vi ABSTRACT
Asthereni, Patricia Vania Septhine Yulia. (2016). An Analysis of Irony in John Grisham’s The Rainmaker. English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Yogyakarta, Sanata Dharma University.
The research discusses the irony portrayed in the novel The Rainmaker. The novel was selected out of other books because it was the only one screenplayed to be a movie despite the novel not being a best-seller. The novel also makes use of exciting plot. The exciting plot employs the use of irony throughout the story. Therefore, the researcher decided to analyse the relation between irony and plot.
In order to analyse deeply about the elements of the story, there are three problems examined in the research. First, analysing the plot structure of the story is essential. The second problem deals with how the irony is portrayed in the story. The last problem concerns how the irony influences the flow of the story.
Using library research as the method of the research, the theory of Abrams and Harpham and Arp and Johnson on irony is gained to analyse the use of verbal and situational irony portrayed in The Rainmaker novel. The data and references needed for the analysis were gathered from printed and electronic books, articles, encyclopedia, journals and some on-line references. There are three findings to answer the problems formulated previously.
The first finding discloses how Rudy confronts an experienced lawyer to prove the innocence of his client, which is categorised into exposition, crisis, climax, and resolution. The second finding shows the use of verbal irony in exposition and crisis parts of the story. The situational irony is also portrayed in crisis, climax, and resolution. The third finding shows that through the use of irony, the plot twist could add essential suspense needed by the readers to keep reading the story.
vii ABSTRAK
Asthereni, Patricia Vania Septhine Yulia. (2016). An Analysis of Irony in John Grisham’s The Rainmaker. Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, JPBS, FKIP, Yogyakarta, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini membahas bagaimana ironi digambarkan dalam novel The Rainmaker. Novel ini dipilih dari sekian banyak karangan John Grisham karena hanya novel ini yang tetap dibuat menjadi film meskipun bukan buku yang penjualannya termasuk paling laris. Buku ini juga menggunakan alur cerita yang menarik. Alur cerita dalam novel menggunakan ironi dalam cerita untuk membuatnya semakin menarik. Maka dari itu, peneliti memutuskan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara ironi dan alur cerita.
Untuk mendapatkan hasil analisis yang mendalam mengenai unsur suatu cerita, dalam skripsi ini terdapat tiga permasalahan yang akan didiskusikan. Hal pertama yang penting untuk dilakukan adalah menentukan struktur plot cerita. Permasalahan kedua adalah bagaimana ironi digambarkan dalam novel. Permasalahan terakhir membahas bagaimana ironi mempengaruhi jalan cerita dalam novel.
Menggunakan metode studi pustaka, teori ironi menurut Abrams dan Harpham dan Arp dan Johnson dikumpulkan untuk menganalisis penggambaran ironi verbal dan ironi situasi dalam novel. Data dan referensi yang diperlukan dikumpulkan dari buku, artikel, ensiklopedia, jurnal, baik yang cetakan maupun elektronik dan beberapa referensi dari internet. Untuk menjawab ketiga permasalahan yang telah dibuat sebelumnya, terdapat tiga hasil penyelidikan.
Hasil penyelidikan pertama mengungkapkan bagaimana cerita Rudy dalam menghadapi seorang pengacara yang lebih berpengalaman untuk melindungi kliennya yang dikelompokkan dalam eksposisi, krisis, klimaks dan resolusi. Hasil penyelidikan kedua menunjukkan penggunaan ironi verbal pada bagian eksposisi dan krisis cerita. Sedangkan ironi situasi juga ditemukan pada bagian krisis, klimaks dan resolusi cerita. Hasil penyelidikan yang ketiga menunjukkan bahwa dengan menggunakan ironi, alur cerita mampu menambahkan ketegangan yang diperlukan para pembaca untuk tetap mengikuti jalan cerita.
AN ANALYSIS OF IRONY
IN JOHN GRISHAM’S
THE RAINMAKER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Patricia Vania Septhine Yulia Asthereni Student Number: 121214155
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
vi ABSTRACT
Asthereni, Patricia Vania Septhine Yulia. (2016). An Analysis of Irony in John Grisham’s The Rainmaker. English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Yogyakarta, Sanata Dharma University.
The research discusses the irony portrayed in the novel The Rainmaker. The novel was selected out of other books because it was the only one screenplayed to be a movie despite the novel not being a best-seller. The novel also makes use of exciting plot. The exciting plot employs the use of irony throughout the story. Therefore, the researcher decided to analyse the relation between irony and plot.
In order to analyse deeply about the elements of the story, there are three problems examined in the research. First, analysing the plot structure of the story is essential. The second problem deals with how the irony is portrayed in the story. The last problem concerns how the irony influences the flow of the story.
Using library research as the method of the research, the theory of Abrams and Harpham and Arp and Johnson on irony is gained to analyse the use of verbal and situational irony portrayed in The Rainmaker novel. The data and references needed for the analysis were gathered from printed and electronic books, articles, encyclopedia, journals and some on-line references. There are three findings to answer the problems formulated previously.
The first finding discloses how Rudy confronts an experienced lawyer to prove the innocence of his client, which is categorised into exposition, crisis, climax, and resolution. The second finding shows the use of verbal irony in exposition and crisis parts of the story. The situational irony is also portrayed in crisis, climax, and resolution. The third finding shows that through the use of irony, the plot twist could add essential suspense needed by the readers to keep reading the story.
vii ABSTRAK
Asthereni, Patricia Vania Septhine Yulia. (2016). An Analysis of Irony in John Grisham’s The Rainmaker. Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, JPBS, FKIP, Yogyakarta, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini membahas bagaimana ironi digambarkan dalam novel The Rainmaker. Novel ini dipilih dari sekian banyak karangan John Grisham karena hanya novel ini yang tetap dibuat menjadi film meskipun bukan buku yang penjualannya termasuk paling laris. Buku ini juga menggunakan alur cerita yang menarik. Alur cerita dalam novel menggunakan ironi dalam cerita untuk membuatnya semakin menarik. Maka dari itu, peneliti memutuskan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara ironi dan alur cerita.
Untuk mendapatkan hasil analisis yang mendalam mengenai unsur suatu cerita, dalam skripsi ini terdapat tiga permasalahan yang akan didiskusikan. Hal pertama yang penting untuk dilakukan adalah menentukan struktur plot cerita. Permasalahan kedua adalah bagaimana ironi digambarkan dalam novel. Permasalahan terakhir membahas bagaimana ironi mempengaruhi jalan cerita dalam novel.
Menggunakan metode studi pustaka, teori ironi menurut Abrams dan Harpham dan Arp dan Johnson dikumpulkan untuk menganalisis penggambaran ironi verbal dan ironi situasi dalam novel. Data dan referensi yang diperlukan dikumpulkan dari buku, artikel, ensiklopedia, jurnal, baik yang cetakan maupun elektronik dan beberapa referensi dari internet. Untuk menjawab ketiga permasalahan yang telah dibuat sebelumnya, terdapat tiga hasil penyelidikan.
Hasil penyelidikan pertama mengungkapkan bagaimana cerita Rudy dalam menghadapi seorang pengacara yang lebih berpengalaman untuk melindungi kliennya yang dikelompokkan dalam eksposisi, krisis, klimaks dan resolusi. Hasil penyelidikan kedua menunjukkan penggunaan ironi verbal pada bagian eksposisi dan krisis cerita. Sedangkan ironi situasi juga ditemukan pada bagian krisis, klimaks dan resolusi cerita. Hasil penyelidikan yang ketiga menunjukkan bahwa dengan menggunakan ironi, alur cerita mampu menambahkan ketegangan yang diperlukan para pembaca untuk tetap mengikuti jalan cerita.
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I dedicate this thesis for the One and Almighty Lord, Jesus Christ, for the guidance and perseverance He has blessed me during the writing. I would also convey my deepest gratitude to Mother Mary for always listening to my silent prayers. I am fully aware that this thesis is one of the many prayers I whispered to Her at restless nights which is actualized through the helps of many other people. Thus, through these pages, I would also like to thank those who have helped me finish this thesis.
Firstly, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude towards my parents, Waskito, S. E. and Irmina Asther, S. Psi. They both had supported and encouraged me during the thesis writing. By understanding the burden I endured, my parents had been very tolerant towards my temperamental mood. I also thank my little sisters, Cathrine Vivian Daisy Octavian and Valentine Novita Asthereni Putri, and my little brother, Geoffrey Aldric Vandityo Rain Gunathrya who had supported me in many ways. They understood my tantrum generously, stayed up the nights with me, and served me with a cup of coffee every time I worked on my thesis. For their encouraging prayers and support, I gladly present them my thesis.
ix
any difficulties of mine. I deeply appreciate it. Despite my lackings, he had supported, reinforced, and straightened me up to finish my duty. I hope that this thesis could fulfil the expectation that he had of me. I would also like to relay my deepest gratitude to all lecturers of PBI USD. They are great people I would always look up to. The study period I had been through was not an easy path, but I have learned a lot from them.
x
together during PPL period, and we also supported each other during thesis writing. I am deeply grateful for what she had done for me, even when I asked some help of her suddenly in the middle of the night. I would also express my appreciation towards Annis, Aji, Cilla, Cis, Doni, Eka, Gheza, Joko, Kasih, Khariton, Maria, Nanda, Nisya, Patrick, Riyo, Tasia, Tesa, and Vincent for being in the same class for four years together. I thank them for the four years of awkwardness, tantrum, laugh, friendship, and love.
I would also relay my gratefulness toward my colleagues in 4th Undergraduate Conference Committee for the fellowship and friendship built during the preparation. Especially to Adit, Gery, Kiki, Nilam, and Wulan who had always been considerate towards my duty, I am deeply thankful of it. I would also love to express my gratefulness to my comrades who have strived together since Proposal Seminar class; Agatha, Dwi, Dwitya, Michelle, Novi, Uut, and Venny. Certainly, I would convey my deepest gratitude to everyone who had supported me during my study period in ELESP. For the guidance and companion given to me, may His best be with them.
xii
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS ... 22
A. Analysis of Plot Structure of the Story... 22
B. Analysis of the Irony ... 25
1. Verbal Irony ... 25
2. Situational Irony ... 31
C. Influence of Irony on the Plot of the Story ... 46
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS .. 50
A. Conclusions ... 50
B. Implications ... 52
C. Suggestions ... 53
REFERENCES ... 55
xiii
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendices Page
Appendix I Biography of John Grisham ... 59
1
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides general explanations of the study. There are five subheadings which are the background of the study that explains why the topic was chosen, problem formulations which contains two problems formulated through this research, objectives of the study which are the aims of the study, the benefits for both the readers and the researcher and definition of terms which discusses the vocabularies used in this study to clearly limit the field of the study.
A. Background of the Study
John Grisham, the twentieth century legal thriller writer, is famous for his best sellers: The Firm (1989), The Pelican Brief (1991), A Time to Kill (1992), The Client (1992) and The Chamber (1994), The Runaway Jury (1996), Bleachers (2003), Playing for Pizza (2007) and The Litigators (2011), among many others. Working as a lawyer specializing in criminal defense and personal injury litigation, Grisham first wrote his first piece every day after getting off the work. After finishing A Time to Kill for three years, he directly wrote the next piece, The Firm; despite the modest copy and publishing of the first book. It was only after the success of The Firm and The Pelican Brief, his first book was renewed and republished then to be the next best seller (para from Grisham, 2012).
40 languages. Nine of his novels have been turned into films (The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker, The Chamber, A Painted House, The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas), as was an original screenplay (Penguin Random House, 2015). John Grisham was awarded the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award by the Tulsa Library Trust in 2005 (Grisham, 2012).
Instead of discussing more about the books that have brought success and awards for Grisham, discussing the works of him which were not awarded as a best seller becomes one of the reasons why the writer chose The Rainmaker. Added by the fact that the film adaptation was still made from the book, even though it was not a best seller; it becomes another background of the selection. The Rainmaker was the sixth novel written in 1995, raising topic of insurance scam into public. Using his proven David vs. Goliath formula, Grisham returning to courtroom with the most complicated plot since The Firm (para from Pringle, 2007 p. 29).
help of verbal irony and situational irony. Verbal irony is used whenever Rudy Baylor, the main character comments about something. However, because the story is told from Baylor’s point of view, there are not many verbal irony can be found. Situational irony is found throughout the story in concluding the conflict of the story.
In The Rainmaker, Grisham tells the story of a young man, Rudy Baylor, barely out of law school. Baylor is required to give legal advice to senior citizens in one of the subjects he takes on final semester. There, he meets his first “clients,” Dot and Buddy Black. Their son, Donny Ray, is dying of leukemia, and their insurance company has objected to pay for his medical treatments as insurance. Although Rudy establishes in court that his client, Donny Ray Black, deserves a medical treatment to treat leukemia, Donny Ray is dead and the company – despite the facts and cash the company has – argues it cannot afford to pay the punishment fees that the court has settled. Ending in Baylor leaving the law, he finds his happiness together with Kelly far from things related to law (Pringle, 2007 pp. 54-55).
be able to gain experience from the use of two types of irony in the story as the illustration of what may occur in real life, especially in the classroom.
B. Problem Formulation
Based on the background above, the writer formulates the problems of this study in the following questions:
1. What is the plot structure of The Rainmaker?
2. How is irony portrayed in the story of Grisham’s The Rainmaker? 3. How does the irony influence the flow of plot of the story?
C. Research Objectives
This research is written to elaborate more on the relation between irony and plot in the story. The research starts by finding out the classification of plot structure of The Rainmaker. It also aims to analyse the verbal and situational irony and the practical use of the irony in the story. This study finds out verbal and situational irony used in the story in order to elaborate the use of irony in the story. It is also aimed to find out how the irony influences flow of the plot of the analysed story.
D. Benefits of the Study
about the contribution of irony to the plot of story. It is also expected that the readers may deepen their knowledge of the many functions of irony as used in The Rainmaker story. By knowing the functions of irony as analysed, the readers could then, comprehend and adopt the important things, related to both irony and the story, into real life situation. Most importantly, by adopting the hidden values of the story, it may help the students of ELESP to find out proper behaviour as role models of their students when they become English teachers.
E. Definition of terms
There are terms used in the research which need to be elaborated more. The elaboration of the terms serves to associate similar perceptions of the researcher and the readers of the research.
1. Irony
2. Verbal Irony
Burgers, Mulken and Schellens (2011) conclude verbal irony as “an utterance with a literal evaluation that is implicitly contrary to its intended evaluation” (p. 190). In other words, there is another intended meaning behind one statement spoken by the character in the story.
3. Situational Irony
Situational irony is the result of actions done by character in the story that falls out of readers’ expectation (Pettineo, 2012 p.7). It is also called situational irony when unexpected scenes occur which are different from what the readers expected. The readers’ expectation also include how they interpret certain points of the story. Thus, when some events in the story are interpreted differently from what they expected previously, it becomes situational irony. 4. Plot
7
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
In this chapter, the researcher discusses three parts. The first part discusses the review of related studies. This part explains briefly how this research differs from other studies. The second part represents literary theory which are relevant to this research directly. The last part is theoretical framework. It summarizes on how the presented theories are used in solving research problems throughout the research.
A. Review of Related Studies
There are many studies concerning John Grisham’s books, which consist of more than thirty different titles raising legal cases, conducted by English department students of Sanata Dharma University. On discussing John Grisham’s books, there are various things pinpointed to be the main focus of the studies. His first book, A Time to Kill (1992) telling about a struggle of a black man fighting the practice of racism which existed at that time, was analysed by Ningrum (2011). She discusses about how the practice of racism experienced by the characters reflect the real condition on American society.
experiences intra-personal and interpersonal conflicts in the story, he also determines how the character solves her conflicts. Both of the work focuses on the characters of the novel, although they use different light to raise the focus. On her study, Ningrum discusses the practice of racism and how it reflects the real social condition of American at that time, while Saliro raises conflicts to describe the characteristics of Darby Shaw. However, there has not been a single study analysing The Rainmaker novel.
Pringle (2007) also reviews the work of John Grisham in Revisiting John Grisham: A Critical Companion, a follow-up to John Grisham: A Critical Companion published by Greenwood in 1997. Though briefly, Pringle discusses that John Grisham focuses on heroes in a chaotic and meaningless modern world. Like much so-called serious modern literature, several of John Grisham’s novels—especially A Time to Kill, The Firm, The Rainmaker, and now The Brethren —lend themselves to existentialist readings. In The Rainmaker, Grisham targets corporate greed of a medical insurance company (p. xx). By the time Grisham published The Rainmaker (1995), he seemed less assured that a single
hero could put a dent in the world’s wickedness or bring down evil institutions.
Estiningtyas (2015) explores it on The Significance of Dobby in the Plot of J.K.
Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Out of all the studies, the most similar study to the one the researcher discusses is the one written by Wibowo in 2001. Analysing irony of both the characters and story used in Henrik
Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Wibowo relates it to the messages the novel conveys which becomes the only difference compared to this study.
This study is expected to be a complement to other studies for it discusses relation between irony and the plot of story. For this study is the first study in Sanata Dharma University focusing on The Rainmaker – this study offers new perspective and understanding of both the irony and the story. Therefore, in order to support the analysis, the writer uses theories of irony and theories on plot.
B. Review of Related Theories
In this part, there are the theories to be used in analysing the novel, namely theory on irony and theory on plot. The writer adopted several theories which are closely related to analysis.
1. Theories of Irony
a. Definitions
According to Dube, the term of irony “involves both an incongruity and
the opposite of what one expects” (quoted in Koesnosoebroto, 1988 p. 135). Booth (1974) calls irony as the good mark on distinguishing a good literary work in twentieth century. Similarly, Jay (2003) states that irony is a figurative language which creates the opposite meaning of the literal meaning. On 2011, Burgers, Mulken and Schellens argue that irony can be defined as an “utterance with a literal evaluation that is implicitly contrary to its intended evaluation” (p. 186). In A Glossary of Literature Terms, irony is the root sense in making discrepancies, or of a dissembling, what is revealed and what the case really is (Abrams, 2012 p. 184).
Rockliffe (2006, pp. 28-32) in Tristan Corbiere and the Poetics of Irony explains that irony has classically been one of rhetorical trope – though it is different from rhetoric – involving a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant. Booth (1974) calls this is traditional verbal irony because it makes the readers rejecting literal meaning of what is said. Besides, according to Booth (1974), irony takes place because of “either some incongruity among the words or between the words and something else that he knows”. Irony is not intended to hide the truth, but the texture of irony shows diversity of contradictory selves which may exist in utterances.
Rockliffe (2006, p. 38) describes irony as a transformation which is not semantic because it does not change the meaning; but “as the matrix will always
more than such a permutation of the markers, turning a mimesis which is normally positive into a code of universal condemnation”. As Booth (1974) says, irony provides a new perspective as a reflection or looking back upon an old inferior one. Corbiere argues that (in Rockliffe, 2006 p. 41), using irony, does not change reality into a myth or just cover it with beauty, but makes contradiction of what his essence is, and expresses the resultant irritation with precise concrete meaning behind.
As Hutcheon (as in Rockliffe, 2006, pp. 42, 48) points out, “Irony is a relational strategy in the sense that it operates not only between meanings (said, unsaid) but between people (ironists, interpreters, targets)”. This sort of irony can be related to terms by Sperber and Wilson (1962) of which it is a quotation of existing material in such a way in expressing an attitude in relation to it, as well as conveying something by the meaning. Irony itself is an indirect means of communicating and relaying an evaluation (pp. 59-60). In addition, according to Hutcheon, irony has “a cutting edge and thus an emotive force for it could affect others through its use” (p. 49).
b. Types of Irony
those three types of irony to be the most common type to be found in fiction work (pp. 301-303).
1). Verbal irony is created when the implied meaning of the stated message is either the opposite of or incongruous with the meaning of statement (Pettineo, 2012, p. 7). Booth (1974) defines it as ‘stable covert irony’ since the readers intend
to reject a literal meaning because of ‘either some incongruity among the words
or between the words and something else that he knows.’ (p. 10). Colebrook (2004) suggests that verbal irony shares notion of having hidden intended meaning behind spoken words (p. 15). It is not always the exactly opposite meaning because as Colebrook acknowledges, the meaning of verbal irony can be implied from assumptions which relies on norms and values (p. 16).
Arp and Johnson (2012) define it as “a figure of speech in which the
speaker says the opposite of what he or she intends to say” (p. 301).
Correspondingly, Abrams and Harpham (2012) refine verbal irony into utterance of which the implied meaning is different from what is conveyed (p. 184). There are cases which the statement is either straightforward or complicated. In the case
of the spoken statement offers meaning and evaluation that is “simply reversed”
or exactly opposite, it is then called as straightforward. On the other hand, if the meaning and evaluation delivered through the statement is slightly qualified and
indirectly invite readers to assort themselves with “the knowing minority”, the
verbal irony is likely to be more “oblique and unobtrusive” (pp. 184-185).
dramatic irony, the characters are not aware of the upcoming fates which the audience are aware of. Similarly, Arp and Johnson (2012) depict it into the
contrast that is created between what the character’s point of view unfold and what
the readers know (p. 302). Since Grisham does not make use of this irony through
Rudy’s use of point of view as the first person point of view in unfolding the events in the story, the writer thus limits the definition of dramatic irony as stated above.
3). Situational irony results from characters’ actions that bring different outcomes from what was expected (Pettineo, 2012, p. 7). Another elaboration by Arp and Johnson (2012) additionally limits that situational irony occurs in the
incongruity between three things; “between appearance and reality, between expectation and fulfillment, or between what is and what would seem
appropriate”. In their opinion, situational irony is the most important kind of irony
to be used in fiction (p. 302). Further, van Thompson (2016) expands it into two
limitations. First, it occurs “when a character's actions bring unexpected results”
from readers’ point of view. Second, it is also an irony of situation when events in the story turn out either opposite of what readers expected or what the events should be. He states as well that “situational irony can make a plot twist more interesting, draw attention to a reader's unwarranted biases, or show how a
2. Theories of Plot
Stanton (1965) states that plot is the story which is an order of events, one event leading to another event. Plot is something bigger and more complex than a story (p. 16). E.M. Foster (1974) says that a plot is a groundwork of a story. It is based on human motivation experiencing conflicts, thus result in actions which comes from believable and realistic human response (p. 86). Cuddon (1999) in The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory defines plot as
“the plan, design, scheme or pattern of events in a play poem or work of fiction; and, further, the organization of incident and character in such a way as to induce curiosity and suspense in the spectator or reader” (p. 676).
According to Kennedy and Gioia (2010), the plot structure is distinguished in An Introduction to Fiction into Exposition, Crisis, Climax and Conclusion – also is called as Resolution or Dénouement (p. 14). In exposition, there are
“opening portion that sets the scene”, introduction of the main characters and “any
other background information” needed for readers to understand the story. Crisis
is where the “moment of high tension” is provided. In addition, there is also
which the conflict begins. Separately, in An Introduction to Literature: Fiction, Poetry and Drama (2008); Barnet, Burto and Cain mention that traditionally, structure of plot is divided into Exposition, Conflict and Dénouement (p. 101). Since it is the traditional plot structure, the structure is much simpler than the ones which has been developed. However, the researcher would use the plot structure proposed by Kennedy and Gioia as the one proposed by Roberts and Jacobs would need more elaboration on differentiating between complication and crisis, while the one proposed by Barnet, Burto, and Cain is too simple to classify the many events leading to climax in the story just into conflict.
Disher (2001) defines plot based on its functions in the story. Plot is used by author as device to arrange events to make a point. Further, it is for characters to act, spring motives and react upon the plot. Simply put, plot is closely related to characters’ development. Plot is also set to “engage the reader’s emotional
interest” until the story improves or even until the story ends (p. 100).
C. Theoretical Framework
as suggested by Barnet, Burto, and Cain and the scenes would need more elaboration to be differentiated into complications and conflicts as proposed by Roberts and Jacobs. Thus, the answer to the first research question is gained.
Using the theories of irony, the researcher analyses and identifies the use of irony in the novel. By fitting the characteristics and definitions of irony towards the presumed irony throughout the story, then the answer to second research question is gained. The researcher uses the definitions of irony according to the experts, among them are Booth, Colebrook, Hutcheon, Rockliffe, Arp and Johnson, and van Thompson and of what Pettineo adopts. On deciding the types of irony, the researcher follows the ones ruled on traditional classifications of irony of which there are three types of irony: verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony.
17 CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three parts to give the readers more understanding about the study, namely the object of the study, the approach of the study and the method of the study. The object of the study tells about the information of the novel which includes the physical description and brief summary of the novel. The approach of the study describes about the approach used to analyse the novel. The method of the study represents the steps taken to gain the finding.
A. Object of the Study
is present tense; this novel is the only Grisham’s novel which uses present tense for unfolding the story. The story goes at Memphis city, Memphis state starting around April until somewhere after June 1990 for one year.
The story tells about how a young graduate of Memphis State Law School, Rudy Baylor confronts a large insurance company seeking justice for his leukemic client, Donny Ray. The story goes on how Baylor at the beginning, has to struggle for his own life first before he can do anything for Donny Ray. The fact that he graduates from a law school does not instantly make his life easy and cherished.
After having his life composed, Baylor has to deal with Donny Ray’s case. Going
through many difficulties and challenges, Baylor finally gets to prove that his client deserves a bone marrow transplant from the company. However, the company
successfully avoids the court’s decision after the death of Donny Ray. Feeling
disappointed, at the end of story, Baylor quits his job as a lawyer knowing that law no longer can be a place to give justice.
B. Approach of Study
Analysing the object of the study, the researcher used formalist approach. Guerin et al, in A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature, argue that this approach assumes the autonomy of the work itself without even considering other elements –the author’s life, time, sociological, political, economic or psychological implications (1979, p. 70). Nonetheless, formalist approach was chosen because this approach regards literature as “a unique form of human knowledge that needs
Further, the elements of form – in which irony as one of the figurative language is included – become the particular interest of this approach. In addition, the purpose of this approach is relevant to this study. The purpose of this approach is to determine how the analysed certain elements work together with the content in shaping effect upon readers.
According to The Virtual Theorist (2013), the formalist approach focuses on “grammatical, rhetorical, and logical connections within texts”. A formalist approach will generate technical terms to examine a piece of literary work. “The form, tone, language, characterization, figures of speech, point of view, setting and theme of a text” constitute a really wide range of aspects within an internal order. Formalists are well aware of the text or art-object or subject matter as a construction created to generate particular responses despite that the response of readers is beyond the control of any artist. Thus, formalists prioritize the medium used to convey the meaning over the content or the meaning itself.
correlating them into other aspects aside from the ones in the novel. By isolating the certain elements which were to be analysed, the formalist approach was applied. Thus, formalist approach was the most appropriate approach to be used in conducting the study.
C. Method of the Study
The data and references needed for the analysis were gathered from printed and electronic books, articles, encyclopaedia, journals and some on-line references. Because the sources basically were information gathered and there was no additional data gathered from other sources, the researcher applied library research method to gain the findings. The primary source of this study was the novel entitled The Rainmaker. The secondary sources were any information from written sources related to theories of irony and plot.
the characteristics and definitions shown in the story. The analysis of irony was carried out by showing the presumed intended meaning hidden behind the verbal
irony and by contrasting the readers’ presumed expectations toward the reality
happens in the story hidden in situational irony. The researcher tried to formulate the intended meaning in verbal irony, expectations and reality in situational irony
based on the interpretation of characters’ intention, the situation which the
22 CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In order to generate clear and deep analysis, this chapter is divided into three parts. The first part investigates the story according to structure of plot in relation to the next figures. The second and third part deal with verbal and situational irony found in the novel, at the critical parts of the plot. The last part discusses on the correspondence of irony towards plot of the story.
A. Analysis of Plot Structure of the Story
him (pp. 32-34), how he goes bankrupt and becomes broken-hearted (pp. 89-90) –
“any other background information” needed for readers to understand the story. There is also a piece of how he does in his college (p. 3), having job in Brodnax and Speer (pp. 38-39), adding more information of Rudy’s character as a smart law student.
At the next part of structure, problems start to emerge. Rudy is fired from his job, before he goes to work for the company – Brodnax and Speer (pp. 43-48). Having two clients, Miss Birdie and Blacks, he ends up working with Bruiser (pp. 161-165). Bruiser Stone is his bartender boss’ bestfriend. Although his boss is very nice toward Rudy, job offer at Bruiser’s law firm is dilemmatic and desperate. Rudy is very persistent about his ideal about justice, while Bruiser is a lawyer with questionable ethics. Anyhow, he also meets Kelly – his future lover when he works under Bruiser (pp. 199-208). After taking the job at Bruiser’s law firm, he has acquainted to Deck who becomes his partner after Bruiser be trailed by FBI (pp. 256-261, 275-276).
he deserves to get from Great Benefit – the insurance company which Rudy convicts (pp. 392-397). Those problems contribute to crisis where there are moments of eminent tension to resolve.
Regarding the matter of Blacks’ case, it reaches its climax when it comes to the courtroom especially when Rudy and Drummond present their witness to the trial (pp. 467-533). Since the pretrial conference (pp. 437-441), the tension of the story increases. It also reaches the highest tension concerning on how Rudy wins
the Blacks’ case for fifty million dollars (pp. 553-554). There is one more story to be regarded which reaches the lead taut. Love story between Rudy and Kelly – a previously battered wife abused by her husband – also contributes to the climax of the story. The love story reaches the highest tension because Rudy kills the husband inadvertently (pp. 569-570). The two crisis reaches stages in which the suspense is high, for the outcome to conclude.
The resolution concerns on how Rudy never gets the money of him winning
B. Analysis of the Irony
Irony is a literal evaluation which involves discrepancy to set forth the truth (Gibbs, 2008, p. 458). As Booth suggests, it provides a new perspective as a reflection (as in Rockliffe, 2006, p. 38). In other words, by setting forth the truth through the discrepancies between two different sides, the use of irony indirectly provides reflection, as it is usually hidden, as evaluation. In analysing The Rainmaker, the researcher found the use of verbal and situational irony as follows.
1. Verbal Irony
Verbal irony is discrepancy of what the character says in the story which carries out different meaning intended by the speakers (Colebrook, 2003). As what Booth (1974) states that verbal irony has the characteristics as it makes the receptor rejects literal meaning, the discussion is carried out. It is used to perceive literal evaluation that is implicitly either the opposite of or incongruous with the meaning of statement (Pettineo, 2012). As the different meanings intended by the character in the novel depends on interpretation, it could be differently perceived from different points of view.
On the following discussion, the subchapter would provide the intended meaning behind the following statement. The intended meaning is interpretation
formulated by the researcher, considering the character’s point of view and facts
supporting the interpretation. There are three verbal ironies found in the novel:
a) Absurdity in "This letter is incredible."
The statement is said by Rudy in the exposition part of the story. Included
in the introduction of Blacks’ case, the letter mentioned is the letter from the
insurance company to deny the claim covered in the insurance which is supposed to cover all Blacks. The letter contains denial of claim for the eighth time, added by a Claims Supervisor of Great Benefit addressing Blacks as “stupid, stupid, stupid” (p. 23). Later, this letter is labeled as Stupid Letter. The letter is not incredible literally, because incredible in literal meaning is used to address something that is highly awesome. The statement here suggests meaning that is contradictory by overstating. Thus, the statement is verbal irony. As Booth (1974) says, verbal irony makes the receptor rejects literal meaning to perceive the hidden meaning. The intended meaning that the letter is absurd because it is inappropriate to be called an official letter from an honorable institution as big as Great Benefit.
Further, the story elaborates on how the letter is a good document to be tried in the bad-faith case of insurance company. The bad-faith case is a case of not fulfilling legal obligations that two parties has agreed on. In the story, it is not
covering Donny Ray’s treatment as what an insurance claim should. As it is written in the story (p. 33), “It is shocking and mean, and obviously written by someone
convinced that Dot and Buddy would never show it to a lawyer”, it proves that if it
a high possibility to be a good proof in the courtroom and this particular letter would be one beneficial proof for the plaintiff side. From Rudy’s point of view as a lawyer, incredible here means that the letter is a very favourable for him to collect as a document in the courtroom.
Max Leuberg, a professor at Rudy’s law school who is an expert in bad-faith cases also uses the exactly similar term in describing the Stupid Letter when he reads it for the first time in his office (p. 36). Max has assisted in bad-faith cases in
the north, which awards huge punitive damages for the insurers’ opposition.
Together with other documents, he is sure that this one particular letter is necessary to make Rudy win the case. In conclusion, Rudy describing the Stupid Letter as incredible is verbal irony. By saying incredible, he expresses disbelief of the use of
“stupid” word in an official letter. He also knows that it is a great supportive document to punish Great Benefit. Stating the contrary word instead of what Rudy wants to convey stresses the degree of absurdity he wants to convey through a verbal irony.
In conclusion, Rudy uses verbal irony by stating that the Stupid Letter is
b) Understanding in "I don't understand."
Pettineo (2012, p. 7) explains that verbal irony is created when the implied meaning of the stated message is either the opposite to or incongruous with the meaning of statement. As the subtitle suggests, verbal irony in the statement occurs because the implied meaning intended by Rudy is exactly the opposite of what he openly states. The statement occurs in the crisis part of the story when Rudy is about to lose his second job after he experiences similar matter with Brodnax and Speer (p. 151).
After getting a phone call from Dot Black saying that some random guy telling her that Barry X. is now her lawyer, Rudy feels something fishy. In addition, Dot gets to know from Barry that Rudy, her actual lawyer representing her as far as she knows, no longer works there (pp. 150-152). During the phone conversation with Barry Lancaster – his new immediate boss, the imminent bad feeling that Rudy feels previously, grows stronger as the conversation goes on. A sudden incomplete explanation of the whole situation makes Rudy abruptly realise of what is actually happening. He, that has never been given the key of the office (pp. 133-134), has never met the main superior of his workplace (p. 133) and has never received his contract of employment after three days of work (p. 138), finally gets the insight of the reason behind all preposterous treatment he receives back then.
about to happen, he wants to contend his job in any accounts. No matter how much he wants to deny the truth, however, the truth of him being fired is still coming. Barry will not keep him as an employee.
Rudy does not deny that he understands the situation through the statement. On the other hand, he clarifies it more by saying “I don’t understand” towards what Barry will say. Simply put, he says it not because he does not understand the situation, but he just cannot comprehend why this kind of experience recurs to happen to him. Since he is so optimistic in doing the job in the beginning, the reality of him being jobless in such a short time is too horrible for him to perceive that he states the sentence. The intended meaning behind the statement is also supported by actions described by the author as Rudy saying it. As found in page 151, “I close
my eyes and want to cry.”, the actions preceeding the statement enhance that Rudy
actually grasps the situation in which he is in. Otherwise, not fully comprehending the situation, Rudy will not act so in responding to Barry’s explanation.
Verbal irony occurs when the intention of the character is conveyed through the contradictory spoken statement. Following the story, the readers could perceive the background of causes and reasons which make Rudy state it. However, the discrepancy between true intention and spoken words remains in the sentence. The fact that Rudy himself saying something totally the contrast of something both readers and him know creates the irony.
c) Vulnerability in "It's impressive."
defense lawyer of Great Benefit contains many other things aside from respect and admiration. The utterance is found on the crisis part of the story, when the paper war between Rudy and the defense lawyer starts (p. 240). Rudy states it when he
receives the motion to dismiss Blacks’ case from the defense lawyer. It is incoherent
and rather contradictory from Rudy’s intention of saying it that it is analysed as verbal irony. Rudy feels more than impressed with the motion sent by the defense lawyer to dismiss the Blacks' lawsuit, with a sixty-three pages supporting brief (p. 240).
Rudy who is still a rookie and has just started his career as a lawyer has to oppose Drummond from a great firm. He is described as a marvelous senior partner and trial lawyer from Tinley Britt who has represented all sorts of commercial litigation and rarely loses in the courtroom (p. 225). Not only it is Rudy’s first time to reply to a motion, but also he has to do it fast and accurate all by himself.
Compared to Drummond’s motion which is a work of three associates and two paralegals (p. 241), Rudy’s is nothing. All those work cannot be considered as little to do alone. Every rookie in the world of lawyer job would respect and admire Drummond, the legend indeed. Nevertheless, by saying the statement, Rudy also acknowledges at the time that he is no juxtaposition to be considered as a plaintiff confronting a great lawyer.
be attacked and harmed until the war is over, either by winning or losing that he has no vision of it. His vulnerability of being attacked is emphasised by Rudy’s feelings and additional response. The story illustrates that Rudy already feels tired and bothered from where he has to start on responding the motion (pp. 240-241). Instead of plainly expressing his admiration, Rudy embeds his nervous and tempted intention by praising the defense lawyer. Intending more than what he verbally states, the statement becomes verbal irony.
2. Situational Irony
Situational irony occurs when a character conducts different behaviours of what is appropriate according to the story. The use of it, thus, brings unexpected outcomes. It is also included as situational irony when events in the story turn out differently from what the events should be (van Thompson, 2016). It involves incongruity between appearance and reality and between expectation and fulfillment (Arp and Johnson, 2012). There are six situational ironies discovered in the story: worst scenario vs best chance on working with Bruiser; finish line vs new baton on Donny Ray’s death; justice vs eternal loss on Rudy winning the Blacks’
case; worth vs waste on Rudy winning the Blacks’ case; nightmare vs happy ending
on the murder of Cliff Riker; and responsibility vs avenge on Rudy quitting lawyer. As situational irony involves expectation and reality that happens, the
following analysis would provide the readers’ expectation in interpreting the
for Rudy when he works for Bruiser. However, as the analysis is carried out, it is proven to be the situational irony since the event turns out to be the best chance for Rudy. The worst scenario presumes as readers’ expectation, while the best chance
presumes as the contradictory reality that happens in the story. Both the readers’
expectation and the reality that happens in the story are formulated into some terms. The terms are expected to convey similar meaning to the readers in order to have
similar understanding with the researcher’s point of view.
a) Worst Scenario vs Best Chance on Working with Bruiser
It is described in the novel that Bruiser Stone is well-known as a lawyer with questionable ethics. Bruiser is “an enormously fat and broad man with long, thick gray hair and sagging goatee” (p. 111). In addition to the location of Bruiser’s law firm which is around the industrial area of the town (p. 160), there are many rumours going around about Bruiser. Together with Prince Thomas, the boss of
Rudy’s part-time job, they have done many shady deals. Even they have bribed politicians and police. Bruiser is the man behind every act of Prince and he is also ready to secure Prince in courtroom. Prince has never been afraid of guilty verdicts because Bruiser is a very effective lawyer in a courtroom who is supported by jurors in return of the significant amount of cash he gives (p. 111).
The fact that Bruiser is a best friend of Rudy’s boss gives Rudy no reason to talk with Bruiser. Aside from serving drinks for them, he has no further intention to go near Bruiser. The dreary reputation of his own boss is one thing that is though Prince has never treated him bad, speaking to Bruiser would be too much. Apart
distance from Bruiser because what the rumours say about him is enough to tell. Contradictory to the idealism Rudy holds related to ethical guidelines, Bruiser clearly has crossed all those. It gives additional reasons for Rudy to not causing any problems to both Prince and Bruiser.
In spite of the many reasons mentioned above, the situation in which Rudy is finally compels him to speak to Bruiser. Rudy is wanted by police because he is the main suspect of arson and homicide in Lake firm (the firm of which Lancester pretends to give Rudy a job just to steal his case). Having his case stolen, losing his job suddenly, and added by the arson and homicide accusation happens only in one night, he has no power anymore (p. 150-157). However, not being able to stand powerless for any longer, Rudy asks for a help from Prince, who directly tells Bruiser every detailed thing. Bruiser directly takes care of everything related to the case. Remembering many triumphant legal cases won by Bruiser to defend Prince, Rudy oddly feels safe to be in the right hand to handle such kind of case (pp. 157-162).
help the weaklings if he becomes a successful lawyer through dishonourable ways (pp. 162-164).
I don't really want Bruiser Stone as my boss. But I can't insult the man either, not with the cops poking around, making not so vague references about the death penalty. I'm unable to muster the strength to tell Bruiser that he's sleazy enough to represent me, but too sleazy to employ me. Bruiser is watching me closely. He's offering me the only possible job left in the city of Memphis, and he seems to know I'm not anxious to take it (p. 163).
Thus, when Rudy decides to take Bruiser’s offer (p. 164), situational irony takes place. On one side, he does not want to take it, given Bruiser as his superior. As if having Bruiser as superior is not enough, Rudy has never known how much he will be stepping on ethical lines as a lawyer. On another side, he has to take it as the best opportunity he has to start building his career. Putting the ethical points for granted, Rudy promises to give all his best he can to learn as much as possible before he is able to stand on his own. The event becomes situational irony as it falls out from worst scenario for Rudy into the best chance that he has gotten.
b) New Baton vs Finish Line on Donny Ray’s Death
As a mother, her situation is understandable, to fight for every account of
his son’s life. It does not matter anymore, in what ways she would take, as long as she could accomplish it. The actions take more account for the goals to be actualised. Because writing letters does not make any good to Donny Ray, prosecuting Great Benefit becomes the last option she braces to take. Seeing him suffered without getting the treatment is already a torture for herself. It is supposed to be her that can provide the treatment. She has done what she is obliged. She pays eighteen dollars per week for five years as she purchases the insurance of Great Benefit to cover her family. Instead, all claims she proposes are denied. Further, she has to do everything before anything happens to him. Donny Ray’s life becomes the strength she has to strive. Aware of the situation, Rudy also does his best to save Donny Ray.
The hearing has started officially with the help of the judge. Even when Great Benefit tries to hinder the investigation process, the judge is more than capable of handling the situation. Both Rudy and Dot are nervous for their first case, but everything goes well. Great Benefit is actually wrong, and they also realise it that they offer sum of cash to settle the case. As the offer is conveyed to Dot, she grows more infuriated.
Her eyes are red and wet. I was wrong. This mother has not given up. She wants blood. "Just exactly what're we supposed to do with seventy-five thousand dollars? Donny Ray'll be dead, and it'll just be me and him." She points with her forehead in the direction of the Fairlane (p. 278).
of him. In fact, she looks a bit tired of mourning on him when Rudy goes to meet her (pp. 392-395).
On the following days, Dot is still in grief that at one time, she is unable to handle the courtroom and its sessions. On the other hand, it would be too wasteful to give up in the middle of the hearing process. Since Rudy has found all wrongfulness and misdeed Great Benefit has committed towards Donny Ray, it needs only a short time for them to be punished. Fortunately, Dot is able to muster up all courage and rationality until the end of the legal process (pp. 467-512). Even when she has to choose between her feelings of despair and punishing the wrong ones. It is unexpected for her to keep going on with the process. It is more common to choose stopping the process as a mourn to the dead one.
c) Eternal Loss vs Justice on Rudy Winning the Blacks’ Case
D’ Amato (2011) argues that “justice is what law is for; justice is what lawyers should do; justice is what judges should render (p. 529)”. In common
people’s point of view, justice is the final goal of the hearing process. It is to say the goal is to prove that someone is right based on the evidence and therefore punishing the wrong one according to the law. Dot decides to bring the case to a lawyer from a similar point of view. She takes the risk of her private life being exposed in order to gain the truth.
Knowing that he is the last hope of Dot, Rudy does a great work on Black’s case. He gets an essential evidence to convict Great Benefit. He consults professionals to determine the next steps to take in the courtroom. He learns more about the cases handled by Drummond, the lawyer of Great Benefit, to prepare the counterattack (pp. 367-389). Turning out that Dot is not the first person to convict Great Benefit, Rudy is also supported by people who are scammed by Great Benefit. The unexpected helps serve the expected results. Rudy is able to expose each and every blunder of Great Benefit in handling the claim of Dot (pp. 467-512). Added by his capability to get the twelve jurors on the table, Dot is awarded fifty million dollars as the punitive damages (p. 554). This amount of money is the biggest punitive award ever granted by jurors in Tennessee (p. 560).
Benefit is actually situated, the investigation to the company has also started because of the winning. Lots of indictment has already processed and it is about time for Great Benefit to withstand its scams.
Withal, Dot is not feeling thrilled. She knows exactly that she is right and glad that she is proven to be innocent, yet Donny Ray has died. Instead, she regrets not contacting any lawyer after the first letter. She regrets waiting for the eighth letter before meeting Rudy. She hates herself to be such a weak mother incapable of treating his own son well.
She's collapsing now, the sobbing is getting louder. Right now I'm holding Dot's hand as she's unloading a torrent. Deck sits beside us, saying nothing. I say nothing. My eyes are moist, my heart is aching. She cares nothing for the money. She just wants her boy back (p. 556).
She has endured this guilty feeling during the sessions to present herself as composed as she could. She has been reminded by Rudy that tears should be avoided in the courtroom.
d) Worth vs Waste on Rudy Winning the Blacks’ Case
Another state is the Blacks’ case is the first case that Rudy gets since days of law school. Even though he does not favour them in their first meeting in Cypress Garden, he realises that they are his client anyway. Since then, he takes care of them, both Dot and Donny Ray. He is used to call Donny Ray each afternoon. He loves to keep an interesting story happening during the day just to tell it to Donny Ray later (p. 297). He enjoys to bring Donny Ray to a baseball field for a short walk (pp. 297-300). He has been so attached to Blacks.
The close bond is not built that easily because Rudy knows the overall story of the case. He gets to know more about their background, personality and life. He comes to conclude that they really need help from someone capable in handling the case for free, seeing that the Blacks do not own that much money to hire a professional lawyer. Rudy sees the claim dismissal since the beginning and he gains more information during the investigation.
Working for a year on the case and spending most of the time during six months on the case only, in addition to the close bond he has with Blacks, Rudy has hated the company and people working there. He hates them for dismissing the claim, indirectly leads to the death of Donny Ray – an innocent man whose life is scammed by insurance company because of their humble background. By winning the case and proving that Great Benefit is to be blamed, the hatred Rudy carries during the process is finally purged out from him.
Beside Rudy who has spent time and effort to work on the case, Drummond
the Blacks, is totally honest to him, Drummond cannot afford similar bond with his client. During the trial, Drummond has been stabbed by his client for hiding all essential evidence that can put them into danger. Drummond also has made effort none less than Rudy. Indeed, the result of the trial is essential. Rudy wins the case and also is granted the fifty million dollars punitive damage money (pp. 553-554). However, because of the so many investigations and exposition directed toward Great Benefit, the company then announces its bankruptcy (pp. 585-586).
With Great Benefit failing, neither Rudy nor Drummond will be paid for their time and effort spent during the hearings. Dot, though she does not want the money either, will also not get any dime. Donny Ray can leave his parents nothing, except his saddening death. People that are once scammed by Great Benefit and helps Rudy at the trial, will also be screwed once again. Technically, those that are bankrupt cannot be convicted because by having no money, they cannot be punished. Even though everyone is screwed after the war, Rudy feels more defeated. He has no other case that can go near the courtroom aside from Black case that his firm can withstand any longer.
Misery loves company, but for some reason I feel as if I've lost more than most of these other folks. The fact that others will suffer is of small comfort. I've spent most of the past six months working on this case, and now that time has been wasted. The firm has averaged about a thousand bucks a month in net profits since we started, but we were driven by the dream of paydirt on the Black case (p. 587).
By winning the case, the story fulfils readers’ expectation. However, it carries situational irony as it concerns with two different things. These two different
The winning is also worthy because finally, Rudy can unload all the hatred feeling he has gotten toward people at Great Benefit during the trial (p. 558). He is glad to present his client innocent and that the death of Donny Ray is nothing but a terrible mistake. Rudy is also able to gain fame and fortune, if only Great Benefit does not go broke off.
On the contrary, winning the case becomes a waste because Donny Ray who he has been fighting for has died. In addition, Rudy cannot gain even a dime from the case he has worked for so long and earnestly because the convicted has gone bankrupt. All the verbal and professional war ignited between him and Drummond also has done nothing good for both of them. On top of that, the law firm of Rudy ends in a settlement between Rudy and Deck, his working partner, leaving Rudy with nothing of his firm remains (pp. 593-596). The situational irony is created by putting the event of winning the case from the expectation of something worthy for the characters into something wasteful for the characters.
e) Nightmare vs Happy Ending on the Murder of Cliff Riker
to handling them. Kelly will ask for divorce after the abuse, but soon the charges will be dropped again (pp. 209-211).
The relationship between them is depicted as pushing and pulling. Kelly still wants to maintain her marriage despite of the domestic beatings. Though she seems to be feeling something toward Rudy, she wants to deny it as much as possible. On the other hand, Rudy cannot bear letting go Kelly. Rudy despises Cliff, Kelly’s husband, enough for him to kill Cliff. For many times, he silently watches over them, hoping that Cliff does not hurt Kelly anymore. He can bear not meeting with Kelly, but thinking of her getting hurt wounds Rudy more than Kelly feels. On some chances speaking about Cliff with her, Rudy always assures Kelly that he will kill Cliff if any beatings ever occur again (pp. 219, 538, 549, 559, 561, 570).
Though Rudy has been saying similar things repeatedly, he does not really mean it because he is fully aware of who Cliff is. Cliff comes from a family with similar temper; Rikers, the family of Cliff, are all rather ignorant and dangerous (p. 592). Cliff loves to drink and go home intoxicated (p. 209). Cliff is crazy, mean and wild when he is drunk (p. 540). He loves to threaten to kill Kelly every time she files a divorce (pp. 220-221). He has also threatened to kill Rudy many times through phone conversation since Rudy files the divorce for Kelly (p. 552, 562). It is difficult for Rudy and Kelly to have a happy ending when Cliff is still around.
him to be mad at. Armed with a bat, he forcefully swings it toward Rudy. Rudy is barely able to dodge it, but gets his hand on the bat. Uncontrollably, he swings it
hard to Cliff’s head. Shortly, Cliff is dead by Rudy (pp. 567-570). It is a nightmare, of course. Murdering someone, even unconsciously is a big problem.
Fortunately, Kelly is able to think straight and clear even at the worst scenario. She hurriedly asks Rudy to get out of the apartment, erasing any evidence of Rudy ever being there. She turns the murder scene into a self-defense one (p. 570). Rudy, quickly, handles the case. Getting Kelly out of the jail is the priority of him. Imaging Kelly to be in jail is another nightmare, too bad to handle any longer. He finally gets the innocent verdict for Kelly with the help of the judge and prosecutors using self-defense as a way out (pp. 581-582, 584-585, 591-592). Out of jail, Kelly is free, not only from verdict, but also from Cliff.
Ironically, the murder of Cliff is a clear resolution for Rudy’s and Kelly’s love story. It is unexpected to use Cliff’s death to create a happy ending for Rudy and Kelly. Because the death is caused by the murder out of hatred, using it to create a conclusion of a love story brings out two different values. It is a rather terrible ending for Cliff, but is a fortunate ending for the other side. Nonetheless, it becomes a happy ending for their complicated love story. Kelly does not even need to worry about Cliff or his family anymore because it has been taken care of. It also resolves
In the end of the story, there are many things to resolve. As the conflicts are not simply concerning about Rudy and Kelly, the resolution actually has been made step by step. The Blacks’ case part has been solved before (pp. 596-597). It has been mentioned in the previous numbers of analysis related to other characters in the story. In contrast, there has been no analysis of resolution that Rudy decides upon himself. Hence, in this part, the writer discusses particularly about personal decision that Rudy makes in concluding the story.
After dealing with Cliff’s murder case, Rudy and Kelly hurriedly decide to
go out of the town. As the charges have just been dropped in the morning before, they also have just known that Kelly could leave the country after the charges have been dropped. Without taking any delay, they decide to take a vacation (p. 597). The destination is not the main deliberation as long as they enjoy the trip. The essence of the trip they take is to enjoy the free time they could have. It is also time for them to deliberately figure out what they will do next. For sure though, they do not take it hastily.
Before going, Rudy visits Dot for the last time. He relays the news of Great
I will not, under any circumstances, have anything whatsoever to do with the law. I will allow my license to expire. I will not register to vote so they can't nail me for jury duty. I will never voluntarily set foot in another courtroom. I vow never to return (p. 598).
On the surface, it seems that Rudy just wants to retire from law. The decision sounds reasonable seeing how he has enough having his duty to defend Blacks during his first year as a lawyer. Having a bad-faith case as his first and being awarded the biggest punitive damage is a big achievement any lawyer in their first year can ever make so that Rudy’s decision is ingenuously absurd from a
professional lawyer’s point of view. However, viewing Rudy’s decision from his point of view who is personally disappointed in himself, quitting it becomes the only way out. Quitting a world that once he dreams about is not easy, but has to be done as his configuration of taking the blame.
