PERCEPTIONS OF ACHIEVING A SUCCESSFUL LIFE
REVEALED IN AMY TAN’S THE KITCHEN GOD’S WIFE AND
RICHARD BACH’S JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Yosep Rahmat Pratama Student Number: 051214076
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
PERCEPTIONS OF ACHIEVING A SUCCESSFUL LIFE
REVEALED IN AMY TAN’S THE KITCHEN GOD’S WIFE AND
RICHARD BACH’S JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Yosep Rahmat Pratama Student Number: 051214076
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
2009
Success can be achieved by hardworking,
not just by dreaming.
Do not ever give up before you are completely lost.
Do not ever get lost before you fight.
Do not ever go for fight if you do not have the faith you can win.
ORA et LABORA
I dedicated this thesis to:
*. My ALMIGHTY LORD JESUS CHRIST and MOTHER MARY
*. My beloved father Mr. Andreas Sunarjo, my beloved mother Mrs. Jani
Djuanda, my beloved grandmother (emak) Mrs. Hertati, my beloved late
grandfather (akung) Mr. Agus Aripin, and my beloved late grandfather (opa) Mr.
Stefanus Djuanda.
*. My lovely younger sister and brother, Elizabeth Dianita Dwinanda and
Yacobus Trinugraha Putranto.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my highest and deepest gratitude to the
ALMIGHTY LORD JESUS CHRIST and MOTHER MARY for THEIR greatest love and blessing in my life, for THEIR HOLY SPIRIT. Thank him for
always beside me and for keeping me up when problems come in my life. Thank
him for every single miracle and blessing in my life which always comes in the
right time when I need it. Thank him for guiding me to pass the hard time in doing
my thesis, so that finally I can finish it.
I am deeply indebted to Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum., as my thesis sponsor for her patience, guidance, encouragement, assistance, and correction in
the process of making this thesis. I am also deeply indebted to Sister Margareth
FCJ for her patience, guidance, encouragement, assistance, and correction in the process of making this thesis. This thesis would be nothing without their
noteworthy advice. May God Himself, will be the One who gives them all the
happiness, health, and success as the return of their kindness.
My gratitude also goes to all my lecturers in English Language Education Study Program of Sanata Dharma University for the knowledge and help during my study.
I also would like to express my highest and deepest gratitude to my beloved father Mr. Andreas Sunarjo, my beloved mother Mrs. Jani Djuanda, my beloved grandmother Mrs. Hertati, my beloved late grandfather Mr. Agus Aripin, my beloved late grandfather Mr. Stefanus Djuanda, my lovely
younger sister Elizabeth Dianita Dwinanda, and my lovely younger brother Yacobus Trinugraha Putranto for their love, encouragement, support, 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 best friends Andika for his support and for the dear friendship in the bitter moments and the sweet moments. I am so grateful
to have best friends like them.
Last but not least, I sincerely thank all the people who help me in finishing
this thesis. I cannot mention their names one by one. However, their support and
prayer really help me so that I can finish this thesis. Their participation and
contribution are very much appreciated. May God grant them with happiness,
health, and success.
Yosep Rahmat Pratama
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE……… i
APPROVAL PAGES……… ii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY………. iv
PAGE OF DEDICATION……… v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……….. vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ………. viii
ABSTRACT……….. xii
ABSTRAK……….. xiv
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study………. 1
1.2 Problem Formulation……… 4
1.3 Objectives of the Study……….. 5
1.4 Benefits of the Study……… 5
1.5 Definition of Terms……….. 6
CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Review of Related Theories………. 8
2.1.1 Critical Approaches to Literature……….. 9
2.1.2 Cultures and Beliefs……….. 10
2.2 Review of Related Cultures………. 12
2.2.1 Chinese Culture………. 12
2.2.1.1 Confucianism as the Reflection of Chinese Culture.. 12
2.2.1.2 The Origin of Feng Shui……… 13
2.2.1.3 Yin – Yang……… 13
2.2.2 American Culture……….. 14
2.2.2.1 Rags to Riches and Tramps to Millionaire………… 15
2.2.2.2 The American Dream……… 16
2.2.2.3 The Way to Wealth in Poor Richard’s Almanack…. 17 2.3 Review of Related Proverbs……… 18
2.3.1 Chinese Proverbs………... 19
2.3.2 American Proverbs……… 20
2.4 Theoretical Framework……… 21
CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Object of the Study……….. 25
3.2 Approach of the Study………. 27
3.3 Method of the Study……… 28
CHAPTER 4. ANALYSIS 4.1 The Meanings of Success………. 31
4.1.1 Success is a Continuous Journey………... 32
4.1.2 Success is a Compilation of One Small Step………... 35
4.1.3 Success is Creating the Harmony in the Life………... 38
4.1.4 Success is All about Perfection……….. 43
4.1.5 Success is a Choice……… 44
4.2 The Process of Achieving Success……….. 47
4.2.1 Learning and Working Hard Continuously………... 48
4.2.2 Doing the Process Carefully……….. 51
4.3 Characteristics of a Successful Person……… 54
4.3.1 Positive Thinking and Optimistic…………... 55
4.3.2 Talking Less and Doing More ……….. 57
4.3.3 Serious and Discipline ………... 59
4.3.4 Creative………. 61
4.3.5 Humble ………... 63
4.3.6 Willing to Learn from Others ………... 64
4.3.7 Independent and Confident………... 66
4.3.8 Careful and Well-Planned………. 67
4.3.9 Building a Good Synergy ………. 69
4.3.10 Acknowledging Both Strengths and Weaknesses …….. 70
4.4 Values of Success ……… 72
4.4.1 Success is a Matter of Luck……….. 72
4.4.2 Perfection is Having No Limit……….. 72
4.4.3 Where there is a Will, there is a Way……… 73
4.4.4 Failure is Not the End of Everything……… 74
CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusions………. 77
5.2 Suggestions………. 80
5.2.1 Suggestion for the Future Researchers ………. 80
5.2.2 Suggestion for the English Teachers ……… 81
REFERENCES……… 85
APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 Biography of Amy Tan………. 88
APPENDIX 2 The Summary of The Kitchen God’s Wife ……….. 92
APPENDIX 3 Amy Tan and Her Works ………. 96
APPENDIX 4 Biography of Richard Bach ……….. 97
APPENDIX 5 The Summary of Jonathan Livingston Seagull ……… 100
APPENDIX 6 Richard Bach and His Works……… 102
APPENDIX 7 Syllabus of Intensive Reading II………... 103
APPENDIX 8 Lesson Plan of Intensive Reading II………. 105
APPENDIX 9 Materials for Teaching Intensive Reading II ……… 108
ABSTRACT
Rahmat Pratama, Yosep. (2009). Perceptions of Achieving a Successful Life Revealed in Amy Tan’s the Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. 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 comparison of perceptions of achieving a successful life derived from Chinese and American culture as revealed in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Various perceptions about the meaning of success, process of achieving success, characteristics of a successful person, and values of success which are revealed in those two novels are being discussed in this thesis.
The objective of this study is to compare the perceptions of achieving a successful life derived from Chinese and American culture as revealed in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. This study intends to compare the perceptions of achieving a successful life derived from these two cultures to figure out the similarities and differences between them. The research problem can be formulated as follows: What are the perceptions of achieving a successful life as revealed in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wifeand Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull?
This study employed the novels Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull as the primary sources. Besides, some relevant books on literature, theories of cultures and beliefs, and some reviews of related culture and perception were used as the secondary sources in order to support the analysis. Since this study concerned with the characteristics and values of Chinese and American cultures which influenced certain perceptions of success revealed in the novels, the socio-cultural approach was applied.
The conclusion of this study is certain perception about success is really influenced by certain cultural value and philosophy. Chinese people define success more to the harmony which is created by creating a balanced condition on the elements that exist in this life. Moreover, they also define success as “a matter of luck.” Those two perceptions are influenced by the philosophy of Yin-Yang and Feng Shui. On the other side, American culture sees success in a different perception. They see success as “perfection.” This perception is really influenced by American philosophy that “practice makes perfect.” However, both Chinese and American cultures also define success as a journey. It is due to the fact that we have to experience series of events along the way to achieve success. Finally, success also means a choice that we are free to choose in what fields we are interested to succeed.
Then, there are two processes of achieving a successful life. First is learning and working hard continuously. Second is doing the process carefully.
Talking about success is not complete without talking about the characteristics of a successful person. Positive thinking and optimism, talk less do
more, serious and discipline, humble, willing to learn from others, independent and confident, careful and well planed, building a good synergy, and acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses are the common characteristics of a successful person.
The values of success also need to be concerned. First, success is a matter of luck. Second, perfection is having no limit. Moreover, where there is a will-there is a way and failure is not the end of everything become the last value of success.
To future researchers who intend to do an in-depth study on the novels Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the analysis on the characters development that is influenced by certain cultural backgrounds and the analysis of the differences between Chinese and American cultures in specific areas such as marriage or family still interested to be discussed. Meanwhile, English teachers could also utilize parts of these novels to increase students’ motivation to read in order to develop their reading skills.
ABSTRAK
Rahmat Pratama, Yosep. 2009. Perceptions of Achieving a Successful Life Revealed in Amy Tan’s the Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini mengulas tentang perbandingan persepsi - persepsi dalam hal meraih kesuksesan hidup yang berasal dari kebudayaan Cina dan Amerika seperti yang terdapat dalam novel karya Amy Tan yang berjudul The Kitchen God’s Wife dan novel karya Richard Bach yang berjudul Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Ada banyak persepsi tentang arti dari kesuksesan, proses untuk meraih sebuah kesuksesan, karakteristik seorang yang sukses, dan nilai - nilai dari sebuah kesuksesan yang tertuang dalam kedua novel tersebut dibahas dalam skripsi ini.
Tujuan dari skripsi ini adalah untuk membandingkan persepsi - persepsi dalam hal meraih kesuksesan hidup yang berasal dari kebudayaan Cina dan Amerika seperti yang terdapat dalam novel karya Amy Tan yang berjudul The Kitchen God’s Wife dan novel karya Richard Bach yang berjudul Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Studi ini ingin membandingkan persepsi-persepsi dalam hal meraih kesuksesan hidup yang berasal dari dua kebudayaan tersebut untuk menemukan kesamaan-kesamaan maupun perbedaan-perbedaan diantara keduanya. Rumusan permasalahan dalam studi ini adalah: Apa saja persepsi-persepsi untuk meraih sebuah kesuksesan dalam hidup sebagaimana tertuang dalam novel karya Amy Tan yang berjudul The Kitchen God’s Wife dan novel karya Richard Bach yang berjudul Jonathan Livingston Seagull?
Studi ini menggunakan novel karya Amy Tan yang berjudul The Kitchen God’s Wife dan novel karya Richard Bach yang berjudul Jonathan Livingston Seagull sebagai sumber utama. Selain itu, buku-buku yang relevan mengenai kesusasteraan, teori-teori tentang kebudayaan dan kepercayaan, dan beberapa pembahasan tentang kebudayaan dan persepsi-persepsi terkait digunakan sebagai sumber-sumber tambahan untuk mendukung analisa. Oleh karena skripsi ini menekankan pembahasan pada karakteristik dan nilai-nilai kebudayaan Cina dan Amerika yang mempengaruhi persepsi-persepsi tertentu tentang sukses sebagaimana tertuang didalam novel, digunakanlah pendekatan social dan kebudayaan.
Kesimpulan dari studi ini adalah persepsi tertentu tentang kesuksesan sangat dipengaruhi oleh nilai kebudayaan dan filosofi tertentu. Orang Cina menganggap sukses lebih kepada suatu harmoni yang tercipta dengan membuat kondisi yang seimbang diantara elemen-elemen yang ada dalam hidup ini. Lebih lanjut, mereka juga menganggap sukses sebagai “hal yang berkaitan dengan keberuntungan.” Dua persepsi tersebut dipengaruhi oleh filosofi Yin-Yang dan Feng Shui. Di lain pihak, kebudayaan Amerika melihat kesuksesan dari persepsi yang berbeda. Mereka melihat kesuksesan sebagai “kesempurnaan.” Persepsi ini sangat dipengaruhi oleh filosofi mereka tentang “latihan akan menjadikan sempurna.”
Bagaimanapun, baik kebudayaan Cina dan Amerika mengartikan kesuksesan sebagai sebuah petualangan. Ini dikarenakan fakta bahwa kita harus mengalami berbagai macam kejadian selama kita berusaha mencapai sukses. Akhirnya, sukses juga berarti sebuah pilihan dimana kita bebas memilih di bidang mana kita berminat untuk meraih sukses.
Lalu, proses meraih sukses dapat dibagi menjadi dua bagian. Pertama adalah belajar dan bekerja keras secara berkelanjutan. Kedua adalah melaksanakan proses secara cermat.
Berbicara tentang sukses tidak lengkap tanpa berbicara tentang karakter seorang yang sukses. Berpikir positif dan optimis, serius dan disiplin, rendah hati, belajar dari oarng lain, mandiri dan percaya diri, cermat dan terencana baik, membangun sinergi yang baik, dan mengenal kelebihan dan kelemahan adalah karakter-karakter umum dari seorang yang sukses.
Lalu, nilai-nilai dari sebuah kesuksesan juga perlu diperhatikan. Pertama, kesuksesan adalah sebuah keberuntungan. Kedua, kesempurnaan tidak mempunyai batasan. Lalu, dimana ada kemauan disitu ada jalan dan kegagalan bukanlah akhir dari segalanya menjadi nilai kesuksesan terakhir.
Bagi para peneliti di waktu mendatang yang bermaksud untuk melakukan studi mendalam mengenai novel karya Amy Tan yang berjudul The Kitchen God’s Wife dan novel karya Richard Bach yang berjudul Jonathan Livingston Seagull, analisa mengenai perkembangan karakter-karakter yang dipengaruhi latar belakang kebudayaan tertentu dan analisa-analisa mengenai perbedaan antara kebudayan Cina dan Amerika dalam hal-hal tertentu seperti pernikahan dan keluarga masih sangat menarik untuk dibicarakan. Sementara itu, bagi para guru Bahasa Inggris dapat pula memanfaatkan bagian-bagian dari kedua novel ini untuk meningkatkan motivasi para siswa untuk mengembangkan kemampuan membaca mereka.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of five parts; they are background of the study,
problem formulation, objective of the study, benefit of the study, and definition of
terms. The background of the study describes briefly the main topic of this thesis
and also covers the reason for choosing the subject. Problem formulation
mentions the essential problem to be analyzed in this thesis, whereas the
objectives of the study explain the objectives or aims of conducting this research.
Benefits of the study reveal the advantages that the readers may gain in reading
this thesis. Moreover, this part is purposed to make the readers familiar with both
novels used in this thesis. Definition of terms is the last part of this chapter which
contains the description of key terms that are used in analyzing this novel.
1.1 Background of the Study
Reading literary works may give people some values. It may enrich or
broaden the reader’s perception and mind because literary works usually contain
many truths about life as the reflection of the writer’s experiences. Henkel says
that “a novel reflects elemental facts and forces in our rapidly changing world”
(22). It shows that a literary work derived from human experiences
chronologically that every human can learn about it, respond to it, and interpret it
with various perceptions. Danziger and Johnson state that “literature is an
imitation of varied experiences of living people which come from the result of an
author’s or a writer’s interpretation and perception of life” (34). In this case, the
writer’s interpretation and perception of life can be influenced by values of culture
as a reflection of writer’s descendant. Hence, as one of the genres of literature, a
novel consists of certain interpretations and perceptions of life.
As well as the writers raise various perceptions in writing the novel, in
reading the novel, the readers also raise different perceptions. In relation to choose
the topic for writing the thesis, I intend to discuss the topic related to perceptions
especially in achieving a successful life. Moreover, since my thesis is in the field
of literature, I am going to discuss the topic of perceptions of achieving a
successful life by comparing two novels from two different writers who have
different backgrounds of culture.
I intend to discuss the topic related to the perceptions of achieving a
successful life due to the fact that we live in the global era. It cannot be denied
that life in the global era demands a lot for succeeding. Besides, living in the
global era demands a qualified person who is able to compete with others. In this
case, competition is dealing with success in achieving something. According to
Kiyosaki, success is “obtaining a desired goal which is not something inherited”
(48). It means success can only be achieved through a good competition which is
done through qualified efforts. Therefore, no matter what age, colour or origin you
are, success is something that everyone can achieve at certain points in their life
by finishing a competition with qualified efforts.
There are several scientists and experts who determine the meaning of
biggest scientists in the world, success is based on imagination plus ambition and
the will to work. By looking at his statement, success can be described as the
realization of an aim which needs hard works as the essential part of it. According
to Confucianism, a Chinese philosophy which primarily focuses more internally
on the way emphasizes benevolence and harmony in life, success always deals
with how we can create the balance and the harmony within all of the elements in
this universe, control the change in cycle, and do everything in discipline.
According to Daniel T. Willingham, an American educator from American
Federation of Teachers, success can be achieved through practice beyond the
point of perfection.
Concerning the facts above, I am interested in comparing the perceptions
of achieving a successful life derived from Chinese and American culture as
portrayed in literary works. Those two cultures are two of the biggest cultures in
the world which have lots of unique values and characteristics. Hence, I am
interested in comparing these two cultures to figure out the differences and the
similarities between them in the way they view success. Since my concern in this
study is comparing the perceptions of achieving a successful life from Chinese
and American culture as portrayed in literary works, I chose The Kitchen God’s
Wife written by Amy Tan and Jonathan Livingston Seagull written by Richard
Bach as the main source of this study. These two novels bring their own
perceptions from two different writers coming from two different cultures.
I choose The Kitchen God’s Wife written by Amy Tan, a
norms, and principles of life, especially in the relation of achieving a successful
life.
Moreover, I also chose Jonathan Livingston Seagull written by Richard
Bach as the second novel in this study as the representative of American way of
thinking, values of norms, and principles of life especially in the relation of
achieving a successful life.
Looking at the statement from Danziger and Johnson (34) which says that
“literature is an imitation of varied experiences of living people which come from
the result of an author’s or a writer’s interpretation and perception of life,” I am
sure that the writer’s interpretation and perception of life can be influenced by
values of certain cultures as the reflection of writer’s descendant. Therefore, using
these two novels as the main sources of the study can help me to compare the
perceptions of achieving a successful life derived from Chinese and American
culture.
1.2 Problem Formulation
There is one essential problem which leads the analysis of the study to a
profound explanation. The research problem can be formulated as follows:
What are the perceptions of achieving a successful life as revealed in Amy Tan’s
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objective of the study is to compare the perceptions of achieving a
successful life derived from Chinese culture and American culture as revealed in
Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston
Seagull. Moreover, this study intends to compare the perceptions from these two
cultures to figure out the differences and the similarities in the way they view
success, in the way they view the process to achieve success, in the way they view
the characteristics of a successful person, and in the way they view the values of
success.
1.4 Benefits of the Study
The first benefit of this study is to make the readers of this thesis familiar
with Amy Tan’s and Richard Bach’s works. By reading this thesis, the readers in
general and the students of English Language Education Study Program who are
interested in Amy Tan’s and Richard Bach’s works will get more perspectives on
the novels The Kitchen God’s Wife and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. They also
can get more comprehension about the perceptions of achieving a successful life
derived from Chinese and American culture. Moreover, this study will give a lot
of benefits for the development of education. Hopefully, this thesis could be
1.5 Definition of Terms
In order to avoid misinterpretations, the writer defines some important
terms that are used throughout this study. The first term is Confucianism. According to Xinzhong (58), “Confucianism is a Chinese philosophy which
primarily focuses more internally on the way emphasizing benevolence, harmony,
wisdom, family, and honouring one's ancestors.” Moreover, this philosophy also
explains about the relation between matter and principle, the method of
discovering truth, relation between human and nature, and the tendency not to
invoke a unified and personified supernatural power. In this study, Confucianism
means the way or a principle to achieve a success which deals with how we can
create the balance and the harmony within all of the elements in this universe,
control the change in cycle, and do everything in discipline.
Another term used in this study is harmony. According to Xinzhong (34),
“harmony is a state of peaceful existence and agreement or the things go well
together and produce an attractive result.” In this study, harmony is having a
closer difference in the meaning. Harmony in this study means the balance
condition between good and bad sides that lots of people in the world try to fulfil
in order to support their intention in achieving something which is worthy. Thus,
harmony is some kind of situation in which things around it are arranged in a
good order so that these things can go well together to produce a good result.
Yin and Yang comes as the third important term. According to Xinzhong
(yin) and male (yang).” In this study, Yin and Yang means the balanced condition
which creates two things in opposite, such as good and bad, dark and bright.
Perfection according to Denver (47) is “the act of making something perfect by doing the final improvements.” In this case, everyone who wants to
reach the perfection must have everything is finished in a complete condition
without faults or weaknesses. In this study, perfection also means to make
something become perfect by doing the final improvements.
Luck according to Xinzhong is a positive energy achieved from maintaining the harmony in life (57). The positive energy really needs to support
our efforts to achieve success. Creating the positive energy can only be done with
maintaining the harmony in life. We should give a balance portion for doing lots
of efforts, taking a rest, giving a charity, and praying to God. Those ways are the
example of maintaining the harmony to get luck. Luck is important and really
needs to support our efforts to achieve success. Luck in this study also has the
same meaning as what Xinzhong said.
Perception according to Hornby is a belief or an image which comes up as the result of how someone sees or understands something especially with sense
and mind (58). In this study, perception also has the same meaning as what
Hornby said. Perception really shows the ways of understanding for certain
things. That understanding is gain through the process of sensing and thinking.
Moreover, looking at certain facts and proofs can also be used as the ways to
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
In this chapter, certain theory of critical approach to literature, certain
theories of cultures and beliefs, certain reviews about Chinese and American
culture, and certain reviews of related perceptions to achieve success are
presented to support the discussion. This chapter is divided into four parts, namely
review of related theories or theoretical description, review of related culture,
review of related perception, and the last part is theoretical framework.
Review of related theories consists of some related theories which are
applied in conducting this study. Review of related culture consists of reviews of
two related cultures which are applied in this study. Some philosophies and
beliefs are discussed in this part. Review of related perceptions consists of some
related perceptions of achieving a successful life in the form of proverbs.
Theoretical framework explains the contribution of the theories and
reviews in solving the problems, especially in the matter of why those theories
and reviews are needed and how they are applied in the study. Moreover, those
theories and reviews are synthesized so as to make them operationally applicable
to the problems.
2.1 Review of Related Theories
The theories which are applied in this study deal with the theory of critical
approaches to literature and theory of cultures and beliefs.
2.1.1 Critical Approaches to Literature
According to Rohrberger and Woods (3), “literary criticism is the study,
discussion, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of literary works.” Literary
criticism is usually expressed in the form of a critical essay. In analyzing a literary
work, we need to determine what we want to explore and reveal, then we select
the appropriate tool to criticize the work. Therefore, a critical approach to
literature needs an understanding of its nature, function, and positive values.
Someone must know what literature is, how to read it, and how to appraise it.
There are some common critical approaches which are usually used as
tools to criticize the literary work. The first approach is the Formalist approach.
This approach comes up due to the fact that literature is a unique form of human
knowledge. Hence, it is necessary to understand the work within the work itself
by looking at all the elements contained in the work.
This approach also tries “demonstrating the harmonious involvement of all
parts to the whole, pointing out how meaning is derived from structure, and
pointing out how technique determines structure” (7).
The Biographical approach is the second approach which is used to
examine a literary work based on the importance of acknowledging the author’s
personal life for a deep understanding to his or her writings. However, in this
approach, it is not necessary to include all the facts from the author’s life,
especially when it is not relevant to the meaning or the context of the work. Thus,
providing useful facts that could put the reader in a better position to understand
The Socio-Cultural approach seeks to understand a literary work by
investigating the social, cultural, and intellectual context that produce it. “It
focuses on the cultural, economic, and political values contained in that literary
work” (9). Hence, it explores more to the relationship between the writer and the
society.
The Gender approach seeks to understand how sexual identity influences
the creation and reception of literary works. In this approach, feminist critics
usually appear to criticize the literary work by examining how the image of men
and women in literature reflects or rejects the social forces. It talks mainly about
the equality between men and women.
The Psychological approach seeks to examine the work by reflecting on
life as a realistic representation of human motivation and behaviour. “This
approach sees the literary work as an expression of the state of mind and the
structure of personality of the individual author” (13). Moreover, this approach
uses the theory of psychology to explain human’s motivation, personality and
behaviour patterns written in the literary objects.
The Mythological approach examines the literary work by dealing with
how the individual imagination uses myths and symbols in different cultures and
epochs.
2.1.2 Cultures and Beliefs
The British anthropologist, Sir Edward Burnett Taylor (57), defines
perceptions and behaviours.” In the 1950s, A. L. Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhon
(62) stated that culture is “the values and beliefs that people used to interpret
experience and generate behaviour, and all of those reflected in their behaviour.”
According to Havilland (24), culture in anthropology, is “the patterns of
behaviour and thinking that people living in social groups learn, create, and
share.” Every human group has different types of cultures from others.
According to Lakoff (64), culture has several different characteristics.
First, culture is based on symbols. “Culture is abstracts ways of referring and
understanding ideas, objects, feelings, or behaviours, and the ability to
communicate with symbols using language.” Second, culture is shared. People in
the same society share common behaviours and ways of thinking through culture.
Third, culture is learned. Culture is socially inherited. It can be understood trough
the process of learning. A person must learn culture from other people in a society
so that the person can be accepted in the society. The last, culture is adaptive.
People use culture to flexibly and quickly adjust to the changes in the world
around them.
One German anthropologist, Biehler, said that
Belief is one of specific categories of ideology besides value and idea. Belief gives people an understanding of how the world works and how they should respond to the actions of others and their environments. This understanding influences most of people’s perception and behaviour. Moreover, particular beliefs often tie in closely with the daily concerns of domestic life such as making a living, health and sickness, happiness and sadness, interpersonal relationships and death. (42)
On the other side, Scriven (27) in “Primary Philosophy” stated that “belief
says or does.” The content of belief may describe an object or situation as true or
false and evaluate it as good or bad.
2.2 Review of Related Cultures
This part represents some reviews of related culture. Since this study
discusses the perceptions of achieving successful life derived from Chinese and
American culture, some reviews of Chinese and American culture in the form of
certain philosophies and beliefs are discussed in this part.
2.2.1 Chinese Culture
Confucianism, Feng Shui, and Yin-Yang are discussed in this part. Those
three items are the Chinese philosophies which really give big influences to the
Chinese people’s perceptions.
2.2.1.1 Confucianism as the Reflection of Chinese Culture
Confucianism is an old Chinese philosophy. According to Mao Tse Dong,
“Confucianism is a Chinese tradition of thought that focused in the fields of ethics
and politics, emphasizing personal and governmental morality, correctness of
social relationships, justice, traditionalism, and sincerity.” He also states that
Confucianism creates the world meritocracy by its principle which says that
“one's status should be determined by ability instead of ancestry, wealth, or
friendships.” Confucianism can also be said as a system of moral, social, political,
culture up to this era. Thus, Confucianism really gives big influence for shaping
the Chinese culture and state of China.
2.2.1.2 The Origin of Feng Shui
The Chinese believe that the universe is influenced by the interaction of
four elements or wu qing (metal, wood, fire, and earth) which are derived from the
art-science called Feng Shui.
According to Yitseng,
Feng Shui (風水 / Fung Shway), translated literary as wind (feng) and water (shui), is the ancient Chinese art-science which gives priority to placement and arrangement of place to achieve the harmony with the environment. Feng Shui is a discrete Chinese belief which involves a mixture of ideas from geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological field.
As it explained before that Feng Shui translated as Wind and Water, Qi is
said to be the life energy that flows within these two environments. Since life
exists within either air or water, Feng Shui is considered beneficial to attract and
channel Qi which is believed can encourage growth and prosperity.
2.2.1.3 Yin - Yang
In Chinese philosophy, there exists a duality in everything, represented by
the Yin - Yang concept. The Yin - Yang concept represents a balance between
two opposite things such as female (yin) and male (yang). This balance is
applicable to whole spectrum of things and situations. According to Yitseng, the
Yin and Yang are equal and opposite
The equality of the two opposite things is crucial to be recognized to appreciate the
balance of power and to make one good entity. This balance should be applied across
the whole spectrum of parameters.
Yin and Yang are well defined .
Every entity, parts of human body, food material, physical concepts such as heat and
cold, high and low, directions, and taste are either yin or yang. The yin or yang
aspect is always distinct, definite and consistent.
Yin and Yang are rooted to each other .
Yin - Yang controls each other, restrains each other, and works together as a
coherent entity. Hence, without yin there is no yang and vice versa.
Yin and Yang are in dynamic equilibrium .
Every mutual dependence and restraint always requires compromise that is to give
and take. Therefore, the balance condition between Yin and Yang is important to
be achieved.
Yin and Yang evolve .
In practice yin or yang, there will always be a relative value because two opposite
things represented in yin - yang are in different sides of the same feature.
2.2.2 American Culture
This part discusses two of the special philosophies which describe the
characteristics of American people, “From rags to riches” and “From tramps to
Therefore, a little in this part also discusses about “The American Dream.”
Moreover, seven phrases from “The Poor Richard’s Almanack” quoted in “The
Way to Wealth” are also discussed in this part. Those American philosophies
really give big influences to the American people’s perceptions.
2.2.2.1 Rags to Riches and Tramps to Millionaires
As Potter says in “People of Plenty,” the abundance has influenced
American life in many ways and universal opportunity to move through a scale
which traversed many levels is really important. This opportunity to move
between social classes as the part of social identity is identical with equality.
Moreover, this opportunity always deals with the position and status which have
wealth, power, and enviability (91).
Potter also says that “Rags to Riches” and “Tramps to Millionaires” refer
to certain situation in which a person rises from poverty to wealth, from obscurity
to fame, or sometimes from modesty to elegance. It describes the way in which
American people life is geared to success rather than to status. That is, the
American people measure their own worth by the distance which they have
progressed from their point of departure rather than by the position which they
occupy. They esteem high current income more than the possession of
long-accumulated wealth (48).
Those philosophies are the foundation of “The American Dream” and
really give big influences to the American people’s perceptions, especially in the
people tend to say that success is all about perfection as describes in the
philosophies “From Rags to Riches.” They also think that success means
becoming a number one. They give the emphasizing on the achievement and the
process itself. Working hard and maintaining the persistence are two important
matters should be included in the process of achieving a successful life. Having
those two important matters, we can have the opportunity to achieve success.
2.2.2.2 The American Dream
As Johnson says, “The American Dream” is a national ethos of the United
States of America in which democratic ideals are perceived as a promise of
prosperity for its people. “The American Dream” is stated by James Truslow
Adams in 1931. He stated that citizens of every rank can achieve a “better, richer,
and happier life.” Moreover, he also stated that “all men are created equal” that
they have rights of life, liberty, and happiness. “The American Dream” builds the
characteristics of American people but is also blamed for overinflated
expectations. Due to this philosophy, the United States has regarded and promoted
itself as a beacon of liberty and prosperity. They see and achieve everything in the
perfect form. American people tend to say that success can only be achieved by
combining the hard work and persistence. Success is a journey towards the
achievement of the predetermined goals. Everyone is having the same opportunity
to follow the journey and achieve certain worthwhile goals. However, it depends
on someone’s choice. Taking a certain choice, someone has to be ready to take the
“The American Dream” is purposed to answer two important questions.
They are “how to make a living” and “how to live.”
2.2.2.3 The Way to Wealth in Poor Richard’s Almanack
“The Way to Wealth” is an essay written by Benjamin Franklin in 1758.
This essay was quoted in “Poor Richard’s Almanack.” Moreover, this essay
contains some phrases which are categorized as an advice of success, work ethic,
perfection, being a number one, persistence, and the achievement of goals.
As Norton quoted in “The Norton Anthology of American Literature,”
there are seven phrases from “Poor Richard’s Almanack” which are well-known
as the characteristics of American people. Those phrases really give strong
influence to American people’s perceptions, especially in the matter of achieving
a successful life.
Those phrases are:
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry” (362).
“Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” (363).
“There are no gains without pains” (363).
“Diligence is the mother of good luck” (363).
“For age and want, save while you may;
No morning sun lasts a whole day” (366).
“Get what you can, and what you get hold;
2.3 Review of Related Proverbs
Every culture has its own characteristics. Moreover, they bring their own
perception of certain things in life which is influenced by certain values of their
culture. Characteristic and perception of certain cultures can be seen in various
forms. One of the most common representative forms of certain cultures
perception is proverb.
According to Xinzhao (92), “proverbs are the reflection of culture.”
Proverbs bring their own perception of certain things which is influenced by
certain values of culture. It shows how one culture looks, thinks, or percepts about
one thing based on certain values. It cannot be denied that one culture may have
different proverbs to reflect certain things in this life because in every culture,
each word has its own special meaning.
According to Lakoff (88), “proverb contains a reflection of cultural value
and indicates our thinking process.” Moreover, he also states that a proverb can
consciously or subconsciously shape our thoughts and speeches.
Since this study is purposed to find and compare the perceptions of
achieving a successful life from Chinese and American culture, some proverbs
which reflects Chinese’s and American’s perception about success are presented
in this part. The proverbs are about the meaning of success, the process to achieve
2.3.1 Chinese Proverbs
According to Zinxhong, there are some proverbs from Chinese culture
which consist of perceptions of achieving a successful life (88). They are:
“A tree with wide girdle grows from a tiny seed”
However big the project is, it started off as something tiny.
Success is not built overnight, it takes time to nurture.
“The man puts in the efforts, but the Heaven makes it a success.”
An often quoted statement, implying that though one could try their best,
the final outcome could be very circumstantial.
“Strike first to gain the upper hand”
Emphasize on the importance of controlling the situation early, before things
get out of hand.
Usually followed by “Strike late and you will be in disaster”
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.” It means doing one
small step makes us one step closer to our success.
“The usefulness of a cup is in its emptiness.” It means we have to act like an
“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great
leap forward only to stumble backward.” It means we have to do the right action
at the right time and place to achieve success. In this case, patience is the most
important aspect.
“Success is a matter of luck.” It means to achieve success we need luck besides
doing a lot of efforts and mastering a lot of skills.
“A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinions.”
It means we have to depend on ourselves when we do or decide something for our
life. Do not ever depend on someone else’s opinion. Our life is in our hand.
However, we can try to listen for someone else’s advice if it is good for us.
“You cannot catch a cub without going into a tiger’s den.”
Risky as it is, if you are afraid of taking chances, there is no way you can succeed.
“Dripping water can eat through a stone.”
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Di1 shui3 chuan1 shi2.)
Perseverance will lead to success.
2.3.2 American Proverbs
According to Kearny, there are some proverbs from American culture
which consist of perceptions of achieving a successful life. They are:
“Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different
outcome.” It means to achieve success we have to be creative and innovative.
“Don't walk around with your butt on your shoulders.” It means do not overly get
“Three humble shoemakers brainstorming make a great statesman.” It means
working together can get the job done easier, and more efficiently.
“Rome wasn’t built in one day.” It means great things take time. Thus, achieving
something needs a lot of efforts and takes time.
“Practice makes perfect.” It means by practicing a lot, we know exactly our
weaknesses and we can make it better every time we practice it.
“The early bird gets the worm.” It means we will be a winner if we finished our
job first.
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” It means we should
plan, think, and consider every step we want to do. We should be aware on every
possibility.
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and
learning from failure.” It means there are no special requirements needed to
achieve success. However, preparation, hard work, and learning from failure are
needed to achieve success.
“Success means to keep growing in all areas of life, mental, emotional, spiritual as
well as physical.” It means there are areas of life where success can be achieved.
2.4 Theoretical Framework
Looking at the problem formulation, this study intends to compare the
perceptions of achieving a successful life as revealed in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen
God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Those two novels
Amy Tan is a Chinese-American born writer. Lots of her novels are influenced by
certain values and perceptions of Chinese culture. Meanwhile, Richard Bach is an
American born writer. Lots of his novels are influenced by certain values and
perceptions of American culture. Therefore, in other words, this study intends to
compare the perceptions of achieving a successful life which come from Chinese
and American culture.
Since this study intends to compare certain perceptions from certain
cultural backgrounds revealed in the literary works, I use socio-cultural approach.
The consideration of choosing socio-cultural approach in this study is due to the
function of this approach is to examine literary works by analyzing the social,
cultural, and intellectual context that produces it. This approach focuses more to
the cultural values contained in the literary work. Hence, I think the use of this
approach will give lots of benefits to find that there is a relationship from the
influence of certain cultural values to certain perceptions comes up in the literary
work.
Moreover, theory of cultures and beliefs are also used in this study.
Related to the problem formulation, the use of theory of cultures and beliefs is
purposed to prove the statement which comes from The British anthropologist, Sir
Edward Burnett Taylor who defines “culture as the mixture of knowledge and
beliefs which influences most of human perceptions and behaviours.” (57)
Moreover, in the 1950s, A. L. Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhon also stated nearly the
same statement as Sir Edward Burnett Taylor stated. They stated that culture is
behaviour, and all of those reflected in their behaviour.” (62) This study intends to
prove those statements by analyzing lots of quotations from those two novels
which describe the perceptions of both writers about achieving a successful life.
Then, this study also uses some reviews of related culture and some
reviews of related perceptions. Confucianism, Feng Shui, and Yin-Yang are
discussed in the reviews of related culture. Those three items are the Chinese
philosophies which really give big influences to the Chinese people’s perceptions.
Meanwhile, I choose proverb as the representative of related perception. As
Xinzhao said that “proverbs are the reflection of culture,” (92) proverbs bring
their own perception of certain things which is influenced by certain values of
culture. It shows how one culture looks, thinks, or percepts about one thing based
on certain values. Moreover, Lakoff also stated nearly the same statement that
“proverb contains a reflection of cultural value and indicates our thinking
process.” (88) These statements indicate that a proverb can consciously or
subconsciously shape our thoughts and speeches. Thus, the use of several reviews
of Chinese philosophies is purposed to convince the reader that culture really
gives big influences to the Chinese people’s perceptions. Moreover, the use of
various proverbs in the reviews of related perceptions is purposed to give
emphasizing that proverbs contains a reflection of cultural values. It shows how
one culture looks, thinks, or percepts about one thing based on certain values.
Finally, by analyzing the quotations from the novels using the approach,
theories, and some reviews which are applied in this study, this study intends to
cultures to someone’s perceptions. Moreover, finding the perceptions about
achieving a successful life from both novels in this study, I can compare those
perceptions to find the similarities and differences between them. I can find how
Chinese and American cultures percept about the meaning of success, the process
to achieve success, the characteristics of a successful person, and the values of
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
This chapter talks about the methodology of conducting this study. This
chapter is divided into three parts. The first part is the object of the study. In this
part, the readers can find the explanation about the novels. The second part is the
approach which is used in the analysis of the novel. The third part is the method
of the study which explains about the method being used in conducting this
research. The last part is the organization of the study which consists of
explanations from the content of each chapter in this thesis.
3.1 Object of the Study
In this study, I use two novels as the main sources to help me find the
answers for the problem. The first novel is The Kitchen God’s Wife written by
Amy Tan. The second novel is Jonathan Livingston Seagull written by Richard
Bach.
According to Academy of Achievement, The Kitchen God’s Wife is Amy
Tan’s subsequent novel after The Joy Luck Club which confirmed her reputation
and enjoyed excellent sales. It consists of 532 pages. This novel was released in
1991 and divided into 26 chapters.
In summary, the novel tells us about Pearl who faces the difficulties in her
life in American society because she lives in bicultural condition between
American and Chinese culture. In The Kitchen God’s Wife, Amy Tan tries to
discuss the issues of the immigrant experience and the generation gap between
immigrants and their children. It can be seen through the story of Pearl as a
Chinese American immigrant daughter. Pearl as a Chinese American immigrant
daughter has to struggle to get a confession of her existence as an American.
However, she tries not to lose her identity as part of a Chinese by holding Chinese
traditions and customs. She faces so many difficult situations because she is
American born but raised in a household with Chinese customs and traditions. It is
difficult for someone like her to choose whether she has to live by being fully
American or fully Chinese. In some parts, she shows her refusal to accept her
Chinese heritage because she feels too much pressure on her. Moreover, The
Kitchen God’s Wife deals not only with the issues of self identity but also with
philosophies, especially Chinese and American philosophies.
The second novel is Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Jonathan Livingston
Seagull is Richard Bach’s novel which tells us about a seagull learning about life
and fly. It consists of 127 pages. In this novel, we are introduced to a seagull
named Jonathan who learns to fly in a long distance and in a high speed. He flies
for the love of flying rather than merely to catch fish as their food. He wants to
change common habits of seagull. Jonathan wants to achieve the ability of flying
in perfection.
At first, every seagull mocks him. They thought that a seagull is created
not to fly in a long distance and cannot fly in a high speed. A seagull is only a
bone and feathers they said. However, at the end of the story, Jonathan can change
catch fish as their food. He can prove that he can achieve all his dreams in
perfection. However, although he already succeeds, he keeps sharing his
experience and ability with others.
According to Byrne, Jonathan Livingston Seagull was first published in
1970. As soon as it was published, this novel became a favourite novel throughout
the United States. By the end of 1972, over a million copies were in print.
Moreover, after Reader's Digest had published a condensed version, this book
reached the top of the New York Times Best Seller list. It is still in print as of
2008 and was recently named as one of "The 12 top titles that booksellers must
always stock" by the British Daily Telegraph.
3.2 Approach of the Study
A literary approach is needed in order to analyze a literary work so that a
good analysis can be produced. In this study, a Socio-cultural approach is
employed in analyzing the novels. Socio-cultural approach is an approach which
is used to analyze or examine the elements of literary work in the cultural,
economic, and political field. This approach focuses on civilization, the way of
life or culture of a specific group of people, in analyzing a work of literature.
Looking at the problem formulation, this study intends to compare the
perceptions of achieving a successful life as revealed in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen
God’s Wife and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Those two novels
are written by two authors coming from two different cultures. Amy Tan is a
and perceptions of Chinese culture. Meanwhile, Richard Bach is an American
born writer. Lots of his novels are influenced by certain values and perceptions of
American culture. Therefore, in other words, this study intends to compare the
perceptions of achieving a successful life which come from Chinese and
American culture.
Since this study intends to compare certain perceptions from certain
cultural backgrounds revealed in the literary works, I use socio-cultural approach.
The consideration of choosing socio-cultural approach in this study is due to the
function of this approach is to examine literary works by analyzing the social,
cultural, and intellectual context that produces it. This approach focuses more to
the cultural values contained in the literary work. Hence, the use of this approach
will give lots of benefits to prove that there is a strong relationship from the
influence of certain cultural values to certain perceptions comes up in the literary
work.
3.3 Method of the Study
In conducting this research, I used a library research method. The library
research is done in order to find as much as possible information that was needed
in conducting this study. There were two sources in analyzing the novel. The
novels entitled Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Kitchen God’s Wife were
used as the primary sources. Then, as the secondary sources, some reviews of
several proponents were compiled from some books in the library as well as from
several sites in the internet.
I divided the steps that I used in conducting this research of study. The
first step was reading the novel thoroughly in order to get more comprehension
about the development of the characters in the novel and the perceptions which
are influenced by certain cultural values and philosophies. In this step, I analyzed
the quotations from the novels using the approach, theories, and some reviews
which are applied in this study. By doing this analysis, I revealed the evidences
from the novels that someone’s perceptions about certain things are really
influenced by the values and philosophies of certain culture.
The second step was to find the appropriate theories to answer the problem
which is formulated in the problem formulation. By applying the theory of
cultures and beliefs, I could find that there is a strong influence from the
characteristics and values of certain cultures to someone’s perceptions. Moreover,
by applying some reviews of related culture and perceptions, I could find more
evidences to convince the reader that culture really influences certain perceptions.
Then, by choosing some quotations from the novels which were used in
this study, I could find the appropriate answers and supporting proofs to answer
the question which was stated in the problem formulation. Finding the perceptions
about achieving a successful life from both novels in this study, I could compare
those perceptions to find the similarities and differences between them. I could
the process to achieve success, the characteristics of a successful person, and the
values of success. Those answers were presented in the analysis.
CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses the answers of the question stated in the problem
formulation. This chapter discusses the perceptions of achieving a successful life
according to Chinese culture as revealed in Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife
and according to American culture as revealed in Richard Bach’s Jonathan
Livingston Seagull. The perceptions of achieving a successful life that are
discussed in this part are divided into four kinds of perceptions. Those four kinds’
perceptions of achieving a successful life are about the meaning of success, about
the process of achieving success, about the characteristic of a successful person,
and about the values of success.
Therefore, this chapter is divided into four main parts. The first part
describes the comparison of perceptions in the meaning of success. The second
part describes the comparison of perceptions in the process of achieving success.
The third part describes the comparison of perceptions in the characteristics of a
successful person. The fourth part describes the comparison of perceptions in the
values of success.
4.1 The Meanings of Success
Using the theory of cultures and beliefs, this study intends to prove that
there is a strong influence of the characteristics and values of certain cultures and
beliefs to someone’s perceptions. Certain reviews of related philosophies are also
included in this chapter to support the proofs that someone’s perceptions are really
influenced by certain values of cultures and beliefs. Moreover, certain proverbs of
success are provided as the evidences that certain values of cultures and beliefs
influence someone’s perceptions.
4.1.1 Success is a Continuous Journey
According to American culture, “Success is the continuous journey.” An
American proverb says that “Success is the continuous journey towards the
achievement of predetermined worthwhile goals.” This perception of success is
also supported by the perceptions of success stated by Richard Bach. Richard
Bach, one of American writers, represents his perceptions of success through
several lines in his novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
“Who is more responsible than a gull who finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrabbled after fish heads, but now we have a reason to live - to learn, to discover, to be free! Give me one chance; let me show you what I’ve found…” (59)
From the quotation above, we can see that Richard Bach tries to represent
his perception about the meaning of success. He agrees that success actually is a
continuous journey towards the achievement of predetermined worthwhile goals.
A continuous journey in this case is a representative of series of experiences in
life we have to experience to achieve success. It can be seen through the lines
which describes that Jonathan experiences flying only to get a fish as food
everyday for a long time. However, now, Jonathan finds a new reason to live his
life. He can learn to fly with love than just to get food. He finds that actually a
lines describe that Jonathan has to experience some processes of learning to fly.
journey that Jonathan has to experience for a long time. Series of experiences that
Jonathan has to experience lead him to certain directions he wants to achieve, of
course that must be a success. Success that Jonathan wants to achieve in this case
is seagull can fly in a long distance and in a high speed. He wants to prove that
actually seagull can have the same meaning as other kinds of birds. Every seagull
can fly to anywhere they want to go.
Then, the achievement of success can be seen through the fact that
Jonathan finally can fly in a long distance and in a high speed. It can be seen
through the lines which describes that Jonathan says to Council Flock to give him
one more chance so that he can show what he has found (59) and
His thought was triumph. Terminal velocity! A seagull at two hundred
fourteen miles per hour! It was a breakthrough, the greatest single moment in
the history of the Flock, and in that moment a new age opened for Jonathan Gull. (47)
A single wingtip feather, he found, moved a fraction of an inch, gives a smooth sweeping curve at tremendous speed. Before he learned this, however, he found that moving more than one feather at that speed will spin you like a rifle ball ... and Jonathan had flown the first aerobatics of any seagull on earth. (48)
