The Representation of Love in the Dystopian Novel 1984 Ryan Lala Rangga Senjaya, Isti Siti Saleha Gandana English Language and L
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Passage2018, 6(2), 108-122 The Representation of Love in the Dystopian Novel 1984 Ryan Lala Rangga Senjaya, Isti Siti Saleha Gandana English Language and Literature Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the representation of love in George Orwell’s 1984. The data were collected from Part Two and Part Three of the book, focusing on the main characters: Winston Smith and Julia. The present study employs Rimmon- Kenan's (1983) Narratology and Sternberg's (1986) love theory as its analytical tools. The analysis shows that love is represented as three different concepts in the story: perseverance, hope, and a way of rebelling. The analysis also reveals that love is represented as the core element which contributes to the existence of rebellion in the novel. However, because of how strong the government in a dystopian setting is, love is impossible to maintain for a long time. This appears to suggest that, in a dystopian setting, any kind of hope to win against the government seems impossible to achieve. The present study is expected to provide an alternative analysis to literary works belonging to dystopian genre. Keywords: representation, dystopia, love, romance, George Orwell’s 1984 108 Ryan Lala Rangga Senjaya The Representation of Love in the Dystopian Novel 1984 INTRODUCTION (1997), refers to a way to provide Literary works comprise of various meaningful information by the use of genres that become the core of the language to others. Yet, how a writing. Genres such as mainstream particular idea is represented depends fiction and romance tend to have a on the intention of the writer. For happy ending in their stories (Orr & example, in dystopian novel, some Herald, 2013). Dystopian genre, on elements may appear different since the other hand, does not provide the in a dystopian world, the reality has readers such a hopeful content. Sar gone awry. Therefore, many and Murni (2012) state that this kind dystopian novels explore the negative of genre tells readers about a chaotic portrayal of a society that has one and despairfilled future that could horrible flaw. However, dystopian happen because of mankind genre is not all about power and themselves. George Orwell’s 1984 is rebellion. There is also another theme an example of a dystopian novel that that can appear in the dystopian genre, comes as an apprehension toward the such as the theme of love or romance. future conditions. In 1984, the society Generally, the idea of love or is portrayed to be under the rule of a romance in utopian literature refers to totalitarian government which forbids romantic love between the main the existence of private lives, private characters that lead to a happy ending. relationships, and any kind of On the contrary, in a dystopian novel, activities that do not give any the idea of love or romance can be contributions to the ruler. represented in different ways, such as Through the struggle of the becoming a weapon in order to main character in the story, Orwell control people. That is to say, represents the idea of control and romance is portrayed as something resistance as one of the core themes in dangerous which can harm people. the dystopian novel. That is to say, Nevertheless, love can also be representation has an important role represented as something else, such as in constructing a story. the beacon of hope for people who Representation according to Hall lived in the dystopian world. The 109 Passage2018, 6(2), 108-122 interaction between each element in investigate the representation of love dystopian novel is something that in the dystopian novel 1984. builds the attraction of this genre. Thus, it also enriches the dystopian LITERATURE REVIEW novel with issues which can be Representation explored. Representation is a broad concept Regarding this, a number of which comes in a variety of forms. studies have analyzed dystopian Representation, as explained by Hall novels. Such as the study conducted (1997), refers to the process of by Wolk (2015). In her study, she meaning production through focuses on the role of technology in language. Thus, according to this American and British dystopian view, meaning is thought to be novels regarding cold war. The result constructed. There are no meanings of the study indicates that those who that simply exist in our surroundings, are in control of the latest technology since people need to produce it is capable of controlling the themselves. In order to enable the population. Based on the process, people are required to use aforementioned study, it can be symbols and sign in the form of inferred that a study regarding sounds, words, images, musical notes, dystopian novels is worth conducting, even objects, to represent concept, as it can shed light on other ideas, and feeling. Hence, language dimensions of life. Yet, there are and concept become important many elements of dystopian genre elements in representing the world. that have not been explored much, such as how the idea of love is Novel represented in a dystopian novel. Novel is a literary work which is Therefore, by using the frameworks popular among people before the rise of Rimmon-Kenan’s (1983) of modern movies. Eagleton (2004) narratology and Sternberg’s (1986) defines novel as a piece of prose theory of love, this study aims to fiction which is written in a reasonable length. Ciaffaroni (2009) 110 Ryan Lala Rangga Senjaya The Representation of Love in the Dystopian Novel 1984 adds that novel is a global cultural long partner. In the movie Beauty and instrument that support in defining the the Beast (2017), it is shown that love time and space where we live, how we can lead to intimacy between people. speak with each other, what kind of Intimacy, as explained by Hatfield, feelings we have, and what kind of Traupmann, Sprecher, Utne, and Hay actions we do. For example, the Harry (1985), is a relationship between two Potter series, which is written by J. K. loving people who are entwined Rowling, is written when fairy tales deeply. The relationship between and fantasy are popular at that time. Belle and the Beast is an example of Additionally, there are many companionate love. At first, Belle was genres of novel. Genre, according to afraid of the Beast since he Chandler (2000), is a part of literature imprisoned Belle’s father for that divide literatures into several trespassing his castle. Yet, after types and give them names. Examples meaningful considerations and living of genres are crime, fantasy, romance, together for a while, they both science fiction, and many more. developed feelings for each other. Examining all these genres requires a Belle was attracted to the Beast knowledge of elements of novel, such because they share similar hobby of as plot, setting, and theme. reading. Acevedo and Aron (2009) further suggest that long-term Love relationships have a chance to To love someone means to dedicate experience romantic love. Romantic one’s self to the other while forsaking love emphasizes being in love with a any kind of existing selfishness. certain individual, “the one”. Hatfield and Walster (1978) believe that people is capable of experiencing Three Components of Love two types of love: passionate love and Sternberg (1986) has a particular love companionate love. Passionate love is theory in which he explains that love a state of high obsession towards the comprises of three components: other. While the latter, companionate intimacy, passion, and love, is the feelings towards a life- decision/commitment. Sternberg 111 Passage2018, 6(2), 108-122 (1986) called this theory as the physical attraction, sexual triangular love theory. He believes consummation, and any kind of that one’s love is affected greatly by situation that is connected to loving these three components. This theory relationships. This component proceeds to seek answer to why some becomes the origin of any urge or any love last longer than the others. form of arousal will lead people to Sternberg (1986) believes that this experience the passion component of theory provides people with the basic a loving relationship. Sternberg understanding of love among close (1986) believes that passion is relationships. obtained when one gains enough The first component, motivation that came from a intimacy, refers to the feelings that relationship. In a loving relationship, can be found in a loving relationship, passion can be seen as the hot side of for example, closeness, the relationship, since it is believed as connectedness, and bondedness. a fuel to ignite the part of which is Sternberg (1986) clarifies that important to move the relationship intimacy is comprised of feelings that forward. will make one experience the warmth The last component that of a loving relationship. Intimacy is Sternberg (1986) provide is obtained from the emotional decision/commitment component. investment that has been put into the This component refers to two types. relationship. In a loving relationship, The first one, it refers to the short term intimacy can be seen as the warm side of the decision that one takes when he of the relationship, since it provides or she decides to love someone. The the ones who experience it with the second one, it refers to the long term warmth which emerges from the that one committed to with the feelings of closeness, connectedness, intention of preserving the love they and bondedness. have. This component, according to The second one is called Sternberg (1986), is ranging from the passion. Passion refers to any kind of mental actions which are involved actions that will bring one to romance, when making decision about any kind 112 Ryan Lala Rangga Senjaya The Representation of Love in the Dystopian Novel 1984 of possible long-term commitment to component balance each other to lead a loving relationship.