i
THE INFLUENCE OF MONTGOMERY’S SEXUAL DEVIATION ON NICOLETTE’ S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
AS SEEN IN GWEN HUNTER’S BETRAYAL
A THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements To Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
In Language Education
By
Cicilia Dyah Hastha Wedaringtyas Student Number: 021214096
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
ii A Thesis On
THE INFLUENCE OF MONTGOMERY’S SEXUAL DEVIATION ON NICOLETTE’ S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
AS SEEN IN GWEN HUNTER’S BETRAYAL
By
Cicilia Dyah Hastha Wedaringtyas
Student Number: 021214096
Approved by:
Major Sponsor
Dr. Wigati Yektiningtyas-Modouw, M.Hum. March 3, 2008
Co-sponsor
iii A Thesis On
THE INFLUENCE OF MONTGOMERY’S SEXUAL DEVIATION ON NICOLETTE’ S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
AS SEEN IN GWEN HUNTER’S BETRAYAL
By
Cicilia Dyah Hastha Wedaringtyas
Student Number: 021214096
Defended before the Board of Examiners
on March 12, 2008
and Declared Acceptable
Board of Examiners
Chairperson Ag. Hardi Prasetyo, S.Pd., M.A. ...
Secretary Made Frida Yulia, S.Pd., M.Pd. ...
Members Ag. Hardi Prasetyo, S.Pd., M.A. ... Made Frida Yulia , S.Pd., M.Pd. ...
Markus Budiraharjo, S.Pd., M.Ed. ...
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STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that the thesis, which I wrote, does not contain the works or part of the works of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, March 4, 2008 The Writer
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LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma: Nama : Cicilia Dyah Hastha Wedaringtyas
Nomor Mahasiswa : 021214096
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
The Influence of Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation on Nicolette’s Personality Development as Seen in Gwen Hunter’s Betrayal
Beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya. Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 27 Maret 2008
Yang menyatakan
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No temptation has
seized you except
what is common to
man. And God is
faithful; He will
not let you be
tempted beyond
what you can bear.
But when you are
tempted, He will
also provide
a way out so that
you can stand up
under it.
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I dedicate this thesis to:
My beloved families
My delightful friends
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, I would like to send my greatest gratitude to my Lord, Jesus Christ and Mother Mary for the blessing and guidance in every little thing I do upon my life. Every little miracle They have given to me makes me believe that They are always with me. I can never pass the hard times in my life without Their loves, especially during the hard times in my study and in the completion of this thesis.
I am deeply indebted to my major sponsor Dr. Wigati Yektiningtyas-Modouw, M.Hum. for her prayer, support, patience, kindness, and for her willingness to spare her valuable time to read my thesis, to criticize it, to share her knowledge, and to guide me step by step doing this thesis from the beginning until the end. My deep gratitude also goes to my co-sponsor Ch. Lhaksmita Anandari, S.Pd., M.Ed. for her smiles, prayers, patience, suggestions, and willingness to spend her valuable time, and also for her assistance on every page of my thesis writing process.
I would like to thank all lecturers for their valuable knowledge and guidance. My thanks also go to all staffs in secretariat especially Mbak Dhani and Mbak Tari for their continuous supports. I thank all the librarians who deserve special appreciation for providing my needs in the library services.
I would like to send my special gratitude to my lovely Mom Chatarina
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thank her for her guidance during these years. My special gratitude also goes to my beloved late Father Paulus Singgih Danu Setyo for showing me how to survive in this hard life with dignity and faith in God. There are no enough words to express how much I love and adore him and how much I miss his warm embraces. I hope he will be watching me on my graduation ceremony later with pride and smile from Heaven.
My special thanks also go to my sweet brothers and sisters Mba’ Noer, Mas Sigit, Mas Tox (thanks for teaching me how to catch my dreams with struggles and prayers), Mba’ Janty, Mba’ Dhanie, Mas Moko (My dream comes true because of him. I was nothing without his love and care), and Mba’ Rossa (my sister in happiness and sorrow). They are all precious ones for me. I also thank my sweet nieces and nephews Vitha, Linda, Ayu, Galih, Yayank, Tika “Ndhuut”, and Nesya. They are my little angels.
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Those whom I could not forget are my precious friends of PBI 2002: Arai, Mbakyu Ikas, Regina, Grace for the beautiful moments we have shared. This friendship means a lot for me. I would also thank Whida (she is so special), Sasha, Lissa, Trondol, Galih, Udjo, Vie, Echi, Itha, Maw, Rury, Ook, Deddy, Mas Yanu ’98, and others who I can not mention one by one here. I thank them all for smiles, jokes, supports, and prayers. They know how to color my life with their own ways.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
APPROVAL PAGES ... ii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ... iv
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PUBLIKASI ... v
PAGE OF LIFE MOTTO ... vi
DEDICATION PAGE... vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ... viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS... xi
ABSTRACT... xv
ABSTRAK ... xvi
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1Background of the Study... 1
1.2Objectives of the Study ... 4
1.3Problem Formulation ... 4
1.4Benefits of the Study... 4
1.5Definition of Terms... 5
CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 7
2.1 Review of Related Theories ... 7
2.1.1 Theory of Critical Approaches... 7
2.1.2 Theory of Character ... 8
xii
2.2Review of Related Studies ... 12
2.2.1Personality Development ... 12
2.2.2Changes in Personality... 13
2.2.2.1Characteristics of Changes in Personality... 13
2.2.2.2Conditions Responsible for the Person to Change ... 15
2.2.2.3The Influences in Development Process ... 17
2.2.3Theory of Sexual Deviation ... 18
2.2.3.1Theory of Incest ... 20
2.2.3.2The Incest Taboo... 22
2.3Criticism... 23
2.4Theoretical Framework ... 25
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ... 27
3.1Subject Matter ... 27
3.2Approach ... 28
3.3Procedure ... 28
3.4Organization of the Study ... 29
CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS... 32
4.1The Personality of Nicolette and Montgomery... 32
4.1.1The Personality of Nicolette ... 33
4.1.1.1Stubborn ... 33
4.1.1.2Tough ... 35
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4.1.1.4Loving and being Submissive to
Her Husband ... 38
4.1.2The Personality of Montgomery ... 39
4.1.2.1Possessive... 39
4.1.2.2Mysterious... 41
4.1.2.3Having Two Personalities ... 42
4.2Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation ... 45
4.2.1Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation to His Daughter, Dessie ... 45
4.2.2Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation to His Sister, Bella Cecile DeLande... 47
4.3The Influence of Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation on Nicolette’s Personality Development... 49
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS... 61
5.1Conclusions ... 61
5.2Suggestions ... 63
5.2.1Suggestions for Future Researchers ... 63
5.2.2Suggestions for Teaching Learning Activities... 64
REFERENCES... 67
APPENDICES ... 69
Appendix 1 The Cover of Betrayal ... 69
Appendix 2 The Portrait of Gwen Hunter... 70
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xv ABSTRACT
Wedaringtyas, Cicilia Dyah Hastha: (2008) THE INFLUENCE OF MONTGOMERY’S SEXUAL DEVIATION ON NICOLETTE’S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AS SEEN IN GWEN HUNTER’S BETRAYAL. Yogyakarta: English Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This thesis discusses a novel by Gwen Hunter entitled Betrayal. The analysis focuses on the personality development of Nicolette Dazincourt DeLande, the main character in the novel. Betrayal tells about the bitterness of life. Betrayal becomes a remarkable novel to read. This is a very interesting novel because it describes a phenomenon of life which resembles our real life and we can take the valuable lessons Gwen Hunter tries to deliver. There are two problems that become the basis of this thesis. The first problem is the description of Nicolette’s and Montgomery’s personalities. The second problem is how Montgomery’s sexual deviation in the novel influences Nicolette’s personality development.
To achieve the aims, this thesis employs library research in collecting the data. There are two kinds of data, primary and secondary data. The primary data are gained from the novel Betrayal. The secondary data are gained from Abram’s and Perrine’s theories of character; Murphy’s theory of characterization; Rohrberger and Woods’ theory of critical approach; Hurlock’s, Craig’s, and Pikunas’ theories of personality; and Rosen, Fox, and Gregory’s and Baron’s theories of sexual deviation. The approach used in this study is the psychological approach.
xvi ABSTRAK
Wedaringtyas, Cicilia Dyah Hastha: (2008) THE INFLUENCE OF MONTGOMERY’S SEXUAL DEVIATION ON NICOLETTE’S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AS SEEN IN GWEN HUNTER’S BETRAYAL. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini membahas tentang Betrayal, sebuah novel karangan Gwen Hunter. Obyek dari analisa di dalam skripsi ini difokuskan pada perkembangan kepribadian Nicolette Dazincourt DeLande, tokoh utama di dalam novel tersebut. Betrayal menceritakan tentang kepahitan hidup. Betrayal menjadi sebuah novel yang luar biasa untuk dibaca. Novel ini sangat menarik karena novel ini menjabarkan sebuah fenomena kehidupan yang menyerupai kehidupan nyata kita dan kita juga dapat mengambil hikmah dan nilai-nilai hidup yang coba disampaikan sang pengarang, Gwen Hunter.
Untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut, skripsi ini menerapkan studi pustaka untuk mengumpulkan data. Ada dua jenis data, data utama dan data pendukung. Data utama diperoleh dari novel Betrayal. Data pendukung diperoleh dari teori karakter Abrams dan Perrine; teori karakterisasi Murphy; teori pendekatan literature Rohrberger and Woods; teori kepribadian Hurlock, Craig, dan Pikunas; dan teori penyimpangan seksual Rosen, Fox, dan Gregory dan Baron. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam studi ini adalah pendekatan psikologi.
1 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the Study
Consciously or unconsciously, every single thing that people have experienced can be a factor that may change and shape their personalities. However, during their lives, people can experience the changes in their personalities. Then, it may change for better or for worse. It can be influenced by biological process they face, their experiences, their past life, their surroundings, their circumstances, or even by other’s behavior.
We can take a look at reality which often happens in our circumstances. Crimes seem to be a part of life, whereas we never expect those things happen in our lives. In fact, it cannot be destroyed or wiped out easily. Everyday, there are always cases of crimes that we can see or hear from news program on television or radio. For instance, there are some cases where a father has assaulted his own daughter or a brother has assaulted his own sister. Such cases really happen in this life.
three of them conducted sexual activity together, so-called threesome. That terrible experience which had happened for several years made her change her personality. She has lost her happy childhood and she has experienced trauma. Thus, she became hopeless. Moreover, she became a lesbian and a hypersexual. Based on this actual case we can conclude that incest itself as one of the sexual deviations can be a factor that influences the changes of one’s personality.
Betrayal shares a story about a woman, Nicolette Dazincourt who gets married to a wealthy and charming man named Montgomery Beauregard DeLande, whose family is the finest and oldest in Louisiana; a man whom she loves, respects, and adores so much; a man who has the authority to control the politics, the law, and the money; a man who can afford to fulfill all her and her parents’ financial needs; a man who has given her four sweet children; a man whom she does not know at all. Because she loves Montgomery so much and she is afraid of losing him, she never has the willingness to ask him about the bad rumor of his strange family outside and to learn about his families’ tradition.
She is forced to do it in order to save her children from him. She confesses to the police of what she has done, then, she is arrested. However, in the court, finally, the truth of Montgomery’s sexual deviation is uncovered. The court verdicts she is innocent. It is because of her friends, witnesses, and outsiders who have supported her.
There are some reasons that underlie my interest of conducting the study. The main reason is because I am interested in Nicolette’s personality development which is influenced by her husband’s sexual deviation. It is a new thing for me to know that sexual deviation can be one of the factors that influences someone’s personality to change. This case is similar to the actual case which happened to Sha (Nova, No. 935/ XVIII, January 29, 2006). It is amazing to find a story where a woman faces the most terrible and hardest problem in her life, her husband’s betrayal to her, which leads her personality to change for the worse.
The second reason is I am interested in the author’s style in telling the story. Gwen Hunter knows well how to present the story well and give it a rhythm. She also knows well how to take and bring the readers into the story so that the readers can feel the same fear, happiness, sacrifice, and sorrow as Nicolette feels in the story. Gwen Hunter successfully presents the reaction of the characters so that the readers find the story flows naturally.
1.2Objectives of the Study
This study is intended to find out how someone’s personality development can be influenced by someone’s behavior, and to expose how sexual deviation can be a factor that changes and influences someone’s personality development. In the Gwen Hunter’s Betrayalwe will find out that incest, as one of sexual deviations, influences the changing of Nicolette’s personality development.
1.3Problem Formulation
The problems of this study are formulated as follows:
1. How are the personality of Nicolette and Montgomery portrayed in Gwen Hunter’s Betrayal?
2. How does Montgomery’s sexual deviation influence Nicolette’s personality development?
1.4Benefits of the Study
As this thesis tries to explore Nicolette’s development in the novel which is influenced by Montgomery’s sexual deviation, the readers are hoped to get a better understanding about the story, the personality of Nicolette, the personality of Montgomery, and Nicolette’s personality development in the novel.
Next, it is hoped that anyone who wants to learn more about literature can use this study as a reference which can enrich their knowledge. Then, hopefully, through this study the readers can get important values as the basic for them in facing their life.
1.5Definition of Terms
There are some terms that need to be defined to avoid misconception. They are:
1. Sexual deviation
According to Baron (567), sexual deviation or so-called paraphilia is a sexual disorder involving choices of inappropriate sexual objects; such as young children, or the inability to experience arousal except in the presence of specific objects or fantasies.
In my study, sexual deviation is a sexual disorder suffered by Montgomery involving choices of inappropriate sexual objects that is by having sexual relationship with his daughter and his sister, whereas the two of them have close blood relation with him.
2. Personality Development
According to Hurlock (463), personality development means the way the personality changes and develops based on the factors that are responsible for the changes that will affect someone’s life.
3. Betrayal
Fay A. Klinger defines betrayal as the act of not being loyal to a person who believes you are loyal to him/her, often by doing something that hurts that person (http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/051019Betrayal. html, accessed on Saturday, October 20).
In this study, betrayal is Montgomery’s act of being disloyal to Nicolette who believes Montgomery is loyal to her by assaulting their daughter and by having sexual relationship with his sisters.
4. Incest
Rosen, Fox, and Gregory (288) define incest as sexual activity between persons whose blood relationship is closer than is sanctioned by the culture.
7 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter deals with review about related theories and also involves some criticisms about Gwen Hunter and her novel Betrayal. In addition to this chapter, I also present theoretical framework.
2.1. Review of Related Theories
This part consists of two main points, namely theory of literature and theory of psychology. The theory of literature is to give some explanations that can help the reader to understand the novel, while theory of psychology is to provide some psychological explanations that can help in analyzing the characters in the novel.
2. 1. 1. Theory of Critical Approaches
When we want to analyze a novel, we need to know some critical approaches. The approaches help us to decide how we will analyze the novel, so that we can understand it. Rohrberger and Woods (6-15) mention five kinds of critical approaches. They are formalist approach, biographical approach, sociocultural-historical approach, mythopoeic approach, and psychological approach.
literary work without concerning reference from outside literary work itself. The second approach is the biographical approach. In the biographical approach, the biography of the author is the basic unit in understanding a literary work. The third approach is the sociocultural-historical approach. In this approach, the readers analyze the literary work based on the civilization that produces the literary work. The fourth approach is the mythopoeic approach. This is used to discover certain universally recurrent patterns of human thought which share the same universal belief to certain community mind. The last approach is the psychological approach. In this approach, the reader analyzes the literary work from the psychological point of view of human being.
I decide to use the psychological approach to analyze this novel in accordance with the matter of this thesis. In this approach, I analyze the literary work from the psychological point of view of human being. Rohrberger and Woods (14) state that the psychological approach uses the theory of human psychology as the reference to understand the character in the story. This approach also insists that each character’s behaviors could be referred to the psychology of human being. Through this approach, the character’s thought and behavior can be analyzed. I also choose the psychological approach since this study focuses on the character’s personality development.
2. 1. 2 Theory of Character
her dialogue and activity. The following theories will be helpful in getting better understanding about the characters in the novel and in analyzing whether the character is static or dynamic.
Abrams (65) defines a character as the person, in a dramatic narrative work, endowed with moral and dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say, i.e., the dialogue and what they do (the action).
A character, according to Perrine (71), can be classified into two categories that are static character and dynamic character. Static character is a character that does not undergo any changes in his/ her outlook/ personalities during the course of story as at the beginning. This character is described without many details and he/ she is not changed by the circumstances. On the other hand, dynamic character is a character who undergoes many changes in some aspects of their characters, personalities, ways of thinking, or outlook from the beginning until the end of the story.
Furthermore, Perrine (71) also states that in order to be more convincing, the changes in a character need to meet three conditions. Those conditions are first, it must be within the possibilities of the character that makes it; second, it must be motivated by the circumstances in which the character finds him/ herself; and third, it must be followed by sufficient time for a change of its importance to take place.
2. 1.3 Theory of Characterization
characterization in order to see the author’s ideas about the character. The following theories will be helpful in getting better understanding and in analyzing the characterization of Nicolette and Montgomery in Gwen Hunter’s Betrayal in chapter four later.
There are some techniques which an author can use to make his characters understandable and come alive for the readers as he expected. According to Murphy (161-173), there are nine ways of characterization. They are personal description, character as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thoughts, and mannerism.
The first way is personal description. Using this method, the author can describe a person’s appearance in terms of build, face, skin-color, hair, and clothes in order to describe the character. From this personal description, human character can be portrayed as a hero, soldier, strong, weak, and blind.
The second way is character as seen by another. Instead of describing a character directly, the author can describe the character through the eyes and opinions of another. Therefore, the readers can get a reflected image.
The third way is speech. Using this technique, the author can give the readers an insight into the character as one of the persons in the book through what that person says. Whenever a person speaks, whenever he/she is in conversation with another, whenever he/she gives an opinion, he/she gives us some clues of his/her character.
about a person’s past life. This can be done by direct comment by the author, through the person’s thought, through his conversation or through the medium of another person.
The fifth way is through the conversation of others. The author can also give the readers clues to a person’s character through the conversation of other people and the things they say about him. People talk about other people. Therefore, the things they say often give us a clue to the character of the person spoken above.
The sixth way is reactions. The author can also give the readers a clue to a person’s character by letting us know how that person reacts to various situations and events. For example, the readers will know that a person is tough through his/her reaction in facing some problems.
The seventh way is direct comment. The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly. Usually, the author gives his comments through the narrator’s eyes.
The eighth way is thoughts. The author can give the readers knowledge of what a person is thinking about. In this respect, he is able to do what we can not do in real life. He can tell the reader what different people are thinking. The readers have a secret listening to the inmost thoughts of a person in a novel.
From those nine ways, the author usually does not apply only one in describing the story, but he blends up skillfully to bring the reader into the stream of narrative. Thus, the readers are usually unaware of the skill with which the author is revealing characters and personalities as piece, so that the reader will tend to think of the author’s creations as real people.
2.2 Review of Related Studies
2.2.1 Personality Development
People change throughout their lifetime. This is so because people live in a certain place with certain people that are called society. This situation affects our behavior and personality. Therefore, according to Hurlock, there is always desire to follow the surroundings and it makes us change (108). Further, Hurlock says change here means to alter or to vary; it does not necessarily mean that the alteration or variation will be complete.
process of someone has to be better or worse. This theory will be helpful to analyze what influences the character’s personality development in Gwen Hunter’s Betrayal. The character experiences a process of changes in her personality for worse. The character deals with some factors that influence her personality development during her life. Her interaction to her family, including her husband take an important role in the process of her personality development, whether the process she has becomes better or worse.
2.2.2 Changes in Personality
Changes in personality may happen to anyone. It may happen to children, adolescents, or adults. Then, the factors of the personality changes can vary.
2.2.2.1 Characteristics of Changes in Personality
Hurlock (120-122) classifies changes in the personality into three major categories. Those categories are the personality that changes for the better and the personality that changes for the worse, the personality in quantitative and qualitative changes, and the personality that occurs slowly and rapidly. Therefore, these following theories will be helpful in analyzing the characteristics of changes on Nicolette’s personality.
factors that influence the changes on their personalities. People who make successful adjustment during their development process will develop their personalities better. On the other hand, people who fail to adjust will develop their personalities for the worse. Generally, personality changes for the worse frequently happen at puberty and middle age, and these changes should be recognized as danger signals. For example, a person becomes sensitive, weak, hopeless, and introvert after experiencing the hardest moments in his/her life. The example above shows us that his/her personality changes for the worse.
The second category is the personality in qualitative and the personality in quantitative changes (121). In qualitative changes, characteristics already present are reinforced, strengthened, or weakened. This changes the undesirable actions into desirable ones. For example, a cruel husband who always punishes his wife regrets his mistake and changes into a loving husband after he experiences the moment where his wife is dying. The stronger the motivation to win social approval and acceptance, the stronger will the motivation be to strengthen desirable traits.
Quantitative changes may create the impression that the person has personality pattern-self-concept, whether it is weakened or strengthened by the action. These changes happen more commonly and more frequently than qualitative changes and usually in the direction of movement.
and gradual. Every change happening in personality involves the violation of previous habit and the learning of a new habit to replace it.
2.2.2.2 Conditions Responsible for the Personality to Change
People experience changes during their lives. One of the changes is changes in their personalities. Therefore, there are some conditions which can influence the changes in their personalities. The following theories will be helpful in analyzing some conditions which influence the changes on Nicolette’s personality.
Hurlock (124-129) mentions the changes in personality do not occur by themselves; they are physical changes, changes in environment, changes in significant people, changes in social pressure, changes in role, strong motivation, and changes in self-concept and psychotherapy.
Hurlock states that physical changes may come from maturation and decline from illness, injuries, or some other conditions resulting from the person’s life pattern. A person will find it is difficult to adjust him/her into new condition when physical changes immediately occur. As a result, the physical changes will influence the person’s self-concept (124).
or not will depend largely on how well we are accepted in the new environment and whether it meets our needs or not (Hurlock 125). A person must have significant people in their life that may affect their personality. When the significant people in an individual’s life change and when the individual tries to adapt the pattern of behavior, attitudes, beliefs, values, and aspiration to theirs, changes in his personality pattern are inevitable (Hurlock 126).
One’s role may change because of a change in age, in economic conditions, or a change in society. One will experience changes for the better in his/her self-concept, if the results are in more favorable status. A child changes from being a dependent to being economically independent when he/she is old enough to be a wage earner. Ordinary people are strongly motivated to change his/her personality than one who is popular. The motivation comes because they believe it will improve their social relationship and broaden their social acceptance. When the motivation is strong enough to happen, changes can be affected (Hurlock 126-127).
2. 2.2. 3. The Influences in Development Process
Pikunas (58-73) states that there are five factors that influence the development process. Those factors are environment, family, peers as models, society, and culture.
The first factor is environment. The environment is the place in which a person lives, both physically and socially. The environment influences the development process of a person. During his/her life, a person lives, interacts, or depends on their environment. Therefore, the environment, which consists of physical and social factors can continually affect in shaping their traits, features, or personalities. Location, climate, size, and convenience of the home can be some examples of physical factors.
The second factor is family. The family is an enduring social group based on marriage and blood relationship. The family’s orientation and atmosphere grow out of commitments of husband and wife to each other and their children. The family takes important role on the person lives around the family which affect him/her in shaping and developing traits, features, or personalities.
The third factor is peers as models. Most people enjoy associating with those who are similar in age, maturity, and status. Peers affect the development process of people from middle childhood to the years of late adulthood. It is because peers usually modify the child’s thoughts, feelings, and aspirations as he learns to give and take.
large social structure that serves as a framework for socioeconomic and cultural life. People learn about norms, social rules, values around their societies. Therefore, a society affects the development process of a person.
The fifth factor is culture. Culture refers to the total patterns of people’s way of life seen in terms of artifacts and achievements distinguishing large but similar societies. It consists of the technology and civilization, law and morality, religion, politics, arts, and history. Culture maintains from generation to generation. During their lives, people tend to live according to the culture where they live and grow. Directly or indirectly, cultural traits, norms, and expectations influence everyday living.
In the analysis of Betrayal in chapter 4 later, point (1) environment, (2) family, and (3) society will be helpful as the influences in developmental process of the characters. It is aimed in helping to answer the first and second questions which are stated in the problem formulation. As we know, people live around their environment, family, and society. Then, they can not be separated from culture they hold on, believe, and have in their lives. During their lives, these factors may influence the developmental process that makes them change for better or for worse.
2. 2. 3Theory of Sexual Deviation
Rosen, Fox, and Gregory (274) define sexual deviation as a failure of development associated with anxiety and conflict, culminating in a persistent or frequent for, and does not terminate in, genital coitus with an adult of the opposite sex. From psychological point of view, sexual deviation is also termed as
perversion or paraphilia.
Paraphilias come from the Greek para, which means”amiss” and philia
which means “love”, it may be said to exist only when unusual images, acts, or objects are required for sexual arousal and fulfillment (Baron 567). He also stated that paraphilias is a sexual disorder involving choices of inappropriate sexual objects, such as young children, or the ability to experience arousal except in the presence of specific objects or fantasies.
Three points should be noted about the concept of sexual deviation (Rosen et al. 274). First, a sexual deviation is relative to the culture. For example, in Ancient Greece, homosexuality was not considered a deviation. Second, although most deviations are offenses, a large number of offenses are not deviation, for example, extramarital intercourse or non genital heterosexual foreplay. Third, an important component of the concept of deviation is its stress on persistence in habit patterns.
Rosen et al. (276-290) also define that there are some major varieties of sexual deviation. Those are deviations in the mode of sexual behavior, deviations in the sexual object, and the deviations in the social and physical context.
ano-genital activities, voyeurism, exhibitionism, transvestism, sadism, and
masochism. The second category is deviations of the sexual object. Sexual
deviations which are included in this category are homosexuality, fetishism,
zoophilia, and incest.
The third category is deviations in the social and physical context. Sexual behavior which is included in this category is pornography.
In this study, incest, one of sexual deviations, becomes the main factor which influences Nicolette’s personality development. Hopefully, the theories of incest in the following part will help the readers understand this study.
2.2.3.1 Theory of Incest
Since incest is considered as a subtype of pedophilia and included as a sexual deviation, it is important to get better understanding about incest. The theory of incest itself will help me in analyzing the novel.
According to Rosen et al. (288-289), incest is sexual activity between persons whose blood relationship is closer than is sanctioned by the culture. Some societies permit marriage between cousins, or between uncles and nieces or aunts and nephew, and some prohibit the marriage of persons of any degree of blood relationship, no matter how distant.
Some other definitions of incest are:
custom or law because of their close kinship. (http://www.answer.com/ topic/incest; accessed on February 23, 2007)
2. According to psychoanalysis, incest refers to sexual relations between close relatives. (http://www.answer.com/topic/incest; accessed on February 23, 2007)
3. According to science, incest refers to sexual relations between relatives who are forbidden by law to marry, for example, between father and daughter or mother and son. (http:// www.answer.com/ topic/ incest; accessed on February 23, 2007)
Biologically, there is a theory that the observance of the taboo would lower the incidence of congenital birth defects caused by inbreeding.
Inbreeding leads to an increase in homozygosity, that is thae same allele at the same locus on both members of a chromosome pair. This occurs because close relatives are much more likely to share the same alleles that happen to be deleterious, which are harmless and inactive in a heterozygous pairing, but when homozygous can cause serious developmental defects. Such offspring have a much higher chance of death before reaching the age of reproduction, leading to what biologists call inbreeding depression, measurable decrease in fitness due to inbreeding among populations with deleterious recessives (Leavitt 974).
Those definitions of incest will be useful to get knowledge that incest is a sexual activity of two persons who are so closely related. It is forbidden and avoided by most countries in the world. However, incest is considered as a crime and it is one of sexual deviation. Therefore, it is useful to help in answering the second question of the problem formulation which will be analyzed in chapter 4 later.
2.2.3.2 The Incest Taboo
crime. It is forbidden by law and by culture. Therefore, its prohibition varies around the world.
The Freudian theory of psychosexual development states that a violation of the incest taboo may take three forms. The first one is intrafamilial incest, including both Oedipal and non-Oedipal relationship, which are father-daughter, mother-son, brother-sister, and so forth. Second, incest is a secondary aspect of an indiscriminate promiscuity that involves various sexual objects, blood relatives and non-relatives. The third one is incest as a secondary aspect of pedophilia. It usually involves father and daughter. (Rosen et al. 288)
Incest is also forbidden by religion. The Bible mentions prohibitions against relations between various pairs of family members. It proves incest is taboo for Catholics. The theory will be helpful to analyze the sexual deviation of Montgomery, whereas it should not be done because Montgomery is a Catholic. Therefore, Montgomery’s act of molesting his daughter and having sexual relationship with his sister are considered as sexual deviation that can influence the development of Nicolette’s personality.
The Bible, primarily in Leviticus 18.1-18, contains prohibitions against
sexual relations between various pairs of family members. Father and daughter, mother and son, and other pairs are forbidden on pain of death to engage in sexual relations (Father/daughter incest is covered by a prohibition on sexual relationship between a man and any daughter born to any woman he has had sexual relationship with, thereby prohibiting not only incest between father and any possible daughter, but many women where it would be impossible for the daughter to be the man’s). It prohibits sexual relations between aunts and nephews but not between uncles and nieces.
The Qur’an in the surat An-Nisa 23-24, prohibits sexual relationship with the following closely related women: mother, daughter, sister, mother’s sister, father’s sister, brother’s daughter, and sister’s daughter. Breastfeed mother and breastfeed sister are also prohibited. Several women who are related through sexual relationship and in certain situations are also prohibited.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/incest-taboo; accessed on April 18, 2007)
2. 2 Criticism
There are some criticisms of the novel Betrayal and of the author Gwen Hunter. In this part, I present some criticisms that may be helpful in understanding the novel better.
According to Alexandre Louis, from Magizine Litteraire, there is most certainly of Faulkner and Caldwell in that implacable novel, but perhaps, more still, of Flannery O’Connor of whom Gwen Hunter could definitely be, at this end of twentieth century, the direct heiress. That which is sure in every way, is that with her one is faced with authentic romantic. Not only does she know quite well how to present a story and give it a rhythm, but moreover, she possesses the art of reproducing the soul and the manners of the real Louisiana. (http://www.Gwen hunter. com/ betrev.htm)
Charles Serman, The State, stated that Gwen Hunter’s characters are solidly drawn and appealing. The readers’ curiousities are aroused by the rhythm of Gwen Hunter’s writing. Her ending should leave most readers in good spirit. (http://www.Bellarosabooks.com//betrayal-rev.htm, accessed on November 27, 2006)
Toby Bromberg, Romantic Times, said that Betrayal is a story of passion and danger that takes the reader into the heart of a family that is pure evil. Readers will find themselves sympathizing and empathizing. They will feel like they are parts of the story itself. It is because Gwen Hunter creates the story naturally. (http://www.Bellarosabooks.com//betrayal-rev.htm, accessed on November 27, 2007)
Betrayal is a shocking tale of secrets and lies. Upon the completion of the book she actually had felt that she had visited Louisiana and left with a thorough understanding of the word betrayal. (Gwendolyn J. Brantly, affair de Coeur) Last but not least, in the back cover of the novel, says;
“So begins this spellbinding, passionate novel, the story of a young girl’s marriage into a family so monstrous that only an extraordinary woman could escape from it alive…” (Hunter Gwen, Betrayal)
2. 3 Theoretical Framework
Therefore, the theories of character and characterization and the theories of psychology are used to answer the problems formulated in the previous chapter.
The first problem is the understanding about how the author describes the major characters in her novel. In order to solve them, I use the theories of personality suggested by Hurlock, Craig, and Pikunas. Since someone’s character is a part of his/ her personality, then I also use theory of character and characterization by Abrams, Perrine, and Murphy. These theories help me to understand the characteristics of the main character in the Betrayal by Gwen Hunter. Then, I will relate the theories from Hurlock and Craig to Nicolette’s personality development. The theory of development process from Pikunas will give explanation on how some factors can influence the development process.
Therefore, I also use the theory of sexual deviation from Rosen et al. and from Baron in order to help in understanding kinds of sexual deviation. Here, in the novel, incest as a subtype of sexual deviations becomes the phenomenon of sexual deviation suffered by Nicolette’s husband. Then, her husband’s sexual deviation has influenced her personality development.
The Influence of Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation on Nicolette’s
Personality Development
Theories of Character and Characterization
Theories of Personality and Personality
Development
Theories of Sexual Deviation
Abrams, Perrine, Murphy
Hurlock, Craig, and Pikunas
Rosen, Fox, and Gregory and Baron
Nicolette’s and Montgomery’s Personalities
Nicoletee’s Personality Development
27 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
This chapter is divided into four sections. The first is Subject Matter, which contains the statement of the work of literature I analyze in this study. The second is Approach, which contains approach I use in this study. The third is Procedures, which talk about the steps I take in doing the analysis, and the last is the Organization of the Study.
3.1 Subject Matter
The subject matter in this study is Betrayal. It is one of the most popular novels by Gwen Hunter. I use the novel Betrayal that was published in 1994 by Pocket Books. The book itself consists of 372 pages.
There are some characters in Betrayal, but the main character is Nicolette Dazincourt DeLande or Nicolette. Other characters are Montgomery Beauregard DeLande, Sonja, Desma Collette or Dessie, Dora Shalene or Shalene, Adrian Paul, Miles Justin, Richard, and Philippe. The setting in this novel is in the 1970s and the place is in South Louisiana, New Orleans.
loves, adores, and respects, dares to betray her. He has affairs with some women around and outside the city. Even, he also betrays her by sexually assaulting their daughter. Nicolette considers Montgomery’s act of molesting their daughter as his biggest betrayal for her. However, his husband’s sexual deviation influences her to change her personalities for worse.
3.2 Approach
From the five approaches proposed by Rohrberger and Woods, I use the psychological approach to analyze the novel in accordance with the matter of this thesis. In this approach, the reader analyzes the literary work from the psychological point of view of human beings. Rohrberger and Woods (14) states that the psychological approach also insists that each character’s behavior could be referred as the psychology of human being.
The psychological approach is the most appropriate approach for analyzing this study. Through this approach, the character’s thought and behavior can be analyzed. I chose the psychological approach since this study focuses on the character’s personality development.
3.3 Procedures
The procedure in this study is concerned with the steps that I took in doing the analysis, so that I was able to obtain the answer to the problem formulation of this study. Therefore, several steps were taken in this study.
character, Nicolette, and made notes of the important descriptions of her which showed her personality.
Secondly, I determined what kind of approach that would be used to help in analyzing this thesis. In this writing, then, I use psychological approach since my study was focused in the personality changes of the character. The theory of the approach that was used to give the limitation in this study was taken from the theory of approach written by Rohrberger and Woods (6-15).
Thirdly, I did the analysis. The analysis was divided into two parts. The first part was in relation to how Nicolette’s and Montgomery’s personalities were portrayed. At this point, theories of character and characterization from Abrams, Murphy, and Perrine were employed to identify the personalities of Nicolette and Montgomery. In this second part, I employed the theories from Hurlock and Pikunas that would be helpful in analyzing the personality development of Nicolette. Therefore, the theories of paraphilia from Baron and other sources would be helpful in analyzing the influence on Nicolette’s personality development. Eventually, it assisted me to dig up more valuable aspects of the central character that could be applied in our lives.
3. 4 Organization of the Study
description of the problem and formulates the problem in the form of questions. The fourth is benefits of study which give the explanation of who could gain the benefit from the study. The last part is definition of terms.
Chapter two includes all the theories that support the analysis of the novel which is divided into three parts. The first is theoretical review which gives the explanation of the theory of critical approaches, the theory of character, the theory of characterization and the theory of personality development. The second part gives several criticisms about Gwen Hunter and her masterpiece, while the last part gives the basic guidance of the analysis of the novel.
Chapter three is about methodology which is divided into four sections. The first is subject matter which contains the statement of the work of literature I analyze in this study. The second is approach which contains approach I use in this study. The third is procedures which talk about the steps I take in doing the analysis and the last part is the organization of the study.
Chapter four contains the discussion of the questions formulated in the problem formulation. It answers the two questions stated in the problem formulation. The first problem is how Nicolette’s and Montgomery’s personalities are portrayed in Gwen Hunter’s Betrayal. The second problem is how Montgomery’s sexual deviation influences Nicolette’s personality development.
32 CHAPTER 4
ANALYSIS
Chapter four deals with the analysis to answer the problem formulation as stated in chapter one. This chapter consists of three parts. In the first part, I present the analysis of Nicolette’s and Montgomery’s personalities. The next part is the description of Montgomery’s sexual deviation that appears in the surrounding where he lives. In the last part, I discuss the influence of Montgomery’s sexual deviation on Nicolette’s personality development.
4.1 The Personality of Nicolette and Montgomery
4.1.1 The Personality of Nicolette
4.1.1.1 Stubborn
Nicolette is stubborn. This can be seen from her thoughts. It is stated by Murphy that an author can give the reader direct knowledge through the thought of the character (161-173).
Being stubborn is a Dazincourt trait. Dazincourt is Nicolette’s maiden name. She inherits her stubbornness from her father who is a Dazincourt. Her father has taught her how to be independent, how to use her competences to fulfil the life demands, and how to live with courage and dignity since she was a child. During her childhood and her youth, she is accustomed to have self-confidence and to trust herself in order to handle everything by herself. It makes her stubborn. In the beginning of her marriage with Montgomery, Nicolette tends to remain stubborn. In general, new couples tend to discuss new things together in order to get closer each other. It is common to show their weaknesses in front of their couples. A husband is a partner of life whom one can share opinions, problems, pride, satisfaction and many other things. Nicolette’s stubbornness makes her limit herself to her husband, even just for a simple subject.
I almost asked Montgomery what species his family bird was, then shut my mouth. When I got back to my set of encyclopedias, I could look up the bird and identify it. I didn’t have to ask him anything.
I pressed my lips together, feeling stubborn, and liking the sense of strength that came from defiance. Being stubborn was a Dazincourt trait. Half of what I had learned from my daddy was swamp lore and veterinary medicine. The other half was pure bullheadedness. (29)
encyclopedias by herself than asking him. It is not because she is afraid towards Montgomery, but it is because of her stubbornness. She thinks she can find out it by herself and she does not want anybody, even her husband, to help her just for that simple subject.
We can also see that Nicolette is stubborn based on her speech. Murphy states that an author describes the character through the speech or what the character says (161-173).
Sonja sighed and pulled out into traffic. “There are other men out there. Good men.”
I smiled tightly. “One man in a lifetime is enough, thank you. Besides, I want nothing to do with some sex-starved male out to prove himself on the horizontal battleground.” (53-54)
Nicolette stays to her conviction to be loyal to her husband though she knows that Sonja’s suggestion is good for her. She, herself, knows that there is something wrong with her husband. Her husband often punishes her physically and mentally for unreasonable reasons. She also knows that Sonja, her best friend, always wants the best thing for her. Because she is stubborn, she does not want to accept Sonja’s good suggestion to leave her mysterious possessive husband.
Even when Sonja hired a detective for her to get some information about Montgomery’s betrayal, she gets rather mad.
“Well, isn’t my busybody friend just oh so generous. You’ll have to refund her money, honey, because I’ll pay my own way, thank you very much.” Suddenly Sonja relaxed back against the sofa and laughed softly. “You aren’t even a little bit mad, are you?” (125)
his/her reaction in a certain situation and/or events (161-173). Nicolette thinks that Sonja has interrupted her too much and Sonja has made decision for her without asking her opinion first. Therefore, she thinks she can hire a detective by herself.
4.1.1.2 Tough
Nicolette is a tough woman. She has been accustomed to live as a country girl during her childhood. She is accustomed to handle everything by herself. After she gets married with Montgomery, she tries to be strong in facing problems of her marriage with him.
I batted back my tears with swollen lids and bit my lips to keep from crying or begging Montgomery to talk to me. I wanted comfort, and I knew I could find it in my childhood home. And then I thought about the new roof, and Paris, and the Montgomery I had known before we went to the DeLande Estates. And again I fought back tears. (30-31)
When Montgomery punishes her by not talking to her during the journey to their new house, not even care during the journey, she tends to cry. However, she tries to be tough before her husband. She does not want to drop her tears though she wants to. She is disappointed to find that Montgomery has changed into the new one. She finds the differences of Montgomery’s attitude after visiting her mother-in law, The Grand Dame. He becomes a distant and volatile husband. She realizes that her marriage with him is her own decision. Therefore, Nicolette does not want to show her disappointment to him. Her toughness can be seen through her manner (161-173).
It wasn’t that I stopped being me. It wasn’t that I stopped fighting to make life better, to make a safe haven for the girls and my son and myself. And it wasn’t that it was all bad. (47)
Nicolette tries to bear the hard things she experiences with her husband just for her children’s and her sake. She thinks that everything she has done is for her children. Nicolette starts to understand Montgomery’s bad attitudes. She learns that Montgomery is a loving and good husband if she is submissive to him. Moreover, she tries to please Montgomery by doing what he asks to do or doing what he wants.
Also there was the fact that I had never told anyone about my marriage. About Montgomery’s punishments and Montgomery’s subtle violence. I had learned to live with it for the children’s sake. (115)
She actually has something secret she could not share with anyone. It is about her suffering from her husband’s cruel behavior. She realizes that her marriage is not what she has ever thought before. She does not even know her husband at all, whom she loves, adores, and respects much. Then, she has to face the truth of her husband’s punishments and subtle violence by herself.
4.1.1.3 Religious
Nicolette is a religious person. Firstly, it is proven by seeing her past life as stated by Murphy (161-173). Murphy states that an author can give a clue about the character through his/ her past life. Nicolette has a good basic of religion. We can see it through the lesson given by her father when she was a teenager. She learnt what is good and what is bad.
dating, sex, and sin most evenings at family Bible study. But that was before I understood about marriage market and Daddy’s designs of my future. (5)
Nicolette has been taught about what is good and what is bad by her father based on their religion. It is because her father wants to avoid bad things happen to her. His father tries to raise her to be a good girl so that she can reach his dream that is he wants the best for her life.
When Nicolette has to face the hardest thing in her life, she still believes in God that He will always bless her and her children. She still keeps her faith in God whenever she finds difficult situations. She has to face the hardest truth in her life when her lovely husband has molested their daughter. She is forced to make a decision in her life. She has to protect her children no matter how terrible the risk will be. She knows that Montgomery can do everything to take their children and her back to him. Her faith in God makes her strong to face the hard moments in her life.
And I stopped praying. I’m not sure exactly when I stopped expecting God to protect my girls. My prayers had changed on the day we moved to Moison. They had changed from “God, please protect my babies”, to “God, please help me protect my babies, “to silence. But I think God was with me. Waiting in the stillness. (186)
We can also conclude that Nicolette is religious according to her thought, whereas Murphy states that an author can give the reader direct knowledge through the thought of the character.
Nicolette is religious when she realizes that lying to a priest is a bad thing, even if lying for her children’s sake, lying for her children and her safety against the DeLandes family who have made her and her children suffered and unsafe. According to her thought, we can see that Nicolette is a religious person. It is proven when Nicolette plans to have a confession after she lies to a priest.
4.1.1.4 Loving and being submissive to her husband
Nicolette loves Montgomery since she is a teenager. She is attracted to him for the most perfect look he has. Nicolette really falls in love with Montgomery since the first time they meet. Montgomery means the world for her.
Montgomery was an older man. Twenty-two if he was a day. He was one of the DeLande boys from Vacherie, a town halfway to New Orleans. And God knows I would have given my soul to have him just look at me once. I almost did. I may have. (2)
Nicolette falls in love with him since the first time they meet. Her dreams and her daydreaming are about Montgomery.
From the first moment I saw him, he enveloped my life, taking over the secret, intimate places where dreams nest in the heart of every young girl. Romance and passion bloom in these dark, moist havens, fantasies of rescue and stolen kisses, declarations of love and fidelity ever after, fantasies nourhised by writers like Devereax and Lindsey and countless others who fuel the romantic expectations of this generation of women.( 7)
that she loves him much and she does not want to lose him. She then accepts whatever he does to her.
Over the years, the punishments began to appear at other moments, other times. When I displeased Montgomery in some way, or disagreed with him, or failed him. I learned never to say no. Not ever, over anything. (47)
4.1.2 The Personality of Montgomery
4.1.2.1 Possessive
Montgomery is possessive. In the beginning of his marriage with Nicolette, when he introduces her to his family, he is too scared that his brothers are interested in her and like her; therefore, he locks her in their room while he goes somewhere. It can be seen from his speech to Nicolette that he does not want to sexually share her to his brother because she is his wife. There is a weird tradition in Montgomery’s family. Sexual intercourse between the family members is regarded as a responsibility, a punishment, a gift, and a religion. Therefore, when Nicolette visits Montgomery’s family, Montgomery is afraid to find that his brothers will be attracted to his wife. He does not want to give Nicolette to them for having sexual activity. However, Nicolette never knows the secret of The DeLande tradition.
I ate, afraid to refuse although I wanted nothing now. And then, still without explaining, Montgomery dressed and left, humming a little tune. The locked clicked.
I spent the entire weekend locked in my room. For my protection, Montgomery said later. Because I was too innocent, too lovely, and too much of temptation for his brothers, and he would not share that which he chose as his own. Share with his own brothers? Share me? (24)
the conversation between Nicolette and Sonja. According to their conversation about Montgomery, we know that Montgomery is a possessive husband.
“Your watchdog. Feel the leash?”
I sighed. “Poor analogy; I not on a leash. And you know it’s for my protection. Montgomery hires them to keep... us safe on the streets. He doesn’t like the crime and the car- jacking and-“
“Montgomery hires them to keep an eye on you, and you know it. But don’t get your panties in a wad. I’ve gotten used to being tailed around the city by some two-bit detective in an old Falcon.” (52)
As Murphy says that based on the conversation of others, an author gives clues about the character though other people and things they say about him (161-173).
“I learned to live without a car because he took away the keys so many times. Half the time groceries are ordered over the phone and delivered, or Rosalita picks them up. I shop for clothes through catalogs and have them shipped to the door. “(109)
Montgomery is over-protective of his wife. He provides all Nicolette’s needs. He will not ever let his wife to ever leave him or being attracted to another man.We can also see that Montgomery is possessive through his mannerism told by Nicolette. He is possessive to his wife in order to make her know that she is his wife, his mine. No one can touch or possess her.
When I would return home from Sonja’s, he would hold me close, too tight, cutting off my breath, reminding me I was his. Only his. And he would not share what was his. God. I had learned to hate the sound of
those words. His loving at such times was harsh and punishing as he used
my body to seal his ownership. To remind me of the vows I had spoken, vows he would not let me break. (53)
“In south Lousiana, a woman don’t leave her husband easy,” Montgomery whispered into the blackness, his raspy voice seeming louder then the wind. “Except in a coffin.” (223)
According to Montgomery’s speech, we can conclude that he is possessive. He states that he does not really like Nicolette’s escaping from him. He does not like the way his wife will leave him. His conviction is that Nicolette can only leave her in a coffin. It means that Montgomery wants her to be his wife until the end of her life. Therefore, as long as Nicolette is still alive, she has to live with him. Montgomery will not let her go.
4.1.2.2 Mysterious
Montgomery is a mysterious person, a mysterious husband. There are things he hides from his wife. It can be seen from his mannerism.
“How could you? How could you not warn me?” He carefully squeezed out toothpaste, loading his brush, the water shooting so hard into the porcelain sink, it splattered onto the mirror above. “You never even invited them to the wedding, did you? Montgomery? Are you listening to me? (19)
because he has hidden it until he and Nicolette visit his family after their honeymoon. Montgomery seems to make it secret to his wife because he knows that his mother will not really like her because of Nicolette’s family name and reputation.
Montgomery never answered my questions. When I brought up the subject of his family the next morning, he walked out the door, locking it behind him. (20)
4.1.2.3 Having Two Personalities
Montgomery has two personalities. His two personalities can be seen through his marriage with Nicolette. The first one is the loving, romantic, and giving husband. The second one is the distant, volatile, quick-tempered, and cruel husband.
Montgomery is a giving husband. He often gives her surprises. When he makes a mistake to her, he knows how to apologize his mistake to her. Then, his wife will forgive him and their life becomes so bright again.
A tentative Montgomery was a surprise. He was always the sure one, sanguine, almost arrogant. I knew immediately he was apologizing in the only way he knew. And then I heard the words. He had bought me a house. (37)
We know that Montgomery is a giving and loving husband based on what Nicolette thinks about him.
My life seemed fixed and secure, Montgomery usually a giving, loving husband, if a distant and uncomfortable father. (45)
conversation between Nicolette and her attorney, Adrian Paul, we can see that Montgomery usually is a good, loving, and giving husband. According to the quotation above, we can see that Montgomery loves Nicolette. Nicolette is precious for him.
“Why did you stay with him?” There was still no emotion in Adrian Paul’s voice. I smiled and knew it was an ugly smile. All teeth. Savage.
“Most of the time he was good to me. He pampered me like a woman desires to be pampered. As though I was of great value and fragile as the finest spun crystal,” I said slowly, the mockery thick on the words like sap running down bark. “He was generous and giving and a good man in the community. (111)
Montgomery’s mannerism is the proof to analyze his personality that he is a giving husband. He gives Nicolette presents many times during their marriage. Therefore, we can also see that Montgomery is a romantic husband from his mannerism. He expresses his love to Nicolette by giving her poems. By Montgomery’s poems, Nicolette knows that he loves her and he does not want to let her go. He wants her to be at his side in his life time.
I knew my husband loved me. I accepted that he didn’t want to let me leave. And when I read all the poems he had marked, I understood that there would be no convincing him to let me go. No quiet divorce. No amicable separation. Not from Montgomery. (184)
Montgomery’s second personality which is a distant, volatile, quick-tempered, and cruel husband can be seen through his mannerism to her wife, Nicolette. Montgomery changes to be the different man, the distant and quick- tempered husband when he deals with his family.
differently during our stay at the DeLande Estate, his fluid, effortless movements translating into jerky motions of a caged, restless animal. The passion of the earlier part was gone, replaced with a different emotion, a different passion, a cold, hurtful intensity I could not share. (27)
Montgomery is also a cruel husband. He becomes cruel when he has to confront with his weird and mysterious family. His cruelty often appears when his family, especially his brothers are on his surrounding. Nicolette is the victim of his jealousy. It needs time for him to return into the previous Montgomery, the sweet one.
He was more complicated than I had known. Perhaps even a little... cruel. I was always honest with myself. Even when it would be safer to lie. But the cruelty had surfaced only when he had to confront his family, that bizarre, erratic, somehow unbalanced group of people. And vanished when enough time and space separated him from their influence. (40)
Montgomery’s cruelty can be seen from the punishments he gives to Nicolette. It can be physical or mental punishments. He is a volatile man and changes every time. He punishes his wife for whatever she does that displeases him and for unreasonable reason that Nicolette does not understand.
Montgomery’s cruelty appears many times during his marriage. His punishments make his wife never tries to disobey him, to disagree with him, and to make him unpleased. It is because she knows that she can not rebel against him. Montgomery has the power to control everything, including to control his wife.
Over the years, the punishments began to appear at other moments, other times. When I displeased Montgomery in some way, or disagreed with him, or failed him. I learned never to say no. Not over, over anything. (47)
4.2 Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation
persistent or frequent for, and does not terminate in, genital coitus with an adult of the opposite sex. (274)
Montgomery’s sexual deviation that appears in Betrayal by Gwen Hunter deals with incest. We can see his sexual deviation from sexual assaulted he has done to his daughter and his sister.
4.2.1 Montgomery’s Sexual Deviation to His Daughter, Dessie
Montgomery’s sexual deviation is uncovered by Nicolette lately. When she returns from her visit to Sonja, she finds that her daughter, Dessie, grows thinner and stops to eat. Nicolette does not notice there is something wrong with her daughter, until her daughters tell her a secret that they should not say. They tell the secret about their father’s behavior when there are only her mother and them, then, they think it is safe for them.
“Las’ year when you come back from A’nt Sonja’s, daddy said you was bleedin’ and not lable.”
Last year? Shalene had been only four…
“Available,” Dessie whispered. “Bleeding and not available. And we had to play.” (75)
