BIBLICAL VALUES CONVEYED THROUGH THE CHARACTERS IN MITCH ALBOM’S THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN
A THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By: Ria Faksriani
Student number: 021214112
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
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STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honesty declare that this thesis, which I wrote, does not contain the work or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and bibliography, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, September 15, 2008 The writer
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma : Nama : Ria Faksriani
Nomor Mahasiswa : 021214112
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul :
BIBLICAL VALUES CONVEYED THROUGH THE CHARACTERS IN MITCH ALBOM’S THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, me-ngalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya. Yogyakarta, 14 November 2008
Yang menyatakan
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To my dearest Lord Jesus Christ
and
my beloved parents
Life has to end, but love doesn’t.
That death doesn’t just take someone, it misses someone else,
and in the small distance between being taken and being missed,
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my highest and deepest gratitude to the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ for His gratest love and blessing in my life, especially in every single time when struggle comes and life becomes so hard.
I am deeply indebted to Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto Y, M. Hum., as my sponsor for his suggestions, correction and guidance, encouragement in writing my thesis. This thesis would be nothing without his noteworthy advice. My gratitude also goes to all my lecturers in English Language Study Program of Sanata Dharma University for their help and the service during my study.
I mostly tha nk my lovely late father, who I believe has rested in peace in heaven, my lovely mother, my erderly brother, Itiu and Ibu in Fakfak, and my big family in Irian Jaya for their love, encouragement, faith and prayer. Neither any of spoken nor written words could ever describe how much they really mean to my life.
I also send big thanks to my cell group, Joyfull for their support and prayer, my friends Miko, Bunga, Sesil, Deddy for the dear friendship in the bitter moments and the sweet moments. I am so gratefull to have dear friends like them.
Finally, I sincerely thank all the people whom I cannot mention one by one and who have so kindly lent their hands during my study in Sanata Dharma University and the completion of this thesis. Their participation and contribution are very much appreciated.
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1.1.Background of the study……… 1.2.Problem Formulation………. 1.3.Objective of the Study……… 1.4.Benefits of the Study……….. 1.5.Definition of Terms……… 2.1.4. Relationship of the Bible and Literature………. 2.2.Theoretical Framework………...
4.1.The Portrayals of the Characters………. 4.1.1. The Portrayal of Eddie………...……. 4.1.2. The Portrayal of The Blueman………...…. 4.1.3. Rhe Portrayal of The Captain………...……... 4.1.4. The Portrayal of Ruby………...………….. 4.1.5. The Portrayal of Marguerite………...…………. 4.1.6. The Portrayal of Tala………...…………...
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4.2.The Biblical Values Conveyed Through the Five People
Eddie Meets in Heaven………... 4.2.1. Fairness………...………… 4.2.2. Sacrificing………...……… 4.2.3. Foergiveness………...……… 4.2.4. The Power of Love………. 4.2.5. The Purpose of Life………...…. CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS………... 5.1.Conclusions………. 5.2.Suggestions………..………... 5.2.1. Suggestions for the Future Researchers………..……… 5.2.2. Suggestions for the English Teachers………...……….. BIBLIOGRAPHY………...… APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 THE SUMMARY OF THE FIVE PEOPLE
ix ABSTRACT
Faksriani, Ria. 2008. Biblical Values Conveyed Through the Characters in Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University
This thesis discusses the bibilical values conveyed through the characters in Mitch Albom’s novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The death of Eddie as the main character, a veteran war who works in a pier named Ruby, leads him to heaven and meets five people. Each person that he meets teaches him a biblical value.
The aims of this study are to find out the portrayals of the characters and the biblical values conveyed through the five people that Eddie meets in heaven in Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The problems are formulated as follows: (1) How are the character of Eddie, the Blueman, the Captain, Ruby, Marguerite, and Tala are portrayed in the novel? (2) What are biblical values conveyed by the five people Eddie meets in heaven?
This study employs the novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven as the primary source. Besides, some relevant books on literature, values and the Bible are used as the secondary sources in order to support the analysis. Since this study concerns with the biblical values conveyed through the characters in the novel, the Christian approach is applied.
The conclusion of this study depicts the portrayal of the five people Eddie meets in heaven and Eddie himself. First is the Blueman. He is portrayed as a sideshow worker in Ruby Pier that has blue skin as his distinctive features. The second is the Captain. He is portrayed as the the oldest man in Eddie’s troop, a lifetime military man with a lanky swagger and a prominent chin that gives him a resemblance of a movie actor of the day. Although he is high tempered and has a habit of yelling inches from people’s face, but most of the soldier like him well enough. The third is Ruby. She is portrayed as an old woman with a gaunt face and sagging cheeks, rose coloured lipstick, and tightly pulled-back white hair, thin enough in parts to reveal the pink scalp beneath it. She wears wire-rimmed spectacles over narrow blue eyes. The next is Marguerite. She is portrayed as a loyal and supportive, attentive, and modest girl. She is the girl that becomes Eddie’s wife. The last is Tala. She is portrayed as a little girl around five or six years old, with a beautiful cinnamon complexion. Her hair color is dark plum. She has a small flat nose, full lips that spread joyfully over her gapped teeth, and most arresting eyes as black as seal’s hide, with pinhead of white serving as a pupil. Finally, Eddie himself is portrayed as an old working man that has white ha ir, with short a neck, a barrel chest, thick forearms and a tattoo. He is loved by children but not teenager. He loves his wife very much, and he feels great lost when his wife leaves him at her 47 because of a tumor in the brain. The values that those persons teach are fairness by the Blueman, sacrificing by the Captain, forgiveness by Ruby, love by Marguerite, and the purpose of life by Tala.
x ABSTRAK
Faksriani, Ria. 2008. Biblical Values Conveyed Through the Characters in Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini mengulas tentang nilai- nilai alkitabiah yang disampaikan oleh para karakter yang terdapat dalam novel karya Mitch Albom dengan judul The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Kematian Eddie sebagai tokoh utama, seorang veteran perang yang bekerja di sebuah taman bermain yang bernama Ruby, mengantarnya ke surga dan bertemu lima orang. Setiap orang yang ia temui mengajarkannya tentang sebuah nilai alkitabiah.
Tujuan dari skripsi adalah untuk melihat deskripsi mengena i para karakter dan nilai- nilai alkitabiah yang disampaikan oleh para karakter yang terdapat dalam novel karya Mitch Albom The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Dengan rumusan permasalahan sebagai berikut: (1) Bagaimana Eddie, Blueman, Captain, Ruby, Marguerite, dan Tala dideskripsikan dalam novel? (2) Nilai- nilai alkitabiah apa saja yang disampaikan oleh lima orang yang Eddie temui di surga?
Studi ini menggunakan novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven sebagai sumber utama. Selain itu, buku-buku yang releva n mengenai kesusasteraan, nilai- nilai, dan Alkitab digunakan sebagai sumber-sumber tambahan untuk mendukung analisa. Pendekatan kekristenan diaplikasikan karena studi ini berhubungan dengan nilai- nilai alkitabiah yang disampaikan oleh para karakter dalam novel.
Kesimpulan dari studi ini mendeskripsikan lima orang yang Eddie temui di surga dan Eddie. Pertama yaitu Blueman. Ia digambarkan sebagai seorang pekerja di Ruby Pier yang memiliki kulit berwarna biru. Yang kedua adalah si Kapten. Ia digambarkan sebagai orang tertua dalam kesatuannya Eddie, seorang prajurit sejati berkaki panjang dengan cara jalan yang aneh dan dagu terangkat yang membuatnya kelihatan seperti seorang bintang film. Meskipun ia emosian dan suka berteriak di depan wajah orang lain, tetapi para prajurit menyukainya. Ketiga adalah Ruby. Ia digambarkan sebagai seorang wanita tua berwajah tirus, memakai lipstik berwarna merah mawar, dan berambut putih sangat tipis sehingga menunjukkan kulit kepalanya yang diikat ke belakang dengan rapi. Ia memakai kacamata di atas mata birunya. Kemudian Marguerite. Ia digambarkan sebagai seorang wanita yang setia dan penuh dukungan kepada suaminya, penuh perhatian dan sederhana. Ia adalah istri Eddie. Yang terakhir adalah Tala. Ia digambarkan sebagai seorang gadis kecil berusia lima atau enam tahun, berkulit coklat. Rambutnya berwarna hitam. Ia berhidung pesek, berbibir penuh yang tersenyum sehingga memperlihatkan deretan giginya yang jarang, dan mata yang indah. Akhirnya, Eddie digambarkan sebagai seorang pekerja tua berambut putih, leher pendek, dada bidang, lengan besar dan bertato. Ia disukai oleh anak-anak tetapi tidak menyukai remaja. Ia sangat mencintai istrinya serta sangat merasa kehilangan ketika istrinya meninggal pada usia 47 tahun karena tumor otak. Nilai –nilai yang diajarkan kepada Eddie adalah keadilan hidup yang disampaikan oleh Blueman, pengorbanan yang disampaikan oleh Captain, pengampunan yang disampaikan oleh Ruby, cinta yang disampaikan oleh Marguerite, dan tujuan hidup yang disampaikan oleh Tala.
1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with background of the study, problem formulation,
objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. Background of the study describes the reason why I chose the novel and the topic. In background of the study, I describe some important informa tion related to the topic. The problem formulation gives general descriptions in the form of questions about the problems that are analyzed and discussed in this study. The objectives of the study contain the expected answers to the questions formulated in the problem formulation. The benefits of the study contain people who will get benefits from the study. The last part, definition of terms, explains the definition of key terms in this study in order to avoid misconception.
1.1Background of the Study
When we talk about life, we can talk about many things. When we discuss life, we discuss about faith, idealism, beliefs, behavior, attitude, dreams, and many things. All are based on the fact that life is a complex matter. Life contains many things and all depend on individual beliefs. In viewing life, people have different point of views. They also have different ways to face their life. It can be caused by their background of knowledge, experience, and faith. Those backgrounds can influence people on shaping
As it is like a mirror, sometimes we can see literature as a reflection of our life and that makes studying literature interesting and fascinating, since it contains some kinds of human aspect of life, such as moral, history, psychology, social, and more.
Reading a piece of literary work is similar to reading a story of life. When one reads literary work, it means he or she reads or experiences the expression of life through the media of language. By reading literary works, we gain not only pleasant things, but also some life values because literature may become one of the ways in which human learn about moral which happens in life. Moody explains that literature can give more than just pleasure and enjoyment.
And all of us who read literary work will find our knowledge broadened and deepened, whether in the individual, the social, the racial, or in the internal sphere; we shall understand the possibilities of human life, both for good and evil, we shall understand how we come to live at a particular time and place, with all its pleasure and vexations and problems; we shall understand onward which are open to us, and we shall perhaps be able to make right rather than wrong choices (2-3)
Therefore, by reading literary works, we can enrich our knowledge more on the values in life, such as the good and the evil.
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(336). It means that novel is like a mirror in which we see our life in it. That is why sometimes when we read a literary work we can find that a character in literary work is just like us.
Since a novel is like a mirror in which we see our life in it, then it also contains values in human life. The values that are presented in literary work usually are carried by the characters. The author usually provides the characters with certain values, so that they can conve y those values to the readers. By reading a novel, sometimes the readers can get more values besides the pleasure.
Mitch Albom’s novel entitled The Five People You Meet in Heavenis a novel that portrays the things described above. It tells a story of the life after death of the main character, named Eddie, a veteran war who works as the maintenance person in a pier named Ruby Pier. When Eddie dies, he goes to heaven and meets five people that answer all the questions about the life that he has been through, and also conveys the Biblical values.
This novel is interesting to discuss because there are some biblical values that are conveyed through the five people that Eddie meets in heaven. Therefore, this study, focuses on analyzing the biblical values conveyed through the characters, in this study is the five people that Eddie meets in heaven, in Albom’s the Five People You Meet in Heaven.
1.2Problem Formulation
1. How are the character of Eddie, the Blueman, the Captain, Ruby, Marguerite, and Tala are portrayed in the novel?
2. What are biblical values conveyed by the five people Eddie meets in heaven?
1.3Objectives 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 try to find out the portrayal of the characters that can be found in Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and later on, I try to find out the biblical values that are conveyed by those characters.
1.4Benefits of the Study
This study is expected to give some contribution to many people. First of all, this study is expected to give contribution to literature teachers that use Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven as the reading material for literature course especially if the topic chosen concerns any values that are conveyed in the novel, including the biblical values.
Secondly, this study is expected to give contribution to the students who analyze the biblical values or other values in fiction. Thirdly, it is expected to give contribution to enrich my knowledge as the writer of the study about values, especially Biblical values.
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1.5. Definition of Terms
This part is presented to define some terms written in the title of this thesis in order to avoid misunderstanding. Those terms are:
1.5.1 Biblical Value s
In A Concise Dictionary of Theology, the Bible means the sacred writings inspired by God and expressing Christian faith in a way that is normative for all time (25). Dictionary of Religion states that the bible comprises two parts that Christians call the Old Testame nt and the New Testament (64). For Christians, the Bible is the basis for all of their core beliefs. Baker’s Concise Dictionary of Religion notes that the Bible is the name of Christianity’s sacred scriptures, consisting of the Books of the Old and New Testaments, beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation (321). The term value in Theological Dictionary is the science of moral; that is, it seeks to analyze and explore the moral facts from which the norms of human behavior may derive (151-152). Therefore, in this study, biblical value means Christian values that are presented by the Bible that are believed by Christians as true beliefs on the sayings of Christ.
1.5.2 Characters
defined as the person with moral principles and dispositional qualities that is presented by the author to convey the biblical va lues in the novel.
1.5.3 Heaven
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CHAPTER 2
THEORETICAL REVIEW
This chapter is divided into two parts. The y are review of related theories, and theoretical framework. The review of related theories consists of literary theories and theory of values. The literary theories consist of three theories namely, theory of character and characterization, theory of critical approaches, and the relationships of Bible and literature. The last part is theoretical framework, which describes a guidance to analyze the problems formulated in the problem fo rmulation.
2.1 Review of Related Theories
This section presents characters and characterization and theories of value. The literary theories consists of three theories namely theory of character and characterization, theory of critical approaches and relationship of bible and literature.
2.1.1 Character and Characterization
attention because they perform a key structural function. Upon them we built expectations and desires, when in modification shift of establish or value.
Murphy categorizes characters on the basis of important into major and secondary characters. The major characters are the center and important characters of the story. They play important roles in shaping and making up the story. The secondary characters are those who perform more limited roles (121).
Besides the major and secondary characters that is categorized by Murphy, Robert and Jacobs (145-146) propose that a character can be either static or dynamic. A character may ha ve many individual and various human traits, and also because she or he may be considered as a dynamic character. Whereas a static character is the one who changes a little, but usually he or she remains the same because there are no changes or growth happen.
Character and characterization cannot be separated to each other. The author always reveals the characters of imaginary persons in the story, and that it is called characterization. It means that characterization can be defined as the creation of these imaginary persons so that they exist for the reader as if the people in real life (Holman and Harmon, 81).
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Furthermore, Murphy (162-173) explains how the author can convey the reader through character and personalities of the people. According to Murphy, there are several ways in which the author attempts to make his character alive to the reader. The first is personal description. In personal description, the author can describe a character’s physical appearance. The personal description is very important because each character in the story has certain characteristics and aspects. The reader can imagine the story well, especially if the character has a specific or certain appearance. The next is characters as seen by another. Here, the author can describe a character by considering any opinion of another and through the eye of other characters in the story. The third is speech. In speech, the author can give the reader some clues about the characters in the book through the conversation with another person and whenever he gives his opinion, he is giving us some clues to his personality. After speech, there is past life. Here, the author can also give the readers description about some past events that will help the reader to shape a person’s character.
2.1.2 Critical Approaches
According to Klarer, religion has always played an important influence on literary studies. He says, “This religious and magical words of textual studies can be traced from preliterate eras all the way to temporary theology and has always exerted a
major influence on literary studies” (76). Literature teaches many things about life. Reading a piece of literary work is similar to reading a story of life. Literary works that reflect and explore human life cannot also be separated to religious values that are expressed through the work and religious values are found through Bible. Since literature and religion have a close relation, a Christian approach needs employing as a means to interpret a work of literature. According to Norton, using a positive Christian approach will lead to the road of truth as well as to all the good (1961: ixxi).
Every literary works cannot be seen from the surface only. Studying works of literature will include the studying about life that also has religious va lues, including love, sacrifice, forgiveness and many more. Therefore, the religious aspects should be a consideration in interpreting the literary works in order to get a deeper meaning of the work. Brother Leo, in Norton’s A Christian Approach to Western Literature, says, “The religious conception of existence is the open sesame to the spacious treasure house of the written world, to the imperishable record of what all though all the ages man has thought and felt in terms of beauty and of truth” (Norton, 1961: 5). It means that interpreting a literary work without ignoring the religious problem will enable the reader not only to see the beauty of the work, but also the biblical values through the
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Therefore, a Christian approach is used to help the writer in analyzing the novel. Since this study deals with religious values, the biblical values become the focus. In conclusion, the religious values are important aspects of the novel to analyze.
2.1.3 Theory of value s
Value, according to Pratt, is “a character possessed by an object, event, or experience in virtue of the fact that some sentient being likes it when he gets it; or would like it if he got it”. (121). It means that value can make human becomes better in life. Value as a character that is possessed by human will help him/her to integrate his/her life to be better each day.
However, Edward states that the object, event, and experience do not refers to the virtue only. He proposes rightness, obligation, beauty, truth, and holiness (229).
Value also has its connection with religion that is called religious value. Religious value lay dominantly in the relationship between an individual and the sacred-God (O’Murchu, 45). This relationship is fundamental to his well being. His life is good because he does what the religion teaches him to do. His attitude and behavior are based on the religious teaching. A man must do the order of God that mediated throughout a religion to have a god life. The religious value also includes an individual relationship to other human beings in term of partnership and cooperation. It means that religious value is any value that is based on the religious teaching.
There are five biblical values that are likely to be discussed in this study. They are fairness, sacrificing, forgiveness, love, and purpose of life. The basis of these values are based on the verses in the Bible.
2.1.3.1 Fairness
Fairness in the Bible can be seen in Galatians 6: 7-8. It says that you will harvest what you plant. It means that every thing we do in life has the cause and the effect side. It is fair because the evil will go to hell and the good go to heaven. This verse teaches us that there is fairness in life.
Another verse that tells us about fairness is in Matthew 6:33. This verse states that if we focus on looking for the Kingdom of God first, then the other things will be ours as well. It means that there will be always payment for what we have done. If we focus on God, then he promises us for more blessing. So, everything has its own time, however, we cannot get something if we do not want use our effort to get that.
The Bible also states that everything in this world has its turn. Life is fair, sometimes fortune is in our side and sometimes it leaves us behind. There is a time for us to laugh and vice versa. There is a time for us to plant, and there is a time for us also to harvest. Everything happens in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 says that God will make everything happen at the right time.
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2.1.3.2 Sacrificing
Sacrifice is the fact of giving up something valuable that we possess for a good purpose. There are many people thinking sacrifice something for other is considered as heroes. However it is also written on the Bible that heroes sacrifice their most valuable things for good purpose.
In the Old Testament, it is described that once, there was a man almost killed his son as a sacrifice to please God, yet God replaces it with a sheep (Genesis 22:1-14). Because of that, Christians know him as the father of Faith, and we call him Abraham.
Then there came a man who gave his position and wealth, also his position as the prince of Egypt by bringing all his people out from Egypt, and led them to the land that was promised by God for them to live (Exodus 12:31-40:34), yet we called him Moses.
Oftentimes, we fail to understand how great God's love is. We easily question His justice, when we get deprived of what we consider good things in life. Such is our attitude towards God, without realizing that He has already provided us with the best gift in life - something that we are not capable of accomplishing for ourselves. He has given us righteousness, or purification from sin, through the sacrifice of His Only Son.
from the dead, confronted them and said: "Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" (Luke 24:26).
Why did Jesus Christ have to die for our sins? "The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and witho ut the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:22) God told Moses: "For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (Leviticus 17:11) The blood of Christ, the perfect sacrifice, had to be shed for our atonement. Jesus Christ "did not enter by means of the blood of the goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12)
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake" (1 Peter 1:18-20).
Unlike the Levite priests who had to offer sacrifices again and again, Jesus Christ is the only high priest who is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens". Paul, the first Christian missionary, explained that "unlike other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever." (Hebrews 7:26-28)
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mankind from sin. Talking to the Father, Jesus Christ said: "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them (although the la w required them to be made). Here I am, I have come to do Your will" (Hebrews 10:8-9). Paul said that Jesus Christ came to set aside the first covenant to establish the second. "Christ is the mediator of the new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance- now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:15). And Christ did die for all of us. He died so we soul no longer live for ourselves, but for the One who died and was raised to life for us (2 Corinthians 5: 15).
2.1.3.3 Forgiveness
No one makes us angry. Anger is our own emotional response to some action or event. More often than not, our angry feelings are based on a misinterpretation of what someone has said or did. Expressing anger tends to prolong and reinforce our anger rather than purge it. Angry words and actions are much more likely to escalate hostilities and block communication than to solve a problem. Whether between parent and child, spouses, friends, or nations, expressions of anger divide us and drive us toward open hostility.
It is all too easy to react to life's annoyances and disappointments with anger. It is far more challenging, but much better, to react with understanding and empathy. In this way, we can quickly settle disputes and avoid turning minor incidents into major battles. The humble demeanor is a perfect tool for avoiding disputes and hard feelings.
You have heard that it was said, ‘eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him in the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (NIV, Matthew 5:38-40) You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (NIV, Matthew 5:43-45)
Bearing a grudge and seeking revenge are never appropriate responses to a perceived wrongness. A grudge destroys the grudge-holder with bitterness, and revenge only escalates hostilities. Jesus told us we must reconcile with our adversaries, forgive their transgressions, and let go of the anger that may tempt us to commit for an act of revenge.
God is merciful and forgive our sins and failings. In the same way, we must be merciful and forgive other people who sin against us or do us harm. Talking about forgiveness, there are many verses in the Bible teaching about that. We can also see other references on Leviticus 19:18, Psalms 37:8-9, Proverbs 10:12, 12:16, 15:1, 15:7, 19:11, 20:22, 24:29, Matthew 5:21-26, 5:43-48, Romans 12:17-21, 1 Corinthians 6:7-8, Ephesians 4:26, 4:31-32, Colossians 3:7-6:7-8, James 1:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:9-11, 4:19-21, Matthew 5:7, 18: 21-35, Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3-4, Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:32
2.1.3.4 Love
The English word “love” has many different meanings, but the Greek word,
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Agape received a broader usage under later Christian writers as the word that specifically denoted "Christian" love or "charity" (1 Corinthians 13:1–8), or even God (1 John 4:8, Theos ein agape, "God is Love"). The New Testament provides a number of definitions and examples of agape that generally expand on the meanings derived from ancient texts, denoting brotherly love, love of one's spouse or children, and the love of God for all people.
The Christian usage of the term agape comes almost directly from the canonical Gospels' account of the teachings of Jesus. When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said, ‘”Love (agapao) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all yo ur soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like that: “Love (agapao) your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-41)
At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
You have heard that it was said, 'Love (agapao) your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love (agapao) your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Matthew 5: 41-48)
Christian writers have generally described agape, as expounded on by Jesus, as a form of love which is both unconditional and voluntary. Tertullian, in his 2nd century defense of Christians remarked how Christian love attracted pagan notice: "What marks us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness. 'Only look,' they say, 'look how they love one another'" (Apology 39).
more ge neral meaning of "affection" rather than divine love. Such examples include: • 2 Timothy 4:10—"…for Demas has forsaken me, having loved [agapao] this
present world…."
• John 12:43—"for they loved [agapao] the praise of men more than the praise from God."
• John 3:19—"but men loved [agapao] darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."
Love always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting (1Corinthian 13: 7). But, more on that, 1Corinthian 13: 1-13 explain much about love. It is because in love, there is no hate, jealousy, boastful, selfish, and so on. Even love is the greatest among hope and faith (verse 13). Therefore, love is best described in this chapter of the book.
Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (NAS, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Love is the thing that rules the world and our lives. There are many teachings in the Bible about love. Jesus Himself has shown His love for humankind by crucifying Himself so that we, human, no longer live within our sins that keep us away from God.
2.1.3.5 Purpose of Life
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In Genesis 1:26-27, in the beginning of the creation of human, God created human so that they can rule the fish, birds, and other living things in the earth. It means that in human life, nothing is useless. Their lives should not be a useless life. Everything that human does is always for a purpose, because God does not create human for no purpose.
2.1.4 Relationship of the Bible and Literature
According to Warshaw (1978), there are four ways of theory of introducing the Bible into a literary analysis. The first way is by placing the Bible as literature. This way finds biblical selections as a piece of good writing and it is emphasized only its literary aspects. It does not have religious biases, but purely an analysis of the craftsmanship and literary artistry of the biblical text.
The second way places the Bible in literature. This way compares and analyzes two different stories from the Bible, for example David’s praise in Psalm chapter 117, and Salomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes chapter 3. Both will be analyzed perhaps with an emphasis on the latter, and discuss the relationships between the two selections. So, it combines the Bible-with-Bible related literature. We might compare a bible with its appeared form.
Thus, it combines the Bible with other literary work that does not depend upon the Bible.
The last way employs Bible and Its contexts. This way relates a story in a bible to the historical and cultural climate of place or setting in the Bible, for example Israel. We may think that this analysis is put into its present cultural, context, ancient, or modern. In other words, it is a taking off point for a discussion of its issues.
2.2Theoretical Framework
In this study, I try to find out the biblical values that are conveyed through the characters in Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Here, the theory of literature, theory on value, and the relationship of Bible and literature will be used.
In the literary theories, I use the theory of character and characterization to reveal the characters and to describe and to explore their actions, outlook, impression, and dialogues. The critical approach used in this study as the consideration for the writer to decide the best approach for this study is The Christian Approach.
21 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter describes the methodology used in conducting this study. This part is divided into three main settings; they are subject matter, approach of the stud y, and method of the study. The first part, subject matter, explains the subject, data used in studying the work of literature, and the description of the work analyzed. The second part, approach of the stud y, discusses the approach used in analyzing the novel and the reasons of using that approach. The last part is method of the study. This part discusses the procedures taken in analyzing the work. This section also explain a series of steps that is used in conducting this study.
3.1 Subject Matter
The subject matter of this study is a novel entitled The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. This novel was published in 2003 and printed in New York, The United States of America by Hyperion. This novel consists of 196 pages, in 13 chapters. The story begins in the end, it means that the story starts with the death of the main character, and develops after the death of the main character.
3.2 Approach of the Study
In discussing and analyzing this thesis, I focus the examination on the characters and the biblical values that are conveyed through those characters. That focus leads me to use the Christian approach to English literature, because literary works that reflect and explore human life cannot also be separated from religious values that are expressed through them. Since literature and religion have a closely relation, a Christian approach needs employing as a means to interpret a work of literature. According to Norton, using a positive Christian approach will lead to the road of truth as well as to all the good (1961: ixxi).
The Christian approach is applied because in analyzing the problem formulation, I will have to work with some verses from the Bible. The religious aspects should be a consideration in interpreting the literary works in order to get a deeper meaning of the work. Brother Leo, in Norton’s A Christian Approach to Western Literature, says, “The religious conception of existence is the open sesame to the spacious treasure house of the written world, to the imperishable record of what all though all the ages man has thought and felt in terms of beauty and of truth” (Norton, 1961: 5). It means that interpreting a literary work without ignoring the religious problem will enable the reader not only to see the beauty of the work, but also the biblical values through the work. Thus, the biblical values can be best interpreted by using this approach.
3.3. Method of the Study
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There were two kinds of data that were used. They were the primary data and the secondary data. The primary data is the novel itself, which was Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The secondary data were some sources on the related topic from Holy Bible, books and articles or journals.
In analyzing the novel, the first step was to read and understand the story by reading the novel and identify the characters that exist in the novel.
The second step was to find the appropriate theories to answer the problems that are formulated in the problem formulation. By applying the theory on characterization, I could find out what are the characteristics of the characters.. In order to know the biblical values that are conveyed through the characters, I used the theory of value and the relationship of Bible and literature.
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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses the answers to the problem formulation. It is divided into two main parts. The first part describes Eddie and the five people in the story. The second discusses the biblical values conveyed by the five people Eddie meets in heaven.
4.1 The Portrayal of the Characters
There are six major characters that are portrayed by Albom in his novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven. They are Eddie, Blueman, Captain, Ruby, Marguerite, and Tala.
4.1.1 The Portrayal of Eddie
How Eddie is portrayed in the novel are explored by using Murphy’s theory of character and characterization. A personal description is a very important aspect in order to know the characteristics of the character in the story. Eddie is an old working man that has white hair, with short a neck, a barrel chest, thick forearms and a tattoo.
Eddie was a squat, white haired old man, with a short neck, a barrel chest, thick forearms, and a faded army tattoo on his right shoulder. His legs were thin and veined now, and his left knee, wounded in the war, was ruined by arthritis. His face was broad and craggy from the sun, with salty whiskers and a lower jaw that protruded slightly, making him look prouder that he felt. (2)
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Another characteristic that Eddie has is that he is loved by the children. Somehow children usually trust him and feel safe around him.
Children liked Eddie. Not teenagers. Teenagers gave him headaches. But children were different. Children looked at Eddie-who, with his protruding lower jaw, always seemed to be grinning, like a dolphin-and they trusted him. They drew in like cold hands to a fire. They hugged his leg. They played with his keys. (3)
Children like to play with him, or things that he has, for example his keys, but not with teenagers. That is why he prefers children more than teenagers.
Eddie does not like teenagers. Teenagers usually disobey the rule in the pier and it can endanger their life.
‘Off,” Eddie said, tapping the tailing with his cane, “C’mon. it’s not safe.” the teens glared at him. The car poles sizzled with electricity, zzap,zzap
sounds.
“it’s not safe,” Eddie repeated.
The teens looked at each other. One kid, who wore a streak of orange in his hair, sneered at Eddie, then stepped onto the middle rail.
“Come on, dudes, hit me!” he yelled, waving the young drivers. “Hit m-“ Eddie whacked the railing so hard with his cane he almost snapped in two. “MOVE IT!”
The teens ran away. (7-8)
Eddie does not like teenagers because Eddie has to yell several times to them, and it causes headaches to him. What they do can endanger their life, but they do not care about that. They think that they are the most powerful person. That is why Eddie does not like them. Unlike children, teenagers like to cause trouble.
he never goes somewhere but his working place, the pier. It seems that he has trapped in the pier.
Past life can also give contrib ution in analyzing a character’s description. The experience in past life can help the reader figure out the characteristics of a character. When he is a boy, Eddie is a strong kid that will help his brother if his brother is in trouble.
When he was a boy, growing up by this very some pier, he got in an alley fight. Five kids from Pirkin Avenue had cornered his brother, Joe, and were about to give him a beating. Eddie was a block away, on a stoop, eating a sandwich. He heard his brother scream. He ran to the alley, grabbed a garbage can lid, and sent two boys to the hospital. (4)
Not only strong but Eddie is also brave. He does not care about how many children that he is heading. He fights them and sends two of them to the hospital. This action also shows that Eddie loves his brother, so that he wants to keep him safe. It is a natural reaction of a child to protect his brother.
Eddie is so close to his mother and he loves his mother more than his father. His father rarely shows his love for his sons, so Eddie feels more comfortable with his mother. “As an infant, Eddie was rarely held by the man, and as a child, he was mostly grabbed by the arm, less with love than with annoyance. Eddie’s mother handed out the tenderness; his father was there for the discipline.” (104)
The tenderness that his mother gives to him makes him to feel safe with his mother. Even when he is a child, he always looks for a protection from his mother.
Eddie is flipped right-side up and put down. Everybody claps. Eddie reaches for his ha t, then stumbles over. He gets up, wobbles to Mickey Shea, and punches him in the arm.
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Little Eddie runs to the arms of his mother, not his father. It shows that Eddie gets the protection more from his mother than his father.
The closeness between Eddie and his mother creates a distance between Eddie and his father. His experience with his father is not a good one.
Other nights, when the cards went bad and the bottles had been emptied and his mother was already asleep, his father brought his thunder into Eddie and Joe’s bedroom. He raked through the meager toys, hurling them against the wall. Then he made his sons lie facedown on the mattress while he pulled off his belt and lashed their rear ends, screaming that they were wasting his money on junk. (105)
However, Eddie still has a little admiration for his father, as the form of devotion, since a child will have to devote himself to his father first, then to God, and to his mother. “A boy will devote himself to his father, even foolishly, even beyond explanation.” (106)
Eddie is also described as a skillful person. Since he is a child, his father has taught him to do a maintenance work, “At first, he ran the simplest riders, maneuvering the brake levers, bringing train cars to gentle stop.” (p. 107), it means that his father trusts him in doing those jobs. Therefore in years later, the responsibility that his father has given to him is not as simple as before.
Eddie’s father would test him with maintenance problems. He’d hand him a broken steering wheel and say,”Fix it.” He’d point out a tangled chain and say, “Fix it.” He’d carry over a rusty fender and some sandpaper and say, “Fix it.” And every time, upon completion of the task, Eddie would walk the item back to his father and say, “It’s fixed.” (107)
With the responsibility that his father gives to him, Eddie has the skills that others in his age do not have.
to get the dirt and stain in his fingers out. He is not as clean as his brother, since he has to help his father with the maintenance work. He envies his brother even until they are both growing up and have their own family.
That morning, Joe had told Eddie his new salary. It was three times what Eddie made. Then Joe had congratulated Eddie on his promotion: head of maintenance of Ruby Pier, his father’s old position. Eddie had wanted to answer, “If it’s so great, why don’t you take it, and I’ll take your job?” But he didn’t. Eddie never said anything he felt deeply. (151)
Eddie envies his brother for having a good job, out of pier. He envies his brother for living his life away from the pier. For Eddie, life is not fair to him. He wants lo leave the pier, but he is trapped in the pier and has to do exactly as what his father does.
Growing up as a teenager, Eddie possesses a strong will as well as bravery. When there is a war, his bravery leads him to join the war as a soldier, and his strong will make him practice shooting in the pier everyday.
Young men go to war, sometimes because they have to, sometimes because they want to. Always they feel they are supposed to. This comes from the sad, layered stories of life, which over the centuries have seen courage confused with laying them down. (57)
So, a few days later, Eddie packs a duffle bag and leaves the pier behind, to join those distant men as a soldier.
The war takes Eddie’s leg, and he is hurt. He thinks that his sacrifice during the war is worthless. It is not fair if he has to pay a leg for it.
The darkness of combat had left Eddie changed. He stayed indoors. He rarely spoke, even to Marguerite. He spent hours staring out of the window, watching the carousel ride, rubbing his bad knee, whispered that he “just needed time.” (108)
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Another characteristic of Eddie is his problem to deal with anger. The bitterness that he has in his childhood, leads him to hold anger, especially to his father for telling him to get a job instead of staying at home and lamenting himself.
“Get up,” he yelled now, his words slurring, “and get a job.” Eddie gets stirred. His father yelled again.
“Get up…and get a job!”
The old man was wobbling, but he came toward Eddie and pushed him. “Get up and get a job! Get up and get a job! Get up …and … GET A JOB!” Eddie rose to his elbows.
“Get up and get a job! Get up and…”
“ENOUGH!” Eddie yelled, surging to his feet, ignoring the burst of pain in his knee. He glared at his father, his face just and inches away. He could smell the bad breath of alcohol and cigarettes.
The old man glanced at Eddie’s leg. His voice lowered to a growl. “See? You … ain’t …so … hurt.” (108-109)
Actually, his father just wants to show him that he is not as weak as he is thought. The life is not end only by having a wo unded leg, however, since he has already had bitterness to his father, then he responds it negatively, and his anger to his father becomes greater and greater.
Silent occurs in the relationship between Eddie and his father. He never speaks to his father ever since and so does his father. The anger has grown within him, and yet he brings the anger trough his life.
From the past life also we can see that Eddie loves his wife very much. From the first time he sees Marguerite, he wants to marry her and so it happens. He gets married with her. A simple marriage party and he still loves his wife. Even when she cannot bear a child for Eddie, he still loves her.
So, Eddie and his wife do not have a child and it does not change his love to her. Even the thing that can be said about Eddie from his friend is that “Eddie really loves his wife.” (144). Even when Eddie is in depressed condition, he still loves her. When he is in the war, he keeps praying so that he can meet Marguerite soon. He keep showing that Marguerite is so important to him.
He wasn’t much praying, but he prayed just the same, making up the words and keeping count each night, saying, “Lord I’ll give you these six days if you give me six days with her….I’ll give yo u these nine days if I get nine days with her…I’ll give you these sixteen days if I get sixteen days with her…” (69)
The same prayer and the same words every night are showing how much Marguerite means to him.
His life changes when Marguerite dies. When she leaves Eddie in her 47, Eddie feels a great loss. So he changes. He thinks that when Marguerite dies, then there is no love anymore. Then he lives his life with no love.
“What reason?” he said. “How could there be a reason? You died. You were forty seven. You were the best person any of us knew, and you died and you lost everything. And I lost everything. I lost the only woman I ever loved. (173)
That is obvious. Eddie thinks that when Marguerite dies, she takes Eddie’s love with her, and it is difficult for him to see that life must go on with or without Marguerite.
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Eddie had accepted a job that would let him keep an eye for his mother, a position he had been groomed for summer after summer: a maintenance man at Ruby pier, Eddie never said this-not to his wife, not to his mother, not to anyone-but he cursed his father for dying and trapping him in the very life he’d been trying to escape; a life that, as he heard the old man laughing from the grave, apparently now was good enough for him. (128) Eddie feels that his life goes with no purpose. Somehow, life is not fair to him that he has to do what his father had done.
Then it causes Eddie to think and see that his life is not fair because he cannot choose a job by his own. Life is not fair to him because Marguerite dies at her 47. Life is not fair because he has a wounded leg. Then life is not fair for him.
Another thing that we can see from Eddie’s characteristic is that he thinks that living his life is like a routine activity. He cannot feel the happiness in his life; he cannot find the meaning of his life. Everything for him is just casual.
4.1.2 The Portrayal of the Blueman
The Blueman appears as the first person that Eddie meets in heaven. He is a sideshow worker at Ruby Pier when Eddie was a child. This person is different from common people since he has a blue skin that becomes his distinctive feature, and because of that, people know him as the Blueman instead of his real name Joseph Corvelzchick.
His past life is also important to understand the characteristic of Blueman as the first person that Eddie meets in heaven. The Blueman is an immigrant that comes to America. He is so poor and does not get enough education.
The Bluema n is a nervous child and the environment of where he works makes him more nervous than before.
“I was a nervous child by nature, and the noise in the shop only made things worse. I was too young to be there, amongst all men, swearing and complaining.”
“Whenever the foreman came near, my father told me,’look down. Don’t make him notice you.” (39)
It is not a friendly place for a child to work. People does not treat him differently just because of he is a child. He is an ordinary child who has to work in order to increase his family economy condition.
The Blueman grows up as a nervous man. He has to take medicine in order to overcome his nervousness. This medicine yet turns his skin into the color of ash. This condition makes him ashamed and agitated. So he swallows the medic ine even more, and his skin goes from gray to blue.
The Blueman’s life changes when he meets and joins a carnival. In the carnival, he starts to gain his self confidence. He can enjoy his life without scaring people.
“This become my home. I lived in a room above a sausage sop. I played cards at night with the other sideshow workers, with the tinsmiths, sometimes even with your father. In the early mornings, if I wore a long shirts and dropped my head in a towel, I could walk along this beach without scaring people. It may not sound like much, but for me, it was a freedom I had rarely known.” (42)
The Blueman finally can feel the freedom as others have when he joins the carnival. He can interact with others without scares them. He is no more a nervous person but only a common person with distinctive feature and normal life.
4.1.3 The Portrayal of the Captain
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military man with a lanky swagger and a prominent chin that gives him a resemblance of a movie actor of the day. Although he is high tempered and has a habit of yelling inches from people’s face, but most of the soldier like him well enough.
This Captain is a person that comes from three generations of military. His family has already served in military, so at the age of six, he kno ws how to fire a pistol.
‘yep, I knew how to fire a pistol when I was six. In the mornings, my father would inspect my bed, actually bounce a quarter on the sheets. At dinner dinner table it was always,’Yes, Sir,’ and ‘No, Sir.” (85)
This situation leads the Captain to get used to the military life. He says that before he enters the service, all he does is taking orders, and the next thing is giving them.
Because of his past life, it is not impossible for him to be a leader, and as a leader, he is a responsible leader that always encourages his men by telling them that ‘No one gets left behind.’ (86). So, his men trusts him and likes him well enough. Even though the idea of ‘No one gets left behind,’ causes him to lose his life so that no one is left behind.
4.1.4 The Portrayal of Ruby
Her clothes were before his time, a dress made of silk and chiffon, with a bib-like bodice stitched with white beads and topped with a velvet bow just below her neck her skirt had a rhinestone buckle and there were snaps and hooks up the side. She stood with elegant posture, holding a parasol with both hands. Eddie guessed that she’d been rich. (110)
When this old woman is young, she used to be a working girl. Her job is serving food in a place called Seashore Grille. This place is near the ocean when Eddie grows up. In her time, she is an attractive gril, and she is good looking so that she can reject many proposals. (114)
This attractive working girl finally meets her prince charming and marry him. Together, they own an amusement park of which name comes from the girl’s name, Ruby.
Ruby is a caring person. Her heart can be touched easily, and it is hard for her to hate others
But after your fathers death, I inquired about your family. When I learned when he had worked, I felt a stinging pain, as if I had lost a loved one myself. The pier that bore my name. I felt its cursed shadow, and I wished again that it had never been built.
“That wish followed me to heaven, even as I waited for you.” (141)
4.1.5 The Portrayal of Marguerite
The fourth person appears as a bridesmaid in a long la vender dress and a stitched straw hat with a basket of candy-covered almond. From afar, she looks to be in her 20s. She is Marguerite, Eddie’s beloved wife (150).
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She is a modest girl that never demands much from Eddie. She loves Eddie the way he is. Even, after their wedding party, she is happily goes home walking hand in hand, not by a fancy car or beautiful vehicle (155).
However, nobody is perfect. For some health reason, Marguerite cannot bear a child. She does not have any child from the marriage. In addition, on her 47, a tumor on her brain takes her from Eddie (167).
4.1.6 The Portrayal of Tala
Tala is the fifth person Eddie meets in heave n. She is a little girl appearing to be an Asian. She is around five or six years old, with a beautiful cinnamon complexion. Her hair color is dark plum. She has a small flat nose, full lips that spread joyfully over her gapped teeth, and most arresting eyes as black as seal’s hide, with pinhead of white serving as a pupil (185).
Tala is a Phillipines girl that killed in the war, the war that Eddie has been through, the war that takes the Captain’s life, and the war that takes Eddie’s leg. She is the girl that burnt alive in the hut, and the person who burns her is Eddie.
“You burn me. You make me fire.”
Eddie felt a pounding behind his eyes. His head begin to rush. His breathing quickened.
‘You were in the Phillipines…the shadow…in that hut…’
“The nipa, Ina say be safe there. wait for her. Be safe. Then big noise. Big fire. You burned me.” She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “Not safe.” (188)
eye opens. Her hair has gone in patches of burned scalp, covered now by hard, mottled scabs. (189).
4.2 The Biblical Values Conveyed Through the Five People Eddie Meets in Heaven
There are five biblical values that will be discussed in this part. Each value is taught by each person that Eddie meets in heaven.
4.2.1 Fairness
Fairness was written by Salomon for over million years ago. Salomon with his wisdom given by God has written that,
Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. There is a time for birth and death, planting and reaping, for killing and healing, destroying and building, for crying and laughing, weaping and dancing, for throwing stones and gathering stones, embracing and parting. There is a time for finding and loosing, keeping and giving, for tearing and sewing, listening and speaking. There is also a time for love and hate, for war and peace. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8) God has put everything within His big plans. None can understand when or where life begins. Everything has its own time, and human never knows when the time comes. Life is fair because our God is fair. This is also similar to what the first lesson that Eddie receives.
The first lesson comes from the Blueman that teaches Eddie that there are no random acts. Life goes in its path, and no one can no more separate from another.
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This lesson is more about fairness in life. According to the Bible everything in this world has its turn. Life is fair, sometimes fortune is in our side and sometimes it leaves us behind (Ecclessiastes 3:1). Life goes on its path. Every event that happens does not just happen with no purpose. It happens in ourlives because God wants it to happen. So every event that we experience in life does not happen accidentally, but it has been planned, and it is fair to every person on earth.
What is the connection of Eddie’s life and the Blueman’s death? Take a little flash back. Someday in July, in the late 1920s, a little boy and his friends are tossing a baseball. The ball flies over his head so he chases it and runs in front of an automobile. The car screeches, veers, and just misses him. The little boy is fine, but the person who is driving the car does not have the good luck as this little boy has. He is so shock because almost hitting a little boy and dies because of the heart attack. The little boy is Eddie, and the person who dies because of a heart attack is the Blueman (42-44).
Eddie shook his head. “We were throwing a ball. It was my stupidity, running out there like that. Why should you have to die on account of me? It ain’t fair.” The Blueman held out his hand, “Fairness,” he said, “does not govern life and death. If it did, no good person would ever die young.” (48)
The fruit of Eddie’s carelessness in the death of the Blueman. But, that is life. Every action that we do whether it is accidentally or not always brings the consequences. If we do good things then we will get the good things as well. As what the Bible says that each of us will harvest what we plant. If we follow our selfish desires then we will harvest destructions, but good things will bring an eternal life (Galatians 6: 7-8)
“I still don’t understand,” Eddie whispered. “What good came from your death?”
“You lived,” the Blueman answered.
“But we barely knew each other. I might as well have been a stranger.”
The Blueman put his arms on Eddie’s shoulders. Eddie felt that warm melting sensation.
“Strangers,” the Blueman said, “are just family you have yet to come to know.” (49)
Someone has to die so other may live. Blueman has to die so Eddie may life. One withers, another grows. Birth and death are part of a whole (49).
4.2.2 Sacrificing
Sometimes people just focus on what they have lost instead of what they have gained from the lost. They are too worried about what they have given rather than what they can get from that, but Jesus never does that. He sacrifices Himself crusified as the payment of our sins (Hebrew 7: 27). However, human oftentimes fails to realize this and focusses only on His justice and things that He wants us to avoid.
So does Eddie. He fails to realize how the Captain has saved his life, but he focusses more on why Captain has to shoot his leg that causes him unable to live a normal life as a norma l person. However, every person makes their own sacrifice in theirlives. Their selfishness make them unable to see that what they have done may be useful for others. The Captain teaches Eddie what sacrifice means.
“SACRIFICE,” THE CAPTAIN said. “You made one. I made one. We all make them. But you were angry over yours. You kept thinking about what you lost.
“You didn’t get it. Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire on. Little sacrifices. Big sacrifices. A mother works so her son can go to school. A daughter moves home to take care of her sick father.
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Everyone makes sacrifice in their lives. The Captain teaches Eddie that sacrifice is a part of life. Sometimes when one sacrifices something precious, he is not really loosing it. He is just passing it to someone else. (92).
“I shot you, all right,” he said, “and you lost something, but you gained something as well. You just don’t know it yet. I gained something too.” “What?”
“I got to keep my promise. I didn’t leave you behind.” (94)
Sacrifice is the fact of giving up something valuable that we possess for a good purpose, just like Jesus that has to give up His life crucified to enter His glory (Luke 24: 26). The Captain gives his valuable life that he possesses for a good purpose, so that Eddie and his men in the troop may live.
If the Captain sacrifices himself to keep his promise, this man, Jesus, sacrifices Himself because He love us so much, that He does not want us to die in sins but live in righteousness. It is God's will that Jesus Christ die on the cross for the redemption of mankind from sin. Talking to the Father, Jesus Christ says, “"Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them (although the law required them to be made). Here I am, I have come to do Your will." (Hebrews 10:8-9)
Paul said that Jesus Christ came to set aside the first covenant to establish the second. "Christ is the mediator of the new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:15)
opportunity to us to enter the kingdom of heaven.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake" (1 Peter 1:18-20).
Christ does not get any advantage from His sacrificing, but never He focusses on what He has given.
The Captain has taught Eddie that when someone gives up his precious things, he is not really loosing it, but he just passes it to someone else. Just the same as what was written in the Bible that when Jesus gives Himself crucified, He is not really loosing His life, but He passes the salvation to us, so that we can live within and for Him (2 Corinthian 5: 15), to reach the eternal life in heaven.
4.2.3 Forgiveness
Jesus said there is no place for hatred, holding a grudge, revenge, retaliation or getting even in the life of a Christian.
You have heard that it was said, ‘eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him in the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (Matthew 5:38-40)
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)
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only escalates hostilities. Jesus told us we must reconcile with our adversaries, forgive their transgressions, and let go of the anger that may tempt us to commit for an act of revenge.
God is merciful and forgive our sins and failings. In the same way, we must be
merciful and forgive other people who sin against us or do us harm. So that others will recognize us as His children if we do what our father does. The father that we have is merciful, so we have to be merciful like Him.
Ruby is the person that teaches Eddie the third lesson. What he teaches Eddie correspond to what the Bible says about forgiveness. Ruby teaches Eddie that holding anger is a poison. It eats him from inside.”We think that hating as a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves.” (141).
According to Ruby, a grudge destroys the grudge- holder with bitterness, and revenge only escalates hostilities and it is just the same as the curved blade. It hurts both the person we hate, and ourselves.
“Forgive , Edward. Forgive. Do you remember the lightness you felt when you first arrived in heaven?”
Eddie did. Where is my pain?
“That’s because no one is born with anger. And when we die, the soul is freed of it. But now, here, in order to move on, you must understand why you felt what you did, and why you no longer need to feel it.”
She touched his hand.
“You need to forgive your father.” (142)
