The Struggle For Family Existence An Analysis of Little Women A Novel by Louisa May Alcott
The Struggle For Family Existence An Analysis of Little Women A Novel by Louisa May Alcott
The Struggle For Family Existence An Analysis of Little Women A Novel by Louisa May Alcott
THESIS
Submitted by
MIFTAHUL JANNAH
2018 M/ 1440 H
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the name of Allah SWT. The Lord of universe, the Most Gracious, the
Most Merciful, I would like to thank to Allah for His favor and guidance to me in
completing this thesis. I do believe there is nothing I can do without His help.
May peace and salutation be upon our prophet Muhammad SAW, his families,
Muhammad Nasir, M.Hum. and my co. supervisor, Fera Busfina Zalha, MA who
have offered insightful guidance and assistance. I would also like to thank my
academic advisor, Drs. Mustafa AR, M.A., Ph.D who has guided me throughout
my academic years.
in the world, my parents, for all their trusts, patients, supports, loves, and prayers.
I also would like to dedicate the grateful to my little sister who cheers me up day
by day and also my dearest cousin Ayuna Netta who helped me so much to finish
this thesis. Finally, I wish to thank to my bestfriends and all of my beloved friends
(Unit 01, 2014 UIN Ar-Raniry) in this department for sharing inputs and ideas in
finishing my thesis.
Miftahul Jannah
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .......................................................................................... i
CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. ii
DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ...................................................................... iii
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. iv
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study ....................................................................... 1
B. Research Question............................................................................ 4
C. The Aims of Study ........................................................................... 4
D. Significance of Study ....................................................................... 5
E. Scope and Limitation of Study............................................... .......... 5
F. Terminology ..................................................................................... 5
REFERENCES...............................................................................................................70
APPENDICES
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
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Name : Miftahul Jannah
SID : 140203010
Faculty / Study Program : Tarbiyah / English Department
Title : The Struggle for “ Family Existence ” An Analysis
of Little Women: A Novel by Louisa May Alcott
Examination Date : December 31st 2018
ABSTRACT
This study aims at analyzing the personalities of the main characters in “Little
Women” a novel by Louisa May Alcott. The descriptive-qualitative method is
used to analyze the personalities of the characters. In analyzing the data, the four
factors character analysis proposed by Migrant Education Program Consortium
Incentive (2012) which focused on appearance, words, actions, and feelings is
used followed by the concept of The Big Five Personality traits by Paul Costa and
Robert McCrae (1990) which focused on Conscientiousness and Agreeableness.
The data is collected by reading the novel, understanding sentence by sentence,
and analyzing the personalities within the characters through the four factors
analysis as well as identify the characters through The Big Five theory. The
results indicate that all characters have the two traits of The Big Five in particular
sides. Agreeableness was mostly found in the characters’ personalities specifically
their feelings, the Agreeableness is categorized by modest, patient, altruistic,
considerate, unselfish, helpful, humble, loyal and cheerful. Meanwhile,
conscientiousness is found in the characters’ personalities coincide with
appearance, words, and actions as categorized by hard working, ambitious, and
persistent. Shortly, each character has different personalities belonging to The Big
Five traits.
Keywords: Little Women, Personality, The Big Five Personality
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study
treasure a man can have. There are a number of reasons why the existence of
family is essential for man’s life, for instances, family gives warmth and love, it
always helps and receives, and it always fulfills a person’s needs. According to
family member even all of them have to sacrifice. This can happen if the situation
of the family has faced the ups and downs. Hence, people have to struggle in
order to bring back their family’s happiness. The struggle over the family
sometimes also brings the family members to be stronger than they were, but
As what Nationwide (n.d) cited in Desetta and Wolin (2014, p.6), they
highlight that some of young people have to live into foster homes and some
others live in foster care due to their family circumstances such as when illness,
death, and insufficiency beyond their control avoid their biological families to
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story can be illustrated by the lifestory of the authors themselves. One of the
classical novels that illustrates a life problem is Little Women written by Louisa
May Alcott. She represented her life story into this novel and modeled herself as
Josephine March.
Concerning with the prior study, Laire (2009, p.94) analyzes the feminist
implication in Little Women and how Alcott influences many girls in affirming
their own identity concludes that the novel fully dedicates to the individuality of
bravery and honesty so that the main focus of this novel leads to female education
and the process of becoming a woman like Amy and Jo who are pursuing their
own careers. Meanwhile, Wester (2005), who emphasizes on the patriarchy and
domesticity issue, states that “ in Little Women, the March family serves as an
employ their non-domestic talents, and still maintain femininity.” He also points
out that Little Women has successfully served some deep messages described by
Alcott throughout the novel and also through her own life about ideas of
Based on the struggle that the women faced in the novel, there is an
interesting side that the writer would like to know deeply. Therefore, to expand
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the study of the novel, the writer is interested in analyzing the personality of the
characters in Little Women especially Josephine March as the main character and
also her mother and sisters as other sub-characters who highly affects the essence
of the story. The writer only focuses on part 1 of the novel. Hence, this study aims
actions, feelings, and words. Furthermore, the data is then analyzed more
specifically by using the concept of “The Big Five Personality Theory” proposed
by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (1990) to establish the sort of characters in the
novel that the author portrays. Soto and Jackson (2013) state that The Five-factor
However, to give the limitation for the study, the writer will only focus on
analyzing two traits of The Big Five Personality Theory, that are
avoid redudancies and time consuming, besides, these two traits are related to the
personalities that Alcott portrays in Little Women which are particularly different
and those personalities intensively affect the essence of the story. This leads the
B. Research Question
What are the personalities of the main character, Josephine March, and
other sub-characters including her mother and her sisters that are portrayed in
C. Aim of Study
including her mother and her sisters concerning on their struggles for family
This study is expected to be beneficial for further study and enrich the
literary works, especially for the next writer who is interested to analyze the same
type of literary work (novel). Besides, it is also hoped to be beneficial for readers
who want to know personality of all characters in details as shown in the novel.
Moreover, studies on Big Five Theory are still rarely found, therefore, it improves
Josephine March as one of the main characters and other sub-characters (her
family) in struggling for family existence as portrayed in Little Women. All the
characters will be analyzed in accordance with the above theme, in which Alcott
presented intrinsicly and extrinsicly in her novel based on the concept of “The Big
Five Personality Theory” proposed by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (1990).
F. Terminology
a. Character
characters are as creatures with moral qualities and nature contained in dramatic
as well as narrative works interpreted by the reader through what is said and done.
Gill (1995) states that “Character is someone who has some sort of
has two meanings that are, first, character can be defined as the representation of
character can be defined as the nature of human being that influences their
behavior and mind. In this writing, the term character refers to the former
b. Personality
acquired psychic qualities which are characteristic of one individual and which
c. Family
Binh (2012, p.173) states the family as “ home where people are raised,
taken care of, educated and mature. It is in the families that people absorb life
Engels (1884, p.18) as cited inMorgan (n.d, p.444) stated that family
brings lower progress toward higher progress due to the progress of the rising
LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Literary Characters
there are plot, setting, point of view and theme as well. In terms of defining what
Characters are generally divided into two meanings. Characters can be referred to
Individual’s character here means that person’s collection of character traits, and
these can be defined as relatively stable dispositions to think, feel, and behave in
certain ways in certain situations (Webber, 2006, p.95). This character can be
channeling the plot of the story. It has become a dogma of modern theory that
literary characters do not belong to the real world in which people have internal
motivations but to a fictional world in which everything they are and do is part of
8
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Vidhya and Arjunan (2015, p.77), they also define a broad definition of characters
as what characters are related to their nature and function, they are classified into
different kinds that are “round” and “flat”, a round character is a dynamic
character which makes the story more alive, unlike a round character, a flat
character is known by its certain characteristic and never raises like round
character.
have been periods in the history of literature when the existence of character as a
single entity was not only taken for granted, but also played a prominent part.”
should execute the speculated movement within the dramatic timing (Vidhya and
Migrant Education Program Consortium Incentive (2012, p.1) suggests that they
2. Actions : What does the character do? What do those actions tell about
story, some common methods that people generally use are through dialogue,
1. Action Clues
The utterance of these character traits are through the actions and reactions
of the character.
2. Verbal Clues
These character traits are uttered by what the character says and how the
3. Other Clues
These character traits can be analyzed by some other clues like physical
appearance, the way the character dresses, his or her interests and hobbies,
Example : A tiny girl who wears frilly dresses might be considered dainty.
messy, imaginative, obedient, selfish, spoiled, shy, stubborn, helpful, happy, hard-
In addition, there are some other types of characters in a story which have
a function to strengthen the plot of the story and make the story seems more alive.
a. Major or central : where the plot and the resolution of conflict turn around
those characters.
h. Antagonist : refers to the character who represents the opposite against the
protagonist.
universally admirable.
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B. Personality
Human are not born as a person. At birth they are an infant who were born
with the potentiality of becoming a person. After birth they asociate themselves
with other human beings and come under the influnces of their own culture. As a
result of many experiences that they have during the association process with
others and getting social influences, they become a person and come to possess a
personality.
Futhermore, they, of course, can perceive that people act, behave, and
appear differently in that way. Thus, when we talk about personality they usually
until recent time. Most of them agree that the word “personality” originated from
the Latin word persona, which referred to a theatrical mask worn by Roman
actors in Greek dramas. The using of the mask (persona) by the ancient Roman
actors was to venture a role or fake appearance. This outward view of personality
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psychologists can be reffered to something more than the role person plays.
behavior and thought.” Feist and Feist (2009, p.129) also define personality as
“the study of the uniqueness of each person, it is relevant to any person and any
place.” In the other side, Mayer (2007, p.1) defines personality as ”a system of
agrees that, from most of all definitions, personality has a common view that
1. Conscious Level; The thoughts, feelings, and sensations that one is aware
which we are not aware of. However, it influences our conscious level of
activity.
determined by a single factor. Based on Social Guide (2018), one of websites that
discusses about personality determinants, the author of the website assumes that
personality is resulted from the combination of four factors which are physical
experiences. There are two types of experiences: one, those that grow suddenly
and are not potentially getting back; and second, those that appear from continous
1. Brain
and the child, later its differences may result from the environment in
2. Physical Characteristics
include height, skin tone, weight, hair color, and beauty. It’s all influence
3. Social Experiences
determine how the person will behave and perceive themselves. He also
5. Heredity
It turns out that perhaps heredity is the most surprising and impressive
Kuravatti and Malipatil (2017, p.608) also point out that intelligence, sex
difference, and nervous system are the factors affecting personality development.
They believe that intelligence can make a person better at adjustment in home,
school, and society than those who are less intelligent. Besides, sex difference can
more assertive and vigorous, but girls are quiet and more injured by personal,
emotional, and social problems. Then, nervous system is also part of personality
development.
b. Types of Personality
According to Mohita (2017), in the 5th century B.C. the Greek physician
Hipocrates divides human beings into four types that are; the sanguine, the
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Carl Gustac Jung (1921) as cited in Feist and Feist (2009, p.122) divided two
1. Introversion
toward the subjective. Introverts are tuned in to their inner world with all its
the external world, of course, but they do so selectively and with their own
subjective view.
2. Extroversion
objective and away from the subjective. Extraverts are more influenced by their
surroundings than by their inner world. They tend to focus on the objective
Meanwhile, Mohita (2017) states that there are three types of personality
which are introvert, extrovert, and ambivert. She argues that ambivert is whom are
neither the one nor the other but vacillate between the two. She also points out
Each of us interacts and communicates with other people even in the broad
area of societies. However, apart from unity of course, we can find the diversities
specific pattern of acting, thinking, and feeling. Thus, it has attracted people,
they argue that character and personality have different time to puzzle out and
there are distinct differences between these two words and their meanings. As
what Lickerman (2011) argues that personality is easy to read instead of character
that takes longer time to be figured out, people can read a person’s personality
such as funny, lazy, and so on while they are interacting with each other.
beliefs. On the other hand, Bell (2010) defines character and personality as “A set
of behavior traits that defines what type of person you are” while personality is
while character is formed and designed due to the learning of values and beliefs,
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with the others nearby and supported by the circumstances he/she lives.
well. Therefore, we need to know people in person at aims to meet the purposes of
life. Hence, this problem can cause humans as critical beings, it means that people
not only know about themselves but also know about others.
The most influential personality research over the past few decades is
indicated to the five basic personality traits that are posed by Costa and McCrae
(1990) as cited by Pervin and John (1999). This personality traits model is known
as “The Big Five”. The Big Five Personality or Five Factor Model (FFM) is
divided into a set of five broad dimensions which is well-known by the acronym
Agreeableness, and Neuroticism). This personality traits are used to measure those
Costa and McCrae (2003) define that ”Personality traits are typically
thoughts, and emotions.” Then, McAdams and Pals (2006, p.204) as cited in
The big five personality theory has been widely used in many cases. This
definition became a developmental theory, it has seven functions that tend to rise
at certain time in person’s life, that are sense of body, self-identity, self-esteem,
most primitive parts of the human mind consists of three levels : Id, Ego, and
Superego. Feist and Feist (2012) define the Big Five Personality Theory as one of
the personalities that can predict and explain behavior, this is the approach that is
used in psychology to see the personality that has been formed by using factor
approximately into seven periods (Ackerman, 2017). These five factors are
in the field of personality psychology, but these five model factors have been
The “ Big Five “ or the five-factor model of personality has been applied
in several countries and even cultures around the world due to a valid and reliable
assessment scale for measuring the five factors, hence this “Big Five” is the most
Wiggins (1996, p.40) assumed that “McCrae and John (1992) have
advocated labeling the five factors by their initials (E, A, C, N,and O) because of
numbers. This suggestion could lead others to assume that the Big Five are equal
in importance and replicability.” Then, he also added that The Big Five model
does not define any limits for personality research. Rather, the research leading to
the Big Five structure simply constitutes a body of findings too powerful and
1. Openness to Experience
intensity and complexity of a personal’s experiences and mental life (John &
to try to new things, to be vulnerable, and the ability to think outside the box”
(Ackerman, 2017).
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2. Conscientiousness
working within the rules, effective in planning and organizing their works, and
3. Extraversion
being talkative, outgoing, impulsive and uninhibited with many social contacts
and being frequently involved in group activities while introverts are described as
quiet, introspective, retiring, and not very socially active (Riggio & Riggio, 2002).
Traits within the extraversion factor according to Wilt and Revelle (2008);
4. Agreeableness
indicates a person who is friendly, humble, easy to budge, and avoiding conflict.
propound in the five factor model of personality, a person with high agreeableness
and aggression (Nettle & Liddle, 2008). This factor concerns of how well people
- Considerate
She argues that, people with high agreeableness are likely to have few
enemies, being respected, and have sensitive personality to the needs of others. In
contrast, people with low agreeableness tend to be less trusted and avoided by
others.
5. Neuroticism
that extensively lead to the influence and control of emotions that refers to the
Ackerman (2017), points out some traits that are generally associated with
neuroticism, as follow :
D. Family
religion communities which focus in one side of thing, however family can cover
up those all sides. The importance of family is massive in life. Family is a place
where we begin our life and is the greatest supporter in life. Besides, family has
many responsibilities for life such as taking care of each other, trust, loving, and
many more.
As what DeFrain, Brand, Friesen, and Swanson (2008) quoted from David
R. Mace (n.d), one of a pioneer in the field of marriage and family enrichment
says that “Nothing in the world could make human life happier than to greatly
increase the number of strong families.” From that statement, the writer can
assume that the existence of family has a huge impact for the necessity of
human’s life.
However, there are also some rules that generally must be obeyed by the
family members. Those rules are made up for the sake of maintaining good
relationship among the members and it is for the sake of defending the existence
described by many experts who conduct the study about social field. How people
Elliot and Gray (2010, p.6) as cited in Abdul (2014, p.81) argues that “The
a social construct. The ‘myth’ of biological relations has been used inarguments
about property and inheritance but has little relation to the way people operate in
terms of families.” On the other hand, it is in the family people learn and take in
life experiences, understand the societal norms and cultures, because family is a
home where people are raised, educated, taken care of and grown up (Binh, 2012,
p.173).
1. Characteristic of Family
teach their members, more specifically their children in aspect of how to build a
that, there are several characteristics of family which can be concluded as follows:
one another, they even sacrifice themselves to protect and share love, this
Their inter-relationships and interactions are guided under social and legal
regulations.
occurs and the new family conserved new name and tradition.
DeFrain, Brand, Friesen, and Swanson (2008) argue that there are many
They also agree that, the involvement between both sides either father and mother
or husband and wife, it is better to build the balancing in running their household,
for instance; a father should get involve in children’s and family’s day-to-day life
and a mother should not have to carry all the burdens of childrearing alone.
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Family life can be very joyful or even grueling pain, it is depending upon how
from two person who maintain a forceful bond continue with family inheritance.
Family day to day life has a number of functions which applied indirectly, but
understand the various structures of families and make them realize that different
families may have different problems, needs, strengths and values (Morgan and
Edwards, 2012).
children but also feed, clothe, and shelter them during their growth period.
ways of culture and trustworthy member of the group, all of these require
for one another in additional to practical side, for instance, nursing during
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material security.
3. Family as a System
family has their own derivatives and objectives. Moreover, its reflect the same
behavior indirectly and need each other as well. This consideration also
system theory into five classifications which are; 1) Having interrelated elements
the members of the family with each element has the characteristics
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and has an obscure boundaries that allow the external elements and
situations influence it, where the closed boundary systems isolates its
characteristics.
5) Using messages and rules to shape members. Messages and rules are
member’s behavior.
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classical author namely Louisa May Alcott. The novel was basically published
into two volumes, the first volume is Little Women, also known as Meg, Jo, Beth,
and Amy which was published in October 1868 and second volume is Part Second
or Good Wives (the title mostly known in England) published in April 1869.
The story of the novel Little Women (part 1) tells about a family who lives
in New England during Civil War in Concord, Massachusetts. March’s family has
four young children namely Margaret March (as Meg), Josephine March (as Jo),
Elizabeth March (as Beth), and Amy March (as Amy) who grew up with a
They were born as a rich family, but one time has fallen on poor and
having hard times. They are taught to be a faithful person and build a good
relation with the society, and love each other. Together they live with their mother
and their bestfriend, old Hannah (an old servant) who stays with them since Meg
was born.
Meanwhile, their father off to Civil War as a chaplain and had suffered
the illness (pneumonia) while he stayed there. Both of the elder Meg and Jo work
The author illustrates a strong and a kind mother Mrs. March and four
young women who have significantly different attitudes. lovely Meg, talented and
tomboyish Jo, frail and shy Beth, and spoiled Amy. The fourth sisters are
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struggling hard to reach their dreams, even they have to pass the ups and downs.
The novel also implies the vary of circumstances, such as lovestory, dreams,
Together the fourth sisters uplift their attitudes while their father has gone,
they want to make him proud of them when he returns. Jo takes the responsibility
to her family as long as their father cannot be there for them. They are accustomed
themselves to decrease their emotions, help each other, and keep mantaining good
family circumstances.
At the end of the story, the joys come close upon the sorrows and sacrifies
they have passed. Jo have reached one of her dreams and took the first step toward
a good writer, Amy continued her willingness to be an actrees and improved her
ability in sketching, Meg get married with a gentle man also as the March’s
friend, and Beth lives to keep warm and cheer up the family circumstances as well
as keep improving her ability in playing piano and to be a musician someday after
she had passed Scarlet Fever that made her almost die.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. Research Design
writing must have a certain kind of method to analyze some sorts of study.
analyze the novel in details, including to understand the text and dialogue as well
as to identify the meaning of the text and dialogue related to the characters that are
portrayed in the novel. Sandelowski (2000) notes that, “in doing such descriptive
qualitative studies, researchers tend not to penetrate their data in any interpretive
events.”
p.2) note that the characteristic of qualitative research is at its aims that refer to
the understanding of the aspect of social life in which the methods are generally
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The reason why the writer chooses to use descriptive qualitative approach
is because the writer wants to describe each characters’ personality that highly
affects the story through what they say, appear, do and feel which the author
B. Material of Analysis
In this study, the source of the data is the novel itself, Little Women (part
In this study, the writer uses the novel as the primary resource. The novel
that is used in conducting this study is Little Women novel written by Louisa May
To collect the data, the writer conducts this study through several steps,
that are:
1. Reading and understanding the story of the Little Women novel (part 1)
2. and Finding the personality within the characters through the four factors
physical appearance. For instances how they look like or how they dress
c. Words, which refers to what they say and their conversation to one another
d. Feelings, which means how the author described their feelings in their
personality traits theory by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (1990) as well
as correlate the character’s personality with the Big Five traits. Here, the
writer only focuses on analyzing two of the five traits that are
time boundaries. Besides, the selection of these two traits has a close
relation to the essence of the story that is the struggle for family existence.
D. Data Analysis
2. Identifying the personality of each the main character (Jo, Meg, Beth,
Amy and Mother) by using the four factor character analysis by Migrant
by using the concept of “The Big Five Personality Theory” by Paul Costa
4. Drawing Conclusion.
CHAPTER IV
A. Result
As stated in the first chapter, this writing focuses on five characters of the
novel who are the main characters named Josephine March and other sub-
characters that are Josephine’s sisters: Margaret March (the first sister), Elizabeth
March (the second sister), Amy March (the fourth sister), and Mrs. March (
This character analysis aims at figuring out how they struggling for their
family existence and what efforts maintaining their life including their existence
to help each other that are implied dominantly in the novel. To know the
personality of these characters, the writer analyzed the characters based on four
factors. All of the four factors analysis are emphasized by their struggle for their
family existence.
Therefore, to simplify the scope of this study, the writer gave some
limitation to avoid redundancies and time boundaries. In other words, the author
only focuses on the two dimensional characteristics of The Big Five personality
traits, that are Conscientiousness and Agreeableness because the two dimensions
of the character related to "family existence". After the writer read the novel,
understood sentence by sentence in detail, then analyzed the data based on four
factors character analysis as well as identified it with two traits dimension of The
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Big Five personality traits that are Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, the
so I must be herself of
contented with my having a fancy
old tarlatan” things
-Possessions
and
achievements
B. Discussion
personality that are Josephine March, Margaret March, Elizabeth March, Amy
March, as well as their Mother concerning on their struggle for family existence,
more specifically their efforts in maintaining their life through the use of four
personality theory promoted by Costa and McCrae (1990), all their personalities
represented their own effort and existence in the family. the detail explanations
1. Josephine March
Josephine March is the second sister in March family and also the main
ambitious, brave, high temper and compassionate girl. She has a strong
her to struggle it. Jo’s character always makes people think that anything is
possible and anything is possible for woman (Neary, 2008). Jo is also considered
as the strongest daughter among her sisters and her father gave her responsibility
to take care of her family and not half-hearted calls her ‘son’.
a. Appearance
Based on the above result of the study that the writer found, Josephine is
herself as a boy, dress up in unfeminime way, she prefers to wear boots rather
than girl’s slippers. She likes to speak in high volume and use slang. She has a
high temper and sarcastically feels that her creaturer created her as a girl that she
chapter 1:
”Fifteen year old Jo was very tall, thin, brown and reminded one of a colt,
for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very
much in her way. She had a decided mouth, a comical nose, and sharp, gray eyes,
which appeared to see everything, and were by turns fierce, funny, or thoughtful.
Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to
be out of her way. Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyway look to
her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting
up into a woman and didn’t like it.”
Similar to the above result, the author also described Jo’s ignorance about
“ Mine are spoiled with lemonade, and I can’t get any new ones, so I shall
have to go without,” said Jo, who never troubled herself much about dress.
Furthermore, the writer assumed that the result is referred to one of the Big
has a body which is inappropriate with her pretension, still she tried to forgive and
accepted her imperfection and she did not care about her look the way her dressed
up, for example, she never asked to have a beautiful dress and other fancy things.
47
b. Words
her/his mouth. As the writer found the result of Josephine’s words which
represent her personality especially for her struggle to maintain their life in page
33 chapter 4, the writer concluded that Josephine has one of the Big Five traits
that indicate her patient and effort to pursue her dreams as well as her sister,
with impulsive words by imagine their ‘Castle in the Air’ and she never used such
c. Action
to do some experiments and merciful. She is also a hardworker and never gives up
to take care of her family as long as her father off to Civil War. In page 151
chapter 15, the writer found that Jo has a sort of The Big Five personality traits
that is Agreeableness that indicates Altruistic, which means “How well people get
along with others” Ackerman (2017). As what the author provided the whole story
below:
In that story told by Josephine, the writer concluded that the author
reason for helping her mother to earn money and off to Washington due to serious
illness that her father suffered. She did it willingly without complaining about the
consequences.
d. Feeling
In spite of feeling so vigorous about earning money to help her family, she
also feels so eager about achieving her dream to be a writer. She writes several
stories day by day untiredly. She does love to write and read many books, she also
spends her free time to read books as much as she could, she wastes her time in
Josephine’s feeling in the story, one of her feelings that the author described is in
page 145 chapter 14. Costa and McCrae (1988), as cited in Leduc, Feldman, and
Bardi (2015), they state that according to social standards, the proactive aspect of
Based on the above result, the writer concluded that Jo’s feeling refers to
one of The Big Five Personality traits that is Conscientiousness which indicates
Hardworking. At the same time, the author also portrayed Jo’s hardworks in
writing which caused her feeling so great about her achievement. That effort was
”...Jo seated on the old sofa, writing busily, with her papers spread out
upon a trunk before her, while Scrabble, the pet rat, premonaded the beams
overhead, accompanied by his oldest son, a fine young fellow, who was evidently
very proud of his whiskers. Quite absorbed in her work, Jo scribbled away till the
last page was filled, when she signed her name with a flourish and threw down
her pen, exclaiming “There, I’ve done my best! If this won’t suit I shall have to
wait till I can do better.”
Summarizing the above results of Josephine March related to the struggle
for "family existence", she played the prominent role in the family. she exerted
herself to protect her family, for instance, she cut and sold her hair to help her
mother's departure to meet her father. Then, she always kept her sisters' spirits to
overcome their problems, and she never dreamed herself to live in rich sphere but
to be a successful writer.
2. Mrs. March
Mrs. March or known as Marmee is the mother of the four sisters. She is a
pleasant mother who supports and looks after her daughters alone through the
hard times of the Civil War because her husband’s departure to Washington. Mrs.
(Laire, 2009, p.15). For the girls, she is a guidance and hope. She taught them to
a. Appearance
Based on the above result that the writer found, it indicates that Mrs.
Mrs. March’s appearance is provided in page 8, chapter 1. From the result, the
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writer concluded that Mrs. March has one of The Big Five personality traits, that
“But, after a while, they found that he considered them the benefactors,
and could not do enough to show how grateful he was for Mrs. March’s motherly
welcome, their cheerful society, and the comfort he took in that humble home of
theirs.”
Based on the corps, the author tells about Mrs. March’s personality of
b. Words
Mrs. March known as a wise mother, she loves to speak dearly and she
always encourages her daughters by giving them some good preaches and some
motivational stories. As what the author portrayed in page 92, chapter 9, the writer
found the result that Mrs. March has a sort of The Big Five personality traits that
“Then let me advise you to take up your little burdens again, for though
they seem heavy sometimes, they are good for us, and lighten as we learn to carry
them.”
The reason why Mrs. March has a sort of consideration, because she
wished her daughters to be the happiest daughters and she hoped that their life
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will ended by beautiful things. Nettle and Liddle (2008) note Agreeableness is
c. Action
Based on the above result that the writer found in page 37, chapter 4, the writer
concluded that Mrs. March has one of The Big Five personality traits that is
agree that openness, conscientiousness and extraversion are the traits that has a sort of
volunteering.
Not only helped her daughters to overcome every pitiful situation that they
faced, she also helped other people who needed helps. This personality is also
“Mrs. March gave the mother tea and gruel, and comforted her with
promises of help, while she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her
own.”
d. Feeling
and rarely got angry. She also feels that her life is full of blesses such as having
four beautiful daughters as her most priceless treasure. Based on the above result
that the writer found in page 75, chapter 8, the writer concluded that Mrs. March
Emanouilov (2018) argue that parents who are agreeable more likely to give
support to their children, giving them a warm and safe environment to thrive on.
feel her life as a blessedness rather than feel it as a burden. The author described
Based on the story of Mrs. March and her meeting with an old man in a
room, while at the same time she thought about their loneliness without
father/husband and she felt so anxious about him, she got a very blessed and
motivated story from the four sons of the old man which two of them were killed,
one was prisoned and the last one was dying. She felt so rich with her life despite
her hard life in Civil War, she still have complete children who stay beside her all
the times.
Summarizing the above results of Mrs. March related to the struggle for
"family existence", she played an important role in the family. She was described
as a noble-looking mother, patient, helpful and guidance for the daughters. she
worked hard to earn money to support her family while replacing her husband's
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role, and the biggest hope in her life was to see herdaughters grow into good
3. Margaret March
Margaret March or Meg is the first sister in the March family. She is a
sensible one among the girls, very matronly and maternal. She seems like mother
for the sisters who always thinks of appearances. She loves to lecture her sisters
and manage the house since her mother was absent to work. She longs for many
of the luxuries she can no longer enjoy (Elbert, 1984). Eventhough she doesn’t
need material things, but she often misses it. In the family, she is considered as the
a. Appearance
adores wearing fine dresses and nice things that remain out of reach as what the
Page 5, Chapter 1
“Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being
plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, and sweet mouth, and
white hands, of which she was rather vain.”
Beside having a beautiful appearance, Meg is also portrayed as a girl who
impressed with all luxurious things, and wished to had a pleasant life as before her
father went poor. One of her desires to dress elegantly is found by the writer in
Based on the above result, the writer concluded that Meg’s personality is
related to one of The Big Five Personality traits that is Conscientiousness which
indicates Ambitious because Meg debuted herself into high society and tried to
dress herself elegantly. John and Srivastava (1999) note that “Conscientiousness
is a trait that can be described as the tendency to control impulses and act in
b. Words
Meg is described as girl who feels rewarded when she is able to please
anyone around her. She is contented to give lecture and act motherly to the girl.
Likewise, Meg is also known as an affectionate sister who looks after her sisters
Based on the above result that the writer found in page 80, chapter 9, the
writer concluded that one of Meg’s conversation indicates to one of The Big Five
reason why Meg’s words indicate to Agreeableness leads to her effort to dampen
“I’m glad I live in it then. I don’t like my work, but I get a good deal of
satisfaction out of it after all, so I won’t complain; I only wish I liked teaching as
you do.”
Based on this conversation, the writer concluded that eventhough Meg
feels uninterested with her work, but she tries to enjoy it. According to Adler
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c. Action
father lost his property in helping his unfortunate friend, Meg as the oldest as well
family. She works as a governess for the Kings, who have two children.
Meg was portrayed as helpful sister, she devoted herself to help her sisters
whenever they need her help such the result that the writer found in page 62 to 63,
chapter 7, the writer argued that Meg has one of The Big Five Personality traits
that is Agreeableness which is considered as Helpful. De Jong, Van Eck, and Van
Bos (1994) argue that Agreebleness is required when the superior’s consideration
In addition, the author also provided one of Meg’s action in page 151,
chapter 15:
Based on the conversation, Jo told her mother and sisters about Meg’s
d. Feeling
Beside having many wishes such as having beautiful life like others, being
rich, and surrounding with fancy things and good people, Meg rarely complains
about her situation. She tries to deal with herself and never wants to give any
Based on the above result that the writer found in page 35, chapter 4, the
writer concluded that Meg has one of The Big Five Personality traits that is
Similar with the result in page 35, chapter 4, the author also portrayed one
selfishness possessed her mind, but she always tries to make it disappears by
accustoming herself to live her life, earn money, and help her family instead of
for "family existence", she played an essential role in the family. In spite of
feeling so vigorous of having a luxurios life, she always learned to accept her
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situations and never complained it. To support the economic, she worked outside
the house to earn money and helped her sisters to fulfill their needs.
4. Elizabeth March
Elizabeth March or Beth is the third sister in March family, she is known
peacemaker. She chooses to study at home because she is too shy to attend the
public school. She likes to keep her house neat, helping their servant Hannah, and
loves to create happy circumstances around the house. She is also musically
inclined. Beth, the domestic, is “physically weak and painfully timid, even around
a. Appearance
Eventhough she has shy manner, people who know her will considere that she is
friendly. Besides, she never demands herself to dress beautiful and have any
luxurious things.
As the result that the writer found in page 35, chapter 4, the writer
concluded that Beth has a soothing personality, beautiful, warmth, and friendly.
Those personalities indicate that Beth has one of The Big Five Personality traits
Her humble personality also portrayed by the author in page 170, chapter
18, when Beth got serius illness, everyone missed her in the following description:
“Laurie haunted the house like a restless ghost, and Mr. Laurence locked
the grand piano, because he could not bear to be reminded of the young neighbor
who used to make the twilight pleasant for him. Everyone missed Beth. The
milkman, baker, grocer, and butcher inquired how she did, poor Mrs. Hummel
came to beg pardon for her thoughtlessness and to get a shroud for Minna, the
neighbors sent all sorts of comforts and good wishes, and even those who knew
her best were surprised to find how many friends shy little Beth had made.”
Best on the story, the author described that Beth has humble personality
b. Words
family no matter how the condition is. She tends to speak slowly and never get
angry with her sisters. She never makes plans for her future and never talks about
having any dreams, she feels comfortable with her own life, stay safe at home,
As the result that the writer found in page 133, chapter 13, the writer
concluded that Beth has one of The Big Personality traits that is
thoughtful way.
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Beth never wants any changes to happen to her life, she is dependable with
her desire to make those people around her happy and is perfectly content with her
life as the author portrayed her conversation about dreams with her sisters and
c. Action
Beth is known as a helpful girl, she likes to help her sisters and neighbors,
and assembles her energy to carry out people she loves. Her biggest talent is
music, she loves to sing many songs, especially at night to cheer up the girls after
As the result, the writer found in page 38, chapter 4, the author illustrated
Beth’s effort to play music for her family and herself. Based on the result, it
indicates that Beth has one of The Big Five Personality traits that is
”Conscientious individuals are clean and tidy, work hard, follow the rules
of society and social decorum, think before acting, and are organized.” (Jackson et
al., 2010)
d. Feeling
sisters. She puts her own feelings and emotions under the pressure and she rarely
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told her feeling and sorrow because she never wants to make the girls worry about
her, thus she prefer to sob alone rather than sharing her sadness to her family.
That’s why it makes her as the dearest sister. Nevertheless, Beth has gratitude and
As the result the writer found about Beth’s feeling in page 169, chapter 18,
it indicates that Beth’s has one of The Big Five Personality traits that is
“When her heart got heavy with with longings for Mother or fears for
Father, she went away into a certain closet, hid her face in the folds of a certain
dear old gown, and made her little moan and prayed her little prayer quietly by
herself. nobody knew what cheered her up after a sober fit, but everyone felt how
sweet and helpful Beth was, and fell into a way of going to her for comfort or
advice in their small affairs.”
Based on the description, it explains that Beth is patient with her feeling of
her parents, she choosed to pray for them rather than telling her sadness to her
sisters. As Nattle and Liddle (2008), they state that “Agreeableness largely
for "family existence", she playeda very touching role in the family. She was
described as the most patience sister among others. She was a shy, beautiful,
humble, and friendly girl. Everyone who knows her will consider her as a
loveable person. She dedicated her life to keep safe her family and cheered them
up. She had a high willingness to master her skill in playing piano without telling
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anyone about her hard works to pursue it. she was described as a daughter who
5. Amy March
Amy Curtis March or Amy is the youngest of the March girls, she is
portrayed as the artistic and feminime one among the sisters. In the story, the
author described her as a spoiled girl and likes to throw tantrums which lead her
family strive to correct her bad manner before she grows old.
Amy has the same interest of luxuries, like Meg. She tends to make some
interest with her own appearance in which unsuitable her as someone who is so
young (Elbert, 1984). Her biggest pride is her beautiful hair but her biggest trial is
her nose because it looks rather flat than aristocratic point she wanted most. Her
a. Appearance
Amy was portrayed as a girl who puts herself as a lady, she is prim and
proper. She doesn’t care much about love and romance like Josephine does. In her
age, she wastes her time to think about financial advantageous and all sorts of
fashion. Her pride is her curly hair and her nose is the greatest trial in her life.
Besides, she feels very confident about her taste of art, fashion, and
luxuries. Amy is always concerned much about her appearance. Based on the
above result that the writer found in page 6, chapter 1, the writer concluded that
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Amy personality is related to one of The Big Five traits that is Conscientiousness
which is considered as Ambitious. Warner (2016), as she quoted from the study of
dates, comb their hair, polish their shoes, stand up straight, and scrub floors.”
Besides, Warner also adds that conscientious people are more concern with their
Based on this description, the writer concluded that Amy was always
complained about her appearance that she thought it never satisfied her mood of
dressing.
b. Words
The way she talks, Amy is described as a spoiled girl and outspoken, she
tends to express her feelings in honest way. As a child, her ambitions seem
ridiculous, she is always misusing big words and quiet affecting snobby
wholeheartedly pursues her dream to be an artist. the result was found in page
Based on the above conversation, it indicates that Amy has one of The Big
well-prepared and organized, more goal oriented in her/his motives, and more
her strong-willed to go to Rome (to be able to travel the world) and to be a famous
“Jo and I are going to make fortunes for you all. Just wait ten years, and
see if we don’t,” said Amy, who sat in a corner making mud pies.
Those words indicate that Amy has strong willingness to uplift her life as
well as her family. By mentioning her sister Jo, they dedicated themselves to work
c. Action
As the youngest, Amy rarely does anything for her family that points as
struggle at first. She only asked to go to school and help Hannah and Beth to keep
the house. However, Amy realised how beloved and petted she had been at her
own home, and this realisation caused her to change for better. This happened
when she was sent to live with her Aunt March during Beth’s serious illness.
65
Though she never truly lost her willingness to be popular or her fondness
of luxuries, Amy matured into a graceful and compassionate woman who looked
out for those who are less fortunate than her. Thus, she tried to do her first effort
to her family, hope that it will be worth for them. Amy’s effort is portrayed in
Based on the above result, the writer concluded that Amy has one of The
Big Five Personality traits that is Agreeableness which categorized as Loyal.
People who have agreeableness have a tendency to feel a sense of duty towards
others. They are aware of the effect that their words and actions can have on
In that illustration, Amy tried to minimize her selfishness and thought that
her fondness of luxuries is not the guarantee for happiness, but her family.
d. Feeling
sometimes make the girls annoyed, but she is personally fun, extrovert, and
The most touchful feeling of Amy which the author portrayed is when
Amy moves to Aunt March house for a moment because a serious illness that
Beth suffered. In that time, something that seemed dramatic happened to Amy
which caused her to realise that there were so many blesses that she has gotten
during her lives with her family, those realisations changed her to be better.
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The description of Amy’s feeling can be found in page 179, chapter 18.
Based on the story, the writer concluded that Amy has one of The Big Five
(2018) argues that Agreeable people tend to take their pleasure in helping and
happiness, be independent, and tried to not complain about the problems that she
and her family faced without hoping anybody sees or praises her.
Summarizing the above results of Amy March related to the struggle for
"family existence", she played a touchful role in the family. besides having an
annoying attitude, Amy tried to make her existence useful for her family, for
instances, she had a willingness to be a famous artist in order to make fortune for
the the family, besides, she made her will to her sisters if she died as her first
effort. Then, she never wanted to make herself feels sad, that is why she always
A. Conclusions
regarding to this writing. This thesis aimsat analyzing the personalities of the
main characters that are Josephine March, and other sub-characters including her
mother and her sisters asportrayed inLittle Women (part 1) novel written by
the concept of “The Big Five Personality Theory” by Paul Costa and Robert
McCrae (1990).
the conclusion is the main characters’ personality of Little Women that are
Josephine March, Margaret March, Elizabeth March, Amy March, and Mrs.
March indicates some sorts of The Big Five Personality theory, more specifically,
two traits of The Big Five that are Conscientiousness and Agreeableness
Related to The Big Five Personality traits, all characters represent their
67
68
have a close personality in particular side, for example, Jo and Beth quiet
unconcern with their appearance the way they dress up and any luxuries. In
contrast, Margaret and Amy have the same interest in particular side, whereas
they assemble themselves to imagine living in the rich sphere. Compared to their
willingness to dream high, Jo and Amy, in contrast to both of their sisters Meg
and Beth, have set their goals for themselves that lay outside their domestic
sphere.
maintaining their family. Jo and Meg choose to work for earning money, while
Amy and Beth do their duty in keeping their house and creating happy
circumstances. On the other hand, Mrs. March is described as a guidance for the
religious woman.
B. Suggestions
those who want to deeper their study in literary character especially about
characters in the novel, the researcher needs to know the story of the novel,
69
understand every circumstances that the author portrayed in the novel, and
understand every emotions the writer described through the role of the characters.
Moreover, for those who want to conduct the same study in analyzing the
personalities of the characters in the novel by using The Big Five Personality
theory by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (1990), the future researchers are
suggested to read some sources of The Big Five Personality Theory such as from
especially for those who want to conduct the same study and it will be interested
for future reseachers to increase the number of literary works especially the study
of using The Big Five Personality traits because it is still rarely found.
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Miftahul Jannah