A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTER THE DAY I
DIE NOVEL BY FANNIE FLAGG
A PAPER
BY
NAME
:
TRI RODIYAH
REG. NO :
072202047
DIPLOMA III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM
FACULTY OF LETTERS
UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA
MEDAN
Approved by
Supervisor,
Drs. Siamir Marulafau, M. Hum
NIP. 19580517 198503 1 003
Submitted to Faculty of Letters University of Sumatera Utara
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for DIPLOMA III ( D-III ) in English.
Approved by
Head of English Study Program,
Dra. Syahyar Hanum, D.P.F.E
NIP. 19510907 197902 2 001
Approved by the Diploma III of English Study Program Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the D-III Examination of the Diploma III of English Study Program, Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara.
The examination is held on
Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara
Dean,
Prof. Syaifuddin, M.A., Ph.D.
NIP. 19650909 199403 1 004
Board of Examiner and Reader
Examiner : Drs. Siamir Marulafau M. Hum
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I, TRI RODIYAH, declare that I am the sole author of this paper. Except where reference is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material
published elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from a paper by paper which I have qualified for or awarded another degree.
No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of the paper. This paper has not been submitted for the award of another
degree in any tertiary education.
Signed :
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
Name : TRI RODIYAH
Title of Paper : A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTER THE
DAY I DIE NOVEL BY FANNIE FLAGG Qualification : D –III / Ahli Madya
Study Program : English
I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction at the discretion
of the Librarian of the Diploma III English Department Faculty of Letters USU on the understanding the users are made aware of their obligation under law of the Republic of Indonesia.
Signed :
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to thank to Allah SWT, for blessing me in completing this paper as one of the requirements to get a Diploma certificate in
English Department at Faculty of letters University of Sumatera Utara.
Furthermore, I would also like to thank to my supervisor Drs. Siamir
Marulafau, M.Hum, who has given his advice and precious time in reading and correcting this paper for its completeness, and to my reader Dra. Swesana
Mardiah Lubis, M.Hum, for her time to read, critics and to give suggestions for this paper. My thanks also go to the head of English Diploma Program Dra. Syahyar Hanum, DPFE, for her guidance and developing critics, and also the
dean of Faculty of Letters Prof Syaifuddin, MA,Ph.D. And my special thank to my dear sister, Friska for her support and sharing her time to suggest me to do my best in finishing my paper.
The most special thanks is dedicated to my beloved parents, S. Mulyono, M.Pd, and Tumiati, for their love and patience, supporting me morally,
spiritually, and financially in completing this paper. My thanks also go to my lovely brothers, Samsi, Dwi, Soffa, and special to Ari, for his support and advice me to finishing this paper. I always love my brothers.
Finally, my greatest thanks to all my friend ( Masyitah, Maya, Viza, Meli, Putri, Dini, Masdalifah, Wulan, Mala, Icha, Elan, ) and to my best friend
all mean to me guys. I would also like thank to my oldest friends Hartika and
Sartika, for their support and listen to all my complaints. You are all the craziest friends I have ever had. Last but not least, my thank to all my friends in class A and B who I can not mention one by one here. I will miss you all.
However, I realize that this paper is still far from being perfect because it is not easy to finish it to my satisfaction. Therefore, I welcome any constructive
criticism and suggestions to give more advantages in the future.
Medan, 2010
The Writer,
TRI RODIYAH
TABLE OF CONTENS
2. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERIZATION ... 3
2.1 Characterization ... 3
2.2 Main Character and Peripheral ... 6
2.3 Protagonist and Antagonist... 7
3.2.4 Cathy Calvert ... 22
3.2.5 Verbena wheeler... 22
3.2.6 Luther Griggs ... 23
3.2.7 Dena Nordstrom O’Malley... 24
3.2.8 Susie Hill ... 25
3.3 Protagonist ... 26
3.3.1 Dorothy Smith ... 26
3.3.2 Boots Carroll ... 26
3.4 Antagonist ... 27
3.4.1 Winston Sprague ... 27
3.4.2 Gus Shimmer ... 27
4 CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 28
4.1 Conclusions ... 28
4.2 Suggestions... 29
REFERENCEES
ABSTRACT
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1The Background of Study
Novel is the fictitious prose narrative portraying characters and presenting an organized series of event of setting. Every novel is account of life; involves
conflicts, characters, plot, setting, and theme. In this paper, the writer would like to study about characterization. The writer is interested in choosing Fannie Flagg novel The Day I Die because this novel is so funny, full of mysterious, religious,
but also warm up heart.
The writer wants to study about characterization, because there are so
many characters in this novel. It is really fresh because it tells about women who always cheerful, intelligent and love all god creation creatures. The mystery aspect of the story feels a bit tacked on, but the musings on Heaven and life are
charming and comforting.
1.2The Scope of the study
There are so many aspects can be explained in this novel, but in this opportunity the writer focuses on one aspect only. It is about characterization in
1.3 The Purpose of Study
The purpose of writing in this paper is that the writer wants to analyze the characters in The Day I Die novel by Fannie Flagg and wants to fulfill one of the requirements in order to complete the writer education in D-III English
Department.
1.4 The Significance of the Study
In this paper, the writer has got lesson from this novel, especially about life. That is always has good connection toward fellow human being, nature and also The God.
The writer hopes that this paper can be useful for readers, and for English Diploma students to encourage them to study literature for their final assignment.
1.5 The Methods of Study
In writing this paper, the writer reads the novel several times and analyzes the characters. After that the writer selects the quotation that related to the
characters. The writer uses library research. In Library search the writer finds the books to enrich the writer data. In internet, the writer browsed the information that
2. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERIZATION
2.1 Characterization
Character themes are usually used in two contexts. The first context, character refers in individuals that appear in the story such as when the person
asks; “How many character in the story?” The second context, character refers in a mixing from various importance, willing, emotion and moral principle from
individual such as which implicit appear in the question; “ How about character in the story?”.
Characterization is the process of creating characters in fiction, often those
who have different form and have different beliefs than the author. A writer can assume the point of view of child, and older person, a member of the opposite
gender, someone of another rice or culture, or anyone who is not like them in personality or otherwise. In novels, characterization is character development, which helps to establish themes.
Though are not real people, realized or not, characters are drawn from life. A character is a reasonable facsimile of a human being. Edward V. Roberts and
Henry E. Jacobs (1995: 131) says: “In fiction, a character may be defined as a verbal representation of a human being. Trough action, speech, description and commentary, author’s poetry characters that are worth caring about, rooting for
and even loving, although there are also characters you have may laugh at, dislike or even hate.”
“Who is the protagonist and antagonist in this novel?” and so on. The character
indicates to characteristics and attitude of the player. In addition, more indicates to the personal quality of a player in a story. According to Jones (1968: 33) states, that characterization is the description of clear image about someone who
appeared in a story.
In a story emphasizing a major character, you may expect that each action
or speech, no mater how small, is part of a total representation of that complex combination of both the inner and outer self that constitutes a human being.
Therefore, in characterization contained two aspects: content and type.
Actually, what and who is the character in a novel do not important during the reader can identified at that character (Jones, 1968: 33) or interpret that characters
according with the logic of the story of their perception.
A character occupies a strategic position to bring and convey message, moral or something that is purposely conveyed to the readers. Abraham (1981:
20) state that character is people who appeared in a narrative drama, and the readers interpret it as the person who has a moral quality and a certain tendency
such as being expressed in what they did.
Character can be defined as “story doer” or “characterization”. It is a whole unity between a character and his characterization, because it is not rare
that mentioning a name of certain character directly signal us to his characterization. Stanton (1965 : 17) says: “The use of character terms it self in
behavior, attraction, willing, emotion, and moral principal possessed by the
characters”.
The character in a novel usually appear completely, for example the correlation of the characteristics of physical, the condition of social, behavior,
characteristics and habit, etc. and also how the relation among the characters is directly or indirectly. Because of that, it will give the illustration more clearly and
2.2 Main Character and Peripheral Character
Main character is a character who gives the narrating in novel concerned. It is a character at most told, well as executant’s incident also that hit incident. Even in certain novels, main character always presents in each incident and can be
found in each story page concerned.
In other novels, main character doesn't appear in each incident or indirect
indicated in every chapter. But obvious in incident or chapter tight permanent related, or can be related to main character.
Because main character at most is told and always related to the other
figures, he or she is very determine development plot as a whole. It always presents as executants, or hit incident and conflict.
Main character that is made the synopsis, that is in making activity synopsis, addition character usually being ignored. Main character in a novel may be more than a person, although the superiority degree is not always same. Their
superiority is determined by domination, narrating quantity, and the influence towards development plot as a whole.
On the other hand, appearance addition of the characters in all slimmer story, not important, and if there is the dependability with main character, directly or indirectly, which is called peripheral character. Peripheral characters is the
2.3 Protagonist and Antagonist
A protagonist is the central or primary personal figure of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, video game, or musical narrative, around whom the events
of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to share the most empathy.
The terms protagonist, main character and hero are variously defined, and depending on the source, may denote different concepts. In fiction, the story of the protagonist may be told from the perspective of a different character (who may
also, but not necessarily, be the narrator). An example would be a narrator who relates the fate of several protagonists, perhaps as prominent figures recalled in a
biographical perspective. Often, the protagonist in a narrative is also the same person as the focal character, though the two terms are distinct. Excitement and intrigue alone is what the audience feels toward a focal character, while a sense of
empathy about his / her objectives and emotions is what the audience feels toward the protagonist. He or she is often referred to as the "good guy". However, it is
entirely possible for a story's protagonist to clearly be the villain of the piece.
The principal opponent of the protagonist is a character known as the antagonist, who represents or creates obstacles that the protagonist must
overcome. As with protagonists, there may be more than one antagonist in a story. Sometimes, a work will offer a particular character as the protagonist, only to dispose of that character unexpectedly, as a dramatic device. Such a character is
different protagonists from the main plot. In some novels, the protagonists may be
impossible to identify, because multiple plots in the novel do not permit clear identification of one as the main plot.
Protagonist is character that admired - one of the kinds according to
popular called hero - characters that are norms personification, the values, which ideal for reader (Altenbernd & Lewis, 1966: 59)
Conflict that undergone by the protagonist not only that caused by antagonist a (several person) individual that be indicated clearly. He / she can be caused by matter - something else outside individualities somebody, for example
nature disaster, accident, nature environment and social, social rules, moral values, power and strength higher, etc. Conflict cause not done by a character is
called as strength antagonistic, antagonistic force (Altenbernd & Lewis, 1966: 59).
An antagonist is a character, or group of characters, which represents the
opposition against which the protagonist must contend. In other word, a person, or a group of people who oppose the main character. In the classic style of story
Writer has also created more complex situations. The antagonist is who
often has been portrayed to have maniacal and / or malicious intentions. Such antagonists are usually police officers, or other law enforcement officials. Sometimes, antagonists and protagonists may overlap, depending on what their
3. A BRIEF STUDY OF CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DAY I DIE NOVEL BY FANNIE FLAGG
3.1 THE MAIN CHARACTERS
3.1.1 Elner Shimfissle
Elner is a sweet woman, artless, and has a pink cheek with a white hair. She is so head stringent and likes to make disturbance. It can be seen from the
quotation below:
“Siapa yang akan mengira bahwa perempuan sepuh yang manis, polos, dan pipinya merah jambu ini, dengan rambut putih ditarik semua kebelakang membentuk sanggul kecil, bisa membuat begitu banyak kerusuhan? Tetapi memang, Bibi Elner orangnya keras kepala” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.9)
Elner is a very kind and careless woman, because she often falls from the ladder. Everybody is often made to worry by her. Finally, she falls from ladder because of the nettled bee and she is entering the hospital.
When Elner's husband, Will, must lie down at the bed because TBC during
two year, every day Elner get up four a.m. She replaces her husband to take care their agriculture. Elner is success to pass unsightly flood, augmenting tornado and care her husband. She plants enough harvest for their family provision, and half
from their neighbor . She is a patient and strong woman. She never said that it is not amaze but it must be done. Every person believes that Elner wells and she can
pass the incident. It can be seen from the quotation below:
bangun pukul empat pagi, dan hanya dengan bersenjatakan seekor keledai dan sebuah bajak, sendirian wanita itu tetap memelihara dan menyelenggarakan pertanian mereka. Entah bagaimana caranya Elner berhasil melalui bahaya banjir terburuk dalam sejarah Missouri, ditambah tiga tornado, sekaligus merawat suaminya, dan menanam cukup panenan untuk persediaan keluarga sendiri serta setengah dari tetangga mereka.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.45)
Elner is an interesting woman, but she is not pretty likes her younger
sister, Ida. She is not a nervous woman or worried which direct receive a matter likes her sister. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Dari dulu Elner adalah wanita yang menyenangkan penampilannya, tetapi tidak secantik seperti adiknya, Ida. Elner bukan wanita penggugup atau pencemas yang langsung menanggapi suatu hal seperti apa adanya” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.67)
Every year Elner always makes a programme on easter. That is hunt egg in her yard. She dyes more than two hundred eggs, and she hides it in her yard. Elner
always makes it for her neighbour. She likes do it, because she wants to makes everybody happy, especially for the children. It can be seen from the quotation
below:
Elner is a funny woman. She likes to makes another person laughs. She
likes to tell about her funny experience, so that makes them laugh. She also can change mood Irene when Irene is sorrow. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Tak peduli bagaimana pun jeleknya cuaca hati Irene, Elner selalu bisa membuatnya tertawa.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.97)
Elner Shimfissle is a simple woman and has a big body. She has many chickens in her yard. She is a friendly person and likes gives food to her neighbor.
If there is a guest come to her house, she will gives some fruits to her guest. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Elner Shimfissle adalah tipe wanita pedesaan, bertubuh besar, dan seingat Snow, punya banyak ayam yang berlarian bebas di pekarangannya. Elner sangat ramah, menyuguhinya kue gandum, bahkan membekalinya dengan sekantong buah ara saat Snow berpamitan.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.124)
Elner likes electricity and appreciates it more than whomever. She said that the biggest contrition in her live is she can not meet Thomas Edison. She
wants to shake hand and says thanks to Thomas Edison because his found. It can be seen from the quotation below:
Elner likes children very much, but she has not any child. It can be seen
from the quotation below:
“Elner selalu terlihat gembira, selalu dalam suasana hati ceria, tetapi dia tidak pernah punya anak.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.128)
When Elner wakes up, she is confuse because she does not know where she is. The place is very beautiful, clean and pleasant. Not far from the place, she has seen somebody that resemble with her younger sister that has gone, Ida. Then
she approaches it, and true she is her younger sister. Elner asks to her, "where is this?" and Ida answers, "you reside in heaven." Then Ida brings Elner.
Ida brings Elner return to 50 year ago. Although Elner is confuse why she is brought to return to her house, but Elner does not objection, because the atmosphere was very fun and very lonely. She likes it. It can be seen from the
quotation below:
““Ida, aku tak tahu kita mau apa disini, tetapi kita tidak berada di periode yang tepat, yang itu aku tahu betul. Agaknya kita kembali ke zaman lima puluh tahun lalu,” kata Elner. Walaupun tak dapat menerka mengapa dia kembali berada di rumah, Elner sama sekali tak keberatan mundur lima puluh tahun seperti ini. Suasananya sangat , sangat menyenangkan, dan sangat sangat sepi.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.172)
Elner happy because she will know about mysterious life, and she knows that his goods time always is interrogated about this, but as anyone who comes
question is, what is actually that live meaning?” It can be seen from the quotation
below:
“Elner bersandar, gembira karena mereka akan mulai dengan bagian tentang “misteri kehidupan” lebih dulu, dan berkata, Nah, Raymond, saya tahu bahwa barang kali Anda selalu ditanyai tentang ini, tetapi seperti semua orang yang datang kemari, saya kira, selama bertahun – tahun saya penasaran sekali ingin mendapatkan jawaban untuk hal yang satu ini. “yang mana yang duluan, ayam atau telur?” dan “kurasa pertanyaan kedua ku adalah, apa sesungguhnya arti hidup itu?”” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.191)
Norma, Macky and Linda are ready to see their aunt and say good bye.
They walk to aim Elner's room and the nurse open door. Elner seems so sweet and peace, difficult for them to realize that aunt Elner has gone. They stand there in loneliness, by their own way to say good bye in their heart. Suddenly Elner
speaks, every person who gets there startled and feared. The nurse that present with them run and scream with full strength, so that it makes the hospital atmosphere noisy. Elner lives return. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Elner tampak begitu manis dan damai, sulit bagi Norma untuk menyadari bahwa dia memeng benar – benar telah tiada. Mereka berdiri di sana dalam kesunyian, masig – masing dalam batinnya mengucapkan selamat tinggal dengan cara masing – masing, saat mendadak saja Elner angkat bicara, “Aku tahu kau marah pada ku, Norma, tetapi aku takkan jatuh kalau saja tabuhan – tabuhan itu tak menyengatku.”” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.242)
and call three or four times everyday, and she repeats the same story. She gets
confused where she is now. This matter makes her nephew is so worry, so that they intend to enter their aunt to Happy Acres, an age advanced person relocation.
Before Macky and Norma arrive at Elner's house to brings her to Happy
Acres, Macky gets phone from Ruby, Elner's neighbor. She has told that Elner has gone. She finds Elner pass away quietly in her house, and in her own bed also. It
is a prayer that always Elner said every evening. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Dan walaupun tak ada yang tahu hal itu kecuali Elner, doa yang selalu diucapkannya setiap kali melihat bintang pertama setiap malam, bertahun – tahun lamanya, akhirnya menjadi kenyataan. Ruby baru saja memberi tahu Macky bahwa ketika dia datang ke rumah Elner beberapa menit yang lalu, dia menemukan Elner telah meninggal dunia dengan tenang, di rumahnya sendiri, dan di ranjangnya sendiri juga.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.481)
3.1.2 Norma Warren
Norma is a nervous woman and likes grumble to Elner because she always
does something that makes Norma worried. She loves her. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Norma orangnya sangat penggugup, setelah Elner terjatuh kali terakhir sebelum ini, mengomel panjang pendek lagi dan lagi menyuruhnya berhenti naik tangga memetik buah ara.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.3)
Norma Warren is a woman who has brown hair and still has an interest at
“Norma Warren, si rambut cokelat yang masih menarik dalam usianya yang enam puluhan” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.5)
After geting the news from Tot, elner's neighbor, that aunt Elner falls from the tree, she is direct takes to plate sink to wet her face so that she is not faint. She
is easy faints when her feeling is distrube. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Norma meletakkan gagang telepon, buru – buru lari ke bak cuci piring, dan mencipratkan air dingin ke muka agar dia tak pingsan. Norma mudah pingsan bila perasaannya terganggu.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.5)
When she is walking around the room, suddenly Norma remembers that
she should do practice to speak positive by her self in accordance with a program, especially, for person likes herself, so as to attack and avoid nervous easily.
Norma does not like to be equated like her mother, during her behaviour
showing that she is not good towards aunt Elner. She also refuses to visit aunt Elner after she moves to city, during aunt Elner takes care chickens in her yard.
She consider that it is very countrified. It can be seen from the quotation below: “Norma ngeri sekali dipersamakan dengan ibunya.
Turning from all her weakness, Norma has a good heart, and she likes to
give attention to another person and always wants to be administering this world. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Tetapi di tengah segala kelemahannya, norma punya hati emas. Masalah yang terbesar adalah dia terlalu banyak menaruh perhatian pada orang lain dan selalu ingin mengurus dunia.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.67)
If there is something that must be done in this city, certainly Norma is
ready to do it. There is no one parent even also that live alone not to get hot food but visit somebody, and all that is Norma blessing. So, Norma seems to love
somebody and takes pity on them. It can be seen from the quotation below: “Kalau ada sesuatu yang mesti dilakukan, di kota ini, pasti norma bersedia. Tak ada satu orangtua pun yang tinggal sendirian yang tak mendapatkan makanan panas serta kunjungan dari seseorang, dan semua itu berkat Norma. Jadi, dibawah semua itu Norma adalah seseorang yang penuh kasih sayang.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.68)
3.1.3 Macky Warren
Macky is Norma husband. He is a manager in the tools handicraft at store the home stand at the shopping centre. Norma calls him to say that Elner aunt falls from tree. She is so nervous. Macky is forty five year get married with Norma and
accustomed to face her wife hysterical attack, especially it concerns with aunt Elner. It can be seen from the quotation below:
dan sudah terbiasa menghadapi serangan histeris istrinya, terutama jika menyangkut Bibi Elner, berkata, ‘Baik, Norma, tenang dulu, aku yakin Bibi baik – baik saja.”” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.6)
3.1.4 Linda Warren
Linda warren is a flaxen haired woman, pretty and thirty four years old. And she is a career woman. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Linda warren, perempuan pirang ayu berusia tiga puluh empat, tengah ada di ruang direksi, memimpin rapat di St.Louis” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.78)
Now Linda knows that what she always hears formerly is obviously true. She always feels regret when they lose somebody they love. Linda is chased to get thousands questions, " why do I not? " and " if I". It can be seen from the
quotation below:
“Kini Linda tahu persis bahwa apa yang selalu didengarnya dulu itu ternyata benar. Akan selalu ada sesal ketika kita kehilangan seseorang yang kita cintai. Seumur hidupnya, Linda akan dikejar ribuan pertanyaan, “ Mengapa aku tidak?” dan “kalau saja aku”.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.85)
When aunt Elner goes to visit her nephew, Mary Grace, Linda submit herself to live in aunt's house and administer Elner’s cat, Sonny number six. But,
on the second day, the cat gones. Linda panics and call her father. Until four days, Linda and her father looks for to all places, but fail to find it. The cat is not return to the house. Affraid Elner feels dissapointed, Linda and her father looks for the
cat before aunt Elner return. But they never say it to aunt Elner. Linda feels very
regret because she ever lies to aunt Elner. It can be seen from the quotation below: “Saat Ibu Linda dan Bibi Elner mengunjungi
3.2 THE PERIPHERAL CHARACTERS
3.2.1 Ruby Robinson
Ruby is a cute woman, has a high one hundred fifty two centimeter, wears a glasses minus and plus, and she is a nurse. She is ready to help her neighbour
when they need. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Ruby Robinson, perempuan mungil setinggi kira – kira seratus lima puluh dua sentimeter, berkacamata minus dan plus yang membuat matanya tampak dua kali lebih besar dari pada aslinya, saat itu tengah sarapan pagi, tetapi begitu mendengar jeritan Tot, dia melompat, dan lari secepat – cepatnya keluar.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.16)
The solidarity among nurses is always found there, and also Ruby with her
friend, Boots. Ruby will protect her message source with her own soul. It can be seen from the question below:
“Selalu ada kesetiaan antarsesama perawat di antara mereka yang bisa diandalkan Boots. Dan memang benar, Ruby pasti akan melindungi sumber beritanya dengan nyawanya sendiri, kalau perlu.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.252)
3.2.2 Tot Whooten
Tot whooten is a thin woman, has a red hairy and always wears eye-shadow pale blue, although that color is very lag. She has a parlor in the
Elmwoods Spring. It can be seen from the quotation below:
bekerja di salon kecantikan” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.15)
When Tot is walking to pass by Elner's house, she looks her neighbour falls from a ladder, because she is nettled bee. Tot runs to help Elner, and she
bawls to call Ruby to investigates Elner.
3.2.3 Merle Wheeler
Merle is Elner’s neighbor who always gives strange things to Elner. Merle gives the very ugly wheel chair, and Elner puts it at her yard. So everybody
can see it. Elner likes to gain gift from Merle. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Tetangga Bibi Elner di seberang jalan, Merle Wheeler, dialah yang selalu membawakan benda – benda bertampang menjijikkan. Merle juga yang membawa kursi kulit palsu tua cokelat beroda yang jelek itu, yang diletakkan Elner di teras depan sehingga seluruh dunia bias melihatnya.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.10)
Merle Wheeler, Verbena’s husband, is a man who has a big body and belly distended. He always wears a white shirt and a pair of bertel. It can be seen from
the quotation below:
3.2.4 Cathy Calvert
Cathy is a woman has a tall body, fourty years old, and has a brown hair. She works as editor and the owner of a little company weekly newspaper in the Elmwood Springs. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Cathy, perempuan jangkung kurus berusia awal empat puluhan berambut cokelat tua, adalah editor sekaligus pemilik mingguan kecil daerah itu.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.42)
A large part of the job is done by her self. If there is something emergency passed by her office, it means, there is an accident or bad event seriously. She
directs takes her camera and the note book to look for the news.
After Cathy graduates her college, she teaches about somebody history that submitted according to oral society college at the class, and at that time Elner
and Irene Goodnight are Cathy’s students. They are good students with interesting story. Cathy learns so many from her class. Now she knows that the appearance can lie us.
When Cathy still studies, she wants to become a writer. At the moment she has a dream that she will be able to write the biggest America novel, but after
3.2.5 Verbena Wheeler
Verbena is a woman who has a thin lip with a grey curled hair. She is a religious person and distaste nonsense. She is a proud with her self, because she
knows all about Injil. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Verbena, wanita berbibir tipis-rapat dengan rambut abu - abu yang dikeriting kecil – kecil disalon, adalah umat Gereja Tuhan Pantekosta yang taat, tak suka omong kosong, sejenis kepribadian “Saya ini pelahap Injil, dan saya bangga karenanya” yang dapat mengutip ayat – ayat Al-kitab yang tepat untuk setiap peristiwa.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.29)
Verbena likes to advise her neighbour that does anomaly towards religion.
But the result is not good. She gets coarse treatment and even snap at her to administer her own affair. Verbena gets lesson from it. It makes her not to talk
more concerns about religious person. And she wants to get in touch with her neighbours.
3.2.6 Luther Griggs
Luther Griggs is not a suitable friend for old woman, but Elner is close
Luther is always suspicious to every person that kind to him, even less
after he makes mistakes. It can be seen from the quotation below: “Luther menyipitkan mata dan mengira – ngira, apa sebenarnya maksud wanita tua itu. Dia selalu curiga pada siapa saja yang bersikap baik padanya. Luther melempari kucing wanita ini dengan batu, jadi mungkin saja si nenek bermaksud memancingnya agar mendekat supaya bisa dipukul.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.116)
3.2.7 Dena Nordstrom O’Malley
Dena is a woman who gives top priority for her career, and she always
chases success and money. She never thinks that there is something else more important from it and a woman that live in a simple situation and feels satisfied with the live. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Sebelum Dena jatuh sakit, prioritas utamanya selalu kariernya, maju terus ke depan, mengejar kesuksesan dan uang. Tak pernah masuk dalam benaknya bahwa ada hal lain yang lebih penting, dan bahwa seorang perempuan yang hidup dalam situasi paling sederhana dan kelihatan puas dengan hidupnya itu jelas akan menjadi teka – teki rumit bagi Dena.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.184)
Elner is the first person who opens Dena eyes; make her see a little matter truthfully outspread at in front of her. She looks all of the little things because she
3.2.8 Susie Hill
Susie hill is a first priestess Elmwood Springs. She does not have many experiences in death because she is a new priestess. But she tries to help many people. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Susie baru saja ditahbiskan menjadi pendeta dan tak punya banyak pengalaman dengan kematian. Susie telah lama bekerja keras dan berusaha untuk akhirnya dapat bekerja menolong orang lain.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.204)
Susie ever enters current Christian science for a few moments, ever studies Buddhisme, Hinduism, Kabba, Katholik, Scientologi, reads the Book of Miracles
(the general ledger about miracle). Susie studies so many things, looks for and prays for every people whom she wants at the same time, but for the long time of her struggle, there is something happens to her. It can be seen from the quotation
below:
3.3 PROTAGONIST
3.3.1 Dorothy Smith
Dorothy has a round face and cheerful light at her eyes. She is friendly. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Wajahnya yang bundar dan ramah tersenyum lebar pada Elner, dengan cahaya ceria yang sama berkilauan di matanya.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.176)
Before Elner goes, Dorothy says something to Elner. She said that live is
how way they receive it, and a good thinks will come to them. If they are always smile, this world feels bright and clear.
3.3.2 Boots Carroll
Boots is a nurse in the Caraway hospital. She is Ruby’s friend. She feels
unpleasant because she breaks regulation about patient status confidentiality to somebody is not their family. If she is found out, she will lose her job. Her luck, she narrates to her friend, Ruby. It can be seen from the question below:
3.4 ANTAGONIST
3.4.1 Winston Sprague
Winston is a young lawyer that allows all manners to achieve the aim. He wants to produce millions dollar at the age of thirty, and he does not care for
people to do what he likes to achieve his aim. His slogan, " do not care their poor and weak. " Winston often lies before and not indisposed for doing lies again. He
just knows to get win or lose. Sprague is a person who is penniless and coarse. It can be seen from the quotation below:
“Sprague juga ingin menghasilkan jutaan dolar saat usianya menginjak tiga puluhan, dan dia tak peduli siapa atau apa yang harus diinjaknya untuk mencapai tujuannya itu. Semboyannya adalah, “Peduli setan mereka yang miskin dan lemah.” Sprague sudah kerap berbohong sebelum ini dan tak keberatan untuk berdusta lagi. Etika diciptakannya hanya untuk orang – orang bodoh. Yang diketahuinya kini hanyalah menang atau kalah. Sebenarnya Sprague sekadar orang brengsek yang sinis dan kasar.” (The day I die, Fannie Flagg, p.272)
3.4.2 Gus Shimmer
Gus Shimmer is a heavy lawyer one hundred forty kilograms. He considers that hospital is gold-mine for him, because he likes to demand all the hospital for a little matter. He likes to make the hospital bankrupt. It can be seen
from the quotation below:
4. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
4.1 Conclusions
After studying the characters in Fannie Flagg’s Novel “The Day I Die”, the writer takes some conclusions that are:
1. The Character in this novel divides in to Main Character, Peripheral,
Protagonist and Antagonist.
2. The Main Character is the character that often appeared in the almost each
event. There are four Main Characters in the Fannie Flagg’s novel, namely, Elner Shimfissle, Norma Warren, Macky Warren and Linda Warren. The
Peripheral in the Fannie Flagg’s novel, namely Ruby Robinson, Tot Whooten, Cathy Calvert, Merle Wheeler, Verbena Wheeler, Luther Griggs,
Dena Nordstrom O’Malley, and Susie Hill.
3. The readers can take moral lesson from Elner’s life, and it is very simple,
makes them happy and enjoys it. Because of her personality is very fun,
many people know and like her. The character in the novel implements the quality of persons for each individual. The quality itself refers to moral
4.2 Suggestions
The writer has some suggestions related to her analysis as the following below:
1. This novel is interested to read by the readers. The characters in the novel
have some good sides and bad sides. Such as we must be good towards fellow, mutual appreciate and respect our neighbor.
2. The characters in the novel get a good moral lesson for the readers.
3. The writer realizes that this paper still far from being perfect but the writer
hope it will be useful for the readers, especially for students who are going
REFERENCES
“Biography of Fannie Flagg” dalam http://www.google.com. Flagg, Fannie, 2008. The Day I Die, Jakarta: Hikmah.
Gunawan, K. Adi, 2001. Kamus Indonesia – Inggris, Surabaya: kartika.
Maxwell C, John, 2002. The Power of literary attitude, Batam: Interaksara.
Nurgiantoro, Burhan, 1995. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi, Gajah Mada University Press. Ltd.
Peck, John and Martin coyle, 1986. Literary Terms and Criticsm, London: Macmillan Education Ltd.
“Protagonist and Antagonist” dalam http://www.google.com
Sanger, Keith, 1998. The Language of Fiction, London Rutledge.
APPENDICES
1. Biography of Fannie Flagg
Fannie Flagg (born September 21, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American author and actress. She was born Patricia Neal, a name she evidently
could not use as there was already an actress named Patricia Neal, and an Oscar winner to boot.
Her acting credits include the Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the movies Five Easy Pieces, Stay Hungry, Grease, and
Crazy in Alabama, as well as minor roles in various television shows. She was
also a popular celebrity guest on game shows like the Match Game.
Since the early 1980s, she has focused more on writing, producing such
bestselling novels as Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. She wrote the screenplay to Fried Green Tomatoes, the well-received 1991 movie based on the latter book, for which she was nominated
for an Academy Award. Fried Green Tomatoes starred Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary Louise Parker, and Cicely Tyson.
Famous Works
Credits; Stage Appearances
Player, Just for Openers, Upstairs at the Downstairs, 1966. Pearl/Dot, Patio Porch, Century Theatre, New York City, 1978.
Sissy, Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,
Mona Stangley, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 46th Street Theatre,
New York City, 1980.
The Supporting Cast, Burt Reynolds Theatre, Jupiter, FL, 1984.
Also appeared as the Maid in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Town & Gown
Theatre. Appeared in major U.S. touring productions of Private Lives,
Annie, Mary Mary, Finishing Touches, and Once More with Feeling.
Credits; Film Appearances
Stoney, Five Easy Pieces, Columbia, 1970.
Helen Mildred Pierce, Some of My Best Friends Are..., Bluebird, 1971. Amy Walterson, Stay Hungry, United Artists, 1976.
Nurse Wilkins, Grease, Paramount, 1978.
U.S. President's wife, Rabbit Test, Avco Embassy, 1978. Mrs. Capello, My Best Friend Is a Vampire, Kings Road, 1988.
Credits; Television Appearances
Regular participant, Candid Camera, CBS, 1960-67, syndicated, 1974-80. Member of panel, Liar's Club, syndicated, 1969.
The Bobbie Gentry Special, syndicated, 1971.
Michele "Mike" Preston, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, CBS, 1971-73.
Comedy News (pilot), ABC, 1972.
Reporter, Comedy News II (pilot), ABC, 1973. Adelle, Home Cookin' (pilot), ABC, 1975.
2.Synopsis of The Day I Die
What happens to you when you die? That's the big question Fannie Flagg tackles in her latest novel "The Day I Die" (Indonesia version title) or book with
original title "can't wait to get to heaven" (2006), and she uses the kind-hearted
inhabitants of Elmwood Springs to address this debate. After 80-something Elner Shimfissle falls off her ladder, she's brought to the hospital where she finds herself
floating down hallways and into elevators that go in every direction, including sideways, thus embarking on her journey to Heaven. And in keeping with her
personality, she has a lot of questions for her maker. At the same time, Elner's worrywart niece Norma and Norma's loving and loyal husband Macky are at her side. The news of her accident spreads through the town like wildfire, and each
resident reflects on Elner and how she touched their lives. Elner was a mother and grandmother all rolled into one for Luther Griggs, who has no parents to speak of.
Like good neighbors, the women of Elmwood Springs waste no time descending on the scene of the accident at Elner's house. Tot Whooten, of Tot's Tell it like it is Beauty Salon and Ruby Robinson rush over to make sure someone
feeds her cat and that things are in order, so poor Norma won't have to return to a mess. Ruby is shocked by the discovery she makes in the bedroom. Why would a
woman like Elner keep a gun in her dirty laundry basket?
At the same time, Elner's journey to Heaven continues. Was that just Ginger Rogers who passed her in the hallway? She sees her sister Ida (Norma's
sister's wish and letting that Tot Whooten do her hair for her funeral, even though
she specifically asked for someone else. Even in the afterlife, you still have to listen to someone gripe. But as her sister explains, each one of us is ushered into Heaven by someone special to us. Each person gets a slightly different
experience; it's tailor-made for the individual.
Elner Shimfissle, a minor character in the other Elmwood Springs novels,
moves to the forefront here with her infectious curiosity and good cheer. She allows the author to discuss topics such as death and the afterlife, with a breezy, upbeat tone. Her characters and situations might seem corny or sentimental in
anyone else's hands, but Flagg effortlessly transports you to a world of old a place where your front porch was the place to go, where neighbors looked out for each
other, and a cool glass of iced tea cured all the world's ills.
The mystery aspect of the story feels a bit tacked on, but the musings on Heaven and life are charming and comforting. And no story about kindly
neighbors and small towns would be complete without a few good recipes like "Neighbor Dorothy's Heavenly Caramel Cake", recipes as sweet and wholesome
