THE BAUDELAIRES’ LIFE EXPERIENCE RELATED TO THE PLOT IN SNICKET’S SLIPPERY SLOPE

Abstract

A Series of Unfortunate Events is children literature. Children literature ussually tells about joyful adventure, fantasies, and amusing story. It can expand their knowledge and even fills them with fantasies. It can also shape children’s way of thinking. Happy ending story which always happens in children literature, gives hope to children that there is always a way in every problem. However, A Series of Unfortunate Events is not a story about joys, amusing fantasies, exciting danger of adventures, nor even a happy ending story. The main topic in this study is the life experience of the Baudelaires: the way they survive their unfortunate adventures and grow up in such a difficult life without any parents or caregivers. Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development is used to analize the characters; Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. Five of eight stages of Erikson’s psychosocial development theory are used to analize the charaters’ personality development. Then it is related to plot development of the story. The technique of collecting data in this study is library research. The method used in this thesis is inductive method. This thesis uses psychosocial and structural approach in analysing the problem. In conclusion, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire grow up into mature strong children. What the Baudelaires try to achieve builds the plot. In achieving their goals, the Baudelaires develop their personality. Without the characters’ achievement, there will be no plot. Each conflict leads to certain action which supports the development of the characters’ personality, along with the development of the plot.