PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE MESSAGES REVEALED THROUGH FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES IN EDGAR ALLAN POE'S POEM "ELDORADO"
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By PETRONELA M.D BAUR Student Number: 174214136
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS UNIVERSITAS SANATA DHARMA YOGYAKARTA 2021 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE MESSAGES REVEALED THROUGH FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES IN EDGAR ALLAN POE'S POEM "ELDORADO"
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By PETRONELA M.D BAUR Student Number: 174214136
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS UNIVERSITAS SANATA DHARMA YOGYAKARTA 2021
ii PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis
THE MESSAGES REVEALED THROUGH FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES IN EDGAR ALLAN POE’S POEM “ELDORADO”
By PETRONELA M.D BAUR Student Number: 174214136
Approved by
Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M.Hum 27 July, 2021 Advisor
Name Arina Isti’anah, S.Pd., M.Hum 27 July, 2021 Co-advisor
iii PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis
THE MESSAGES REVEALED THROUGH FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES IN EDGAR ALLAN POE’S POEM “ELDORADO”
By PETRONELA M. D BAUR Student Number: 174214136
Defended before the Board of Examiners 27 July, 2021 and Declared Acceptable
BOARD OF EXAMINERS NAME SIGNATURE
Chairperson : Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka M.Hum
Secretary : Arina Istia’anah S.Pd., M.Hum
Member 1 : Dr. Tatang Iskarna
Member 2 : Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka M.Hum
Member 3 : Arina Istia’anah S.Pd., M.Hum
Yogyakarta, 30 July, 2021 Faculty of Letters Universitas Sanata Dharma
Dean
Dr. Tatang Iskarna
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STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY
I certify that this undergraduate thesis contains no material which has been previously submitting for the award of any other degree at any university, and that, to the best of my knowledge, this undergraduate thesis contains no material previously written by any other person except where due reference made in the text of the undergraduate thesis
16 July, 2021
Petronela M.D Baur
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LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiwa Universitas Sanata Dharma Nama : Petronela Miarni Dasilva Baur Nomor Mahasiswa : 174214136
Demi kepentingan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universiats Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul THE MESSAGES REVEALED THROUGH FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES IN EDGAR ALLAN POE’S POEM “ELDORADO” beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis Tanya perlu meminta ijin kepada saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta 16 July 2021
Yang menyatakan,
Petronela M.D Baur
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First of all, the researcher expresses the highest gratitude to God for
His blessings. In arranging this thesis, many people have provided motivation, advice, and support for the researcher. In this valuable chance, the researcher intended to express gratitude and appreciation to all of them.
The researcher presents sincere appreciation to Drs. Hirmawan
Wijanarka M.Hum was an advisor that guided and helped the researcher write an undergraduate thesis. Then, to the Co-advisor Arina Isti'anah, S.Pd.,
M.Hum, who helped the researcher give suggestions, guidance, and corrections to complete the undergraduate thesis. Those give much insight and will be impactful in the day later on.
The researcher's most profound appreciation goes to parents and friends for the endless love, prayer, support, and random calls when the researcher gets sucked in and bored. It helped the researcher to keep going and never giving up.
Petronela M.D Baur
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MOTTO PAGE
“Sak abot-abote ngerjakke skripsi, isih abot nek orak nduwe duet
karo nek ditakoni kapan meh rabi”
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE OF PAGE ...... ii APPROVAL OF PAGE ...... iii ACCEPTANCE PAGE ...... iv STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ...... v LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS...... vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... vii MOTTO PAGE ...... viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... ix ABSTRACT ...... xi ABSTRAK ...... xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ...... 1 A. Background of the Study ...... 1 B. Problem Formulation ...... 4 C. Objectives of the Study ...... 5 D. Definition of Terms ...... 5
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ...... 7 A. Review of Related Studies ...... 7 B. Review of Related Theory ...... 11 1. Figurative Language ...... 12 a. Metaphor ...... 13 b. Personification ...... 13 c. Metonymy ...... 13 d. Symbol ...... 13 e. Allegory ...... 14 f. Paradox ...... 14 g. Hyperbole ...... 14 h. Understatement ...... 14 i. Irony ...... 14 j. Simile ...... 15 k. Imagery ...... 15
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2. Theory of Message ...... 15 C. Theoretical Framework ...... 15 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ...... 17 A. Object of the Study ...... 17 B. Approach of the Study ...... 18 C. Method of the Study ...... 18
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ...... 20 A. Figurative Languages Used in “Eldorado” ...... 20 1. Imagery ...... 21 2. Metonymy ...... 23 3. Symbol ...... 25 4. Simile ...... 27 5. Allegory ...... 29 B. The Messages Revealed through Figurative Languages in “Eldorado”...... 31 1. Get Rid of Doubts to Reach the Dreams ...... 31 2. Believe in Oneself and Never Give Up for the Strong Desires...34 C. An Explication of Figurative Languages Used in “Eldorado” ...... 36 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ...... 39 REFERENCES ...... 41 APPENDIX 1. Lyric of “Eldorado” By Edgar Allan Poe ...... 43
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ABSTRACT
BAUR, PETRONELA MIARNI DASILVA (2021). The Messages Revealed through Figurative Languages in Edgar Allan Poe's Poem "Eldorado''. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University.
The object of this study is the poem "Eldorado," written by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1849. The title symbolizes a big dream and the uncertain journey of the knight. The poetry contains a deep meaning from the title, which is hard for the readers to understand easily. Thus, the researcher is curious about figurative languages in "Eldorado," which presented deep meanings or messages for the readers. In case, it discusses the figurative languages found in "Eldorado" and reveals the messages for the readers. Therefore, this study has two objectives to know the beauty of the poem "Eldorado." The first is to identify the type of figurative language used in the poem. The second is to interpret the messages in the figurative language contained in the poetry. The method of the study is descriptive comparative. In comparison, the research data is library research which collects from books, articles, writings, and online sources. The researcher followed some steps to answer the problem formulation and applied a new criticism approach, the theory of figurative language. The first step is reading the poem using the close reading method. The second is to understand the body of the poem by applying a new criticism approach. The third is identifying all types of figurative languages by using the theory of figurative language. The last is revealing the messages based on the types of figurative languages found in the poem. This study concludes two main points. The first conclusion is that the poem uses 5 types of figurative language: imagery, metonym, symbol, simile, and allegory. There are 4 lines showing imagery, 4 lines showing metonym, 5 lines showing symbols, 2 lines showing similes, and 2 lines showing allegory. Using all these figurative languages, the researcher can conclude several messages: get rid of doubts to reach dreams, believe in oneself, and never give up on the strong desire.
Keywords: figurative language, message, Eldorado
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ABSTRAK
BAUR, PETRONELA MIARNI DASILVA (2021). The Messages Revealed through Figurative Languages in Edgar Allan Poe's Poem "Eldorado." Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Objek penelitian ini adalah puisi “Eldorado” yang ditulis oleh Edgar Allan Poe yang diterbitkan pada tahun 1849. Judul puisi melambangkan mimpi yang bisa dan sebuah perjalanan tanpa tujuan. Dari judulnya, puisi mengandung makna yang dalam yang sulit dipahami dengan mudah oleh pembaca. Sehingga peneliti penasaran dengan penggunaan bahasa kiasan dalam “Eldorado” yang menyajikan makna atau pesan yang dalam bagi pembacanya. Dalam kasus ini, peneliti membahas tentang bahasa kiasan yang ditemukan di "Eldorado" dan mengungkapkan pesan untuk para pembaca.
Oleh karena itu, ada dua tujuan pada penelitian ini untuk mengetahui keindahan puisi “Eldorado”. Pertama adalah mengidentifikasi jenis bahasa kiasan yang digunakan dalam puisi. Kedua, menafsirkan pesan dalam bahasa kiasan yang terkandung dalam puisi tersebut.
Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif komparatif. Sedangkan data penelitiannya adalah penelitian pustaka yang dikumpulkan dari buku, artikel, tulisan dan sumber online. Untuk menjawab rumusan masalah tersebut, peneliti mengikuti beberapa langkah dan kemudian menerapkan pendekatan kritik baru, teori bahasa kiasan, dan teori pesan. Langkah pertama adalah membaca puisi dengan metode close reading. Kedua, memahami tubuh puisi dengan menerapkan pendekatan kritik baru. Ketiga, mengidentifikasi semua jenis bahasa kiasan dengan menerapkan teori bahasa kiasan. Terakhir, mengungkap pesan berdasarkan jenis bahasa kiasan yang ditemukan dalam puisi.
Terkait rumusan masalah, penelitian ini menyimpulkan dua poin utama. Kesimpulan pertama adalah puisi tersebut menggunakan 5 jenis bahasa kiasan: perumpamaan, metonim, lambang, simile, dan alegori. Ada 4 baris yang menunjukkan perumpamaan, 4 baris menunjukkan metonimia, 5 baris menunjukkan simbol, 2 baris menunjukkan simile, dan 2 baris menunjukan alegori. Dari penggunaan semua bahasa kiasan ini, peneliti dapat menyimpulkan beberapa pesan: singkirkan keraguan untuk menggapai mimpi, percaya pada diri sendiri dan jangan menyerah untuk keinginan yang kuat.
Kata Kunci: figurative language, message, Eldorado
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
In the 20th century, the revolution in human life had changed. One of
them is language. Related to the language, we cannot separate it from
literature because language and literature stand in an interconnected part.
Language becomes the primary tool of literature to present everything.
Griffith says that "literature has traditionally meant written instead of spoken
words. The medium of literature, whether oral or written, is language" (2011,
p. 17).
Therefore, in reading literature, language is used by the author
especially. Most of them use connotation rather than denotation. Connotation
"is the meaning that words have in addition to their explicit references." It
means that one word or phrase comes from one reference but produces
another designation. The words in it are more emotional. While denotation
only has one meaning in a way to present the thing. In case, the most literary
work that uses connotation is poetry (Griffith, 2011, p. 18).
The word "poetry" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "making
or creating" art in records cultural or tells stories of human life. Poetry being
art in literature, creates aesthetic and beautiful words in representing the
writer's idea. The aesthetic and beautiful words in poetry distinguished this
literary work from others; prose, drama script, etcetera. Writing poetry with
aesthetical values and connotations was sometimes read as an "abstract," it
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difficult to understand (Schlegel, 2001, pp. 17-18). As a quote from Frost, "A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, homesickness, lovesickness. It finds the thought and the thought finds the words". Frost emphasizes that language in poems can be about anything, and it does not explain significantly.
Moreover, the writer uses many variations of languages to express their ideas, feelings, or emotions. The variations used by the writer in writing literary works are known as figurative language. Figurative language describes a literal word not used in daily conversation (Dancygier et al. 2014, p. 4). Appealing figurative language of the writer aims to make a sense, details, and color the readers' works. Through figurative language, the writer will help the readers to imagine, feel the object in question, and highlight the messages. Figurative languages have many types with different functions.
Based on their position, figurative language can compare words, symbols, suppositions, and many more.
Meanwhile, poetry does not only represent the combination of powerful words by the writer. There is some aspect in poetry that the writers create to make it more beautiful. And of course, it still correlates with the use of languages and will be impactful for the readers. If the readers read the review of an essay from the famous writer named Edgar Allan Poe, "The
Philosophy of Composition," in creating or writing literary works, the author decided how the works will be shaped and end up. The author should think about what emotions will be elaborate on in the results. Poe explained that PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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the composition in literary work needs to decide the tone, theme, setting, characters, conflict, and plot (Warne, 1901, pp. 255-266).
Therefore, Smith states that "words in the poem are chambers of resonance" (2012, p.13). The resonance referred to in poetry is not only about the sound contained in that literary work. But it is more about how the word in each poem can present all the aspects in the poem. Then make it an exciting story that shakes the emotions of every reader—for example, sonnet 18, written by William Shakespeare, where the lyrics are very romantic. In the poem's first verse, the readers invite to imagine the summer atmosphere and ask if he compares his girlfriend to a summer day.
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? (Line 1) Thou art more lovely and more temperate (Line 2) Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, (Line 3) And summer's lease hath all too short a date: (Line 4) (Sonnet 18, Stanza 1)
Indirectly, the young man compared his lover, who was more beautiful and unpretentious than the summer atmosphere. From these lines, the diction used by the writer feels more beautiful and contains deep meaning; the young man's praise and love felt more meaningful than the literal "I love you." From these sentences, we see that the author uses comparative figurative language, known as a metaphor. The author compares a beautiful and unpretentious lover to a colorful and anticipated summer.
From Shakespeare's poem, the researcher concludes that the life of a poem lies in the language used by the writer. As explained before, even though the words in poetry are abstract, they contain deep meanings that are not implied by the author expressly. Due to the word in poetry being more PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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emotional and aesthetical and includes a profound sense, the researcher is curious about the use of figurative language, which then impacted the readers. Deep meanings here refer to the messages or insight in the story. The essence of literature is to present the values for the readers.
Thus, in this research, the researcher will dig deeper for the use of figurative language by Edgar Allan Poe entitled "Eldorado," then revealing the messages. The researcher chose this object because "Eldorado" was an old poem published in 1849. In that poem, the writer used so many figurative languages to narrate his ideas. Like the title "Eldorado," it represented a symbol for an unknown place with the uncertain goals of the knight's direction. Through that depiction, the author used particular figurative language to portray his work. It has a definite purpose. Smith conveyed that symbols were extracted and adapted to produce renovated and meaningful words (Smith, 2012, p.14).
However, Sanderlin claimed that the work of "Eldorado" presents ambiguity, pessimism, and the uncertainty of the writer's feelings. The researcher stated that "Eldorado's" poetry did not convey anything. The readers only need to enjoy the beauty of the words and sounds in each sentence. Sanderlin emphasizes paying attention to the orderly structure, but the analysis ignores the message of "Eldorado" itself. Besides that, the researcher also considers that the keyword in "Eldorado" is "shadow"
(Hopkins, 1956, p. 189). Compared to this study, the researcher argues that the poem's structure has a role in explaining the theme, feel, tone, and message. Then, the ambiguity or pessimism of "Eldorado" would be PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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recognized as a message. It was a keyword. Besides that, there are several
works from Edgar Allan Poe with almost the same method and figurative
language. Poe uses foreshadowing techniques, and figurative language
symbols, and allegorical found in "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The
Masque of the Red Death," and "Ligeia" (www.poetryfoundation.org).
The review above also becomes a supporting reason for the researcher
to prove whether it is true or not that Edgar Allan Poe wrote his poetry almost
using symbols and allegory. The use of allegory is to convey messages,
historical events, and inspirational philosophy. Therefore, this study will
clarify the ambiguity of "Eldorado" by identifying figurative language and
delivering the messages from some of these statements.
B. Problem Formulation
To clarify the ambiguity of "Eldorado," this study formulates two
problem formulations.
1. What figurative languages are used in "Eldorado"?
2. What messages are delivered through figurative languages in "Eldorado"?
C. Objectives of the Study
The study's objective is to find some types of figurative language
through reading, analyzing, and understanding the lyrics of "Eldorado." After
that, the researcher reveals messages that consist in the poem.
D. Definition of Terms
The following explanation is about the definition of some particular
terms are used in this study. First, figurative language describes a literal
word not used in daily conversation (Dancygier et al., 2014, p. 4). Or it is a PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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kind of conventional order and meaning to convey a complicated purpose, colorful writing, clarity, and evocative comparison. It commonly used an ordinary sentence with an indirect statement. Second, Beaty and Hunter
(1989) defined that message as the meaning or easy conclusion that is small stated or summarized inside a work of art (p. 899). Messages can be a motivation or reflection to encourage a person to do a better thing. Third,
Wolosky mentions the definition of poetry (2001) "is a philosophical, emotional, or sentimental language of figures, in which each component can potentially open toward new meanings, levels, dimensions, connections, or resonances'' (p. 3). In a part of the pattern in poetry, the poem has a function to imply beautiful poetry. A poem is a rhyme in poetry with structured and interrelated word order (Wolosky, 2001, p. 4).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In this section, the researcher will review this research's similar main
ideas: figurative language and finding messages. The reviews consist of an
undergraduate thesis from students at Sanata Dharma University and two
experts.
A. Review of Related Studies
First, the research written by Aprilianingrum (2019) entitled The
Meanings of Figurative Language in Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven.
Aprilianingrum analyzes the figurative language types that consist of
Stairway to Heaven then tries to represent the meaning. She formulated two
problem formulations. First, the researcher is looking for the types of
figurative language, and second, the researcher wants to reveal the message
of that song through the types of figurative language. To complete her first
problem formulation, the researcher used figurative language theory from
Perinne (1969). To understand the meaning of figurative language in that
song, the researcher applied semantic theory from Yule (2010). The concern
of her research is the use of semantic theory.
Based on Aprilianingrum data, the researcher found some types of
figurative language in the song's lyrics, such as hyperbole, Personification,
and symbol. Specifically, the researcher presented two lyrics containing
hyperbole, four lyrics containing Personification, and nine lyrics containing
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the symbol. A symbol is the most frequent type of figurative language used in the song. Furthermore, to reveal the message behind the figurative language in Led Zeppelin's song, besides using semantic theory, the research applied connotative meaning to lead the research. Therefore, in the steps of analysis of this research, the researcher compares the lyrics' literal meaning and figurative meaning to find the semantic future that revealed the message.
The researcher finds some semantic future; hyperbole is [+enrich] and
[+power]. The meaning resulted of hyperbole contains exaggeration, personification are [-please], [+duplicate], [+hesitate], and [+optimist], symbol are [+exist], [+attractive], [-optimist], [+selection], [-virtue],
[+virtue], [+decency], [+valuable], [+bold], and [-bold]. Through those figurative languages and comparing the literal and figurative meaning, the researcher concludes that the song gives a message about life value and concerns with human lives (Aprilianingrum, 2019)
Second, Indratno written a study (2020) entitled Revealing the
Message through Figurative Language in Firework by Katty Perry. The research discussed the figurative language in Perry's Firework song.
According to the researcher, Firework is a poetic song because it contains figurative language that is difficult to understand. Thus, to reveal the message of fireworks, the researcher formulated two problem formulations. The first problem formulation is about finding the types of figurative language in the song. Second, through the types of figurative language, the researcher will reveal the message. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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Furthermore, to answer his problem formulation, the researcher uses figurative language and message theory. In figurative language theory, the researchers use the theory from Perrine (1969). Using the Perrine theory,
Indratno (2020, p.12) mentioned that the use of figurative language invited people to have an imagination and express the different ways of the author to present their idea. While for the message theory, the researcher uses Beaty and Hunter's theory for the message theory, which stated that a message could give more value to others because a message can evaluate our lives and help us communicate (1989).
The researcher concluded that the "Firework" song lyric contains simile, Personification, metaphor, paradox, irony, and hyperbole based on the research data. The simile occurs in 4 lines, the Personification occurs in
3 lines, the metaphor occurs in 3 lines, the paradox is found in 1 line, the irony is found in 1 line, and the hyperbole occurs in 10 lines. From the analysis of the figurative language, the researcher tells about two messages of fireworks song. The first is about confidence in being yourself, and the last is to keep looking forward (Indratno, 2020 p.42).
The last study comes from Newton entitled "Figurative Language and
Achilles Heel in Reading Comprehension" (1964). In this research, Newton observed the comprehension skill of figurative language from students in high school and colleges to understand the history of Greek's Achilles Heel.
The researcher argued that the lack of facility in understanding figurative speech and non-literal speech expression blocked the interpretation of reading levels (Newton, 1964 p.66). The main course of this study is Achilles PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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Heel and the formal and informal discourse from English Americans. The researcher's argument supported by linguistics data, which claimed the usage of metaphorical language in English-America, is higher for literacy.
Furthermore, he mentioned the vocabulary of English America possesses infinite peripheral, suggestive, and connotative meanings" (Newton, 1964).
For students, the researcher declared that Achilles Heel was difficult to understand without competencies of critical thinking skills, and it will make them frustrated and failed because, for some time, the author's words do not always have value. Thus, to understand the figurative language of Achilles
Heel, the student must have better reading skills. So, they do not make the wrong interpretation.
To solve his critic, the writer suggests that the students have a basic understanding of figurative speech and non-literal language to help them interpret literary work. In the last statement, Newton concluded some points about figurative language by the author. He delivered that the usage of figurative language is not only for the literal sense but also for the writer's augmenting their power and suggestiveness. Newton found simile, hyperbole, metaphors, metonymy, and litotes in English Americans' informal and formal figurative speech.
The previous related study comes from Farras' research entitled A
Semiotic Analysis on Eldorado Poem by Edgar Allan Poe. In this journal,
Farras are interested in some of the symbolic words in "Eldorado." The object of his analysis is the words "Eldorado," "Gallant knight," "shadow," "a pilgrim shadow," "shade," and "over the mountain." Those words are PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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recognized as a figurative language called symbols. Farras' study aims to know the hidden meaning of those words. Farras completed his objectiveness by applying socio-historical and semiotic approaches. The researcher analyzed the related history of “Eldorado” using the socio-historical point of view. And the use of the semiotic system is to deliver the sign of the objects or the right words.
As a result, he concludes that Poe's work consists of semiotic elements, and "Eldorado" has a historical story with the discovery of gold in
California in 1849. Then Farras identifies the word "Eldorado" as a wealthy king who covered his body with gold, the "Gallant knight" is a brave knight starting a long journey, the "shadow" is dark and upset of the knight, "a pilgrim shadow" is ghost and death, the "shade" is a ghost and darkness, and
"over the mountain of the moon" is a mysterious place. From that interpretation, Farras narrated that the poem is about "the whole journey of
Europeans to find a golden city is in vain. Eldorado's poem is related to the symbol of time in 1849 in California, where the attitude of the Muisca tribe is different from the people of Europe who see gold as a symbol of wealth, as well as power" (2020, p. 83).
The similarity of all the studies above is to find the meaning of figurative language in poems, songs, and stories by applying the representational theory. However, Aprilianingrum uses a semantic approach to imply the messages, then comparing literal and connotative meaning,
Indratno, and this study uses an idea or message. Meanwhile, Newton's analysis only focuses on students' lack of understanding. It has supported this PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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research on the difficulty of understanding figurative language in literary
work. For the previous related study, Farras looking for the meaning of the
symbolic words from the same object, "Eldorado," and related it to the
historical event. Even though these two kinds of research have different
theories, it helped the researcher compare the interpretation of the symbols
in "Eldorado." Since the study uses a new criticism approach, the researcher
only pays attention to the text in poetry.
B. Review of Related Theory
In this section, the researcher will explain the theory that applies in
this study. There is a theory of figurative language and a theory of message.
1. Figurative Language
Perrine (1965) states that figurative language is a language that can't
be taken literally (p.65). It means that phrases cannot bear the meaning as
people have written or spoken or called literal meaning. Generally, figurative
language uses in writing literary work, poems. In literature, figurative
language can make work more exciting or dramatic than literal language
stating facts. Moreover, Perrine added that figurative language affords us
imaginative pleasure. It will make people think a lot about words. Through
imagination, it brings emotional intensity to otherwise merely informative
statements and conveying attitudes along with sentences (1969, p.71). In the
study of figurative language, Perrine defined some types of figurative
language. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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a. Metaphor
A metaphor means of comparing things (Perrine, 1969, p.65). The
uses of metaphorical words have developed from the literal meaning and
have some of the same features. In its use, the metaphor will compare
something to someone or inanimate. For example, the phrase you are my
sunshine. The word you cannot interpret is sunshine. Moreover, the term
“sunshine” represents as someone means. b. Personification
Personification consists of giving the attributes of a human being to
an animal, an object, or a concept (Perrine, 1969, p.65). It is like a subtype
of metaphor as the phrase the wind dries my tears. That phrase indicates that
the wind being a human, rubs her tears. c. Metonymy
Metonymy is something closely related to the thing meant (Perrine,
1969, p.67). Sketchily to understand, it replaced the meaning of names with
associated words. For example, let me give you a hand; the word hand means
help. d. Symbol
The symbol explains as something that means more than what it is
(Perrine, 1969, p.83). It uses different forms in which the object represents
another sign. It makes meaning much deeper and more significant. For
example, a black color represents evil or death. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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e. Allegory
Allegory is a narrative or description with more than meaning
(Perrine, 1969, p. 91). With allegory, literary works become more valuable
because they represent hidden meaning or messages such as a moral,
spiritual, or historical story. f. Paradox
A paradox is an apparent contradiction that is nevertheless somehow
true (Perrine, 1969, p.109). Shortly, a paradox is a contradicting statement
while delivering an inherent truth. Some examples of contradiction are
saving money by spending it; this is the beginning of the end and many more. g. Hyperbole
Hyperbole, whether exaggeration is the service of truth means
(Perrine, 1969, p.110). It means that hyperbole or exaggeration emphasizes
the actual situation. As a phrase, your skin is softer than silk. That phrase
feels very excessive. h. Understatement
Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole that gives less than one
means (Perrine, 1969, p. 111). For example, a person won a lottery of about
ten million, then tells others and says I am delighted. That person already
makes an understatement. Understatement is an intense response in several
situations, but the statement in response is the opposite of what I expected. i. Irony
The irony is a figure of speech to tell meaning beyond extending
(Perrine, 1969, p. 112). The irony conveys a purpose that is the opposite of PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
15
its literal meaning. For example, "Oh great! Now you have broken my new
camera." j. Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that one thing to the others (Perrine,
1969, p.65). A simile has similarities with a metaphor. In comparison, the
difference simile uses the words like or as to compare a thing. For example,
she is beautiful, looks like a doll. k. Imagery
Imagery is a descriptive language to appeal to the readers' senses, like
touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight (Perrine, 1969, p. 69). For example, he
stands on a dark street. The word dark will invite the readers to imagine the
night.
2. Theory of Messages
Significant literary works are representing the message for the readers.
According to Hudson (1958), a good message does not follow the general pattern but creates a new design based on human values (p.23). It meant that messages do not present in the rule of writing. The important is the values or benefit for the readers. Beaty and Hunter (1989) claim that message is about the meaning or some easy conclusion and stated or summarized inside a work of art (p.899).
In contrast, the role of messages defines by another writer named
Sinclair. Sinclair (1956) states, "message can evaluate us for a better life. A message is an idea that tries to communicate to people. It is also the meaning, thought, or idea intended to express (p.490). PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
16
Through those explanations from some writers, messages can be the author's tools to give the reader reflection, insight, and motivation for their lives. It also can make their life better. For some reason, messages in literary work can be a reference to solve and motivate people to become wise to live life. Thus, these studies can help the researcher find the meaning and highlight the important messages from "Eldorado."
C. Theoretical Framework
Reviews of the related theory above explain the importance of how
this research will conduct the answer of two problem formulations. To
answer the first problem formulation, the researcher applies the approach of
figurative language by Perrine. The idea helps the researcher classify the
types of figurative language in "Eldorado" and highlight the meaning of each
type.
The second problem formulation is looking for the messages. To
answer the second problem formulation, the researcher arranges the
interpretation of all figurative meanings found in "Eldorado" and applies a
message theory. Also, the performance of "Eldorado" looks on the new
criticism. New criticism helps the researcher to see the text initially without
paying attention to other elements besides the biography of the writer,
culture, historical and so on that might exist in "Eldorado."
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
In conducting this research, the researcher follows some steps.
Besides, firstly, this section would like to explain the object of the study, which told about the story behind the poem, secondly the approach that helps the researcher see the text purely, then the method defined in the study.
A. Object of the Study
The object of this study is a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe entitled
"Eldorado." "Eldorado" was published in April 1849th by The Flag of Our
Union in Boston. The theme of this poem is about a knight who forages a city named El Dorado, but at the end, the knight cannot find it then just asks about his purpose; the uncertain journey. The term El Dorado itself came from the
Spanish Empire, which means the golden one. In the 17th century, Europeans believed that there is a place in South America with immense wealth; El
Dorado.
There are unclear directions on the way to get there. The golden here refers to a man as a mythical tribal chief or called Zipa of the Muisca or an indigenous people of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in Colombia, who covered his body with gold dust. El Dorado was changed from a man to a city, to a kingdom, and last to an empire. With those mysterious inside El
Dorado, Poe wrote the title as a symbol and made it quite complicated to understand. Even though this literary work is not famous or gets an award as his other works, this poem has many lyrics with mystery and macabre that cannot easily be understood.
17 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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B. Approach of the Study
To expand the understanding about analyzing the literary work
"Eldorado," the researcher applies new criticism. New criticism helps the researcher to see the text initially. The analysis does not depend on the biography, history, or other aspects outside the task. About new criticism,
Martin claims "new criticism has attempted closer and more specific accounts form contributes to meaning, and in which particular constellations of meaning are a specific result of particular handlings of the form" (p.85).
Martin's statement underlines the meaning of literary works, especially in poetry. Poetry has a deep meaning. The sense of poetry is found in the form of the poetry itself. Or another idea of the expert claimed it as a form that is more philosophical and objective within the original context over the literary works (p.102). The structure here includes figurative language, the body of the text, rhythms.
C. Method of the Study
The method of the study is descriptive comparative, which identifies, recognizes, and describes the body of the poem. At the same time, the data of this research is library research which collects from the library and online sources. The primary source is the lyrics of the poem. The secondary source is related books. Moreover, the researcher uses a descriptive comparative method to understand poetry using a closed reading method and elaborates the meaning. When reading this poem, the researcher gets more attention to the title "Eldorado '' written as a symbol and thought about how it relates to the poem, and finds the background of rhyme. Then, the researcher PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
19
recognized the character addressed by the author. Second, the researcher identified sounds, dictions, images, and the typography of "Eldorado ''. In identifying those aspects, the researcher highlights one or more of the moods of the poem. Using the New Criticism point of view helps the researcher find the correlation of each formulating word and rhythm in better comprehension within the poem's body. Third, paraphrase the verse line by line, then categorize all figurative language types and interpret it using extended language theory. In paraphrasing it, the researcher wrote the verses into the prose. This technique serves the complete story and makes it easy to find out the theme. Last, to answer the second problem formulation, revealing messages, the researcher connects the dominant aspect of the arrangement in verse, specifically diction and sounds that contain a specific meaning and the use of figurative language by the author. From these, the researcher describes the philosophical message of this presented life value using a theory of transmission.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the researcher explains the analysis. There are three
passages. First, the researcher writes about the types of figurative language
used in "Eldorado." Second, the researcher explains the revealing messages
based on the meaning of figurative languages and the elements found in the
poetry. Last, the researcher conducts the explication of the poetry and
explores the intrinsic aspects to highlight the theme. The purpose of writing
the description of this part is to guide the researcher to answer that problem
formulation, looking for the type of figurative language and interpreting the
messages based on the figurative languages used by the author.
A. Figurative Languages Used in "Eldorado"
As the researcher mentioned before, "Eldorado" was created with
many variations of figurative language, and those types have different
meanings and purposes. "Eldorado" as a short poem consists of four stanzas,
and each stanza is less than thirty words making up six lines; overall, there
are twenty-four lines. This analysis lead by Perrine's figurative language
theory, which helps the researcher answer the first problem formulation,
looking for the types of figurative language.
In analyzing figurative language in the poem, the author used imagery,
metonymy, symbol, simile, and allegory. The imagery occurs in 3 lines. The
metonym is happening in 3 lines. Symbols occur in 5 lines, simile found in 2
lines, while allegory only appears in 1 line. Moreover, the researcher found
20 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
21
that some of the rhymes consist of two or more figurative languages. It shows
that "Eldorado" was more poetical with the variation of figurative language.
So, with the explanation above, the researcher wills explained those types of
symbolic languages found in "Eldorado" one by one based on Perrine's
extended language theory.
1. Imagery
In "Eldorado," there are three sentences categorized as imagery. The
researcher is analyzing it as imagery because these sentences explained the
situation like setting and time. By utilizing the imagery, the writer
represented the smell, the sound, or the touch to the readers. Imagery is a
descriptive language to appeal to the readers' senses, like touch, taste, smell,
sound, and sight (Perrine, 1969, p. 69).
Gaily bedight, (Line 1) A gallant knight (Line 2)
The first line of "Eldorado" started with describing the situation at
bedtime by the author. The word "bedight" indicates midnight or the time for
people to get to sleep. "Gaily" represented a good feeling of that person in
the poem, mentioned as a gallant knight. In a complete sentence, "Gaily
bedight, a gallant knight" told about a knight sleeping with joy in his heart.
By using this imagery, the author wants to express a night and a knight who
feels happy to the readers. It has such a good vibe.
In sunshine and shadow, (Line 3) Had journeyed long (Line 4) PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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The words "sunshine" and "shadow" are pictures of the setting. "In sunshine" refers to the day, while "shadow" refers to the night. These combined words indicate the time of a knight who took the trip and would take days. It supported the following explanation of the author "Had journeyed long." That sentence completes the imagery to tell that a knight in
"Eldorado" was taking a long trip. As a result, the sentence "In sunshine and shadow" presents the changing day of the knight's long journey.
Over the Mountain, (Line 19 Of the Moon (Line 20)
This sentence completely describes the atmosphere of the full moon.
The author asked if the moon is on the mountain. This sentence clearly shows that the knight in the poetry is in the wild. So, the phrase "Over the Mountain of the Moon" indicated the time and place where the knight was. It helps readers to imagine the long journey that the knight has traveled.
Down the Valley of the Shadow (Line 21)
This sentence only emphasizes the long journey of the main character in "Eldorado." The phrase "Down the Valley of the Shadow" describes the knight traveling through the valley in the poem. And the term "of the
Shadow" refers to the shadow of the mountain in the moonlight. The difference between this sentence and the previous one is that this sentence emphasizes the knight's journey more. Meanwhile, the last sentence only describes the atmosphere of time and place. However, the researcher still classifies it as imagery because the writer invites readers to imagine how far PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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and wide the knight's journey is. Furthermore, this sentence does not
emphasize what it does.
2. Metonymy
According to Perrine, metonymy uses something closely related to the
thing meant (Perrine, 1969, p.67). Metonymy can be a noun or idea, a change
in one word naming an object with another word closely related to it.
Metonymy differs from other figurative languages. If in another figurative
language it refers to similarity, then metonymy emphasizes the attachment or
relationship of an object to the word used. In analyzing this poem, the
researcher found three sentences of metonymy.
Singing a song (Line 5)
Metonymy in that sentence is a good mood for the knight. In everyday
life, when people sing a song, it represents the feeling of the person. These
feelings can be good or bad. Commonly, a song was written with emotion by
the writer. And most songs in this world were inspired and motivated people
to do something positive.
In contrast, the verb "Singing" is claimed to be the action of the subject
who got positive energy to continue his journey. The researcher assesses
whether it is a happy feeling or rather the enthusiasm of a knight who starts
his journey or entertained himself while walking away.
This sentence is a metonymy because the writer interpreted "Singing a song" as happiness from the knight. The author compares the meaning of singing with feelings of joy closely related to one's emotions or feelings. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
24
But he grew old, (Line 7 This knight so bold (Line 8)
In this sentence, there is a rational equation "But he grew old, This knight so bold." The words "old" and "bold" are identified as metonymy and have a clear correlation. The word "old" means an old person, which is then associated with someone who has the maturity or mature thinking about dealing with the problem. The complete sentence, "But he grew old," explains that this person already has maturity in the process of thinking. Then the word "bold" refers to courage or something flashy. If interpreted as a whole, the sentence on this line means that the subject in poetry is someone mature and brave.
The shade replied (Line 23)
First of all, the researcher realized that the verb "replied" in this sentence describes another character in the poem "Eldorado." The phrase
"The shade" acts as a subject. Referring to the notion of metonymy as a substitute for words that are related to an object or idea, the researcher considered that "The shade" is a metonymy figure used by the author to describe a person's inner voice. What we know is that the inner voice is something that is not visible and only felt it. When someone's inner voice speaks to him, that person can only feel it, and in his mind, the agent is not tangible. Because the form is intangible and abstract, the author describes it with the word "shade." The shade is something dark and invisible. In truth, the one speaking to this knight was himself. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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And o'er his heart a shadow (Line 9)
This sentence has two figurative languages. There is metonymy and
symbols. Firstly, the researcher identifies the metonymy. It is found in words
"his heart," which drew an own inner voice of the knight who questions his
journey. While another figurative language identified the word "shadow," but
it will discuss in the next part of this research.
3. Symbol
The symbol means more than what it is (Perrine, 1969, p.83). As
Perrine briefly states, symbolic figures convey particular meanings that have
the same sense. In general, symbols use in something that is already known
and understood. And the purpose of this usage is to expand the meaning of
the word used. On the other hand, this figure of speech in poetry provides an
interesting effect on the reader to convey ideas or objects implicitly. In this
poem, the writer mostly used repetition words, especially in the figure of
speech symbol.
In search of "Eldorado" – This land of "Eldorado" (Lines 6 and 18)
As the researcher mentioned before, this poem started with the symbol
in the title "Eldorado." In this figure of speech, the writer repeated "Eldorado"
in other poem lines with the same meaning. Three lines used the word
"Eldorado." Basically, "Eldorado" symbolizes a dream and directionless
travel. Since the writer writes “Eldorado” in every stanza of his literacy, the
researcher interprets it as the strong desires of the knight. "Eldorado," a place
with unsure and unspecific information, signs as the uncertain journey or
goal of the knight. In another stanza, the author PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
26
described a knight who has fallen onto hard times; the knight did not find what he was prospecting.
And o'er his heart a shadow (Line 9)
Another symbol found in the word "shadow" differs from the shadow in the third line. This word has many functions based on the context of the sentence. It can be a verb, noun, and adjective—"Shadow" functions as an adjective that tells about a knight's hesitancy or doubt. Though, "shadow" refers to the dark or labeled as a form with something unclear in literal meaning. This ambiguity matches with doubt feeling, which is indefinite. So,
"shadow" here is a symbol of doubt or hesitancy.
He met a pilgrim shadow (Line 15) "Shadow," said he where it can be (Line 16)
In this sentence, the writer again uses the word "shadow" to tell the story of the knight's journey. This sentence describes that on the way, the knight had met a pilgrim. However, the pilgrim in this sentence symbolizes a shadow. Besides that, the use of the word "pilgrim" also has a specific meaning concerning the word "shadow." "Pilgrim" means someone who visits or looks for a sacred place with a noble purpose, combined with the word shadow, which means a shadow that holds the meaning of an unclear and doubtful goal.
Nevertheless, in the complete sentence, the combination of pilgrim and shadow acts as an object and a supporting character in the poem
"Eldorado." This sentence is just to emphasize that this story tells of a man PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
27
who made an uncertain journey. And pilgrim shadow is only a supporting
character who asked the "Shadow" where "Eldorado."
4. Simile
Perrine's description, the simile is a proverbial and comparative figure
using the word like or as, which implies the message. A simile is a figure of
speech that one thing to the others (Perrine, 1969, p. 65). Simply to
understand that simile is a direct comparison sentence, using a conjunction.
Similes convey the meaning of a sentence explicitly rather than metaphors.
The writer employs two similes, and one sentence consists of two figures of
speech but with different functions and contexts. The second sentence was
describing the proverbial address.
Fell as he found, (Line 10) No spot of ground (Line 11) That looked like "Eldorado" (Line 12)
It compares beliefs and reality in looking for "Eldorado." Those lyrics
are similar because of the use of comparing words; as and like. Besides, it
contains the symbol "Eldorado" to emphasize the indirectness of the knight.
Look at the whole sentence, and the readers would imagine the knight fell to
the ground only. The fall of the knight commonly indicates the tired person.
However, "Fell as he found" represented that the knight was hopeless due to
his big desires looking for the wealthy city known as "Eldorado." Because
the word "found" marked the empty place in his direction. It is mentioned in
the sentence, "No spot of ground that looks like "Eldorado."
The sentence is about the spirituality of the knight. As the researcher
mentioned in the first paragraph, it was the comparison of beliefs and reality. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
28
The great knight began to doubt what he already believed the city of
"Eldorado" existed. However, as he went on a tiring journey, he realized that the "Eldorado" did not exist in reality. That is because he did not find any clues about the city.
And, as his strength, (Line 13) Failed him at length (Line 14)
Look at the function of the simile; it figured a comparison. The researcher considered that "And, as his strength, Failed him at length" simile.
The simile compares the strength or toughness on his long journey to search for the city "Eldorado." The comparison in this sentence is conveying the conjunction "as." And the words that are the object of comparison in the sentence are "strength" and "length." In both sentences, the writer uses the rational equation of assonance to make it easier for the reader to find the correlation of the words and convey the author's ideas.
By using a simile in this sentence, the writer clarifies the storyline of this poem. As told in other stanzas or figurative languages, the writer emphasizes that this challenging and brave knight also has weaknesses. The weakness in question is that the knight defeated his desire and conviction to find the "Eldorado." He was upset due to the situation and the reality that the rich city he dreamed of did not exist. This sentence is also a supporting sentence to explain if the knight in the poetry is fighting himself. He fought for what he believed but lost to the real thing. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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5. Allegory
Allegory is a narrative or description with more than meaning
(Perrine, 1969, p. 91). As Perrine already mentioned before, allegory is about
the hidden meaning, which consists of the moral value or messages for the
readers. It can be spiritual or insight, depending on the story and what the
author wants to present in their works. While for this research to reveal the
messages, the researcher found two allegories in "Eldorado," which offered
the value or reflection. This allegory highlights in the last stanza and occurs
in lines 22 and 24.
Ride, boldly ride (Line 22)
Due to the allegory delivered as a descriptive or narrative figure of
speech that has valuable messages for the readers, the researcher identifies
that the sentence "Ride, boldly ride" is an allegory. The allegory in this
sentence focuses on the use and repetition of the word "ride." The word "ride"
literally has a function as a verb to describe the action of riding and a noun
for the word journey. The researcher judges that the word used to indicate
the journey of a knight. If interpreting the meaning of the word, the writer
might explain that the knight, as the leading actor in this poem, rides a horse
on his way to find the city "Eldorado." Commonly, a knight tells as a brave
man and a rider on a horse. On the other hand, the use of the word boldly also
supports the interpretation made by the researcher. The word boldly is used
to emphasize the courage and confidence to do something unyielding.
Thus, this sentence sounds like it encourages the readers to reach goals
bravely with the explanation above. When reading the sentences loudly and PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
30
intentionally, as a reader, we can notice that the sentence repeated the same word and sound. With the use of repetition words by the author, the researcher signed it as the keyword. Besides, a penalty in the last line of the previous stanza indicates a remarkable point of the story. Furthermore, the
"Eldorado" poem is a type of narrative poetry.
If you seek "Eldorado!" (Line 24)
"If you seek for "Eldorado!" occurs in the last lines of the poem; in the twenty-four lines. It was an incomplete sentence that didn't have a subject because it is a continuation sentence from the previous sentence; different figures of speech. However, the last sentence will complete the explanation in this part.
The shade replied, (Line 23) 'If you seek for Eldorado!' (Line 24) (Stanza 4)
The exclamation mark in the allegory sentence noticed the researcher of the dialogue between the characters in the poem. The exclamation mark explains that the sentence is an exclamation or command to express sincerity, trust, or other intense feelings. The researcher analyzed it as a narrative sentence with solid surfaces and commanded to encourage the ability or willingness of the person in this story, which is a formidable knight. As a narrative sentence, the sentence conveys its idea in simple language. So, it was easy for the readers to understand. However, there is also a symbolic figure in it. A symbol, "Eldorado," was delivered as the indirect travel destination for the knight; the illusion of the wealthy city. So, this sentence PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
31
was a command line advising the knight to continue to pursue or complete
his dream in looking for the "Eldorado."
B. The Messages Revealed through Figurative Languages in "Eldorado"
From those types and meanings of figurative languages, the researcher
will reveal the messages. The message expressed in this poem has an
interpretation of the meaning contained in suggestive languages. According
to Beaty and Hunter (1989) message is about the meaning or some easy
conclusion that being small, stated, or summarized inside a work of art (p.
899). Messages can be a motivation or reflection to encourage a person to do
a better thing.
The result of identifying the figurative languages found imagery,
metonymy, simile, symbol, and allegory. However, not all symbolic
languages contained in this poem convey a message. Some extended here
narrate the time, action, situation, and atmosphere of "Eldorado." Thus, to
reveal the messages, the researcher will mention valuable messages from
some figurative languages. Furthermore, to understand the whole poem, the
researcher writes an explication to explain the story's timeline.
1. Get Rid of Doubts to Reach the Dreams
Everyone must have a dream that they want to achieve. To make that dream come true, there are many challenges and obstacles overcome.
Sometimes these challenges and obstacles come from within ourselves. There is a quote that says, "The greatest enemy of humans is themselves." It seems the feeling of doubt that the knight had in this poem. He doubts his desire to PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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find the golden city called "Eldorado." The word "Eldorado" symbolized the dream and uncertain journey or goal of the knight.
With a feeling of doubt, a person becomes difficult to focus on his goals in realizing dreams. Therefore, only having a strong desire, maturity, and courage is not enough to reach an objective. A person needs to be the focus and believe in themselves to avoid doubts in realizing it.
But he grew old, (Line 7) This knight so bold (Line 8)
This sentence contains metonymy in presenting an aging physical state, the maturity, and bravery of the knight. The maturity and bravery of the knight were representatives of the ability or good personality of the main character of this poem. However, in this sentence, we see the conjugation of
"but," which seems to argue that with an aging physique, this knight still has excellent desire and courage. From this line, the message is that age did not make a barrier to achieving dreams. On the other hand, getting old is a sign that a person is mature. Besides that, a mature mind will help someone to cultivate themselves better. In other words, be introspective.
And O'er his heart a shadow (Line 9)
This sentence contains the symbol. The symbol draws on the word
"Shadow." As formulated in answering the first problem formulation, a sign in this sentence is a hesitancy or doubt, a feeling of the knight. In continuing the previous explanation above, the writer emphasizes that maturely should be wise in acting or making decisions. The function of the hesitancy in this symbol is to consider what should be done. Feelings of doubt come because a person is starting to realize that something was wrong or something he PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
33
shouldn't have done. In the story in this poem, a knight doubts the existence of the city of "Eldorado" he is seeking. With doubt, he questioned whether he should continue on his way or give up. The message to be conveyed is to be more considerate of what someone will do and calculate their capacity.
Fell as he found, (Line 10) No spot of ground, (Line 11) That looked like "Eldorado" (Line 12)
As previously explained, this line is a sentence containing two
figurative languages: namely simile and symbol. According to its function,
simile acts as a direct comparison. In this sentence, the simile compares the
reality and expectations of a knight in this poem. The phrase "Fells as he
found No spot of ground" indicates that something he found was not what he
expected. The author implies that the knight was disappointed by the
emptiness he found. It is also, as written in the previous figurative language,
that this knight began to hesitate on its way to search for "Eldorado," it is a
symbol that the writer uses to describe a dream and uncertain journey of the
knight. In the absence of a clue to find "Eldorado," it indicates this is about
something unlimited. "Eldorado" is absolute big dreams or the strong desires
of the knight as the keyword of the poem, the word "Eldorado" uses
repeatedly. It showed that "Eldorado" is a dream that wants to be realized, so
making it come true takes a lot of struggle and effort.
And, as his strength, (Line 13) Failed him at length (Line 14)
This sentence is also a simile comparing strength and failure with a
long time for a brave knight. In this sentence, the writer no longer conveys a
message but instead invites the reader to reflect that a great desire or strength PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
34
has a great pain to feel a profound failure for a long time. This sentence
explains that the loss felt by the knight was as significant as the strength he
had. If someone fails, it takes a long time for him to get up and organize
himself again. It was a tremendous impact that the writer conveys. The
maturity of thinking is needed to be introspective.
2. Believe in Oneself and Never Give Up for the Strong Desires
The sentences below asked the story's main character to finish the journey as encouragement from his inner voice to bravely achieve what he wants to achieve. Besides, other language levels draw or support the story, like setting and situation, inviting the readers to imagine the knight, feel, touch, and get insight. Generally, the theme of this poem is about someone who is brave and has a remarkable ability and willingness to find something that is not. In this case, the author pictures a man doubtful about his dream on a long journey. The messages are present in the last stanza with the use of figurative language called allegory.
Ride, boldly ride (Line 22)
This short sentence is the figurative language of allegory. An allegory is a symbolic speech to convey something historical, event, or message. In this sentence, the writer assumes that this sentence is an extraordinary message related to the author. This sentence writes with the repetition of the same word. The repetition of this word indicates that it is a meaningful sentence. Maybe this is the essence of poetry. The term "ride" is a verb that asks someone to take action by riding something. As we know, if someone rides something, it will move from place to place. If translated literally, this PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
35
sentence could mean to move forward with courage and confidence continuously. The repetition of the word "ride" at the end of a sentence asks the person to do it constantly and not give up.
If it is related to the previous figurative speech, this sentence invites the reader to rise from the failures that the knights in poetry have experienced.
We have to improve ourselves and then continue the struggle to achieve what we want. Do not be too lazy to dwell on the feeling of failure.
The shade replied, (Line 23) 'If you seek for "Eldorado"!' (Line 24)
This sentence is also an allegory that conveys a message to the reader.
The last sentence, "If you seek for Eldorado," is a conclusion. This sentence
has the meaning of encouraging someone to continue his dreams even though
it seems impossible to achieve. This message is inversely proportional to the
previous one, but the author still urges readers to be confident with their
capacity. On the other hand, the author uses an exclamation point to suppress
the message at the end of the sentence. The exclamation mark here serves to
make this sentence a command and emphasize the importance of the
meaning. "The shade replied" is another character, or if we look at the first
problem formulation, it is the inner voice of the knight itself. So overall, this
sentence conveys that if you are genuinely confident in your dreams, then
don't give up quickly. Motivate yourself to get it.
To understand the message in the poem "Eldorado," the researchers
wrote an explication of its elements includes storyline, the subject or
character, the patterns in the poetry, and other supporting parts. The
following is an explication of the poem "Eldorado." PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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C. An Explication of Figurative Languages Used in "Eldorado"
When reading "Eldorado," the poem has a unique characteristic that
makes it more poetic. The powerful words used by the author and other
elements such as sounds, form, theme, and subject of the poem create senses
and messages for the readers. Through this section, the researcher will
identify each element of "Eldorado" to get a deep-felt analysis of this study.
For the sound, this poem has a unique pattern. The researcher found
alliteration, assonance, and rhyme. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant
sounds that occurs at the beginning, middle or last words. Assonance is the
repetition of similar or identical vowel sounds at the end of the phrase
(Murphy, 1972, p.35). Rhyme is a vowel and consonant repetition commonly
found at the end of the words (Frederik, 1988, p.57). In "Eldorado," the poem
is created with an aa-b-aa-b scheme sound. It identifies a rhyme sound by the
researcher, who mostly wrote in "Eldorado." That sound occurs in the three
stanzas, but it is different from the last stanza. The sound in the final stanza
of "Eldorado" uses alliteration and assonance sound devices. It only occurs
in two lines from twenty-four lines of "Eldorado." It is found in lines 19 and
20, 'Over the Mountain – Of the Moon.'
In that sentence, in the beginning, those two lines create with
assonance. While at the end of the sentences was a variant with alliteration.
Then, the last stanza continued with the rhyme scheme sounds as the
researcher had been mention previously. The final stanza of "Eldorado" has
a pattern states cd-b-aa-b. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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For further explanation, the researcher discussed the form of the poem. "Eldorado," a short poem, is written in twenty-four lines with only four stanzas and each stanza making up six lines. Based on Perrine's idea, poetry has three kinds that writers mostly use. There are continuous forms,
"the element of a formal design is slight. In the stanzaic form, the poet writes in a series of stanzas that repeat units with the same number of lines, metrical pattern, and most identified as the rhyme scheme. Last, the fixed form is a traditional pattern, which applies to a whole poem" (Perrine, 1969, p.236).
For the "Eldorado," a form is a stanza written as a series by the writer and repeated identical rhyme scheme.
Furthermore, for the theme and subject of the poem, Frederik stated that the issue in the poem is a person, scene, emotion, idea, or event. While the theme can be explicit or implicit, it was the main thought that the poem expresses about the subject (1988, p.33).
“Eldorado” presented the symbol which indicated the unspecific destination and a big dream for the subject. The subject or the speaker of the poem is a brave man called a knight. "Eldorado" tried to present a brave person who pursues his desires. However, this desire was just an illusion or something that he could not possibly get. Since "Eldorado" was his travel destination, the city of wealth is just a fairy tale.
Poe writes "Eldorado” in four stanzas. In the first stanza, the poem told about the time, situation, and sense when the man wants to start his journey. In this stanza, the man characterizes as a gallant knight. He is a brave and ambitious man. He started his journey at midnight with happy feelings and PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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later traveled for days. However, in the second stanza, the man begins to get tired of the trip he did. He indicates getting old, but with his ambition and brave want to finish the journey. Over time, he not only gets old but also has hesitancy in his heart. He began to realize that there was no home or place for him to stay or take a break. He doubts if his travel is in vain to seek the wealth of "Eldorado."
With the comparison words in the third stanza, the man is frustrated with his big desires. Then, he met a pilgrim shadow and asked the shadow about the specific address of "Eldorado." He needs certainty to finish his journey. Moreover, in the last stanza, the author pictured the man staying in the down valley of the hill, and the pilgrim shadow advises him to continue his journey "Ride, boldly ride. If you seek for "Eldorado!"
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
In Poe's poem "Eldorado," the researcher found five types of figurative languages. There are imagery, metonym, symbol, simile, and allegory. Those symbolic languages write in the different stanza, and the author primarily uses symbols to represent his poem.
The imagery occurs in 4 lines, metonymy in 4 lines, the symbol in 5 lines, simile in 2 lines, and allegory in 2 lines. The imagery can be found in line 1, "Gaily bedight," line 3, "In sunshine and shadow," lines 19 and 20,
"Over the mountain of the moon." These figurative languages just draw the setting and times. Metonym occurs in line 4 "Had journeyed long" lines 7 and 8 "But he grew old, This knight so bold," line 9 "O'er his heart," last found in line 23 "The shade." Those are labeling the speech with something closely related to human life. The symbol occurs in lines 6, 12, 18, and 24, which present the word "Eldorado," and the other seen in line 9, "shadow."
The term "Eldorado'' symbolized the uncertain direction and a big dream for the knight. While the word "shadow" presents the hesitance of the knight.
The symbols appear in every last stanza. For the simile, it found in lines 12
"looked like Eldorado'', the word "like" comparing the empty ground with the wealth of a city named El Dorado, and line 13 "as his strength" comparing the strength and failure of the knight. Allegory found in the last stanza occurs in line 22, "Ride, boldly ride," and inline "If you seek of Eldorado!" Those analyzed as allegory due to the sentence contains with motivation
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philosophical and conveyed the messages for the readers. The allegory encourages people to believe and achieve what they think and want.
These types of figurative language point out the messages for the readers. It gives reflection and evaluates people's lives. The researcher highlights two critical messages from those extended phrases found in
"Eldorado." The first messages that people assessed in lines "But he grew old, This knight so bold," "Fell as he found, no spot of ground that looks like
Eldorado," and "as his strength failed him at length." These remind us to get rid of doubts to reach dreams. The second message is found in lines "Ride, boldly ride," "if you seek Eldorado." It persuades people to believe in themselves in achieving what they want to achieve. In short, do not give up on your dreams.
In completing this research, the researcher realizes many shortcomings and limitations to understanding the poem "Eldorado."
Therefore, other research with the same topic can apply semantic or pragmatic theory to understand the meaning of poetry. Or maybe this research can use the formalistic study to analyze the intrinsic and extrinsic elements of poetry. As a result, the researcher can convey the meaning of the poem.
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REFERENCES
Aprilianingrum, A. R (2019). The Meanings of Figurative Language in Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven (Undergraduate Thesis). Yogyakarta. Universitas Sanata Dharma Atmazaki. (1993).Analysis Metodologi dan Aplikasi. Bandung: Angkasa Bandung. Badrun, A. (1989). Teori Puisi. Jakarta: FKIP Universitas Mataram. Boer, J. J. (1982). Basic Language Messages and Meanings. New York: Cambridge University Press. Dancyieger, B., and Sweetser, E. (2014). Figurative Language. New York: Cambridge University Press. Farras, P. & Nurmaily, E. (2020). A Semiotic Analysis on Eldorado Poem by Edgar Allan Poe. Lampung: Universitas Tektorat Indonesia. Frederik, Tirayoh J. (1988). English Poetry: An Introduction to Indonesia Students, Jakarta: Depdikbud P2LPTK. Griffith, K. (2011). Writing Essays about Literature: A Guide and Style Sheet 8th Edition. Canada: University of North Carolina. Guerin, Wilfred. L (et al.). (2005). A Handbook of Critical Approach 5th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press. Harper & Row. Hough, G. (1966). An Essay on Criticism. New York: W.W Norton& Company.Inc. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48634/Eldorado56d22a092078 Accessed on February 5th, 2020 Hudson, W. (1985). An Introduction to the Study of Literature. London: George. Hunter, J. B. (1989). New Worlds of Literature. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. Indratno, G. E. (2020). Revealing the Messages through Figurative Language in" Firework" by Katy Perry (Undergraduate Thesis). Yogyakarta. Universitas Sanata Dharma
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Murphy, M.J (1972). Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students, London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd. Osborn, A. (2016). Why Is Poetry Important to Our World Today? Retrieved From https://aliceosborn.com/why-is-poetry-important-to-our-world- today/ Accessed on, 10th 2020 Perrine, L. (1969). Sound and Sense. New York: Harcourt, Brace & Word Inc. Ross, A. (May 16th, 2005). Eksegesis Perjanjian Lama: Bahasa Kiasan. Retrieved from https://bible.org/seriespage/bahasa-kiasan Accessed on March 6th, 2021 Sanderlin, W. S. (1965). Poe's "Eldorado" Again. Modem Language Notes. Chicago. The Johns Hopkins University Press Sumarni, R. (January 30th, 2019). Majas Paralelisme dan Contohnya. Tangerang Retrieved from https://dosenbahasa.com/majas-paralelisme Accessed on March 6th, 2021 Schlegel, F. (2001). On the Study of Greek Poetry. New York: State University of New York Press, Albany. Sinclair, W. A. (1965). Socialism and the Individual. New York: Oxford University. Smith, R. R. (2012). On Modern Poetry from Theory to Total Criticism. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group. Warne, F. (1901). The Philosophy of Composition: The Complete Poetical Works and Essays on Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: P.F. Collier & Son. Wolosky, S. (2001). The Art of Poetry: How to Read a Poetry. New York. Oxford University Press
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APPENDIX
APPENDIX 1. Lyric of "Eldorado" By Edgar Allan Poe
Eldorado
Gaily bedight, A gallant knight, In sunshine and shadow, Had journeyed long, Singing a song, In search of "Eldorado."
But he grew old This knight so bold And o'er his heart a shadow Fell as he found No spot of ground That looked like "Eldorado."
And, as his strength Failed him at length, He met a pilgrim shadow 'Shadow,' said he, 'Where can it be This land of “Eldorado”?’
Over the Mountains Of the moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly ride, The shade replied, 'If you seek for "Eldorado"!'
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