THE ANALYSIS OF MADAME WU’S REACTIONS TO HER FAMILY AS THE CAUSES OF HER UNHAPPINESS IN PEARL S. BUCK’S PAVILION OF WOMEN

Abstract

Literature can be used as a means for understanding life deeply. In short it can bring us a sense and perception of life. It is because Literature usually is the representation of life. On the other hand literature is not only a reflection of social causes but also the causes of social effects which are reflected in this novel. Pavilion of Women is a novel written by Pearl S. Buck. It was published in 1946. Pavilion of Women speaks completely about the Chinese Old Family. The story describes the life of Madame Wu, a Chinese woman, whose her life has changed after her fortieth birthday. She tries to do her best for her family with the hope that they get their happiness, but at last she discovers that she is wrong. She realizes that all she has done is a useless sacrifice. The method analysis used in this thesis is inductive. It is applied to get a general statement from particular facts. The discussion begins with a particular idea from the reactions made by Madame Wu that causes her unhappiness as the general idea. The data used in this thesis are collected by means of library research and also data from any printed materials such as articles, papers, books, and internet sites. In analyzing the story, two approaches are used to analyze the novel; they are the psychological and sociological approach. From the discussion, it can be comprehended and understood well what the author’s idea is. The author proves that reaction cannot only give a positive effect but also negative effect if someone cannot use it carefully.