TRAVIS’ LOYALTY ON GABBY AS DEPICTED IN
NICHOLAS SPARKS’
THE CHOICE
THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University of
Sunan Ampel Surabaya
By:
Mahrus Saputra
Reg. Number: A03212049
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERISTY OF SUNAN AMPEL
TRAVIS’ LOYALTY ON GABBY AS DEPICTED IN
NICHOLAS SPARKS’
THE CHOICE
THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic university of Sunan Ampel
Surabaya
By: Mahrus Saputra Reg. Number: A03212049
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL
ABSTRACT
Saputra, Mahrus. 2016. Travis’ Loyalty on Gabby as Depicted in Nicholas
Sparks’ The Choice. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Letters and
Humanities. State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Thesis Advisor: Abu Fanani, S.S., M.Pd.
This thesis tries to analyse one of Nicholas Sparks’ Novels entitled The Choice. This thesis focuses on Travis as one of main characters in The Choice novel that is Travis’ description and his loyalty, so he accomplishes his consummate love. This thesis uses New Criticism theory to analyse Travis’ character as supporting theory and A Triangular theory of Love to show his loyalty as main theory. This thesis is descriptive analytic. It uses library based study to collect books, journals and internet sources having related with this analysis. The result of this thesis finds Travis’ character as main character who is young and rich man. Besides that, his loyalty is shown in keeping and maintaining his love to Gabby and his children.
xiv
INTISARI
Saputra, Mahrus. 2016. Travis’ Loyalty on Gabby as Depicted in Nicholas
Sparks’ The Choice. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Letters and Humanities. State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Thesis Advisor: Abu Fanani, S.S., M.Pd.
Skripsi ini mencoba untuk menganalisa salah satu novel dari Nicholas Sparks
yang berjudul The Choice. Skripsi ini berfokus pada Travis salah satu karakter
dalam novel The Choice yaitu penggambaran tokoh Travis dan bagaimana bentuk kesetiaan yang ditunjukkan Travis, sehingga dia melengkapi cinta sejatinya. Skripsi ini menggunakan teori New criticism untuk menganalisa tokoh Travis
sebagai teori pendukung dan A Triangular theory of Love oleh Robert Steinberg
untuk menunjukkan kesetiaannya sebagai teori utama. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kepustakaan yaitu mengumpulkan buku-buku, jurnal dan referensi internet yang memiliki hubungan dengan analisis ini. Hasil dari penilitian ini menunjukkan karakter Travis adalah tokoh utama yang muda dan kaya. Selain itu, bentuk kesetiannya Travis ditunjukan dalam menjaga dan mempertahankan cintanya kepada Gabby dan Anaknya.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Cover Page ...i
Inside Tittle Page ... ii
Declaration Page ... iii
Dedication Page ...iv
Motto ... v
Advisor’s Approved Page ...vi
Examiner’s Approval Page ... vii
Acknowledgment ... viii
Table of Contents ... x
Abstract ... xiii
Intisari ...xiv
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of study ... 1
1.2. Statement of the Problem ... 6
1.3. Objective of the study ... 7
1.4. Scope and Limitation of The Study ... 7
1.5. Significance of the Study ... 7
1.6. Method of the study ... 8
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical Framework ... 12
2.1.1 New Criticism ... 12
2.1.1.1 Character ... 13
2.1.1.2 Characterization ... 16
2.1.2 Sternberg’s A Triangular Theory of Love ... 17
2.1.2.1 Three Components of Love ... 19
2.1.2.1.1 Intimacy ... 19
2.1.2.1.2 Passion ... 20
2.1.2.1.3 Decision (Commitment) ... 21
2.1.2.2 Kinds of Love ... 22
2.1.2.2.1 Non-Love ... 22
2.1.2.2.2 Liking ... 22
2.1.2.2.3 Infatuated Love ... 23
2.1.2.2.4 Empty Love ... 23
2.1.2.2.5 Romantic Love ... 24
2.1.2.2.6 Companionate Love ... 24
2.1.2.2.7 Fatuous Love ... 25
2.1.2.2.8 Consummate Love ... 25
2.2 Previous Studies ... 26
CHAPTER 3 ANALYSIS 3.1 Travis’ Characterization ... 28
3.2 Travis’ Loyalty as Narrated in The Novel of Nicholas Sparks’ The Choice .. 30
3.2.2 Liking ... 33
3.2.3 Infatuated Love ... 35
3.2.4 Empty Love ... 36
3.2.5 Romantic Love ... 37
3.2.6 Companionate Love ... 39
3.2.7 Fatuous Love ... 41
3.2.8 Consummate Love ... 41
CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION ... 56
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of The Study
There are many perspectives to define literature. As Wellek and
Warren (94) said that “literature is said to be creative, an art what an author
has been produced”. It means literature is a product of author’s imagination
that imitates the reality into the art of writing. Robert says that literature refers
to compositions that tell a set of stories, dramatizes situations, expresses
emotions, and analyze and advocate ideas (1). In addition, Pope emphasizes
that literature has become narrowed in meaning to its current dominant sense
or creative or imaginative writing of a specifically aesthetic kind (60). In brief,
it can be said that literature is a reflection of life which is written in the form
of creative of imaginative writing. The creative or imaginative writing in
literature is literary work.
In general perspective, literary work is defined as a work of art which
has a mind, imagination and emotion (Siswanto 67). It means that it is enable
to be exploited as a thing that can affect the aspect of intellectual and
emotional aspect of human. It can be finally stated that literary work can be
identified as a work of literature that imagination, thought and emotion are
expressed by author within literary work, and it functions as emotional and
S a p u t r a| 2
for ideas, a reflection of social reality, and the incarnation of some
transcendental truth: It is a material fact, whose function can be analyzed (2).
Hereby, according to the form of literary work, literary work can be
categorized into several kinds of work: Prose, Poetry and Drama (Wicaksono
16).
Novel is a part of prose. According to Abrams (190), the term novel is
now applied into a great variety of writings that have in common only the
attribute of being extended works of written fiction in prose. The term for the
novel in most European languages is Romance, which is derived from the
medieval term, the romance (191). Maitzen defines romance novel as “a
fictitious narrative in prose or verse, the interest of which turns upon
marvellous and uncommon incidents” (157). It means that romance novel can
be defined as a fictive narration which describes a wonderful and uncommon
evidence that we rarely find in our life. The romance novel has a characteristic
that the conflict and the climax should be directly related to the core theme of
developing a romantic relationship, although the novel can also consists of sub
plots that do not specifically relate to the main characters’ romantic love
(Barbour 8). Therefore, a romance novel must have an emotionally satisfying
and optimistic ending (Ramsdell 5).
The romance novel also has an intrinsic element which strengthens the
narrative story in the romance novel. Theme is one of intrinsic elements in
novel (Wicaksono 98). Barbour (8) says that theme is ubiquitous and variously
S a p u t r a| 3
passion between two people. Theme is performed and described in the form of
text in literary work, in which it addresses any number of topics, such as love,
the family, the effects of social pressure on the individual, the conflict
between good and evil, the initiation into adulthood, and the like (Tyson 41).
One of literary work which has an interesting and important theme is
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. This novel is seen having an interesting story
which may lead to an interesting theme. Although the story cannot be
detached from romance, but the theme seems to be important to discuss. It can
be said that the novel The Choice has the aspect of psychology in which the
novel tells about the love relationship of man and woman. The love
relationship concerns with one’s feeling to another includes being concerned
to help, understand and respect the person loved (Honeycutt and Milliken
104). Feeling is concerned with psychology (Singh 1).
Nicholas Sparks’ novel The Choice seems to be a romance novel, this
story is correlated with psychology theory which describe about two people
find themselves developing a physical attraction for each other that did not
develop immediately, and indeed did not develop until they achieved a certain
level of love through Sternberg’s theory. As in the novel The Choice, depicts
someone who shows his loyalty to his wife when his wife gets a coma in
hospital.
Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. He
S a p u t r a| 4
been New York Times bestsellers, with over 97 million copies sold
worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 65 million copies in the
United States alone (http://nicholassparks.com). One of his famous works is
The Choice that was published on September 24, 2007 by Grand Central
Publishing. Travis is one of characters in a novel entitled The Choice.
Travis Parker is a 32-year old bachelor. All three of his best friends are
married and have children. Whereas, he also has everything such as boat,
motorcycle, good friends, a great job “Veterinary”, a cool dog, and a beautiful
house in a small town in North Carolina with a gorgeous river view. He also
likes some extreme sport adventures. He holds the vague conviction that a
serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. Until Gabby
Holland moves in next door, his convictions has changed.
The Choice was a love story. Travis and Gabby story was
unpredictable story, because at the beginning of the story, Gabby became
Travis's neighbor, Gabby disliked Travis when the first time they met, because
Gabby’s assumption that Travis was bad man. But, step by step, they spent
their time one weekend together with Travis’ friends in some places. Before
meeting Gabby, Travis did not believe that woman was interesting person, that
was the way, he did not want to make a family in his life, although his friends
got married, He is the only one who did not get married yet. Until he met
Gabby and everything had changed, that he fall in love with her when he saw
S a p u t r a| 5
Friends and Travis’s Sister. By the previous personal characteristics of Gabby,
Travis is interested to approach her and get her to marry with him.
They have married on Cumberland Island and have two children, but
in the middle journey of their life Gabby got an accident, her brain got
collision. From that incident Gabby is nursed in hospital and the doctor told to
Travis that Gabby did not wake up for a while and make Travis so sad. Then
in this case Travis takes a decision which correlated his relationship to Gabby
to show his loyalty, he treats her until she is healthy.
The researcher is interested in raising loyalty as topic in this thesis
because even though he is rich, young and handsome, he is not in chine to go
to another woman when she has an accident and is in coma. He is still loyal to
her and treats her to her health. Accordingly, the researcher uses Sternberg’s
theory which has kinds of love that Travis has.
It is due to the reason that loyalty or being loyal is very important in
love relationships (Leonard 5). On the other hand, loyalty in the personal
realm, which comes out of love, devotion, dedication and commitment to the
well-being of another, is human’s behavior. Yet, people are not aware of all
the aspects of loyalty within a relationship, that their love cannot reach the
level of loyalty
(http://www.relationshipmatters.com/loyalty-in-relationship-most-important-of-all/. May 21, 2016). Thus, love needs a loyalty to show
how much we love our mate, but sometimes people deny and do not show
S a p u t r a| 6
In general, loyalty is a social emotion, both in its expression and
formation (Connor 120). It appears as a guide of life, but as a revelation of our
relation to a realm which we have been obliged to define as one of an eternal
and all-embracing unity of spiritual life (Royce165). Royce mentions that
“loyalty is the will to manifest, so far as is possible, the eternal, that is, the
conscious and superhuman unity of life, in the form of the acts of an
individual Self” (166).
Loyalty also exists in love. In love, loyalty is known as an
integrity-enabling capacity responsive to a limited range of stress factors bearing on the
trust relation between lover and beloved (Harris 12). Such a story of Romeo
and Juliet that they remain loyal to themselves and to each other and to events
of both within and out of their control which leads to their deaths. Thus, it
reminds us about the relation between loyalty and love. In fact, love is an
infinite container for all the wishes, fantasies, needs, and impulse (Austin 1).
Loyalty and love are tied one another.
1.2Problem of The Study
There are some problems from previous background above, the
problems in this research are describe in the following:
a. How is Travis characterization in The Choice by Nicholas Sparks?
S a p u t r a| 7
1.3 Objective of The Study
Reconsidering the statement of problems above, this research has
objective of finding out:
a. To understand Travis’ characterization in the novel The Choice by
Nicholas Sparks.
b. To know kind of loyalties as performed by Travis in the novel The
Choice by Nicholas Sparks
1.4Scope and Limitation of The Study
This research will focus on Travis character in Nicholas Sparks’ The
Choice as the scope of the study. Therefore, the limitation of the study will
the way Travis to be loyalty man to his wife and his children by observing
his background, loyal friend, veterinarian, intellectuality, and some aspects
that made Travis to be loyal man in his life, due to the influenced by his
wife.
1.5Significance of The Study
For the researcher, the significance of this research is to improve
knowledge in understanding and applying Psychology theory deeply from
Robert Sternberg’s A triangular theory of love and to increase the capacity in
interpreting the character of human, especially the main character in The
Choice novel by using Psychology theory. Theoretically, this research will
teach us about consummate love in a relationship through the literary works.
S a p u t r a| 8
problem which makes us difficult to take a choice. While reading a literary
work whether it is poem, play, or novel human will understand what the story
tells about. It is also presented in the novel The Choice that presents a
consummate love in human life through the story.
Practically, by reading this novel the researcher wants to show to the
readers that this novel will become one of literary works that presents a strong
commitment in a family. Through this study, the researcher hopes that the
readers understand more about strong commitment after marrying in order to
be a loyal man to his wife and his children in a family as reflected on the main
character in the novel The Choice, and the researcher hopes that it will
motivate the readers to do right things in making a decision in a family,
although we are difficult to practice it in a real life. In addition, the researcher
hopes that the result of this study will give a contribution as a provision of
literary study to the students of State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel
Surabaya, especially those who are interested in discussing consummate love
as one of psychological studies.
1.6Method of The Study
1.6.1 Research Design
A research method is an important point in analyzing an object. A
research methodology is scientifically a way to get data for definite
purpose and definite significance. Sugiyono (2) argues that, there are
S a p u t r a| 9
understanding, as they are empirical procedure, data, purpose, and
significance. As this research made, it is necessary to apply for descriptive
analytic based on library research.
As this research made, it is necessary to apply for descriptive
method which stands under a leading discourse of qualitative research
method. The first important point of qualitative research is a research
which uses a description through utterances, and it does not necessary to
use a counting (Endraswara 85). By the concern of qualitative research, the
descriptive method is established. Basically, the descriptive method is
defined as a way of researching by considering data as a text (Raco 60).
Hence, the data of descriptive method are usually collected through a
questionnaire survey, interviews, and observations (Jane 74). Thus, by
relying on the argument of Jane, the researcher emphasizes the data of this
research by using an observation to the object analysed and other
supporting books as supporting sources.
1.6.2 Data
Because the research uses of descriptive analytic method based
library research, the data would be closely related to the library data source
including book, documentation, journal, etc. It is important to divide the
S a p u t r a| 10
a. Primary Data
The primary data in this research is taken from the novel of
Nicholas Sparks entitled The Choice.
b. Secondary Data
The secondary data in this research would be books,
journals, and other scripts which describe the focuses in this
research.
1.6.3 Technique of Data Collection
The research would like to give several steps in collecting the data
in the search. Firstly, reading and understand the plot in the novel of The
Choice. Secondly, the research collects the data based on the problem of
study. This research would like to focus on the way a person become
loyalty man to his wife through the character of Travis in the novel.
1.6.4 Technique of Data Analysis
The research will collect and analyze the data by using literary
theory. There are some steps in analyzing data. Firstly, Selecting and
collecting data in form of narration and conversation from the novel
related to the problem. Secondly, the research analyzes the data collected
related to the statement of problems and the applied theories in this
research. The third, the research will draw conclusion related to the data
S a p u t r a| 11
1.7Definition of Related Key Terms
In this phase, the researcher would like to cede several clues which will
help readers to understand the topic and problem discussed in this thesis. The
clues are formulated in the form of key term in which it would be defined clearly
in order to be a useful point in reading the thesis. Therefore, those related key
terms would be in the following below.
a. Love: Our most basic emotional need is not to fall in love
but to be genuinely loved by another, to know a
love that grows out of reason and choice, not
instinct (Chapman 31).
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1Theoretical Framework
In this chapter, the researcher discusses supporting theory and main theory.
Instead, the researcher discusses related studies.
2.1.1 New Criticism
According to Das, in the 1940s, New Criticism comes as a reaction against
historical (117). New Criticism also calls itself as New Critics. The New Critics
emphasize the formal structure of literary works, in which the New Critics isolate the
work from the author’s personality and social influences (Robson 9). Besides, New
Criticism is a formal of interpreting literature that precisely focuses on the structure
and content of the text by ignoring any outside influences include historical, social
condition and author’s biography (Smith and Kraynak 19). Therefore, New Criticism
concerns with an analysis towards literary work in the term of internal aspect of
literary work.
In the term of the short capture of New Criticism’s history, Rylance (721)
states through Coyle’s book entitled Encyclopedia of Literature and Criticism, that
S a p u t r a 13
criticism in the century. Its origins are to be found in the 1920s, and its developed
theory was articulated by 1950. Thereafter, it exerts a powerful influence on the
practice of criticism and student’s study of literature until the late 1960s, and has
remained a benchmark for subsequent developments. Recent Anglo-American
poststructuralist theories, for instance, have frequently proceeded through a rejection
of its proposals, or those of its British equivalent called as Practical Criticism.
Furthermore, in the theory of New Criticism, we can know that if a given
author’s intention or a given reader’s interpretation actually represents the texts’
meaning is to carefully examine and closely reading all the evidences that are
provided by the language of the text itself which includes its images, symbols,
metaphors, rhyme, meter, point of view, setting, characterization and plot (Tyson
131).
2.1.1.1Character
To analyze this research, the theory of character and characterization will be
used to describe the main character in the novel. Muller refers that characters are the
people in narratives. We generally know their sex, body features, age, jobs,
education, status in society, and family background. In other words, we know their
outward form and behavior. Their physical appearance and social background are
S a p u t r a 14
development in fiction (72). It means that the character can include his physical
appearance, behavior and social background.
A character is presumably an imagined person who inhabits a story (Kennedy
73). Character in fiction is created based on what people in real life. In some aspects,
it can be observed that functional character even better that what is known in real
people. For another to view the inner life in a way is impossible in ordinary life. As
Roberts’ statement clarifies that character in literature is the author’s creation,
through the medium of words, of a personality who takes on actions, thoughts,
expressions, and attitudes unique and appropriate to that personality and consistent
with it (12).
Furthermore, according to Kennedy, a character can be defined as either static
or dynamic. A static character also becomes one of type of character categorization in
a literary work. It is defined as a character which does not undergo any basic
personality change, or a significant change in his attitude as narrated in the story
(206). A Dynamic Character is on the other hand, is one who is modified by actions
and experiences, have one objective of the work in which the character appears is to
reveal the consequences of those actions (46). Static or Dynamic Characters are
important elements in composing and uniting of the novel. The interrelationship
between static and dynamic characters will give a better understanding about a
S a p u t r a 15
In proportion to the fullness of their development, the characters in a story are
relatively flat or round. The Flat Character which is usually a minor one in a novel, is
constructed around a single idea or quality (Resseguie 123). It means that his
personality can often be expressed in a single sentence, and he remains a type; for
example, the punchy boxer, the dumb blonde, the hick farmer. The Round Character
is a greater achievement than a flat character (Sharma 67). A round character must be
he, an individual, and he must be fitting to his role. He must reflect his environment.
If he is educated, his speech and thought should show it. If he lives in a very tough
neighborhood, there should be something about him that would reveal this. The round
character, furthermore, changes. He becomes fuller. He may become wiser, braver,
more cowardly, more tolerant or intolerant (Jones 84).
According to Perrine, both types of character may be given the vitality that
good fiction demands. Round Characters live by their very roundness, by the many
points at which they touch life. Flat character, though they touch life at only one or
two points, may be made memorable in the hands of an expert author through some
individualizing detail of appearance, gesture, or speech (85-86).
Reading for character is more difficult than reading for plot, for character is
much complex, variable, and ambiguous. Anyone can repeat what a person has done
S a p u t r a 16
From the description of character categorization, Travis as the main character
in the novel The Choice is a dynamic character because he is not the same sort person
at the end of the story as he was at the beginning. In proportion his character is round
character, because he is almost in the whole story and he also has some changes of his
character in the story of The Choice.
2.1.1.2Characterization
In Pooley’s statement about the methods of characterization, an author reveals
a character’s personality and traits by describing his physical appearance. A writer
describes a character’s physical appearance, his speech and actions, and the attitudes
of other characters toward him. In addition, an author may use another method of
characterizing character in a literary work. In characterization, a writer can tell about
a character’s inner thoughts and feelings (516).
This statement is also in line with Perrine’s. Perrine states that to find out how
to characterize a character can be seen from how the author describes the character.
An author may present the characters of his story either directly or indirectly. In
direct characterization, the author tells the readers straight forwardly, by exposition or
analysis, what a character is like or has someone else in the story who tells the readers
the characterization, and the readers may infer what he is like from what he thinks as
says or does (84). For indirect characterization, Ramos emphasizes that indirect
S a p u t r a 17
shown rather than told. By using indirect characterization, it will bring more depth to
a story and allows reader to use more imagination.
From the explanation above, Nicholas Sparks presents her indirectly, because
Nicholas Sparks uses “he” to tells the story in his novel. Besides that, Nicholas
Sparks also presents his directly, because in the story he tells to the readers with
straight forwardly in his novel The Choice.
2.1.2 Sternberg’s A Triangular Theory of Love
Generally, there is a relationship between literature and psychology. By
psychology of literature, we may mean the psychological study of creative process
and the study of the psychological types and laws present within works of literature
(Wellek 75). Intrinsically, psychoanalysis is a similar way in real life. When we ask
ourselves why a fictional character act the way he does, we are essentially also taking
something about our own motivations (Veilleux 34). Psychoanalysis also concerns
with human emotion, and it is about feeling. Leeming claims that psychology has
studied love from five different perspectives: as individual emotion especially in
romantic love, as individual behavior, as a relationship between two or more people,
developmentally over time, and socially influenced by various social and cultural
group norms (527). Concerning with human emotional of love, there is one
outstanding and appropriate theory that takes a concern on love. The theory is a
S a p u t r a 18
A triangular theory of love explains the topic of love in an interpersonal
relationship. A psychologist of Robert J. Sternberg’s theory describes about the types
of loved based on three different scales: intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment
(119). It is important to recognize that a relationship based on a single element is less
likely to survive than one based on two or more.
Furthermore, based on the theory, love has different stages and types, and it
can be explained as different combinations of these three elements. For example, the
relative emphasis of each component change over time as an adult romantic
relationship develops. The below picture shows a concept of Sternberg’s theory: A
triangular theory of love (123).
According to the theory of Sternberg, love has three components: (a) intimacy,
S a p u t r a 19
experiences in loving relationship; (b) passion, which encompasses the drives that
lead to romance, physical attraction, and sexual consummation; And (c)
decision/commitment, which encompasses, in the short term, the decision that one
loves another, and in the long term, the commitment to maintain that love (119). The
amount of love one experiences depends on the absolute strength of these three
components, and the kind of love one experiences depends on their strengths relative
to each other. The three components interact with each other and with the actions that
they produce and that produce them so as to form a number of different kinds of
loving experiences. Sternberg argues, that the triangular theory of love subsumes
certain other theories and can account for a number of empirical findings in the
research literature, as well as for a number of experiences with which many are
familiar first hand (133). It is proposed that the triangular theory provides a rather
comprehensive basis for understanding many aspect of love that underlies close
relationships.
2.1.2.1Three Components of Love
Sternberg in a journal A Triangular Theory of Love proposes some
components of love. The three components of love in the triangular theory are
intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment. Each component manifests a different
aspect of love (119).
S a p u t r a 20
Intimacy refers to feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness in
loving relationships. It thus includes within its purview those feelings that give rise,
essentially, to the experience of warmth in a loving relationship. Sternberg said that
Grajek has analyzed data from the loving and liking scales of Rubin and a
close-relationships scale of Levinger, Rands and Talaber, as a result of which they
identified 10 clusters in intimacy: (a) desire to promote the welfare of the loved one;
(b) experienced happiness with the loved one; (c) high regard for the loved one; (d)
being able to count on the loved one in times of need; (e) mutual understanding with
the loved one; (f) sharing of one’s possessions with the loved one; (g) receipt of
emotional support from the loved one; (h) giving of emotional support to the loved
one; (i) intimate communication with the loved one; and (j) valuing of the loved one
in one’s life (120-121).
2.1.2.1.2 Passion
Sternberg says that, Passion refers to the drives that lead to romance, physical
attraction, sexual consummation, and related phenomena in loving relationships
(119). In a loving relationship, sexual needs may well predominate in this experience.
However, other needs, such as those for self-esteem, succorance, nurturance,
affiliation, dominance, submission, and self-actualization, may also contribute to the
experiencing of passion (122).
S a p u t r a 21
2.1.2.1.3 Decision (Commitment)
Decision/Commitment refers, in the short-term, to the decision that one loves
a certain other, and in the long-term, to one’s commitment to maintain that love.
These two aspects of the decision/commitment component do not necessarily go
together, in that one can decide to love someone without being committed to the love
in the long-term, or one can be committed to a relationship without acknowledging
that one loves the other person in the relationship (123).
The three components of love interact with each other: for example, greater
intimacy may lead to greater passion or commitment, just as greater commitment may
lead to greater intimacy, or with lesser likelihood, greater passion. In general, then,
the components are separable, but interactive with each other. Although all three
components are important parts of loving relationships, their importance may differ
from one relationship to another, or over time within a given relationship. Indeed,
different kinds of love can be generated by limiting cases of different combinations of
the components (123).
Kinds of Love Intimacy Passion Decision/Commitment
Nonlove - - -
Liking + - -
Infatuated Love - + -
S a p u t r a 22
Romantic Love + + -
Companionate Love + - +
Fatuous Love - + +
Consummate Love + + +
2.1.2.2Kinds of Love
As furtherance to Sternberg’s journal of triangular of love, the kinds of love
are then identified. Therefore, the components of love and the interrelationships can
better be understood by considering the kinds of love which they may give rise in
different combination. This various kinds of love are clearly clarified in the following
descriptive elements (123-124).
2.1.2.2.1 Non-Love
In this part, Non-love refers simply to the absence of all three components of
love. Non-love characterizes the large majority of our personal relationships, which
are simply casual interactions that do not partake of love at all (123).
2.1.2.2.2 Liking
Liking results when one experiences only the intimacy component of love in
the absence of passion and decision/commitment. The term liking is used here in a
nontrivial sense, not merely to describe the feelings one has toward casual
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experiences in relationships that can truly be characterized as friendships. One feels
closeness, bondedness, and warmth toward the other, without feelings of intense
passion or long-term commitment (123).
2.1.2.2.3 Infatuated Love
Infatuated love is “love at first sight.” Infatuated love, or simply, infatuation,
results from the experiencing of passionate arousal in the absence of the intimacy and
decision/commitment components of love. Infatuations are usually rather easy to
spot, although they tend to be somewhat easier for others to spot than for the
individual who is experiencing the infatuation. Infatuations can arise almost
instantaneously and dissipate as quickly under the right circumstances. They tend to
be characterized by a high degree of psycho physiological arousal, manifested in
somatic symptoms such as increased heartbeat or even palpitations of the heart,
increased hormonal secretions, erection of genitals (penis or clitoris), and so on (124).
2.1.2.2.4 Empty Love
This kind of love emanates from the decision that one love another and has
commitment to the love in the absence of both the intimacy and passion components
of love. It is the kind of love one sometimes finds in stagnant relationships that have
been going on for years but that have lost both the mutual emotional involvement and
physical attraction that once characterized them. Unless the commitment to the love is
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susceptible to conscious modification. Although in our society we are most
accustomed to empty love as it occurs as a final or near-final stage of a long-term
relationship, in other societies, empty love may be the first stage of a long-term
relationship. For example, in societies where marriages are arranged, the marital
partners may start with the commitment to love each other, or to try to love each
other, and not much more. Such relationships point out how empty love need not be
the terminal state of a long-term relationship. Indeed, it can be the beginning rather
than the end (124).
2.1.2.2.5 Romantic Love
This kind of love derives from a combination of the intimacy and passion
components of love. In essence, it is liking with an added element, namely, the
arousal brought about by physical attraction and its concomitants. According to this
view, then, romantic love are not only drawn physically to each other but are also
bonded emotionally (124).
2.1.2.2.6 Companionate Love
This kind of love evolves from a combination of the intimacy and decision
(commitment) components of love. It is essentially a long-term, committed
friendship, the kind that frequently occurs in marriages in which the physical
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2.1.2.2.7 Fatuous Love
Fatuous love results from the combination of the passion and decision
(commitment) components in the absence of intimacy component. It is the kind of
love we sometimes associate with Hollywood, or with whirlwind courtships, in which
a couple meets on Day X, gets engaged two weeks later, and marries the next month.
It is fatuous in the sense that a commitment is made on the basis of passion without
the stabilizing element of intimate involvement. Although the passion component can
develop almost instantaneously, the intimacy component cannot, and hence
relationships based on fatuous love are at risk for termination and, in the case of
shot-gun marriages, for divorce (124).
2.1.2.2.8 Consummate Love
Consummate, or complete, love results from the full combination of the three
components. It is a kind of love toward which many of us strive, especially in
romantic relationship. Attaining consummate love can be analogous in at least one
respect to meeting one’s target in a weight-reduction program: Reaching the goal is
often easier than maintaining it. The attainment of consummate love is no guarantee
that it will last. Indeed, its loss is sometimes analogous to the gain of weight after a
weight-reduction program: One is often not aware of the loss of the goal until it is far
gone (124). In this case Sternberg stresses the importance of translating the
components of love into action. “Without expression,” he warns, “even the greatest of
love of loves can die” (132). Consummate love may not be permanent. For example,
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The balance among Sternberg’s three aspect of love is likely to shift through
the course of a relationship. A strong dose of all three components-found in
consummate love-typifies, for many of us, an ideal relationship. However time alone
does not cause intimacy, passion, and commitment to occur and grow. Knowing
about these components of love may help couples avoid pitfalls in their relationship,
work on the areas that need improvement or help them recognize when it might be
time for a relationship to come to an end.
2.2Previous Studies
This study is based on the previous analysis which has been done earlier. In
the related studies, this study provides some previous studies that discuss similar
topic.
The first is The True Love of Travis And Gabby In Nicholas Sparks’ Novel
“The Choice”. This thesis is written by Epa Reslianti Harahap, a student of Diploma
III on English Study Program Faculty of Culture Studies University of North
Sumatera Medan. The study has a focus on the two main characters in the novel “The
Choice” and also the intrinsic of elements. She uses Theory of New Criticism, and
she could make all people see, that the true love would exist, despite of the hard
times would not make a true love lost. In writing this paper, the writer used the
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For the second is The Relationship between Commitment Component of Love
and Readiness for Marriage in Young Adulthood. This thesis is written by Azaria
Zakiah, a student of University of Indonesia Faculty of Psychology with her thesis
title This thesis examines the relationship between commitment component of
Sternberg’s triangular theory of love and readiness for marriage in young adulthood.
Based on two related studies, there are some similarities and differences
indirectly shown in both related studies. In the first related study, both this study and
the first related study has the same object of analysis: the novel “The Choice” by
Nicholas Sparks. In addition, in the term of theoretical bases, the related study and
this study apply for the same theory that is New Criticism that focuses on two
characters as analysed in the related study, and one character as analyzed in this
study. Although both studies have the similarities, those also have difference. The
difference of both related study and this study is available in the main theory. The
first related study uses New Criticism as the main theory, and this study uses
Psychology of Sternberg specifically in a triangular theory of love as the main theory.
The second related study also has its own similarity and difference with this
study. The similarity is available on the theory used that is a triangular theory of love
by Sternberg. Thus, the difference is seen from the discussion within both studies. It
means that, the second related study discusses readiness for marriage in young
adulthood, and this study attempts to discuss and analyse Travis’ loyalty on his wife
CHAPTER 3
ANALYSIS
In order to do the analysis, the researcher will divide the chapter into two
sections. The first section consists of the analysis of the characterization of Travis
with New Criticism as the basic description about the character of Travis. The
second section is about components of love with a triangular theory of love by
Robert J. Sternberg.
3.1 Travis Characterization
Travis is described explicitly in terms of his physical. The author uses the
character Gabby to describe physical characteristics of Travis. In the excerpt,
Travis is a perfect physical man. It is evidenced by the whiteness of his teeth
which are arranged neatly, looking in the shape of his body, keeping the health,
treat and behave in accordance with the religion adhered.
She barely heard him as, despite herself, she noted again how good‐
looking he was. It annoyed her that she couldn’t get past that every time she saw him. It was as if his appearance constantly set off alarm bells in
her, and for the life of her, she didn’t know why. He was tall and lean, but
she’d seen lots of guys like that. He smiled a lot, but that wasn’t unusual.
His teeth were almost too white‐he was a definite bleacher, she decided‐
but even if she knew the color wasn’t natural, it still had an effect. He was fit, too, but guys like that could be found in every gym in
America‐guys who worked out religiously, guys who never ate anything
but chicken breasts and oatmeal, guys who ran ten miles a day‐and none of
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Travis is known as a man who has a perfect man and he has a good
looking. At one time, the physical condition of the muscular of Travis appears
clearly when he meets Gabby.
The physical characteristics and appearance of a guy named Travis are
continuously expressed and portrayed directly and indirectly. In this case, he is
depicted as a muscular man who befits a man with a perfect posture. His physical
appearance is inviting a smile of Gabby on him: Travis.
“It’s my favorite time of year.” He opened his arms wide to take in the sky and trees. “Not too hot, not too cold, and blue skies that stretch forever.” She smiled, refusing to eye his admittedly sexy hip muscles, which, she always thought, were far and away the sexiest muscles on men. (50)
In addition to having the physical appearance, Travis is also known as a
man who has perfection in his economy. This is proven by the presence of the
boat he buys from the rest of his money when he is in his college. He buys a boat
that can be arguably quite expensive. It makes him a guy who has a pretty well
established economy.
“You’ll love it. And Travis knows what he’s doing. That’s how he earned extra spending money while he was in college. Or, at least, that’s what he claims. Actually, I’m fairly certain that everything he earned was used to buy the boat; they’re manufactured by CWS exclusively for parasailing, and they’re very expensive. And even though Joe, Matt, and Laird are his friends, they still insisted on getting paid when they took the tourists out during their student days. I’m pretty sure Travis never earned a nickel of profit.” (55)
Furthermore, the figure of Travis who is depicted as a man with a good
looking, luxurious, and has an elegant posture, making Gabby is comfortable with
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jolly, so other people including Gabby feels as if she is involved in the excitement
of him.
She was drawn to Travis; she couldn’t deny that. It wasn’t just that he was handsome and that he made her feel desirable. It had something to do with his natural exuberance and the way he’d made her feel a part of it; it was the fact that he had lived a life that seemed so different from hers, yet they still spoke the same language, a familiarity that belied the short period they had known each other. She’d never met someone like him before. (98)
From the quotation above, shows that Travis almost has everything in his
life. But in the beginning story, he has bad habitual activity when he enjoys in his
house that is too loud playing the music.
“It was less thrilling than you probably think. The music was so loud that
my ears are still ringing. I don’t know why I went with those guys in the
first place. I should have known I was in trouble when they started doing shots right after dinner, but someone had to keep an eye on them.” (Spark 85)
From the explanation above, shows that Travis does not care around him
especially to his neighbhor. It is also seen that the character of Travis is dynamic
because he modified his actions and experiences through the problem he faces in
the end of story.
3.2 Travis’s Loyalty as Narrated in the Novel of Nicholas Sparks The Choice
3.2.1 Non-love
Travis’ loyalty will be described on his steps in perfecting consummate
love in the novel through Sternberg’s triangular Theory of love. It begins with
intimacy, passion and commitment. In addition, the reasercher explains about
three components of triangular of love. Besides, the researcher also explains about
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to make the readers easily understand about Travis’ stages to get his loyalty on
Gabby.
Travis was young vet in Beufort. He is also a rich man, but he did not have
a girlfriend. It is different with his friends who already have children. Then,
Travis has a new neighbor. Her name is Gabby. At the first time they met, Travis
has no interesting feeling to her as following:
She broke off when he slapped at his arm. “Me, too,” he said before she
could get started again. “I’ve been meaning to drop by to officially welcome you to neighborhood. Did you get my basket ?” (Sparks 18).
From the conversations above, it is shown that between Travis and Gabby
have no a sense of love. According to Sternberg, They are just interacting from
one to each other as like most people usually do it (123). No more interest or
desire. The statement above is also strengthened by an argument as following:
“She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my neighbor.”
“Even better.” Stephanie took a seat. “How long have you been dating?” “We’re not. Actually, that’s the first time I’ve ever met her.” (Sparks 13)
From the explanation above, Travis' older sister. Named Stephanie guesses
that Travis has already known about Gabby and Stephanie also presumes Travis
and his neighbor ever spend a time together. But Travis tries to explain to
Stephanie that it was the first time he met with and he felt that she just be a
neighbor of Travis only.
Instead Stephanie tries to be intrusive to him, and she says to him that
Gabby is a good woman whom she has ever met. However, Travis does not think
so about what his older sister says. In fact, Travis does not hear her, and it is
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“I am nice.” Stephanie leaned back, evaluating her brother. “She was kind of cute, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t notice.” (Spark 23)
The explanation above substantiates that Travis is not interested at all to
Gabby and he considers that she is just be his new neighbor, not more than that.
Sternberg said nonlove refers simply to the absence of all three components of
love (123). But, in addition, Travis finds himself secretly observing Gabby from
the window of his house. Travis sees her expression when Gabby plays around
with her dog "Molly", and this situation can be understood through the following
quotation.
Travis Parker stood by the window, watching as Gabby led Molly back to the car. He was smiling to himself, amused by her expressions. Though he barely knew her, he’d seen enough to conclude that she was one of those people whose expressions were a window to their every feeling. It was a rare quality these days. He often felt that too many people lived their lives acting and pretending, wearing masks and losing themselves in the
process. Gabby, he felt certain, would never be that way. (Spark 34)
In the first sentence shows that without being aware, Travis pays attention
to Gabby from the window. From the way he looks at her, Travis would like to
make a close friendship with Gabby. Travis also feels that he has never done it
before with any women. Another quotation which describes Travis realizes and
suddenly things about Gabby will be clearly explained as in the following:
As he got in the car, he found himself thinking about Gabby and
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From the explanation, it is described that Travis is thinking about Gabby
when he is driving his car. But, he is still not sure that he has been thinking about
his neighbor. Travis begins to be closed when Gabby comes to his house with a
nervously, because her dog gets sick, and Gabby tries to come to his house in
order to beg his help for checking her dog quickly.
Travis quickly helps her dog with messy circumstances, and then Travis
checks Molly. After checking Molly, Travis tells about her dog’s condition.
Travis explains to her that her dog is pregnant, not sick. Travis gives an advice to
Gabby for bringing Molly to the vet tomorrow. After the event of their first
meeting, they are starting to get some coffee together like a pair. Travis and
Gabby’s first meeting bring them to the next stage according to Sternberg’s theory
of love, and the next stage is about the Liking, in which they begin to like one
another.
3.2.2 Liking
In the first time Travis has a neighbor named Gabby, he still feels a doubt
to have a close relation with Gabby. But, Travis’ interest appears when he begins
to pay attention to Gabby in her care of her dog. Finally, they remain to have been
a friend.
Then again, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. Being friendly with a neighbor was one thing, making friends with a flirty guy was something
completely different. Especially a good‐looking flirty guy. Kevin wasn’t
normally the jealous type, but she wasn’t dumb enough to think he’d be overjoyed at the thought of Gabby and Travis having coffee on the back deck a couple of times a week, either, which was exactly the sort of thing
friendly neighbors did. As innocent as the visit to the vet might be‐and it
was going to be innocent, mind you‐it had a vaguely unfaithful feeling
S a p u t r a 34
As stated above, Travis thinks that there is nothing wrong if they become a
friend with his neighbor. They often get some coffee together and make a
conversation each other. Another scene of their friendship is proven when Gabby's
dog gets a birth and it has several children. Travis gives an advice to Gabby for
instantly finding or creating a place to keep her dog and her dog’s children who
are just born, and it is like the following quotation below.
And Travis . . . let’s not leave him out of it, either. It was as much his fault as the puppies? Granted, he had mentioned in passing that she should keep them contained, but he hadn’t really made a point of it, had he? He hadn’t explained what would happen if she didn’t listen to him, did he? (Spark 49)
Travis wants Gabby immediately to look for a stall for Molly and her
children, so that dirt from the dogs’ body does not dilate in her home. A nice
conversation appear on them and they are starting to first time introduce to
another after something happens to Molly (123).
“Okay, then,” he said.He retraced his steps to the deck. “Hi,” he offered, holding out his hand. “My name is Travis Parker, and I want to welcome you to the neighborhood.” She stared at his hand. After a moment, she took it and said, “I’m Gabby Holland. It’s a pleasure to meetyou.” (Spark 52)
From the quotation above, they are going to be a friendship. From that
way, it is the first time for Travis tries to invite Gabby for coming to his agenda
and his friends on the boat today. The reason of Travis invites Gabby to come to
his agenda in order to make her know about his friends, because when she moved
into Beufort, it is just Travis whom she knows.
S a p u t r a 35
From the explanation above, Travis tries to ask Gabby for coming into his
agenda and his friends’ agenda. Besides, Travis would like to know more about
Gabby. Gabby receives an allurement of Travis to come to the event of his and his
friends, and over there Travis starts to introduce her to his friends one by one.
After introducing, they conduct a conversation as following:
“They’re best friends, even if both would deny it. Travis would probably say that Laird was his best friend. Or Joe or Matt. Anyone but Stephanie. But I know better.” (Spark 58)
Travis tells that whatever about him and what he does with his friends is to
spend their holiday. When Travis makes a conversation with Gabby, he feels that
she is a good closed-friend for him and he feels that he remains emotionally
closed. The steps of Travis to get Gabby as a girlfriend increase quickly that he
amazes Gabby when he sees her in that night. The willing of Travis to raise
Gabby as his girlfriend bring a desirous of their relationship into infatuated love,
as it is based on the love’s theory of Sternberg (124).
3.2.3 Infatuated Love
The willing of Travis to raise Gabby to be his girlfriend clearly appears
when he and Gabby have a conversation within their meeting in the boat with
Travis’ friends. In that time, Travis assumes that she is a good friend and Travis is
invited to be emotionally closed to Gabby, and that Travis is willing to raise her as
his girlfriend.
Travis stood, thinking that Gabby had grown even prettier overnight, which made no sense at all. “No big deal,” he answered. (Spark 86) This condition shows that Travis is falling in love with Gabby at first
S a p u t r a 36
Travis to get her love and her affection increase, because Travis saw her smiling
to her face so charming that inspires him to get her.
She rode back and forth along the road for a long while, Travis watching her confidence grow with every stop and start. Her turns were executed
with greater ease as well‐she even began driving in a circle‐and by the
time she stopped in front of him, her face was flushed. When she took off
her helmet, Travis was sure he’d never seen anyone more alive and
beautiful. (Spark 91)
The explanation above also shows that when he sees her while he is riding
his bike. Travis' heart suddenly increases so quickly and he feels his heart as
palpitation of the heart. Travis does not think that Gabby is able to make him
mesmerized and makes him does not say anything. He says in himself that it is the
first time he sees a beautiful mankind in this world.
3.2.4 Empty Love
After he has through the day with Gabby and he feels the comfort of the
time along with Gabby. He is also enchanted to her characteristic when he is
beside her. Travis tooks a step to reveal what is in his heart to her as follows:
“I don’t want to lose you, Gabby. I can’t imagine seeing you walk to your car in the morning and pretending that none of this ever happened. I can’t imagine not sitting here with you on the couch, like we’re doing now.”He swallowed. “And right now, I can’t imagine being in love with any other woman.” (Spark 102)
From the quotation above shows that Travis does not want to lose her and
he cannot image his life without her. Travis asks Gabby in order that their
relationship is more just a friendship and Travis wants her to be his wife. Travis
wants to their friendship be growing in a serious relationship, and Travis also
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“No. I’m just telling you what they say. I’m not saying I agree. Like you, I’m more of a happy‐ending romantic. My parents have been married forever, and that’s what I want to have one day, too.” (Spark 78)
From the explanation above, Travis does not want to be wrong in choosing
a wife in his life, as it has been done by his parents. Because, according to him, it
is enough to marry with one girl and he chooses Gabby to be his life partner as it
remains to the next stage: Romantic Love.
3.2.5 Romantic Love
After Travis reveals his feeling to Gabby, Gabby directly gives him a
respond with a lovely word and it is initially has been interesting to Travis. How
happy Travis was at the time. He is very happy, because all have been running
well, and it is proven by the following quotation below.
“I love you, too, Travis,” she whispered, and upon hearing her words, he
knew that the solitary journey he’d been on for years had somehow
reached its end. (Spark 104)
Like the statement above, Gabby also loves him. After that, Travis invites
Gabby to take a walk around Morehead City. It is a part of city in America on
Sunday. Travis does not only invite Gabby to take a walk in a road in Morehead
City, but he also aks her for bringing her dog "Molly" and she also brings his dog
“Moby”, and it is like the following quotation:
Though they both returned to work on Monday, over the next two days Travis and Gabby spent every free moment together. They made love on
Monday morning before work, had lunch together at a small, family‐
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her, and the two would trot happily together until Moby went nuts again and the whole thing repeated itself. (Spark 106)
Travis is not only the figured as a man who is handsome, but he is also a
rich man and a romantic man in a serious relationship with Gabby in order to
make his patner be happy with him. Travis also invites Gabby to have a dinner as
when they have not become a couple. It is proven by following citation:
“Can we eat there?”
He thought about it. “Sort of.” “Is it inside or outside?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said. “I don’t want to ruin it for you.” “It sounds exciting.”
“Don’t build it up too much. It’s just this place I like to go‐nothing spectacular.”
By that time, they’d reached the drive. Travis motioned toward the bike. “This is it.”
The chrome on the bike made Gabby squint, and she put on a pair of sunglasses.
“Your pride and joy?” “Frustration and angst.”
“You’re not going to start whining about how hard it is to get parts again, are you?”
He made a face, then chuckled. “I’ll try to keep it to myself.” (Spark 86)
Travis does not only know about a great beach in Beaufort, but also he
knows a nice place for dinner, where that place has some delicious foods and
romantic place in Beufort. Travis is the perfect person for his couple, lots of good
things that he does on someone he loves so much as following citation:
Travis raised his hands. “Trust me‐there aren’t any cars on the road, no
one’s going to stop us, and I’ll be right there with you.” “Is it hard?”
“No, but it takes a little getting used to.” “Like riding a bike?”
“As far as the balance goes. But don’t worry. I’ll be right there, so nothing
can go wrong.? He smiled. “You up for this?”
S a p u t r a 39
“Great!?he said. “First things first. Slide forward, okay? On your right handlebar is the throttle and the front brake. On the left is the clutch. The
throttle governs your speed. Got it?”
She nodded.
“Your right foot controls the back brake. You use your left foot to shift the gears.”
“Easy.” (Spark 89)
From that explanation above, Travis’ romantic can be seen from his
gesture that he treats Gabby, especially when Travis teaches Gabby to ride a
motorcycle. The way Travis teaching Gabby to ride his motorcycle until Gabby
can ride a motorcycle very well, the patience of Travis is shown and he tries to
support her in order to make Gabby can ride a motorcycle very well.
3.2.6 Companionate Love
After their period of having a relationship through a shared romantic,
almost every week that they go to somewhere new that they have never visited.
All of a sudden thing that Travis appears in his mind that he wants to get married
with her, and it is like the following quotation:
Spending time with you showed me what I’ve been missing in my life. The more time we spent together, the more I could imagine it lasting in the future. That’s never happened to me before, and I’m not sure it’ll ever happen again. I’ve never been in love with anyone before you came along‐ not real love, anyway. Not like this, and I’d be a fool if I let you slip away without a fight.” (Spark 108)
The explanation above shows that Travis would like to undergo a more
serious relationship again that he wants to marry Gabby. Travis is not a young
man who has no prospects in the future, but Travis has prepared everything before
he takes a decision to marry Gabby. Like the House, the car, and a profession. He
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the soul of hard-working to appease people whom he affects. Moreover, Travis
really feels the truth of love through Gabby:
“I don’t know what else I can tell you, other than that I can imagine spending the rest of my life with you. I know that sounds crazy. I know we’re just getting to know each other, and even admitting what I just did might make you think I’m nuts, but I’ve never been more sure about anything. And if you give me
a chance‐if you give us a chance‐I’m going to live the rest of my life proving to
you that you made the right decision. I love you, Gabby. And not just for the person you are, but for the way you make me think that we can be.” (Spark 108)
From the steps that have been undergone by Travis, starting from just
being a friend to become a lover, that increasingly strengthen Travis wants to
Gabby as a port of the last love in her life. Travis is not only love the look on the
pretty Gabby but Travis also liked from the way she interacts with her dog Molly
seems to be the figure of the good mother, patience and understanding Gabby
made Travis admiration, Travis also likes her when she serving him well
following Travis:
Or at least, that’s the way Travis remembered it. Had the evening unfolded exactly like that? He wasn’t sure. These days, it seemed that the only thing he was certain about was the knowledge that he wouldn’t trade his years with Gabby for anything. Without her, his life had little meaning. He was a
small‐town husband with a small‐town occupation and his cares were no
different from anyone else’s. He’d been neither a leader nor a follower, nor had he been someone who would be remembered long after he passed
away. He was the most ordinary of men with only one exception: He’d
fallen in love with a woman named Gabby, his love deepening in the years they’d been married. But fate had conspired to ruin all that, and now he spent long portions of his days wondering whether it was humanly possible to fix things between them. (Spark 113)
In the first Paragraph tells that the moment of occurrence of the events that
he passed along with Gabby. When Travis falls in love with Gabby's statement is
also like a Flashback from the beginning they were praising each other and fall in
