THE CONFLICTS OF THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THE NOVEL ENTITLED “” BY LISA GENOVA

Ayu Venty Pratami Rita Sutjiati Djohan Endang Purwaningsih Gunadarma University Gunadarma University Gunadarma University Jl. Margonda Raya 100 Jl. Margonda Raya 100 Jl. Margonda Raya 100 Depok Depok Depok 16424 16424 16424 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

ABSTRACT This study about the conflicts of the main character in the novel Still Alice. The main character in the novel Still Alice is Alice Howland. Alice Howland faces many conflicts with herself, her family and friends in the novel Still Alice. The Objectives of the research are to find out the types of conflict that occur on the main character in the novel Still Alice and to find out the type of conflict occurs dominantly in the novel Still Alice. The writer uses psychological approach for analyzing types of conflict in main character, Alice Howland in the novel Still Alice. The writer uses qualitative descriptive method to find out types of conflicts in main character in the novel Still Alice. The results of this study shows that Alice Howland has four types of conflict according to the of Kurt Lewin’s theory, As follows: Approach – Approach Conflict, Avoidance – Avoidance Conflict, Approach – Avoidance conflict, Double Approach – Avoidance Conflict and the type of conflict occurs dominantly in the novel Still Alice is the approach - avoidance conflict. Everyone always experience a lot of problems in their lives. Therefore, everyone should be able to resolve their problems by taking the best decision for them and other people in their problems. Keywords: Literature, Conflicts, Psychology

Howland. She is a professor of 1. INTRODUCTION linguistics at , 1.1 Background of The Study mother of three children and wife to Literature is a form of written or John Howland, learns that she is verbal made by the human who has suffering from early onset Alzheimer's developed at this time. According to disease. (Hudson, 2006: 10) in his book, An After discovering it was genetically Introduction to The Study of Literature, inherited from her father. She He explained that Literature is a vital immediately told her children to do record of what men have seen in life, their medical tests to know whether what they have experienced of it, what Alzheimer's disease has infected them. they have thought and felt about those After her children do medical tests aspect of it which have the most finally they know that her eldest immediate and enduring interest for all daughter named Anna positive for of us. Alzheimer's disease gene. Anna had Still Alice is a novel was first twins, but they proved that they have published in 2007. This novel written by not the mutated gene. Only medical tests an American and writer to her boy named Tom who was negative that named Lisa Genova. Still Alice is a and her youngest daughter named Lydia novel that tells story about Dr. Alice decided not to do medical tests. Alice's

110 Pratami, Johan, Purwaningsih, The Conflicts of... disease progresses while relations with herself, her family and friends in the her family is strained from many novel Still Alice. separate directions, including the loss Based on the above elaborations, the of her academic position, her husband's writer is interested for undertaking a work demands, and her continually research on Alice Howland. The writer increasing needs. wants to analyze the conflicts of the Over the course of several months, main character in novel Still Alice her disease begins to take its toll, and through psychological approach. The Alice begins to have difficulty writer uses the theory of conflict in answering her questions or spelling word psychological approach, so the writer or correctly. It gets to the point when, the readers can find out about to find after watching one of Lydia's plays, she out the types of conflict that occur on initially fails to recognize her the main character in the novel Still daughter. Further stress is added when Alice and to find out the type of John announces that he must move to New conflict occurs dominantly in the novel York City to work as Chairman of the Still Alice. Cancer Biology and Genetics Program at Sloan-Klettering. He will take his wife 1.2 Problem Formulation named Alice to go with him to New York City but Alice does not want to go and The problem formulation in this study their children does not want their are: mother to go to New York City with their 1. What are types of conflict that father. occur on the main character in the Human life in this world will not novel Still Alice? always stable because every person will 2. Which type of conflict does occur face many conflicts in their life. dominantly in the novel Still According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Alice? Dictionary (2010:315), Conflict is a situation in which there are opposing 1.3 Objective of the Research ideas, opinions, feelings or wishes. According to (Wandberg, 2001:5-8), in The objective in this study are: his book, Conflict Resolution: 1. To find out the types of conflict Communication, Cooperation, Compromise, that occur on the main character He explained that Conflicts are in the novel Still Alice. disagreements or struggles and there are 2. To find out the type of conflict two main kinds of conflict are internal occurs dominantly in the novel and external conflict. Internal Still Alice. conflicts are a person’s struggles with himself or herself. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW External conflict occurs between 2.1 Definition of Conflict people. Conflict occurs in most relationships because people have their According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s own values, skills, personalities and Dictionary (2010:315), Conflict is a opinions, people rarely agree on all situation in which there are opposing aspect of their relationship. According ideas, opinions, feelings or wishes. to the social psychologist Kurt Lewin, According to (Wandberg, 2001:5-8), in there are four basic ways to categorize his book, Conflict Resolution: conflict situation: (1) the approach- Communication, Cooperation, Compromise. approach conflict, (2) the avoidance- He explained that Conflicts are avoidance conflict, (3) the approach- disagreements or struggles and there are avoidance conflict, and (4) the double two main kinds of conflict are internal approach-avoidance conflict (Bruno, and external conflict. Internal 2002, p.114-115). conflicts are a person’s struggles with The writer choses topic about the himself or herself. External conflict conflicts of the main character in the occurs between people. Conflict occurs novel Still Alice. The main character in in most relationships. This because all the novel Still Alice is Alice Howland. people have their own values, skills, Alice Howland faces many conflicts with personalities and opinions, people

Jurnal Ilmiah Sastra Volume 4. No. 2, Desember 2016 111 rarely agree on all aspect of their The central problem with this kind of relationship. conflict is that moving away from one According to (Marcus, 2000, p.366), negative goal takes one in the direction in his book, The Handbook of conflict of the other negative goal. Example for Resolution: Theory and Practice, he avoidance-avoidance conflict is Nancy is explained that conflict is a girl. She is nineteen years old. She incompatibility of ideas, believes, is in her first year of college. She behavior, roles, needs, desire, values doesn’t like academic work, is barely and so on. According to (Cahn, 1992, passing, and is thinking of dropping p.9), in his book, Conflict in Intimate out. On the other hand, if she drop out, Relationships, He explained that her parents have indicated they will not Conflict is an emotionally charged event support her. She’ll have to take a low- pattern that typically involves anger paying, unskilled job. If she stays in and hostility. According to (Rea and school, she’ll be unhappy. If she takes Irving, 2010,p.10), They explained that a low-paying job, she’ll be unhappy. She Conflict is realized through characters. tells her best friend, “I’m between a Someone wants something or is unhappy or rock and a hard place.” unfulfilled in some way, take action, An approach-avoidance conflict and meets with conflict. exists when an individual perceives the From the definition above, it can be same goal in both positive and negative concluded that conflict is a condition terms. Example for approach-avoidance when an individual or group who have conflict is Glen is in love with differences in ideas, beliefs, customs, Margaret and is thinking about marrying habits, etc. within themselves or in her. He sees her as beautiful, warm, and interaction with others. sexually desirable. On the other hand, Glen’s parents are opposed to Margaret. 2.2 Types of Conflict in They point out to him that she has a Psychology different religious affiliation that According to the social psychologist that of Glen and his parents. Margaret Kurt Lewin in (Bruno, 2002, p.114-116), takes her religion seriously. So do Glen there are four basic ways to categorize and his parents. The two religions are conflict situations: based on different assumptions. Glen’s § The approach-approach conflict. parents tell him that they don’t see how § The avoidance-avoidance conflict. he can ever have a happy marriage with § The approach-avoidance conflict. Margaret. If Glen and Margaret have § The double approach-avoidance children, Margaret will want to raise conflict. them in her religious tradition. Glen will want to raise them in his. When The approach-approach conflict exists when an individual is presented Glen is away from Margaret, he thinks with two desirable alternatives, but about her constantly. He misses her, and only one alternative can be obtained. often decides that he’ll propose Desirable alternatives are termed marriage no matter what the consequences. When he’s actually with positive goals. Example of an approach- approach conflict is selecting birthday her, the words associated with the card for a friend or relative. She is marriage proposal won’t leave his mouth. having a hard time making a final He gets cold feet at the last minute. An selection. She’s in an approach-approach individual caught in an approach- avoidance conflict often experience a conflict. An approach-approach conflict might seem to induce relatively low sustained period of emotional conflict stress. After all, the individual has at before a final decision is made. least two good choices. But such a Double approach-avoidance conflict conflict can in some cases induce quite exists when an individual simultaneously perceives two goals in both positive and a bit of stress. An avoidance-avoidance conflict negative terms. This conflict is a more exists when the individual wants to complex version of the singular either escape from or avoid two approach-avoidance conflict. Example of undesirable alternatives. Undesirable this conflict is Pamela is on a diet. She is having lunch in a restaurant. She alternatives are termed negative goals.

112 Pratami, Johan, Purwaningsih, The Conflicts of... is thinking about ordering either a giving in to the other to find an burger with fries or a salad with acceptable solution. broiled chicken. Goal 1, the burger and Compromise : You and I both give up fries, is the more appealing choice to part of what we wanted or needed to Pamela from the point of view of taste settle the problem. and general appeal. On the other hand, As a result, "I win some- you win some," the negative aspect is that the because we were both will to give a combination will have too many calories little. and she will be cheating on her diet. 3. Accommodation Goal 2. The salad with broiled chicken, Accommodation occurs when the goals is the more appealing choice to Pamela are compatible but the interactions are from the point of view of caloric not considered important to overall goal content. On the other hand, the negative attainment. Accommodation is a aspect is that she is weary of salad and resolution of conflict in which the wants to have a treat. Pamela dilemma opposing participant’s request is present a fairly mild version of the granted. Accommodation allows others to double approach-avoidance conflict. get what they want. Accommodation is to However, such conflict can be quite provide opportunities for others to set intense. up problem solving strategies, especially if the problem is important 2.3 Conflict Resolution for others. This allows the emergence of Conflict resolution is about cooperation by giving them opportunities to make decisions. relationships and ways of approaching Accommodation: I do what you want in methods for problem solving. According order to satisfy your needs or wants. to Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann in 1974 in (Pennington, 2002: 107), They As a result, "I lose - you win" because identified five different modes of I had to give up what I wanted or needed. addressing conflict as follows: 4. Competition 1. Collaboration Competition tries to achieve the Collaboration occurs when each of outcomes that reflect an individual’s the parties in conflict really desire to satisfy fully the concerns of all own interests. Competition occurs when parties, to cooperate and to search for the goals are incompatible and the interactions are important to each a mutually beneficial outcome. People party’s meeting its goals. When one tending towards a collaborative style party seeks to achieve certain goals, try to meet the needs of all people involved. These people can be highly regardless of the impact on the parties assertive but unlike the competitor, to the conflict, he or she competes to dominate. These win-lose struggles often they cooperate effectively and utilize the formal authority of a mutual acknowledge that everyone is important. superior as the dominant force, and the This style is useful when you need to bring together a variety of viewpoints conflicting parties will each use his or to get the best solution. Collaboration her own power base to resolve a victory in his or her favor. One disputant tries means both people work together to to overpower another disputant by achieve agreement. forcing his or her own solution on the Collaboration : You and I work together to find the right solution to other person. This style is considered a the problem. “win-lose” approach. Competition: Either you or I will win, As a result, "I win - you win," because we were willing to work together. but not both of us. This is a form of fighting. 2. Compromise As a result, "I win - you lose" because Compromise seeks to achieve outcomes only one can win. which everybody has some agreement with

Compromise means each person gives up 5. Avoidance something in return for reaching Avoidance occurs when an interaction is relatively unimportant to either agreement. There is no clear winner or party’s goals, and the goals are loser. Compromise involves each party

Jurnal Ilmiah Sastra Volume 4. No. 2, Desember 2016 113 incompatible. Where people withdraw to this conflict are Alice has two avoid conflict. They believe it is desirable alternatives, but only one hopeless to try to resolve conflict, and alternative can be obtained. Desirable usually step away from a conflict alternatives are termed positive goals. situation. This style leads to a “lose- The first desirable alternative is Alice lose” situation. wants to Lydia return to their home in Avoidance: I ignore or refuse to Cambridge to accompany her at home when acknowledge the existence of conflict. John should go to work to Harvard As a result, "I lose - you lose" because University every day. The second nothing can be done about it. desirable alternative is Alice likes to see Lydia work hard to become an actress 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY in a drama performance in Los Angeles. She also likes to see Lydia acting in a 3.1 Research Design drama. According to (Bogdan and Taylor, 1975:5), They stated that qualitative “How are you, Mom?” research is a research procedure which “Not so good. This semester was produce descriptive data such as written hard, without my work, without words or verbal expression comes from Harvard, and this disease people and their behavior that have been progressing, and your dad hardly observed. Qualitative research served ever home. It’s been almost too the data in the form of word, not in the hard.” form if number, graphic, statistic or “I’m sorry. I wish I could be here other quantitative forms. more. Next fall, I’ll be closer. I In this study, the writer used a thought about moving back now, but qualitative descriptive method to find I just got cast in this great out the types of conflict that occur on play. It’s a small part, but----” the main character in the novel Still “It’s okay. I wish I could see you Alice and to find out the type of more, too, but I’d never let you conflict occurs dominantly in the novel stop living your life for me.” Still Alice. It is categories (Still Alice. P. 267) qualitative method which employs descriptive analytical method because From this sentences and quotations there is a description of data from above, it can be concluded that she must novel Still Alice. The writer analyzed choose two options that she likes. Alice types of conflict that occur on the main choses that Lydia does not need return character in the novel Still Alice and to their home in Cambridge for a while. type of conflict occurs dominantly in Alice wants Lydia to continue her life the novel Still Alice. The writer used in Los Angeles until she receives statements and events in the novel that announcements about she accepted as a related the problems. This study is student at the college she wants. Alice classified into qualitative research. wants Lydia fill her spare time with 3.2 Source of Data useful activities until she receives the The data for this research is novel happy announcements to herself and Still Alice by Lisa Genova which family. consists of 336 pages. It was published Conflict resolution to this conflict by Simon & Schuster in 2009. To complete is accommodation. Accommodation is to the data and theories, the writer used provide opportunities for others to set some books and internet which are up problem solving strategies, related to the topic. especially if the problem is important for others. This allows the emergence of cooperation by giving them opportunities 4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION to make decisions. Alice gives an 4.1 The Approach - Approach opportunity to Lydia to participate in Conflict drama in Los Angeles. Alice knows that Alice has approach – approach conflict. Lydia really wants to participate in the In this kind of conflict, the causes of drama performance therefore she gives up

114 Pratami, Johan, Purwaningsih, The Conflicts of... on her desire for Lydia returning to her when an individual is confronted with an home in Cambridge to accompany her at event or an object that has desirable home when John goes to work. Alice and undesirable qualities. Approach - cooperates with Lydia to make decisions avoidance conflict occurs because she about conflicts they are facing. perceives the same goals in both positive and negative terms. In positive 4.2 The Avoidance - Avoidance term, Alice wants to meet with her Conflict husband at home on Saturday. Alice has avoidance - avoidance conflict. In this kind of conflict, the “Will you be here when I get home causes of this conflict are Alice wants on Saturday?” she asked his back to either escape from or avoid two as she followed him down the undesirable alternatives. Undesirable hallway. alternatives are termed negative goals. (Still Alice, P.5) The central problem with this kind of conflict is that moving away from one In negative term, she cannot spend negative goal takes one in the direction time with John at home on Saturday. of the other negative goal. The first undesirable alternative is Alice does “I don’t know, I’ve got a huge day not want Anna came to her house. The in lab on Saturday.” second undesirable alternative is Alice He collected his briefcase, phone, does not want to see Anna in her house. and keys from the hall table. (Still Alice. P.5) “Leave me alone! Get out of my house! I hate you! I don’t want to John is always too busy with his see you here!” research in a lab at Harvard University Her words hit Anna’s face harder everyday so he cannot meet with Alice at than if she’d slapped her. Through home on Saturday. Alice feels that John the tears that streamed down it, is not romantic anymore like in the past Anna’s expression clenched into when they had just become a newlywed. calm resolve. She wants to spend time together with (Still Alice, p. 244) John on Saturday because she feels if they are too busy with their own work. From this sentences and quotations She always busy to be a guest speaker at above, it can be concluded that Alice other universities, while John is very does not want Anna to come to her house busy with his research in lab at Harvard and she does not want to see Anna in her University. house because Alice wants Anna get out from her house. She just wants to be “We haven’t seen each other in a alone in her house without anyone else while. Please try to be home?” she bothering her again. Conflict resolution asked. to this conflict is avoidance. Alice “I know, I’ll try.” does not want Anna in her house and she (Still Alice. p.7-8) does not want to see Anna at her house. Finally, Anna leaves Alice alone in the Conflict resolution to this conflict house. Alice and Anna avoid each other is avoidance. Alice wants to meet John to prevent they will be angry with each at home on Saturday so she asked John if other. Anna does not want to fight with he has free times to be with her to Alice because she is very love with her spend time with her on Saturday. John mother, Alice. tells Alice that he is very busy because he is doing research in his lab at 4.3 The Approach - Avoidance Harvard University. Then, John leaves Conflict Alice to go to work to his lab at Alice has approach - avoidance conflict. Harvard University. John immediately In this kind of conflict, the causes of leaves Alice because he does not want to this conflict are Alice faces aversive fight with her because he cannot give and attractive situations. It is certainty to Alice that he can be at situations of indecision and vacillation

Jurnal Ilmiah Sastra Volume 4. No. 2, Desember 2016 115 home with her or he should work in lab negative features. Alice must choose at Harvard University on Saturday. between two options. Each option has Alice has approach - avoidance positive and negative impacts. If she conflict. In this kind of conflict, the chooses to she remained as a lecturer at causes of this conflict are Alice faces Harvard University or she should stop aversive and attractive situations. It being a lecturer at Harvard University. is situations of indecision and If she chooses to remain a professor at vacillation when an individual is Harvard University, in positive confronted with an event or an object features, she will happy because she can that has desirable and undesirable still be a lecturer and teaching her qualities. Approach - avoidance conflict students. In negative features, she occurs because she perceives the same would be a bad lecturer because she goals in both positive and negative cannot teach her students with good. She terms. In positive term, she wants to cannot teach her students with good run with John. because she has Alzheimer's disease. Her Alzheimer's disease can come at any time “Are we going for a run today?” and her disease will make she does not she asked. remember everything when she was doing “I don’t know, maybe, I’m in a something at the time. meeting. I’ll call you later,” said John. “I’d hoped to stay on for the year “I really need to go for a run.” and then take my sabbatical, but I “I’ll call you later.” hadn’t appreciated the extent to “When?” which my symptoms were showing and “When I can.” disrupting my lectures. I don’t “Fine.” want to be a bad teacher, Eric. (Still Alice. p.228) That’s not who I am.” (Still Alice, p. 211) In negative term, she does not want John meeting at his office. She does not If she chooses to stop being a want John meeting at his office because lecturer at Harvard University, in she feels lonely and bored when John positive features, she has much free goes to work. She wants John to time to rest and she can together with accompany her for jogging because she her family at home. In negative does not has works to do when she stay features, She will stop teaching, at home. Conflict resolution to this researching, and traveling. conflict is avoidance. Alice is bored at home and she does not do anything. Then, She was going to stop teaching, she called John and she asked John for researching, travelling, and jogging with her. John is very busy at lecturing. his office when Alice called him. He is (Still Alice, p. 212) in a meeting at his office so he could not accompany Alice for jogging. So, he From this sentences and quotations immediately hangs up the phone so he and above, Conflict resolution to this Alice do not fight on the phone. John conflict is accommodation. Accommodation does not want to quarrel with Alice is to provide opportunities for others because he is very busy right now. to set up problem solving strategies, Therefore, he avoids Alice and hangs up especially if the problem is important the phone. for others. This allows the emergence of cooperation by giving them opportunities 4.4 The Double Approach - to make decisions. Eric Wellman is the Avoidance Conflict head of the psychology department at Harvard University. Eric wants Alice to Alice has double approach - avoidance stop teaching at Harvard University conflict. In this kind of conflict, the because her teaching ability has been causes of this conflict are Alice is decreased because her Alzheimer. Her simultaneously attracted to and repelled students in her class give bad comments by each of several alternatives. Several about her teaching in her class. alternatives each have positive and

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Therefore, Eric asks Alice to stop Bruno, F. J. (2002), Psychology: A Self- teaching before her Alzheimer becomes Teaching Guide, New Jersey: John worse. Finally, Alice must obey Eric’s Wiley & Son. order to stop teaching at Harvard University because she does not want to Cahn, D. D. (1992), Conflict in Intimate be a bad lecturer for her students. Relationships, New York: A Division of Guilford Publication, Inc. 5. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE RESEARCH 5.1 Conclusion Cummings, E. M. and Patrick, T. D. After reading, understanding and (2010), Marital Conflict and analyzing the novel Still Alice, the Children: An Emotional Security writer concluded that there are so many Perspective, New York: The Guiford conflicts that occur to Alice Howland as Press. the main character in the Novel Still Alice. Generally, there are four types Dibell, A. (1988), Element of Fiction of conflict in the Novel Still Alice Writing: Plot, U.S.A: Writer’s according to the types of conflict in Digest Books. Kurt Lewin’s theory has four types of conflict based on the theories of Genova, L. (2009), Still Alice, New conflict, according to Kurt Lewin, that York: Pocket Books. are: (1) the approach - approach conflict, (2) the avoidance - avoidance Hawthorn, J. (1985), Studying The Novel, conflict, (3) the approach - avoidance An Introduction, London: Edward conflict, and (4) the double approach - Arnold. avoidance conflict. Finally, the type of conflict occurs dominantly in this novel Hudson, W. H. (2006), An Introduction to is the approach - avoidance conflict. The Study of Literature, New Delhi: Atlantic Publisher and 5.2 Future Work Distributor. The types of conflict that are found in Alice Howland based on psychological Marcus, E. C. (2000), Change Processes approach. So the future researchers can and Conflict, in Morton Deutsch analyzed the conflicts based on the and Peter T. Coleman. The Handbook other dicipline. The writer also of conflict Resolution: Theory and suggests to analyze this novel from the Practice, San Francisco: Jossey- others point of view, such as structure Bass Inc. of literature, chronological stories, or else. This research also can be used as McCarthy, T. (1997), Teaching Literary a reference and guidance to the other Elements, U.S.A: Penguin books USA researchers who want to know to analyze Inc. a novel. Mikics, D. (2007), A New Handbook of 6. REFERENCES Literary Terms, U.S.A: Thomson Shore. Abrams, M. H. and Geoffrey G. H. (2009), A Glossary of Literary Terms Myers, C. and Shaffer. (2000), The Eleventh Edition, USA: Cengage Principles of Literature: A Guide Learning. for Readers and Writers, New York: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Auger, P. (2010), The Anthem Dictionary of Literary Terms and Theory, Pennington, D. C. (2002), The Social London: Anthem press. Psychology of Behaviour in Small Group, New York: Psychology Press Bogdan, R. and Taylor, S. J. (1975), Ltd. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methode, New York: John Perrine, L. (1988), Literature Willey and Sons. Structure, Sound, and Sense Fifth

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