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Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 `

The Journey of the Villain: A Analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

Muhammad Sultan Pasya, Isti Siti Saleha Gandana, Nia Nafisah and Literature Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT Heroism has become a much-discussed topic in literary studies. However, the villain, who shares the same important role as the , does not generally receive as much recognition within these studies. For this reason, this research was conducted to analyze the villain of the story to contribute more into the discussion. The character that was analyzed is the Once-ler from The Lorax (1971) by Dr. Seuss. The Once-ler is the main of The Lorax (1971) that possesses interesting journey to look into. He goes through a journey that changes his in a certain point of his journey. The Hero’s Journey theory (Vogler, 1992/1999) and Character Arc theory (Weiland, 2016), thus, were adopted to analyze both the journey and the changes in character that the Once-ler experiences. The result shows that the Once-ler’s journey is a Shadow’s journey, and that he experienced both Positive and Negative Change Arc that made him a Redeemed Villain, which is different from most of the villains. This research also discussed the similarities between the hero and the villain that leads to a conclusion that heroes and villains can be differentiated by how they finish their journey; if they succeed, they are the heroes, and if they failed, they are the villains. Keywords: Character Arc, Hero’s Journey, The Lorax, The Once-ler, Villain’s Journey

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

INTRODUCTION the character that is heroic and/or the character that have a solid portrayal. Tales of heroes have been with us However, this research will not focus ever since the beginning of on analyzing the heroic main . Since the invention of character; rather, it will focus on written word, story of heroism have analyzing the character that has been able to be tracked and recorded. ambiguous portrayal, whether it is It can be seen, for example, that heroic or villainous. Harry Potter from Harry Potter (1997), Luke Skywalker from Star The Hero’s Journey theory will Wars (1977), and Iron Man from be adopted together with the Marvel Comics (1963) follow the Character Arc theory in this research. same journey (or development). In Character Arc (Weiland, 2016) is a every hero’s story, the hero or the theory that discusses the change of a protagonist faces a number of character in a story. It could be any challenges and follows a certain path change, such as personality change, that leads to their eventual triumph physical change, emotional change, or reward. This may then raise the and behavioral change. However, question: does the villain also have most Character Arc analyses tend to the path that leads them to some end study the change of characterization of his journey? of a character. For example, Wisehart (2015) proposed a One of the most significant character development pattern in the theories about narratives of the form of an enneagram, a diagram character journey (or development) consisting of nine different patterns is presented by Joseph Campbell for a character development. He (1949) in his groundbreaking book, claims that the enneagram follows “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”. the theory of a character arc, where a Campbell (1949) stated that the character does not remain stagnant. standard path of the mythological Further into his study, Wisehart adventure of the hero or the Hero’s (2015) analyzed the character arc of Journey is a magnification of the Maleficent from the movie formula represented in the rites of Maleficent (2014) by using this passage: Departure – Initiation – enneagram as a method. The result Return. Then, in 1992, Christopher shows that Maleficent undergoes a Vogler published his book, “The Growth Arc, where she does not Writer’s Journey”, which also necessarily change, but improves her discussed the Hero’s Journey. The values, such as her ethic, morality, Hero’s Journey is more than just a and empathy. This could be seen in description of the hidden patterns of the start of the story, where she was mythology (Vogler, 1992/1999). The portrayed as a very apathetic person, Hero’s Journey mainly concerns especially towards her own children, itself with the journey a character then becomes significantly more experiences in order to change. compassionate and cares deeply for Therefore, the Hero’s Journey is a them. method that can fit studies related to character development. The use of The Once-ler is the narrator, the the Hero’s Journey theory is mainly hidden main antagonist of The focused on the main protagonist or Lorax, a children’s book written by Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 `

Dr. Seuss in 1971. The Lorax itself the forest. Therefore, it raises has been adapted two times, in 1972 questions whether the Once-ler is a television special and 2012 feature hero in disguise or a real villain. This film. The Lorax portrays a world research, then, aims to disclose and without the complexities of carbon describe the character development trading, the pricing of ecosystem of the Once-ler and make meaning of services, uncertainties over baseline the development using the Hero’s states and the existence or not of Journey. pristine wilderness. For Seuss, wild nature is a paradise, industry is a As mentioned above, the aim of malignant cancer and heroes take a this research is to explore the stand (Marris, 2011). Dr. Seuss development of the character the published The Lorax a year after the Once-ler from The Lorax by Dr. creation of the US Environmental Seuss. Specifically, this research Protection Agency and celebration of attempts to uncover the kinds of the first Earth Day. Marris (2011) changes the Once-ler experiences also stated that thousands of children and the events that have caused these have learned about environmental changes. The research question is destruction from the The Lorax, Dr. formulated as follows: How does the Seuss’s tale of ecological ruin Once-ler develop throughout the brought on by greed. According to story of The Lorax? MacDonald (1988) as cited by This research focuses primarily Lebduska (1994), although The on the verbal texts contained in the Lorax did not sell as well as many of monologues, dialogues, and narration his other books, Dr. Seuss presented in the story. Even though maintained that it was his "personal the story contains both verbal and favorite". visual texts, this research only The Once-ler is presented as a focused on the verbal texts as the faceless, genderless character. The verbal texts contribute more to the Once-ler was a greedy industrialist. progress of the story. Thus, the Despite its villainous portrayal at the story’s visuals are not the main beginning of the story, as a character, concern of the research. the Once-ler has experienced some Numerous other character arguably interesting and variable analyses that employed the Hero’s changes. At the beginning of the Journey and Character Arc theory story, the Once-ler introduced as a have been done using various genres person that confesses to almost of literature. Several of these single-glovedly chopping all the analyses are Black (2003), Lewis Truffula Trees, turning a blind eye to (2013), and Priyansyah (2018). The the suffering of its critters, and characters being analyzed are Harry ruining his own business. However, Potter from the Harry Potter series, at the end of the story, we learn that Walter White from the television the Once-ler feels really bad about show Breaking Bad, and Kaneki Ken everything, and wants to try to make from the manga Tokyo Ghoul, things right. With that, the Once-ler respectively. Black (2003), Lewis gives the last Truffula seed to a boy (2013), and Priyansyah (2018) used and instructed him to use it to regrow the two theories to analyze their

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax respective . Black the Once-ler. The results of the close (2003) proves the point on how the reading, afterwards, will be divided hero’s journey theory used in Harry into segments and referred to as a Potter is a compelling story structure single “event”. to follow. Lewis (2013), on the other hand, shows that Walter experiences Data Analysis the Fall character arc. Meanwhile, The collected data will be Priyansyah (2018) used the hero’s categorized into the phases of Hero’s journey and character arc theory by Journey theory using tables. The combining them with one another to function of the tables is to make the determine how Kaneki Ken process of analysis easier. Vogler’s undergoes the events portrayed in the (1992/1999) Hero’s Journey theory, hero’s journey, and experiences the then, will be utilized further into Fall character arc, by having been analysis. through a ’s journey. These studies indicate that the Hero’s The Hero’s Journey theory is an Journey and Character Arc theory analytical method that describes the have been used simultaneously as an main hero’s character development analytical method. Yet, to the best of throughout the story in a my knowledge, there is to date no chronological manner. The Hero’s study that draws on these theories Journey gives detailed clarification using a comic series character as its on the events between the source of data. This research is thus introduction and the resolution of the expected to fill the gap and provide character (Vogler, 1992/1999). For more insight on the two theories. this reason, this research uses the Vogler’s (1992/1999) Hero’s

Journey version to analyze the data. METHODOLOGY This study will use a narrative FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION approach in a qualitative method which will be descriptive and The findings show that the character explanatory, as it aims to describe of the Once-ler is a Redeemed and uncover the Once-ler’s character Villain and is portrayed as a Shadow, development using the Hero’s which develops through three stages Journey theory. Creswell (2007) in the Hero’s Journey theory suggests that narrative approach is (Vogler, 1992/1999). However, there the best choice for this research; this are repetitions and deletions of some is due to its nature that the study of the phases of the Hero’s Journey involves texts to be analyzed in order theory (Vogler, 1992/1999). As a to understand the development of a Redeemed Villain and a Shadow, the particular character. Once-ler experiences both Positive and Negative Change Arc (Weiland, Data Collection 2016) in his journey. The Positive The data will be collected by doing and Negative Change Arc (Weiland, close reading of Dr. Seuss’ The 2016) will be further elaborated Lorax and paying attention to along with the journey of the Once- chronological order of the journey of ler. Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 `

The Once-ler’s Journey characteristics of the event being very similar. The rite of events of Based on the analysis, it is found that Act I of the Once-ler’s journey is as the Once-ler was portrayed as a follows: Shadow, which will be described later in this research. The Once-ler a. Ordinary World also begins and ends the story with almost the same pattern as the Hero’s b. Call to Adventure Journey (Vogler, 1992/1999) theory, c. Meeting the Mentor I albeit with a few deletions and repetitions of the phases in a few d. Meeting the Mentor II instances. e. Crossing the Threshold 1. Act I In Act I, the phase Ordinary In order to be able to better World is the phase where the understand the journey the Once-ler character mainly comes from. Then, undergoes, below is the summarized the phase Call to Adventure is the description of the phases of the phase that is necessary to get the Hero’s Journey by Christopher story rolling as it is a signal to start Vogler (1992/1999), starting from the character’s journey. Meanwhile, Act I of the journey. the phase Refusal of the Call is the phase where the character stand at a This act is where the character threshold of fear, and the character’s begins his journey from ordinary reaction would be to hesitate or even world to extraordinary world. Later refuse that signal of the journey, at on, the character finds the reason for least temporarily. The phase Meeting the departure of the journey. The rite the Mentor is the phase where the of events of Act I of Vogler’s character meets the mentor that will (1992/1999) Hero’s Journey is as guide him through the journey or the follows: phase where the character gains the a. Ordinary World supplies, knowledge, and confidence needed to overcome fear and b. Call to Adventure commence the adventure. Finally, the phase Crossing the Threshold is c. Refusal of the Call an act of the will in which the character commits wholeheartedly to d. Meeting the Mentor the adventure. e. Crossing the First Even though Dr. Seuss does not Threshold show the Ordinary World where the However, instead of the five Once-ler came from literally, the phases in Act I from the Vogler’s story indicates that the Once-ler was (1992/1999) Hero’s Journey theory, unemployed. That is to say, the there is a phase that the Once-ler unemployed time of his is his does not go through, which is the Ordinary World. Then, the Once-ler phase Refusal of the Call, but he chops down one of the Truffula trees experiences the phase Meeting the and knits a Thneed, a Fine- Mentor twice due to the Something-That-All-People-Need.

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

That is his Call to the Adventure Lorax wants to guide the Once-ler to phase. However, as soon as the do good, thus making the Lorax the Once-ler finished knitting, he sees mentor of the Once-ler. The Once-ler something popping out of a stomp of also shows no hesitation, as he has a Truffula tree he chopped down, it already opposed the supposed to be was the Lorax. That is the first mentor character, the Lorax, to start encounter of the Once-ler and the his journey, indicating that the Once- Lorax, the character that is supposed ler ready to do everything to achieve to guide the Once-ler through the his goals. journey. Thus, that is the phase Meeting the Mentor I of the Once- 2. Act II ler’s journey. The Lorax, then, asks In this act, the character will prepare the Once-ler what is going on. After oneself for the ordeal. Upon starting describing it to the Lorax, he asks his journey, the character will meet him to stop chopping down the trees, allies and enemies that will either but the Once-ler say that there is no help or obstruct the character through cause to alarm as it is only one tree. the test that must be passed. Through The Lorax also says that no one this test, the character will then would buy the Thneed. This is receive the power, resolution, and/or the phase Meeting the Mentor II of item required in order to be able to the Once-ler’s journey where the face the ordeal. The rite of events of supposed mentor figure for the Once- Act II of Vogler’s (1992/1999) ler opposes him for doing what he is Hero’s Journey is as follows: doing. The next minute, the chap comes along and thinks that the a. Tests, Allies, Thneed is great and happily buys it. Enemies The Once-ler then laughs at the Lorax and tell that you can never tell b. Approaching the what people will buy and proves that Inmost Cave the Lorax is wrong and starts his business, which makes this the phase c. The Ordeal Crossing the Threshold as he finally d. Reward wholeheartedly commits to start his journey. However, instead of the four phases in Act II from the Vogler’s This is the beginning of the (1992/1999) Hero’s Journey theory, Once-ler’s journey. It portrays where there are double repetitions of one of the Once-ler is coming from, what he the four phases, which is the phase wants to do, and the first step he The Ordeal. The rite of events of Act takes to begin his journey. In this act, II of the Once-ler’s journey is as we also get to see the mentor follows: character in the Lorax. Vogler (1992/1999) stated that the mentor is a. Tests, Allies, usually a positive figure who aids to Enemies guide and/or train the character throughout his journey. As we know, b. Approaching the even though the Once-ler and the Inmost Cave Lorax want to do different things, the c. The Ordeal I Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 `

d. The Ordeal II the phase Approaching the Inmost Cave as he is making his final e. The Ordeal III preparations of the ordeals ahead. Eventually, the Lorax comes again. f. Reward The Lorax warns the Once-ler that In Act II, the phase Test, Allies, his business has threatened the Enemies is the phase where the survival of the Brown Bar-ba-loots character meets with the allies and because there is not enough Truffula enemies and putting the character fruits to go around, and the Brown through a series of trials and Bar-ba-loots are all getting crummies challenges that are meant to prepare because they have gas, and no food, the character for greater ordeals in their tummies, because of the ahead. Then, the phase Approach to Once-ler’s business. But the Once-ler the Inmost Cave is the phase where sent them away anyway, his business soon the character and his allies will is more important for him. The Lorax encounter supreme wonder and then comes again, this time the terror. It is the time to make final Swomee-Swans cannot sing a note preparations for the central ordeal of anymore, because of the smog in the adventure. The phase The Ordeal their throats. But, again, the Once-ler is the phase where the hero stands in sent them away, his business is still the deepest chamber of the Inmost more important. And once again, the Cave, facing the greatest challenge Lorax comes, this times the and the most fearsome opponent. Humming Fish, the Once-ler’s Finally, the phase Reward is the machinery glumping the pond where phase where the hero is seizing the the Humming Fish hummed. Now, sword of victory and lay to claim the no more can they hum, for their gills reward. are all gummed. So, this time, the Lorax sends them off. The Once-ler In this Act, the Once-ler meets then gets terribly mad and yells at the his “enemy”, the Lorax, who was Lorax because he is always yapping planning to stop the Once-ler from and yapping. doing what he is doing. We know that the Lorax also acts as a mentor By facing those trials, the Once- for the Once-ler, and because of that ler became arguably less “human” the Lorax becomes the enemy of the because he does not care anymore Once-ler too because the Lorax about anything except his business. always guides the Once-ler to do This is the phase The Ordeal I, II, good things, the opposite of what the and III of the Once-ler’s journey as Once-ler wants to do. The Once-ler the Lorax is trying to oppose the also asks all of his families and Once-ler. In these phases, the Once- relatives to come to the Truffula ler also experiences the Negative forest to start his business. That is to Change Arc (Weiland, 2016), say, this is the phase Test, Allies, specifically the Corruption Arc, Enemies. Then, the Once-ler invents which makes him turn more and the Super-Axe-Hacker in order to more because of his acts as the grow his business more and more Once-ler always denies every chance quickly, and the Lorax does not show he gets (the warnings about the up any more for some time. This is Brown Bar-ba-loots, Swomee-

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

Swans, and Humming Fishes) to darkness. Meanwhile the become more “human” from the Disillusionment Arc indicates that Lorax. Finally, all of his family and the character is moving from a relatives are leaving him, because positive outlook to a negative one. there are no more trees, and that The phase the Ordeal is thus divided means no more Thneeds and no more into three different phases: (1) When work to be done. Now that all that the Lorax come and warns the Once- left was the Once-ler’s big empty ler about the Brown Bar-ba-loots, (2) factory, the Lorax, and him. But When the Lorax come and warns then, the Lorax lifts himself away, about the Swomee-Swans, and (3) without saying anything. All the When the Lorax come and warns Lorax left there is a small piece of about the Humming Fish. Those are rocks, with the one word the three chances, given by the “UNLESS.” Whatever that meant, Lorax, the Once-ler has to change the Once-ler just cannot guess. Thus, himself into a better person by doing this is the phase Reward. Unlike a the right thing, which is stop his reward that usually the hero-type business. characters get, the Once-ler gets the “reward” he deserves after all the 3. Act III things he did. In this phase, the This act is about the character’s Once-ler also experiences Negative return to the ordinary world. After Change Arc (Weiland, 2016), overcoming the ordeal and seizing specifically Disillusionment Arc, the reward, the character will need to where his new truth, his reality now, resolve oneself into returning to the is not sunshine and roses; it is cold ordinary world. Before returning, the hard facts. character will face the final It can be stated that Act II is the ordeal−this could be in a form of one most important act that portrays the of the enemies’ resurrection or a Once-ler’s journey, as it is the act ritual required to return to the that portrays how the Once-ler faces ordinary world. The rite of events of conflicts, as well as how the Once-ler Act III of Vogler’s (1992/1999) deals with the conflicts he faced. In Hero’s Journey is as follows: order to deal with the conflicts, the a. The Road Back Once-ler changes himself into someone who is less “human”, which b. The Resurrection arguably are negative traits. Upon the emergences of the negative traits, c. Return with the Elixir it can be seen that the Once-ler experiences the two of the Negative However, instead of the three Change Arcs (Weiland, 2016), the phases in Act III from the Vogler’s Corruption Arc and the (1992/1999) Hero’s Journey theory, Disillusionment Arc. The main in the story a repetition of The Road characteristic of the Corruption Arc Back and deletions of the phases The is that the character has every Road Back and The Resurrection and opportunity to embraces the truth, Return with the Elixir occur. The but the character throws away that phase The Resurrection and Return chance and consciously chooses with the Elixir do not happen in the villain character’s journey, as most Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 ` of the villain does not have their that each day since that day; he just resolution at the end of their journey. sits there, in the buildings that would The rite of events of Act III of the have fallen apart each year, and Once-ler’s journey is as follows: worried and worried away with all of his heart. But now that the a. The Road Back I anonymous boy is there with the Once-ler, he now understands the b. The Road Back II word of the Lorax perfectly clear. In Act III, the phase The Road “UNLESS,” unless someone like you Back is the phase where the cares a whole awful lot, nothing is character is returning to the starting going to get better. It is not. So, the point or continuing on the journey to Once-ler gives the anonymous boy a totally new locale or ultimate the last Truffula seed, the last one of destination. Then, phase The all. The Once-ler asks the Resurrection is the climax (not the anonymous boy to plant a new crisis), the last and most dangerous Truffula, treat it with care, give it meeting with death. The hero has to clean water, feed it fresh air, then undergo a final purging and grow a forest, and protect it from purification before re-entering the axes that hack, so that the Lorax and Ordinary World. Finally, the phase all of his friends may come back. Return with the Elixir is the phase These two events are the phase The where the character returning from Road Back I and II of the Once-ler’s the World where the journey take journey as the Once-ler continue his place, bringing something to share journey after everything that with others, or something with the happened. In these phases, the Once- power to heal the wounded land. ler experiences the Positive Change Arc (Weiland, 2016) where he In this act, the Once-ler, who has finally overcomes his inner demons been defeated by his own greed, now and ends his arc having changed into can only lament his “failed” life. a more positive character. Then, someday, an anonymous boy come to his house and asks him Act III serves as the conclusion about his past life, because of the of the Once-ler’s journey. The rumors he heard about the Lorax, and conclusion, however, does not all of the trees, that now has long symbolize how the story is supposed gone. The rumors said that if you are to be. Without the phase The willing to pay fifteen cents and a nail Resurrection and Return with the and the shell of the great-great-great- Elixir, the Once-ler did not came grandfather snail, the Once-ler will back to his “Ordinary World” where tell you the whole story. After the he started everything from the anonymous boy pays the price, the beginning, there is no way for the Once-ler begins telling the whole Once-ler to come back, nor the story by Whisper-ma-phone, the peaceful life in his ordinary world by tools that the Once-ler used to using his newfound knowledge. In communicate, for the secrets he tells contrast, the Once-ler ends his are for the anonymous boy’s ears journey by giving an anonymous boy alone. After telling the whole story, the last of Truffula seed to grow a the Once-ler tells the anonymous boy new forest, instead of growing the

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax forest himself, so that he could come 2016), they can be called a Shadow. back to his ordinary world and live The known as the Shadow, peacefully using his newfound as Vogler (1992/1999) stated, knowledge. The phase The Road represents the energy of the dark Back has thus divided into two side, the unexpressed, unrealized, or phases: (1) The anonymous boy rejected aspects of something. Often, come and ask the Once-ler about his it is the home of the suppressed past, which is the beginning of the of our inner world. story, and (2) After the Once-ler Shadows can be all the things we do finished telling the anonymous boy not like about ourselves, all the dark his past, which is the ending of the secrets we cannot admit, even to story. ourselves. The qualities we have renounced and tried to root out still Repetitions and deletions exist as lurk within, operating in the Shadow a method to cope with the story. world of the unconscious. The Similarly, the repetitions and Shadow can also shelter positive deletions that occur in these phases qualities that are in hiding or that we do not represent the creation of a have rejected for some reason. new theory and/or analysis method, but the method in which the story The Once-ler is a total evil for develops. It is either because the what he does to all the living segmented events represent more creatures at the Truffula forest and to than one phase, or there are more the Lorax, but at the same time he is than one segmented events not. It can be seen when the Lorax representing a single phase. There sends the Bar-ba-loots away because are various methods to cope with this there are no foods left for them. kind of development. For example, Bray (2017) and Priyansyah (2018) “’They loved living put more than one event into a single here. But I can't let phase, the later also used repetitions, them stay. They'll omissions, and combinations in order have to find food. to cope with the development. And I hope that they However, combining events into a may. Good luck, single phase may result in the lack of boys," he cried. And ability to highlight the segmented he sent them away.” events’ analysis in relation to the (p. 36) phases. Therefore, in this research, The Once-ler indeed feels sad that the repeated phases would have the Bar-ba-loots have to go away, but numbers representing the amount at the same time he says that his and the chronological order of the business must grow no matter what, phases’ occurrence, which most which is a total evil because he likely will make the analysis of the abandons the creatures living in that segmented events easier. forest. The Once-ler as a Shadow “I, the Once-ler, felt When a character experiences both sad as I watched them Negative Change Arc and also all go. BUT ... Positive Change Arc (Weiland, business is business! Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 `

And business must in Peter Pan (1953), the demon in grow regardless of Fantasia (1940), the beautiful but crnmmies in tummies, wicked queen from Snow White you know.” (p. 37) (1937), the glamorous fairy Maleficent in The Sleeping Beauty The Once-ler means no harm at (1959), and Cruelle D’Eville in One all to the forest, to the creatures Hundred and One Dalmatians living in the forest, and to the Lorax. (1961) because they are being However, in order to achieve his humanized at some point in their goals he is willing to set aside his stories or journeys. For example, humanity. Maleficent takes care of Princess Aurora at some point of her journey. I meant no harm. I The Once-ler also shows this quality, most truly did not. But I had to grow as indicated in the following excerpt: bigger. So bigger I ’But now,’ says the got. I biggered my Once-let, ‘Now that factory. I biggered my you're here, the word toads. I biggered my of the Lorax seems wagons. I biggered perfectly clear. the loads of the UNLESS someone Thneeds I shipped like you cares a whole out. I was shipping awful lot, nothing is them forth to the going to get better. It's South! To the East! not. (p. 59) To the West! To the North! I went right on After all the years of rethinking biggering ... selling everything he did, the Once-ler more Thneeds. And I finally understands the word that the biggered my money, Lorax left him at the end of the story. which everyone This implies that the Once-ler has needs. (p. 39) changed from what he was before. This shows that the Once-ler’s The Once-ler also wants the kindness is covered up with his big anonymous boy to help him change ambition. This also means that the everything he does by giving the last Once-ler’s ambition, the Once-ler’s Truffula seed and asks the goals, cannot be compared to anonymous boy to plant it, as anything for him. There is no Truffula trees are important to stopping him. No hesitation. everyone. Moreover, Vogler (1992/1999) ’SO ... Catch!’ calls believed that Shadow needs not be the Once-ler. He lets totally evil or wicked. However, it is something fall. ‘It is a better if they are humanized by a Truffula Seed. It's the touch of goodness, or by some last one of all! You're admirable quality. The Disney in charge of the last of animated cartoons are memorable for the Truffula Seeds. their villains, such as Captain Hook And Truffula Trees

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

are what everyone varying levels of personal needs. Plant a new unfulfillment and denial. As the story Truffula. Treat it with progresses, the character will care. Give it clean challenge his beliefs, until he finally water. And feed it overcomes his inner demons and end fresh air. Grow a his arc having changed into a more forest. Protect it from positive character. Meanwhile, axes that hack. Then Negative Change Arc (Weiland, the Lorax and all of 2016) is a Positive Change Arc his friends may come flipped on its head. Instead of a back.’ (p. 62) character that grows out of his faults into a better person, the Negative Furthermore, Vogler (1992/1999) Change Arc presents a character that believed that the Shadow in a story is ends in a worse state than that in usually projected onto characters which he began the story. called villains, , or enemies. For this reason, the Once- Moreover, using the Hero’s ler is thus the villain of the story in Journey (Vogler, 1992/1999) theory an archetype called Shadow. to analyze the journey of the Once- ler, it can be stated that the Once-ler The Once-ler as a Redeemed is a Redeemed Villain in an Villain archetype called Shadow. It implies that Vogler’s Hero’s Journey theory Based on the analysis, it is found that can be used to analyze non-hero-type the Once-ler is a Redeemed Villain characters as the Once-ler is a because of the way he was portrayed villain-type character. While Black throughout the story. A Redeemed (2003), Lewis (2013), and Villain, otherwise known as a villain Priyansyah (2018) only focused on a that turned into the good side or character that is fixed a character that Former Villain, is usually the end is the hero of the story, regardless the result of an antagonist exposed to a kind of change that the character hero-type character. It is a experiences, the findings of this found in media about villain-types research, therefore, contribute to character turning into hero-types filling in the gap, as the Once-ler is characters by their own rights. As not a hero-type character, and for this such, many villains that are not pure reason, the presents study points that evil, and many morally ambiguous the Hero’s Journey theory is a antagonists may eventually be flexible theory that can be used to redeemed from their past malicious analyze other characters apart from actions. the hero. Through the analysis, it is found that the Once-ler experiences both Are Villains the same as Heroes? Positive and Negative Change Arcs When we examine the similarities (Weiland, 2016) in his journey, between Hero’s Journey and which makes him a Redeemed Villain’s Journey, we can see that Villain. The characteristic of Positive there isn’t actually a villain, just a Change Arc (Weiland, 2016) is that hero and a failed hero, because at the the character will start out with end most of the villains failed to Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 ` achieve their goals. There is just a they label him as a villain. He did all clash of two heroes. This is evident of the chaos only to defend himself in the character of the Once-ler, who in that crazy world. Fleck then can be said to have the hero-like become the symbol, the icon, qualities. After he builds his business idolized by struggling lower-class so big, he serves the business to his people. He becomes the symbol of families and relatives; he asked them resistance against the system. We to come to the Truffula forest and can see that in that world of Joker join him. The Once-ler is viewed as (2019), some sees him as the villain, the villain because he “accidentally” and the other sees him as the hero. destroys the forest while growing his business. On the other hand, he is the After all, it is just about the hero of his family because he served perspective; it is all about what we his family as he gave a wonderful choose to see. We can see all the chance for the whole Once-ler villains as the heroes or all the heroes Family to get rich, mighty rich. as the villains. Now, imagine if we are someone from the Once-ler I rushed 'cross the Family or lower-class people from room, and in no time the world of Joker (2019), we must at all, built a radio- see the Once-ler and the Joker as the phone. I put in a quick hero, not as the villain, because they call. I called all my serve and represent us in some way. brothers and uncles In this heroism era, the line between and aunts and I said, the villain and the hero is constantly "Listen here! Here's a being blurred, characters flip sides, wonderful chance for and morality is never certain. the whole Once-ler Family to get mighty CONCLUSION rich! Get over here As a character, the Once-ler’s fast! Take the road to development is quite fascinating to North Nitch. Turn left look into because of his ups and at Weehawken. Sharp downs through his journey. His right at South Stitch." characterization managed to make (p.29) the Once-ler one of the most However, at the end he failed in interesting characters in Dr. Seuss achieving his goals, so thus he universe. Through the Hero’s becomes a failed hero. Journey analysis, it can be seen that the Once-ler undergoes a journey of Another example of the villain a Redeemed Villain in an archetype who is also seen as the hero is Arthur called Shadow. The archetype known Fleck or Joker from Joker (2019). as the Shadow represents the energy Fleck is a man from the lower-class of the dark side, the unexpressed, who loses his grip on sanity, but the unrealized, or rejected aspects of world “out there” is a powder keg of something (Vogler, 1999). It is also lawlessness, inequality, corruption, found that the Hero’s Journey theory cuts and all-round despair. The is indeed flexible as it can also fit a society treats him bad, but when he villain character such as the Once- treats them back with what he got, ler.

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Muhammad Sultan Pasya The journey of the villain: A character analysis of the Once-Ler from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

As a Redeemed Villain, the conclusion that heroes and villains Once-ler experienced both Positive can be differentiated by how they and Negative Change Arc as he finish their journey; if they succeed, turned into a kind of good character they are the heroes, and if they at the end of the story. The failed, they are the villains. characteristic of Positive Change Arc (Weiland, 2016) is that the character REFERENCES will start out with varying levels of Black, S. (2003). The magic of Harry personal unfulfillment and denial. As the story progresses, the character Potter: Symbols and heroes will challenge his beliefs, until he of fantasy. Children's finally overcomes his inner demons and end his arc having changed into Literature in Education, 237- a more positive character. 247. Meanwhile, Negative Change Arc (Weiland, 2016) is a Positive Change Arc flipped on its head. Instead of a Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a character that grows out of his faults Thousand Faces. Princeton: into a better person, the Negative Change Arc presents a character that Princeton University Press. ends in a worse state than that in which he began the story. The Once- Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative ler experienced the Negative Change Inquiry and Research Arc, specifically the Corruption Arc and the Disillusionment Arc, in the Design: Choosing among Act II of his journey, and he Five Approaches, 2nd experienced the Positive Change Arc at the end of the story, which is the edition. Sage Publications. Act III of his journey. Lebduska, L. (1994). Rethinking Further into the discussion, it is argued that the hero and the villain Human Need: Seuss' The share similar journey. The villain Lorax. Children's Literature will often follow a similar path of the hero but with a few minor changes. Association Quarterly, 170- However, the Once-ler has a special 176. case of a Villain’s Journey as he managed to have the phase The Road Back at the end of his journey while Lewis, M. A. (2013). From victim to most other villains do not. I also victor: "Breaking Bad" and observed that many other stories portray the villain following the the dark potential of the Hero’s Journey stages in reverse. terminally empowered. Cult Thus, I called that kind of Villain’s Journey the Inverse Hero’s Journey. Med Psychiatry, 656-669. This study revealed that Heroes and Villains can be quite similar in their MacDonald, R. K. (1988). Dr. Seuss. journeys, hence leading to a Passage2020, 8(3), 107-121 `

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