Glib and Superficial Charm as well as Early Behaviour Problem Characteristics of Psychopath in The Main Character of The Novel Sharp Objects

Retno Budi Astuti

Department of English Literature, Faculty of Letters and Culture, Gunadarma University

ABSTRACT Sub-genre in a novel might be unique and different. Occasionally, mental illness is one of sub-genre be able to be exist in in genre mystery, romance, thriller or even mental illness, such as psychopath. This study aims to find out two characteristics of psychopath according to Robert Hare, namely Glib and Superficial Charm as well as Early Behaviour Problem. The data was taken from the novel Sharp Objects. The writer found that there are 3 data which showed that the main character is reflecting the characteristic of Deceitful and Manipulative. Furthermore, the writer also found 3 data which showed that the main character is reflecting the characteristic of Grandiose Self-Worth.

Keywords: Psychopath, glib, superficial charm, behaviour problem

INTRODUCTION Literature is a beautiful work of art created by human with brilliant ideas to express the feelings and describe of human life. Literary works submit to entertain the readers and also to get a lesson of life from the author’s feeling or thought about the world. There are two types of literature which are written and oral. Oral literature could be as ballads, folklore, jokes and fables. Written literature is divided into two parts which are fiction and nonfiction. Fiction includes poetry, prose, novel, short story, and myth while nonfiction includes biography, autobiography, essay and literary criticism. In general, fiction can be defined as the art or craft of contriving, through the written word, representations of human life that command or divert or both. A novel is a type of literary work, normally written in narrative form that includes certain of conflicts in the story of the characters life. Sub-genre in a novel might be unique and different. Occasionally, mental illness is one of sub-genre be able to be exist in in genre mystery, romance, thriller or even mental illness, such as psychopath. There was a case came from Very Idham Henyansyah or also known as Ryan Jombang, an Indonesian convicted serial killer. Ryan killed eleven people, the body of one of the victims was found at the side of the road in Jakarta cut up into seven pieces and was skewered with a crowbar, and the other victims were burried in the backyard of his home in Jombang – East Java by himself. Ryan is openly homosexual and he confessed that most of his victims were also homosexual men. He admitted to killing Heri, one of his victims, after the victim offered him money and a car to have sex with his boyfriend named Noval. Ryan got jealous and irritable until he killed and mutilated Heri and also he threw away the bodies of his victim at the side of the road. After that incident Ryan had fun with Noval use a car and spent money of Heri, Ryan never felt conscience after he killed all of his victims, he have suffered psychological disorders are psychopath and homosexual.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE According to Mario Klarer (1999, p. 1), literature is referred to as the entirety of written expression, with the restriction that not every written document can be categorized as literature in the more exact sense of the word. The definitions, therefore, usually include additional adjectives such as aesthetic or artistic to distinguish literary works from texts such as newspapers, scientific textbooks, magazines, legal documents, brochures, and so on. Literature then, can be said as a creative writing by an author with aesthetic values which makes literature regarded as an art. Literature as a writing form differentiates its form from other art products, and its aesthetic or artistic values make it different from other writings. Novel was originally developed in the region from other forms of narrative nonfiction, such as letters, biographies, and history. But with a shift in society and development time, the novel is not only based on data nonfiction, author of novel can change according to the desired imagination. According to Sumardjo (1999, p. 1), he states “Novel is one branch of literature, which has most reader because a novel besides providing various and interesting themes, it is also, using simple and denotative language so that the readers can understand the story easily.” Every story has its main characters, which can be considered as good or bad characters. These characters create a good collaboration to make the complete story line. Based on their importance in building the plot, characters can be divided into protagonist and antagonist. Abrams states: “The chief character in a plot, on whom our interest centres, is called the protagonist (or alternatively, the hero or heroine), and if the plot is such that he or she is pitted against an important opponent, that character is called the antagonist”. (2005, p. 265) The defect of psychopath’s moral character is reflected in their violent crime such as torturing, raping, killing, stealing and even mutilating. One of the main characters of psychopath is the poverty of emotions, both positive and negative. Psychopathic people have no shame, even those positive feelings toward others is merely a pretence mixture. Psychopath appearances are charming and manipulating people for personal gain. Low levels of anxiety which makes psychopaths sodium absorption ratio might learn from his mistakes and lack of positive emotions encourage them to behave irresponsibly and often cruel to others. The writer uses Robert Hare’s Checklist to show the symptoms of being psychopath, this detail of symptoms are in his book Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths among Us, (1993, p. 34). Here are the characteristics: Robert Hare’s Checklist of psychopath characteristics: 1. Glib and Superficial Charm The tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. He can also be a great listener, to simulate empathy while zeroing in on his targets’ dreams and vulnerabilities, to be able to manipulate them better. 2. Grandiose Self-worth A grossly inflated view of one’s abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings. 3. Need for Stimulation or Proneness to Boredom An excessive need for novel, thrilling and exciting stimulations; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine. 4. Pathological Lying Can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative and dishonest. 5. Deceitful and Manipulative The use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one’s victim. 6. Lack of Remorse or Guilt A lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, cold-hearted and non-empathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one’s victims. 7. Shallow Emotions Emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness. 8. Callousness and Lack of Empathy A lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate and tactless 9. Parasitic Lifestyle An intentional, manipulative, selfish and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self- discipline and inability to begin or complete responsibilities. 10. Poor Behavioural Controls Expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily. 11. Promiscuous Sexual Behaviour A variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests. 12. Early Behaviour Problems A variety of behaviours prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue- sniffing, alcohol use and running away from home. 13. Lack of Realistic, long-term goals An inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life. 14. Impulsivity The occurrence of behaviours that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic and reckless. 15. Irresponsible Repeated failure to fulfil or honour obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work and failing to honour contractual agreements. 16. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions A failure to accept responsibility for one’s actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility and an effort to manipulate others through this denial. 17. Many short-term marital relationships A lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable and unreliable commitments in life, including marital. 18. Juvenile delinquency Behaviour problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviours that are crimes or clearly involves aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness. 19. Revocation of condition release A revocation of probation or other conditional releases due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear. 20. Criminal versatility A diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.

RESEARCH METHOD According to Gay (1996, p. 208) descriptive qualitative involves intensive data collection, which is the collection of extensive data of many variables over an extended period of time, in a “naturalistic setting”. In this study, the writer uses a descriptive qualitative method to analyze the two characteristics of psychopath because this study are collecting data from sentences of the novel not discussing about number and also this study will be much clearer if it is observed with proof. The source of the data in this study is the novel Sharp Objects which was written by Gillian Flynn. The book was first published through ShayeAreheart Books on September 26, 2006, the genre of this novel is mystery and thriller. This study is conducted based on several steps of collecting data as follows: 1. Reading Sharp Objects novel and understanding the story to gain deeper comprehension about the study of the novel. 2. Identifying the characteristics of psychopath, namely Glib and Superficial Charm as well as Early Behaviour Problem, which are suffered by the main character by underlining the related the problem according to Robert Hare’s characteristics of psychopath. 3. Selecting and picking the data up which are related to the problems. In this study, descriptive method is used to analyze the qualitative data through the following procedures below: 1. Classifying the data found which are related to the characteristics of psychopath, namely Glib and Superficial Charm as well as Early Behaviour Problem according to Robert Hare’s characteristics of psychopath. 2. Analyzing the the data found according to Robert Hare’s characteristics of psychopath. 3. Drawing the conclusion.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION 1. Glib and Superficial Charm According to Robert Hare (1993), Psychopaths are often witty and articulate. They can be very effective in presenting themselves well and are often very likable and charming. However, they seem too slick and smooth, too obviously insincere and superficial.

No. Detail Corpus Page Symptoms 1. Alan, Adora and Amma: “I’m sorry 106 - Glib and Superficial Camille were sat at the you had to see me that 107 charm massive mahogany way, Camille, dining-room set, having especially since we chit chat for a while until don’t really know Amma join them for each other. I’m just breakfast. Amma sat going through a across from Camille, she stage.” (She flashed kicked Camille once an overdone smile). under the table and “But now we’re laughed. reunited. You’re like poor Cinderella and I’m the evil stepsister, half-sister”. Alan: “There’s not a speck of evil in you, sweetheart”.

2. Amma will go to the Adora: “You’ll do no 108 Glib and Superficial forest to play with her such thing, darling, two charm friends but her mother girls your age are dead (Adora) forbids her. and you think you’re going to the forest to play?” Amma: “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” (Amma smiled in a cloying exaggeration). Adora: “You’ll stay here.” (Amma stabbed at her ham and muttered something nasty).

3. Camille and Richard had Amma leaned into the 180 – Glib and Superficial a dinner and ended up at driver’s window, 183 charm Garrett Park, jammed on cleavage teasing the swings that were too boy, who had the long small for them. Suddenly greasy dirt-blond hair a broken-down yellow you’d expect of IROC rumbled to a stop someone who still across the street and drove a yellow IROC. Amma and her blondes piled out the back. Amma: “Dick, when are you going to take us for a ride?” Amma asked, plopping down in the dirt in front of Richard and Camille, her legs pulled up to reveal a glimpse of her panties.

Richard: “Ladies, we’ve got to be going, but as always, it was definitely something,” Richard said, and took Camille’s hnd to help her out of the swing. Held on to it, squeezed it twice as they walked toward the car. Amma took her wet sucker and twirled it in Camille’s hair. Camille: “stop it,” Camille muttered. She twirled around and grabbed Amma’s wrist so hard, she could feel Amma pulse, slower than her. Amma didn’t squirm, in fact, just pushed closer into her. Amma: “Come on, do something.” Amma smiled. “You could kill me right now and Dick still wouldn’t be able to figure it out.”

From the table above,Amma has glib and superficial charm symptoms, it can be seen that Amma is articulate and insincere from this dialogue, “I’m sorry you had to see me that way, Camille, especially since we don’t really know each other. I’m just going through a stage.” (She flashed an overdone smile). “But now we’re reunited. You’re like poor Cinderella and I’m the evil stepsister, half- sister” (p. 106-107). In that part Amma being nice to Camille in front of her parents but in the other side Amma was so rude to Camille it showed when Amma sat across from Camille, she kicked Camille under the table and laughed. It also can be seen in another dialogue especially in this part “Amma took her wet sucker and twirled it in Camille’s hair. “Come on, do something.” Amma smiled. “You could kill me right now and Dick still wouldn’t be able to figure it out” (p.183). From that part we could see that Amma did not have decency to her old sister (Camille), Amma so glibly and challenged her sister to do something bad. Another facts can be seen in this statement “Amma leaned into the driver’s window, cleavage teasing the boy, who had the long greasy dirt-blond hair you’d expect of someone who still drove a yellow IROC” (p. 180). And also in this part “Dick, when are you going to take us for a ride?” Amma asked, plopping down in the dirt in front of Richard and Camille, her legs pulled up to reveal a glimpse of her panties” (p. 182). Amma became very effective in presenting herself well in front of the opposite sex, by showed her cleavage and her panties to the boys charmingly, she could get their attention.

2. Early Behaviour Problems According to Robert Hare (1993), mostpsychopaths begin to exhibit serious behavioural problems at an early age. These might include persistent lying, cheating,theft, fire setting, truancy, class disruption, substance abuse, vandalism, violence, bullying, running away from home, and precocious sexuality.

No. Detail Corpus Page Symptoms 1. Toward the end of the Amma and her three 123 EarlyBehaviour street, where a makeshift friends were sifting Problems shrine to Natalie had through the balloons sprung up, Camille could and drugstore gifts, see Amma and her three three standing guard friends stole some stuffs while Amma snatched there. up two candles, a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear.

2. Amma stole neighbor’s The three blondes 387 EarlyBehaviour clothesline. held Ann down, while Problems Amma strangled her with a clothesline she’d stolen from neighbor’s tool shed. 3. Amma offered drugs to Amma: “Put out your 277 EarlyBehaviour Camille tongue. Like Problems communion. Drug communion.” (Camille put out her tongue and Amma set the pill on the tip and squealed). Amma: “Good girl.” (Amma smiled).

From the table above, Amma shows early behaviour problem symptoms, it can be seen in this part “Toward the end of the street, where a makeshift shrine to Natalie had sprung up, Camille could see Amma and her three blonde friends sifting through the balloons and drugstore gifts. Amma snatched up two candles, a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear” (p. 123). From the statement above, Amma thieved, candles, a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear from a makeshift shrine to Natalie, she did not looks grieving when one of her friends was died. Furthermore, another facts of Amma’s early behaviour problem can be seen from this part “Put out your tongue. Like communion. Drug communion. (Camille put out her tongue and Amma set the pill on the tip and squealed)” (p. 277).Amma still thirteen years old and she already consumed drug which is include in the substance abuse, and she offered it to Camille.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION Conclusion From 20 characteristics of psychopath described by Robert Hare, this study only focus on 2 characteristics, namely Glib and Superficial Charm as well as Early Behaviour Problem. From the result, the writer found that there are 3 data which showed that the main character is reflecting the characteristic of Deceitful and Manipulative. Furthermore, the writer also found 3 data which showed that the main character is reflecting the characteristic of Grandiose Self-Worth.

Suggestion It is possible for other writers to analyze this novel by having other aspects of mental illness, such as depression, or having other theories in analyzing the characteristics of psychopath in the main character of the novel.

REFERENCES Abrams, M. H. 2005. A Glossary of Literary Terms, Ninth Edition. United State of America. Flynn, G. (2006). Sharp Objects. Shaye Areheart Books. Gay, L. R. 1966. Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application. New Jersey: Merrill. Hare, Robert D. 1993. Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopath among Us. New York: The Guilford Press. Mario, Klarer. 1999. An Introduction to Literary Studies. Routledge. Sumardjo, Jakob. 1999. KonteksSosial Novel Indonesia 1920 – 1977. Bandung: Alumni.