BINARY OPPOSITIONS AS THE RESULT OF DECONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS IN THE GOLDFINCH NOVEL BY DONNA TARTT
Cheristine Aprilia1 English Department, Putera Batam University, Batam, Kepri, Indonesia [email protected]
Tomi Arianto2 English Department, Putera Batam University, Batam, Kepri, Indonesia [email protected]
Abstract This research is aimed to analysed the binary opposition in the ―The Goldfinch‖ novel by Donna Tartt. The problem that analysed in this research focused on binary opposition of major character in the novel. The approach to analysing binary opposition used Derrida's concept, namely the theory of deconstruction by Jacques Derrida which is categorised as a poststructuralist approach. Deconstruction theory is understood as a theory that dismantles existing general views. The concept of binary opposition is directed to analyze the difference between two things which are considered to produce a new perspective and can be accepted by many people. The method used in this research is qualitative descriptive method, namely the author described and analysed existing data. The data is from the quotation of the novel. The result of the research is there are five binary oppositions, they are good – bad, valuable – worthless, honest – dishonest, caring – ignorant, and crowded – silent. The binary oppositions are found in the characters of the story. The characters in the story represent some of the characters of other people in the real world. People's perceptions about certain human characteristics can be explored deeper and have opposite sides. Keywords: Binary Opposition, Deconstruction, Post-Structuralism
1. INTRODUCTION Each literary work has its own also be made based on the author's language style and approach. When imagination. A novel consists of talking about language, there are literary element of fiction (theme, works that follow. According to Wellek characterisation, plot, setting, and point & Warren (2013), literature is a creative of view). Reader can understand of a activity that produces work of art. story based on the element of fiction. Literary work is a work created by an Novel is a reading text. A reading author using thoughts and feelings. text can be criticized using various Therefore, a literary work can contain theoretical approaches and a reader's inspiration and feelings of the author. point of view. The theoretical approach Literary works consist of various used is tailored to the needs of the kinds. One of them is fiction. Fiction researcher. If use the reader's contains several aspects of a person's perspective, there are many factors that life. A novel is a part of fiction. A novel influence it, namely social, is not only told about a person's life psychological, experience, belief, and story or a real incident, but a novel can moral factors. Every aspect of social
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can be expressed in literature. Every but there was one painting that was not aspect of life can be translated into a destroyed, namely the painting The literary work. Goldfinch, his mother's favorite A literary work can be criticized by painting. Apart from that, this novel using a text-reading strategy. This also tells about Theodore's life after the reading strategy is divided into two death of his mother, his teenage life, approaches, structuralist and post- and his adult life. He got into the wrong structuralist. According to Barry (2014), association and became an alcohol and structuralism have the view that a text drug addict. The researcher tried to has a static and predictable meaning, deconstruct his work through language. while post-structuralism have the view The main focus of the researcher in that a text has a meaning that is deconstructing the text is on the binary interrelated and unpredictable. The opposition. The researcher examined structuralist and post-structuralist views this research using Derrida’s theory. in assessing a literary work are very The research that examines similar different, as are the strategies in reading things has also been done by Omam the text. The structuralist treading Tanvir & Nazish Amir (2017) entitled strategy focuses on the internal of the ―Deconstructive Analysis Of The Short text itself, but the post-structuralist Story ―Saleema‖ By Daniyal comes out of the text itself but is related Mueenuddin‖. This research focussed to the text itself. on the main character, Saleema, who is Deconstruction theory by Derrida considered by the surrounding people as (1976) is the one of post-structuralist a weak and oppressed woman. But in approach. This theory explains how a reality Saleema is a woman who is reading text is understood and seen not tough, independent, and does everything only from the structure of the reading she can to get what she wants. This itself, but a reading text can also be happens because of the detailed reading understood and seen from another side of the text which results in binary and not outside the context of the text. opposition in the reading. Deconstruction theory explains that in Other research that is quite relevant the reading text there are two opposing is a reference in this study analyzed by elements, which is called binary Kobis (2019) regarding a comparative opposition. Binary opposition aims to study: genetic structuralism on jane eyre open the reader's mind to see other and the great Gatsby. Arianto (2018) meanings and not stick to one thing also implemented a postructuralism only. An example of the concept of approach with Faucault theory which binary opposition is between honesty examines the discourse of death in the and dishonesty. novel my sister keeper. Kasimbara A novel entitled ―The Goldfinch‖ (2020) can be used as a reference in written by Donna Tartt is one example research related to deconstruction with of a literary work that criticizes by the theme of desire with a using deconstruction theory. The novel psychoanalysis approach. Even though tells the life of 13 years old boy, using a psychological approach to Theodore, who experienced the searching behind meaning which bombing of an art museum in New reverses the phenomenon can be quite York with his mother. As a result of that inspiring. but among all these studies crime, his mother died and all the are different from the researchers did. paintings in the museum were destroyed
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2. THEORETICAL REVIEW structure of the reading itself. 2.1. Post-structuralist Approach Deconstruction is a theory pioneered by Post-structuralism is a literary and Jacques Derrida. According to (Derrida, philosophical work that rejects ideas the 1976) deconstruction is a literary structuralism approach. According to criticism theory which shows that the Barry (2014), post-structuralism accuse meaning in the reading text experiences structuralism not following through the contradictions and opposing implications of the views about oppositions. Unlike the structuralist language on their intellectual system. approach which always relies on the Structuralism approach is only based on structure in the text, deconstruction the structure, form, and framework of a theory explains that outside of the text text. Structuralism approach is only structure there are many meanings that based on the structure, form, and experience differences according to the framework of a text. Meanwhile, post- content of the text itself. structuralism is different from According to deconstruction theory, structuralism approach. The post- in literary texts there is no absolute structuralism argues that to understand meaning. Literary texts always produce an object, it is necessary to study and multi-interpretative meanings (multiple the system of knowledge that produced interpretations). This multi- the object. Post-structuralism emphasize interpretation occurs when a text is read that the text is not only analysed based and interpreted by different readers. on its structure but based on other This is because each reader has a knowledge outside the structure of the different point of view and opinion. text such as history and culture. This meaning will create a new The role of the post structuralism interpretation when it is related to approach in literature is very influential. various events or situations in human This is because in a literary work has life. The new interpretations in the view many aspects that can be discussed. of post-structuralist are part of the According to the structuralism view in process of the presence of a sign (sign), literary works that language has a static from the object, and binary opposition. structure, in contrast to the post- The reader can interpret a text out of structuralism view which considers context but still pay attention to its language not to be a form that has static relation to the reading text. In other rules, but can be free form. The words, the text is considered not to have meaning of language in the post- a single definite meaning. According to structuralism view is free and not bound Derrida (1976), small and marginalized by any structure. Although free, it does things are important to be given not mean that meaning is taken from meaning. outside the text. The meaning of the text Deconstruction is a method in remains based on the inside of the text reading text with use conceptual and itself. That is why the post-structuralism differentiation. Through differentiation, approach influences literary work. there is a binary opposition which explains that each reading text has 2.2. Deconstrction Theory opposite but related meanings. Binary Deconstruction is part of the post- opposition leads the reader to the structuralist approach. According to uncovering and reconstruction of signs Barry (2014), deconstruction discusses or meanings which in turn invites the a text that is analyzed outside of the reader to reflect on the philosophy of
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truth and human existence as God's Indifference is categorized into a bad creatures. The binary opposition that the attitude. writer presents and wants to break at the Second is the concept of text. same time is the main strength of the According to Derrida (1976), the story which deserves to be important thing in text is ―there is no deconstructed. outside-text‖ or ―everything is in the Binary opposition explains that a text text‖. Although according to Derrida has opposite sides and does not always like that, it does not mean the text is have one absolute meaning. This considered as a prison text. Through concept has the goal of not seeing a Derrida's discussion above, giving the thing or problem using one side only, meaning of a text cannot be taken from but it can be seen from the other side outside the text itself. The meaning which makes more sense and has more must be related and in line with the text value. The application of the concept of (linking each other).The example is if binary opposition can be found in the there is a reading text that contains the public view of a hero. Many people life of a prostitute. From the word have the view that a hero is someone prostitute, we can interpret it into two who is born perfectly, has a handsome things related to the text itself, namely a face and complete limbs. Someone can job and an act that is considered become a hero even though his body is despicable by society. This reading text disabled and not handsome. One deals with a person's personal and social example of a hero who was born life. The reader cannot relate the text of imperfect is Harun in the novel ―Laskar reading the life of a prostitute with Pelangi‖ (Hirata, 2008). Harun is a child meanings outside the text, such as who was born with a disability and even linking the text with things that contain he is a poor boy in his village. Thanks politics and food. to his sincerity and persistence, he The last one is the concept of managed to become a hero for his dissemination. The concept of friends in fighting for their rights as dissemination explains that in literary children who wanted to go to school. texts the meaning differs but is related The binary opposition concepts is and cannot be connected into one divided into three parts; differance, text, meaning. According to Tyson (2006), and dissemination. the concept of dissemination can be First is the concept of difference. understood through the following steps: This concept is to explain that one thing (1) Find out interpretations in the text. has many different meanings. The (2) Show the interpretations are in meaning in the text cannot be conflict with one another. (3) Show the interpreted with only one particular conflict has resulted in new meaning. An example is the meaning of interpretations. Through this concept of the word "good person". There are dissemination, readers are directed to many perceptions that define good read more critically and be able to relate person. There are some people who one meaning and show the opposite side think that a good person is someone of the meaning of the text in order to who do not take care of other people's produce new meanings but are related to business, but there are also those who the previous meaning. One of the think that if a good person does not applications of the binary opposition interfere in other people's affairs, it concept is through reading the text of means that the person is ignorant.
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the novel "The Goldfinch" by Donna Jennie from the beginning until end of Tartt (2013). the story. The similarity with this research is that both use deconstruction 2.3. Previous Study theory but in different written works. There are several previous studies The fourth research was written by that can be used as references to support Alimorad Ahmadi, Mansour Neurouzi this research but they still have Mostaali & Faramarz Piri (2013) differences from several sides. The first entitled ―Binary Oppositions in the research was written by Huiqing (2019) Structure of Masnavi Stories‖. This entitled ――Deconstruction of Binary research discussed critical between Oppositions in John Donne’s A structuralism and post-structuralism Valediction: Forbidding Mourning‖. which each have their views. There are Huiqing analysed deconstruction of two functions based on the results of thought contained in the poetry of the this study. The results of this study are English poet John Donne. The results of that there are researchers conducting this study include the deconstruction of two forms of research, the first is binary opposition such as ―male vs. examining analysing the meaning female‖, ―soul vs. flesh‖ and lexically then proceeded with analysis ―sacredness vs. worldliness‖. in binary opposition. The similarity with The second research was written by this research is that both use Lismalinda & Maya Silviyanti (2019) deconstruction theory but in different entitled ―Deconstructing Binary written works. Oppositions in The Short Story Dokter The fifth research was written by Written by Putu Wijaya‖. The analysis Huiqing (2019) entitled discussed about the binary oppositions, ―Deconstruction of Binary Oppositions reversing the hierarchy, and finding in John Donne’s A Valediction: other meanings concealed in the text. Forbidding Mourning‖. This research The result of the analysis consists of used deconstructive theory by Jacques binary oppositions in this short story; Derrida. This analysis discussed they are doctor – shaman, God-human, deconstruction of thought contained in modern – traditional, rich – poor, the poetry of the English poet John peaceful – conflict. There was a change Donne. The results of this study include in hierarchical position from inferior to the deconstruction of binary opposition superior along with the storyline. such as ―male vs. female‖, ―soul vs. The third research was written by flesh‖ and ―sacredness vs. worldliness‖. Imas Romlah, Singgih Daru Kuncara, & The similarity with this research is that Fatimah Muhajir (2019) entitled both use deconstruction theory but in ―Deconstruction Perspective Toward different written works. the Characters in Gilman’s The Yellow‖. The analysis focused on three 2.4. Theoritical Framework characters through binary oppositions in which arising the opposite views of the Post-Structuralist Approach previously fixed views. The results of the analysis are the findings showed that there were ten characteristics of the narrator that were opposite each other Deconstruction Theory between John and Jennie. The changes Jacques Derrida (1976) in view of the characters John and
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From the quote above, Boris did not Binary Oppostion think that Theo could steal a valuable item in The Goldfinch painting. Boris is 2.4.1. Theoretical Framework a bad(naughty) child and has a free lifestyle, while Theo is described as a According to the framework above, good boy and never violates school the researcher will conduct the research rules. There is a concept of differance, by analysing The Goldfinch by namely the perception of good children. Donna Tartt with deconstruction theory In general, good children are described by Jacques Derrida. The focus of the as obedient children and do not commit study will be using binary opposition criminal acts. The perception like this concept. The binary opposition will be cannot be a measure of whether identified in the major characters in the someone is good or not. There are times novel. when a good child does something bad because it is supported by several 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY factors in his life. From the explanation, 3.1. Reseacrh Design there is the concept of dissemination, The research design of this research which is the new perception that is applied in qualitative method. The everyone can make mistakes, even a researcher used post-structuralist good person. approach and also theory of BORIS HAD GROWN TO like my deconstruction by Jacques Derrida to father, and vice versa. He analyse the data. The reseacher read the understood, better than I did, how data and then wrote down the data my father made his living; and which is related with the binary although he knew, without being opposition. told, to stay away from my dad when he was losing, he also 4. FINDING AND DISCUSSION understood that my father was in The research question explained need of something I was unwilling about the binary oppositions that is to give. (Tartt, 2013, chapter v part found in The Goldfinch novel. The data xxvi) will be analysed by using theory of deconstruction by Jacques Derrida From the quote above, Boris is a bad (1976). (naughty) boy who understands the situation. Even Theodore himself did 1. Good – Bad not really understand his father's ―I did know. Because if possible to situation. There is a concept of paint fakes that look like that? Las differance in the perception of the Vegas would be the most beautiful nature of naughty children. Bad children city in the history of earth! are known to be troublemakers and Anyway—so funny! Here I am, so cannot understand other people's proudly teaching you to steal situations. Meanwhile, good children apples and candy from the always understand the situation of magazine, while you have stolen others. This situation depends on who world masterpiece of art.‖ (Tartt, the person is. Not all bad boys do not 2013, chapter x part ix) understand the situation, for example Boris. The concept of the text from the written deconstruction reading clearly
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shows that Boris understands and larger beauty?‖(Tartt, 2013, chapter knows the right time to face Theodore's xii part vii) father than his son. The concept of dissemination that can be taken is that According to the quotation above, for the perception that bad children only ordinary people, a painting is only an think about themselves and do not object painted by a painter and has understand the situation is inappropriate artistic value. For the artists, The because it depends on the hidden Goldfinch painting has its own attitude of the child. meaning, namely a masterpiece by Fabritius which has extraordinary ―Good doesn’t always follow from beauty meaning. For Theodore, the good deeds, nor bad deeds result painting has a special meaning for him from bad, does it? Even the wise but because it has changed his life. Theo and good cannot see the end of all felt he had a big responsibility and had actions. Scary idea!” (Tartt, 2013, many memories with the painting. In chapter xii part v) the concept of dissemination, the assessment of an object is different for From the quote above, Boris argues each person. This is due to internal that good deeds will never produce factors, one of which is the relationship good things and vice versa. Even a good between people and objects. and wise person cannot guarantee and 3. Honest – Dishonest know what will be obtained in the end. ―It would be much easier to The concept of differance can be seen explain to Hobie how I had happened from the point of view of good and bad to take the painting out of the deeds and their results. Many people museum in the first place. That it was think that if someone does good thing a mistake, sort of. That I’d been then he will get good result, conversely following Welty’s instructions; that I’d if people do bad then the results will had a concussion. That I hadn’t fully also get bad results. In the concept of considered what I was doing.That I text based on reading the deconstruction hadn’t meant to let it sit around so long. text, it is clearly written that there are Yet in my homeless limbo, it seemed differences in perceptions about the insane to step up and admit to what I actions performed and the results knew a lot of people were going to obtained. The concept of dissemination view as very serious wrongdoing.‖ lies in not all good things will be (Tartt, 2013, chapter iv part xiv) rewarded well either. This depends on the person responding or repaying our According to the quote above, there actions. If the person repaying with are two different points of view of kindness, good deeds will produce Theodore's actions. The difference is something good and vice versa. about whether Theo is honest or not. The concept of differance lies in 2. Valuable – Worthless Theodore's attitude in the Hobie ―Caring too much for objects can circumstance and the outside destroy you. Only—if you care for a circumstance. If in Hobie's thing enough, it takes on a life of its circumstance, Theo is considered honest own, doesn’t it? And isn’t the whole because he carries Welty's heirloom point of things—beautiful things— ring and finds Hobie's address. He can that they connect you to some also explain what happened between
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him and Welty at the museum at the because they are influenced by time. It's different if he's in the outside themselves and their surroundings. circumstance.On the other hand, it would be very difficult for Theo to ―TOO MUCH EDUCATION, was explain to other people who do not my problem,” said Hobie. “or so know Welty that in fact he did not steal my father thought‖, I was in the the painting of his own accord, because workshop with him and helping sort other people only know that he stole the through endless pieces of old cherry painting without knowing the reason wood. Anyway he had me doing that why he did this. If Theo explained to from fourteen, after school and on them about Welty he would be weekends-loading boxes in the rain. considered a liar and could not show At first, it was only in the summers any evidence. According to Hobie, and over Christmas vacation. But Theo is honest but according to others then, after my second year of who do not know Welty, Hobie, and college, he announced he wasn’t their relationship, Theo is considered a paying my tuition anymore.‖(Tartt, liar. The concept of dissemination that 2013, chapter iv part xvi) can be taken is people's views on the concept of honesty and dishonesty. If The quote above explains that you want to know whether the person is Hobie's father is the type of parent who honest or not, the researcher has to ignorant of their children’s education. explore facts that have happened before Hobie's father indirectly told his son to and how they are related. work instead of spending his money on college. He trained Hobie so that from a 4. Caring – Ignorant young age, he felt how hard it was to Clearly a mistake had been made. make money so that he did not need to ―Theodore participates very little go to college and spend his father's in class and appears to have no money. Hobie finally dropped out of desire to expend any more college because his father didn't pay his attention on his studies than tuition anymore. Parents who have absolutely necessary,‖ wrote my modern thinking will send their children French professor, in a scathing to college even if they spend the money. midterm report that—in the absence They realize that the times now have of any closely supervising adult—no changed and are not the same as their one saw but me. past. Higher education is needed especially in the modern era like today. From the quote above, Theodore is considered not to care about his ―So she’s a stay-at-home mom? education. He rarely studies and doesn't We’ll look into it .Can’t promise care about his environment. Even anything,‖ he said, clicking his pen though he was a diligent and clever and sticking it back in his pocket. student at school first. Many people ―We can certainly drop you over think that a good, diligent child will be with these folks for the next few forever. The concept of dissemination hours, though, if they’re who you that can be taken is that children who want to be with.‖ (Tartt, 2013, were good and diligent in the past can chapter iii part i) turn into lazy and indifferent children
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From the quote above, Theo chose to circumstance then that person becomes stay with Mrs. Barbour because she is a calm person. This is clearly written in the mother of his close friend, Andy. On the text. In the concept of top of that Theo thought he would be dissemination, if it is explored in terms okay and believed in his friend's family. of giving affection, then crowded Andy's mother is just a stay at home circumstance can give more affection mother. The stay at home mothers are because living with people who are considered a lowly job. They are more known and loved. On the other considered to have no fixed income for hand, if you live in silent circumstance the future of their children. Therefore, and a few people, the affection you get the social worker said that the family is also limited could not promise anything to Theo. When compared to mothers who have 5. CONCLUSION jobs, Andy's mother is nothing. When The binary oppositions were found viewed from the perspective of how to on The Goldfinch written by Donna care for a child, stay at home mothers Tartt and it was analysed with the pay more attention to their children than theory of deconstruction by Jacques mothers who work outside because they Derrida. According to the finding and have more time than working mothers. discussion, binary oppositions are found This is why Theo prefers Andy's mother in the character of the story. The binary as his caregiver even though she is just oppositions are good – bad, valuable – a stay at home mother. worthless, honest – dishonest, caring – 5. Crowded – Silent ignorant, and crowded – silent. The It was all very different from the binary oppositions are found in the crowded, complicated, andoverly characters of the story. People's formal atmosphere of the perceptions about certain human Barbours’, where everything characteristics can be explored deeper wasrehearsed anscheduled like a and have opposite sides. From the Broadway production. By contrast concept of binary opposition it can be Hobie lived andwafted like some concluded that in assessing a person not great sea mammal in his own mild only from the outside but must be more atmosphere, where every clock deeply familiar with and understand the thehouse said something different character. and time didn’t actually correspondtothe standard REFERENCES measure. (Tartt, 2013, chapter vii Alimorad Ahmadi, Mansour Neurouzi part vii) Mostaali, Faramarz Piri, M. R. B. (2013). Binary oppositions in the From the quote above, there is a structure of Masnavi stories. differance concept, namely crowded Journal of Language Teaching and circumstance and silent situation. Research, 4(4), 724–730. Theodore already lives in these two https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.4.4.724- environments. Crowded circumstance 730 and silent circulation have their own Amir, O. T. & N. (2017). meaning. Many people think that Deconstructive analysis of the crowded circumstance usually can make Short story ―saleema‖ by Daniyal someone grow up to be a noisy person, Mueenuddin. Uochjll, 1(1976), 1– but if one grows up in silent 19.
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