ix
ABSTRACT
Riawan, B. Dhedi. 2008. The Influence of the Matriarchal Family on Tom’s Character Development in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Art Education, Faculty of Teachers Training Ed ucation, Sanata Dharma University.
The study discusses the character development of Tom in William’s The Glass Menagerie as he is influenced by the matriarchal family. Referring to Tom as the centre of discussion of the study, the play is about a family which is left by the father because of another woman. Here, Tom is the one who supports the economy of the family by working at the warehouse. Unexpectedly, he is often treated inappropriately by his mother, Amanda. This condition has changed his persona lity and his manner of responding to certain events.
The study aims to answer the question in the problem formulation. The first question is how Tom’s character described in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. The second question is how Tom’s character develops under the influence of a matriarchal family. Referring to the problem formulation questions, the two main aims of the study are to discover how Tom’s characters are described and how he is influenced by the matriarchal family. In order to find the intended answers, the psychological approach was employed to go deeper to the character’s feeling and thinking. The theory of character was used to study carefully the way to comprehend the character and to comprehend the character himself. The approaches required the presence of any other sources. The drama script of Williams’ The Glass Menagerie was the primary source and the other books related to the study were the secondary ones.
x
ABSTRAK
Riawan, B. Dhedi. 2008. The Influence the Matriarchal Family on Tom’s Character Development in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Departemen Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini membahas perkembangan karakter Tom dalam karya William yang berjudul The Glass Menagerie sebagaimana dipengarui oleh keluarga matriarkal. Mengacu pada karakter Tom yang menjadi pembahasan utama dalam studi ini, drama ini mengisahkan tentang sebuah keluarga yang ditinggal pergi oleh seorang kepala keluarga karena tertarik pada wanita lain. Dalam studi ini, Tom adalah seorang yang menopang ekonomi keluarga dengan bekerja di warehouse. Walaupun begitu, dia sering mendapat perlakuan yang tidak sepantasnya dari ibunya sendiri yaitu Amanda. Keadaan seperti ini telah mengubah kepribadian dia dan bagaimana dia menaggapi berbagai peristiwa.
Studi ini bertujuan untuk menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan dalam formulasi masalah. Pertanyaan pertama adalah bagaimana karakter Tom digambarkan dalam karya William yang berjudul The Glass Menagerie. Pertanyaan kedua adalah bagaimana karakter Tom berkembang dalam pengaruh keluarga matriarchal. Mengacu pada pertanyaan-pertanyaan dalam formulasi masalah, ada dua tujuan utama dalam studi ini yaitu menemukan bagaimana karakter Tom digambarkan (melaui kata-kata) dan bagaimana dia dipengaruhi karena hidup dalam keluarga matriarkal. Agar dapat menemukan jawaban-jawaban yang dimaksud, pendekatan psikologis diterapkan untuk mengetahui lebih dalam apa yang dirasakan dan dipikirkan oleh karakter. Teori tentang karakter digunakan untuk menelaah cara memahami karakter dan untuk memahami karakter itu sendiri. Pendekatan-pendekatan tersebut memerlukan sumber-sumber lainnya. Naskah drama dari karya William yang berjudul The Glass Menagerie adalah sumber utama dan buku-buku yang lain adalah referensi kedua.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE MATRIARCHAL FAMILY ON TOM’S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN WILLIAMS’
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By:
BLASIUS DHEDI RIAWAN Student number: 031214138
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
iv
STATETEMENT OF WORKS’ ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I wrote, does not contain the work or part of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotation and the references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, 12 January, 2009 The Writer,
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma :
Nama : BLASIUS DHEDI RIAWAN
Nomor Mahasiswa : 031214138
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul :
THE INFLUENCE OF THE MATRIARCHAL FAMILY ON TOM’S
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN WILLIAMS’ THE GLASS MENAGERIE
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, me-ngalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Yogyakarta, 21 Februari 2009
Yang menyatakan
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
On this page, I would like to deliver my deepest gratitude. First of all, I would like to thank Jesus for his path of salvation, blessing, strength to undergo everything and the like. I also thank Him for lighting the darkness and shining me a spot of light of hope to the point of finishing my thesis.
Secondly, I would like to thank V. Triprihatmini, S.Pd., M.Hum., M.A. as my sponsor for helping me with her helpful suggestions and criticism on my thesis. I also thank her for making me enjoy the hard time during the accomplishment of my thesis. I thank Drs. YB Gunawan, M.A. for being kind. Here, I am also thankful to all lecturers in English Language Education Study Program and all staff of Sanata Dharma University.
My deepest gratefulness goes to my late mother in heaven. I thank her for her constant praying to God for me. I particularly thank my father, B. Sagiyo, for his support. He is everything for me. I thank them for ‘everything’. I love them so much.
I am very thankful fo r all my friends. I thank Singgeh_SD, Willi, Andri, Timur, Cipok, Tedy, Yoyok, Widia, Lia, Winni (big), Siwi, Deni, Sindhu, Uri, Upik and all of them I cannot mention here exclusively. I thank Roy who has given me the soft copy of Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. I also would like to deliver my special thankfulness to Dono and Joe for being my companion in many cases in Sanata Dharma University. I thank them for being very patient to me as well. May God always bless them.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE ... i
PAGES OF APPROVAL ... ii
STATETEMENT OF WORKS’ ORIGINALITY ... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vi
ABSTRACT... vii
ABSTRAK ... viii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1 Background of the Study ... 1
1.2 Problem Formulation ... 4
1.3 Aim of Study... 4
1.4 Benefits of the Study ... 4
1.5 Definition of Terms ... 5
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ………. ... 9
2.1 Theory of Critical Approach to Literature ... 9
2.2 Theory of Character and Characterization ... 11
2.3 Human’s Relationship and Family ... 14
2.3.1 Human’s Maturity: Emotion and Motivation ... 14
2.3.2 Parents’ Role in Educating Children ... 17
2.3.3 The Function of the Family ... 20
2.3.4 The Influence of Divorce toward Children ... 21
2.3.5 Family Members Relationship: Character Development ... 23
vii
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ... 28
3.1 Subject Matter ... 28
3.2 Approaches ... 29
3.3 Procedures ... 29
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ... 31
4.1 Tom’s Personality Traits When He was Raised in a Complete Family ... 31
4.1.1 Tom is Affectionate ... 32
4.1.2 Tom is Patient ... 33
4.1.3 Tom is Honest ... 33
4.1.4 Tom is Introverted ... 34
4.2 Tom’s Life in the Matriarchal Family ... 36
4.2.1 The Reason Why the Family is Called Matriarchal ... 36
4.2.2 Tom’s Relationship in the Family ... 38
4.2.2.1 Tom’s Relationship with Laura ... 38
4.2.2.2 Tom’s Relationship with Amanda ... 39
4.3 Tom’s Character Development under the Influence of the Matriarchal Family ... 46
4.3.1 The Influences of Tom’s Relationship with Laura on his Character Development ... 47
4.3.2 The Influences of Tom’s Relationship with Amanda on his Character Development ... 50
4.3.3 Tom’s Personality Traits after being Influenced by the Matriarchal Family ... 54
4.3.3.1 Tom is Discriminative ... 60
4.3.3.2 Tom is Temperamental ... 62
4.3.3.3 Tom is Untruthful ... 64
viii
4.3.3.5 Tom is Revengeful ... 68
4.3.3.6 Tom is More Introverted ... 71
4.3.3.7 Tom is Adaptive ... 72
4.3.4 Tom’s Final Action as a Result of the Suppressing Condition in the Matriarchal Family ... 73
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 76
5.1 Conclusion ... 76
5.2 Suggestions ... 79
5.2.1 Suggestion for Further Research ... 79
5.2.2 Suggestion for Implement ing William’s The Glass Menagerie in Teaching- Learning Process ... 80
REFERENCES ... 82
APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Lesson Plan to Teach Advance Learners in Drama Class ... 85
APPENDIX B: Scene one of Williams’ The Glass Menagerie ... 87
ix
ABSTRACT
Riawan, B. Dhedi. 2008. The Influence of the Matriarchal Family on Tom’s Character Development in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Art Education, Faculty of Teachers Training Ed ucation, Sanata Dharma University.
The study discusses the character development of Tom in William’s The Glass Menagerie as he is influenced by the matriarchal family. Referring to Tom as the centre of discussion of the study, the play is about a family which is left by the father because of another woman. Here, Tom is the one who supports the economy of the family by working at the warehouse. Unexpectedly, he is often treated inappropriately by his mother, Amanda. This condition has changed his persona lity and his manner of responding to certain events.
The study aims to answer the question in the problem formulation. The first question is how Tom’s character described in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. The second question is how Tom’s character develops under the influence of a matriarchal family. Referring to the problem formulation questions, the two main aims of the study are to discover how Tom’s characters are described and how he is influenced by the matriarchal family. In order to find the intended answers, the psychological approach was employed to go deeper to the character’s feeling and thinking. The theory of character was used to study carefully the way to comprehend the character and to comprehend the character himself. The approaches required the presence of any other sources. The drama script of Williams’ The Glass Menagerie was the primary source and the other books related to the study were the secondary ones.
x
ABSTRAK
Riawan, B. Dhedi. 2008. The Influence the Matriarchal Family on Tom’s Character Development in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Departemen Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini membahas perkembangan karakter Tom dalam karya William yang berjudul The Glass Menagerie sebagaimana dipengarui oleh keluarga matriarkal. Mengacu pada karakter Tom yang menjadi pembahasan utama dalam studi ini, drama ini mengisahkan tentang sebuah keluarga yang ditinggal pergi oleh seorang kepala keluarga karena tertarik pada wanita lain. Dalam studi ini, Tom adalah seorang yang menopang ekonomi keluarga dengan bekerja di warehouse. Walaupun begitu, dia sering mendapat perlakuan yang tidak sepantasnya dari ibunya sendiri yaitu Amanda. Keadaan seperti ini telah mengubah kepribadian dia dan bagaimana dia menaggapi berbagai peristiwa.
Studi ini bertujuan untuk menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan dalam formulasi masalah. Pertanyaan pertama adalah bagaimana karakter Tom digambarkan dalam karya William yang berjudul The Glass Menagerie. Pertanyaan kedua adalah bagaimana karakter Tom berkembang dalam pengaruh keluarga matriarchal. Mengacu pada pertanyaan-pertanyaan dalam formulasi masalah, ada dua tujuan utama dalam studi ini yaitu menemukan bagaimana karakter Tom digambarkan (melaui kata-kata) dan bagaimana dia dipengaruhi karena hidup dalam keluarga matriarkal. Agar dapat menemukan jawaban-jawaban yang dimaksud, pendekatan psikologis diterapkan untuk mengetahui lebih dalam apa yang dirasakan dan dipikirkan oleh karakter. Teori tentang karakter digunakan untuk menelaah cara memahami karakter dan untuk memahami karakter itu sendiri. Pendekatan-pendekatan tersebut memerlukan sumber-sumber lainnya. Naskah drama dari karya William yang berjudul The Glass Menagerie adalah sumber utama dan buku-buku yang lain adalah referensi kedua.
1 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is divided into five different parts. The first part is the background of the study. It contains the reason why the study is conducted. The second part is the aim of the study. It gives details about the intended purposes of the study. The third part is the problem formulation. This part contains two questions related to the study. The fourth part is benefits of the study. This part explains the hopefully obtained advantages for thesis readers. The very last part of chapter one is the definition of terms. This part lists important terms related to the study.
1.1 Background of the Study
Everybody in this world is a character that represents someone and undergoes roles for others. There is no one in this world that has no role. Everyone is interrelated to one another. Nevertheless, one and all are frequently encountering some challenges or things to be carried out that unavoidably influence everything around them.
their motives. Furthermore, so as to know the characters’ motivation, they are to identify what the characters do and how they do it (Guth, 1997: 69).
In fact, drama is related to the characters interaction amongst others. Short (1996: 168) states that “drama largely consists of character-to-character interaction”. Synonymously, the writer can utter that there will be various contacts whether they are direct or not. Take for examples, through touches or words.
Referring to the two former paragraphs, all living inhabitants in earth cannot avoid doing interaction. The identical reason for doing interaction is that humans need others to survive. Humans need others and each of them holds different interests and motivations to do particular things. The similar things also happen in drama: the characters in drama are interacting to one another; they are holding interests and motivation behind what they are doing.
family, he does not have a figure of a father as the guidance for his life, whereas his mother often cannot understand his feelings.
Based on the above elucidation, I notice the awfully complex relationship between Tom and his mother. I am interested to comprehend the matriarchal family influences on how Tom is doing certain things and how he reacts to particular happenings. By doing so, I can notice Tom’s changes. The relationship between Amanda and Tom relate to his character development. Of course, there are many other influences to Tom’s character development to be in the matriarchal family. Furthermore, I believe that there are many valuable values in the Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (1945) that can be revealed. In addition, there is no smoke if there is no fire—in relation with the study, it means that the matriarchal family led by Amanda as a mother causes Tom to act in different manners.
1.2 Problem Formulation
Based on the above background, I would like to formulate the problems as guidance in doing the study as follows:
1. How is Tom’s character described in William’s The Glass Menagerie? 2. How does Tom’s character develop under the influence of a matriarchal
family?
1.3 Aim of the Study
Since the study aims at observing and answering the formulated problems, there will be two main aims to execute the study in order to find the intended answers. The first is to describe or to explain in words Tom’s characters in general. It also gives detail on how the character can emerge. The second is to examine Amanda’s matriarchal family that influences Tom’s character development. By figuring out the answer of the last question in the problem formulation, the study meets the intended answer.
1.4 Benefits of the Study
of the play. For that reason, the study is a good source to help them to refer to a high-quality reference in a literature class.
Secondly, readers of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams will gain better understanding about the play. This study will also help them to go deeper into the essence of the influences of being in the matriarchal family to Tom.
Finally, the study is expected to be a good reference for other researchers who would like to conduct literature analysis particularly about Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.
1.5 Definition of Terms
To provide clarity and to avoid misunderstanding, this study provides some related terms definition as listed. All the terms definitions below are in the same meaning with the writer’s intention to define the term. They represent what the study is about.
1. Character
Abrams (1981: 23) confirms that “characters are the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say—the dialogue—and by what they do—the action”
2. Development
Development (N) as formation or change (of personality overtime). In the study, those words also refer to the change of behavior.
3. Influence
The Webster’s Newworld Dictionary of the American Language (1979: 722) defines Influence to be three parts that each of them is relatively related to the study.
a). The power of persons or things to affect others, seen only in its effect.
b). The ability of a person or a group to produce effect indirectly by means of power based on the wealth, high position.
c). Implies the power of persons or things (whether or not exerted consciously or overtly) to affect others.
In the study, the word influence carries a very significance meaning since it transmits to the readers the power of a person to make the other one follow what she or he is saying.
4. Matriarch and Matriarchal Family
matriarchal family is when a woman has taken up a leadership in a family and become dominant in the family decision making. It leads to intense changes in the family. In this study, I combine the ‘matriarch’ definition and the concept of a matriarchal family. Referring to the combination, matriarchal family is therefore any family that is led by a mother. The leadership happens when a father does not control the family but the mother does.
Referring to the thoughts above, I have decided to use the term of ‘matriarchal family’ to illustrate Tom’s family. The decision has been taken because Amanda is the leader of the family since Tom’s father’s leaving.
5. Character Development
Based on the definition above, I would like to define what is meant by character development in this study. In connection with the study, the term of character refers to the person represented in the play. It also confirms the person of having equipped with moral, inherent qualities of mind, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what he says and what he does. The term of development in this study is referring to the continuous progressive changes happen to the character.
9 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The theories mentioned below will help to have a foundation for the analyses in the study. This chapter provides a literary theory and some thoughts that the writer will apply to analyze the formulated problems in the problem formulation. They are theory of critical approach to literature, theory of character and characterization, human’s maturity and family, parents’ roles in educating children, the function of the family, the influences of divorce toward children, family members relationship: character development, and theoretical framework.
2.1 Theory of Critical Approach to Literature
understanding above, I consider the Psychological approach the most appropriate approach to help to analyze Tom’s character development in the play.
2.2 Theory of Character and Characterization
Specifically, Murphy (1972: 161-173) has presented nine ways of observing characters. These references will exclusively guide the analyses of the characters in the study.
1. Personal description
“The author describes a person’s appearance and clothes”. Here, the author can describe the person’s appearance through describing the person’s tallness, body weight, and hair. The author can also describe the type of clothes the person wears. The description of the type of clothes will make readers notice what kind of person he is—the job.
2. Character as seen by others
Characters in the play do interact with other characters. The person’s trait can be described through the opinion of the other ones. For example, when Jim talks about Laura (Williams 1737) in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, the author indicates Laura’s traits—shy.
3. Speech
4. Past life
Past life of a character can give clues to events that have helped to shape a person’s character. The person’s character can be showed through direct comment of the author himself. The author can give comment related to the person’s character. Through the thoughts of the person while dealing with something, the author can indicate the person’s character. In the play, conversation to one another are irresistible, it also shows the person’s character. 5. Conversation of others
The clues of a person’s character can be gained through the conversation of other character and through the things they say about him. Commonly, “people do talk about other people and the things they say often give a clue to the character of the person spoken about”. Synonymously, when characters talk about the other, the things they say often indicate the characters’ traits.
6. Reaction
The way characters react to certain events or situation give clues to readers about the persons’ characters. For example, when parents are talking to each other, the child who passes will bow slightly (Javanese tradition). This example shows how the author lets reader know that the character is polite.
7. Direct comment
8. Thoughts
Here, the author knows the mind of the character. He can tell direct knowledge to readers about what she or he is thinking about. Since the author can do the thing readers cannot do in real life, he can describe what different characters are thinking about. Moreover, he has a sort of listening device to the characters so that he knows everything about them.
9. Mannerism
A person’s mannerism, habits or idiosyncrasies that probably contain something about the character can be described by the author. Character in the play will always show certain behavior that is easy to be identified. For example, a character in the play likes to stand and laugh alone. This is one of many ways the author shows the character’s trait.
refers to the characteristics. In detail, character has different traits from the beginning of the story until the end of it. For example, Lawrence used to be a shy girl. At the end of the story, she becomes a talkative pretty girl.
From the elucidation of how to observe the character from Murphy (1972: 161-173) above, the process of how to create a character is shown in several ways. The way to do so is called characterization (Rohrberger and Woods, 1981: 20). It also refers to the techniques used by the author to give an idea about the character—for example, what he likes and dislikes (Murphy, 1972: 52). Here, characterization is the mean used by the author to let readers know the character in the literature work. Furthermore, it is also used to describe the character so that he will be understood by readers.
2.3 Human’s Maturity and Family
2.3.1 Human’s Maturity: Emotion and Motivation
In order to identify the characters in the play, I need some references. By referring to the references below, I can figure out Tom’s reasons of behaving.
growing teeth or reaching sexual maturity” (Lawlor,1963: 38). Later, the understanding will assist to identify Tom’s final character development.
As illustrated below, Claninger (2004: 11) presents a sample of hypothesis that eventually will be useful to analyze Tom’s reasons of behaving. The hypothesis will also serve as the way to analyze the reason of Tom’s behaving in certain manners.
Hypothesis Derived from a Theoretical Proposition
Claninger (2004: 11)
In order to be able to identify what stimulates Tom when he does actions, I provide myself with some understandings about human’s emotion as well human’s motivation that can help me to recognize Tom’s reasons in behaving.
Theoretical Constructs + Frustration + Aggression
Theoretical Proposition + Frustration leads to aggression Operational Definition:
Frustration + Losing 75 cents in a soda machine + Failing an exam
+ Loosing one’s job
Aggression = Kicking the soda machine
= Rating the instructor as poor = Beating one’s spouse
Hypothesis
1. Subject who loses 75 cents in a soda machine (which is rigged by experimenter) will kick the soda machine more often than the control group which loses no money.
2. Students who are told they have failed an exam will rate their instructor lower than students who are told they have passed the exam.
Related to human’s emotion, Lawlor (1963: 30) states that “emotion mobilizes and organizes us rather than needs, drives or instinct”. Moreover, there are two matters that motivate human behavior. First, referring to what has been concluded by Hergenhahn & Olson (2007: 7) from many experts, he confirms that hedonism or the tendency to seek pleasure and avoid pain is one of matters that motivate human behavior. Second, Hergenhahn & Olson (2007: 7) has concluded from many experts that self-actualization or the impulse to realize one’s full potential is the matter that motivates human behavior.
motivation do not have self standard. Since they do not have it, they will get confused if there is no assistance from others. The standard is obtained from outside world.
In addition, Wiwoho (2004: 71) confirms that people who have standard motivation are not egoist ones who do not want to listen to others. They still gather information, but by using their own standard they make decisions.
2.3. 2 Parents’ Roles in Educating Children
In fact, parents have many roles in the family. One of them is to take care of children. Here, I provide some roles to be taken by parents in taking care of their children. In order to help to analyze deeply about the influences, the writer will use some key terms about children from Joseph and Bird (1972: 29-45).
1. Omniscience
Children need to believe their parents can answer all their questions so that they can pass the new world, but the parents are also to make sure their children have found answers. This answer is important to encourage them to have purposes in their life.
2. Responsibility
interpersonal responsibility. They will also learn about the rights and obligation in the relation with others.
3. Coping
Parents’ role to be children’s role model to cope with frustration is unquestionably needed. Undeniably, children are great imitator in almost everything. Parents are to act nicely because what they are doing will be imitated by their children. Parents are to show calmness when they are dealing with problems.
4. Strength
Children need good figure of parents to rely on. They must figure out that their parents possess the strength of conviction because their knowledge about it will help them to build their own conviction as they mature.
5. Security
Parents have to be able to make their children feel secure emotionally, physically, and financially. As omniscience role for parents, they are to give the children security. This condition will encourage them to grow normally—no psyche disturbance. Moreover, children will feel more comfort to live in the family. 6. Self-image
self- image the children acquire will also determine their motivation and behavior to step forward to their future.
7. Limits
Children need structure, direction in their lives and they need to know what kind of outcome will be from their actions. From the points, they can understand the limits. Parents cannot always allow their children to do anything they want. Occasionally, parents are to restrict the children to do useless or dangerous things affectionately. The affectionate manner in restricting the children will not hurt their feelings.
8. Role Identity
To be mature parents, people are to learn many roles. They need to consider many aspects of family values. By knowing them, parents know the worthy things to do.
Children need parents or someone who can fill the role of parents. Children need to go out of their vulnerability so that they can be self-sufficient. Identically, before reaching the ages when they are able to be self-sufficient, they will depend physically and emotionally towards their parents (Joseph and Bird, 1972: 28).
Specifically, in the family, a father plays a very crucial role in educating children. Dagun (1990) presents an understanding about father’s role in the family. The understanding is very helpful to assist the analysis of why Tom behaves uncontrollably in the matriarchal family. Specifically, the understanding will be the reference in interpreting the need of a figure of a man for Tom.
Dagun (1990: 17) states that a father has very important direct roles in his child development—he can fondle, organize language contacts, and talk as well as act playfully with. He adds that a father can direct and manage his child activities so that she or he will be able to determine how she or he can act properly in their social intercourse.
2.3. 3 The Function of the Family
Referring to the points below, I will be able identify the lack of the family in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (1945) and to compare it. Soekanto (1990: 85) mentions four fundamental functions of nuclear family:
1. As the place of primary socialization. The children are taught to understand and follow principles in society.
2. As a unity to control proper sex relationship.
3. As a unit of social-economic that form the basic children’s social-economic. 4. As a shelter so that family’s life is in order and peaceful. They can also live in
Similarly, Parsons (1987: 122) confirms three function of a family: 1. A direct source of interpersonal involvement.
2. A context for the acquisition of interpersonal skills and facilitative attitudes. 3. A secure base from which to establish peer relationships.
2.3. 4 The Influences of Divorce toward Children
Separatio n in the family will influence something. Since the situation of the matriarchal family in Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (1945) is similar to the situation of divorce family, I believe that the influences of matriarchal family toward Tom can be identified through referring to the thoughts below.
I believe that divorce will influence the children. In relation to the divorce toward children, Pohan (1972: 177) states
Primus inter pares or father and mother as duumvirate in the family are taking
really important responsibility and role in the family life. They determine every step and attitude that is going to be taken for the family’s benefit, solve every problem and be the pillar of all the family’s members, especially the children. They also determine to what direction and how the children are carried to the adultness.
On the contrary and in relation with the study, children absolutely need the presence of their parents to be their guidance in all cases. If children lose one of them, it will degrade the children’s contentment in learning new things for their life.
balance”. Children are not administered properly if they loose their direction makers. “If children are allegorized as chicks, they loose their mother”. Furthermore, Pohan (1972: 176) confirms that children personalities are determined by both of parents, mother and father, as inseparable duumvirate.
Pohan (1972: 195) verifies the impact of children being separated from their parents. The separation can cause the disturbance of behavior and the emerging of psyche disturbance. The disturbance especially tends to about anti-social behavior, depression, and naughtiness that lead to criminal action. Pohan (1972: 195) argues that the naughtiness happens because basic education, the intimacy tied in the relation between parents and children in the family, is cut. In addition, the psyche development and personality formation of children are truthfully depending on how the relation between parents and children: how the relationship between them is perceived by children.
I also refer to Dagun (1990) as my reference. Hetherington et al (as cited by Dagun, 1990: 149-151) say more specifically about the influence of children being raised by a mother. They state that the divorce cause psyche disorganization for children. The family uncertain condition makes parents are not holding an effective role—they do not have full responsibility in raising children. This situation make parents loose their wise strictness in training their children to be responsible.
adds that a boy is more influenced by the divorce. The family conflict and divorce cause children, especially a boy, disturbed in his social intercourse.
2.3. 5 Family Members Relationship: Character Development
Each member of the family relate to one another. It creates a kind of relationship. The references below will help to value the influences of the absence of Tom’s father. It is also useful to analyze the factors that influence Tom’s character development.
Dagun (1990) provides several statements about family’s relationship. Dagun (1990: 19) states that when a husband and a wife have a good relationship, they will support each other in nursing their children. For example, when a husband support his wife while she is feeding her baby, she will be more effective to feed him. This situation is on the contrary with strain relationship between them. Moreover, in family’s life, husband and wife are alternately supporting and filling in handling some works (Dagun, 1990: 150). In general, the growing children need the existence of their father to guide them in developing their competence whether it is in the social intercourse or in knowing new situation (Dagun, 1990: 96).
responsibility in love atmosphere—when a milieu of child is getting larger, there will be more figures to her or his inner self filler.
When parents take good care of their children, the warmth relationship is built. On the contrary, when a parent is “alternately affectionate and violent, caressing him one minute and throwing a piece of furniture at him at the next, the child will become an impulsive and an emotional temperament” one (Pressey et al, 1939: 445-446).
Bursteln (1990: 264-267) states some thoughts related to communication in the family. The thoughts as listed below are very useful to analyze the whys Tom does actions in particular ways in the play.
1. Good communication between parents and children make them feel supported or spirited to find solution they face.
2. Through good communication, parents can notice personalities of their children so that they can be more appreciative to them.
3. Parents’ comments that tend to exhort their children will only teach them to be afraid and hate.
spending more time outside the family and by holding the information. Here, the family functions as the institution to erase the negative impact of being lonely (Parsons, 1987: 121). If there is no good communication, youths tend to erase their painful feeling by retreatism which can direct them to do drug (Parsons, 1987: 124). Once they do not feel comfort at home, they will run away. They satisfy their desire to do adventure and leave the intolerable home life. Furthermore, the act of leaving home is based on the inability to do communication (Parsons, 1987: 124).
In term of communication, Hurlock (1974: 352) adds that communication influences personality development. She clarifies that the influences are coming from the unconscious attitudes imitation. Of course, the relationship and communication in the family will influence the member of it. Hurlock (1980: 2-3) defines what is called by development. It is succession of progressive changes happen because of maturity process and experience. Then, she affirms the intention of development. It is intended to enable oneself to adapt to the environment where she or he lives.
In term of development, parents take a big role in it. Watson & Lindgreen (1973: 300) verifies about the parental influences: “personality pattern that persist are set by the way in which parents characteristically restrict, comfort, admonish, instruct, and express acceptance and worth”.
toward the member must also consider the type of relationship existing amongst the members of the family.
2.3 Theoretical Framework
The theories and the thoughts above are to help the analyses of the problems to find out the intended answers. I used the psychological approach to go deeper to the mind of the characters so that I can gain some key ideas to reveal the points I want to utter.
In order to identify Tom’s personality traits, I use the theory of character (Murphy, 161-173) to identify Tom’s personality traits in the complete family. Tom’s personality traits in the matriarchal family are analyzed by using some thoughts about character development such as Watson & Lindgreen (1973: 300) and Hurlock (1974: 355). Moreover, the use of the drama script as the primary source functions as the main reference in doing the study.
28 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
The methodology employed in this study is described in this chapter. It consists of four primary parts. The first is subject matter which communicates the focus of the study. The second is approaches which explain the steps in acquiring the intended answers in the problem formulation. The third is procedure which exemplifies the manner of the study is conducted. The fourth is sources which states the primary source and secondary sources the study used.
3.1. Subject Matter
Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (1945) is the object of this study. The drama script is available in a book by Hans P. Guth and Gabriel L. Rico (1997: 1693-1742). It consists of seven scenes. In 1945, Williams’ The Glass Menagerie won the Drama Critic’s Circle Award and accomplished spectacular commercial success. Additionally, most of Williams works are based on his family atmosphere (Hans P. Guth and Gabriel L. Rico, 1997: 1693).
3.2. Approaches
The Psychological approach by Rohrberger, and Woods, Jr. (1971: 13) was the approach implemented in this study. According to them, psychological approach is a critical approach that “involves effort to locate and demonstrate certain recurrent patterns”. In this study, it would help to know character’s main reason to do certain thing from her or his thoughts that follow certain patterns.
Through this approach, I could analyze more deeply about Tom’s thoughts, manner of behaviors and how he reacted to certain phenomena. Explicitly, the approach helped to analyze Tom’s character development in the play. Moreover, the approach could direct to observe and discover the influences of being in the matriarchal family on him. They were the reasons why the psychological approach was chosen.
Since the study was about the matriarchal family, the psychological approach was used to investigating Tom’s reason of behaving. Tom’s reason of behaving must follow his thoughts that follow certain patters. In this study, the approach will be the strong background for analyzing Tom’s reason of behaving.
3.3. Procedure
31 CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
Four main parts in this chapter are related to the study. They are Tom’s personality traits when he was raised in a complete family, Tom’s life in the matriarchal family, Tom’s character development under the influences of the matriarchal family, and Tom’s final character development. The first part presents the analysis of Tom as the character when he was raised in the complete family. The second part presents the analyses of Tom’s life in the matriarchal family. This part begins the analysis by firstly explaining the background setting of the matriarchal family. The fourth part determines the analyses of Tom’s character development under the influences of the matriarchal family. Finally, the final part concludes Tom’s final character development from the various changes he has experienced.
4.1.1 Tom is Affectionate
Tom’s affectionate feeling mainly refers to Laura. This can be observed through what he says (Williams 1718).
Tom: Laura seems all those things to you and me because she’s ours and we love her. We don’t even see she’s crippled anymore.
He does not consider Laura’s defect. From Tom’s saying, it also justifies what Murphy (1972: 164) says that author can give clue to the person’ character through speech. Tom’s saying indicates that he has affectionate feeling toward his sister.
Tom actually possesses an affectionate feeling to his mother as well. He feels that he wants to take care of his mother (Williams 1710).
TOM [hoarsely]: Mother. ! - I apologize, Mother. [AMANDA draws a quick, shuddering breath. Her face works grotesquely. She breaks into childlike
tears.] I'm sorry for what I said, for everything that I said; I didn't mean it.
AMANDA [sobbingly]: My devotion has made me a witch and so I make
myself hateful to my children!
TOM: NO, you don't.
AMANDA: I worry so much, don't sleep, it makes me nervous!
TOM [gently]: I understand that.
AMANDA: I've had to put up a solitary battle all these years. But you're my
right- hand bower! Don't fall down, don't fail! TOM [gently]: I try, Mother.
know that he will struggle for her.
4.1.2 Tom is Patient
According to Murphy (1972: 171), an author can give clue about the character through mannerism. Tom’s being patient is shown clearly when he talks to his mother. Although he has just conflicted with her (Williams 1698), he keeps on listening to her (Williams 1699).
AMANDA: Sometimes they come when they are least expected! Why, I remember one Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain.
TOM: I know what's coming
LAURA: Yes. But let her tell it.
TOM: Again?
LAURA: She loves to tell it.
AMANDA: One Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain, your mother received seventeen! gentlemen callers! … TOM: How did you entertain those gentleman callers?
Tom’s patient is also showed by his willingness to respond to Amanda’s story about the gentlemen callers. Tom’s patience to listen and respond to his mother, although he has just conflicted with her, indicates that when he was raised in the complete family he is patient.
4.1.3 Tom is Honest
that. He confirms that by explaining the action someone is doing, her or his mental process can be understood.
Tom is advised to eat properly by his mother, but the way to do so is unacceptable according to him (Williams 1698). He is furious about that. Tom’s response to his mother shows his honesty (Williams 1698).
TOM: I haven't enjoyed one bite of this dinner because of your constant directions on how to eat it. It's you that makes me rush through meals with your hawk- like attention to every bite I take. Sickening - spoils my appetite - all this discussion of - animals' secretion - salivary glands – mastication!
Tom’s frank response to the unacceptable manner of advising shows his honesty. He used to be honest so that he says frankly what is in his mind. This fact will change if Tom used to be a liar. It is very possible he will say with higher tones, “I enjoy every bite of this dinner because of your constant direction on how to eat it. With your hawk-like attention to every bite I take, you spoil my appetite”. Although he responds with his uncomfortable feeling but he shows his honesty. Additionally, Tom’s response explains his mental process that he is honest. He does not hide anything.
4.1.4 Tom is Introverted
Laura says that Jim is a very popular boy when he was in the senior high school and everybody liked him (Williams 1733).
LAURA: You were always surrounded by your own friends so much that I never had a chance to. JIM: You should have just
LAURA: Well, I - thought you might think I was -- JIM: Thought I might think you was - what?
LAURA: Oh
JIM [with reflective relish]: I was beleaguered by females In those days. LAURA: You were terribly popular!
Jim’s being popular is also admitted by Tom as well (Williams 1719). He knows various things about Jim when he was in the senior high school. For example, Tom knows about Jim’s being a leader in debate club, basketball captain, president of the senior class and the like (Williams 1719).
TOM: ... In high school Jim was a hero. He had tremendous Irish good nature and vitality with the scrubbed and polished look of white chinaware. He seemed to move in a continual spotlight. He was a star in basket-ball, captain of the debating club, president of the senior class and the glee club and he sang the male lead in the annual light operas. He was always running or bounding, never just walking. He seemed always at the point of defeating the law of gravity. He was shooting with such velocity through his adolescence that you would logically expect him to arrive at nothing short of the White House by the time he was thirty. …
indicates that Tom is an introverted person at that time. He does not share things with friend.
JIM: Shy, huh? It's unusual to meet a shy girl nowadays. I don't believe you ever mentioned you had a sister.
TOM: Well, now you know. I have one. Here is the Post Dispatch. You want a piece of it?
4.2 Tom’s life in the Matriarchal Family
In order to give background viewpoint of the analysis of Tom’s life in the matriarchal family, this part will firstly exemplify the reasons why the family is called matriarchal family. Then, the relationship in the matriarchal family will be analyzed to know Tom’s life. By knowing the relationship in the family, I can conclude Tom’s life.
4.2.1 The Reason Why the Family is called Matriarchal
The description of the matriarchal family is a path to the analyses of Tom’s life the matriarchal family. This description will exemplify the ideas that later will be the starting points or references to do the analyses. Additionally, by referring to this description of the matriarchal family, I can enlighten more clearly and meaningfully the ideas I would like to utter.
The Wingfield apartment is in the rear of the building, one of those vast hive-like conglomerations of cellular living-units that flower as warty growths in overcrowded urban centers of lower-middle-class population and are symptomatic of the impulse of this largest and fundamentally enslaved section of American society to avoid fluidity and differentiation and to exist and function as one interfused mass of automatism.
The apartment faces an alley and is entered by a fire-escape, a structure whose name is a touch of accidental poetic truth, for all of these huge buildings are always burning with the slow and implacable fires of human desperation. The fire-escape is included in the set - that is, the landing of it and steps descending from it. …. Downstage is the living-room, which also serves as a sleeping-room for Laura, the sofa is unfolding to make her bed.
The father of the family has left the family for a long time. He used to work as a telephone man and he felt in love with long distances. Then, he left the job from the company, and he went out of town for the woman he had dreamt of. The family only notices his last message through a picture post-card from Mazation, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, saying only two words “Hello—Goodbye!” (Williams 1698).
After the father’s irresponsible leaving, Amanda is the one who is in charge to lead the family. It is proven by her dominancy in the family. For example, when she orders Tom, the family breadwinner, to eat properly but in unacceptable manner according to him (Williams 1698).
AMANDA [to her son]: Honey, don't push with your fingers. If you have to push with something, the thing to push with is a crust of bread. And chew! chew!. ….
AMANDA: Will you? [He opens door. Imploringly.] Will you? [He starts
down.] Will you? Will you, dear?
TOM [calling back]: YES !
Another example that Amanda decides matter in the family is that when she insists Laura to use ‘Gay deceivers’ (Williams 1720).
LAURA: Mothe r, what are you doing? AMANDA: They call them 'Gay Deceivers'! LAURA: I won't wear them!
AMANDA: YOU Will!
Amanda’s dominancy in the family indeed leads to intense changes of the family, especially to Tom’s character traits.
The leaving of the father is the beginning of the problems in the matriarchal family because the fundamental function of the family as stated by Soekanto (1990: 85) cannot be afforded by Amanda. She cannot fulfill simultaneously her roles as a mother and a father. Since she is not the breadwinner of the family, she does not have full control of the family (in term of sincere willingness: Amanda’s children hardly ever do what she wants sincerely).
4.2.2 Tom’s Relationship in the Family 4.2.2.1 Tom’s Relationship with Laura
warehouse and his world of movies—he watches movies every night (Williams 1706).
AMANDA: … I don't believe that you go every night to the movies. Nobody goes to the movies night after night. ….
However, one thing for sure about Tom is that he loves and cares about her. Tom agrees with Amanda’s wanting to find a gentlemen caller for Laura (Williams 1712-1713). It proves that he loves and cares about her.
Though they have a common relationship, but they care to each other. Laura does not want to see any longer the ruin relationship between Tom and his mother. She is a very shy girl. She is also very introvert and she suffers from inferiority complex, when someone low-rates himself (Williams 1734), but she cares for the existence of good relationship between a son and a mother (Williams 1709).
Laura: If you just say you’re sorry she’ll start speaking. Laura: (---, pleadingly glancing at Tom: stage direction)
Laura (at door): Do what I asked you, Will you, will you, Tom?
It is obviously seen from what Laura says to Tom that she wants Tom to apologize to Amanda. She cannot see their ruin relationship anymore. At this point, Laura can illustrate that she closes to Tom because she can make sure or encourage him to apologize to Amanda.
4.2.2.2 Tom’s Relationship with Amanda
time together. The relationship between them is merely a son and a mother. This can be proven by the conflicts emerge easily because they cannot express their wishes properly and in acceptable manners. Sometimes, they do not try to understand each other.
The first conflict appears easily is when Amanda advises Tom to eat appropriately, but in unacceptable manner according to Tom (Williams 1698). Amanda does not have any consideration that the way she advises Tom will not make him happy. As a mother, Amanda should notice the right manner of advising her son, but she cannot implement it. This indicates that their relationship is merely a son and a mother. I consider that To m only needs a little attention which is appropriate from his mother. He is a work man and he can figure out the manner of eating well with simple advice. The manner Amanda expresses her attention to Tom is excessive and childish.
In view of the fact that the relationship is merely a son and a mother, they tend to oppose anger with anger. One of them cannot response wisely against provoking situation (Williams 1705).
TOM: What in Christ's name am I— AMANDA [shrilly]: Don't you use that - TOM: Supposed to do!
AMANDA: Expression! Not in my - TOM: Ohhh!!
AMANDA: Presence! Have you gone out of your senses? TOM: I have, that's true, driven out!
From the dialogues above, I can notice the increasing tension after Tom has said “What in Christ name am I”. How can a gentle mother say “IDIOT” to his son? Here, Amanda is excessive to express her dislike to Tom. Amanda and Tom are not able to control their emotion. This is getting worse when Amanda uses rude word to admonish Tom. Again, one of them cannot act wisely to confront the increasing tension that can be controlled if they are patient.
The relationship actually can be built to be more welcoming if both of them want to understand each other. On the contrary, Amanda does not start to do it. Based on the analysis, I can confirm that she is a type of mother who cannot touch his son’s heart (Williams 1706).
AMANDA: You will hear more, you -
TOM: No, I won’t hear more, I'm going out! AMANDA: You come right back in -
TOM: Out, out, out! Because I'm -
AMANDA: Come back here, Tom Wingfield! I'm not through talking to
you!
Based on the dialogue above, Amanda keeps insisting Tom to pay attention to her. It can be inferred that the words used by Amanda are in high tones. The using of high tones in speaking is carrying negative feelings. Furthermore, it will not create a good atmosphere in their relationship.
Apart from all the conflicts, Amanda can also act sufficiently well to Tom. Amanda’s acts make Tom a little relieved while talking to her (Williams 1710).
AMANDA [sobbingly]: My devotion has made me a witch and so I make
myself hateful to my children!
AMANDA: I worry so much, don't sleep, it makes me nervous! TOM [gently]: I understand that.
AMANDA: I've had to put up a solitary battle all these years. But you're my right- hand bower! Don't fall down, don't fail! TOM [gently]: I try, Mother.
AMANDA [with great enthusiasm]: Try and you will SUCCEED! [The
notion makes her breathless] Why, you - you're just full of natural
endowments! Both of my children - they're unusual children! Don't you think I know it? I'm so proud! Happy and - feel I've - so much to be thankful for but - Promise me one thing, Son!
TOM: What, Mother?
AMANDA: Promise, Son, you'll - never be a drunkard!
TOM [turns to her grinning]: I will never be a drunkard, Mother.
The dialogues above shows how Amanda tries to touch Tom’s heart through devoted words she says to him. Amanda talks tenderly and is able to make Tom listen to her carefully. This time Amanda can utter her wish acceptably. At the least, Tom can feel the warmness of his mother. This manner of conversation makes their relationship a little bit warmer.
In nature, Amanda is not a sphinx, an inscrutable person who keeps her thoughts and intentions secret, but she says things clearly so that Tom understands what she has intended to say (Williams 1715).
AMANDA: What did you wish for?
TOM: That's a secret.
AMANDA: A secret, huh? Well, I won't tell mine either. I will be just as
mysterious as you.
TOM: I bet I can guess what yours is. AMANDA: Is my head so transparent?
TOM: You're not a sphinx.
Amanda’s being honest to Tom makes him feel comfort. Tom finally erases his pessimistic mind that the only Amanda’s intention to talk to him is talk ing about the gentlemen caller for Laura.
Amanda can build a little bit warm relationship with his son, nevertheless it cannot make Tom close to her personally. It happens because Tom is busy to take care of his own affairs and Amanda cannot encourage him to talk to her affectionately (Williams 1729).
JIM: Let me give you a hand. A M A N D A: Indeed you will not! JIM: I ought to be good for something.
AMANDA: Good for something? [Her tone is rhapsodic.] You? Why, Mr O'Connor, nobody, nobody's given me this much entertainment in years – as
you have!
JIM: Aw, now, Mrs Wingfield!
AMANDA: I'm not exaggerating, not one bit! But Sister is all by her lonesome. You go keep her company in the parlour! I'll give you this lovely old candelabrum that used to be on the altar at the church of the Heavenly Rest. ….
Amanda’s statement “Mr. O’Connor, nobody’s given me this much entertainment in years”, “…But sister is all by her lonesome. …” confirms that she never works together with her children in the apartment.
AMANDA: But will tomorrow. To meet your sister, and what do I know about his character? Nothing! Old maids are better off than wives of
drunkards!
TOM: Oh, my God!
AMANDA: Be still!
TOM [leaning forward to whisper]: Lots of fellows meet girls whom they
don't marry!
AMANDA: Oh, talk sensibly, Tom - and don't be sarcastic! [She has gotten a hairbrush.]
TOM: What are you doing?
AMANDA: I'm brushing that cow-lick down! What is this young man's position at the warehouse? TOM [submitting grimly to the brush and the interrogation]: This young man's position is that of a shipping clerk, Mother.
AMANDA: Sounds to me like a fairly responsible job, the sort of a job you would be in if you just had more get-up. Wha t is his salary? Have you any
idea?
TOM: I would judge it to be approximately eighty- five dollars a month. AMANDA: Well - not princely, but TOM: Twenty more than I make.
AMANDA: Yes, how well I know! But for a family man, eighty- five dollars a
month is not much more than you can just get by on. . . . TOM: Yes. but Mr O'Connor is not a family man.
AMANDA: He might be, mightn't he? Some time in the future?
The sharing is conducted by Amanda because she needs information about the gentlemen caller, Jim O’Connor, so that she is to do it. She needs information whether the gentlemen caller is appropriate for Laura or not. The fact that they never share things together personally can be proved by Amanda’s ignorance about what Tom is certainly doing outside the apartment.
The relationship which is not based on the affectionate feeling finally makes their relationship come to an end (Williams 1740-1741).
AMANDA: That's what he just informed us. TOM: I'll be jiggered! I didn't know about that AMANDA: That seems very peculiar.
TOM: 'What's peculiar about it?
AMANDA: Didn't you call him your best friend down at the warehouse? TOM: He is, but how did I know?
AMANDA: It seems extremely peculiar that you wouldn't know your best friend was going to be married!
TOM: The warehouse is where I work, not where I know things about people!
AMANDA: You don't know things anywhere! You live in a dream; you manufacture illusions! [He crosses to door.] Where are you going? TOM: I'm going to the movies.
AMANDA: That's right, now that you've had us make such fools of ourselves. The effort, the preparations, all the expense! The new floor lamp, the rug, the clothes for Laura! all for what? To entertain some other girl's fiancé! Go to the movies, go! Don't think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who's crippled and has no job! Don't let anything
interfere with your selfish pleasure I just go, go, go - to the movies! TOM: All right, I ‘will! The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!
AMANDA: Go, then! Then go to the moon - you selfish dreamer!
Tom smashes his glass on the floor. He plunges out on the fire-escape, slamming the door.
The empty relationship eliminates the trust that should be the strong background for the existence of warm relationship. The dialogues above tell how Amanda does not believe to what Tom says. She continuously distrusts Tom. She thinks that Tom has lied to her about the gentlemen caller. The quarrel makes their relationship ends. Since their relationship has come to an end, Tom leaves the family (Williams 1741).
attempting to find in motion what was lost in space - I traveled around a great deal. …..
Fundamentally, the relationship held by Amanda and Tom is empty because their hearts are not taking part in it. Furthermore, they spend time together without any heart connection as usually happen between an intimate relationship between a child and a mother.
4.3 Tom’s Character Development under the Influences of the Matriarchal
Family
Tom lives with his mother, Amanda, and his elder sister, Laura. He has a sister namely Laura who is two years older (Williams 1712). He has a mother whose behaviors are unpredictable. They are interrelated. He is also responsible to find a gentlemen caller for his sister (Williams 1712-1713). In his twenty-one year old (Williams 1733), he has to work to support the family.
Laura: I’ll be twenty- four in June.
Tom does not like his being a breadwinner of the family because he does not like to work in the warehouse (Williams 1706). Additionally, he does not obtain support from his mother through good relations hip at the apartment, and sometimes he likes to please his anger (Williams 1707).
“Tom’s nature is not remorseless, but to escape from a trap he has to act without pity” (Williams 1694). So as to get out of the depression of being the breadwinner of the family without being sincerely loved by his mother, he acts no pity by leaving the family (Williams 1741).
According to Gunarsa and Gunarsa (1990: 7), the figure of a mother and a father as someone’s first inner self filler must do the nurturing with great responsibility in love atmosphere. Relating to the lack of Amanda’s family, Dagun (1990: 17) states that a father has very important direct roles in his child development. A father is important because he can fondle, organize language contacts, and talk as well as act playfully with. He adds that a father can direct and manage his child activities so that she or he will be able to determine how she or he can act properly in their social intercourse.
4.3.1 The Influences of Tom’s Relationship with Laura on his Character
Development
they have heart connection. The relationship itself leads to character development that refers to the succession of progressive changes happen because of maturity process and experience (Hurlock, 1980: 2).
The relationship between Tom and Laura is not held closely because of their own lonely world, but they influence each other as a brother and a sister. From Tom’s agreeing to find a gentlemen caller for Laura (Williams 1712-1713), I perceive Tom’s love and care to Laura. Tom’s agreeing proves that he cares for Laura’s future. Even though they rarely talk and share, but they care for each other. At the least, the existence of Laura in the family influences Tom in the way he behaves. In spite of the fact that he is annoyed by his mother, he stills complies with Laura’s wanting to apologize to her (Williams 1709-1710). This point proves the close feeling built although they do not have close relationship. From the drama script, I can evaluate that the way Laura asks Tom to apologize is encouraging and warm-hearted. It is the reason why Tom is willing to apologize to his mother even though he considers he does not make any mistake.
Tom is encouraged to apologize to his mother. Before he is encouraged to do so, he is very upset and he refuses to do it (Williams 1709).
LAURA: Tom!- It's nearly seven. Don't make mother nervous. [He stares at
her stupidly. Beseechingly.] Tom, speak to mother this morning. Make up
The warm approach applied by Laura is able to influence and change Tom’s stiff decision of not to apologize. Laura has been successful in altering the upset heart into happy one which is willing to apologize.
Tom has experienced the succession of progressive changes happen because of maturity process and experience that refer to his character development (Hurlock, 1980: 2). In the matriarchal family life, he has experienced a lot of things. He has considered doing many things as well. There are some examples for them. Firstly, the matriarchal family life is not comforting him to live happily. Since he is depressed by the condition, he has considered leaving the family (Williams 1725). Secondly, he understands that his lovely sister has a little defect (Williams 1734) and she is a shy girl who has little friend (Williams 1732). He has determined to help Laura to find a soul mate by agreeing when Amanda asks him to find a gentlemen caller for her (Williams 1712-1713). From this agreement, he has shown his caring and wise consideration as a man. Thirdly, he is not directly leaving the family because he considers Laura’s condition if he leaves the family at that time. Fourthly, I can consider from what he has done for Laura and from Tom’s depression to live in the family that he is leaving the family after Laura has got soul mate to take care of her. Fifthly, since his heart is keeping on flaring up because of the depression, he finally decides to leave the family before what he has considered is accomplished.
affects him to struggle for Laura. In detail, he wants to see Laura to have a soul mate and undergo a happy life. The close feeling makes Tom “…more faithful than I intended to be…” Synonymy, the more he far away from the apartment, the more he remembers about Laura—loyal to the struggle to make Laura happy (Williams 1741). The relationship influences Tom to consider about his role to stay a little longer in the apartment for Laura. It influences him to struggle for Laura so that she can find a soul mate and enjoy living in the apartment. It makes Tom always remember his sister while he is leaving the family.
Psychologically, by referring to the succession of progressive changes of Tom and to Tom’s reason to stay a little longer in the matriarchal family above, I can utter that Tom considers ideas in his mind to be spirited to do his activities. He is also influenced by his relationship with Laura so that he is encouraged to do it. These analyses are confirmed by Kennedy and Gloia (1999: 1947). They explain that characters have their own reasons to do certain things. It encourages them to do it. Here, someone’s main reason to do something is coming from the result of human’s thoughts that follow certain patterns (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 13).
4.3.2 The Influences of Tom’s Relationship with Amanda on his Character
Development
atmosphere, there will be disturbance in their mind that will influence their behaviors. This thought is confirmed by Pohan (1972: 195), he states that when children are separated from their parents, the separation causes the disturbance of behavior and the emerging of psyche disturbance. The disturbance tends to about anti-social behavior, depression, and naughtiness that lead to criminal action. The statement is also supported by Hetherington et al (as cited by Dagun, 1990: 149-151). He says that when children are raised by a divorced mother, the divorce itself cause psyche disorganization. It happens because the family uncertain condition. Referring to the statements, I can conclude that the sep
