x
ABSTRACT
STEVE KAMEVAN. The Struggle of a Dyslexic In Facing Social Bad Treatment as Seen through Percy Jackson in Rick Riordian’s Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2016.
This thesis discusses Rick Riordan’s novel Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief. The discussion is about a student in Yancy Academy who has a dyslexia syndrome. It is reflected through the main character in the story who is Percy Jackson.
This discussion is meant to answer three problems that are formulated to analyze the issue. The first problem is about the characteristics of Percy Jackson as a dyslexic. The second one is about the discrimination towards Percy Jackson by society seen in the story. The last one is how Percy Jackson as a dyslexic can struggle against the social bad treatment.
To answer the research questions, this thesis used a psychological approach to study the personality of the character in relation to his dyslexia. The main source of the study is Riordan’sPercy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief. The other references are taken to support arguments stated in this undergraduate thesis.
xi ABSTRAK
STEVE KAMEVAN. The Struggle of a Dyslexic in Facing Social Bad Treatment as Seen through Percy Jackson in Rick Riordian’s Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2016.
Skripsi ini mendiskusikan novel Rick Riordan Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief. Novel ini bercerita tentang seorang siswa yang bersekolah di Akademi Yancy yang memiliki sindroma disleksia. Hal ini tercemin melalui tokoh utama dari cerita Percy Jackson.
Diskusi ini bermaksud menjawab tiga pertanyaan yang diformulasikan untuk menganalisa isu terkait. Pertanyaan pertama adalah tentang karateristik Percy Jackson sebagai seorang disleksia. Pertanyaan kedua adalah tentang diskriminasi yang dialami oleh Percy Jackson oleh lingkungan masyarakatnya. Pertanyaan terakhir adalah tentang bagaimana seorang Percy Jackson sebagai dislekia dapat melakukan perjuangan melawan diskrimansi sosial.
Untuk menjawab dari pertanyaan penelitian ini, penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan psikologis yaitu mempelajari kepribadian karakter dalam kaitannya dengan disleksia. Sumber utama di pembelajaran ini adalah Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief milik Riordan dan referensi-referensi lain diambil untuk membantu argumen - argumen yang diyantakan dalam skripsi ini.
THE STRUGGLE OF A DYSLEXIC IN FACING SOCIAL BAD
TREATMENT AS SEEN THROUGH PERCY JACKSON IN
RICK R
IORDIAN’S
PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS:
THE LIGHTNING THIEF
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
STEVE KAMEVAN
Student Number: 104214105
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
i
THE STRUGGLE OF A DYSLEXSIC IN FACING SOCIAL
BAD TREATMENT AS SEEN THROUGH PERCY JACKSON
IN RICK RIORDIAN’S
PERCY JACKSON AND THE
OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
STEVE KAMEVAN
Student Number: 104214105
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
A Sarjana Sqstra Undergraduate Thesis
THE STRUGGLE
OFA DYSLEXIC IN FACING SOCIAL BAD
TREATMENT
AS SEENTHROUGH
PERCY
JACKSON
IN
RICK RIORDIAN'S
PERCY JACKSONAND THE
OLYMPIANS:
THE
LIGHTNING
THIEF
By
STEVE KAMEVAN Student Number: rc4[4105
Approved by
w
Ni Luh Putu Rosiandani. S.S.. M.Hum. Advisor
Co-advisor
November 2,2016
I
I
I
I
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis
THE STRUGGLE
OFA DYSLEXIC IN FACING SOCIAL BAD
TREATMENT
AS SEENTHROUGH
PERCY
JACKSON
IN
RICK RIORDIAN'S
PERCY JACKSONAND
THE OLYMPIANS:
THE
LIGHTNING
THIEF
By
STEVE KAMEVAN Student Number:
l}42l4l}5
Defended before the Board of Examiners on
and Declared Acceptable
BOARD OF'EXAMINERS
Name
Chairperson Secretary
Member I
Member 2 Member 3
Dr. F.X. Siswadi, M.A. Sri Mulyani, Ph.D.
Drs. Hirmawan Wijanark4 M.Hum.
Ni Luh Putu Rosiandani, S.S, M.Hum. Elisabeth. Arti Wulandari, S.S., M.A., Ph.D.
Yogyakarta, November 30, 2016
lll
lroo"
fi-'{'
5,-m
Faculty of Letters Sanata Dharma University
STATEMENT
ffi'
ORIGINALITYis eontains rto material which has been
I certi$
that this undergraduatetl$si-previously submitted forthe awarrd
sf@
other degree at any university, and that,to
the bestof
rny knowledge, tltis trrrdergraduate thesis contains no materialpreviously written by any other person ex@pt where due reference is made in the
text of the undergradute thesis.
'ffi;ilemberl'2016
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA
ILMIAH
UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, Nama
Nomor Mahasiswa
saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma : Steve Kamevan
:104214105
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul
THE STRUGGLE OF A DYSLEXIC IN FACING SOCIAL BAD TREATMENT AS SEEN THROUGH PERCY JACKSON IN RICK
RIORDIAN,S PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma
hak
untuk
menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu mintaijin kepada
saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.Demikian pemyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya. Dibuat di Yogyakarta
vi
I Come
I Consult
I Test
I Revise
And
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Praise and great gratitude submitted to Almighty God, Almighty Jesus Christ who always gives her gracious mercy and tremendous blessing that has helped the writer finishing this undergraduate thesis. This undergraduate thesis is as a requirement in accomplishing the S-1 Degree at the Department of English Letters of University of Sanata Dharma.
The writer would like to thank to all of those who have given the contribution so that this script can be finished. The writer would like to deliver this thank Ni Luh Putu Rosiandani, S.S., M.Hum as the first advisor and Elisabeth Arti Wulandari, S.S., M.A., Ph.D as the second advisor who have guided and assisted the writer in writing and finishing the script. Thank you for your good advice and valuable input. Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M.Hum as examiner who have given the valuable input and advice for the improvement of this thesis. All lecturers in Sanata Dharma University that the writer cannot mention all the names. Thanks for your time, knowledge, advice and motivation that you have given to the writer since study in this great campus. Cia, Ray, Tyas, Cindy and mbak Mayang as friends of Sanata Dharma University who have allowed and helped the writer conducted this research at Sanata Dharma University. Thank you for your cooperation and contribution. My parents who always give motivation when the writer is studying in Yogyakarta at Sanata Dharma University.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
APPROVAL PAGE ... ii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE... iii
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ... iv
PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH... v
MOTTO PAGE ... vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS... viii
ABSTRACT ... x
ABSTRAK... xi
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ... 1
A. Background of the Study ... 1
B. Problem Formulation ... 6
C. Objectives of the Study ... 6
D. Definition of Terms ... 6
1. Struggle... 7
2. Bad Treatment ... 7
3. Dyslexia ... 7
CHAPTER II: REVIEWS OF THEORIES ... 8
A. Review of Related Studies ... 8
B. Review of Related Theories ... 10
1. Theory of Character and Characterization ... 10
a. Speech ... 11
b. Conversation of Others... 11
c. Reaction... 11
d. Direct Comment ... 11
e. Thoughts ... 11
f. Mannerism... 11
2. Theory of Dyslexia ... 12
a. Difficulty with reading unfamiliar material ... 13
b. Slow pace of reading ... 13
c. Understanding more easily when listening than when reading ... 13
d. Underachievement at school, particular in exam ... 13
e. Having close family members with dyslexia ... 13
3. The Bad Treatment Facing Dyslexic ... 14
a. Anxiety ... 15
b. Anger ... 15
ix
d. Depression ... 16
4. The Relation between Psychology and Literature ... 22
C. Theoretical Framework ... 23
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ... 25
A. Object of the Study ... 25
B. Approach of the Study ... 27
C. Method of the Study ... 28
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ... 30
A. The Characteristics of Percy Jackson as Dyslexic ... 30
1. At school ... 30
2. In the family ... 39
3. At the Camp... 40
B. The Bad Treatment Experienced by Percy... 44
1. School ... 44
2. Family... 47
3. Camp... 49
C. Percy Struggles Against the Society... 55
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION... 70
BIBLIOGRAPHY………. 74
x
ABSTRACT
STEVE KAMEVAN. The Struggle of a Dyslexic In Facing Social Bad Treatment as Seen through Percy Jackson in Rick Riordian’s Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2016.
This thesis discusses Rick Riordan’s novel Percy Jackson and The
Olympians: The Lighting Thief. The discussion is about a student in Yancy Academy who has a dyslexia syndrome. It is reflected through the main character in the story who is Percy Jackson.
This discussion is meant to answer three problems that are formulated to analyze the issue. The first problem is about the characteristics of Percy Jackson as a dyslexic. The second one is about the discrimination towards Percy Jackson by society seen in the story. The last one is how Percy Jackson as a dyslexic can struggle against the social bad treatment.
To answer the research questions, this thesis used a psychological approach to study the personality of the character in relation to his dyslexia. The main source of the study is Riordan’sPercy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief. The other references are taken to support arguments stated in this undergraduate thesis.
xi ABSTRAK
STEVE KAMEVAN. The Struggle of a Dyslexic in Facing Social Bad Treatment as Seen through Percy Jackson in Rick Riordian’s Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2016.
Skripsi ini mendiskusikan novel Rick Riordan Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief. Novel ini bercerita tentang seorang siswa yang bersekolah di Akademi Yancy yang memiliki sindroma disleksia. Hal ini tercemin melalui tokoh utama dari cerita Percy Jackson.
Diskusi ini bermaksud menjawab tiga pertanyaan yang diformulasikan untuk menganalisa isu terkait. Pertanyaan pertama adalah tentang karateristik Percy Jackson sebagai seorang disleksia. Pertanyaan kedua adalah tentang diskriminasi yang dialami oleh Percy Jackson oleh lingkungan masyarakatnya. Pertanyaan terakhir adalah tentang bagaimana seorang Percy Jackson sebagai dislekia dapat melakukan perjuangan melawan diskrimansi sosial.
Untuk menjawab dari pertanyaan penelitian ini, penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan psikologis yaitu mempelajari kepribadian karakter dalam kaitannya dengan disleksia. Sumber utama di pembelajaran ini adalah Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lighting Thief milik Riordan dan referensi-referensi lain diambil untuk membantu argumen - argumen yang diyantakan dalam skripsi ini.
Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa Percy Jackson digambarkan sebagai seorang remaja yang memiliki pendidikan yang baik dan tinggal di masyarakat umum. Namun, Percy menderita sindrom disleksia yang terungkap memalui beberapa karakteristik bahwa ia mudah marah, selalu menyerah dan ceroboh. Meskipun dia terlihat sebagai murid yang baik pada umumnya, ia memliki beberapa karakteristik yang menunjukkan perbedaan dengan siswa lain di sekolahnya. Percy berfikir bahwa ia berbeda dengan teman-temanya di sekolah, di rumah maupun di kamp. Kemudian, Percy selalu mendapat diskriminasi dari teman-temannya, guru dan orang tuanya seperti di lingkungan sekolah, keluarga dan kamp. Setelah Percy mendapat diskriminasi dari teman-temannya, guru dan orang tuanya, Percy ingin berjuang untuk dilihat sebagai anak yang normal, sampai ia dapat diterima di
masyarakatnya. Dia harus mengubah karakter “disleksia” menjadi karakter “normal”. Percy menjadi tenang, optimis, berani dan percaya diri. Selain itu,
1 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study
Literature has been a part of human life. In An Introduction to the Study of Literature, it is stated that literature is an expression of life through changing social and artistic circumstances. Literature presents some aspects of human life, such as historical, social, moral, and psychological aspects (Hudson, 1960: 10). It can be seen that most of poem, prose, drama and also movies are the representation of reality, in which the authors try to express their life experience. Literature is human creation in certain time to say something or events in certain period or year. It is intended to share some idea or issue to other human beings, because the greatness of the literature works brought out by the wisest and the most sensitive mind in the form of information, experiences, knowledge or non-aesthetic values (Guerrin, 1979: 18).
Until now, abnormality still becomes the major issue in a psychology. It is because the sufferer often gets humiliation and bad treatment from the society even though they are smart or genius. For instance, one of the most common and popular faces all over the world is Tom Cruise. He suffered from reading disorder called dyslexia. Tom Cruise’s dyslexia was inherited from his mother. By the age of seven, he was claimed that he had a dyslexia syndrome. It was very difficult for him to understand what he read or wrote. He was not accustomed to reading and writing. As a young boy, he had to suffer due to his learning disability. Having a disability can cause other problems like depression, anger, stress, and others. He often suffered from stress, headaches and temper problems. His depression kept increasing each day of his young life. He was also very talented in playing games like baseball, wrestling and soccer. When he graduated from his school, he refused to attend his graduation, as he knew that he might have failed in it. However, by the time becoming an adult, he learned how to read and write. Knowing that he was especially talented in acting, he tried to pursue a career out of acting. Tom Cruise is an example of a disabled person who came out as a winner in his life. He proved to the world that we could survive and be accepted in society, provided we are able to get over our symptoms (http://www.dyslexiaconsultants.com, March 10, 2015).
cannot control his abnormality. They tend to have negative behaviors. Being an “abnormal” person is not anybody’s expected. It means that the normal people do not want to become an “abnormal” person. This abnormality is commonly triggered by many factors. They can be from genetic factor or environment factor.
Furthermore, in A Medical Dictionary about Dyslexia by James and Philiph, dyslexia is a kind of learning disorders (James and Philip, 2001:3-6). It means that dyslexia syndrome comes from the social influence and education influence. Then, in book Helping Hyperactive Kids – A Sensory Integration Approach, it is stated that hyperactivity and dyslexia are almost similar but different in action or behavior (Lynn et.al, 2006:17-19). It means that people with dyslexia and hyperactivity are very different from their behavior. For example, the dyslexia has a lack of reading. Then, hyperactive has difficulty to control his or her emotion because he or she always keeps being active and be never tired.
called as minimal brain dysfunction syndrome or commonly called as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Based on the research at the University of Toronto and the University of North Carolina, the researchers found that around 35 percent of the dyslexic participants in the aged of 18 and over had become the victim of physical abuse. Moreover, about 77 people from 1,020 respondents who said they had been physically abused during childhood which is received a diagnosis of dyslexia. In journal of Interpersonal Violence by Stephen Hooper, he states,
“It is possible that for some children, the presence of dyslexia and related learning problems may place them at relatively higher risk for physical abuse, perhaps due to adult frustrations with chronic learning failure." (Hooper, 2014).
Moreover, not only the children but also the adult with a dyslexia get bad treatment. In one of the articles, it is said,“Dyslexic tax worker sues HMRC for
’bullying’”. The article discusses about the worker who had dyslexia sued by her
management because the victim feels that she gets a bullying from her works. The worker name is Caroline Nicholson.
"I struggle reading any information and find it very difficult to put my thoughts and ideas down into writing that anyone can understand. If someone interrupts me speaking, I can easily lose my train of thought.
“Under stress, I can struggle to see the screen or the paper in front of
me. Also, reading under scrutiny is very difficult."
When her "understanding and supportive" manager retired in 2008, her new manager gave her a hard time. (http://stv.tv/news/east-central/215496-dyslexic-tax-worker-sues-hmrc-for-bullying/) (March 10, 2015).
before she goes to work with the help of her mother. Even though she has a weak memory, she tries harder to remember what is ordered by her boss.
Based on the fact above, the writer chooses the topic about dyslexia. The writer wants to analyze the reaction of the society and the people who suffer from dyslexia. In this research, the writer uses a psychological approach. The writer chooses the psychological approach because the writer wants to look deeper through this research how the people are accepted in their society although they try to make them acceptable in society with the limitations. Besides, the writer wants to show kinds of bad treatment of the people against dyslexic.
The writer chooses a novel related to psychological a term that is Rick Riordan’s work, in which the content is related to the issue of symptoms of dyslexia syndrome. The novel Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is categorized as fantasy fiction story. Rick Riordan tells
about a child who has dyslexia and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The main character itself is Percy Jackson. He is twelve years old, but he is always getting trouble with his dyslexia syndrome and ADHD. In the novel, Percy always cannot be accepted by his society or community in his school. He always gets troubles with his friends and teachers. Besides that, in the novel, Percy Jackson also has been claimed by himself as a dyslexic.
that the writer tries to analyze in this research is Percy Jackson. The writer also tries to identify what kind of symptoms that appears of the character in the novel.
B. Problem Formulation
1. What are the characteristics of Percy Jackson as a dyslexic?
2. How is Percy Jackson as a dyslexic treated badly by society in the story? 3. How does Percy Jackson as a dyslexic bring about the struggle against the
social bad treatment?
C. Objectives of the Study
The writer focuses on three problems that are stated above as the objectives of study. First, the writer wants to see what kind of characteristic of Percy Jackson as a dyslexic is. Second, the writer wants to identify how Percy Jackson as a dyslexic is discriminated by his society. Third, the writer wants to find out how Percy Jackson struggles against the social bad treatment.
D. Definition of Terms
1. Struggle
In book The Struggle of Recognition, struggle is defined as “affective motivational basis that is represented by the negative emotional reactions accompanying the experience of disrespect”(Honneth, 1996: 135).
2. Bad Treatment
In Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, bad means “unpleasant and causing difficulties or harm”(2001: 81). Then, treatment means “the way you deal with or behave towards someone or something”(2001: 1541). Therefore, the meaning of bad treatment is a way of behavior or actions that is performed by the person or community or society. The actions can lead the problems such as bullying, causing hostility and discriminating. Moreover, the bad treatment also refers to practice of treating someone or a particular group in society less fairly than others, based on their behavior (syndrome).
3. Dyslexic
8 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
The first related study is A Study Of Dyslexia Among Primary School Students In Sarawak, Malaysia. This thesis written by Rosana Bin Awang Bolhasan from Education Department Batu Lintang Teachers’Training Institute. Rosana determine the degree of dyslexic reading problem among primary school students and the relationship between the degree of dyslexia and some factors. The factors meant by Rosana were gender of age, class, parents’ income, parent
education, and parents’ occupation, students’ position in the family and the
number of brothers and sisters in the family.
The second related study is Sanata Dharma University; English Letters Program Undergraduate thesis written by Erlita entitled The Causes of
Narrator’s Schizophrenia in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Paper”. The writer takes Erlita’s work because the topic that she takes has a similar focus with this study that is a character with a particular condition with the writer’s analysis which is about “abnormal”syndrome. Erlita’s works in novel
“The Yellow Paper” analyzes the narrator’s characterization, the symptoms of schizophrenia suffered by the narrator through the characterization, and the factors that cause the narrator’sschizophrenia.
writer can conclude that the Narrator suffers from schizophrenia. Then,
the writer finds the factors that cause the Narrator’s schizophrenia. The
factors are the social life and life events. The social life factor is the Narrator’s condition which she has to be isolated in the rented house without being able to see her relatives, added by the lack of communication between her and her husband, John; and life event factor is the condition which she experiences a trauma after giving birth her first child that cause the Narrator becomes a schizophrenia sufferer (Erlita, 2012: 9).
Based on the quotation above, Erlita wants to analyze how the narrator gets schizophrenia. Then, she also tries to look the problem why the narrator gets the schizophrenia symptoms. As it can be seen that Erlita concludes that the narrator of the short stories “The Yellow Paper” suffered the schizophrenia symptoms because of the social life factor and the lack of communication between her and husband who is John.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
In order to analyze the characteristics of the main character in the novel, the writer uses characterization theories. In Glossary of Literary Terms, it is stated that:
Character is the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work that are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositions qualities through their dialogue and their action (Abrams, 1981: 20).
Based on the quotation above, it is stated that the character is the person who can give the readers the plot of the story. Through the plot, the character shows the characteristics of his or her that bring many values and morals through everything that the character does in the story. Abrams also divides the characters into two categorizes; the main or major characters and minor characters. The major character always becomes the center of the story. He or she is the most important character in the story and the conflict of the story is focused on the main character from the beginning until the end of the story.
a. Speech
The reader can understand the character through what he or she says when he or she is in conversation with other, and whenever he or she puts forward an opinion.
b. Conversation of Others
The author can also give some clues to a person’s character through the
conversations among other characters. c. Reactions
The author gives clues about character’s personality through the character’s reaction towards various situations and events.
d. Direct Comment
The author describes or comments on a person’s character directly. e. Thoughts
The author gives the readers information and understanding about what the character’sthinking about.
f. Mannerism
The reader can get some clues by knowing the author’s description of character’s personality through mannerism, habits, and many more in the novel (Murphy, 1972:161-173).
2. Theory of Dyslexia
This study tries to analyze the main character who is Percy Jackson. He has a dyslexia syndrome. The syndrome occurs since the person in the childhood period, around kindergarten until junior high school. According to James and Philip in Dyslexia: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References, dyslexia is one of the most serious conditions afflicting the termination of human developmental disorders which ranges from childhood like the development of their language, learning progress, and attention (2003: 3-64). It means that the syndrome of dyslexia can be seen when the children go to school around kindergarten until junior high school. Furthermore, the syndrome of dyslexia can affect human development disorder such as their language, learning progress, and attention.
According to Bonnie R. Strickland in Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, the definition of dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by significant disparity between an individual’s general intelligence and his or her language skill which is usually reflected from the school performance (Strickland, 2001: 200). Strickland wants to say that the dyslexia can disturb attention and cause hyperactivity disorder and disruptive behavior disorder.
a. Difficulty with reading unfamiliar material
It means when we learn a new vocabulary or new word, we have the difficulty to learn it. For example, usually we read a novel or book with many pictures in the book, but suddenly we read a novel or book with no pictures in that novel or book.
b. Slow pace of reading
It depends on the situation and the ability of the people, especially, the people who have the dyslexia syndrome.
c. Understanding more easily when listening than when reading.
The dyslexic has a lack of the ability of reading. They can better understand a story through listening than reading.
d. Underachieving at school, particularly in exams. Usually, the dyslexic also has a bad score in exams. e. Having close family members with dyslexia.
Usually, the dyslexic may have come from their family or their relative. For example, they have someone who has the dyslexia syndrome.
their emotion and even conversely becoming aggressive by obtaining the negative attention from the people (1980:19).
Moreover, the dyslexic that is obtained is not only the deficiency of characteristics problems but also positive site.
The factor of the successful of the dyslexic in teenagers were active, expressive individuals…. were pro-active to overcome hurdles, which require high levels of self-confidence…. encouragement of talents and hobbies and a search for self-worth…. also found that persistence and stubbornness were assets (Passe, 2006: 3).
Based on the quotation above, Passe shows that the people who have the dyslexia syndrome can survive and be successful in their lives. It can be seen
fromthe dyslexics’persistence and stubbornness.
3. The Bad Treatment Facing Dyslexic
The dyslexics usually try to live this lives normally as they can. However, people in the society often see them as disturbing people who have to be isolated from the environment. It is because, commonly, normal people do not like to see something that diverges from the norm. People often treat the dyslexics inappropriately because they think that the dyslexics are the people who are different from them. This situation then triggers the bad and unhealthy relation between the society and the dyslexics.
the dyslexics get social bad treatment that they feel being underestimated by their social life.
a. Anxiety
According to Dr. Michael in The International Dyslexia Association (IDA), anxiety is the major factor in people with dyslexia syndrome. It means that the dyslexics become fearful because of their constant frustration and confusion in school. For example, they are afraid that they cannot enjoy their school, society, and life. Moreover, they are afraid if they get homework from their teacher, they cannot do the homework well.
b. Anger
Then, Dr. Michael in The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) said,
“Many of the emotional problems caused by dyslexia occur out of frustration
with school or social situations”. It means that the dyslexic cannot affect their
c. Self-image
The self-image is the very important part for shaping the character of the child. Then, according to Dr. Michael in The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) said that,” during the first year of school, every child must resolve the conflicts between a positive self-image and feelings of inferiority”. It means that the character building starts when they enroll their school at the first time. The conflict that they must face is social situation at school. If they cannot deal with it, they get a difficulty to blend with their friends at school.
d. Depression
pain in his present experiences, but also foresees a life of continuing failure (http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/, April 25, 2015).
Those four characteristics above are the characteristics that can be felt by dyslexics. Moreover, the dyslexic feels depression not only from the society but also from their parents.
Time and again, dyslexics and their parents hear, “He’s such a bright
child; if only he would try harder.” Ironically, no one knows exactly how hard the dyslexic is trying. The pain of failing to meet other people’s expectations is surpassed only by dyslexics’ inability to achieve their goals. This is particularly true of those who develop perfectionistic expectations in order to deal with their anxiety. They grow up believing that it is “terrible” to make a mistake. (http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/, April 25, 2015)
of letter or words and remembering the order of events (http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/, April 25, 2015).
Furthermore, Dr. Michael Ryan in his article The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) says:
For example, let us look at a normal playground interaction between two children. A dyslexic child takes a toy that belongs to another child, who calls the dyslexic a name. The dyslexic then hits the other child. In relating the experience, the dyslexic child may reverse the sequence of events. He may remember that the other child called him a name, and he then took the toy and hit the other child.
(http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/parents/living-with- dyslexia/home/social-emotional-challenges/what-does-dyslexic-person-feel)
Based on the quotation above, the dyslexic has a difficulty to retell the events that have occurred. In this situation, the normal people can assume the dyslexic is a liar even though they as a normal people do not know what the dyslexic experiences. From that situation, the dyslexic will be shunned by the society.
From the quotation above, the writer can conclude that the dyslexic has a difficulty to speak clearly in order to retell what have happened. The normal people can assume that they are a liar. Then, the normal people cannot believe what the dyslexic says. The problem is that the dyslexic cannot make good interactions with the normal person.
Most participants [of a survey among dyslexic] reported that they had few or no friends as children, and that they were bullied frequently. The underachievers were less popular and had a lower social status in the class as compared to other children.
Gunnel shows the comparison between dyslexic and normal person. The dyslexic has few friends because they always get bullied even though they have reached achievement. In Taube’s study as cited in Gunnel, it is stated that even though the dyslexic has higher achievement than others, he or she is still not popular and has lower social status in the class rather than other normal students.
Gunnel (2007: 32-33) supports Ridsdale and Casey about disability of dyslexia. He states,
The dyslexia influences academic, rather than global self-esteem. The reading-disabled children revealed more emotional problems and considered themselves to be less competent scholastically than their peers.
Most of children with dyslexia who commonly have difficulty in reading and writing tend to have difficulty in controlling their own emotion. They cannot control their emotion which cause problem that disturb their development. If it happens at school, their learning progress will be hampered and it can cause their competency become decreasing.
Gunnel (2007: 33) maintains Svensson, Lundberg and Jacobson theories. He states,
Moreover according to studies by Syensson, Lundberg and Jacobson as cited by Gunnel, it shows that the cause that make dyslexics cannot read and write is because of the poor guidance from their own parents, society, and teachers. They tend to see dyslexics as the people who cannot do anything eventhough they are already taught. It is not caused by the natural limitation that dyslexics have. All of those factors, then, can also cause their poor self-esteem that trigger their inabillity in reading and writing which then, are seen as the social problem.
People with dyslexia are often considered as weird and hyperactive. The reason why dyslexics are weird and hyperactive is their syndrome. They include hyperactive or daydreamer, lazy, and poor in vision, reading, spelling. They also cannot count in math, and make the right time management (cannot focus). (http://www.dyslexia.com/) (April 9, 2015)
Based on the studies above, it can be conclude that people who have syndrome of dyslexia commonly make many people do not feel comfortable. It is because they judge or bully the dyslexics. There are some explanations that show some signs of dyslexics who may be bullied (http://www.minedu.govt.nz/; 2009: April 9, 2015):
1. Children who got bullied seem anxious about going to school. 2. They will try to skip the class.
3. They tend to avoid joining certain activities.
5. Children are submissive or withdrawn with other children. They seem to be unhappy or insecure, have low self-esteem or self-confidence.
6. They will talk about “nobody likes me” or “I haven’t got any friends” 7. They will talk about how they want to hurt someone or get back at someone 8. They will become someone who cannot stand up for themselves. They will
tend to be more shy and become introvert or vise versa. They can be someone who are arogant and hot-tempered.
Because of the bad treatment from the society toward dyslexics and from those signs of the bullying to dyslexic, the victims will not feel comfortable. They will always become sad because they have become the bullying object. The shocking fact is that there is also a case where a child who always got bullied ended his life by hanging himself.
In an article from www.dailymail.co.uk states that “A dyslexic boy hanged himself and said in a note that it was because he had been bullied by primary school teachers eight years earlier.” According to the facts and studies, the writer can conclude that children with dyslexics who always got bullied and humiliated by the society will feel stressed, depressed and traumatic. It can happen because of the bad relation between dyslexics and society. They cannot understand how to treat the dyslexics appropriately. However, not all of people who have the similar syndrome always end their own life.
Ina practice branded “eugenics” by campaigners and a would-be donor, the London Sperm Bank has banned men with dyslexia or other
common conditions it described as “neurological diseases” from
donating. (http://www.dyslexicadvantage.org/)
This is a social bad treatment toward the people with syndrome of dyslexia. They do not want to take and will reject the donation from the dyslexic.
There are also some people who have successed to manage their illness and their relation with society. As the result, the society also recognizes and gives a reward of the achievement that they have reached. They are Agatha Christie, Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Tom Cruise, Walt Disney, Orlando Bloom and many else. They succeed to manage their dyslexic syndrome and got many achievements.
4. The Relation between Psychology and Literature
Literature and psychology are two different issues. However, they are related to each other. According to Wellek and Warren in Theory of Literature, it is described that psychology and literature have a close relation in which some of literary works talk about psychology cases. Through psychology, people will learn about human condition in systematic way, meanwhile people will learn about psychological value in the art of writing through literature (Wellek and Warren, 1963:81).
while psychology studies human characteristics systematically (Bornstein, 1984:144).
Then, Richard explains more in The Psychology of Human Behavior. He states that the author can communicate the feeling of his functional character and make them look more like the real people whose behavior is trying to be described by psychologist (Kalish, 1972:8).
C. Theoretical Framework
In this part, the writer explains the application of theories to answer the problems formulation of the study. All related studies and theories are useful as instruments to analyze problems formulation in this study. The reviews which are mainly taken from the internet and books are important to be used in the
writer’s analysis.
To analyze the study, the writer chooses some suitable theories. They are theory of character and characterization, theory of dyslexia, review of relation between social and dyslexia, and theory of relation between psychology and literature.
The first related theory is the theory of character and characterization. This theory is used to answer problem number one which is how Percy’s character is described in Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.
25 CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of this study is a novel entitled Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Moreover, Riordan writes
language resembling European medieval ages. The most interesting thing about fantasies is that their plot involves witches, sorcerers, mythical and animal creatures talking like humans, which never happens in the real life (http://www.findmeanauthor.com, September 26, 2016). It is also the first young adult novel written by Rick Riordan, known for his Percy Jackson novel series.
Based on the explanation above, this novel is the first novel in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, which tells about the adventures of modern twelve-years-old teen, Percy Jackson; he discovers that he is a demigod, the son of Sally Jackson and the Greek god Poseidon. Percy and his friends, Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood, go on a quest to prevent a war between the gods Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. The writer is not to analyze this research Percy who is demigod but the writer wants to analyze from Percy as a student and son in his school, family, and society.
B. Approach of the Study
In this study, the approach of the analysis is essential to help the writer to limit the study. Based on the objectives of the study, the analysis of the novel of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief employs the psychological approach. In Encyclopedia of Literature and Criticism edited by Martin Coyle et al., it is stated that psychological criticism sets out to study the subjective phenomenon of art by a scientific understanding grounded in psychoanalytic theory (1993: 770).
According to Daiches in Critical Approaches to Literature;
“The notion that the artist is neurotic, sick, maladjusted, that art is
somehow a by-product of this sickness and maladjusted, has become immensely popular during the last hundred and fifty years, and modern psychology seems to have justified it” (1981: 343).
Daiches explains that the concept of an artist to be neurotic, sick, and maladjusted is largely accepted by the public through modern psychological approach. By using psychological point of view, the inner idea that is hidden by the artist can be revealed and it thing has been done for many years.
“Psychology comes into criticism in two ways, in this investigation of the act of creation and in the psychological study of particular authors to show the relation between their attitudes and states of mind and the special qualities of their work. This aspect belongs to descriptive and not to the normative side of criticism no amount of psychological investigation, either of the creative process in general or of the problems of individual authors…. thoughthe psychological investigation of individual authors can sometimes help us to see why
those author displayed certain characteristic qualities in their work”
According to the quotation above, by using psychological criticism in
Daiches’ book Critical Approaches to Literature it can help the writer to
investigate the work through the action and other psychological aspects that appear in the work. Eventhough a work can be analyzed by using pyschological criticism, it is not necessary to use the specific pyschological aspects which are usually used by a psychoanalyst. In literature, the psychological aspect that is used while using this criticism as the point of view is only the descriptive one. It describes the quality of the work’s elements rather than the normative one. It also uses the standard rules and arguments of psychoanalysis. The other function of this criticism also to help the writer to analyze the author’s intention and purpose through the relation between the attitudes of all characters, the condition of characters’ state of mind which is seen through the conversation, action, and story plot, and also some qualities of the work that the author brings into it (1981: 340- 341).
The psychological approach is used for explaining the “abnormal”
behavior of the main character this study who is Percy Jackson, because of the dyslexia symptom. The dyslexia disorder makes him to have a bad self-development. This approach enables the writer to analyze that character from psychological point of view.
C. Method of the Study
writer collected data from books of literature, theories, and some other books that might complete this analysis. The writer also used other information source such as online sources.
To answer the problem formulation, the writer used several steps. First, the writer read the novel for several times for the deep and clear understanding about what the novel was about. By understanding the content of the novel, the writer found the issue about dyslexia and the symptoms, and knew how the society acceptance over the dyslexic. Then, the writer formulated it into some questions.
30 CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the writer discusses the three problems that are stated in the first chapter. There are three parts in this chapter. The first part is the identification of the characteristic of Percy Jackson as a dyslexic. The second part is the discussion of the social bad treatment experienced by Percy. The third part is the discussion on how Percy faces his struggle against social bad treatment.
A. The Characteristic of Percy Jackson as Dyslexic
In this part, the writer wants to explain deeper about Percy’s characters. Therefore, the writer divided this part into three sections. There are school, family, and camp. From those three sections, the reader can see the differences of the characteristics of Percy as a dyslexic.
1. At the school
characteristics that show his difference from the other students in his school. Percy himself thinks that he is different from his other friends in school.
First, Percy is described as a clumsy person. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, clumsy is defined as a character of a
person who does not behave in a careful and controlled way, so that he or she often gets accidents (2001: 245). Percy often gets troubles and accidents in school. As the result, Percy cannot enjoy the lessons and other activities in his school. He feels that all he does is wrong and cause disaster. For example, Percy gets trouble in his old school when he goes to a study tour in Saratoga battlefield museum. He accidentally touches the wrong button of a canon and as the result, he makes an accident that caused many of his friends injured.
See, bad things happen to me on field trips. Like at my fifth-grade school, when we went to the Saratoga battlefield, I had this accident with a Revolutionary War cannon. I wasn't aiming for the school bus, but of course I got expelled anyway. And before that, at my fourth-grade school, when we took a behind the-scenes tour of the Marine World shark pool, I sort of hit the wrong button on the catwalk and our class took an unplanned swim. And the time before that... Well, you get the idea. (Riordan, 2005: 2)
Based on the quotation above, it can be seen that Percy cannot control his movement. He often makes an accident that eventually puts him in a bad situation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the characteristic of Percy is clumsy. According to Dyslexia the Gift, clumsy is defined as a characteristic that becomes a part of dyslexia syndrome.
dyslexic to be hyperactive which can be the cause of some behavioral problem. According to the theory of dyslexia in How Dyslexia Teenagers Cope by Passe, one of the dyslexia syndromes is suffering the behavioral problem. As what Percy does, he shows the kind of behavioral problem in his daily behavior because he cannot control his energy. Percy does the same mistake when he joins field trip. In the novel, Percy accidentally attacks his school bus and hit the wrong button when he has tour in the Marine World shark pool. When Percy said, “I wasn’t aiming for the school bus, but of
course I got expelled anyway” (Riordan, 2005: 2). Because of his clumsiness
and fault, he is drop out from his school.
Second, Percy is described as a short-tempered person. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2001: 449), the emotion
makes people have strong feelings or opinions. He often gets mad easily without clear reason. It is because he cannot control his energy (hyperactive).
The quotation below shows Percy’s inability in controlling his emotion.
"I'm going to kill her," I mumbled.
He dodged another piece of Nancy's lunch.
"That's it." I started to get up, but Grover pulled me back to my seat. Looking back on it, I wish I'd decked Nancy Bobofit right then and there. In-school suspension would've been nothing compared to the mess I was about to get myself into (Riordan, 2005: 3 - 4).
Moreover, Percy cannot be dissuaded by other people when he gets angry. Percy even can fight with his teacher, Nancy. It is because Nancy spilled her food to Percy. Then, Nancy tries to provoke Percy because she knows that Percy has on probation or Percy gets the sanction from the school.
Percy’s reaction shows his characteristic that is emotional and
short-tempered. “Looking back on it, I wish I’d decked Nancy Bobofit right then and there.” (Riordan, 2005: 3). Based on that quotation, it can be concluded that Percy is a grudging person. Percy’s lack of emotional control leads him to get angry easily. Percy wants to beat his teacher because he is very angry and gets irritated by his teacher.
According to the theory of dyslexia Academic Therapy by M. Thomson and G. M. Hartley, the dyslexic got problem of dealing with their emotion. Then, Dr. Michael in The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) said, “Many of the emotional problems caused by dyslexia occur out of frustration with school or social situations”. From those theories of dyslexia, it can conclude that the people who suffered dyslexia syndrome got problem with their emotion. Percy also has the emotional problem.
Third, Percy is described as an absent-minded person. As described in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, absent-minded is likely to
Unlike other students in his class, Percy has difficulties in listening and reading to his teachers. Percy cannot concentrate easily when he has to
read book or read his teacher’s explanation on the board. He has to listen to
his teacher’s explanation directly, so that he can catch the material better. His friends like to bully him because of his different learning style. Therefore, Percy is emotional, he gets angry easily and start to fights with his friends.
I was trying to listen to what he had to say, because it was kind of interesting, but everybody around me was talking, and every time I told them to shut up (Riordan, 2005: 4).
The next afternoon, as I was leaving the three-hour Latin exam, my eyes swimming with all the Greek and Roman names I'd misspelled, Mr. Brunner called me back inside (Riordan, 2005: 21).
According to the theory of dyslexia Living with Dyslexia by Hughes (2009: 24), it is said that dyslexic can understand something more easily when they are listening rather than when they are reading. From the quotation from Hughes, it can be concluded that the people with dyslexia must have a high concentration, but in different way.
Even though Percy always gets bad score in his study but he likes one lesson that is Latin. He also gets under pressure from his school and his teacher. The pressure that Percy experiences is that Percy must have a good score in his academic. If Percy cannot get a good score in academic, Percy can be dropped out from his school.
"What you learn from me," he said, "is vitally important. I expect you to treat it as such. I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson."
I wanted to get angry, this guy pushed me so hard.
Based on the quotation above, Percy gets pressure from his school. Mr. Burner as his teacher expects that Percy can be as good as his friends or better than his friends. Most of dyslexic has low concentration level, so does Percy. Based on the quotation above, it shows that Percy is stressed because of the pressure from his teacher who expects more from him. It makes Percy to be pessimistic. Percy knows that he never gets a good score in academic because his difficulty in concentrating.
This kind of characteristic is commonly suffered by most of dyslexic. In the story, Percy is told as a dyslexic who has same characteristic as common dyslexic, which is an absent-minded person or has low concentration level. Therefore, it made Percy becomes pessimistic person.
The writer’ opinion is also supported by theory of dyslexia Living with
Dyslexia by Hughes that the dyslexic has difficulty to get a good score.
Percy feels that he is different from other students because he cannot get average score in his school like his friends. His friends and teachers also see him as a “freak” or weird student because of his difference and his “foolishness”.
Grover and I sat on the edge of the fountain, away from the others. We thought that maybe if we did that, everybody wouldn't know we were from that school-the school for loser freaks who couldn't make it elsewhere (Riordan, 2005: 8)
because of his “foolishness”. Besides that, he feels that if he gathers together with his friends, he maybe can make some troubles with them.
According to the theory of dyslexia Living with Dyslexia by Hughes (2009: 24), the dyslexic has difficulty in their academic and their studies. Percy as a dyslexic also experiences this kind of difficulty. Based on the
quotation above, it shows Percy’s disinterest on doing his writing and reading
books. Therefore, Percy always tries to get shortcut to do his work in his school. Percy realizes that he cannot read the full version of the novel, “Tom Sawyer”. People with the dyslexia syndrome commonly have this kind of difficulty.
I started feeling cranky and irritable most of the time. My grades slipped from Ds to Fs. I got into more fights with Nancy Bobofit and her friends. I was sent out into the hallway in almost every class (Riordan, 2005: 17)
Based on the quotation above, it shows that Percy often gets bad score in his study. Besides that, because he is a short-tempered person, his academic problem can be the reason why his emotion raises up. He often involves into trouble, either with his friends or his teachers. As the result of his inability to get the good score and to control his emotion, he has to get punishment in his school.
I'd miss Latin class, too-Mr. Brunner's crazy tournament days and his faith that I could do well.
As exam week got closer, Latin was the only test I studied for (Riordan, 2005: 18).
school. He does not like other subjects in his school such as math, reading, writing, etc. Percy only likes studying Latin language. According to the theory of dyslexia Living with Dyslexia (2009: 24) by Hughes, the people who suffered from dyslexia only liked one or two subjects that they liked in school.
Since Percy never gets a good score in his school, Percy always does some trick to do his work in his school, so that he can finish his tasks. Percy knows that he cannot not read full of the novel of “Tom Sawyer”. This is the
main problem of people with the dyslexia syndrome. According to the theory
of dyslexia “Living with Dyslexia” (2009: 24) by Hughes said there are many
indicators of dyslexia, which one of them is having difficulties in reading, such as having difficulty with reading unfamiliar material and having slow pace of reading. If they are ordered to read many books, they should read them slowly because of their limitation in reading. Commonly, they tend to read books with few words. It means that they should be given a book with many pictures. Unfortunately, at school they tend to be given books that have no pictures or sketch on it. Thus, it makes them feel bored to read books.
Fourth, Percy is described as a stubborn person. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, stubborn is defined as a
friends. Thus, it makes him to be seen as a stubborn person, because he cannot take others warning and suggestions.
Finally, when our teacher, Mr. Nicoll, asked me for the million time why I was too lazy to study for spelling tests, I snapped. I called him an old sot. (Riordan, 2005: 17)
Based on the quotation above, Percy’s reaction towards what Mr. Nicoll says show us that he is a stubborn person. He does not care about what his teacher says though. It has been the million time and still does whatever he likes.
2. In the family
In this part, the writer discusses about Percy character as dyslexia in his family. After Percy does all his activity in his school, he goes home. In his home, it shows us that the characteristic of Percy is emotional. It can be seen through the quotation below,
"Your report card came, brain boy!" he shouted after me. "I wouldn't act so snooty!" I slammed the door to my room, which really wasn't my room (Riordan, 2005: 32).
Based on the quotation above, the reaction that Percy has when he is asked by his step-father shows that he is a short-tempered person. Percy becomes emotional because he is stressed after what he has got in his school. Percy shows his anger through his step-father (Gabe). Then, Percy also shows his anger to his mother. It can be seen through this quotation, from the other room, Gabe yelled, “"Hey, Sally-how about some bean dip, huh?" I gritted my teeth”(Riordan, 2005: 33).
Based on the quotation above, Percy shows his anger by gritted his teeth through his mother, because he does not like his step-father. Percy does not like his step-father because Gabe is jobless. Percy’s step-father always plays card with his friends at home. From that situation, Percy does not want to greet and have relation with his step-father.
Although Percy is always angry with his step-father. Percy always feels being protected and comfortable with his mother. In the novel page 32,
when Percy’s mother calls Percy, he does not feel afraid. According to the
theory of dyslexia “Living with Dyslexia”(2009: 24) by Hughes, he said the people who suffered dyslexia syndrome have close family members with dyslexia. It means that not every teenager wants to have a step-father which treats them badly. Even though, we have a disease or syndrome. However, in Percy’s case, Percy has dyslexia syndrome and furthermore he does not like his step-father because Percy always treated badly by his step-father at home. 3. At the camp
In this part, the writer discusses about Percy character as a dyslexic in his camp. In general, camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers. This is not to be confused with summer school, which is usually a required academic curriculum for a student to make up work not accomplished during the academic year, whereas summer camps can include academic work, but is not a requirement for graduation. However, it is a little different with camp in the novel, which is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the months for the special children like Percy.
“normal teenage” who wants to learn something. He also can control his
emotions and seems to be calm.
First characteristic that is different with the characteristics when he is at school and home is that he becomes a self-controlled person. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, self-controlled is defined as able to control feelings or actions (2001: 1292).
This camp situation is different from the situations at his school and family. It is different because before Percy goes to the camp, he never wants to study. Nevertheless, Percy enjoys and wants to learn many things in this camp. Usually the common people like to go to the camp for holiday because they can release their stress, depression, anger, and meet new people. This also happened to Percy. In the novel, Percy likes to go to camp because he can release his anger, depression, stress and meet new people. Then, Percy experiences the change in himself. He becomes calmer and good to control his emotions, especially anger. Because he can control his emotions, he can let himself receive any lessons or experiences he gets in camp.
According to the theory of dyslexia “Living with Dyslexia” by
Moreover, Percy likes camp because he can learn new lesson like outdoor activity. Besides Percy can learn new lesson in camp, Percy also can study his favorite language (Latin) with his new friends in camp. Then, Percy also does not look shy and feel strange to learn anything in camp. It shows us that Percy has different characteristics than in other places. He becomes curious about something. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, curious is defined as having a desire to learn or know
more about something (2001: 332).
Each morning I took Ancient Greek from Annabeth, and we talked about the gods and goddesses in the present tense, which was kind of weird. I discovered Annabeth was right about my dyslexia: Ancient Greek wasn't that hard for me to read. At least, no harder than English. After a couple of mornings, I could stumble through a few lines of Homer without too much headache (Riordan, 2005: 107).
Based on the quotation above, Percy basically and naturally has willingness to learn and study Ancient Greek or Latin. Unlike when he is studying other subjects, whenever he is studying Latin, he seems not to have difficulties. Because of the unique bond that dyslexics have, they can understand each other. Percy sees his friend who has the similarity with him learn Ancient Greek. Percy who has natural interest in learning Ancient Greek has eagerness to learn more about it. He becomes curious on learning language, especially Ancient Greek.
Percy’s curiosity does not end to only learning Ancient Greek. He also
does not refuse to learn new things on his camp.
racing? No good either. The wood-nymph instructors left me in the dust. And wrestling? Forget it. Every time I got on the mat, Clarisse would pulverize me (Riordan, 2005: 107-108).
Based on the quotation above, it shows that Percy has curiosity to learn new things. Even though he wants to learn every new thing in camp, he still cannot do all of them because he does not have the skills. For example, Percy cannot do archery, wrestling and even running. According to the theory
of dyslexia “Living with Dyslexia” by Hughes, the dyslexic has difficulties
with unfamiliar material.
The materials that Percy cannot do are archery, wrestling, and running. Even though Percy cannot not do those all activity, but he never gives up to try another activity that he can do until he finds what activity that is suitable for him. It can be seen through the story when Percy’s teacher (Chiron) tries to teach Percy archery. Percy at first tries archery, but Percy cannot do it. Then Percy tries another skill that is wrestling. In fact, Percy also cannot do it. He always loses when he tries to beat his friend, Clarisse. Finally Percy can find what he can do, which is canoeing.
B. The Bad Treatments Experienced by Percy
In this section, the writer analyzes the reaction of the society through Percy Jackson as a dyslexic. There are three parts of social circumstances that are analyzed because Percy becomes the part of them, they are; school, family and camp. The writer tries to reveal the bad treatment that happen to Percy in these three different social conditions.
1. At the school
In the school, Percy gets a bad treatment from his friends and his teachers because he has been dropped out from many schools every year for six years. Until one day, Percy wants to enter a new school, he has to struggle to be accepted in that school. It can be seen through this quotation, “She’d
send me right back to Yancy, remind me that I had to try harder, even if this was my sixth school in six years and I was probably going to be kicked out
again” (Riordan, 2005: 9).
Based on the quotation above, that is how the educational institution society reacts towards Percy. In the novel, Percy has been moved to many
schools for six times. It means that Percy’s old school could not accept him
After Percy moves to another school, he still cannot enjoy in his new school. Percy always gets bullied in his new school.
Anyway, Nancy Bobofit was throwing wads of sandwich that stuck in his curly brown hair, and she knew I couldn't do anything back to her because I was already on probation. The headmaster had threatened me with death by in-school suspension if anything bad, embarrassing, or even mildly entertaining happened on this trip (Riordan, 2005: 3) Based on the quotation above, the treatment that Percy gets from his new school is also a form of social bad treatment. In the story, Percy’s teacher and Nancy Bobofit as a headmaster try to provoke his anger. Nancy knows that Percy is on probation. It means that if Percy makes a mistake then he will get a punishment by the school. Otherwise, Nancy still does not care for what will happen to Percy if he becomes uncontrolled again. Nancy Bobofit’s action shows that, as a teacher, she does not try to teach the good thing to Percy and does not want to care and protect Percy as her student. She acts unfairly towards Percy. Even she tries to mislead Percy so that he gets into trouble.
Not only his teachers who treat Percy unfairly, his friends also like to bully him. The bullying from Percy’s friends is a kind of bad treatment. It could be seen through this quotation,
I was about to unwrap my sandwich when Nancy Bobofit [headmaster and teacher] appeared in front of me with her ugly friends I guess she'd gotten tired of stealing from the tourists-and dumped her half-eaten lunch in Grover's lap. "Oops." She grinned at me with her crooked teeth (Riordan, 2005: 9).
From this part, this is seen as a form social bad treatment. Nancy as Percy’s teacher does not feel sympathy or care to help Percy avoid the punishment from school.
Percy is also ignored by his friends. No one wants to be friends with Percy at school. It can be seen through this quotation,
They asked me what I'd be doing this summer and I told them I was going back to the city . . . "Oh," one of the guys said. "That's cool." . . . They went back to their conversation as if I'd never existed. (Riordan, 2005: 22-23).
Based on the quotation above, this was the reaction of society through Percy. Percy’s friends do not ask more to Percy about his vacation
