Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 297

International Conference on Interdisciplinary Language, Literature and Education (ICILLE 2018)

The Struggle of the Main Character to Solve Her

Great Problems as Reflected in Stephenie Meyer
New Moon: a Psychological Approach
Riskitya Ari Ramadyani Teguh Setiawan
Master of Applied Linguistics Master of Applied Linguistics
Yogyakarta State University Yogyakarta State University
Yogyakarta, Indonesia Yogyakarta, Indonesia
riskityaariramadyani@yahoo.co.id teguh_setiawan@uny.ac.id

Abstract—This research is intended to describe in their future. Many problems always come up in real life
characterization of the main character (2) the struggle of the and people should look for the ways to solve their problems.
main character to solve her great problems (3) moral values One should find the solution to solve the problem or
that can be taken from the novel. This research is dealing with question or to understand the meaning of something. To
the psychological approach of the main character in the novel
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, focusing on her struggle to
solve problems one needs to struggle against the problem
solve her great problems. In this research, the researcher wisely and carefully to get her or his wants.
presents the descriptive qualitative method to analyze the One of four sequels to Twilight is New Moon. New
novel. The subject of the research is the novel entitled New Moon is a young adult fantasy-romance novel by author
Moon written by Stephenie Meyer, while the object of the Stephenie Meyer and is the second book in the Twilight
research focuses on the struggle of the main character to solve Saga. According to Meyer, this book is about losing true
her great problems in New Moon. To collect the data, the love. New Moon is the continuing story of Bella Swan’s
researcher does some steps such as visiting library, reading unusual life in Forks, Washington. The title refers to the
sources, making notes, categorizing data, and exploring the darkest phase of the lunar cycle, indicating that New Moon
internet to find the supporting data. To analyze the data, the
is about the darkest time of the protagonist Bella’s life. In
researcher uses the psychological study by Subhan and Wellek
and Warren. After conducting the research, the researcher relation the intrinsic elements of literary works, the
found some research findings. They are as follows: First, the researcher goes to analyze the character of Isabella Swan to
characterizations of the main character are attentive, beautiful, solve her great problems as reflected in the novel New Moon
brave, clumsy, intelligent, loving, numb, reckless, and written by Stephenie Mayer. The literary approach that will
stubborn. Second, the struggle of the main character to solve be used to analyze this study is psychological approach.
her great problems such as the struggle of the main character There are three objectives of the study can formulate,
to solve her life problems, the struggle of the main character to describe characterization of the main character, the struggle
solve her love problems, the struggle of the main character to of the main character to solve her great problems, and moral
solve her family problems, and the struggle of the main
character to solve her economic problems. Third, some moral
values that can be taken from the novel.The researcher
values that can be revealed, such as positive moral values, they expects the result of the study will give great benefits for
are struggle to solve great problems, friendship, and love, while several components, it is expected to be able to give
negative values such as atheism, battle, and out of control. contribution in comprehending on analyzing the novel, to
give some information about the background of Stephenie
Keywords—struggle, solve problems, psychological
Mayer related with her literary work, it is expected the
approach.
readers know about the struggle of the main character to
I. INTRODUCTION solve her great problems, it is expected to giving more
information about psychological approach.
Human beings in the world need to struggle to survive
The rest of this paper is organized as follow: Section II
their life, people have to do something to struggle their life
describes the theoretical background. Section III describes
for better life. They do it with many kinds of ways.
the research method. Section IV presents the obtained
Sometimes, they do struggle to get better living with
research finding and discussion. Finally, Section V
education, skill, and increasing their knowledge. In fact,
concludes this work and highlights future work.
one’s life will be changed with struggle and it cannot be
changed without struggle. Struggle is closely related to a II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
problem. If there is no problem, there will not be struggle. If
one wants to achieve something, he or she must overcome A. Character and Characterization
some problem. Although the problems are difficult to be 1). Character
faced, one should believe that there are difficult things if she
or he tries to do best, because everything is possible to Abrams in [1] stated that the way of an author describes
happen in the world. According to the wise word above, a character is various. Occasionally, an author describes a
people have higher motivation to try hard for their better life character as a personage that exists only in illusion and has

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 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 297

high spirit of struggle to survive. Furthermore, frequently an question to be decided on, when it is difficult [3]. A problem
author describes a character that has almost similar ways is something difficult which is faced by a person or people
with a person in real human life. According to Abrams in [1] who live in a certain community and need to be solved as
character is the persons represented in a dramatic or soon as possible. The problem may be related to society,
narrative work, who are interpreted by readers as being economy, politic, social, religion, education, etc. the
endowed with moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities by conclusion about a great problem is a situation that causes
inferences from what the person say and from what they do. difficulties very much or a lot a condition or something that
is very difficult to handle by people and it will make people
Character in the novel can be divided into two groups:
try hard to solve it.
Main or major characters and minor characters. The reader
will usually pay more attention the major characters because D. Theory of Psychological Approach
the major characters play an important role in the story of
The researcher employs the psychological approach to
the novel [2]. According to Subhan in [2] the major
help her analyzing the novel because this approach
character can further be analyzed into three groups:
considers psychology as a mean to criticize a literary work.
a) The protagonist It can be used to explain, interpret and evaluate a literary
b) The antagonist work. It can help the reader or the author to explain about
c) The Companion or Partner character and characterization and explain the psychology of
2). Characterization the author. Psychology (the science or study of mind and its
processes) can be used to help a literary critic or a literary
Abrams in [1] classifies characterization as process for
researcher to explain, interpret and evaluate literary works.
distinguishing the person in a narrative. This process may
The psychologygy of the author, the habits of the author in
use two techniques, they are showing and telling. According
revising and rewriting his draft, the genesis of the work of
to Subhan in [2] based on the characterization, characters in
art are examples of psychological studies towards a writer.
the novel can be divided into two groups:
One should know that a draft of a novel can sometimes be
a) Flat Character
rejected by a publisher and the author should do revision
b) Round Character
and even a signficant change in the story and character of
B. Theory of Struggle
the novel [2].
Struggle can be defined as trying to overcome a Wellek and Warren in [4] stated that the science is often
problem or prevent something undesirable from happening termed as the psycological approach, this approach refers to
or continuing. In other words, struggle is the action that the study of literary works by using the science of psycology
someone done in order to achieve what she or he wanted to help the reader or literary critic (to) understand, explain,
and try to overcome difficulty that follow it [3]. interpret or illuminate the psycological factors or aspect (of
There a lot of meanings from the word “struggle”, there the author, of the characters of the soviety) that are implied
are last five meaning, such as; in the literary works being investigated. Through this
1. Struggle is an energetic attempt to achieve something. approach a descriptive research can be developed into an
2. Struggle is strenuous effort. explanatory one. A literary work which usually talks about
3. Struggle is an open classicist between two opposing human life can be analyzed by using psychological analysis.
group and individual. Wellek and Warren in [4] stated that psychological of
4. Struggle the condition during engaged in a light. literature has four branches:
5. Struggle to exert strenuous effort against apposition. a. The psychological study of the writer as type and as
individual. The writer shows the life obsession in the
One who struggles with himself first is the wisest, the work that makes will be full application; carefulness and
easier struggle is that he or she has struggles with himself or consciousness also know show the natural type in
herself, and the other struggles will become more difficult writing.
for him. The meaning of struggle is very wide because there
b. Psychological approach to the creative process building
are round up with many fields of life, for example struggle a literary work. The creative process of literary works
for economic, struggle for social, struggle for religion, or contains all the stages, starting from pushing which is
even struggle for person. Everybody should study the nature
not conscious condition, that born the literary work as to
of life, one must understand the psychological of struggle. the last correlation that done by the writer.
C. Theory of Solving Great Problem c. The study of psychological types and law present within
works of literature. Literary works is the social
Every problem asks for an answer or solution. Solve the institution that makes language medium, the technique
problem is trying to find a solution of a problem. The time of traditional like’s symbolism and social aspect. It
takes to solve a problem is a way of measuring complexity. presents as conventional and society law. Besides that,
Many problems have no discovered solution and it is literature shows fact in the life event of human being.
classified as an open problem. The conclusion about d. Psychological study to the influence of literary works
definition of solving the problem is the way of thinking. has a power to motivate the readers’ heart or stir
Problem solving is a part of finding and shaping the large emotion. Literary work shows the life event human
problem. being so the reader’s interest to read it. And literary
The definition of problem which related to research is a
thing that is difficult to deal with or understand or unsolved

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works will interest of the readers if it shown more 2). The secondary data
professional by the writer.
Secondary data are data that are gathered to support the
In analyzing Stephenie Meyer’s New Moon, the
primary data. They were taken from the sources like
researcher uses the psychological approach as rules and the
collection or critical books, reviews, and some essays about
norm that can be gained from the literary works as the
all that related to the novel. The secondary data of this
matter of discussion in her thesis. The psychological science
research are taken from other sources such as some critical
used as one of the approach an analyzing the literary work,
books, library, and internet to help the researcher interpret
particularly to study or learn the character.
New Moon novel easier.
E. Theory of Moral Value
C. Data Collecting Method
According to Yolkowsky in [5] the ways in which
In collecting the data, the researcher does some steps;
literature affects us emotionally can make ineliminable
1. Visiting some libraries
contributions to fully rational moral thought.
The researcher visits the libraries; reads the primary source
According to Hornby in [3] moral is:
and the secondary sources and makes some notes.
a. Concerning principles of right and wrong: good and
2. Reading books
virtual: able to understand the difference between right
It means that the writer reads the novel titled New Moon,
and wrong; teaching or illustration good behavior
and reads other books in relation to the topic research.
launched with the sense of what is right or just.
3. Making notes
b. That which of a story; standards of behavior, principles,
After reading books, the researcher writes down the data
of right and wrong.
needed from the books to complete or support the
c. Standards principles of good behavior, particularly
researcher’s statements related to the topic.
system of moral. Moral lesson are something which
4. Categorizing Data
given by the author to the reader as suggested tough the
After the researcher performs the steps above, the important
story in the novel. Usually author is interesting moral
thing that the researcher must perform is categorizing the
lesson in the main character’s attitude.
data into appropriate parts.
III. RESEARCH METHOD
D. Data Analyzing Techniques
A. Type of the Study After the data are collected, they are analyzed by using
The type of this research is a library research, since all descriptive qualitative method andpsychological approach.
sources are taken from library collections. The sources are A technique is started by statements, or sentences, or is
divided into two kinds: primary and secondary sources. described by explanation. It is used to give the clear
description about the study qualitatively by choosing,
1). Subject of the study considering, defining, and arranging the fixed data. After the
Subject is a person or thing that is being discussed, data collected, they are classified according to the subject to
described, or dealt with [6]. In literary works, there are be discussed.
many things that can be studied, because a literary work The researcher tries to provide clear information and
itself is very wide to describe. In this research the researcher describes the struggle of the main character to solve her
discusses about a novel as one of the literary works. The great problems in the novel New Moon. The researcher uses
subject of this research is the novel New Moon by Stephenie psychological approach as a technical description of this
Meyer. research. Before analyzing the novel, the researcher
examines carefully the psychology influences of the struggle
2). Object of the study of the main character in the novel New Moon, describes
According to Oxford in [6], object is a person or thing them and then finds the relation and interrelation between
to which a specified action or feeling is directed. The object them. The researcher makes an analysis by using the theory
is internal conflict of the main character. The writer focused of psychology and literature by [7] and [4].
on the struggle of the main character to solve her great IV. RESEARCH FINDINGS
problems. The novel is New Moon by Stephenie Meyer and
it was published in 2006. The novel consists of 563 pages The researcher presents the research finding. It contains
and is divided into 24 chapters. of characterization of the main character, the struggle of the
main character to solve her great problems, and moral
values.
B. Source of Data A. Characterization of the Main Character
1). The primary data
According to Peck and Coyle in [7], another
The primary data used in this study are from novel contribution of psychology towards literary criticism is
itself. The novel is New Moon. The researcher reads and related to the characters and characterization. Psychology
observes the novel carefully and critically. The activity to can explain why a certain character in the novel becomes
read the novel is not only once but many times. From the bad, good, frustrated, illuminated, or killed by someone.
novel, the researcher makes documentation and makes notes
into the data cards.

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Psychological learns about the physical function of Bella accepts the presence of the other love in the main
healthy people. It contains something that is related to the character’s life who is a werewolf. Jacob and Bella become
feeling, fantasy, though, ideas, behavior, etc. struggle is very close friends, with Bella relying on his warmth and
closely related to a problem. If there is no problem, there friendship in order to heal from Edward’s leave. Jacob is
will not be struggle. If one wants to achieve something, he romantically interested in Bella, Bella also cares him but
or she must solve some problem. When people try to says sorry because she does not love him more than friend.
struggle to solve her or his great problems, they will Even though she makes it clear that she wants nothing more
experience something that is related to the feeling, though, than friendship with him.
ideas, behavior, etc., so it has correlation to psychology.
H. The struggle of the main character to solve her family
In the novel New Moon, there are three main characters,
problems
such as Isabella Swan, Edward Cullens, and Jacob Black.
The researcher only focuses on the main character, namely Bella solve her economic problem with working hard. She
Isabella Swan. Isabella Swan has some characterization that wants to continue her study into university, so she works
can be seen in detail in the following parts: hard at the local sporting goods store to get money to pay
her study in the future.
B. Beautiful
Bella prefer living in Forks with her father and Edward to
Bella is a beautiful girl, she makes some boy fall in love
living in Florida with her mother. She really loves her
with her and wants to give everything to get her love. Bella
mother and wants to live together like a complete family,
is very beautiful, and it makes Edward Cullen committing
but she cannot. Since Edward go away from her life, she
suicide because he believes that Bella has died. He doesn’t
does not want to leave Forks because there are many things
want to live in a world without the beautiful girl, Bella.
can remind her to her true love.
C. Brave
I. The Moral Values in the Novel New Moon
Bella is depicted as a brave girl. She knows her courage to 1). Positive values
do things that are difficult, dangerous, and painful. She is
Positive values refer to good attitude and moral value that
brave to spot a group of men in an alleyway, she remembers
should be done by the readers. It will be a good example for
a time when Edward saved her before, and decide to
the readers who apply them in a real life. The positive
approach the men. Bella is not afraid although her life is in
values are stated as follows;
danger of the stranger men. She was brave to come to men
in front of the bar when she remembered the time when 2). Struggle to solve great problems
Edward saved her from a brutal man.
Life problems are about the choices if the main character
D. Loving wants to be vampire forever. It is the great problem for Bella
because Edward does not want her to be a vampire, he wants
Bella has strong feeling of affection for Edward. She really
Bella to be a human. Finally, she has a meeting with the
loves Edward and must do anything for him. Also, she can
Cullen, she wants their arguments about her willingness to
know Edward’s voice however she slept and did not see
be a vampire, so she makes a vote meeting.
him.
Love problems are about the main character that falls in love
E. The Struggle of the Main Character to Solve Her Great
with a good vampire and how great the main character
problems
struggle to survive when she loses her true love, Bella tries
The researcher tries to convey the struggles of the main to reckless things to solve her problems. She thinks that the
character to solve her great problems. Some descriptions are delusions are triggered by recklessness or being in a
related to the fact described by the author and related to the dangerous situation, she seeks other ways to trigger
content of the novel. Edward’s voice by breaking her promises to Edward.
F. The struggle of the main character to solve her life 3). Friendship
problems
Friendship is needed by everyone. A good friendship is
Bella wants to be vampire. It is the great problem. It shown in this novel between Bella and Jacob. They give
becomes great problem because Edward does not want her each other attention. Bella tries to keep her friendship and
to be a vampire, he wants Bella to be a human. Bella only thinks Jacob is her good friend.
struggles to solve her life problem. She wants to live with
4). Love
Edward forever. It is the thing which Bella really wants.
Bella will do everything for her love, especially when
G. The struggle of the main character to solve her love
Edward is in a danger. She decides to go to Volterra to save
problems
Edward from his suicide. It is very difficult for her, but she
It is four months passing after Edward leaves Bella, and has no another choice. She prefers to sacrifice her life to
Bella has become a zombie, existing but not really living. safe her love in a danger.
Bella struggle to please her father Charlie, Bella goes to a
J. Negative Values
movie with her friend Jessica. It means to make Charlie not
1). Atheism
to worry about Bella’s condition.

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Bella does not believe in god. She also confuses in what the
religion of her parents is. So, religion becomes the last thing
on her mind.
2). Battle
Bella is victim of a battle between Edward and Victoria and
friend. She is very week because of Laurent attack. Victoria
sees killing Bella rather than killing Edward because Bella
is Edward’s mate.
3). Out of control
Bella is out of control in facing a problem. Bella tries to
decide by herself without sharing it to others. She cannot
consider the effect of her decision. She thinks many ways to
trigger Edward’s voice by recklessness or being in a
dangerous situation.
V. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
The novel New Moon is written by Stephenie Mayer
and it was published in 2006. The novel consists of 563
pages and is divided into 24 chapters. In this novel, Isabella
Swan is the main character. She is categorized as the
protagonist character. The characterizations of Isabella
Swan are attentive, beautiful, brave, clumsy, intelligent,
loving, numb, reckless, and stubborn. The struggle of the
main character to solve her great problem such as: her life
problems, her love problems, her family problems, and her
economic problems. There are moral values of the novel
which can be distinguished in two kinds of moral values
namely; positive values and negative values. The positive
values are struggled to solve her great problems of life,
friendship, love. The negative values are atheism, battle, and
out of control.
The researcher suggests other researcher to do further
study to discuss and carry out the others side of this novel to
reveal the other important and useful thing.
REFERENCES
[1] Abrams, M.H and Harpham, G. 1969. A Glossary of Literary Terms.
New York: Change Learning
[2] Subhan, B. 2015. A Guide to Literary Criticism. Yogyakarta:
LPPDMF.
[3] Hornby, As. 1995. Oxford Advances Learners Dictionary of Current,
of English: Oxford University Press
[4] Wellek, R., and Austen, W. 1956. Theory of Literature. New York:
Penguin Books
[5] Yolkowsky, J. 2011. Chess Life. United Stated: United Stated Chess
Federation
[6] Dictionary, Oxford English. "Oxford English dictionary
online." Mount Royal College Lib., Calgary 14 (2004).
[7] Peck, J., & Coyle, M. (1984). Literary Terms and Criticism: A
Students’ Guide. Macmillan International Higher Education.

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