DAVID’S MOTIVATION IN GETTING RID OF
HIS DOWN SYNDROME DAUGHTER AS SEEN IN
KIM EDWADS’S
THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Maria Ayuni Widyastuti 051214053
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
DAVID’S MOTIVATION IN GETTING RID OF
HIS DOWN SYNDROME DAUGHTER AS SEEN IN
KIM EDWADS’S
THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Maria Ayuni Widyastuti 051214053
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
ABSTRACT
Widyastuti, Maria Ayuni. 2012. David’s Motivation in Getting rid of His Down Syndrome Daughter as Seen in Kim Edwards’s The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This thesis analyzes Kim Edwards’s novel The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. This novel tells about an orthopedic surgeon who helps his wife, Norah Henry, in giving birth to a twin, Paul and Phoebe. Unfortunately, Phoebe suffers from Down syndrome. Therefore, David decides to get rid of her with the help of his nurse, Caroline Gill. Instead of leaving Phoebe to the institution, Caroline decides to raise her. David tells his wife that Phoebe is dead right after she was born, but the fact is she is alive.
The aim of this study is to find out David’s motivation in getting rid of his daughter. There are two problems to be answered: (1.) How is David’s character portrayed in the novel? and (2.) What is David’s motivation in getting rid of his Down syndrome daughter?
This thesis is a library study method. There are two kinds of sources used, namely, primary and secondary sources. Kim Edwards’s The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is the primary source. Meanwhile, the secondary sources are taken from some books and articles which are closely related with the issues presented in this study, such as the theory of character and characterization, theory of personality, and theory of motivation. This study uses psychological approach to analyze human personality and motivation.
The result of this study shows that physically, David is a handsome man. Besides, he is a loving and caring man, but he is shamed of his past life. He is also an excellent orthopedic surgeon. There are four main factors that motivate David to get rid of his daughter. His surface motivations are he does not want his wife to feel the same as his mother and raise Phoebe will be difficult due to her condition. Meanwhile, his deeper motivations are he is a selfish person and shames by the fact that he is carried the Down syndrome genetic in his body.
Since this study is imperfect and had many limitations. It is suggested for the future researchers to find out David’s other motivations to make this study perfect. As for English teachers, they are recommended to use this novel in the teaching-learning activity. The writer presents a lesson plan for Paragraph Writing class using The Memory Keeper’s Daughter that can be applied by teachers.
ABSTRAK
Widyastuti, Maria Ayuni. 2012. David’s Motivation in Getting rid of His Down Syndrome Daughter as Seen in Kim Edwards’s The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. Jogjakarta: Fakultas Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Departemen Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Tesis ini menganalisis novel berjudul The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
karya Kim Edwards. Novel ini menceritakan tentang seorang dokter bedah tulang yang membantu istrinya, Norah Henry, dalam proses melahirkan bayi kembar bernama Paul dan Phoebe. Sayangnya, Phoebe menderita Down syndrome, David lalu memutuskan untuk membuang Phoebe dengan bantuan perawatnya yaitu Caroline Gill. Alih-alih membawa Phoebe ke sebuah yayasan, Caroline memutuskan untuk merawatnya. David mengatakan pada istrinya bahwa Phoebe telah wafat tepat ketika dia dilahirkan, namun pada kenyataannya, dia masih hidup.
Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui motivasi David dalam membuang anak perempuannya. Ada dua masalah untuk dipecahkan: (1.) Bagaimana karakter David digambarkan dalam novel? dan (2.) Apa motivasi David untuk membuang putrinya yang menderita Down syndrome?
Tesis ini mengaplikasikan metode studi perpustakaan. Ada dua buah sumber-sumber yang digunakan yaitu sumber primer dan sekunder. The Memory
Keeper’s Daughter karya Kim Edwards adalah sumber primer. Sedangkan
sumber-sumber sekunder diambil dari beberapa buku dan artikel-artikel yang berhubungan erat dengan masalah yang dipaparkan seperti contohnya, teori karakter dan karakterisasi, teori personaliti, dan teori motivasi. Studi ini menggunakan pendekatan psikologi untuk menganalisi kepribadian dan motivasi seseorang.
Hasil dari studi ini menunjukkan bahwa David adalah pria menarik yang penyayang, perhatian, seorang dokter yang hebat, dan malu terhadap masa lalunya. Ada empat faktor penting yang memotivasi David untuk membuang putrinya. Motivasinya secara tersirat yaitu dia tidak mau istrinya mengalami hal yang sama seperti ibunya dan mengasuh Phoebe akan sangat berat. Motivasinya yang mendalam adalah dia egois dan malu karena dia mempunyai Down syndrome genetik dalam tubuhnya.
Dianjurkan untuk para peneliti-peneliti yang akan datang, untuk menemukan motivasi-motivasi David lainnya yang belum ditemukan oleh penulis, untuk membuat studi ini sempurna. Hal ini dikarenakan karena studi ini belum sepenuhnya sempurna. Sedangkan untuk guru-guru Bahasa Inggris, dianjurkan untuk menggunakan novel ini dalam kegiatan belajar-mengajar. Studi ini juga memberikan rancangan rencana pembelajaran untuk kelas Paragraph Writing menggunakan novel The Memory Keeper’s Daughter yang bisa diaplikasikan oleh guru-guru.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to express my greatest gratitude to my Almighty Lord, Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and Holy Spirit for Their wonderful bless, grace, strength, and health so that, I could finish my thesis. I sincerely thank Them in
every minute in my life.
My deepest appreciation goes to my advisor, Dr. A. Herujiyanto, M.A. who has given me guidance and help to finish my thesis. I thank him for his kindness,
guidance, patience, input, suggestions, advice, and encouragement in completing
my thesis. My gratitude also goes to all PBI’s lecturers who have taught me so many things during my study in Sanata Dharma University.
My sincere gratitude also goes to my beloved parents, Simon Sumadi and
Theresia Sih Lestari for giving me love, support, prayer, shelter, delicious food, and encouragement to finish my thesis immediately. I also thank my one and only
big brother, Julius Windy Ari Jatmiko who always supports and believes in what I am doing. I want to send my gratitude for all of my family wherever they are. I am so happy to have a great big family who always support and pray for me.
My best gratitude also goes to my late Mbah Uti and Mbah Kakung who always loved me. I believe they always look after me from heaven.
Sincerely, I want to thank my best friends, Rose, Astri, and Fifin who have motivated me to finish my thesis. I am very grateful to have such wonderful
friends. My gratitude also goes to my PBI’s friends Agnes, Lucia, Beni, Retno,
I also would like to thank all of USD’s staffs especially Mbak Danik and
Mbak Tari, who helped me in the administration matters.
My sincere gratitude also goes to my inspiration, BigBang. I thank them for their amazing music which always accompanies me day and night in completing
my thesis. Thanks for giving me spirit when I am in a bad mood and making me
laugh when I am sad.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all people who I could not
mention one by one. I thank them for their contribution and endless support. I will
never forget their kindness. May God bless them all.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
APPROVAL PAGES ... ii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY... iv
PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ……….... v
ABSTRACT ……… vi
ABSTRAK ... vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……… ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……….. x
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study ... 1
B. Objectives of the Study ... 3
C. Problem Formulation ... 3
D. Benefits of the Study ... 4
E. Definition of Terms ... 4
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. Review of Related Studies ... 6
B. Review of Related Theories………. 8
1. Theories of Critical Approach ... 8
2. Theories of Character ... 10
3. Theories of Characterization ... 12
4. Theories of Personality ... 15
CHAPTER III. METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study ... 19
B. Approach of the Study ... 20
C. Method of the Study ... 20
CHAPTER IV. DISCUSSION A. David’s Character Portrayed in the Novel ... 22
1. David’s Physical Appearance ... 24
2. David’s Personality Trait ... 25
a. A Kind and Loving Man ... 25
b. A Good Doctor ... 29
c. Likes to Collect Stone and Photography ... 31
d. Ashamed of His Past Life ... 32
B. David’s Motivation in Getting rid of Phoebe ... 33
1.Surface Motivation ………... 34
a. Does not Want Norah to End up Like His Mother……….. 34
b. Difficult to Raise Phoebe ……..…………... 36
c. Selfish ………... 37
d. Shame and Afraid by the Fact that He is a Carrier ……… 42
CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION A. Conclusion ... 56
B. Suggestions ... 58
REFERENCES ... 61
APPENDICES ... 64
A. Summary of the Novel ... 65
B. Biography of the Author ... 68
C. Lesson Plan for Teaching Paragraph Writing ... 70
D. Materials ... 73
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
Chapter one consists of the background of the study, objectives of the
study, problem formulation, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. The
background of the study is focused on the study, the needs of analyzing the topic,
and the writer’s personal reason of choosing the novel. Objectives of the study
explain the goals of the study. The problem formulation gives the general
description of the problems that will be analyzed in the study. The last part is
definition of terms in which some terms related to the study are defined.
A. Background of the Study
According to Henkle (1997), reading a novel is a private experience where
people can really feel the situation in the novel, imagine the characters, and save it
in their memory (25). That is the exact feeling when the writer read Kim
Edward’s The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. The novel drags her into another
world and traps into the story. The novel creates a simple movie contains with
images of the character, place, time, plot, etc. Each reader has different perception
toward a novel and it may depend on the reader’s experience or background.
According to Murphy (1972), just like life which is a mixture of joy,
disapointment, hope, sorrow, humor, suffering, and success, so the greatest novels
reflect life and contain with many elements (p.133). Just like The Memory
Keeper’s Daughter, this novel also combines many elements of life. The idea
Down Syndrome brother but the brother died before the man know that he was
exist.
The novel is about an orthopedic surgeon, David Henry, who helps his wife,
Norah Henry, giving birth to a twin, boy and girl. The baby boy is perfect and
healthy but the girl has Down syndrome. Quickly, he makes a decision not to keep
the girl but give her to his nurse, Caroline Gill. He asks her to bring his daughter
to an institution. Instead of giving the baby into an institution, the nurse decides to
raise the baby by herself without telling Henry first. Meanwhile, Henry tells
Norah that their baby girl passed away.
Caroline, who keeps the baby girl, names her Phoebe, just as Norah wants if
she has a baby girl. Phoebe grows up into a cheerful girl but like other Down
syndrome child, she is slow to develop, compare with normal child. In the
opposite, her twin, Paul, grow up into a healthy, smart, and charming boy.
To be a person who has disability is not an easy thing to deals with.
Sometimes, it needs big effort or others’ help to do a simple thing. They have to
depend on others to keep a living because they cannot earn money by themselves.
For some, the existence of mentally disabled people only becomes a burden. They
often feel unwanted or unloved because of their condition.
After realizing that Phoebe has Down syndrome, without hesitation David
gets rid of her. He does not need time to consider his action and ignore the fact
that she is his own flesh and blood. In this stage, the readers find that David is a
cruel and bad person because what kind of father who is capable to get rid of his
further, in every decision there must be reason and motivation behind it. There
must be motivation which encourages David to take the decision. What exactly is
his motivation to get rid of his daughter? Is he scared by the fact that it is hard to
raise a disabled child or he hated her because she is imperfect so that, it can
humiliate his family and pride? Is it easier for him to just get rid of her instead of
love her just the way she is? Does he feel guilty, especially when he has to tell a
lie? All of these questions become the background of this study. More
specifically, the background of the study is to find David’s true intention in
getting rid of his daughter.
B. Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is to find out David’s motivation in getting rid of
his daughter as seen in the Kim Edward’s TheMemory Keeper’s Daughter.
C. Problem Formulation
1. How is David’s character portrayed in the novel?
2. What is David’s true motivation in getting rid of his Down
D. Benefits of the Study
There are at least three groups of people who get benefit from this study.
The first is for readers in general. Hopefully, this paper will be useful to
encourage them to read the novel. The novel can gives many valuable things and
enrich their knowledge about literature. Since the theme is unique, they can get
new experience by reading the novel.
The second is for English Education Study Program students, this novel can
be a good reference for them who want to know more about literature work. By
reading this paper, it may help them to study further about some aspects in a novel
which are character, characterization, approaches, and their connection to
personalities and motivation.
The last is for English teacher, they can use the novel as an alternative in the
teaching-learning activity. Not only interesting, this novel contains many high
values that can be taught to students. By reading this paper, the teacher may get
better understanding about the novel before introducing it to the students.
E. Definition of Terms 1. Motivation
According to Mcclelland (1985), motivation refers to something in
people’s mind which arouses activity and directs people to obtain certain object or
condition called goals (p.4).
Aiken, Jr. (1969) states that motivation refers to something in people
condition called goals. A motivated person tends to focus his energy and attention
to an object or situation that will satisfy his motive (p.3). In this study, David’s
motivation becomes the reason why he wants to get rid of his daughter.
2. Goal
According to Hornby (1995), goal is something that you hope to achieve
(577). In this study, David wants to achieve a goal which is getting rid of Phoebe.
So that, he can protects his family
3. Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a chromosal disorder caused by the presence of all or
part of an extra 21st chromosome. People with Down Syndrome has some
common physical signs such as flat face with an upward slant to the eye, short
neck, abnormally shaped ears, deep create in the palm, white spots on the iris of
the eye, poor muscle tone, loose ligament, small hands and feet, and a larger than
normal space between the big and second toes (“Wikipedia,” n.d.).
According to Heyn (n.d.), people with Down syndrome often deal with
health problem for example congenital heart disease, hearing problem, and eye
problem. Beside physical features, they also have mental features, which are
mental retardation or a disability that causes limits on intellectual abilities and
adaptive behavior; conceptual, social, and practical skills use in everyday lives,
delayed language development and low motor development. Down syndrome is
the disease which Phoebe is suffered from. The disease is incurable but it can be
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter consists of three important parts. They are review of related
studies, review of related theories, and theoretical framework. Review of related
studies presents the previous works using The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
Reviews of related theories consist of theories which are used in conducting the
study. Meanwhile, theoretical framework contents the explanation how the
theories presented are applied in the study.
A. Review of Related Studies
There have been several studies related to The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
Siess (2010) in her article Literary and Essays: The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
discusses the conflicts faced by David Henry who is the main character in the
novel. She states that David has to face a conflict due to his decision in giving
away Phoebe. He has to pretend as if nothing happened and takes care of his
family. On the other hand, he has another obligation which is to look after
Phoebe. In the end, he has to choose between his family’s happiness and Phoebe’s
happiness.
The other study is conducted by Poston (n.d.). She reveals how the characters
in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter seem so real and alive. She especially
discusses David and Norah’s character changing. She states that David becomes a
burden because he is the only person who knows the truth behind the big secret.
She adds how David tries to redeem his mistake by sending Caroline’s money.
“He sends money to Caroline for Phoebe, to still his own guilt and fear about the
past” as for Norah, she portrays her as a mother ripped from one child. She studies
how Norah suffered from lost. “We watch her struggle with addictions, from
alcohol to sex to work, constantly filling the hole left by a daughter she never got
to know”. In the end, she can find her happiness again. “Eventually, Norah finds
love again, but the journey is long and full of loss”.
Morisset (2006) in her study Literary Analysis Essay: “The Memory Keeper’s
Daughter” discusses the setting of time of The Memory Keeper’s Daughter which
is in 1964. In that year, it would not be a problem if parents with disability
children such as Down syndrome, send their children to an institution rather than
raise them at home. The reasons are because the conventional thinking that the
child would be better care and the rest family members will not feel sad with a
child who has special needs. Morisset also adds the theme of The Memory
Keeper’s Daughter which is about family relationship. “Edwards’ debut novel
spans a quarter century from 1964 to 1989, exploring the life of a nuclear family
in which one member harbors an unthinkable secret against the backdrop of
rapidly evolving societal roles and expectations”. Besides talking about the setting
of time and theme, Morisset slightly discusses the characters.
However, this study is different from those previous studies. This study focuses
on David’s motivation in getting rid of his Down syndrome’s daughter and the
discussion of David’s character. Eventhough some of the previous works also
discuss the character, but in this study, David’s character is deeply explored not
only in general view. The study on David’s motivation to get rid of his daughter is
a new study.
B. Review of Related Theories
This part consists of three parts, which are the theory of critical approach,
the theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of personality, and
theory of motivation.
1. Theory of Critical Approach
Accroding to Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (1971), a critical approach to
literature is used to help the readers in order to judge a work of art. To be able to
build the judgment, critical approach needs an understanding of its nature, fiction,
and positive values. They also state that by using critical approach, the readers
will be in a position to receive some positive esthetic values and provide the
means where they can understand the shape of literature and what it meant (p.4).
There are five kinds of critical approaches according to Rohrberger and Woods,
Jr. (1971), which are the formalist approach, the biographical approach, the
sociocultural-historical approach, the mythopoeic approach, and the psychological
a. The Formalist Approach
This approach examines the literature piece without reference to facts of the
author’s life, the genre of the piece, or to its place in the development of the genre
or in the literature history, and without reference to its social society.
The concept of formalist approach is concerned with the ideas, personality and
the development of the author. The formalist approach might be able to judge the
esthetic value of a piece of work but it could not judge the work’s ultimate
greatness or consider the relation to other pieces.
b. The Biographical Approach
The Biographical Approach tends to concern that it is necessary to appreciate
the ideas and personality of the author in order to understand the author’s work.
This approach sees that a work of art is a reflection of the author. The author’s
biographical provides useful facts that could put the reader in a better position to
appreciate the author’s work.
c. The Sociocultural Historical Approach
The proponents of this approach insist that the only way to understand a
literary work is through studying the civilization that produced it. The historical
critics sees that to enrich the reader’s experience. Readers should examine the
other works that has relation to it. It could be from the same author or to works of
similar subject by different author in the same or different period.
Two important factors which underlying the sociocultural-historical approach
necessarily to the author and a work of literature might have historical
significance but not necessarily literature significance.
d. The Mythopoeic Approach
Critics who use this approach tend to discover certain universally recurrent
patterns of human thought in which the works of art. Themes about myths such as
death and rebirth, sacrificial suffering, and fertility rites, can be found in the
literature work whether the author is conscious or unconsiuos in using them. It is
difficult to answer if the author is fully aware to use such theme into his work.
e. The Psychological Approach
The Psychological Approach involves the effort to locate and demonstrate
certain recurrent pattern just like the Myothopoiec Approach. The different is the
Psychological uses different body of knowledge. It mostly emphasis on Sigmund
Freud and his followers especially the modern psychological movement which get
the biggets effect through Freud’s theory.
Many modern writers have influenced by Freud’s theories. Some critics even
use Freud’s ideas to interpret the author’s work before him. Freud’s followers
believe that he did not invent behaviour pattern but he analyzed what he believed
had always existed.
2. Theory of Character
According to Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (1971), a character is a person who
involves in a story, acts out in particular time and setting, and experiences some
as a real person. There are two kinds of character; the first one is flat characters
which are described as one-sided character. The second one is round characters
that have many-side. The most important character and becomes the center in a
novel is called protagonist (p.20). The opposite character whom the protagonist
most likely involves in conflict with another character is called the antagonist
(p.21).
Henkle (1977) states that everything which people talk about fiction has
something to do with the people in it. The word people here refer to characters in
the novel. Novel itself is a reflection of a deep and rich knowledge of human life
(p.86). Characters are the representative of human condition and the times which
they life. Characters are categorized into two, which are major characters and
secondary characters. Major characters are the main focus in the novel and
frequently appear in the story (p.90). By understanding those characters it means
that the readers can understand the novel. Major characters hold an important role
to build expectations and desires of the readers. They are created to present
convicting dramatizations of the human’s issues. The effectiveness of a novel is
depends on the major characters’ ability to express and dramatize the human’s
issues (p.92).
Meanwhile secondary characters functioned as supportive characters and
performed limited functions. The readers can discover the time and the society in
the novel by observing the secondary characters’ life (p.94). Secondary characters
can be functioned as point of reference, means that the readers can understand the
come on a scene frequently to comment on the event, be friend with the major
characters, and interact with the major characters (p.95). The secondary characters
are generally less complex and intense. The characters are limited in ways
different from the major characters. Their responses toward conflicts are less
complex and interesting so that they may suffer less (p.97).
A novelist E.M. Forster states that there are two types of characters, round and
flat. Round character has several traits that form a complex and dynamic
personality. It means the character changing as the story progress. While flat
character is static from the beginning to the end of the story (as cited in Barnet,
Burto, and Cain, 2005, pp. 228-228).
3. Theory of Characterization
Characters are one of the important point in a novel. By studying and
examining the characters, the readers can follow the story and be a part of it.
Therefore, an author must be able to describe the characters and make it look real
and alive. So that, the readers can feel their presence and can fully imagine it.
Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. (1971) state that characterization is the process in
which an author creates a character. The characters have particular appearance
and personal traits which are different from other characters. There are two ways
that an author uses to characterize the characters. The first way is directly
describes the physical appearance of the characters. The second way is to place
the characters in a situation and observe how the characters behave or speak
According to Abcarian and Klotz (1988), characterization is the process in
which the characters are changed to make them seem real to the readers.
Characterization cannot be separated from the other elements of fiction, because it
depends on the other elements such as tone, plot, theme, setting, and so on (p.6).
Based on Murphy (1972), there are seven ways that an author uses to reveal the
characters, so that it become understandable and real to the readers’ imagination
(pp.161-173).
a. Personal description
This is the common way used by the author to show the character by giving
personal description such as the character’s appearance and what kind of clothes
he or she wears.
b. Character as seen by others
In this method, the author using others character’s point of view toward
certain character, instead of using other character’s point of view toward the
character. The readers can study the character through other characters.
c. Speech
There are many ways to reveal the character. It is not only by describing the
character’s outside look, but also through the words he or she said when the
character speaks to someone else or gives his or her opinion.
d. Past life
The past life of a character can give the readers clue. The character’s past life
character’s past life through the author description, the character’s thought, or
through the characters conversation with others.
e. Conversation with others
The author gives clue regarding a character through the conversation of other
characters about him or her and the thing they say about him or her. People
sometimes talk about other people and what they say often gives a clue to the
character of the person spoken about.
f. Reactions
The character’s reaction toward various situations and events, gives the
readers description about the character’s personality. The readers can learn the
character by analyzing the character’s attitude when he or she faces some
problem or encounters conflict.
g. Direct Comment
Sometimes, the author gives clue about the character’s through his or her
comment or direct description. The author direct comment itself, can lead the
reader to learn about character.
h. Thoughts
Through the character’s thought, the readers can read the character’s
personality. The character’s thought in a novel is honest and come from the
character’s heart. Sometimes, when the character talk with others, the things he
or she says or opinion is not honest. Meanwhile, thought is pure and honest. It
i. Mannerism
The last method to give the readers clue is through the character’s manner
and habit. The habit or manner can show the real personality of the character.
4. Theory of Personality
According to Hall and Gardner (1970), the three systems of personality,
namely the id, the super-ego, and ego, have their own mechanism, function, and
component but they interact one another and contribute to form behavior. In
other words, behavior is the result of the interaction between the three major
systems (p.32). Byrne and Kelley (1981) state that id tells what people want to
do, super-ego shows what they should do, while ego decides what they can do
(p.49). The further explanation of each major follows:
a. Id
Weiner (1980) says id is the original system of the personality, unconscious,
and related to biological needs (pp.14-15). Hall and Gardner (1981) add the aims
of id are to avoid pain and obtain pleasure (p.50). Id consists of psychological
energy and becomes the center of it, because it quickly response the body needs
(p.32). Id follows the rule of pleasure principle, which means when someone’s
tension raised, id functions to discharge the tension and make he comfortable. Id
has two processes, the first one is reflect action, it is inborn and automatic
reactions to reduce the tension immediately. The second process is primary
influence the thinking process so that, it is hard to distinguish between reality and
fantasy (p.33).
b. Ego
According to Hall and Gardner (1971) ego occurs because human need
something real to fulfill their needs and closely related to the objective world
(p.33). Ego is a part of id, the existence cannot be separated from id and it cannot
stand alone. It takes part as the executive of all personality sytems because it
chooses the action, decides the environment features to which it will response,
what needs that will be satisfied, and in what manner (p.34).
Ego follows the rule of reality principle which means it prevents the
discharge of the tension, until the appropriate object to fulfill the needs
discovered. It delays the pleasure principle temporally, because the pleasure
principle is fulfilled when the needed object is found so that, the tension can be
reduced. Ego uses secondary thinking process by creating a plan for satisfaction
based on logic and time orientation. Then, test it whether it will work or not by
some actions (p.34). Byrne and Kelley (1981) state that ego holds the important
key to control the id and super-ego (p.50).
c. Super-ego
Hall and Gardner (1970) mention that super-ego is the moral control of
personality. The main concern is to decide whether something is right or wrong
so it can act based on the moral standards create by the society (p.34). Super-ego
has two subsystems, the first one is conscience, means it punish someone who
ego ideal, which is the opposite of conscious; it rewards someone who did
something right by making him or her proud. Super-ego has three main functions
(p.35):
1) To prevent the impulse of id, especially sexual and an aggressive nature
because they are condemn by the society.
2) Persuade ego to change moralistic goals into realistic goals.
3) Strives for perfection
5. Theory of Motivation
Aiken, Jr. (1969) mentions that motivation refers to something in people’s
mind which arouses activity and directs people to obtain certain object or
condition called goals (p.110). A motivated person tend to focus his energy and
attention to an object or situation that will satisfy his motive (p.145). Petris
(1981) says motivation is the explanation, used to make sense the behavior that is
being observed. Motivation is the concept used to describe the strength of act on
or within someone to initiate direct behavior. It is also used to explain differences
in the intensity of behavior (p.3). The source of motivation can be from human
thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and also social interactions. Motivation is not clear
for the person who experiences it. The basic motive of all human is to be
fulfilled as they can (p.4).
McClelland (1985) adds the basic motive of all human is to be fulfilled as
they can. The subject matter of a motivation is dealing with how behavior gets
motivation’s strength cannot be measured directly but indirectly because of the
influence of values, skills, and opportunities (p.152).
C. Theoretical Framework
In order to find the answer of the problem formulations, some theories that are
explained before is used.
Before conducting this study, the writer chooses the appropriate approach.
Psychological Approach turns out to be a suitable approach. Therefore, the writer
uses this approach.
The theories of character and characterization are used by the writer to
analyze David Henry’s character as questions in the first problem formulation.
The theories help the writer to study the main character further and determine his
characteristic.
To answer the second question in the problem formulation, the writer uses the
theory of motivation and personality. By applying these theories, the writer can
find out the real motivation of David in getting rid of his daughter and the process
when he makes the decision. The theories complement each other to find the true
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three parts, namely object of the study, approach of
the study, and method of the study. The object of the study shows a brief
description about the novel The Memory Keepers’ Daughter and the story. The
approach of the study consists of the approach in literature that the writer used to
analyze the novel and the reason why the approach is chosen. The last part is
method of the study, where the writer explains the steps taken in the study.
A. Object of the Study
The subject matter of this study is a novel The Memory Keepers’ Daughter
by Kim Edwards. The first edition of this novel was published in New York,
USA, by Penguin Group in 2005 and consists of 513 pages.
The Memory Keepers’ Daughter is a touching novel about an orthopedic
surgeon, Dr. David Henry, who gets rid of his daughter, Phoebe, to an institution
due to her condition. Actually, his wife, Norah, gave birth to a twin, a healthy
baby boy, Paul, and a baby girl with Down syndrome. Dr. Henry who helps his
wife delivers the babies, knows that Phoebe suffers from Down syndrome by
seeing her physical appearance. Suddenly, he asks his nurse, Caroline Gill, to take
Phoebe away. Caroline, who supposes to get rid of the baby, decides to raise her.
Norah, who knows that her daughter died feels so upset and sad. David who
knows the truth, could not do anything except cheers her up. Seeing his wife
is right. It is better to get rid of Phoebe rather than raise her, because in the end
she will die in a young age.
On the other hand, Caroline’s life becomes better after she raises Phoebe.
Phoebe brings a new hope and light in her life. Phoebe who is predicted cannot
survive in this world, grows into a healthy girl despite her condition.
B. Approach of the Study
In analyzing the novel, the writer uses one of the critical approaches proposed
by Rohrberger and Woods, Jr. There are five approaches which are formalist
approach, biographical approach, socio-cultural approach, mythopoeic approach,
and the psychological approach. Among the five approaches, the writer uses
psychological approach.
The psychological approach is used to understand the characters’ personality
by observing their thought and behavior. The approach is also used to reveal the
motivation behind David’s decision to get rid of his daughter.
C. Method of the Study
This study conducted library study method. There were two sources that were
being used. They were primary and secondary sources. The primary source was
Kim Edwards’s The Memory Keeper’s Daughter (2005). Meanwhile, the
secondary sources were taken from books and articles from the interne.
There were some steps which the writer took to conduct this study. First, the
understand the whole part of the novel. After reading the novel, the writer wanted
to know the motivation of the main character behind his decision in getting rid his
Down syndrome’s daughter.
Second, the writer chose two problem formulations, which were related with
David’s character and his motivation in getting rid of his Down syndrome’s
daughter. Third, the writer found the appropriate approach to conduct this study.
The approach which was suitable was Psychological Approach. This study
focused on the main character’s personality and motivation. Therefore,
Psychological Approach was chosen. Forth, the writer analyzed this study by
using the theories that were being chosen. The theories were the theory of
character, theory of characterization, theory of personality, and theory of
motivation.
The last step, the writer drew conclusion about the study. The conclusion
includes the summary of the problems that have been answered. The writer also
gave some suggestions for the future researchers and teaching learning activities.
CHAPTER IV DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the discussion of the problem formulations as stated in
the first chapter. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is the
discussion of David’s character. The second part is the explanation of David’s
motivation in getting rid of his Down syndrome’s daughter.
A. David’s Character as Portrayed in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
To reveal David’s character, several theories have been used, namely
theory of character and characterization. Theory of character is used to find out
what kind of character David is. Rohberger and Woods, Jr.(1971) state that a
character is a person who is involved in a story, acts out in particular time and
setting, and experiences some kind of conflict in the event (p.20). Forster
mentions there are two kinds of character, flat and round character (as cited in
Barnet, Burto, and Cain, 2005, pp. 228-228). David is a round character, because
he has several traits that shape him into a complex character. His character is also
dynamic, means it changes as the story goes. At the beginning of the story, he is a
caring man. He cares about his wife and he expresses his love for her. “He lifted
her foot, both delicate and swollen inside the light blue sock, and began to
massage it gently” (p.4), but slowly his character changes into a loner person.
“Yet everything had changed. David had changed. Evenings, when he sat beside
her on the couch, browsing through his journals, he was no longer really there”
Norah notices Davis is changing. He becomes obsessed with photography
and his job as a doctor. The days when they used to walk together holding hands
were no longer exist (p.222). Norah feels as if David sees her as an object of
photography not as his wife. She realizes that he does not really see her and has
not for years (p.227).
David is the major character in the novel. As Henkle says, major character is
the main focus in the novel and frequently appears in the story (90). David is the
main focus in the novel because all the events and conflicts which happen in the
novel are started from David’s decision in getting rid of Phoebe. He frequently
appears in the novel and all the secondary characters often involve David in their
action and mind.
David Henry is an orthopedic surgeon. He has a sister, June, but she died
when she was twelve years old (p.195). She suffered from heart defect and since
his family was poor, June was not able to get proper treatment.
“My parents had hard lives, Paul. They didn’t have money. I don’t mean that they weren’t rich. I mean that sometimes they didn’t know if we were going to have food to eat. And it pained my mother, because they couldn’t get much help for June” (p.279).
His parents died not long after June’s death. His mother was a housewife and
his father was a miner. David is married to Norah Asher, a woman whom he
meets in the department store. They actually have twin babies, boy and girl, Paul
and Phoebe. Due to Phoebe’s condition, David asks his nurse, Caroline Gill, who
is madly in love with him, to take her away to an institution. David lies to his wife
Instead of getting rid of Phoebe, Caroline decides to raise her and moves to
another town (p.86). David, who thinks that Phoebe is get rid of, shocks when he
finds out that Caroline keeps her. He is angry at first, but he realizes that he
cannot do anything. He leaves Phoebe to Caroline to be taken care of.
In order to study David’s character further, the writer applied theory of
characterization proposes by Rohberger and Woods, Jr. (1971), they state that
characterization is the process in which an author creates a character (p.20). While
according to Murphy (1972), there are nine ways to reveal a character namely
personal description, character as seen by others, speech, past life, conversation
with others, reactions, direct comments, thought, and mannerism (pp.160-173).
By applying those theories, the writer concludes the personality of David. David’s
character can be well understood through his appearance and personality’s traits.
1. David’s Physical Appearance
David is a handsome and charming man. When Caroline meets him for the
first time, she directly falls in love with him. She realizes that he is a kind of man
that she has been waiting for.
As for Norah, David is also a good looking man. She agrees to marry him
after three months dating. “Yet here was David, handsome, a doctor, standing in
the doorway of her apartment saying, Come on, please, there’s something special
I want you to see” (p.102).
2. David’s Personality Traits a. A Kind and Loving Man
David is a loving man. He meets Norah, his wife, in a department store (p.15).
He falls in love with her at the first sight and after three months, he married her
(p.8). David loves Norah so much and his love grows bigger when she is pregnant.
“Watching her, he felt a surge of love and wonder: that she was his wife, that their
baby, due in just three weeks, would soon be born” (p.4). As for Norah, David’s
presence changes and brings new hope in her life. She used to have a dull life and
bored job at the telephone company. She thinks that she will be single for her
entire life but her life changes after she meets David.
“There had been moments, watching others go off to sorority parties, or sitting on her stool in the windowless room of the telephone company while co-workers planned their weddings down to the last corsage and party mint, when Norah, so quiet and reserved, believed she would be single all her life. Yet here was David, handsome, a doctor, standing in her doorway of apartment saying….. “ (p.102).
As a father, David also loves both of his children Paul and Phoebe. David
is happy when Paul, a beautiful dark-haired boy, is born .When Paul is still very
young, he has a close relation with him. They used to play and collect stones
together. Paul makes his life perfect despite his busy activity as a doctor.
and stiff against David’s neck. David kissed his forehead, regretting that moment of anger… “ (pp.178-179).
Paul likes to play guitar since he is a teenager. David gives him a special
Almansa guitar for his birthday present and it becomes his favorite guitar. “He’d
spent hours researching this guitar, ordering it on a company in New York; his
face was full of quiet pleasure as Paul lifted it reverently from the box.” (p.228).
Everytime he watches Paul’s perform, his eyes become teary as he listens to
Paul’s music. Paul wants to be a musician but David disagrees because for him,
music is just a hobby not as a choice of career. Although David opposes Paul’s
dream, he still loves him. David sometimes travels to another town to watch his
son performs. “Sometimes David traveled a hundred miles or more, to Cincinnati
or Pittsburgh or Atlanta or Memphis, to slip into the back of a darkened
auditorium and watch Paul performs” (p.409).
Eventhough David gets rid of Phoebe, deep inside he still loves her. He
keeps every letters and photos of Phoebe in his dark room. Caroline keeps him
posted by sending letters, telling that Phoebe is fine and how she grows up. She
even puts Phoebe’s photos. When David receives Caroline’s letter for the first
time, he does not want to read it, he even throws it in the trash, unopened.
However, he ends up keeping it secretly in his dark room (p.182). David always
sends money for Phoebe to the address written in Caroline’s post mark letter,
along with a note asking where she is now, because the post marks of her letters
are from different towns (p.182). Everytime Caroline sends him letters, she never
writes down her address. David, who wonders where Phoebe is, hires a private
address in Pittsburgh. Seeing Phoebe, makes he feels as if he is seeing Paul. She
really resembles Paul (p.403). David realizes that he is secluded in Phoebe’s life.
She is invisible to him for years, but now he sees her real figure. David does not
come into her house, he just sees her from his car (p.403). He does not want to
disturb Phoebe’s happiness with her new family. He leaves the past undisturbed.
Before he dies, he makes an account using Caroline’s name on it (p.402).
David also loves his late sister, June, though she is weak but it does not
make he hates her. When he is young, his jobs are to feed the chicken, weed the
garden, clean the coop, and watch June. He treats June like a normal healthy child.
He does not comfort her when she falls and lets her play dirt, rubs it in her hair
“His love for her was so deeply woven with resentment that he could not untangle
the two” (p.153).
David has a close relation with June and he always care for her. She is his best
friend, everytime he goes home after school; June’s happy face welcomes him.
”Yet when he came up the path from school with his books slung over his back, it
was June who looked into his face and understood what his day had been like,
who wanted to know all about it” (p.154). He always remember June, his lovely
sister. He remembers her sweet voice when she sings, how she likes to eat
homemade jelly, how she loves butterflies and wind (p.136), and she does not
afraid of snakes (p.195). Her death leaves a deep scar in his heart. He always
longs his childhood moment with her. “He thought of June, the way her hair got
so blond in the sun each summer, the scent of her skin-soap and warmth and
David is a kind hearted-man; he proves it when he takes Rosemary to his
house. Rosemary is a pregnant girl who is living in his abandoned old house. He
brings her home with him. He insists her to stay in his house though Norah
disagrees with his decision (p.356). He convinces Norah that Rosemary needs
help, she is still very young and pregnant (p.365). He tells her his secret, the big
secret that he tries to bury (p.345). Rosemary knows everything about David and
it makes Norah suspicious. She feels David’s relation with Rosemary is stronger
and closer than physical relation. “And yet Norah sensed something between the
two of them, an emotional connection, alive and positively charged, which pierced
her as much, perhaps more, than any physical affair would have done” (p.374).
The fact that Rosemary knows everything about David makes Paul jealous. He
is jealous because he never gets a chance to visit David’s childhood house. He
envies Rosemary for knowing everything about June, about Paul’s hobby and
dream, and his relation with his father. She even visits June’s grave with David
“Paul felt something fill him then, some emotion he couldn’t name. Envy, maybe, that this girl, this thin pale stranger with the beautiful ears, had been to a place that mattered to his father, a place he himself had never seen. I’ll take you there someday, his father had promised, but years had passed and he had never mentioned it again” (p.359).
David has a special relationship with Rosemary. He can be himself
whenever he is with Rosemary. He shows his broken hearted, fragile and
miserable side of him to her. She knows everything about him, his family and
Phoebe. He can easily tell her about Phoebe and she is just listening not judging
him. She knows that somehow she fills the space left by Phoebe in David’s heart
David loves Jack, Rosemary’s son, like his own son. He loves to play with Jack
and holds his hand when they are walking (p.394). Moreover, he makes an
account for him under Rosemary’s name (p.401). Seeing Jack makes he wonders
about his memory with Paul.
“The truth was, he loved to watch the boy. He loved to read Jack stories, feeling his weight and warmth, his head falling against his shoulder as he drifted nearly into sleep. He loved to hold his small trusting hand when they walked down the side-walk to the store” (p.394) .
He is sad when Rosemary and Jack are going to move and leave him. They
have been his companions since he divorces with Norah and moves from his
house (p.399).
b. A Good Doctor
Since he was a boy, David is a very smart boy. He is able to go to school
because he gets a scholarship. He wants to be a doctor after June’s dead. It is his
mom who asks him to study and help the world. Actually deep inside his heart, he
feels guilty because he is still alive, while his sister is buried on the ground. He
feels sorry for her, which is why he wants to be a doctor. He chooses to be an
orthopedic doctor because he is amazed by his feet bone. Once he ever gets his
feet to be X-rayed and he is amazed by the mysterious figure of his feet (p.195).
David is known to be a very good doctor. He has a great ability in diagnosing
and very skillful. He graduated when he is very young. He is the first student who
graduated in his class (p.9). He is happy with his profession. “He enjoy his
able to help people in need, to offer healing-something he could not seem to do
for those he loved the most” (p.137).
He is a dedicated doctor. He does not mind to wake up in the middle of the
night when he gets call from hospital (p.143). Every Tuesday nights, he treats
patients for free. That is why many people would come and fill the waiting room.
He often stays until midnight to treat his patients.
“Then rising to open the office doors again on Tuesday nights, a free clinic for patients who could not afford to pay him. The waiting room was always full on those nights, and he was often still there when Caroline finally went home at midnight, so weary herself that she could barely think” (p.38).
Caroline even cannot hate him because she remembers how devoted David is with his patients. He really cares and loves his patients.
“She wanted to hate him still, but she remembered how many nights he had stayed in the clinic, treating patients who could not afford the care they needed. Patients from countryside, from the mountains, who made the arduous trip to Lexington, short on money, long on hope. The other clinics partner had not liked it, but Dr. Henry had not stopped” (p.82).
After he divorces and moves out, he decides to leave his former practice,
because a man, who becomes his patient for twenty years, is turned away because
he lacks of health insurance (p.398). Now, David has his own practice and he
takes care of everyone rich or poor. He works not for money anymore. Money is
not the reason why he is still being a doctor. He does not mind when some of his
patients do not pay him in a form of money but with field produce or yard work
(p.398). When he died, many people come to his funeral and fill the little church.
c. Likes to Collect Stone and Photography
David likes to collect stone since he was a little boy. It was his father who
teaches him about stones and he becomes fond of them, “On one such night his
father handed him a smooth stone, on axe head he had found while digging a
trench” (p.150). Since then, he likes to collect stones and put it in his shelves
(p.135). Later, he also teaches Paul about stone and as a boy Paul also seems to
like it (p.179). He likes to look for stones and show it to David. Even when he
grows up, he still remembers how David used to tell him about stones and how
happy he is when he found stones.
“He reached into his pocket and spread some small stones on the hood of the car. “Remember these?” he asked, as Norah picked one up, fingering the smooth white disk with a hole in the middle.”Crinoids. From sea lilies. Dad taught me about them, the day I broke my arm” (p.390).
Norah is aware of David’s hobby in collecting stone. Sometimes, she finds
stones everywhere, in David’s pocket, scatter on the dresser, or tuck into
enveloped in the desk (p.171). She feels very happy when she sees David and Paul
look for stones together.
David has another hobby which is photography. He becomes obsessed with
camera since Norah gives him one for their wedding anniversary’s present.
Actually, Norah hopes that the camera can distract David because he is so busy
with his job (p.98). Later, she feels regret because he seems to be obsessed with it
(pp.170-171). David builds a dark room in their house after his photos get noticed
and no one comes into the room except him (p.272). He spends most of his time in
dark room brings different atmosphere. It is cool and quiet. That is why he feels
peace there (p.180).
d. Ashamed of His Past Life
David is a mysterious man. It is not only because he hides a big secret but he is
also shames of his past life. David never tells Norah much about his family and he
does not tell Paul either. He shames by the fact that he used to be poor. Norah
understands about David’s feeling. That condition makes him hard to reveal
himself (p.422). David’s family has a small clapboard house on the hill. They also
have chickens and cow (p.322). David helps his mother by feeding the chickens
and milking the cow. He also works in a store near the main street. The money
which he gets is used to rent a room because his school is far from his house
(p.331). His family is very poor; they collect old engines, tin cans, milk bottles
that are scattered across the lawns and hills (p.336). When he was a boy, David
used to go with his father to hunt snakes. The snakes are sold and the money is
used to pay for food and June’s medication.
“That was one time. There were other days when they went out to catch rattlesnakes. Dusk to dawn, they’d walked through the woods, carrying forked sticks, cloth bags over their shoulders and a metal box swinging from David’s hand” (p.150).
After June died, David goes to university in Pittsburgh to be a doctor and help
the world as his mother’s wish. When he studied there, he used David Henry as
his name but in fact, his real name is David Henry McCallister. Formerly, it is not
his intention to change his name, but it started from a mistyped letter of
Social Security Number are correct. However, David who is aware of this mistake
does not try to fix it. He uses the name David Henry to register in the university.
He does not tell anyone about it. He just wants to be a new person with no history
and unburden with the bitter past (p.330).
David tries his best to have a better life and gives his family everything. He
becomes a successful doctor and earns much money. He also wants Paul to be a
successful man who has great income and able to support his future family. That
is why, when Paul tells him that he wants to be a musician, he opposes the idea.
David believes, that it is alright if Paul likes to play guitar, but not make it as his
career. According to David, being a musician does not give much for living. He
wants Paul to persuade other things outside music, because Paul has many talents.
However, Paul insists that he will go to Julliard to study music though David
disagrees (p.255). Music is everything for Paul. That is why he does not want to
give up on it (p.280).
B. David’s Motivation in Getting rid of Phoebe
According to Aiken, Jr. (1969), motivation refers to something in people’s
mind which arouses activity and directs people to obtain certain object or
condition called goals (p.110). Petris (1981) adds that motivation can be from
human thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and social interaction (p.4). In this part, the
writer tries to find out what is David motivation in getting rid of Phoebe. His
motivation comes from his thoughts about his past life especially about June and
that motivated David to give away Phoebe. Those factors are divided into two,
surface motivation and deeper motivation.
1. Surface Motivation
Surface motivation means the motivation that can be clearly seen and states
in the novel. There are several surface meanings that motivate David to get rid of
Phoebe, those are:
a. Does not Want Norah to End up Like His Mother
June has become the center attention of David’s parents since she is
diagnosed with heart defect. All of their attention goes to June because she is
weak and could not do anything. They try to protect her. When she is dead,
David’s parents feel confuse. They do not know what to do, because after all these
years, June gets their attention. “He remembered thinking bitterly, that they did
not know what to do with themselves without June to care for. She had been the
center of all their lives for so long” (p.143). June’s death brings sadness and grief
to his family. His mother, who is already sad by the fact that June is different from
other child, tries to survive and give June her love. She cries whenever she sees
June tries to catch her breath (p.23). Yet, she died when she was twelve years old
(p.195). David’s mother has tries to do her best and face the reality. June’s death
makes her so sad and lost. The memory of his sad mother is always haunts him.
“Still, he remembered the depth and endurance of his mother’s grief, the way she
walked uphill to the grave every morning, her arms folded against whatever
and his mother moved to her sister’s house. Since then, David never sees her
(p.143).
David wants to protect Norah from pain and loss. He does not want Norah’s
life to be broken when Phoebe died. It hurts him to see his mother’s grief and
sadness. He does not want Norah to feel the same. “He had wanted to spare her,
to protect her from loss and pain; he had not understood that lost would follow her
regardless, as persistent and life-shaping as a stream of water” (p.139). Caroline
also understands that David’s reason to get rid of Phoebe is to protect Norah. “He
told me once about his sister. She had a heart defect and died young, his mother
never got over her grief. For what’s worth, I think, he was trying to protect you”
(p.472). Moreover, David wants to protect his family from grief and pain. “This
was the grief he had carried with him, heavy as a stone in his heart. This was the
grief he had tried to spare Norah and Paul, only to create so many others” (p.338).
David wants Paul to grow up happily without suffering like David. No matter how
hard David tries to protect Paul, he still feel lost. He wonders about his sister. “He
reached for his guitar, wondering about his sister. If she hadn’t died. Would she
be like him? Would she like to run? Would she sing?” (p.270).
After all, as a mother who loses her daughter, Norah feels really sad,
depresses and cannot forget Phoebe. Phoebe is always on her mind, though she
tries to be strong and accept the truth. “She’d been paralyzed with grief almost,
too full of sorrow even to weep. But she had stayed for several hours before she
finally stood up and brushed off her clothes and went home” (p.94). She never has
would not allow her to see Phoebe. He says that Phoebe is already buried and it is
better for them to just go home and take care of Paul (p.48). She wants other
people to remember Phoebe. She is angry when her neighbors come to
congratulate her and they praise how beautiful Paul is. They do not even mention
Phoebe. It breaks her heart (p.60). She always remembers Phoebe and it hurts her.
“Oh, this was silly, her loss had happened almost two decades ago. Surely this
grief should not wells up, fresh as water in a spring” (p.387). Sometimes, she feels
that David is already forget about Phoebe, because everytime she wants to talk
about her, David seems to avoid the conversation. He is even mad when Norah
wants to have a memorial service for her (p.64).
b. Difficult to Raise Phoebe
Raising a child with a special condition is hard. As a doctor, David knows
about it very well. It takes a lot time and money to take care of Phoebe. When he
sees Phoebe for the first time, he realizes something is not right. He remembers
what his professor said back in his college days.
“A classic case, he remembered his professor saying as they examined a similar child, years ago. A mongoloid, do you know what that means? And the doctor, dutiful, had recited the symptoms he’d memorized from the text: flaccid muscle tone, delayed growth and mental development, possible heart complications, early death. The professor had nodded, pacing his stethoscope on the baby’s smooth bare chest. Poor kid. There’s nothing they can do except try to keep him clean. They ought to spare themselves and send him home” (p.21).
He also remembers the pain that June suffers from. She grows up very slow.
Moreover, she is hard to breathe. Her condition gets worse year by year until she
dies (p.136). David who knows exactly what will happen to Phoebe, does not
nothing he can do, except send Phoebe to an institution. It is the best way because
she would be in good hands and get the right treatment (p.25).
2. Deeper Motivation
Deeper motivation means David’s real motivation why he hands Phoebe to
Caroline. This motivation is not clearly stated in the novel, but it is holding an
important factor why David decides to get rid of Phoebe. Those motivations are:
a. Selfish
Beyond his reason to spare his family from sadness, it is actually he himself
who does not want to feel sad again. He has been suffering from the lost since
June’s death. It haunts him every day. He is sick of it and he does not want to
experience it again. Phoebe reminds him of June. “When he imagined the
daughter he’d given away, it was his sister’s face he saw, pale her hair, her serious
smile” (p.139). When he thinks about June, he remembers the days they used to
spend together. He is always sad whenever he remembers June, his beloved sister,
who dies at a young age. “His sister, this girl who loved wind, who laughed at the
sun on her face and was not afraid of snakes. She had died at age twelve, and by
now she was nothing but the memory of love nothing, now but bones” (p.195).
David still feels lost and grief in his heart. He is shock when his mother tells him
June is gone. The pain is deep inside his heart and he could not even cry. “The
pain he felt was deep inside him and above that was numbness and he could not
cry” (p.154). He tries to be a new person. He becomes a great doctor and has a
