xii ABSTRACT
Fibrianingsih, Theresia Rita. 2010. Clare’s Struggle for a Better Life as seen in Constance Briscoe’s Ugly. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyzes a novel written by Constance Briscoe entitled Ugly, which pictures the author’s childhood memoir. This novel is worth analyzing since it tells about a human being’s life journey as reflected through the eyes of a girl struggling to cope with the problems she encounters throughout her life and to gain a better life by pursuing her dreams.
The analysis focuses on how Clare, the main character of the novel, manages to struggle in changing her life into a better one. In order to achieve the aim, two problems are discussed in this study. Firstly, it deals with Clare’s portrayal as revealed in the novel. Secondly, it deals with her struggle for a better life, which is divided into two sections namely causes of her struggle and how she struggles to gain a better life.
Library study was employed in this study, in which the primary source was obtained from the novel itself. While the secondary sources were taken from books on psychology and literary theories, and internet sources providing supportive data for this analysis. Theories of character and characterization were applied to answer the first problem. Theories of motivation, struggle for life, and human basic needs were used to discuss the second problem. The psychological approach was employed in this study since it concerned the study of the mind and how it influenced one’s behavior pattern.
Based on the analysis, Clare is portrayed as a brave, smart, confident, tough, idealistic, and hardworking person. Those characteristics are revealed through her personal description, character as seen by others, her speeches, her reactions, direct comments, her thoughts, and mannerisms. Further, the analysis shows that there are two reasons that cause Clare to struggle. Firstly, it deals with her terrible family life caused by her father’s abandonment and her mother’s abuse. Secondly, it deals with her dreams. Therefore, Clare carries out some ways to achieve a better life. The first is working as a shop assistant. The second is working as a cleaning service. The third is working as a nurse. The last is going to university. In her struggles, Clare is able to satisfy some of her basic needs.
xiii ABSTRAK
Fibrianingsih, Theresia Rita. 2010. Clare’s Struggle for a Better Life as seen in Constance Briscoe’s Ugly. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini menganalisa sebuah novel karya Constance Briscoe yang berjudul Ugly, yang mengambarkan riwayat hidup masa kecil sang pengarang. Novel ini bermanfaat untuk dianalisa karena ini bercerita tentang perjuangan hidup seorang manusia, yang tercermin melalui sudut pandang seorang gadis yang berjuang untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang dihadapi sepanjang hidupnya dan untuk memperoleh hidup yang lebih baik dengan meraih mimpinya.
Analisa berfokus pada bagaimana Clare, tokoh utama dalam novel, berhasil berjuang dalam mengubah hidupnya menjadi lebih baik. Untuk mencapai tujuannya, dua permasalahan dibahas dalam skripsi ini. Pertama, dalam hubungannya dengan gambaran Clare seperti dipaparkan dalam novel. Kedua, dalam hubungannya dengan perjuangan Clare untuk hidup yang lebih baik, yang dibagi menjadi dua bagian yaitu penyebab perjuangannya dan bagaimana dia berjuang untuk memperoleh hidup yang lebih baik.
Penelitian perpustakaan diterapkan dalam skripsi ini, dimana sumber utama diperoleh dari novel itu sendiri. Sedangkan sumber tambahan diambil dari buku-buku tentang teori psikologi dan literatur, serta sumber dari internet yang menyediakan data yang mendukung untuk analisa ini. Teori tokoh dan penokohan digunakan untuk menjawab permasalahan pertama. Teori motivasi, perjuangan hidup, dan kebutuhan dasar manusia digunakan untuk membahas permasalahan kedua. Pendekatan psikologi diterapkan dalam skripsi ini karena ini menyangkut tentang pikiran dan bagaimana hal tersebut mempengaruhi pola tingkah laku seseorang.
Berdasarkan analisa, Clare digambarkan sebagai seorang yang berani, pintar, percaya diri, tegar, idealistis, dan pekerja keras. Karakteristik tersebut ditunjukkan melalui deskripsi personalnya, karakteristik sebagaimana dilihat oleh orang lain, ucapannya, komentar langsung, reaksinya, pemikirannya, dan kebiasaannya. Selanjutnya, analisa juga menunjukkan bahwa ada dua alasan yang menyebabkan Clare berjuang. Pertama, kehidupan keluarganya yang buruk yang diakibatkan oleh penghianatan ayahnya dan penyiksaan ibunya. Kedua, mimpi-mimpinya. Dengan demikian, Clare melakukan beberapa cara untuk memperoleh hidup yang lebih baik. Tindakan pertama adalah bekerja sebagai asisten toko. Tindakan kedua adalah bekerja sebagai pekerja kebersihan. Tindakan ketiga adalah bekerja sebagai perawat. Tindakan terakhir adalah masuk universitas. Dalam perjuangannya, Clare dapat memenuhi beberapa kebutuhan dasarnya.
CLARE’S STRUGGLE FOR A BETTER LIFE AS SEEN
IN CONSTANCE BRISCOE’S
UGLY
A THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Theresia Rita Fibrianingsih Student Number: 041214076
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
i
CLARE’S STRUGGLE FOR A BETTER LIFE AS SEEN
IN CONSTANCE BRISCOE’S
UGLY
A THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Theresia Rita Fibrianingsih Student Number: 041214076
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
iv
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, June 15, 2010 The Writer
v
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma: Nama : Theresia Rita Fibrianingsih
Nomor Mahasiswa : 041214076
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
CLARE’S STRUGGLE FOR A BETTER LIFE AS SEEN IN CONSTANCE BRISCOE’S UGLY
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelola dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau di media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta Pada tanggal: 15 Juni 2010 Yang menyatakan,
vi
Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong,
even a stopped clock is right twice a day
(Paulo Coelho)
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First of all, I would like to devote my gratitude to Almighty God whose blessing, guidance, and mercy have strengthen me along the hard path of my life. I would also like to thank Him for the precious lessons I gained through the events I encountered in life. I also realized that it was all His miracles through people around me in mysterious ways so that I am able to finish this thesis.
My deepest gratitude goes to my major sponsor Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto Y., M.Hum. for his patience, guidance, assistance, and useful feedbacks during the completion of this thesis. I would also like to thank him for teaching me to regain my courage in fighting this hard life. My sincere gratitude also goes to all PBI lectures and staffs, who have devoted their work, valuable knowledge, lessons and experiences during my study in Sanata Dharma University.
My next thankfulness goes to Mas Joe, who kindly offered me to proofread this thesis. I thank him for his corrections and suggestions for each single page of my thesis. My great thanks also go to my cousin Adit, who has keenly become the link between Mas Joe and me.
viii
Further, I would like to express my appreciation to all my PBI friends, specifically Anix, Dyand, Rini, Hana, Sari, Pius, Ahmet, and Albert, who have been very supportive to me. It was great to spend the years with them. My special thanks go to Yuni for being a good friend. I thank her for her advice and support, which have encouraged me to be brave in facing reality. My great thankfulness also goes to Bekti, whose midnight short messages had burnt my spirit to complete this thesis. I also thank her for the significant ideas shared to me.
I would like to present a bunch of thanks to my boarding house friends for always encouraging me. I thank Jelly for drawing smiles on my face with her fresh jokes especially when she noticed that I suffered from this thesis completion. I thank Tin-Tin for being my loyal company during my midnight hard works. I also thank Lia for some stuff lent to me. My special thanks go to my cousin Andin, who has taught me to love reading. I also thank Putri, Tica, Lusy, Mbak Sofie, Mbak Nigrum, and Mbak Intan, who kept asking me my thesis progress.
My deepest love goes to my partner, Tito Purno Basworo, whose never-ending support and prayers have kept me going. I thank him for granting me a space in his heart and letting me be a part of his life. I also thank him for being by my side in my ups and downs and for being there when I needed at the most.
There are many other people whom I cannot mention here one by one, but surely, I cannot complete this thesis without their helps and support. God bless them all.
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
APPROVAL PAGES ... ii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ... iv
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ... v
DEDICATION PAGE ... vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ix
ABSTRACT ... xii
ABSTRAK ... xiii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ... 1
A. Background of the Study ... 1
B. Problem Formulation ... 4
C. Objectives of the Study ... 4
D. Benefits of the Study ... 5
E. Definition of Terms ... 5
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 7
A. Review of Related Theories ... 7
1. Character ... 7
x
b. Kinds of Character ... 8
2. Characterization ... 10
a. Definition of Characterization ... 10
b. Methods of Characterization ... 11
3. Critical Approach ... 13
4. Motivation ... 15
5. Hierarchy of Needs ... 17
6. Struggle for Life ... 21
B. Theoretical Framework ... 22
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ... 24
A. Object of Study ... 24
B. Approach ... 25
C. Procedures ... 26
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ... 28
A. The Description of Clare ... 28
1. Brave ... 29
2. Smart ... 33
3. Confident ... 36
4. Tough ... 40
5. Hardworking ... 43
xi
B. Clare’s Struggle for a Better Life ... 47
1. Causes of Clare’s Struggle ... 48
a. Her Family Life ... 49
b. Her Dreams ... 57
2. Clare’s Struggle ... 59
a. Working as a Shop Assistant ... 60
b. Working as a Cleaning Service ... 66
c. Working as a Nurse ... 69
d. Going to University ... 71
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 77
A. Conclusions ... 77
B. Suggestions ... 80
1. Suggestions for Future Researchers ... 80
2. Suggestion for Teaching Learning Activities ... 81
REFERENCES ... 84
APPENDICES ... 87
A. Summary of the Novel ... 88
B. Biography of the Author ... 91
C. Lesson Plan for Teaching Intensive Reading II ... 93
xii ABSTRACT
Fibrianingsih, Theresia Rita. 2010. Clare’s Struggle for a Better Life as seen in Constance Briscoe’s Ugly. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyzes a novel written by Constance Briscoe entitled Ugly, which pictures the author’s childhood memoir. This novel is worth analyzing since it tells about a human being’s life journey as reflected through the eyes of a girl struggling to cope with the problems she encounters throughout her life and to gain a better life by pursuing her dreams.
The analysis focuses on how Clare, the main character of the novel, manages to struggle in changing her life into a better one. In order to achieve the aim, two problems are discussed in this study. Firstly, it deals with Clare’s portrayal as revealed in the novel. Secondly, it deals with her struggle for a better life, which is divided into two sections namely causes of her struggle and how she struggles to gain a better life.
Library study was employed in this study, in which the primary source was obtained from the novel itself. While the secondary sources were taken from books on psychology and literary theories, and internet sources providing supportive data for this analysis. Theories of character and characterization were applied to answer the first problem. Theories of motivation, struggle for life, and human basic needs were used to discuss the second problem. The psychological approach was employed in this study since it concerned the study of the mind and how it influenced one’s behavior pattern.
Based on the analysis, Clare is portrayed as a brave, smart, confident, tough, idealistic, and hardworking person. Those characteristics are revealed through her personal description, character as seen by others, her speeches, her reactions, direct comments, her thoughts, and mannerisms. Further, the analysis shows that there are two reasons that cause Clare to struggle. Firstly, it deals with her terrible family life caused by her father’s abandonment and her mother’s abuse. Secondly, it deals with her dreams. Therefore, Clare carries out some ways to achieve a better life. The first is working as a shop assistant. The second is working as a cleaning service. The third is working as a nurse. The last is going to university. In her struggles, Clare is able to satisfy some of her basic needs.
xiii ABSTRAK
Fibrianingsih, Theresia Rita. 2010. Clare’s Struggle for a Better Life as seen in Constance Briscoe’s Ugly. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini menganalisa sebuah novel karya Constance Briscoe yang berjudul Ugly, yang mengambarkan riwayat hidup masa kecil sang pengarang. Novel ini bermanfaat untuk dianalisa karena ini bercerita tentang perjuangan hidup seorang manusia, yang tercermin melalui sudut pandang seorang gadis yang berjuang untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang dihadapi sepanjang hidupnya dan untuk memperoleh hidup yang lebih baik dengan meraih mimpinya.
Analisa berfokus pada bagaimana Clare, tokoh utama dalam novel, berhasil berjuang dalam mengubah hidupnya menjadi lebih baik. Untuk mencapai tujuannya, dua permasalahan dibahas dalam skripsi ini. Pertama, dalam hubungannya dengan gambaran Clare seperti dipaparkan dalam novel. Kedua, dalam hubungannya dengan perjuangan Clare untuk hidup yang lebih baik, yang dibagi menjadi dua bagian yaitu penyebab perjuangannya dan bagaimana dia berjuang untuk memperoleh hidup yang lebih baik.
Penelitian perpustakaan diterapkan dalam skripsi ini, dimana sumber utama diperoleh dari novel itu sendiri. Sedangkan sumber tambahan diambil dari buku-buku tentang teori psikologi dan literatur, serta sumber dari internet yang menyediakan data yang mendukung untuk analisa ini. Teori tokoh dan penokohan digunakan untuk menjawab permasalahan pertama. Teori motivasi, perjuangan hidup, dan kebutuhan dasar manusia digunakan untuk membahas permasalahan kedua. Pendekatan psikologi diterapkan dalam skripsi ini karena ini menyangkut tentang pikiran dan bagaimana hal tersebut mempengaruhi pola tingkah laku seseorang.
Berdasarkan analisa, Clare digambarkan sebagai seorang yang berani, pintar, percaya diri, tegar, idealistis, dan pekerja keras. Karakteristik tersebut ditunjukkan melalui deskripsi personalnya, karakteristik sebagaimana dilihat oleh orang lain, ucapannya, komentar langsung, reaksinya, pemikirannya, dan kebiasaannya. Selanjutnya, analisa juga menunjukkan bahwa ada dua alasan yang menyebabkan Clare berjuang. Pertama, kehidupan keluarganya yang buruk yang diakibatkan oleh penghianatan ayahnya dan penyiksaan ibunya. Kedua, mimpi-mimpinya. Dengan demikian, Clare melakukan beberapa cara untuk memperoleh hidup yang lebih baik. Tindakan pertama adalah bekerja sebagai asisten toko. Tindakan kedua adalah bekerja sebagai pekerja kebersihan. Tindakan ketiga adalah bekerja sebagai perawat. Tindakan terakhir adalah masuk universitas. Dalam perjuangannya, Clare dapat memenuhi beberapa kebutuhan dasarnya.
1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents background of the study, problem formulation,
objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and the definition of terms. The
background of the study provides the information of the topic and the reason that
becomes the basis of writing this thesis. The problem formulation states the
problems or questions of the study. The objectives of the study aim to answer the
questions stated in the problem formulation. The benefits of the study explain the
advantages and importance of the study. Finally, the definition of terms provides
explanation of some important terms used in the study.
A. Background of the Study
It is doubtless that everyone in this world always wishes for happiness in
life. However, reality is not always the same as what we want. Life is not only
about happiness, as we will face various problems and difficulties, which may
concern family, jobs, friends, financial burden and so on. Although we have
already had great plans throughout our lives, something can always go wrong and
consequently problems will occur whether in predictable or surprising ways.
We cannot avoid the problems emerging in our life since we have no
control of our destiny. Ready or not, problems will come into our life. However,
we must not be fragile or even give up. Although it might be very hard, we still
move on and always try to have dreams to hold on since they will strengthen our
efforts to struggle. We must have faith that there is always a bunch of joy behind
sorrow and we must seek for that joy since in fact sorrow exists to show us how
sweet happiness is. All we have to do is struggling to cope with the difficulties
and trying to put our dreams into reality. People have to struggle and survive to
win the battle of their lives. According to McKechnie (367), struggle is a task or
goal requiring much effort to accomplish or achieve. People will keep their
struggle even in their difficult and painful condition to reach their dreams.
Unlike animals, human beings are considered as special since they have
mind to think. When they face problems, they will carry out some efforts to cope
with the problems. Braun, Linder, and Asimov (478-480), state that there are
many life events happening in life forcing people to struggle. These life events
can be death of spouse, divorce, personal injury or illness, gaining a new family
member, family members leaving home, etc. People will react differently toward
life events that occur in their lives. Considering that human beings have
intelligence, they will do anything to overcome the problems emerging in their
lives. They will seek for ideas and ways to solve the problems.
A work of literature can portray human life experiences as such since it is
a reflection of human life. Hudson states that literature is the expression of life
through the medium of language. It can be regarded as something essential since it
portrays real life, experiences, people, thoughts, and people’s feeling about life
(10). An author of literary work observes human life or shares his own
express human life experiences. Van De Laar and Schoonderwoerd (163) say, “A
novel is a work of art in so far as it introduces us into a living word; in some
respects resembling in the world we live in, but with an individuality of its own”.
One of the novelists who presents her life experience in her work is
Constance Briscoe. Her novel entitled Ugly tells us a story of a girl who struggles
for life in a difficult and painful condition. Clare, as she is known, is beaten,
abused, and bullied by her own mother in her early teens. Everything in her life
grows worse since her father, George, abandons his family after winning
Littlewoods Pools. He leaves his wife and his growing brood of children, and only
returns at Christmas time with food and presents in his hands.
Her mother’s treatments toward Clare are getting worse and worse after
her mother finds a new husband. Her mother systematically abuses Clare both
physically and emotionally. Besides, Clare is also never given enough food and
decent clothes. The treatments result on Clare’s anxiety, which makes her piss on
the bed at midnight. Moreover, it just worsens her mother’s treatments on her.
Being told as “ugly” and “germ”, she ever tries to commit suicide.
Her struggle for life begins when she has to earn money working as a shop
assistant at Roses for her Saturday job. At the age of thirteen, her mother simply
moves out from the house, leaving her daughter to fend for herself. There is no
food, no gas, even electricity. Life is getting harder since she has to pay the rent
by living in her mother’s house. Working as a cleaning service too, Clare keeps
faces so many obstacles including financial burden. Clare then has to work as a
nurse first before finally she is able to go to university.
Clare’s struggle in her terrible condition makes me amazed. I can see how
she reacts toward different problems occurring in her life. She keeps her efforts to
reach her dreams no matter how hard they are. This story provides me a valuable
lesson that life is hard and full of obstacles. So many problems will certainly
happen in life, and some of them might be very difficult. However, Clare’s spirit
of life teaches me to keep struggling, even in the most terrible situations I have to
deal with. That is why this story is interesting to discuss.
B. Problem Formulation
In analyzing the novel, there are two problems related to the topic of the
study. They can be formulated as follows:
1. How is Clare, the main character, described in the novel?
2. How does Clare struggle for her better life?
C. Objectives of the Study
The objective of the study is to analyze and to find out Clare’s struggle for
a better life as seen in Constance Briscoe’s Ugly. Therefore, there are two
problems need to answer in this study. The first is to find out the characteristics of
Clare, the major character, as revealed in the novel. The second is to find out the
D. Benefits of the Study
This study deals with Clare’s struggle for life as seen in Constance
Briscoe’s Ugly. Firstly, this study is hoped to give benefits for the readers especially the students of English Education study program of Sanata Dharma
University. Hopefully, this study will deepen their understanding and broaden
their knowledge about life through literary work. Moreover, the readers can grasp
and implement important values revealed in this novel into their own life.
Secondly, for future researchers who intend to conduct researches on the
same novel, I hope that this study will provide important information on
Constance Briscoe’s Ugly and also offer some beneficial information about the
main character, the causes of her struggle for life, and how she struggles to gain a
better life.
Finally, for me the writer, I can learn some important values through this
novel since it is a reflection of human life experience. This story teaches me to
struggle and not to surrender even in the most difficult situation I have to face. It
encourages me to reach my dreams although some problems, including the terrible
one may arise in my life. It inspires me not only to hold on my dreams, but also to
make them happen.
E. Definition of Terms
It is important to clarify the meanings of some significant terms used in
in reading this study. For that purpose, some related terms are defined and
presented as follows:
1. Struggle
According to McKechnie (367), struggle is a task or goal requiring much
effort to accomplish or achieve. While Abate says that struggle means “make
violent or determined efforts under difficulties” (1514). In this study, struggle
refers to a person’s effort to survive in dealing with difficult condition in her
life in order to reach her dreams and gain a better life.
2. Better life
Hornby states that life refers to a way in which somebody lives or condition of
an individual existence (1120). While according to Webster, better means in a
more acceptable, appropriate or effective way (133). Thus, in this study better
life means a condition in which a person feels more comfortable in dealing
with her problems.
3. Character
Abrams defines character as the person in a dramatic or narrative work, who is
interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral, disposition, and
emotional qualities expressed in what they say through dialogue and what they
do (23). In this study, character is the person presented by the author to build
7 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter discusses theories that support the analysis of the thesis. In
order to understand the theories that underlie this thesis, this chapter is divided
into two parts. The first part is review of related theories. It contains the theory of
character and characterization, theory of critical approach, theory of motivation,
hierarchy of needs, and struggle for life. The second part is theoretical framework.
A. Review of Related Theories
This section presents relevant theories that are used as the basis in
analyzing the novel. They are theory of character and characterization, which
help me to find out the description of the main character. Theory of critical
approach is an important element in this section to make a better understanding on
the work of literature. Theory of struggle for life, motivation, and hierarchy of
needs help me to find out the struggle dealing with the main character.
1. Character
Characters play an important role in a work of literature, especially a
novel. Van De Laar and Schoonderwoerd say that characters in a novel must be
like actual human beings in order to present the story lively. A novelist observes
human beings in real life, and then he re-fashions and re-creates them
imaginatively to construct likely human being characters (165-166). Therefore,
a. Definition of Character
A character conveys a significant role in a story. Besides wondering what
will happen next, we will also ask to whom it may happen while reading a story. It
means that character is one of the most important aspects of a story. Abrams
(23-24), states that characters are the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative
work who are later on interpreted by the readers from their say and actions. What
they say and do show their “moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities”. Their
dispositional and moral qualities may remain stable from the beginning to the end
of the story, or may have some changes either through a gradual process or in a
shocking way.
Stanton (17) in An Introduction to Fiction defines character into two
meanings. Firstly, it refers to any individuals who present in the story. Secondly, it
is described as “the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles
that makes up each of these individuals”. Therefore, character here can be defined
as any individuals who present in a story that bring the mixture of interests,
desires, emotions, and moral principles as their personality.
b. Kinds of Character
According to Forster (46-54), there are two kinds of character. They are
flat characters and round characters. Flat characters are usually created around a
single idea or trait. These kinds of character are often called as caricatures and
they can usually be summed up in a single phrase. These characters are relatively
simple and can be observed through a certain angle. One great advantage of flat
advantage is that the readers can easily remember these flat characters. They are
static and remain stable in the story. The readers will exactly understand what will
happen to these characters and their reaction toward a certain situation can be
easily predicted. Nevertheless, flat characters have an important function in
creating a certain circumstance or situation in a story.
While round characters are complex and many-sided. They are built
around several or even many traits of human nature that form them become
complex personalities. Round characters are varied in temperament and
motivation. Different from flat characters, they are able to surprise the readers in
convincing ways. They always have the incalculability of actual life and they may
in many cases act differently from what the readers expect. Furthermore, these
round characters cannot be only described in a single phrase.
Henkle (88-97) divides character into two namely major character and
secondary character. A major character is the center of a story. It is the most
important and complex character in the story. Usually, this kind of character can
be recognized through its complexity of characterization and attention given to by
the other characters and the readers. Therefore, major character deserves the
fullest attention as it performs a key structural function: upon her/him, the readers
build expectations and desires.
On the other side, a secondary character performs functions that are more
limited. Generally, this kind of character is used to construct a composite picture
of the human condition that is at issue in the novel. In other words, it functions to
These characters only appear in certain scenes of the story. They may be less
sophisticated and less intense, so that their responses to the experience are less
complex and interesting.
Holman and Harmon (83) propose two kinds of character namely static
and dynamic. A static character is one that changes a little or does not change at
all in his outlooks or personalities during the course of the story because there is
nothing happening within. It can be said that at the end of the story the character
pretty much what he was at the start. In contrast, a dynamic character is modified
by actions and experiences as the story progresses, which influence the character
to undergo changes. The changes can be for better or for worse, a little or a big
one. However, it is something important and basic, and more than minor changes
in opinion.
2. Characterization
Understanding the theory of characterization is considered essential in
analyzing the characters that appear in the novel. This part is divided into two.
The first is the definition of characterization, while the second concerns on the
ways of characterization.
a. Definition of Characterization
Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (20), state that characterization is the processes
or procedures employed by an author to create character. This creation of the
character includes particular personalities and physical attributes. Moreover,
Holman and Harmon (81) define characterization as the creation of an imaginary
imaginary person exists for the readers as lifelike or seen as real. In sum up,
characterization can be defined as the process of creating an imaginary person in a
novel that is lifelike for the readers.
b. Methods of Characterization
In relation to the ways of characterization, Murphy in Understanding
Unseens (161-173) mentions nine elements to make the characters understandable and come alive for his readers. They are personal description, character as seen by
another, speech, past life, conversation of others, reactions, direct comment,
thoughts, and mannerisms.
Each element will be explained as follows:
1) Personal Description
Here, an author attempts to describe a person in the story through his
appearance and the way he wears clothes.
2) Character as Seen by Another
Instead of describing a person directly, the author can describe him through
the eyes and opinions of another person. The reader can get the description of
the person through another person’s judgment.
3) Speech
The author tries to give description of the person through what he says.
Whenever a person speaks, whenever he is in conversation with another,
whenever he puts forward an opinion, the author is giving us some clues to his
character. In brief, it can be said that the reader can get the description of the
4) Past Life
The author can give the readers clues to events that have helped to shape a
person’s character by letting the readers learn something about a person’s past
life. The readers will be able to notice the clues by paying attention to the
direct comments by the author, through the person’s thoughts, through his
conversations or through the medium of another person.
5) Conversation of Others
The author gives the readers clues to a person’s character through the
conversation of other people and the things they say about him. What people
say about a person gives us clues to the character of the person spoken.
6) Reactions
By letting the readers know how a person reacts to various situations and
events, the author gives the readers a clue to the person’s character.
7) Direct Comment
Here, the author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly.
8) Thoughts
The author gives the readers direct knowledge what a person is thinking about.
In other words, the readers can understand the person’s character by simply
knowing what he is thinking.
9) Mannerisms
The author describes a person’s mannerisms, habits, or idiosyncrasies.
Moreover, by knowing how the person behaves and acts in the novel, the
Barnet, Burto, and Chain (229) propose other ways of characterization.
They propose four aspects that can be used to determine a person’s character. The
first is from what the character (the person) says. It means that the words
expressed in opinions and dialogues by the character in the story are clues for the
readers to know his characteristics. However, we as the readers consider that what
he says need not to be taken at a face value; the character may be hypocritical, of
self-deceived, or biased. The second way is from what the character does. Here,
the reader will be able to notice the characteristics though the character’s actions,
including his movements, gestures, and body languages. The third is from other
characters say about the character. It also includes other characters’ comment and
opinion about him. The last is from what others do. It includes the description of
other characters’ action toward this character whether they like him or not and
how they behave toward him.
3. Critical Approach
According to Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (3), every literary work has an
aesthetic value. After reading a literary work, the readers will be able to response
to its aesthetic value. In addition, the response itself is called as aesthetic
response. In order to be able to response to the aesthetic value of literary work,
knowing and understanding critical approaches is extremely required. Rohrberger
and Woods, Jr. (6-15) propose five kinds of critical approaches. They are:
a. The Formalist Approach
This approach totally focuses on the aesthetic value and the integrity of the
regarded as important, including the derivation of the meaning from its
structure and consideration of the techniques toward the structure.
b. The Biographical Approach
An appreciation of the author’s idea and personality is emphasized by this
approach. Moreover, proponents of biographical approach employ the
biography of the author as the basis of analysis. They attempt to learn as much
as possible about the life and the development of the author. Then apply this
knowledge in understanding and analyzing his work.
c. The Socio Cultural-Historical Approach
The main concern of this approach is to take into account the civilization in
which a work was created as the reference in analyzing the work itself. The
proponents of this approach believe that the social and culture condition
including the attitudes and the actions of people will have great influences to
the author in producing the work. Therefore, they point out that it is necessary
to investigate the social condition where a work was created.
d. The Mythopoeic Approach
In understanding a literary work, this approach emphasizes on finding
particular recurrent pattern of human thoughts. These patterns are considered
sharing the same universal belief to certain community mind. They often
concern death and rebirth, guilt and sacrifices, primitive rites, and theological
aspects of Christian doctrine, which are commonly found in ancient myths and
folk terms. Therefore, the mystical relationship in a story can be explained by
e. The Psychological Approach
The focus of this approach is to identify any aspects of psychology underlying
a certain element of a literary work. The theory of human psychology is used
in this approach to analyze the character’s behavior, motivation, and
personality pattern that can be interrelated to the psychology of human being.
This psychology approach involves efforts to locate and demonstrate a
recurrent pattern. Therefore, this approach gives a deeper understanding in
analyzing character’s thought and how it influences the behavior pattern.
One thing that should always be our consideration is that every approach
has its own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Not all approaches can be
applied to a certain literary work. In contrast, no single approach will suit to all
kinds of literary work. Therefore, this is our responsibility to determine what kind
of approach that will lead us to have a better understanding and comprehension of
a literary work. We must be able to choose the most appropriate approach that will
be the best suit to our analysis.
4. Motivation
People may think that motivation and emotion are the same terms since
they both direct us to conduct actions. However, they cannot be interpreted as the
same. They are so closely related, but they are different. Morris (408) defines
motive as an inner directing force, a need, or a want that arouses the organism and
directs behavior toward a goal. While emotion refers to the experience of such
feelings as fear, joy, surprise, or anger. Like motives, emotions also activate and
result from emotion. In contrast, it is clearly seen that a motive will result a
goal-directed behavior.
Kalish (30) states that motivation is a concept, not a thing. It cannot be
seen, heard, or even touched. However, it is able to direct us to a certain behavior.
He explains that motivated behavior is a behavior set into motion by a need. A
need indicates that some type of satisfaction is lacking and implies that the
organism is activated to reduce the dissatisfaction. All human behavior is
motivated, even if the person is not necessarily aware of his motives at the time of
behavior. This motivation is strong enough to activate goal-seeking behavior,
which begin with agitated feelings and end with behavior that satisfied person’s
need. In addition, the more motivated a person is, the harder he will work to
satisfy his need.
According to Bootzin, Loftus, Zajonc, Blake, Lo Piccolo, Holahan, and
Scarr (367) human behavior is organized and guided by some purposes and it
leads to some end state, which may be a goal or the satisfaction of some needs.
The dynamic behavior that gives its organization over time and that defines its end
state is called a motive, and the corresponding process is called motivation.
Another definition of motivation is proposed by Jung. Jung (4) states that
motivation refers to such diverse states as desires, wishes, plans, goals, intents,
impulses, and purposes. Here, motives are referred to the causes or reasons that
underlie a given behavior. Jung also points out that motivation involves the
persistence of behavior over time so that sustained efforts can occur even if
into two groups. The first is primary motives. They concern biological needs that
are considered as vital and for survival. They include hunger, thirst, the need for
air, rest, and sexual desire. The second group consists of social motives. These
motives come from learning and social interaction. They include the needs for
affiliation, aggression, and achievement.
In summary, motivation can be defined as a specific need, desire, or want
that arouse and direct behavior toward a goal. This need, desire, or want will make
people keep their efforts to achieve their goals. When a person has already set his
motivation up, efforts can occur even if obstacles and difficulties also occur in his
life. Motivation is also able to lead people behave in certain actions that support
them in achieving their goals. Therefore, by being motivated, it will keep people
struggling in accomplishing their goal.
5. Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow in Goble’s The Third Force, says that people conduct actions to
fulfill their needs (38). He states, “The human being is motivated by a number of
basic needs which are species-wide, apparently unchanging, and genetic or
instinctual in origin”. It can be said that motivation is shaped from human basic
needs. When people need and want something, then it will be their motivation to
achieve it in many ways.
Maslow as quoted in Goble (38-42) proposes seven human basic needs,
but only five needs, which are discussed in this study. They are physiological
needs, the safety needs, the belongingness and love needs, the esteem needs, and
hierarchy of needs. Maslow also points out that these needs are interrelated and
they cannot be treated as separate. It means that a person who thinks he is hungry
may actually be feeling lack of love and security or some other needs.
Furthermore, he argues that the lowest needs have to be satisfied first before the
higher-level needs of the hierarchy are satisfied. When people have sufficiently
fulfilled the lowest needs, they will move forward to the higher needs (qtd. in
Goble 39).
The explanation of each need is as follows:
a. Physiological Needs
The most powerful and important of all basic needs are the needs for physical
survival. They include the needs for food, liquid, shelter, sex, sleep, and
oxygen. Maslow in Goble (38) points out “For the man who is extremely
hungry, no other interests exist but food. He dreams food, he remembers food
… and he wants only food.” It means that this physiological need must be
fulfilled first before fulfilling the next higher needs.
b. Safety Needs
According to Maslow, once the physiological needs are sufficiently satisfied,
the safety needs emerge. Needs for security, stability, protection, order, and
freedom from fear, anxiety, and physical violence are included in the safety
needs. In fulfilling safety needs, people in general will seek for consistency,
fairness, and certain amount of routine in life. When his life is in danger, a
man will consider other higher needs as unimportant. He will seek for security
of a job with tenure and financial protection, the establishment of saving
account and insurance may be regarded as motivated by safety seeking (qtd. in
Goble 39-40).
c. Belongingness and Love Needs
These needs of belongingness and love emerge primarily when the
physiological and safety needs have been met. People satisfy their love needs
by establishing an intimate and caring relationship with another person or with
people in general. Moreover, this relationship is just as important to give love
as to receive it. Maslow also adds that love involves a healthy and loving
relationship between two people, which include mutual trust. Everybody needs
love. Therefore, lack of love can stop the individual growth and his potential
development (qtd. in Goble 40-41).
d. Esteem Needs
The needs for self-esteem can become dominant when the first three classes of
needs are sufficiently satisfied. Maslow as quoted in Goble (42) distinguishes
two types of esteem needs; self-respect and esteem from others. Self-esteem
includes such needs as desire for confidence, competence, mastery, adequacy,
achievement, independence, and freedom. While, externally derived esteem
can be based on recognition, acceptance, attention, reputation, appreciation,
admiration, status, fame, prestige, or social success, and all characteristics of
how others think of us and react to us. When we feel a sense of self-esteem,
we are confident and secure in ourselves; we feel worthy and adequate.
we lack of self-esteem, we feel inferior, discouraged, and helpless in facing
this life. As an addition, Maslow also points out that the healthiest self-esteem
is based on deserved respect from others.
e. Self-Actualization Needs
According to Maslow, if we have satisfied all of these needs, we are then
driven by the highest need called the need for self-actualization.
Self-actualization can be regarded as the best development and use of all our
abilities, the fulfillment of all our qualities and capacities. We must become
what we have the potential to become. Briefly, it deals with the identification
of the psychological need for growth, development, and utilization of
potential. A self-actualizing person makes maximum use of his abilities,
develops his talents and potentials, and becomes the sort of person he really is
(qtd. in Goble 42).
All the basic needs mentioned above are important. However, it depends
on the ability of each individual to fulfill his needs. Every people will have
different process while fulfilling the needs and they may not appear as mentioned
above. Maslow as quoted in Goble (45-46) also cautions against viewing the
hierarchy of needs too precisely. We should not assume that security needs do not
emerge until the need for food is entirely satisfied, or that the need for love does
not emerge before the need for safety is fully satisfied. Most people have partially
satisfied most of their basic needs, but they still have some unsatisfied basic
needs. Therefore, these unsatisfied needs will have the greatest influence on
6. Struggle for Life
Problems will always occur in our life. These problems are various. They
might be easy or even very difficult. When people face problems, they have to
struggle to overcome the problems. According to Abate (1514) struggle means
“make violent or determined efforts under difficulties”. People will make some
efforts and keep struggling in dealing with problems emerging in life.
Struggle may also be interpreted as person’s strategies to protect him from
problems in life. Bernard says, “Individuals also may consciously and rationally
implement strategies that enable them to cope with the stresses and problem of
life”. When people face problems, they will seek for ideas and strategies to cope
with the problems. Although it is sometimes painful and difficult, people will find
ways of resolving the problems in life by struggling.
Braun, Linder, and Asimov (479-480) in Psychology Today state that there
are many life events happening in life. These life events will force people to
struggle in their life. These life events can be death of spouse, divorce, personal
injury or illness, gaining a new family member, family members leaving home,
etc. While dealing with these problems and challenges of life, people will need to
adjust. Therefore, how people react to all these events is one aspect of the process
called adjustment.
Adjustment is a process of coping with events, challenges, problems, and
difficult situations that occur throughout our life. This adjustment is divided into
three major categories. The first category is problem solving. When dealing with
our problem solving skill will automatically develop. The second category is
acceptance of the situation. It is sometimes better for us to accept the problems
and its consequences, as there is no solution for it. However, we have to be careful
with unconsidered acceptance. Sometimes we accept consequences that we could
have avoided. The third category is defense mechanisms such as repression and
denial. These defense mechanisms are very helpful in alleviating stress and
anxiety while dealing with difficult situations. Still, there is a danger too. Overuse
of these defenses can create severe disturbances (Braun, Linder, and Asimov 478).
According to McKechnie (367), struggle is a task or goal requiring much
effort to accomplish or achieve. People struggle because they have goal that
motivate them. They have dreams to achieve. Therefore, they will give the
greatest effort to accomplish the dreams. It keeps them struggling, even in the
most difficult situation. When people fail to reach their goal, they will struggle
from the unpleasant experience. They can learn positive things from their struggle.
Each person believes that he needs struggle since he realizes that all of his efforts
will satisfy him.
B. Theoretical Framework
The approach and theories I have discussed above are used to help to
analyze this novel. They will be applied to answer the problems of this study. In
this part, I would like to explain which approach and theories used and how they
The first aim of the study is to find out the description of Clare as the
major character in the novel. The theories of character by Forster and Henkle are
used to find out what types of character Clare is. I use the theory of character by
Forster to find out whether Clare is flat or round character. The theory of character
proposed by Henkle is used to determine what short of character Clare is, major or
secondary character. Furthermore, I apply the methods of characterization by
Murphy to dig out the complexity of Clare’s character. This theory helps me to
discover and obtain the description of Clare’s character revealed in the novel.
The second objective is to find out the causes of Clare’s struggle, her
motivation to struggle, and her struggle for a better life. The theories used are
theory of motivation, struggle for life and human basic needs. The theory of
motivation is used to analyze Clare’s motivation to struggle for life. While the
theory of struggle for life is used to find out the causes of Clare’s struggle and
how she reacts in dealing with the problems she encounters in life. I use Maslow’s
theory of human basic needs to analyze what basic needs that cause Clare to
struggle for a better life and how she struggles to fulfill those needs. Therefore,
24 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology of the study, which can be divided
into three parts. The first part is object of study. It describes the novel Ugly and
the focus of the study. The second part is the approach. It states the approach that
is used in the study. The third part is the procedure. It explains the steps conducted
in analyzing the novel.
A. Object of Study
The novel analyzed in this study is entitled Ugly. It was written by
Constance Biscoe as a memoir of her childhood. Printed in paperback, this novel
consists of 433 pages, which is divided into 25 chapters. It was published in Great
Britain in 2006 by Hodder and Stoughton.
The novel Ugly by Constance Briscoe starts with the description of Clare’s family members. Her mother, Carmen, is a Jamaican. George, her father, comes
from Portland. They meet in England, and then decide to get married. They have
six children. As the third daughter, Clare has three sisters and two brothers.
Her mother gives Clare treatments that are extremely different from the
treatments given to her other sisters and brothers. In her early teens, she is beaten
and abused by her own mother. The starting point of all problems is her father’s
abandonment. After winning Littlewoods Pools, he leaves his family and only
treatments toward Clare grow worse after her mother gets a new husband named
Eastman. They both abuse Clare physically and emotionally. Being considered as
ugly, Clare is never given enough food and decent clothes. The treatments
increase the intense of her anxiety. It results her wetting on her bed while she is
sleeping. Moreover, it just worsens her mother’s treatment on her.
Although often finding difficult situations and terrible conditions, Clare
manages to struggle and survive to win the battle of her life. She starts to earn
money by working as a shop assistant at Roses for her Saturday job to fulfill her
needs. At the age of thirteen, she is left alone by her mother. She has to fend for
herself. Working as a cleaning service too, she keeps struggling in these difficult
situations. Handling up a number of different jobs at a time, Clare at last manages
to enter university and is qualified as a barrister.
Constance Briscoe as the author tries to share her experiences in facing
problems and terrible conditions in her life. She tries to point out that people must
survive and struggle in life. Moreover, in achieving their dreams, obstacles that
appear in life should be faced and overcame. This novel is hoped to inspire people
in general to not only hold their dreams, but also to make them come true.
B. Approach
In order to have a better understanding of a work of literature, applying
critical approach is required. Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (6-15) propose five kinds
of critical approach. They are the formalist approach, the biographical approach,
psychological approach. While in this study, I apply the psychological approach
as the basis of the analysis. Since the psychological approach focuses to identify
any aspect of human psychology underlying a work of literature, I use it to dig out
the main character’s personality, thought, motivation, and behavior pattern.
Psychology is a study that deals with mind and how it influences behavior. That is
why I apply the psychological approach to find out how Clare’s personality is
revealed in the novel through her thoughts and actions.
Furthermore, the psychological approach is employed to analyze how
Clare, the major character of this novel, manages to survive and struggle in facing
problems and setbacks emerging in her life. It is used to discover what strategies
in psychology Clare carries out to cope with the problems. This psychology
approach is also applied to explore what aspects that motivate Clare to struggle
and how those aspects influence her behavior to struggle for a better life.
C. Procedures
This part explains the steps taken in conducting this study. This study was
conducted by applying library study. The main procedures done were reading and
taking important notes, which gave great benefits in analyzing the novel. In
applying this method, I read some resources as the reference to answer the
questions stated in the problem formulation. The primary source was taken from
the novel written by Constance Briscoe, Ugly. While the secondary sources were
books I collected to support the analysis, such as theory of character, motivation,
In analyzing this novel, I conducted some steps. The first step was
choosing an interesting novel to discuss. My consideration came to a novel written
by Constance Briscoe entitled Ugly. This novel attracted me since it is a true story
of the author. As real life experiences of the author, this novel provides me with
some valuable insights. After reading the novel for several times, I found a great
topic to discuss. I was interested in Clare’s struggle in her terrible life. Although
she faces so many problems and painful condition, she keeps surviving and
struggling to have a better life. Then, I decided to analyze Clare’s struggle and to
have a deeper understanding on how she manages to survive in her life.
After deciding the topic, I formulated some problems to discuss. This
problem formulation led me to search as many as possible resources that would
help me in analyzing the novel. I read some books discussing theories that could
support my analysis. They were theory of character and characterization, theory of
motivation, theory of human basic needs, and theory of struggle for life. Besides, I
also read some articles from the internet related to the novel.
After having enough data as the basis of my study, I began to analyze the
novel. At first, I tried to dig out the description of Clare as the major character of
the novel. Then I analyzed what reasons that cause Clare to struggle in life and
how she manages to survive in dealing with her needs satisfaction.
The last step was drawing conclusions based on the analysis. I also stated
some suggestions for future researchers who intend to conduct study on the same
novel. Besides that, I tried to give the implementation for teaching learning
28 CHAPTER IV DISCUSSION
This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is the answer to the
description of Clare, the main character of the novel. The second part concerns the
struggle of Clare to have a better life.
A. The Description of Clare
Character plays an important role in a story. Readers will pay their
attention to the characters in the story. There are various types of character.
According to Henkle (88-97), there are two kinds of character namely major
character and secondary character. A major character is the center of the story. He
becomes the focus of the story and plays the most important role in the story. On
the other hand, a secondary character plays less function in the story. Therefore, it
helps to establish the context and situation of a story. Based on the theory
proposed by Henkle, Clare is considered as the major character in which the
readers put their fullest attention. Clare plays the most important role and becomes
the focus of the story.
Another theory of character is proposed by Forster, who divides it into two
namely flat and round characters (46-54). A flat character is usually created
around single idea or trait. In contrast, a round character is built around several or
even many traits that shape him become a complex personality. In line with
several ideas or traits of human nature. She has a complex personality. Moreover,
she is also varied in temperament and motivation.
To analyze the characteristics of Clare, the theory of characterization by
Murphy is applied. According to Murphy there are nine ways of characterization
(161-173). They are personal description, character as seen by another, speech,
past life, conversation of others, reactions, direct comment, thoughts, and
mannerism. However, there are only several ways that are used to describe and
analyze the characteristics of Clare. In this novel, Clare is described as brave,
smart, confident, tough, hardworking and idealistic.
1. Brave
In her childhood, Clare is abused by her own mother both physically and
emotionally. Never given enough and decent clothes, she keeps struggling for her
life. Although her mother often beats her, Clare is still brave to have contact with
her mother. Clare is brave to sue her mother to get what she deserves as her child.
Even when she knows exactly what will happen if she fights against her mother,
Clare never buries her courage. Besides, Clare also has the bravery to face
difficulties and to do what she thinks as right in her life.
Clare’s bravery can be seen through her thought. A few days before she
starts her school at Sacred Heart, Clare asks her mother to hand her some money
to buy a new pair of shoes. Instead of giving the money, her mother asks Clare to
try on and to choose one pair of the shoes collected from the ante-room. Although
her mother refuses to give her some money, Clare still has an intention to ask for
Clare and her sisters. She is brave enough to fight against the injustice happening
in her life.
I had no opportunity to ask again for our money. Not to worry. I went upstairs to find my sisters. The shoes were a bit tight and pinched my feet. By the time I got to my sisters’ room I needed to take them off. I told Four Eyes and Precious Puss that our mother had not given the money, but I would try again later (Briscoe 95).
Her speeches also show how brave Clare is. Although her mother decides
not to give the money, Clare still has the bravery to ask again. She keeps
struggling to get what she deserves. Even when she realizes that her state of
opinion will cause a problem, her bravery leads Clare to ask for the money again.
As a result, her mother slaps her face with wet shirt pulled out from the washing
machine.
‘Can we have our money, Mummy?’ I said. ‘We would like to go shopping,’
‘What money?’ she said. ‘Our money that Dad gave us.’ ‘What money?’
‘Our money to buy our shoes. We would like to go to the market.’ ‘What for?’
‘What for what?’ I said. ‘Why do you need shoes?’
‘I need because I don’t have any for school,’ I said (Briscoe 96).
Her bravery can also be seen when Clare asks her mother the dress for her
First Communion. Her mother gives her a second-hand dress, which is not white
and has a stain down the back. When Clare shows the dress to her sisters, Patsy
and Pauline, they simply say that Clare should ask her mother for the dress that is
used for their First Communion. Since Clare has a big courage, she then decides
to ask her mother for the dress. She is not afraid that her action will put her
when Clare asks her mother for the dress used by Pauline and Patsy before, her
mother plainly says that it is not hers. At last, Clare has to use the dress given by
her mother for she has no other choices (Briscoe 125-126).
Clare is courageous to fight against her mother’s treatments toward her.
Once her mother asks Clare to give all the money she earns by working as a shop
assistant at Roses, a ladies’ dress shop, but she refuses. She is brave to fight in
defending what she owns.
‘Well, how much do you want?’ ‘By rights you should give it all to me.’
‘Then there would be no point in working. I might as well to stop now.’ ‘That’s your business, no one forced you to get a job.’
‘It’s my money and I worked for it.’ (Briscoe 224-225).
Clare is brave enough to state what she is thinking. When Eastman mocks
and shouts at her, Clare has the courage to answer back. She is not afraid that
Eastman is going to hurt her. When Eastman calls her as a fucking shithouse,
Clare answers back. She mocks him back as a big stupid man since he cannot
read. Besides, Clare also points out if he cooks his name in the frying pan,
Eastman will eat it for he will not recognize it. Moreover, Clare also calls him as a
stupid fool (Briscoe 131). She is very brave in fighting against Eastman’s
mocking.
One occasion, her mother punches her in the back of her head and forces
Clare forward until she falls onto the stairs. Unconsciously Clare states her
opinion that later when she has her own children she will never hit them.
Although she is beaten by her mother, she is never afraid to say what is in her
How she reacts to people also shows her bravery. When someone has an
attempt to beat her, Clare will fight back bravely. Clare struggles to fight the
injustice. She will never let anyone to hurt herself. Once she is in the school
playground, her friend, Mary, tries to push Clare out of her way. However, Clare
never lets someone beat her. She then gains the courage to fight back.
We had a fall-out in the school playground when she tried to push me out of her way. I pushed her back. She hit me and I hit her back. We had words and we were not speaking to each other. The truth was, we did not like each other (Briscoe 80).
When she is twelve, her relationship with Eastman is getting worse. Every
time she has a quarrel with Eastman, Clare never lets him hurt her. Anytime
Eastman beats her, she will beat him back. Once when they have an argument,
Eastman punches her. Yet, Clare does not remain silent, she punches him back.
When Eastman grabs her, Clare hits him in the stomach and stamps on his giant
feet (Briscoe 130). Clare is a sort of person who has a big courage to struggle in a
fight.
One day, Eastman tries to beat Bem since he witnesses that Eastman
attacks Clare. While Bem is on his way downstairs, Eastman tries to pull him
down the stairs. Knowing that, Clare does an attempt to save Bem. She is brave to
attack Eastman, trying to save the old Bem.
Bem was having a fit on his bottom and Eastman, stupid Eastman, could not have cared less. I took a running jump and landed on Eastman’s back and started to punch him in the head and pull his eyelashes out as he tugged at Bem’s leg.
‘Quick, Bem,’ I said. ‘Go back upstairs.’
‘Wait,’ said Eastman. ‘Who the body on my back?’ ‘Quick, Bem,’ I said. ‘Go.’
to get him to let Bem go. I pressed my knees into his back then I grabbed him and punched him twice in the neck (Briscoe 308).
Through her thought, speeches, and reactions, it is obvious that Clare is a
brave person. She has the courage to fight against the injustice in her life. She is
never afraid of the risks that will happen by fighting her mother back.
2. Smart
Apart of her physical appearance, Clare has complex and dominating
traits. Besides her bravery, it is obvious that Clare is smart. From direct
description, others’ opinion, her thoughts, and her reactions, we can see Clare’s
smartness. She also knows exactly what to do in dealing with problems that occur
in her life.
In this novel, Clare is directly described as a smart person. She is good at
school and she really loves it.
School was cool. I got my homework back with two stars – A++ and could do better. I loved school and they thought I had potential. If I wanted to, I could make it. School was the only place I was guaranteed no to get a beating (Briscoe 152).
It is also stated that Clare is very good at serving costumers while she is
working at Roses. Her boss, Eileen also notices it. Clare is always able to find
something nice to say in her costumers’ chosen outfit. As a result, she gets her
payment increased.
