Optimistic View of Life Reflected In the Style of Paulo Coelho’s THE ALCHEMIST (1988)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33061/j.w.wacana.v14i2.3471Abstract
Abstract
This study aims at explaining the symbols used in the novel and describing the values of optimistic of life reflected in the symbols used in Coelho’s The Alchemist. This research is classified as a descriptive qualitative method. The primary data source of this study is the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The collecting data process is a note-taking technique. This study is also categorized as library research. Based on the findings and discussion, the researcher draws the conclusion such follows. First, there are six elements or values which characterize someone as the one who has an optimistic view of life and these ones are reflected as the symbols used in this novel. They are the values of hope, faith, power, struggle, positive-thinking, and respect. Second, that there are twelve symbols used in The Alchemist, those symbols are divided into three groups which consist of four symbols of characters, two symbols of events or concepts and six symbols of things. The result of the study shows that the twelve symbols in The Alchemist are how the author addresses Optimistic through a story of self-quest of the author. According to the whole finding, the symbols lead the readers to understand the message of Paulo Coelho that everybody can find their happiness in themselves.
Keywords: Concept of optimistic of life, Symbol, Self-quest.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan simbol-simbol yang digunakan dalam novel dan menggambarkan nilai-nilai optimistis kehidupan yang tercermin dalam simbol-simbol yang digunakan dalam Coelho's The Alchemist. Penelitian ini diklasifikasikan sebagai metode deskriptif kualitatif. Sumber data primer dari penelitian ini adalah novel The Alchemist karya Paulo Coelho. Proses pengumpulan data adalah teknik mencatat. Penelitian ini juga termasuk penelitian kepustakaan. Berdasarkan temuan dan diskusi, peneliti menarik kesimpulan sebagai berikut. Pertama, ada enam elemen atau nilai-nilai yang mencirikan seseorang sebagai orang yang memiliki pandangan hidup yang optimis dan yang tercermin sebagai simbol yang digunakan dalam novel ini. Mereka adalah nilai-nilai harapan, iman, kekuatan, perjuangan, pemikiran positif, dan rasa hormat. Kedua, bahwa ada dua belas simbol yang digunakan dalam The Alchemist, simbol-simbol itu dibagi menjadi tiga kelompok yang terdiri dari empat simbol karakter, dua simbol peristiwa atau konsep dan enam simbol benda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kedua belas simbol dalam The Alchemist adalah bagaimana penulis membahas Optimistic melalui kisah pencarian diri penulis. Menurut seluruh temuan itu, simbol-simbol itu mengarahkan para pembaca untuk memahami pesan Paulo Coelho bahwa setiap orang dapat menemukan kebahagiaan mereka dalam diri mereka sendiri.
Kata kunci: Konsep optimistis kehidupan, Simbol, Self-quest.
References
Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literature Terms. New York: Cornel University. 1981
Baldick, Chris, 2001. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literature Terms. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Biography of Paulo Coelho. Published by: UK Free Documentation December 26, 2008 (http://www.ukfreedocumentation.co.uk/coelho/paulo/bio.shtml-707k)
Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. New York: HarperCollins Publisher Inc. 1988
Culler Jonathan, 1994. Structuralist Poetic Structuralism, Linguistic and the study of literature. London: Routledge.
D. Nawang Wulan E. P. S. 2010. “Listening to Heart, Pursuing Dreams and World’s Reality, Interpretation of symbol used in the Alchemist novel by Paulo Coelho” Diponegoro University Semarang.
Fajriani. The Life of Paulo Coelho as Reflected in The Alchemist: An Expressive Approach. Undergraduate Thesis. Sulawesi: West Sulawesi University. 2003
Farizi, Ilmam, Dani. 2013. “Santiago’ Strife for Success in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist novel (1992): An Individual Psychological Approach”. Muhammadiyah University Surakarta.
Frederik, Juliana Tirajohn, 1988. ENGLISH POETRY An Introduction to Indonesian Students, Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Tinggi Proyek Pengembangan lembaga Pendidikan Tenaga Kependidikan.
Gradesaver LLC, Biography of Paulo Coelho. December 26, 2008.
(http://www.gradesaver.com/the alchemist-coelho/Studyguide/essayquestions)
Holman, H. (1960). A Handbook To Literature (4 ed.). Indiana: Bobbs-Merill Educational Publishing.
Indrajati. T, Nani, 2010. The Meaning of Nature for Santiago in his Effort to Find the Real Happiness in The Alchemist. Petra Christian University Surabaya.
Kenney, W. (1966). How To Analyze Fiction. New York: Monarch Press.
Koesnosoebroto, Sunaryono Basuki, 1988. The Anatomy of Prose Fiction. Jakarta: Departement Pendidikan Dan Kebudayaan Direktorat Jenderal Pendididkan Tinggi Proyek Pengembangan Lembaga Pendidikan Tenaga Kependidikan.
Kremenik, Michael J. The Search for the Hero’s Soul in The Alchemist. Kawasaki Journal of Medical Welfare, Vol. 2, No. 2, 1996, pp. 123-131.
Official Site Paulo Coelho, Faq The Books. Retrieved February 24, 2009 (http://www.paulocoelho.com.br/engl/faq.shtml)
Leech, Geoffrey N and Michael H Short, 1981, Style in fiction, A linguistic introduction to English fictional prose. Edinburgh Gate Harlow, Essex CM202JE, England: Pearson Education Limited.
Ortolono, Glauco. An Interview with Paulo Coelho: The Coming of Age of a Brazilian Phenomenon. Journal of World Literature Today, Vol. 77, No. 1 (Apr. - Jun., 2003), pp. 57-59 . Published by: Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma Stable (URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40157785).
Peck, John, and Martin Coyle, 1986. Literary Terms and Criticism. London: Macmillan Education Ltd.
Pickering, James H and Jeffery D Hopper, 1981. Concise Companion to literature.
New York: Macmillan Publishing Co, Inc.
Puspa, Sari, 2007. Santiago’s Self Actualization in the Alchemist based on Maslow Humanistic Psychology. Sanata Dharma University Yogyakarta.
Rabiega, Joseph and Brooke. J, Cannon 2013. “The Relationship of Optimism with Psychological and Physical Well – being. Marywood University Pennsylvania.
Rees, R. J. 1973. English Literature: An Introduction for foreign Readers. Basinstoke and London: Macmillan Education Ltd.
Satoto, Sudiro, 1995. STILISTIKA. Surakarta: STSI.
Sebeok, Thomas, 1994. An Introduction to Semiotics. 25 Floral Street, Convent Garden, London, WC2E9DS, United Kingdom: Printer Publishers.
Seligman, Martin E.P, 2006. Learned Optimism how to change your mind and your life. New York: VINTAGE BOOKS. A Division of Random House, Inc.
Sobur, Alex, 2006. Semiotika Komunikasi, Bandung: Penerbit PT Remaja Rasdakarya.
Utomo, Permadi, Eko, 2008. “Motivation of a boy to pursue his dream as seen in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist”. Soegijapranata Catholic University Semarang.
Walgito, Bimo, 2010. Pengantar Psikologi Umum, Yogyakarta: Penerbit Andi.
Wibowo, Raindri 2007. “The optimism of Julia Stanford in Sydney Sheldon’s Morning, Noon and Night: An individual Psychological Approach”. Muhammadiyah University Surakarta.
Wellek, Rene and Austen, Warren. Theory of Literature. New York: Harcourt Brace and Word, Inc. 1956.
Wellek, Rene and Austin Warren, 1949. Theory of literature. New York: Harcourt Brace and Company.
