore, it is very rarely occurred.
Finally, we can differ that the personality changes can be slow versus
rapid. The changes are regarded as slow if they are barely perceptible. It normally
occurs in every human being that we grow slowly and gradually. Meanwhile rapid
changes are the personality changes that are readily apparent to all. Here, rapid
changes at any age are danger signals. Changes in short duration are usually due
to some artificial stimulation which temporarily causes the person to forget his
real self-concept and see himself as he would like to be.
2.1.2.5The Influence of Family on Personality Development
Family is the smallest unit of the society. It contains a father, a mother
and children. Each member of a family has his or her role. What is meant by
parents’ role is the dynamic aspect of the status as parents (English 13).
Family could be in the first rank that influences personality development.
The influence does not just happen in the time of childhood but also takes effect
on the adulthood. As mentioned by Hurlock in Personality Development, we can
summarize that family can influence individual directly or indirectly. We can say
directly because family shapes the personality development by molding and
communication. However, it can be indirectly if the influence comes from
identification, unconscious imitation of attitudes and behavior patterns (Hurlock
In every family, regardless of its size and composition, each member is
expected to play a certain role. Each role is clearly defined by family members
and contributes to a harmonious living arrangement for all family members
(Hurlock 373). Role playing in family also influences personality development.
We can define the influence in two majorities as following.
The first, role playing affects individual in his or her self concept on the
individual feels of the role, the expectation and the well individual acts in the
role. The expectation of other family members gives the standard on how
individual act of the role and it can make individual assess his or her
performance.
The second, the effect of role-playing comes from the influence on home
atmosphere and from how family members and outsiders judge the success of
individual on playing particular role in the family. When individual choose a
certain role in family, it becomes a habit that must be brought outside home in
the relationship with other people. Then finally, people judge the success on
playing the role.
Parke and O’Neill formulate some parents’ role. Parents are instructor,
educator, advisor, supervisor, facilitator and role-model. As an instructor, parents
give the order and information to the children. Parents create and give some rules
for the children to obey and to do something for their own good. As the educator,
parents give knowledge of the things happening around them. Parents do not
only focus on the intellect teaching but also the moral teaching, in order to bring
parents give some advises on what happens and what will happen to the children
so the children can find the best way out of their condition. As the supervisor,
parents keep an eye on the children. Therefore the children are under controlled.
As the facilitator, parents provide some facilities like sports facilities, education
facilities and many others, to support the children’s development. As the role
model, parents give themselves to the children to be model they always look at.
By doing so, the children have someone to rely on in his life (O’Neill 32-39).
Burke and Parke also give evidence in their research. The father’s social
relationship is used as a model by the child (Burke 39). A father means different
things for children at different stages of development. He plays the role as the
leader in the family. For a grown up boy, he becomes the model to copy
especially when he is perceived highly as an affectionate person (Payne and
Mussen in Martin and Stendler 329).
Lidz states that the mother is the primary and major nurturing figure to
the child, particularly small child. She is an expert in child-rearing techniques.
The mother also needs the support from whom she can gain such physical and
emotional nourishment in giving love and attention to the children (Lidz 56).
Mother’s behavior in conducting her role affects the children so much. As the
role of advisor, when the mother gives the children some advises but she does
not try to solve the problem for them, the outcomes are positive. The children
will feel that their mother is a good friend to share their problems. Mother gives a
Family can also influence individual’s personality development in term of
deviant family patterns. For example, in a culture where being different is widely
regarded as being inferior, it is not surprising that people feel ashamed and
embarrassed if their family patterns differ from those of the people with whom
they associate (Hurlock 376). Here are some of deviants that influence
personality development.
The first is solo families. Solo families are shown by the absence of one
parent because of death, divorce, desertion, separation or some other causes. The
solo home can be a source of embarrassment to all of the family members or can
be a source of pride. For example, if the figure of father is absence because of
divorce, it can be a source of embarrassment. However, if the absence due to
some tasks as an army or employee to another country, it can be a source of
pride.
Rather than becoming the source of embarrassment or the source of pride,
solo families have some important factors to influence the personality
development. The most important thing is the presence of fatherhood (masculine)
or motherhood (feminine) figure in the family. Children are so demanding of the
figures because their personality pattern is largely molded during the early years
of life. Furthermore, the personality effect of solo families is not limited to
children. It is also felt by parents as well as other family members (Hurlock 377).
The second is divorced families. Divorced families normally eliminate
some of the friction so damaging to the home climate. In a society where
families. There are so many problems caused by divorce like the care of children,
income, love and figure of masculinity and or femininity and of course the
personality development of the divorcee and the member of families.
The third is widowhood. The status of widow or widower is not only
deviant but also ambiguous in which the person is neither single nor a spouse.
Widowhood almost always leads to poor self-evaluation. A widow or widower is
lonely and faced many adjustments problems, personal, social and economic.
The fourth is disgraced family. Disgraced family is a family living in a
society which is considered different from other families in the society. Strong
disapproval of some kinds of deviant family patterns make the family members
feel disgraced. Furthermore, the family members will feel more inferior to other
families in the society because the society feels that they are not common.
2.2. Theoretical Framework
I usesome of the theories stated above in order to understand more about
the characters’ personality and to help finding the answer of issues presence in
problem formulated. Furthermore, I would like to present the reasons why those
theories are needed and how I use those theories to understand and analyze the
novel.
The first is theory of character and characterizations. These theories are
used to reveal the characters in the novel. Furthermore, these theories are really
applicable to describe and to explore characters through their actions, outlooks,
The second is critical approach. In this study, I use the psychological
approach as the best considerations to dig deeper the characters’ personality. The
theory of personality and the theory of personality development also help to
analyze the characters’ personality changes and finally the development as seen
on the Mitch Albom’s For One More Day.
The theory of family is used based on the understanding that family has a
big influence on family members’ personality development. The influence can
come from the situation on the family, parents’ relationship and the relationship
between mother and children. The novel itself is telling about the relationship
between mother and son. Children’s personality development can be seen from
the relationship with parents especially with mother.
Additionally, to understand the influence made by mother to his son, I use
the Eriksson’s theory of psychosocial. This theory will be beneficial to depict the
influence made by his mother to the son in the right order from the childhood up
to the adulthood.
Finally, to study the character changes as the result of mother’s influence
in the major character’s life, I use the theory about personality development from
Elizabeth Hurlock. It will be helpful to see whether the personality changes are
better or worse, quantitative or qualitative and slow or rapid. Therefore, the three
of the latest theories work together to reveal the personality changes on Charles
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter contains three main parts namely object the study, approach
and method of the study. In the object of the study, I reviewed the novel as the
main source of the study. In the approach, I gave some reasons why I used
particular approach to observe the novel. Whereas in the method of study, I
explained briefly about the sources of the study including main source, secondary
source and steps to do the study.
3. 1 Object of the Study
This study will analyze further one of Mitch Albom’s novels entitled For
One More Day. It is the third novel written by Mitch Albom. Mitch Albom firstly
wrote this novel in May 2006 then he published the novel in the United States of
America in 2006 with the help of Hyperion Publisher. Afterward, the novel was
published in Great Britain in 2006 with the help of Sphere Publisher. During 2006
up to 2008 those publishers have published the novel 5 times, 3 times in 2007 and
2 times in 2008. In order to conduct this study, I used one copy from the 2007
edition.
The novel contains 207 pages; 197 pages of which are the story. Mitch
Albom divided the novel into four big chapters: Midnight, Morning, Noon and
Afternoon. Those four contain many small topics such as Chick’s Story, Chick
Tries to End It All, Time My Mother Stands Up for Me, up to Chick’s Final Thought.
3. 1 Approaches
In conducting the study, I apply the theory of character and characterization
and also psychological approach. The theory of character and characterization is
applied to answer the first and second problem in the study. The theory is needed to
understand the mother’s personality and also Chick Benetto’s personality. The
application of psychological approach focuses in the theory of personality
development as the main theory. It is the most appropriate tool to analyze the main
character’s personality development caused by the influence of mother’s personality.
The psychological approach is applied to answer the third problem.
“Psychological approach is an excellent tool for reading beneath the lines,” says
Guerrin in his book A Handbook of Critical Approaches in Literature. He explains
that the psychological theory is most commonly used as an interpretative tool by
modern critics. The psychological theory shows interpretation model to enhance their
understanding and appreciation of certain literature (Guerrin 120-121).
In this study, psychological approach is the most appropriate way to answer
the problems. This approach suggests the influence of human psychology on literary
work. Hence, character analysis can be traced by using theories of psychology.
Furthermore, this approach is used in this study because the basis of the analysis
places on the theory of personality development, which is one object in psychology.
behavior, attitude, feeling, belief, thought, motivation and deed influenced by
mother’s personality.
There is a deep relationship between literature and psychology. Rohberger
and Woods in their work entitled Reading and Writing about Literature state that both
literature and psychology discuss about people and human lives even though they
stand in different point of view. While literature discusses human being and life
which are expressed through language to gain some life values, psychology gives the
main focus on the study of human life dealing to human mind and behavior
(Rohberger and Woods 6-15). Furthermore, they state that psychological approach
brings us to analyze the novel from the psychological point of view on a specific
human being (Rohberger and Woods 13).
3.2Method of Study
This study used the method of library research. There were two kinds of
sources used in this study. The first or the main source was the novel entitled For One
More Day. The second was the secondary sources which were taken from references
found in the library and internet.
In order to analyze the novel, I conducted six steps. The first was I read and
reread the novel. While reading the novel, I also took note of the main character
development (Chick) and mother’s personality traits as seen from the way the
characters speak, the way they think, their attitudes and their deeds that revealed
knowledge, I observed and gathered information from some references like Child
Behavior and Development from William Martin and Celia Sendler, The Dynamic
Psychology from Kelly, Child and Adolescent Development: A Chronological
Approach written by Danuta Bukatko, Human Development from Diane E. Papalia,
Olds and Feldman, Personality Development from Elizabeth B. Hurlock, Family
Communication from Maureen Miller and A Handbook of Critical Approaches in
Literature from Wilfried L. Guerrin.
The fourth step was to find out the mother’s personality from the novel
compared and supported by the findings from the references. Then the fifth step was
to find out Chick Benetto’s personality at the beginning of the story. The sixth step
was to gather and judge the influence of mother’s personality on Chick Benetto.
Therefore, I made the list of Chick Benetto’s personality development. This step was
also combining the findings into a big main point as to find the theme of the story.
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This chapter presents the discussion of the answer of the problems. The
discussion is divided into four main parts. The first part elaborates and discusses
the personality of Pauline Benetto or well-known as Posey Benetto, the mother of
Chick. The second part mainly discusses about the characteristic of Charles or
Chick Benetto as depicted in the novel. The third part discusses the influence
made by Posey to Charles Benetto during his childhood up to adulthood. Finally,
the fourth part presents the personality development of Chick Benetto as the result
of his mother’s influence during his life.
4.1 Mother’s Personality Traits
From the theory of character, in this part I depict Pauline’s character. I find
out that Pauline (Posey) is a major and flat character. Henkle in his book Reading
the Novel divides characters into two kinds which are major character and
secondary character. A major character is the most important and complex in the
novel, meanwhile the secondary character is a character that plays more limited
function (Henkle 89). Posey and Chick Benetto are the major characters in the
novel, because the novel entitled For One More Day puts Posey and Chick
Benetto as the central of the story.
She is a flat character because she does not change her personality from
the beginning into the end of the story. According to Forster in Aspects of the
Novel, characters can be a flat and round. A flat character is when the character
considered as simple. The readers can easily recognize the character whenever
and wherever he or she appears in the novel. Furthermore, the character is not
changed by the circumstances or by the people around him or her (Forster 54).
There are some ways used by the author in order to make the character
understandable to the reader. Graham Little in Approach to Literature
explained that there are three ways to study character. They are namely
physical appearance, social relationship and mental qualities.
Furthermore, Murphy in his book Understanding Unseen: The
Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students
states that there are nine ways that enable an author to present the character in the
story understandably and lively for the readers. The ways are from personal
description, character as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation of others,
reaction, direct comment, thought, and mannerism (Murphy 161-173). Pauline or
Posey Benetto in Mitch Albom’s For One More Day is portrayed as:
4.1.1 Caring
Posey Benetto is a kind of person that always cares to family and other
people. There are some evidences from the novel that can show this personality.
First is from Chick Benetto thought: “My mother, had she been alive,
might have found a way through to me because she was always good at that,
taking my hand and saying, “Come on Charley, what’s the story (Albom 5)?” This
part assumes that Posey Benetto is a kind of person that always takes care of the
family. She will always ask Chick to tell some experiences that he faces during
the day. She will find out if her son gets into trouble or faces some difficult
assignment. She will become a good listener for the son and give advice to solve
the problem. She also wants to know about the progress of Chick’s hobby, base
ball, by telling this sentence. “What time is your game honey (Albom 23)?” This
attitude also tells that Posey wants to listen to the son and support what his son
does every day.
There are also evidences of the care and love from some letters and notes
made by mother to Chick. “My mother was always writing me notes. She slipped
them to me whenever she dropped me off somewhere (Albom 27).”
Here is one of the examples of the letter made by Posey for her son:
The letter usually tells about the advice for Chick to be brave, be a good
boy and wants to strengthen Chick. The first letter is made when Chick enters the
kindergarten in 1954. The second letter is on July 20th 1959 when Chick will have Dear Charley-
Have lots of FUN in SCHOOL today!
I will see you at lunch time and we’ll get a milk shake
I love you every day!
Mom
an operation on his tonsils. This letter intends to support and strengthen him that
operation of tonsils is a kind of usual thing for people and everything will be
alright. Chick will just be fallen asleep and when he wakes up everything has been
done. The third letter is on September 8, 1967 when Chick enters the university.
This letter wants to show Posey’s proud on Chick because he is the first person in
the family who enters university level. She also supports and advises him how to
behave in the university. The fourth or the last letter is given in the Chick’s
wedding day. Through this letter, Posey gives her support on Chick’s choice to
get married and also some advices in a family life so Chick will not make the
same fault as his father.
In Chick’s memory, when he wants to go to school in the first time he is
crying. His mother strengthens him by wiping his tears and hugging him. Before
leaving, Posey gives a letter to him. His mother of course will not hope that Chick
will read the letter but she means that the letter can be a replacement of her
presence.
She wiped my eyes with a tissue from her purse, then hugged me good-bye. I can still see her walking backward, blowing me kisses, her lips painted in red Revlon, her hair swept up above her ears. I waved good-bye with the letter. It didn’t occur to her, I guess, that I was just starting my school and didn’t know how to read. That was my mother. It was the thought that counted (Albom 28).
Kiss is a symbol of love and care. Posey does the same thing every night
to tuck and rub Chick’s hair and also ask Chick to give her a kiss. “She tucked
me every night, rubbing my hair and saying, “Give your mother a kiss” (Albom
33).” Posey also wants that Chick loves her as the way she loves him.
She loved me falling off a swing set. She loved me stepping on her floors with muddy shoes. She loved me through vomit and snot and bloody knees. She loved me coming and going, at my worst and at my best. She had a bottomless well of love for me. Her only flaw was that she didn’t make me work for it (Albom 33).
Here, Chick is also aware that his mother has an endless love for him.
Posey loves her son very much. She loves the way when her son comes toward
her with muddy shoes and bloody knees. Chiefly, she loves all of Chick deeds.
Chick also feels gratitude for the way her mother loves him. He knows that her
mother loves him truly in right or wrong, good or bad. However this does not
work for Chick. Chick still cannot love his mother the way she loves him
4.1.2 Beautiful and Charming
Posey Benetto is also considered as beautiful and charming. This
description comes from other characters’ thought and as seen by others. Here are
some evidences that show the beauty and charm of Posey Benetto:
Chick personally thinks that his mother is a beautiful woman. It can be
inferred from this passage. “My mother was a beautiful woman, but she didn’t
look beautiful that morning (Albom 22).”
There is something happens at that morning which makes her mother who
is actually beautiful does not look beautiful. Chick is just curious with it. Here,
Posey is still in grieved because of the way her husband treats her. However, we
can infer that actually Posey has a beautiful face. Furthermore, Posey’s beauty can
be reflected from her posture description made by Chick like in this paragraph:
She had large, almond-shaped eyes, dark, sweeping hair that she often wore up, and a soft, creamy complexion. She reminded people of the actress Audrey Hepburn, and in our small town, there weren’t many women who fit that description. She loved wearing mascara, eyeliner, rouge, you name it – and while most people considered her “fun” or “perky”or, later, “eccentric” or “headstrong,” for most of my childhood I considered her a nag (Albom 29).
Audrey Hepburn, as written in Wikipedia and seen from her picture, is a
very beautiful lady who was a well-known British actress and humanitarian
around 1950 till 1990. Audrey Hepburn has a long straight black hair,
beautiful-dark eyes, pointed nose, white complexion and slim body. If Posey reminds
people about this actress then we can assume that Posey is very beautiful. Chick
describes her mother as just likes Audrey Hepburn and many people in that small
village accept that description. There are just little women in that village who are
similar to that description. The beauty itself has two different impacts, the first it
becomes a kind of proud for the owner, but it is also a kind of irritating thing for
the other women (Albom 59).
Another proof derives from Chick’s memory. Chick remembers the time
of somebody’s wedding ceremony. On that occasion his parents dance. His
mother is wearing a shiny red dress. She looked happy. She was also a good
dancer. Everybody could not move but watch her. The women there seemed to be
jealous of her (Albom 58-59).
Posey Benetto also has a big sense of humor. It is either she makes the
humor or listens to humors made by others. People think this sense of humor
improves her beauty more. Because of her sense of humor, people think that she is
so charming. That charming thing really makes other people want to be close to
her. Here is Chick’s description on her. “She loved jokes. She would push a hand
into the shoulder of anyone who made her laugh. She was charming. That’s how
people thought of her: Charming Posey (Albom 74).”
Sometimes, somebody who is beautiful, handsome or good-looking is still
seen when the one is already getting old. That thing also happens to Posey.
Although she grows older in her seventies, Chick still recognizes that his mother
is beautiful. The wrinkles, eyeglasses and even white hair cannot hide her beauty.
She placed her hands together and touched her nose, hiding a small smile. “It is still nice to be thought about, you know.” I studied her face. There was no doubting her beauty even in her late seventies, when she had taken on a more wrinkled elegance, her eyes behind glasses, her hair – once the blue-back of midnight –now the silver of a cloudy afternoon sky (Albom 151).
4.1.3 Secretive
Being secretive is when somebody can hide his problem or other things.
As a consequence, other people cannot know what actually happens. In other
word, secretive is an attitude that likes to keep things secret or hide one’s thoughts
and feelings in some purposes (Hornby 1061). Posey can be considered as
secretive because she likes to hide her feeling especially her sadness in order not
to make others feel the same thing or know her feelings. Sometimes, she uses this
ability to avoid the children to know the real condition because she does not want
the children feel hurt. There are some evidences that show this description:
“Why can’t daddy take me? I asked. “Daddy’s not here.”
“Where is he?” She didn’t answer.
“When’s he coming back?”
She squeezed the corn puffs and they crumbled into floury dust (Albom22).
This conversation happens on Saturday morning when Chick Benetto is
still in the fifth grade year. Here, Posey has just got divorce from Len. She tries to
keep the fact from her son. She thinks this is not a good time for him to know that
she and his father just split. She wants to keep that first before telling to his son.
She does not want to answer Chick’s question because it will either hurt her or her
son. She keeps that anyway.
Another occasion comes when the time Len Benetto wants to come back
to the house. Posey lets the children think that the “intruder” is a burglar then she
borrows Chick’s baseball bat to chase the intruder. Posey hides the fact that the
intruder actually her ex-husband, Chick’s father. She does not want him to disturb
their life anymore. She also strengthens the children to stay calm and feel secure.
My mother’s voice precedes her. “It’s alright, it’s alright,” she is saying, no longer whispering, and she moves quickly into the room and rubs my head as she passes me to get my sister. She drops the bat and it clunks on the floor. My sister is crying. “It’s alright. It was nothing,” my mother says.
I slum against the wall. My mother hugs my sister. She exhales longer than I have ever heard anyone exhale before.
“Who was it?” I ask.
“Nothing, nobody, she says. But I know she is lying. I know who it was (Albom 93).
Those two proves above tell about the way Posey Benetto keeps her secret.
She wants that the fact that she and her ex-husband, Len, are not together anymore
at all ways. She does not want the children feel the shame, grieved, and hurt of
being in incomplete family. Being a divorced family is considered as a shame at
