analisis yang kemaren dibilang harus direvisi secara menyeluruh ini dikerjakan dengan penuh rasa kemalasan dan setres yang lumayan hehee

Style and Theme in James Joyce’s Short Story

The Dead

The Analysis Presented As The Partial Of Requirement To Pass The Midterm Exam

By Group 7

Dwi Budidarma (06211411020)

Khairunnisa Albaar (06211521037)

Risna Albanjar (06211411045)

ENGLISH LITERATURE PROGRAM

FACULTY OF LETTERS AND CULTURES

UNIVERSITY OF KHAIRUN

2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER I THE INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

1.1  Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.2  Statements of problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.3  Scope of the problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.4  Objectives of the study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.5  Significances of the study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

CHAPTER II THE ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10

2.1 Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

      2.1.1 Diction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5

      2.1.2 Imagery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .6-7

      2.1.3 Syntax  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.2 Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10

      2.2.1 The Dead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

      2.2.2 The Mortality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

CLOSING

Conlusion

CHAPTER I

THE INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Every writing material has a goal that needs to be accomplished and every writer has their own unique way of saying things they actually wanted to say according to the contents that they are talking and wanted to deliver about. This happens to every kind of writers and writing, this also applies on the authors of short stories. In writing a story, the author needs to make their own world and show them to the readers, and to do such things, the author needs to use certain word choices they think suitable to represent what they mean to say.

The style could be many things, the variety of the style is just as much as the number of the writers. But we are not talking about kinds of writing such as; expository or persuasive or descriptive or narrative. Because we do not talk about what is written but how it is written. They style we are talking about are; the using of diction or imagery or voice or syntax or point of view and or symbolism. These are what the researchers are going to see in the short story.

Another major element that strictly needs to consider is the theme. What is the writing about, and what messages that author is trying to say. Every writing has the center point which are being discussed, most importantly in literary works like short stories, the point is somehow hidden or being one in the actions of characters in the story.

Just like the style, the theme could be so many things. The result of such writing can be the critics of current issues in the world or can be specifically the author inner voice and aspiration that later taking another form which is written words in a complete story. The theme is the main idea and the style can be the additional important element to help deliver the idea.

  

1.2 STATEMENTS OF THE PROBLEM

Based on the research background above, the researchers formulate two problems as follows

1.      What style the author using in the short story “The Dead”

2.      What theme the author deliver in the short story “The Dead”

1.3  THE SCOPE OF PROBLEM

The problem that being discussed in the James Joyce’s The Dead is focusing on how the style that the author using in this short story and how the theme of the story is really about.

1.4  Objectives of the Study

From the statement of problems, this research has some purpose. The objectives of the research are mention as follow:

1.4.1        To find out the author’s style in short story The Dead by James Joyce

1.4.2        To find out the theme in short story The Dead by James Joyce

1.5  Significances of the study

The researchers hope this research can be useful for readers which are divided into theoretically and practically significance.

1.5.1        Theoretical Significance

1.      This research can help and provide an overview of short story The Dead analysis.

2.      This research can provide input concept of how to analyze the short story.

1.5.2         Practical Significance

1.      The researchers want to give analysis reference to readers about short story The Dead.

2.      This research can be useful for English Literature students

  

CHAPTER II

THE ANALYSIS

2.1 Style

Style is the way of language expression in prose, or how an author expressing something what he/she wanted to say (Abraham, 1981). Style is characterized by formal signs such as words choosing, sentence structure, forms of figurative language, etc. (Burhan, 1995). Style is something that commonly do not contain controversial, in terms of the using of language in some particular context, by particular author, for particular purpose, etc (Leech & Short, 1981).

Particular context, forms, and purpose are what determined style in a literary work. An author, in writing different context and purpose, such as; fiction writing or scientific writing, must be using different style. Style is technically the way of how we choose the suitable language to express something that may represent what we actually want to say. (Nurgiyantoro, 1993).

Style or language performance, are presented to readers in form of fiction through selection process from various kinds of linguistic which obtain in that language. The author, in this case have wide range of freedom in expressing the structure meaning. It can be said that, the choosing of forms of construction, represents the unintentional way of thinking (Fowler, 1977). The style analysis used to be done for explaining something, the relation between language and artistic function  and means (Leech & Short, 19981; Wellek & Warren 1959). Another function is to determine how deep the language using and how the author linguistic signs in order to have special affect in his/her writing (Chapman, 1973).

Style in English is the way in which a work is presented through the voice of the author. It is also just as essential to a piece of work as plot, setting, theme, and characters. When you read a piece written by one author and then another piece by a different author, the way you call tell that they were composed by two separate individuals is the way in which they wrote whatever it is you just read. Literary style is your voice put on paper and it is the very essence of how you can stick out amidst a crowd of bandness of reach out beyond the ink and connect with your audience (Lisa Koski, 2016)

2.1.1 Diction

Diction is choice of words that largely determines the tone of a narrative and influences the style of the creative piece of fiction (The Norton Introduction to Literature). In every written literary works, each author has their own unique way of choosing word to use in order to help explaining what the authors are really trying to deliver through the story.

·         Diction : the using of slang

When they had taken their places she said abruptly:

"I have a crow to pluck with you."

"With me?" said Gabriel.

She nodded her head gravely.

 (The Dead, Page 7)

A crow to pluck is actually an irish slang which means a bone to pick. A bone to pick means “Something to argue about” or “A matter to discuss” (urban dictionary). The reason behind the using of this slang is because the relationship between Gabriel and Miss Ivors which is two old friend who is suddenly make an unexpected encounter in Gabriel’s aunts’ annual party.

·        

Diction : the using of formal language

"I'll engage they did," said Gabriel, "but they forget that my wife here takes three mortal hours to dress herself." (The Dead, Page 1)

The using of formal language by Gabriel to Lily is actually not necessarily needed because the two of them have long been known each other. One of the reasons why Gabriel decided to speak in such formal way is that to show the differences in terms of educational background and class level he has with Lily, the caretaker’s daughter. But it turns out that Gabriel is no longer using formal language with Lily in the next page when he asked about Lily’s plan on marriage.

·         Diction : the using of informal language

"O no, sir," she answered. "I'm done schooling this year and more."

"O, then," said Gabriel gaily, "I suppose we'll be going to your wedding one of these fine days with your young man, eh?" (The Dead, Page 2)

Unlike in the first page where Gabriel used the formal language when Lily welcomed him who came late, in the second page, the two of them start to extend their conversation and the atmosphere is completely different, talking about how Lily has been doing with her life, such as her education her nearest plan of probability getting married.

“ Mr. Browne took another sip of his whisky and said, with sidling mimicry: "Well, you see, I'm like the famous Mrs. Cassidy, who is reported to have said: 'Now, Mary Grimes, if I don't take it, make me take it, for I feel I want it. ” (The Dead, Page 5)

The quotation above is the mimicry done by Mr. Browne acting as lower class in which he speaks exactly the perfect accent of the lowest class of Dubliners in order to humiliating. This inappropriate action which of Mr. Browne has no good responds by the other guest around him. Most of them, started to talk other things as divergent.   

      2.1.2 Imagery

Broadly defined, imagery is any sensory detail or evocation in a work; more narrowly, the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, to call to mind an idea, or to describe an object. Imagery may be auditory, tactile, visual, or olfactory depending on which sense it primarily appeals to—hearing, touch, vision, or smell. An image is a particular instance of imagery (The Norton Introduction to Literature). Imagery, this term is one of the most common in criticism, and one of the most variable in meaning. Its applications range all the way from the "mental pictures" which, it is sometimes claimed, are experienced by the reader (M. H. Abrams, 1999)

·         Imagery : sense of seeing

“ Gabriel's eyes, irritated by the floor, which glittered with beeswax under the heavy chandelier, wandered to the wall above the piano.” (The Dead, Page 7)

Through the imagery created by the author, the readers might experience what is it actually that happening with Gabriel. How sparkling the glitter by the beeswax that hang on under the chandelier disturbing the sight and how we may share the same sense of seeing.

·         Imagery : sense of touch

“ He was laughing heartily in a high key at a story which he had been telling Gabriel on the stairs and at the same time rubbing the knuckles of his left fist backwards and forwards into his left eye. “ (The Dead, Page 5)

Just like what we did on the previous quotation, but what differ this one is that the difference of sense, which is the touch. As we read the sentence, we are suddenly turning in Gabriel position and we rub our knuckles of our left fist backwards and forwards into our eyes. Somehow for some times we are not ourselves but a character in a story.

·         Imagery : sense of hearing

“ He waited outside the drawing-room door until the waltz should finish, listening to the skirts that swept against it and to the shuffling of feet. “ (The Dead, Page 2)

The author using this certain words in order to creating such imagery in terms of hearing sense. If the author just using the words like “the sound of swept” or “the sound of feet” we as readers might not get the real picture and sensation of imagining what is actually going on. That is why the author somehow wrote “listening to the skirts that swept against it and to the shuffling of feet” and as the result we may imagine the whole things perfectly.

·         Imagery : onomatopoeia

“ Gabriel having finished, the huge pudding was transferred to the table. The clatter of forks and spoons began again. “ (The Dead, Page 13)

Just like what the author did with imagery sense of hearing, that sort of thing also happens in onomatopoeia imagery where the sound is completely natural by means the sound we may hear in nature or other natural phenomenon  just like “the clatter of forks and spoons” that “began again” which means people are starting to get busy again with each food they have.

            2.1.3 Syntax

            The ordering of words, phrases and clauses in the structure of sentences: the ‘left-to-right’ principle of linguistic structure. Meaning is abstract; it is therefore not transferable from person to person directly: the mediation of a physical channel is needed. Meaning has to be made concrete, spread out in time and space (‘left-to-right’) for speaker, hearer, writer, reader. It is the arrangements of syntax which are responsible for this space-time ordering of abstract elements of meaning. And syntax is a major influence on STYLE: the way meanings are concretized, through syntax, affects the way an audience responds to those meanings. (Peter & Roger, 1973)

“LILY, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet.” (The Dead, page 1)

Why the quotation on the very first sentence of the short story is categorized as syntactically incorrect because the sentence does not interpret what is really happening. Lily is not really run of her feet because Lily still has feet, but the way Lily busily worked that night is somehow way too hectic and it makes her feel that two feet is not enough so that this sentence is created as a tool to pictured what Lily feels about and the author successfully deliver the message.

"The men that is now is only all palaver and what they can get out of you." (The Dead, 2)

Besides the truth that this particular sentence is incorrect grammatically, this sentence also hiding the meaning that possibly cause Gabriel feels bad about it, by the changing color of Gabriel’s face that turning red as reaction over this Lily’s answer. This sort of expression is culturally inappropriate, such flattering actions contained in the sentence just fully disrespectful.

2.2        Theme

Theme is the aspect of story which has the same position as meaning in human’s experience; something that made an experience to be remembered. There are so many range of stories that can describe the situation or emotion such as love, misery, belief, betrayal, or aging. An author used to assume that the theme in his/her story might attract the readers. (Robert Stanton, 1965).

The clarity of the theme will help the readers to definition and description of a literary work. Theme is the meaning possessed in a story. There are more than one definition toward what is the actually the theme in a story, because the theme is consisted of subtheme and additional theme then the problem is that which definition is the real theme. (Stanton, 1965-Kenny, 1966).

In order to determine the main purpose in a story, we need clear definition of what is the main purpose, or theme, themselves. Theme is the basic general idea that keep the story and everything in it as semantic structures and the similarity and the differences (Hartoko, 1986). The theme is absorbed from motifs in the story that become the reason why the events, the conflict and certain situation. Theme is so many things that tie the existence and the disappearance of such particular events-conflict-situation, because they need to supporting the clarity of theme that wanted to be delivered by the author. Theme is the basic of the development of the story. Theme has common generalization, broader and more abstract. (Burhan, 1995).

Fiction offer the truth which suits the belief and the responsibility of author’s  creativity, that some people may find it not relatable or even contrary with the general truth that we hold in the real world. The problem of truth here has the connection with the theme that wanted to be delievered is used the truth justification in terms of propose the truth according to the author, in forms of events, conflicts, characterization, the relation between characters, and other elements. The effort of truth justification is pictured in the hyperbolic of actions that might be found in events and characterization (Meredith & Fitgerald, 1970).

2.2.1        The Mortality

"But yet," continued Gabriel, his voice falling into a softer inflection, "there are always in gatherings such as this sadder thoughts that will recur to our minds: thoughts of the past, of youth, of changes, of absent faces that we miss here tonight. Our path through life is strewn with many such sad memories: and were we to brood upon them always we could not find the heart to go on bravely with our work among the living. We have all of us living duties and living affections which claim, and rightly claim, our strenuous endeavours. (The Dead, Page 15)

The quotation is one of the examples of how the theme of mortality is pictured in the story. The consequences of mortal life is that everything is keep changing whether it is about getting older or the death that took the ones we knew or loved ones. About everything is not going to last forever and how we keep walking to the future and how the past is left behind and becoming nothing more than just memories to be remembered.

2.2.2        The Death

Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and, farther westward, softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling, too, upon every part of the lonely churchyard on the hill where Michael Furey lay buried. (The Dead, Page 26)

Just like how the snow falling into every corner of Dublin, that is how the death coming into every living souls and everything that once full of colors would be faded into the nothingness represents by the white of the snow. No one gets away from the absolute death. How every lively spirits and young body would be eventually falling and died.

  

CLOSING

Conclusion

After conducting the analysis, the researchers have finally come to the conclusion that answer the questions that has been mention above. The researchers found that the styles of the author in the short story of The Dead are using particular diction and imagery and syntax which will be successfully helping the author to deliver the message 

The themes that are being exposed in this short story are the death and the mortality. The absolute truth no one can deny and run away from. Because everyone will take turn of the long line of the death as the end of every beginning, about how helpless we would be.   

Suggestion

The interpretation of a piece of art is absolutely different between readers consider the differences on experiences and perspective on looking at something. The researchers are fully aware of the mistakes that might be found in this analysis, hopefully the readers may find this analysis useful as references for upcoming research with the same title or theme. 

  

Bibliography

Stanton, Robert. 2012. Teori Fiksi. Yogyakarta. Pustaka pelajar.

Keraf, Gorys. 2005. Diksi dan Gaya Bahasa. Jakarta. PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

Nurgiyantoro, Burhan. 2012. Yogyakarta. Gadjah Mada University Press.

M. H. Abrams. 1999. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Earl McPeek Publisher.

Peter & Roger. 2006. The Roudlege Dictionary of Literary Terms. Roudledge.

The Norton Introduction to Literature