ABSTRAK
KUSUMASARI, FRISCHA. The Impact of the Social Surroundings towards the Compulsive Buying Disorder of the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confession of a Shopaholic. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra. Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2017.
Karya sastra yang dianalisis dalam skripsi ini adalah novel berjudul Confession of a Shopaholic karya Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella dalam seri novel Shopaholicnya bercerita tentang seorang wanita yang ketagihan belanja sehingga menjadi seseorang yang gila belanja. Ada beberapa alasan mengapa seseorang menjadi gila belanja. Berdasarkan Rosenberg dan Feder dalam bukunya berjudul Behavioral Addictions, seorang gila belanja dapat disebut dengan sebutan Compulsive Buying Disorder melalui beberapa ciri. Ciri-ciri tersebut adalah Sailance, Tolerance, Withdrawal Symptoms, Conflict and Relapse. Untuk menganalisis CBD sebagai dampak dari lingkungan sosial, teori latar dan tempat akan digunakan.
Ada tiga masalah yang dirumuskan dalam karya ilmiah ini. Pertama, merumuskan tentang bagaimana karakteristik tokoh utama yang mencerminkan Compulsive Buying Disorder. Rumusan masalah yang kedua untuk menganalisa tentang bagaimana deskripsi lingkungan sosial tokoh utama. Rumusan masalah yang ketiga adalah untuk menemukan bagaimana lingkungan sosial mempengaruhi CBD.
Dalam menyusun skripsi ini, penulis menggunakan metode penelitian pustaka dengan sumber utama novel karya Sophie Kinsella berjudul Confession of a Shopaholic. Materi penunjang adalah buku dan karya ilmiah yang berhubungan dengan teori yang digunakan di dalam penelitian ini. Teori-teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah sebagai berikut, teori tentang tokoh dan penokohan, teori latar, dan teori CBD. Pendekatan psikologis digunakan untuk menganalisa perubahan kepribadian tokoh sebagai dampak dari lingkungan sosial.
ABSTRACT
KUSUMASARI, FRISCHA. The Impact of the Social Surroundings towards the Compulsive Buying Disorder of the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confession of a Shopaholic. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2017.
The literary work that is analyzed in this study is a novel entitled Confession of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella in her Shopaholic stories tells about a woman, who is addicted to go shopping. There are usually some reasons why someone becomes shopaholic. According to Rosenberg and Feder in the book of Behavioral Addictions, a shopaholic can be identified as Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) by several components. Those are, Salience, Tolerance, Withdrawal Symptoms, Conflict and Relapse. To analyze the CBD as an impact of social surroundings, the theory of setting will be applied.
There are three objectives of this study. The first objective is to depict what the characteristics of the main character that reflect the CBD. The second objective is to analyze how social surroundings are described. The third objective is to find out how the social surroundings influence the CBD.
The research method applied in this study is library research. The primary source is Sophie Kinsella’s novel entitled Confession of a Shopaholic. The secondary sources are taken from books and thesis that are related to the theory applied in this study. Theories which are applied in this study are theory of character and characterization, theory of setting, and theory of Compulsive Buying Disorder. Psychological approach is used to analyze the impact of the social surroundings toward the main character’s personality.
IN SOPHIE KINSELLA’S CONFESSION OF A SHOPAHOLIC
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
FRISCHA KUSUMASARI Student Number: 134214006
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
ii
IN SOPHIE KINSELLA’S CONFESSION OF A SHOPAHOLIC
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
FRISCHA KUSUMASARI Student Number: 134214006
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
vii
“I can’t change the direction of the wind,
but I can adjust my sail to always reach
my destination
.”
viii
This thesis is dedicated to
MY BELOVED PARENTS,
MY LITTLE ANGEL, PANDAN And
ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my gratitude to God and my savior, Jesus Christ, for His blessing so that I was able to finish my thesis. He gave me strength and good health so that I could endure the whole process of making this thesis. Thesis writing is an amazing process for me and in this process I am blessed with the following amazing advisor who always help me to get through this process. My deepest gratitude goes to my humble advisor, DewiWidyastuti, S.Pd.,M.Hum., and my co-advisor, Dra. Theresia Enny Anggraini, M.A., Ph.D., for imparting their knowledge and guidance in completing this thesis.
I believe that I would never accomplish my thesis without the help from others. My gratitude also goes to my parents for their endless love and support that keep me motivated to complete this undergraduate. I would like also to thank my sister for her second academic title, M.A., so that I can be more enthusiastic to finish this thesis. To my little family, I am thankful toPandanmy little angel who always be my mood-booster, and also for Vito Babtista who always gives support.
I would like to thank my dearest friends, Yohana, Imas, Deasy, Istu, Eunike and Karina. I would like also to thank for helping me through this process, especially to Yohana and Imas who always be my lovely reader. I would like to thank the A class for being part of my learning process in Sanata Dharma University.
Last but not least, I give thanks to all the people who give me thoughts, advice, and awareness of this life.
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... ii
APPROVAL PAGE ... iii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ... iv
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH ... v
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ... vi
MOTTO PAGE ... vii
V. Theory of Character and Characterization ... V0 2. Theory of Setting... VV A. The Characteristics of Rebecca Bloomwood ... 22
V. Shopaholic ... 22
2. Self-Justification ... 24
xi
B. Society in the Novel ... 28
V. Places... 29
2. Relationship ... 3V 3. Family ... 33
C. The Influence of Society toward CBD ... 34
V. Places... 36
2. Rebecca’s Friends ... 39
3. Family ... 43
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ... 45
xii
ABSTRACT
KUSUMASARI, FRISCHA. The Impact of the Social Surroundings towards the Compulsive Buying Disorder of the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confession of a Shopaholic. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2017.
The literary work that is analyzed in this study is a novel entitled
Confession of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella in her Shopaholic stories
tells about a woman, who is addicted to go shopping. There are usually some reasons why someone becomes shopaholic. According to Rosenberg and Feder in the book of Behavioral Addictions, a shopaholic can be identified as Compulsive
Buying Disorder (CBD) by several components. Those are, Salience, Tolerance,
Withdrawal Symptoms, Conflict and Relapse. To analyze the CBD as an impact of social surroundings, the theory of setting will be applied.
There are three objectives of this study. The first objective is to depict what the characteristics of the main character that reflect the CBD. The second objective is to analyze how social surroundings are described. The third objective is to find out how the social surroundings influence the CBD.
The research method applied in this study is library research. The primary source is Sophie Kinsella’s novel entitled Confession of a Shopaholic. The secondary sources are taken from books and thesis that are related to the theory applied in this study. Theories which are applied in this study are theory of character and characterization, theory of setting, and theory of Compulsive Buying Disorder. Psychological approach is used to analyze the impact of the social surroundings toward the main character’s personality.
xiii ABSTRAK
KUSUMASARI, FRISCHA. The Impact of the Social Surroundings towards
the Compulsive Buying Disorder of the Main Character in Sophie Kinsella’s Confession of a Shopaholic. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra. Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2017.
Karya sastra yang dianalisis dalam skripsi ini adalah novel berjudul Confession of a Shopaholic karya Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella dalam seri novel Shopaholiknya berkerita tentang seorang wanita yang ketagihan belanja sehingga menjadi seseorang yang gila belanja. Ada beberapa alasan mengapa seseorang menjadi gila belanja. Berdasarkan Rosenberg dan Feder dalam bukunya berjudul Behavioral Addictions, seorang gila belanja dapat disebut dengan sebutan Compulsive Buying Disorder melalui beberapa kiri. Ciri-kiri tersebut adalah Sailance, Tolerance, Withdrawal Symptoms, Conflict and Relapse. Untuk menganalisis CBD sebagai dampak dari lingkungan sosial, teori latar dan tempat akan digunakan.
Ada tiga masalah yang dirumuskan dalam karya ilmiah ini. Pertama, merumuskan tentang bagaimana karakteristik tokoh utama yangmenkerminkan Compulsive Buying Disorder. Rumusan masalah yang kedua untuk menganalisa tentang bagaimana deskripsi lingkungan sosial tokoh utama. Rumusan masalah yang ketiga adalah untuk menemukan bagaimana lingkungan sosial mempengaruhi CBD.
Dalam menyusun skripsi ini, penulis menggunakan metode penelitian
pustaka dengan sumber utama novel karya Sophie Kinsella berjudul Confession of
a Shopaholic. Materi penunjang adalah buku dan karya ilmiah yang berhubungan dengan teori yang digunakan di dalam penelitian ini. Teori-teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah sebagai berikut, teori tentang tokoh dan penokohan,
teori latar, dan teori CBD. Pendekatan psikologis digunakan untuk menganalisa
perubahan kepribadian tokoh sebagai dampak dari lingkungan sosial.
1 CHAPTER I
INTRODECTION
A. Background of the Study
Literature can be seen as the activity of human creation that lives in the
social life with all the matters. Those matters of social life will make literature
have their own world on describing something.
Another way of defining literature is to limit it to ‘great books’, book which, whatever their subject, are ‘notable for literary form of expression’ (Wellek and Warren, 1962: 21).
There are so many expressions in the literature. In the literary works, the
value of the story can be the strongest point. The importance of the content can be
the points to learn for human life. Literature is also good to be understood as
human life’s reflection. Every literary work has its own specialty to be discussed.
In the other words, every literary works has their own aesthetic value that can be
seen from certain point of view.
Intrinsic and extrinsic elements are the way to analyze a literary work. The
theme, characters, setting, plot, symbol, and point of view are the intrinsic
elements. The extrinsic elements are everything outside the literary works that
inspire the reader, such as the background of the writer, economics, politics,
historical problem or the psychological problems of the character. The writer
chooses to discuss a novel for this study. The writer discuss the novel through the
intrinsic and extrinsic elements.
Psychological life and the characteristic of the main characters become the
novel will be the thing to discuss. Rebecca as the main character has a problem
with her shopping addiction.
In the era of credit card and shopping online are very helpful for everyone to
buy something. People do not have to go somewhere, bring cash money and go
around the store to get something. The facilities of online shop also changes
everything. A lot of promotion and discount from the card facilities have
increased while people choose to use their credit cards. These situations do not
have ends. In the matter of time, people will be addicted to shopping. People’s
personality could be change because of these things.
People have to know about this addictive disorder (compulsive buying
disorder) and spend their money wisely. Because of the credit card and shopping
online, shopaholic become one of addictive disorder that mostly happen in the
society. The writer chooses this novel to be discussed because the problem of the
main character can be the life – learning. Psychological analysis is one of many
terms that can be the instrument to criticize literary works. Sometimes the reader
get the story’s value from the psychological point of view.
By ‘psychology’ of literature, we may mean the psychological study of the writer, as type and as individual, or the study of the creative process, or the study of psychology types and laws present within works of literature (Wellek and Warren, 1962: 81).
The writer finds out that the main character has special disorder to be
discussed by psychological analysis. The social surroundings can be the main
point about the reason behind the main character’s disorder. The influence of the
In general, personality can be defined as the human characteristic. It can
make them different to each other because human’s personality has their own
specialty. In this novel Rebecca has unusual characteristic in her character as a
woman who loves to shop. Coombs (2004: 411) stated that “buying impulses are
normal and frequent and can help people feel better about themselves, at least
temporarily.” Rebecca as the main character usually feels better with something
new in her life. It makes her become addicted because she always wants to buy
something that actually is not necessary. Shopaholic is kind of addictive disorder.
Carson (2000: 374) states that “addictive behavior is one of the most pervasive
and intransigent mental health problem facing our society today”. As stated
before, the shopping addiction is also called as the compulsive buying disorder. It
is the disorder which is not realized by the people in general.
The writer chooses one of Sophie Kinsella’s novels entitled Confession of a
Shopaholic to be analyzed. The writer is interested in analyzing this novel because of the characterization of the main character that often happens in the society.
There are several shopaholic’s series by Kinsella, but the writer chooses this novel
because the main character’s life as the shopaholic begins here. This novel tells
about a woman named Rebecca who becomes shopaholic in her life. There are
many problems that she has to face because of her addiction to certain brands.
This behavior shows the reader that the main character has a compulsive buying
disorder. As it is mentioned before, the main character named Rebecca has a
The writer chooses the novel in this study because the writer finds some
problems in the story that are similar to the society. The social surroundings is the
important thing to be discussed about why someone personality can change into
disorder. In a word, the novel can teach the reader about managing the money.
Furthermore, it also shows us about how close the social surroundings can give
impact to the personality.
B. Problem Formulation
Through this novel, this study has some problems that need to be identified.
The problems that the writer identifies are related to:
1. What do the characteristics of the main character that reflect the compulsive
buying disorder?
2. How are the social surroundings described?
3. How do the social surroundings influence the compulsive buying disorder of
the main character?
C. Objectikes of the Study
This study has three objectives. The first objective is to find the personality
disorder in the main character, Rebecca Bloomwood. The writer identifies how
Rebecca as the main character is described in her personality, her daily life, and
her behavior in the social life which can be reflected as the personality disorder.
The second objective is to find out about the settings of the novel. The writer finds
out more information about the settings that influence the story. The third
personality disorder. The writer analyzes about Rebecca’s social life in two
points. They are her life style and the social cultures where she lives.
D. Definition Terms
In order to avoid misunderstanding, the terms that are related to the topic are
going to be explained. There are two terms that are used in this study.
The first term is the social surroundings. According to Klarer, “the term
‘setting’ denotes the location, historical period, and social surroundings in which
action of a text develops.” (1999: 25). In a word, the social surroundings in this
study is related to the location and the social life in the novel. It is followed by
some factors such as the family, society, and relationship.
The second term is the compulsive buying disorder. “The compulsive
buying disorder is characterized by excessive shopping cognition and buying
behavior that leads to distress or impairment.” (Black: 2007:1). The compulsive
buying disorder is one of the disorder that happen because of some reasons. This
study focuses on the social surroundings as the reason of the disorder.
The third term is the definition of social surroundings based psychology. In
order to see the bridge between literature and pschology, the definition of social
surrounding based on psychology is needed.
The Social and Environmental Psychology theme comprises two collaborative groupings conducting basic and applied research addressing issues such as behaviour change, collective action, attitudes, values, motives, lifestyles, judgments of risk, conflict and prejudice. (www. psych.cf.ac.uk).
Based on pyschology, the term of “social surrounding” is known as social
6
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
The novel of Confession of a Shopaholic is written by an English novelist in
2009, Sophie Kinsella. According to the New York Times Version Kinsella
becomes the bestselling author. She has written many interesting chick-lit novels.
Most of her novels become the bestseller. In the shopaholic’s series, Kinsella has
written about seven books. The earliest, Confession of a Shopaholic has a good
story that makes the reader wants to read the next book of the shopaholic series. In
the shopaholic series, Rebecca Bloomwood is the main character. In this novel
Rebecca successfully attracts the readers with her story because of her behavior as
a shopaholic. Having behavior as a shopping addict makes Rebecca have
Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD).
The Teknosastik Journal (2014) by Mulia Hetti and Yuseano Kardiansyah is a
study about Oniomania as seen in Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic Novel.
The journal discusses the main character as an oniomania sufferer. By using data
gathering and library research, the study is about the cause of the Becca’s
oniomania. This journal states that the reasons behind it are the consumerism and
the childhood experience. The researchers explain further about the Becca’s
oniomania in her personality. It is explained that being an oniomania sufferer is
release her desire. This journal also states that oniomania is called compulsive
buying disorder.
With this analysis, the researchers explains in depth about the oniomania sufferer inside the novel The Confession of a Shopaholic. It explained that Rebecca as oniomania sufferer is indicated by her senseless and Rebecca euphoria in shopping. Rebecca always spends money to buy things which are not being her need, she was also getting pleasure after doing the shopping. Those become the main focus of the writer in this analysis (Hetti and Kardiansyah, 2014: 14).
The journal analyses Rebecca’s oniomania in term of shopaholic. Some
indications are made to understand further about the oniomania inside Rebecca’s
personality. Hetti and Kardiansyah said that Rebecca as an oniomania sufferer has
senseless of shopping.
Wididianingrum Nandini (2006) in her Undergraduate Thesis “Criticism to
Consumeristic Society in Don Delilo’s Cosmopolis and Sophie Kinsella’s
Confession of a Shopaholic” proves that Rebecca Bloomwood is one of the
representations of over-consumptive character. In the other words, Rebecca is the
representation of cosmopolitan London woman. As the cosmopolitan London
woman, Nandini finds out that one of Rebecca’s characteristics is consumptives.
Nandini uses comparative study for analyzing consumptive behavior. She
compares the consumptive behavior in two novels as an effect of Second World
War.
Consumerism in Cosmopolis and Kinsella’s novel is quite similar. Nandini
describes the consumerism from some aspects such as appearance, personality,
friends, and their responsibility towards money. Besides, in the contexts of
culture. According to Nandini’s thesis, consumeristic society becomes the main
point to analyze the characters of both novel. Nandini also studies that the
consumeristic society that is described in the novel must be similar to the writer’s
society. This thesis states that (2006: 25) “Rebecca Blomwood, the major
character, is mostly depicted to show consumerism has affect her.” Consumeristic
problem is an impact from the society. It becomes the reason why Nandini’s thesis
concerns to analyze about how such phenomenal issue as consumerism has
influenced the society as seen in both novel.
The similar study is done by Agustina Herni Lestari (2011). In her thesis,
“The Influence of Motivation toward Rebecca’s Shopping Disorder as seen in
Sophie Kinsella’s Confession of a Shopaholic”, Rebecca is described as a
shopping addict. It is more or less similar to Nandini’s thesis. The term of
consumerism is also used in her study because of the Rebecca’s behavior as a
shopaholic. Lestari tends to discuss to the emotion and motivation of the
neighborhood toward Rebecca’s shopping disorder. Motivation in this study is
described as the surrounding environment that influences the Rebecca’s shopping
disorder.
Rebecca is a shopaholic who always tries hard to get all the stuff she wants whatever the way. She uses her instinct as a shopaholic. It is like mother who understand the crying of her baby. The mother uses her instinct to know wat her baby needs, whether the baby needs some milk, feel hunger, or needs a friend. Rebecca always uses her instinct when she shop (Lestari, 2011: 48).
In the Lestari’s thesis, Rebecca is described as a person who likes to do
like a person who has instinct to do everything in order to buy something. It is
also stated that her instinct as a shopaholic becomes one of her motivation.
The two theses mostly discuss on the consumerism of the main character and
about the influence of the disorder. The first thesis is about the consumeristic
behavior while the second is more about the motivation of shopping. Both of the
study also discuss about the Rebecca’s behavior towards the society.
This present thesis also chooses Confession of a Shopaholic as the object of
the study. This thesis focus to analyze the main character of the novel, Rebecca.
Being different to the Teknosastik Journal, Nandini’s thesis and Lestari’s thesis
that mostly discuss about the oniomania inside the main character, the
representation of over consumptive person or as cosmopolitan London woman,
and also the motivation of Becca’s shopping disorder, this present study will focus
on the Rebecca’s CBD that is influenced by the social surroundings. Although, all
these studies talk about the main character, this present study has different point
of view compared with the previous studies. Here, the things that are going to be
analyzed further are the characteristic of the society in the novel, the characteristic
of CBD inside the main character, and the CBD that characterized in the main
character as an impact of the society. In order to know the reason behind
Rebecca’s disorder, the writer uses psychology analysis. By using the
psychological approach, this study is going to be expanded in terms of social
B. Review of Related Theories
In order to make this study become scientific, the writer needs some theories
as the references. There are three theories that will be used in this study. They are
theory of character and characterization, theory of setting, and theory of
Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD).
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
Characters in the story seem to be the most important point. Characters are
important because they are the elements who establish the plot of the story. There
are several kinds of characters in every story. According to Klarer (1999: 17) the
kinds of character are divided into two. First, typified character or called as flat
character. Second, individualized character or called as round character. Flat
character is usually dominated by one specific trait and the round character
usually denotes a person with more complex and different feature.
According to Abrams (1985: 24) characterization can be analyzed by using
showing method. The author will let the reader to conclude about the character’s
motives and disposition behind it by understanding about what the characters talks
and act. In order to expand the inferences about the characterization, the reader
can make form of what the characters have talk about when they talk to each
other.
The theory of character and characterization is necessary to use in this
the characters have. Murphy (1972: 161-173) states that to understand further
about the characters, there are nine important points that are needed. They are:
a. Personal Description: The author can describe about the appearance and clothes of the person.
b. Character seen by another: A person can be described through the eyes and opinions of another by the author.
c. Speech: By looking at what the person say, the author can gives us an insight into the character of one of the person in the book.
d. Past life: The author makes the reader learn about the person’s life in the past that can be the clue to shape a person character.
e. Conversation of Others: It is the way how the author figure out the character by learning something in the person’s past life.
f. Reactions: The person’s character can be understood by knowing the reaction of the person towards the various situation and event.
g. Direct Comment: The author describe or comments on a person’s character directly.
h. Thought: It is the way the author gives the reader direct knowledge of what person thinking.
i. Mannerism: The person’s character can be understood in person’s mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies which is described by the author.
The nine elements of the theory of character and characteristics by M.J.
elements that will be used are Personal Description, Character seen by another,
Speech, Past life, and Reaction.
2. Theory of Setting
According to Klarer (1999: 25), the term ‘setting’ denotes the location,
historical period, and social surroundings in which action of a text develops. It
means that setting is the aspect that supports the action to take place, such as
place, time, and the environment. Setting can be defined as the location where
something happens. Klarer also states that setting can be the crucial point or
elements (1999: 26). By using the theory of setting, the writer finds out some
important points about setting in the novel such as the social environment that
influences the main character’s behavior.
Dealing with the social surroundings means that the study also deal with the
society of the story. Society is related to the human relationship with around them.
In the book of Society in the Novel (1984: 6) by Elizabeth Langland, society in the
novel is described in some points such as custom, beliefs, physical environment,
human relationship, background, places and institution. According to Murphy
(1972: 143), there are three points to consider in setting. The points are time,
place, and atmosphere. By looking to the theory of setting from Elizabeth
Langland and Murphy, setting can be concluded into three things. Those things
are places, relationship, and family.
3. Theory of Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD)
Literature and psychology are two different disciplines. Talking about
fiction, drama, vice versa. Then in the psychology, it is scientific that deal with
human’s behavior, mental human personality. In a word, psychology is called as
the study of human minds work. In order to analyze the psychological thing in
literary works, both terms can be used to analyze.
Characters in plays and novels are judged by us to be ‘psychologically’ true. Situations are praised and plots accepted because of this same quality. Sometimes a psychological theory, held either consciously or dimply by an author, seems to fit a figure or a situation (Wellek and Warren, 1956: 91).
In the book Theory of Literature by Wellek and Warren, psychological term
can be applied in some ways in literature, such as the characters, the author, and
the background of the story. Psychological theory can help the reader to analyze
the characters behavior and personality. Klarer (1999: 17) states in his book that
A psychological approach is, however, merely one way of evaluating characters; it is also possible to analyze character representation in the context of narratological structures.
Thus, the theory of psychology can be applied to analyze the characteristic
of the character in psychological point of view. In a word, theory of psychology
can be applied in literature to analyze the character inside the story because the
characteristic of human and the characters inside the story are similar.
In human psychological problem, the disorder term usually comes up.
Disorder is human’s behavior or activity which has unusual things in general.
People with disorder always has some different personality. Compulsive buying
disorder (CBD) is one of disorders that mostly happens in society. CBD is the
disorder when people do shopping activity to release their desire. They will not
think about the price, quality, even about the function. They will buy anything to
the Behavioral Addiction by Rosenberg and Feder (2014: 65), to define the
behavioral addiction, there are six components inside. In this study only five
components that is applied. One of the components, Mood-Modification, is not
used because it cannot be applied to the character’s personality. The components
that is applied are, Salience, Tolerance, Withdrawal Symptoms, Conflict and
Relapse.
a. Salience: The behavior in a person’s life becomes the most important activity and also tends to dominate the thinking, feelings and behavior.
b. Tolerance: The process whereby increasing amounts of the behavior are required to achieve the former mood=modifying effects, often meaning
greater periods of time are spent engaging in the behavior, and/or there is a
desire escalation in the intensity, recklessness, destructiveness, and
ego-dystonic nature of behavior.
c. Withdrawal Symptoms: The unpleasant feeling and physical effects such as the moodiness, and irritability that occur when a person cannot engage in the
behavior.
d. Conflict: it referenced discord between the person and the surroundings such as social life, work, hobbies, and interest. Besides, from the individual itself
will be occur intraphysic conflict or subjective feelings of loss of control. In a
word, it is concerned with spending too much time for engaging in addictive
e. Relapse: The tendency for repeated behavior to earlier pattern of excessive behavior to recur and for a common return to the most extreme pattern of
excessive behavior soon after period of control.
Thus, it is already explained by Rosenberg and Feder that the behavioral
addiction has some elements about the personality and the social surroundings
that have to be studied. The main character of the story is the object of the study
in CBD. Those elements can be applied in the main character in order to
determine the behavioral addiction.
C. Theoretical Framework
In order to support this study in answering the problems, some theories is
used. The theories are theory of character and characterization, theory of setting,
and theory of compulsive buying disorder.
The theory of character and characterization is used to describe the
characteristic of the main character Rebecca Bloomwood. The characteristic of the
main character is going to be analyzed by using the characterization. The writer
finds out that Rebecca has unusual behavior. She is shopping addictive.
According to Klarer’s theory, the writer finds that Rebecca is an individual’s
change character. This character is considered as the round character.
Characterization in this study will also be studied by using Murphy’s theory in
analyzing character. In the Murphy’s theories, there are several elements such as
personal description, character seen by another, speech, past life, reactions, and
of the story because some of them cannot be applied. Those elements are personal
description, character seen by another, speech, past life and reaction.
Theory of setting is used to analyze where the story take place. The term of
setting in this study is the social surroundings of the main character. It includes
the place, time, and the social environment. Theory of setting by Murphy (1972:
143) is used to analyze the time, place and atmosphere inside the story that
influence the main character’s behavior.
Theory of Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) is related to the Rebecca’s
disorder. Becca’s addiction to shopping makes her become CBD. Based on the
Rosenberg and Feder in the theory of CBD which is stated, some components will
be used to analyze Rebecca’s disorder. The components are salience, tolerance,
17 CHAPTER III
METHODOEOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of this study is one of the shopaholic series by Kinsella,
Confession of a Shopaholic. This is the very first book of the shopaholic series
and was published in New York 2001. The novel that is used in this study is the
fifth edition. It was published in New York 2007 and consists of 269 pages.
Moreover, it is divided into 24 chapters. Kinsella is a bestselling author based on
New York Times. This novel has a genre as chick lit novel that mostly attracts the
young female’s readers.
Briefly, this novel tells about a shopaholic woman with all her financial
problems and falls in love with a guy in the middle of her complicated problems.
There is something that is interesting in the beginning of this novel. It is the event
when the form of letter from Endwich Bank is sent to the main character. The
main character, Rebecca, has some financial problems. Rebecca Bloomwood is a
25 year-old woman who lives in London where fashion is something priceless.
She works as a writer in Successful Saving (financial magazine). Working at the
financial magazine does not give any impact on her life. It is proven by the
financial problem that she has to face. Some financial problems come one by one
in her life. Being the writer in Successful Saving does not mean that she is able to
Shopping is the most favorite activity that Becca likes. The only reason why
she cannot get out of her problems is because she cannot control her hobby. Becca
is called as a shopaholic because she always feels better when she can hear any
ring of the cashier machine. The mannequin in every shop looks very beautiful in
her eyes. The talking mannequin is always in her mind. She feels that the
mannequin gets her attention to any kind of thing that she bought. Even it makes
her purchase something which is not necessary.
In order to fix her financial problem, Becca consults this problem with Suze
who is her best friend. Actually, Suze is also a shopaholic. However, in this
situation she tries to help Becca. She does some advices from Suze. As her mind
is complicated by her financial problem, there is a guy who successfully distracts
her love life. In Rebecca’s thought, to make her life happy is not about having
relation with a guy. She feels that she does not need any guy in her life.
Meanwhile, for Becca, shopping is the only thing that can create happiness.
B. Approach of the Study
Discussing the psychological problem, the writer uses psychological
approach. According to Wellek and Waren (1956: 91) psychological term can be
applied to the literature, such as characters, the author, and background of the
story. In this study, psychological approach is used to analyze the character of the
story. In relationship between literature and psychology, theory of psychology can
be applied in literature to analyze the character inside the story. It is because the
In the book of A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature (Guerin,
2011: 222), psychological approach is defined as the psychological interpretation
and used to analyze human personality through human’s mind. It is also used to
reinforce the understanding and the appreciation of a literary works by analyzing
one of the characters in the story through psychological approach. Since literary
works mostly discuss on human relationship, human behavior, and the conflict,
psychological approach can be used to describe the development of personality
disorder that is experienced by the character.
In a more specific conclusion, psychological approach is used to determine
the reason behind the development of personality disorder. The writer uses
psychological approach because it deals with human’s psychological aspect. The
psychological aspect of human is usually influenced by the society. In a word, this
aspect can be influenced by the society or the social surroundings. This approach
focuses on human activities. It deals with the way the society influences
someone’s behavior. Therefore, the writer uses psychological approach to analyze
the psychological aspect of the main character.
C. Method of the Study
This study is a library research. There were two kinds of sources used in this
study. They are primary source and secondary sources. The first is the primary
source that becomes the main source for this study. It is the novel entitled
Confession of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. The second one is the secondary
are the reviews, the theories, the approach, and some data that are taken from the
internet.
In order to analyze the novel, the writer took some steps. The first step was
reading the novel many times. By reading many times, the writer wanted to have
more understanding about the novel. The second step was stating some problems
that are mentioned in the problem formulation. The third step was collecting the
data that supported the novel. The data were taken from the library research and
internet. Some theories would be used to analyze the novel. The writer found the
theory of Compulsive Buying Disorder from Behavioral Addictions. This theory is
used to analyze the addictive disorder in the main character. Then, the last step
212 CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In2 this2 analysis,2 the2 writer2 tries2 to2 answer2 the2 questions2 in2 the2 problem2
formulation.2This2chapter2is2divided2into2three2parts.2The2first2is2the2characteristic2
of2Rebecca2Bloomwood2as2the2main2character2in2the2Confession of a Shopaholic.2
The2second2is2the2social2surrounding2of2the2novel.2The2third2is2the2influence2of2the2
social2surrounding2toward2the2main2character’s2compulsive2buying2disorder.22
According2to2the2Klarer’s2theory2about2the2kinds2of2character,2the2writer2
concludes2that2Rebecca2is2classified2as2a2round2character.2Klarer’s2theory2(1999:2
17)2states2that2the2round2character2usually2denotes2a2person2with2more2complex2
and2different2features.2Since2the2beginning2of2the2story,2Rebecca2Bloomwood2is2
described2as2a2shopaholic2with2a2lot2of2financial2problems.2She2has2a2lot2of2debts2
because2she2cannot2control2her2desire2to2do2shopping.2Rebecca2is2very2motivated2
in2 doing2 something.2 Moreover,2 she2 is2 a2 self-seeking2 woman.2 She2 usually2 uses2
some2 ways2 in2 order2 to2 get2 something.2 After2 reading2 further,2 the2 writer2 can2
conclude2that2Rebecca2has2personality2disorder.2Because2of2the2society,2Rebecca2
becomes2 one2 of2 Compulsive2 Buying2 Disorder2 sufferers.2 The2 role2 of2 the2 society2
unconsciously2 enhances2 her2 hobby2 that2 is2 a2 shopaholic2 becomes2 a2 personality2
disorder.2
2
222
A. The Characteristics of Rebecca Bloomwood
According2to2the2theory2of2character2and2characterization2by2Murphy2(1972:2
161-173),2there2are2nine2ways2that2can2be2applied2to2analyze2the2characteristic2of2
the2 character.2 In2 this2 study,2 only2 five2 ways2 that2 will2 be2 applied.2 Those2 are2
personality2description,2character2seen2by2another,2speech,2past2life,2and2reaction.2
(2011:2 48).2 Rebecca’s2 desire2 to2 shop2 cannot2 be2 controlled2 when2 she2 looks2 at2
something2 in2 good2 quality.2 It2 becomes2 the2 reason2 why2 Rebecca2 is2 known2 as2 a2
woman2who2has2high-standard2of2style.2By2looking2at2the2personality2description,2
Rebecca2is2described2as2a2252year-old2woman2who2is2addicted2to2shopping.2It2is2
also2stated2in2the2novel2about2Rebecca’s2appearance.2
I2 casually2 close2 my2 eyes2 and2 start2 to2 tot2 up.2 There2 was2 that2 suit2 in2 Jigsaw.2 And2 there2 was2 dinner2 with2 Suze2 at2 Qualinos.2 And2 there2 that2 gorgeous2red2and2yellow2rug.2The2rug2was2£200,2come2to2think2of2it.2But2it2 was2definitely2worth2every2penny—everyone’s2admired2it.2Or,2at2least,2Suze2 has.2
And2the2Jigsaw2suit2was2on2sale—302percent2off.2So2that2was2actually2 saving2money.2
I2 open2 my2 eyes2 and2 reach2 for2 the2 bill.2 As2 my2 finger2 hit2 the2 paper2 I2 remember2new2contact2lenses.2Ninety-five2pounds.2Quite2a2lot.2But,2I2mean,2 I2had2to2get2those,2didn’t2I?2What2am2I2supposed2to2do,2walk2around2in2a2 blur?2(Kinsella,22005:21).2
Being2known2as2a2shopaholic,2Rebecca2usually2wants2to2buy2something2that2
she2 thinks2 as2 a2 good2 thing2 with2 good2 quality.2 The2 brand2 becomes2 the2 most2
important2consideration2for2Rebecca2to2decide2whether2the2things2that2she2wants2to2
buy2is2worth2or2not.2She2will2not2take2any2further2consideration2if2she2thinks2that2
the2brand2that2is2in2sale2is2worth2buying.2
In2the2window2of2Denny2and2George2is2a2discreet2sign.2Its2dark2green2with2 ice2cream2lettering,2and2it2says:2SALE.2I2stare2at2it,2and2my2skin’s2all2prickly.2 I2can’t2be2true.2Denny2and2George2can’t2be2having2a2sale.2They2never2have2a2 sale.2Their2scarves2and2pashminas2are2so2coveted,2they2could2probably2sell2 them2 at2 twice2 the2 price.2 Everyone2 I2 know2 in2 the2 entire2 world2 aspires2 to2 owning2a2Deny2and2George2scarf2(Kinsella,22005:27).2
2
At2that2moment,2Rebecca2will2go2to2the2press2conference2in2Financial Times.2
On2her2way2to2go2to2the2conference,2she2looks2at2the2Denny2and2George’s2window.2
Rebecca2 feels2 that2 she2 wants2 to2 buy2 the2 scarves2 and2 the2 pashmina2 that2 are2
displayed2as2a2sale2in2the2window.2As2a2shopaholic,2she2needs2to2buy2the2thing2that2
she2wants2in2order2to2release2her2desire.2Rebecca2will2insist2on2any2consideration2
that2will2make2the2thing2become2important2to2buy.2By2seeing2at2her2reaction,2the2
writer2 can2 conclude2 that2 it2 can2 be2 one2 of2 the2 characteristics2 of2 Rebecca’s2
shopaholic.2
Rebecca2lives2in2the2flat2with2her2friend2named2Suze.2Also,2Suze2really2
loves2fashion.2Hearing2the2ring2of2cashier2machine,2hearing2some2words2from2the2
shopkeeper2 about2 her2 appearance,2 and2 holding2 some2 paper2 bags2 from2 branded2
shops2always2makes2her2feel2better.2Having2friend2who2also2loves2to2shop2makes2
Rebecca2 feel2 happy.2 She2 will2 buy2 everything2 that2 she2 wants2 without2 any2
characterization2of2character2can2also2be2seen2in2the2way2the2character2talks2and2
mind.2 This2 situation2 makes2 herself2 become2 someone2 who2 does2 shopping2 just2
because2of2her2desire,2not2the2necessity.22
Christmas2 shopping!2 I2 can2 do2 all2 my2 Christmas2 shopping2 here!2 I2 know2 March2is2bit2early,2but2why2not2to2be2organized?2And2then2when2Christmas2 arrives2 I2 won’t2 have2 to2 go2 near2 the2 horrible2 Christmas2 crowds.2 I2 can’t2 believe2 I2 haven’t2 thought2 of2 doing2 this2 before.2 And2 it’s2 not2 breaking2 the2
rules2 because2 I’d2 have2 to2 by2 Christmas2 present2sometime, wouldn’t2 I?2
(Kinsella,22005:268).2 2
2 Looking2at2her2speech,2the2characteristic2of2self-justification2can2be2seen2in2
the2quotation.22The2situation2when2Rebecca2wants2to2buy2something2unnecessary2
happens2in2self-talk.2It2happens2when2she2wants2to2buy2the2Christmas2present2in2
March.2 Normally,2 the2 reason2 to2 buy2 Christmas2 present2 in2 March2 to2 avoid2 the2
The2 other2 reaction2 of2 self-justification2 mostly2 comes2 up2 when2 she2 gets2 her2
self-talk.2 In2 her2 self-talk,2 she2 will2 push2 her2 desire2 to2 buy2 something.2 In2 other2
words,2 she2 will2 think2 that2 it2 is2 better2 to2 buy2 something.2 This2 situation2 happens2
when2she2has2to2avoid2her2desire2to2do2shopping.2All2of2her2efforts2to2save2money2
are2broken2when2she2finds2a2sale.22
I2mean,2I2know2I’m2not2really2supposed2to2be2spending2money—but2this2is2 complete2one-off.2They2are2coolest2jeans2you’ve2ever2seen.2And2902euro2is2 nothing2 for2 a2 pair2 of2 really2 good2 jeans.2 If2 you2 were2 in2 Gucci,2 you’d2 be2 paying2at2least25002euro.2Oh2God,2I2want2them.2I2want2them2(Kinsella,22005:2 92).2
2
The2writer2can2conclude2that2Rebecca2Bloomwood2always2makes2her2self-justification2 when2 she2 wants2 to2 get2 a2 thing.2 She2 tries2 to2 forget2 her2 financial2
problems2in2debt.22In2order2to2fill2her2desire,2she2will2have2some2imagination2in2her2
self-talk2which2looks2like2supporting2her2in2doing2something.2
2 2
3. Self-Seeking
Self-seeking2 is2 a2 condition2 when2 a2 person2 who2 has2 a2 strong2 desire2 or2
determination2to2get2something2for2his2or2her2need.2In2the2self-seeking,2a2person2
will2tend2not2to2care2about2what2happens2to2other2people2when2they2want2to2get2the2
thing.2 In2 the2 novel2Confession of a Shopaholic, Rebecca2 Bloomwood2 can2 be2
categorized2 as2a2self-seeking.2Rebecca2is2a2person2who2has2strong2desire2to2 get2
something2that2she2wants.22
Rebecca2 loves2 fashion2 since2 her2 childhood.2 She2 always2 tries2 to2 match2 the2
style2of2a2person2in2a2magazine.2That2activity2is2her2favorite2one.2She2usually2reads2
It’s2habit2of2mine,2itemizing2all2clothes2I’m2wearing,2as2though2for2a2fashion2
style.2 By2 looking2 at2 her2 past,2 Rebecca2 can2 be2 characterized2 as2 a2 self-seeking2
Although2she2already2thinks2about2the2matter2of2her2business2in2buying2the2
scarf,2 she2 still2 sticks2 on2 her2 side2 that2 her2 business2 is2 more2 important2 than2 the2
miracle2of2a2new2life.2By2seeing2the2reaction,2Rebecca2can2be2characterized2as2a2
self-seeking.2 She2 sticks2 on2 her2 plan,2 no2 matter2 what,2 in2 order2 to2 get2 what2 she2
wants.2
2
B. Society in the Novel
According2 to2 Klarer,2 setting,2 location2 and2 social2 surrounding2 are2 the2
important2point2that2supports2the2action2to2take2place.2In2this2novel,2Confession of
a Shopaholic,2 location2 and2 social2 surrounding2 where2 Rebecca2 lives2 have2
influences2to2Rebecca’s2characteristics.2The2term2society2in2the2novel2is2usually2
related2to2the2relationship2of2the2characters2inside2the2story.2Meanwhile,2Elizabeth2
Langland2 has2 described2 society2 as2 the2 social2 surrounding2 in2 the2 novel2 in2 some2
points,2such2as2the2relationship,2background,2and2places.22
In2 this2 discussion,2 the2 writer2 reveals2 the2 influence2 of2 the2 society2 toward2
Rebecca’s2disorder.2By2observing2the2social2surrounding2in2the2novel,2the2society2
will2 be2 the2 main2 point2 to2 be2 discussed.2 Society2 in2 the2 novel2 is2 the2 aspect2 that2
supports2 the2 story2 to2 take2 place.2 It2 also2 determines2 the2 characteristic2 of2 the2
character2in2the2story.2In2this2study,2the2writer2focus2on2the2society2that2influences2
the2 main2 character’s2 personality.2 Places,2 human2 relationship,2 and2 family2
background2 are2 the2 points2 that2 support2 the2 writer2 on2 analyzing2 the2 main2
character’s2personality.2
1. Places
Someone’s2 lifestyle2 is2 usually2 determined2 by2 the2 place2 where2 he/she2 lives.2
Place2 will2 lead2 someone2 to2 be2 a2 certain2 kind2 of2 person2 that2 is2 similar2 toward2
his/her2 surroundings.2 Social2 surroundings2 in2 the2 certain2 place2 are2 usually2
described2 as2 the2 lifestyle’s2 background2 of2 a2 person.2 In2 the2 novel,2 London2 is2 a2
place2where2all2of2Rebecca’s2story2takes2place.2Trend-fashion2in2London2is2very2
famous.2It2is2seen2in2the2brand2of2the2thing2that2London2has.2Almost2every2brand2is2
known2by2other2countries.2In2London,2Rebecca2lives2in2the2flat2with2her2flat-mate,2
Suze.2It2is2located2in2Fulham.2The2flat2in2Fulham2is2well-known2as2the2luxury2flat2
in2London.2
Suze2suggested2I2move2in2with2her.2I’m2sure2the2rent2she2charges2is2too2low,2 but2I’ve2never2insisted2I2pay2full2the2market2rate,2because2I2couldn’t2afford2it.2 As2 market2 rates2 go,2 I’m2 nearer2 Elephant2 and2 Castle2 than2 Fulham2 on2 my2 salary.2 How2 can2 normal2 people2 afford2 to2 live2 in2 such2 hideous2 expensive2 places?2(Kinsella,22005:221)2
2
2 Rebecca2and2Suze2live2in2the2flat2where2rich2people2live2in.2Based2on2what2
Rebecca2 said2 above,2 the2 hideous2 expensive2 place2 itself2 is2 really2 expensive2 for2
people2who2have2good2salary.2Thus,2the2flat2where2Rebecca2lives2is2surrounded2by2
rich2people2who2can2afford2to2buy2or2rent2the2flat.22People2around2them2look2like2
as2if2they2do2not2have2any2financial2problem.2They2also2have2high-standard2of2life.2
It2is2also2stated2in2the2novel2that2certain2magazine2has2a2review2about2the2girls2who2
live2in2the2flat2has2a2glamorous2life.2The2glamorous2life2can2be2identified2by2seeing2
the2 neighborhood2 of2 the2 flat.2 However,2 this2 situation2 makes2 Rebecca2 feel2 that2
glamorous2is2also2her2style.2It2changes2her2mind-set2in2terms2of2lifestyle.2She2tends2
This2 situation2 is2 very2 different2 from2 Rebecca’s2 financial2 condition.2 She2
be2 described2 as2 someone2 lifestyle’s2 background.2 The2 fact2 that2 Rebecca2 loves2
shopping2and2buying2something2branded2sometimes2becomes2the2reason2why2she2
has2high2standard2of2lifestyle2while2financial2problems2follow2her2life.2In2this2case,2
In2 the2 conversation2 above,2 Rebecca2 does2 not2 look2 interested2 in2 Philip’s2
question.2 She2 realizes2 that2 Philip’s2 statement2 is2not2 really2 true2 for2 her.2 She2 just2
answers2 vaguely2 when2 Philip2 mentions2 about2 the2 trust2 fund2 because2 in2 fact,2
Rebecca2has2no2that2thing2from2her2parents.2However,2in2order2to2pay2the2rent,2she2
usually2pays2it2together2with2Suze.2In2this2situation,2the2problem2is2that2Rebecca2
wants2to2look2the2same2when2she2meets2her2neighbor.22
2 2
2. Human Relationship
Humans2are2social2beings.2As2a2social2beings,2they2need2some2relations2to2
live2 in2 a2 certain2 society2 because2 they2 cannot2 live2 alone.2 It2 is2 the2 reason2 why2
relation2 is2 always2 related2 to2 the2 society.2 Having2 a2 good2 relationship2 with2 the2
society2 will2 help2 someone2 to2 have2 a2 good2 life.2 It2 also2 has2 a2 big2 influence2 to2
someone’s2life.2In2the2society,2there2are2some2components2that2people2have2to2deal2
with,2such2as2friendship,2social2interaction,2job2environment,2and2the2peer2group.22
In2the2story,2Rebecca2has2a2good2 friendship2with2her2flat2mate,2Suze.2She2
feels2that2Suze2always2has2the2same2idea2as2her2in2terms2of2shopping.2They2never2
have2any2serious2problem2about2friendship.2Actually,2Suze2is2also2described2as2a2
shopaholic.2The2same2as2Rebecca,2she2also2has2a2glamorous2life.2It2is2seen2in2the2
way2 Suze2 appreciates2 anything2 that2 Rebecca2 buys.2 Suze2 usually2 knows2 the2
essential2points2inside2the2thing,2such2as2the2standard2of2the2brand,2the2quality,2etc.2
The2difference2is2that2Suze2still2gets2money2from2her2parents2every2month.2Suze’s2
parents2 have2 a2 good2 financial2 condition.2 It2 is2 the2 reason2 why2 she2 never2 gets2
As2a2best2friend,2Suze2usually2helps2Rebecca.2She2never2asks2Rebecca2for2
the2rent2payment2when2she2seems2having2no2money.2Suze2also2becomes2the2one2
who2 will2 be2 asked2 by2 Rebecca2 when2 she2 wants2 to2 buy2 something.2 Having2 the2
same2 idea2 for2 making2 some2 considerations2 in2 shopping2 makes2 both2 of2 them2
become2very2close2to2each2other.22
This2is2why2 I2love2sharing2a2flat2with2Suze.2Julia,2my2old2flat2mate,2 would2have2wrinkle2her2brow2and2said,2“Denny2and2who?”2or,2“That’s2a2lot2 of2 money2 for2 a2 scarf.”2 But2 Suze2 completely2 and2 utterly2 understand.2 If2 anything,2she2worse2than2me2(Kinsella,22005:220).2
2
“Oh2no,”2says2Suze2assuredly.2“What2happens2is,2the2money’s2lent,2it’s2 returned2 with2 a2 thank-you2 letter,2 and2 that’s2 the2 end2 of2 the2 matter.2 This2 card”—she2waves2it2at2me—“this2is2something2extra.”2
This2is2the2way2I2love2sharing2a2flat2with2Suze.2She2knows2stuff2like2 this,2because2she2mixes2in2the2right2social2circles2(Kinsella,22005:270).2
2
Rebecca2 feels2 very2 grateful2 that2 she2 has2 a2 friend2 like2 Suze.2 It2 is2 because2
Suze2is2very2different2from2Rebecca’s2flat2mate2in2the2past.2Besides,2Suze2also2has2
high-standard2of2lifestyle2just2the2same2as2Rebecca.2That2is2why2Rebecca2feels2so2
happy2 when2 there2 is2 someone2 who2 can2 give2 her2 any2 comment2 in2 choosing2
Staring2straight2down2at2me,2I2should2say.2He2must2be2well2over2six2feet2 tall2 with2 dark2 hair2 and2 dark2 eyes2 and2 ...2 wow.2 Isn’t2 that2 suit2 nice?2 An2 expensive2suit2that2almost2makes2you2want2to2be2a2man.2It’s2inky2blue2with2 a2faint2purple2stripe,2single2breasted,2with2proper2horn2buttons.2As2I2run2my2 eyes2 over2 it2 I2 find2 myself2 wondering2 if2 it’s2 by2 Oswald2 Boateng,2 and2 whether2 the2 jacket’s2 got2 a2 silk2 lining2 in2 some2 stunning2 color2 (Kinsella,2 2005:29).22
2
Rebecca’s2 working2 environment2 also2 influences2 her2 as2 a2 shopaholic.2 She2
always2compares2her2outfit2with2the2PR2girl.2She2looks2at2the2appearance2of2PR2
girls2 from2 their2 outfit’s2 brand.2 Unfortunately,2 the2 PR2 girls2 wear2 branded2 outfits2
like2what2Rebecca2usually2wears.2She2tries2to2mention2every2detail2of2it.2Rebecca’s2
working2environment2is2also2surrounded2by2the2people2who2have2high2standard2of2
lifestyle.2Actually,2Rebecca2feels2comfortable2with2some2relationships2with2other2
women2 who2 has2 high2 standard2 of2 lifestyle.2 However,2 this2 situation2 also2 makes2
Rebecca’s2desire2to2have2this2lifestyle2is2growing2bigger.22
usually2 have2 the2 same2 character2 with2 the2 mother2 or2 the2 father.2 In2 the2 term2 of2
setting,2Murphy2has2said2that2past2time2has2some2influences2to2the2characteristic2of2
the2character.222
Someone’s2personality2will2develop2by2the2family.2Family2is2the2important2
point2that2influences2someone’s2personality.2It2is2because2family2is2the2very2basic2
really2love2her.2Rebecca’s2mother2is2described2as2a2woman2who2likes2to2shop.2It2is2
similar2 to2 Rebecca.2 However,2 in2 this2 case,2 her2 mother2 is2 not2 as2 shopaholic2 as2
Rebecca.22
Mom’s2terrible.2She’s2always2buying2new2stuff2for2the2kitchen—and2she2just2 gives2 the2 old2 stuff2 to2 charity2 shops.2 New2 kettles,2 new2 toaster2 ...2 We’ve2 already2had2three2new2rubbish2bins2this2year—dark2green,2then2chrome,2and2 now2yellow2translucent2plastic2(Kinsella,22005:229).2
2
Mum’s2 really2 happy,2 too,2 as2 she’s2 found2 a2 pair2 of2 candle2 sticks2 for2 her2 collection.2 She2 got2 collections2 of2 candle2 sticks,2 toast2 racks,2 pottery2 jugs,2 glass2animal,2embroidered2samplers,2and2thimbles.2(Personally,2I2don’t2think2 the2 thimbles2 count2 as2 a2 proper2 collection,2 because2 she2 got2 the2 whole2 lot.2
Including2 the2 cabinet,2 from2 an2 ad2 at2 the2 back2 of2 the2 Mail on Sunday
magazine.2 But2 she2 never2 tells2 anybody2 that.2 In2 fact,2 I2 shouldn’t2 have2 mentioned2it.)2(Kinsella,22005:230)2
2
It2 shows2 that2 Rebecca’s2 mother2 also2 likes2 to2 buy2 something2 which2 is2 not2
necessary,2for2example2the2kitchen2stuff.2She2buys2a2new2toaster2even2though2she2
still2 has2 the2 good2 one.2 She2 usually2 buys2 something2 just2 because2 the2 color,2 the2
shape,2 or2 the2 motive.2 Also,2 her2 mom2 buys2 some2 unnecessary2 stuffs.2 The2 writer2
concludes2that2Rebeca’s2mom2is2also2a2woman2who2loves2to2shop.2Similar2with2
Rebecca,2her2mom2tends2to2buy2something2which2is2not2necessary2but2not2in2high2
quality.2She2usually2buys2something2because2she2wants2it,2just2like2Rebecca.2It2is2
the2 reason2 why2 Rebecca’s2 mother2 can2 be2 seen2 as2 a2 person2 who2 influences2
Rebecca’s2shopaholic.22
2
C. The Influence of Society toward CBD
After2 knowing2 the2 characteristics2 of2 Rebecca2 as2 the2 main2 character2 and2
identifying2the2society2around2her,2the2writer2complete2this2analysis2by2showing2
Compulsive2Buying2Disorder2(CBD)2sufferer.2In2other2words,2this2part2provides2
the2answer2to2the2third2question.2
Rebecca2Bloomwood2is2the2main2character2who2is2characterized2as2a2CBD2
sufferer.2 Having2 a2 hobby2 to2 do2 shopping2 makes2 her2 addicted2 to2 that2 hobby.2
According2 to2 Rosenberg2 and2 Feeder,2 behavioral2 addiction2 is2 a2 condition2 that2
people2have2when2they2cannot2control2to2engage2with2their2wants.2It2is2one2of2the2
psychological2 problems2 in2 the2 mental2 illness.2 The2 writer2 said2 that2 Rebecca2 has2
psychological2problem2according2to2her2addiction2to2do2shopping.2Also2her2hobby2
causes2her2to2get2financial2problems.2
CBD2 is2 characterized2 by2 someone2 who2 is2 addicted2 to2 buy2 something2 in2
order2to2release2his2or2her2desire.2However,2this2kind2of2habit2makes2a2distress2in2
someone’s2mind.2Rebecca’s2hobby2is2also2known2as2the2reason2that2causes2her2into2
a2 distress.2 According2 to2 the2 book2 of2 Behavioral Addiction,2 CBD2 has2 some2
characteristics,2such2as2Salience, Tolerance, Withdrawal Symptoms, and2Conflict.
Rebecca2has2those2characteristic2as2a2CBD.2Her2characterization2as2a2shopaholic2
also2shows2her2characteristic2as2CBD2sufferer.22
Based2 on2 the2 analysis2 about2 the2 characteristics2 of2 Rebecca2 Bloomwood,2
Rebecca2is2considered2as2a2shopaholic,2self-justification,2and2self-seeking.2In2this2
part2 of2 the2 analysis,2 the2 writer2 provides2 Rebecca’s2 behavioral2 addiction2 that2 is2
affected2 by2 the2 social2 surroundings.2 Rebecca2 is2 surrounded2 by2 society2 that2
unconsciously2 enhances2 her2 shopping2 hobby.2 The2 enhancement2 of2 the2 society2
CBD.2 In2 addition,2 considering2 the2 focus2 of2 this2 analysis,2 the2 writer2 decides2 to2
apply2Rosenberg2and2 Feder’s2theory2about2behavioral2addiction2in2order2to2find2
out2which2part2of2Rebecca’s2life2that2involves2the2most2in2Rebecca’s2personality.2
The2 writer2 provides2 the2 society2 in2 Rebecca’s2 life2 that2 enhances2 one2 of2 her2
characteristics2as2a2CBD2sufferer.22
1. Places
Through2the2explanation2of2Rebecca2as2the2main2character2in2this2novel,2the2
author2clearly2describes2that2Rebecca’s2flat2is2the2trendiest2place2in2Fullham.2In2
this2case,2the2writer2refers2to2the2effect2of2the2social2surrounding2around2the2flat2
towards2the2main2character’s2personality.2As2stated2before,2Rebecca2lives2in2a2flat2
that2 is2 well-known2 as2 the2 trendiest2 flat2 in2 Fulham.2 Living2 in2 the2 society2 where2
people2force2her2to2get2a2better2life2is2not2easy.2In2other2words,2when2people2are2
surrounded2by2high-class2people,2they2tend2to2follow2the2surrounding2in2order2to2
get2the2recognition2from2them,2they2want2to2be2accepted2in2that2society.2
Rebecca2really2loves2to2bring2some2shopping2bags2from2several2expensive2
brands2and2likes2to2call2herself2as2a2woman2who2wears2something2branded.2She2
thought2that2people2who2look2at2her2will2pay2attention2to2what2she2wears.2Also2she2
thought2that2by2wearing2some2branded2stuff,2she2will2be2recognized2as2a2high-class2
person.2When2she2gets2a2new2scarf,2she2calls2herself2as2a2girl2in2the2Denny-George2
scarf.2 Then,2 she2 calls2 herself2 the2 girl2 in2 the2 white2 coat2 when2 she2 gets2 a2 new2
branded2 coat.2 This2 situation2 drives2 her2 shopaholic2 to2 become2 more2 addictive2
The2recognition2as2a2high-class2person2by2wearing2expensive2stuff2is2very2
important2for2her2life.2She2thinks2that2others2will2see2her2as2a2woman2who2has2high2
standard2 of2 lifestyle.2 Thus,2 she2 never2 thinks2 about2 her2 future’s2 need2 such2 as2 a2
house,2saving,2and2so2on.2Rebecca2experiences2it2when2her2childhood2friends2ask2
her2to2get2a2better2flat2though2she2has2lived2in2a2good2flat2with2her2flat-mate.2
“Are2 you2 moving?”2 I2 say2 in2 surprise.2 Elly2 lives2 in2 the2 coolest2 flat2 in2 Camden,2with2two2guys2who2are2in2a2band2and2get2her2into2loads2of2free2gigs2
her2 life.2 By2 answering2 feebly,2 she2 looks2 so2 jealous2 of2 her2 friend.2 Then,2 her2
characteristic2 as2 a2 self-justification2 person2 influences2 her2 to2 justify2 her2 life2 in2
reality2which2is2much2more2different2to2her2old2friends2who2do2not2know2about2
fashion2at2all.2The2moment2of2self-talk2happens.2She2begins2to2blame2others2and2
thinks2 that2 she2 is2 right.2 Rebecca’s2 characteristic2 as2 a2 self-seeking2 person2 also2
makes2her2not2think2about2others.2She2feels2that2her2business2is2her2own.2No2one2
can2change2or2even2touch2it.22
The2writer2sees2that2Rebecca’s2reaction2to2her2old2friends2also2reveals2her2
important2activity.2It2also2dominates2her2way2of2thinking2that2her2own2choice2is2
the2best2for2her.2In2terms2of2a2CBD2sufferer,2it2is2called2as2Salience. The2behavior2
that2Rebecca’s2has2tends2to2dominate2her2feelings2and2behavior.2Rebecca2feels2that2
her2activity2is2important2for2her2life2rather2than2others’2who2look2like2having2more2
perfect2 live.2 She2 will2 not2 care2 about2 others.2 In2 the2 characteristics2 of2 CBD,2 this2
situation2is2called2as2Salience2when2the2behavior2in2a2person’s2life2becomes2the2
most2important2and2tends2to2dominate2the2way2of2thinking,2feelings2and2behavior.222
The2 effect2 of2 society2 towards2 Rebecca2 is2 quite2 influential2 to2 support2 her2
characteristics2as2a2CBD2sufferer.2She2is2very2proud2of2herself2as2a2woman2who2
has2high-standard2of2lifestyle.2She2never2thinks2that2she2has2to2talk2about2property2
or2the2other2similar2stuff.2In2her2mind,2everything2that2she2has2done2is2the2best2for2
her2 though2 she2 has2 to2 make2 some2 distance2 in2 order2 to2 keep2 away2 from2 Derek2
Smeath2and2Ericca2who2come2from2Endwich2Bank.2Having2some2problems2with2
Bank2never2changes2her2mind2to2feel2sorry2about2her2problems.2Since2she2knows2
about2her2debt2from2the2Bank,2she2still2thinks2about2an2impossible2possibility2that2
can2fix2all2the2problems.2Thus,2the2characteristic2of2Salience can2also2be2seen2here.2
Almost2everything2that2she2thinks2as2the2“right”2thing2becomes2important.2It2also2
can2 also2 be2 seen2 as2 a2 shopaholic2 who2 has2 a2 debt2 problem,2 it2 dominates2 her2
thought,2feelings2and2behavior2that2she2is2still2in2the2right2path.22
pence2each.2Which,2naturally,2I’ll2pay2without2question.2Fair’s2fair,2after2all2 (Kinsella,22005:22).2
2The2characteristics2as2a2self-justification2and2self-seeking2can2be2seen2in2the2
paragraph2above.2Rebecca2never2forgets2to2make2some2statements2that2can2make2
her2feel2free2from2the2problems.2Also2she2makes2some2imaginations2of2possibility2
that2 may2 be2 happened2 in2 order2 to2 make2 her2 become2 the2 lucky2 one.2 It2 makes2
Rebecca2never2feel2wrong2with2her2behavior.2Moreover,2it2will2always2dominate2
her2way2of2thinking2that2shopping2until2the2limit2nominal2Visa2is2not2considered2as2
a2serious2problem.2
22
2. Rebecca’s Friends
The2 very2 close2 friend2 or2 sometimes2 called2 as2 best2 friend2 will2 determine2
someone’s2behavior2in2the2society.2Rebecca’s2best2friend,2Suze,2has2a2glamorous2
life.2Suze2comes2from2the2upper-class2family.2It2is2quite2different2from2Rebecca.2
Suze2has2parents2who2still2control2her2life.2Her2parents2usually2gives2her2pocket2
money.2 Moreover,2 Suze2 gets2 a2 flat2 in2 Fulham2 as2 her2 birthday2 present.2 In2 this2
situation,2living2together2with2Suze2makes2Rebecca2feel2that2she2must2become2like2
Suze.2 In2 the2 matter2 of2 shopping,2 Suze2 is2 also2 a2 person2 who2 loves2 to2 shop.2
However,2Suze2is2not2as2shopaholic2as2Rebecca.2Having2family2from2the2upper-class2makes2Suze2feel2that2shopping2is2a2common2thing.2 Another2reason2is2that2
Suze2does2not2have2any2intention2to2be2recognized2as2a2person2with2high2standard2
