AN ANALYSIS OF THE CHRONICLE OF NARNIA THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE BY CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS BASED ON READER RESPONSE STRATEGY

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1 AN ANALYSIS OF THE CHRONICLE OF NARNIA THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE BY CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS BASED ON READER RESPONSE STRATEGY SEPTI KURNIAWATI English Education Study Program Language and Arts Departement STKIP Siliwangi Bandung ABSTRACT The objectives of this research entitled An Analysis of The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by Clive Staples Lewis Based on Reader s Response Strategy were to enable teacher and students to improve their knowledge and to have more understanding of what literature is. Literature is one of English subjects that should be learned by future teachers. It is one of the subjects of proficiency that should be learned to encourage future teachers to improve their knowledge of language competence, to have more understanding of literary works and to build our character. The writer is interested in studying novel by focusing on theme, characters, setting, main idea, of this novel chosen as it is the most popular novel in England and it is great novel for children. In addition, the writer enjoys reading it and would like to improve her knowledge by appreciating it. For this research the writer collected the data and analyzed them by applying descriptive-qualitative study and the type of approach used in this investigation is Reader s Response Strategy. This approach covers seven steps, those are; engaging, describing, conceiving, interpreting, explaining, connecting, judging. The research subject of this research were all page s of The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Guided question which were designed based on Reader s Response Strategy were applied as instruments for collecting the data. In addition, the writer conducted library research related to this topic and took some sources from the internet. By applying the seven steps of Reader s Response Strategy, the writer could find out that the theme of the story was very interesting because it told us about Christian allegory, faith, the possibility of the impossible, redemption and rebirth. Setting of place was clear, interesting, wonderful, good and well composed. Plot of the story was good, make reader happy, sad, curious and did not make reader stop reading until the end of the story. Characters were good, because each chapter had characterization and strength. So, it was easy for readers to remember and understand them. Key words: Reader s Response Strategy A. BACKGROUND Nowadays, English mastery becomes the main problem for Indonesian people. Most people cannot speak English well. Meanwhile, the government of Indonesia put English language as a subject lesson in every school to enable the students improving their four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in order to know the used of English. English language should be practice, one of the ways is by studying literature and readings literary works. The general objective of studying literature is to enable students to improve their knowledge and to have more understanding of what literature is. Not only studying the literary works, but also studying the history of English literature is very important. By studying it we can get a lot of information, we can learn the novels published in the 18 th century, 19 th century, 20 th century. In this research the writer analyzed the chronicle which is included into fantasy novel based on seven steps of Reader s Response Strategy, those are; engaging, describing, conceiving, explaining, interpreting, connecting, and judging. The facts that chronicle always take the reader to understand and appreciate the story itself until they can enjoy it. The writers choose to analyzed the chronicle because chronicle has many intrinsic elements like a novel. Intrinsic elements consist of; theme, characters and characterization, setting time and setting place, plot, point of view, style of writing. Intrinsic elements which are the elements used for building the story from inside. 1

2 Based on the background above, this study is intended to analyze the novel by applying the seven steps of Reader s Response Strategy. B. The Aim of The Research The aims of the research are: 1. Find out the beneficial input that can be taken from the novel. 2. Find out the hidden message on the novel The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. C. Research Methodology 1.Research Method Denzin and Lincoln (1994) provided a generic definition of qualitative research, that is, Qualitative research is multi method in focus involving an interpretive, naturalist approach to its subject matter. The multi method in focus is describe as the combination of multiple methods, empirical materials, perspectives and observers in a single study is best understood, than as a strategy that adds rigor, breadth, and depth to any investigation. Retrieved from Qualitative research is an inquiry process of understanding based on distinct methodological tradition of inquiry that explore a social or human problem. The research builds a complex, holistic pictures, analyzes words, reports detailed views of informants, an conducted the study in natural setting (Creswell, 1998:15). Retrieved from This study employs a qualitative approach in analyzing and observing Novel of The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Qualitative research is descriptive research and tends to use inductive analysis approach. Process and meaning is more highlighted in qualitative research. Descriptive method means that the end of the product of a case study is a rich, thick description of the phenomenon under study (Merriam, 1988). Retrieved The writer believe that descriptive qualitative method is appropriate for this research because the goal of the research is too systematically, factually, and accurately describe of illustrating the fact, characteristics and relationship of the research elements. 2. Research Subject The research subject of this research is the first chapter until the last chapter of the chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. 3.Research Instrument To get the data, the writer used novel as substance to write the analysis. The title of the novel is The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe written by Clive Staples Lewis. The writer used the descriptive study to find out the data, the instrument used were novel which can be applied to be analyzed based on the steps of Reader s Response Strategy. The writer provided some list consisting the result of analyzing the elements of the novels and some guide questions designed based on Reader s Response Strategy. These questions were used to obtain the data needed. D. Findings and Discussions 1. Describing Steps of Readers Response Strategy Readers Response Strategy is a modern critical theory that is stressed to the role of the readers. Indeed, some critics are primarily interested in the way which reader receives, and understands literature. Their central assumption is that the reader actively contributes something to the text (Peck and Coyle, 1984:160). Readers Response Strategy are ways of responding that we can describe separately and that may be employed separately but that together comprise a reader s full response to the text being read (Beach and Marshal, 1991:28). They tell that there are seven steps of reader s response strategy which can be applied. These steps are guidance for the response of literary works. Based on reader s response strategy, we have to apply the following steps: a. Engaging The reader s engaging with a text involved range of different subjunctive experiences such as emotional, empathy, and identification. The reader s gain a heightened sense of these emotion by attending their own experiences with texts. An inner dialogue between their experience with text and their own conceptual framework. b. Describing Describing is problem solving. In this step the question is needed as the guiding, so the solution is founded by the reader to understand the text. 2

3 Reader s describes a text when they restate or reproduce the information that provide verbatim by the author. In deciding what are can be include in the description, reader s have already made decision about what is important in the text. This description also relates to solving problem. c. Conceiving This step means that the text cannot be separated with understanding of social behavior and cultural background, which is reflected from the text. d. Explaining In explaining a characters action, the reader draws on their conceptions of characters traits beliefs or goal to infer a reason for that characters action. In explaining a character or event in a text, we move beyond our inferences about goals a traits to make a statements about the larger world of the story, including its, political, and psychological dimensions. e. Interpreting It means describing the theme, cultural norm, and the ain character behavior, he feeling and the habit of the characters. In making interpretations, we usually discuss what the text says. f. Connecting This step means connecting the reader experiences with the story. The story is comparison with the reader experience or author story. g. Judging Judging means making judgement. When we judge a text, we pull back from it to make evaluative statements about its character was appropriate, rational, normal or abnormal. Similary, we might want to suggest that the story was interesting or not, realistic or not. Judging means the conclusions of reader to the literary. 2. The Analysis of the Novel Based on Reader s Response Strategy a. Engaging - What could you imagine after reading the Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe? When the writer read the novel of The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe she could imagine that Peter was very confuse and sad because his brother s Edmund betrayed them and choose join the White Witch. On the other side, Peter, Susan, and Lucy were chosen to help Aslan save Narnia from the White Witch. But, they were very happy when Edmund conscious with his fault and together they have helping Aslan to save Narnia. - Would you help someone if he/she get problem? 3 The writer will save him/her, although it s dangerous. - If you have brother like Edmund, what would you do? The writer will try to advice him until he conscious that he measure could hurt himself and other. - What would you do if you were Peter Pevensie? I will do as like Peter Pevensie. - How do you feel after you read the novel? I feel the challenge of the adventures as happen to the characters in this novel. It can be summarized that the reader can get involved in the story easily. b. Describing In describing, the writer describes about the theme, setting, characters and characterization, and plot. 1) Theme The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe tell us about Christian allegory, faith, the possibility of the impossible, redemption, and rebirth. 2) Setting The story setting of the novel took places in the English Countryside at the World War II and mostly in the Magical Land of Narnia. The writer would descript setting of place in the story of The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe those are in London, Professor s house, Wardrobe, Narnia, Mr. Tumnus s house, England, Forest, Mr. Beaver s house, White Witch s house, Beruna, Stone Table, and Cair Paravel. 3) Characters and Characterization Peter Pevensie Peter is the eldest of the children. Father Christmas gives Peter a sword and a shield as gifts. Peter assumes the throne as King and becomes known as Peter the Magnificent. Susan Pevensie Susan is the second eldest of the children. Father Christmas present s Susan with a horn to blow an times of need, as well as a bow and a quiver of arrows. She becomes known as Susan the Gentle. Edmund Pevensie Edmund is the second youngest of the children. Edmund is the second of the children to reach Narnia. When Edmund becomes King, he is known as Edmund the Just. Lucy Pevensie Lucy is the youngest of the children, and the first discover Narnia. From Father Christmas Lucy receives a dagger and a special bottle of the juice of the fireflowers that grow on the sun. She becomes known for

4 her golden hair and charm. The people call her Lucy the Valiant. The Professor The professor opens his home to the children during the London air raids. He strikes the reader as a generous man, and is willing to open his home to anyone requesting a tour of the place. Mrs. Macready Mrs. Macready is the professor s housekeeper, and does not especially like children. Mr. Tumnus Mr. Tumnus is a faun, and the first creature Lucy meets in Narnia. Maugrim Maugrim is according the notice nailed into the carpet of Mr. Tumnus s cave, the chief of the secret police and an employee of the White Witch. The White Witch The White Witch has cast a spell over Narnia, making it forever winter, yet never Christmas. She has crowned herself Queen of Narnia. She is killed by Aslan himself. Father Christmas Father christmas s arrival signifies that the Witch spell is weakening. He wear a bright-red robe, has a bells and brown reindeer, and drives a sledge with jingling side of the wardrobe. Mr. Beaver Mr. Beaver explains to the children that they are about to meet Aslan. He also provides them with information about Aslan and the White Witch. Without Mr. Beaver s help the children would never have reached the Stone Table and met Aslan. Aslan Aslan is a lion. King of the Beasts, and the son of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Aslan is good, just, and forgiving, as is shown by his actions following Edmunds betrayed. Giant Rumblebuffin Giant Rumblebuffin is a friendly giant who has been turned into stone by the White Witch. Mrs. Beaver Mrs. Beaver is the wife of Mr. Beaver, she prepares food for their journey to the Stone Table, and appears to be fussy, yet caring. The Dwarf The Dwarf is the White Witch s henchman and the driver of her sledge. 4). Plot Exposition The author begin the story by introducing the four children of pevensie s family sent out away from 4 London because the war of air raids. They were sent to the house of an old professor who lived in the heart of the country. In this house the adventures was begin when Lucy found a wardrobe on the spare room. When she get in to the wardrobe, she found the magical land of Narnia. Rising Action The story was rise up when Edmund betrayed his brother, his sister s and Aslan. He joining the white witch, that actually lying to him. The witch want to kill Edmund, but Aslan save him and die at Edmund s place. Climax Climax of the story is when the battle was begin. Peter and Edmund led s Aslan army battle the white witch and her followers. Aslan pounce on the witch and kill her and they winning the battle. Falling Action Aslan make them King s and Queen s of Narnia. There is a celebration at Cair Paravel, and the prophecy comes true; the four thrones are filled by two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy each grow in renown. They rule Narnia fairly for many years. Resolution The four children come upon the lamp-post when they hunt for a white stag in the western wood. It strikes them all oddly, like something from a dream. They move beyond it, and suddenly the trees become coats, and they tumble out of the wardrobe in their old clothes. The children tell the professor the story in order to explain why four of the fur coats from the wardrobe are missing. He believes the story entirely, and assures them that one day they will see Narnia again. He repeats what Aslan said to them as they had assumed their thrones: they will always be King s and Queen s of Narnia. - What is the theme of the novel the chronicle of Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe? The theme of this novel are Christian allegory, faith, the possibility of the impossible, redemption and rebirth. - Which characters do you like Peter, Susan, Edmund or Lucy? The writer most like Peter character because he is very strong and appropriate when he decide to help Aslan save Narnia from the spell of the White Witch. - Which one do you like better, watching the film or reading the book? The writers feel enjoy it reading the book, because she can imagine alone about the story. - Do you like the theme of the novel chronicle of Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe?

5 Yes, I like the theme in the chronicle of Narnia the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe. - What do you think of the main characters in this novel? The main character in this novel is very strong and he is brave fight the witch and her followers. The writer think that after applying Describing Step, the reader can describe the story easily. c. Conceiving The chronicle of Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe was story about how to be a faithful person. Its plot is created to make the story full of suspense and dramatic. The characters of the story were created to make readers wonder during the time of reading. - Why does White Witch want to kill Aslan? The White Witch want to kill Aslan because they have made agreement that Aslan will die in Edmund s place. - Could you give the reason why Aslan choose Peter pevensie as the King in Narnia? Yes, Aslan choose Peter as the King because he is strong, brave and appropriate of decide to solve problem. The Conceiving Step helps the reader to apply the skimming and scanning of the novel. d. Explaining - What message did the author want to tell? The author want to tell that the true is the winner. - Mention the language style you know in the novel? According to the writer, the author using personification language style because he often using over expression, Tree s and animals could speak as human. - What words and expressions do you like in the dialogue of the novel? In the dialogue of Narnia novel, I like words logic was said by the professor. - What makes the story attract you? The story attract the writer when the battle between Peter, Edmund and Aslan army fight the Witch and her followers were begin. - What part of story do you like in the novel? In the chronicle of Narnia the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe there is part of story that makes the writer attracted that is when Peter and Edmund led the battle fight the white witch. The Explaining Step helps the writer to more understand the story and improve vocabulary. 5 e. Interpreting - What is the theme of this story? The theme of this story are Christian allegory, faith, the possibility of the impossible, redemption and rebirth. - What are the meaning of words found in the story? Logic the possibility - Why does Peter decide to help Aslan? Peter decide to help Aslan because he want save his brother Edmund- and Narnia from the spell of the White Witch. By Interpreting step helps the writer to more understand the story and improve vocabulary and also the writer use the utterance of style language and writing language. f. Connecting In this section the writer could compare the characters of the novel. - How are the characters in the story compared to people around your environment? The writer compared the character in this novel to the people around her environment based on their brave and leadership. - Could you connect the story in the novel with the situation in your life? The story in this novel cannot connect with the situation in our life, because it has different period of live. - Could you compare the novel to the characters of other novels that you have read? Yes, I can compare it to the characters of other novels that I have read. By comparing the chronicle of Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe to other novels, the writer can get more information. g. Judging - How was your judgement about this novel. Is it interesting? Explain! The chronicle of Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe is an interesting novel which tells us about love and fight to get the power. The writer likes the story and characters in this novel. Especially character s Peter and Lucy. - Did you like the main characters of the novel? Yes, I like. - What do you think about the story? According to my opinion the story is very interesting and has the hidden message to explore. - What do you think about the author in this novel?

6 The author in this novel is very kind. He wrote children s story full with imagination and the hidden message which must we explore it. The writer thinks that after applying Judging Step the reader can judge the story easily. E.Conclusions and Suggestions 1. Conclusions After the writer analyzed the novel based on Reader s Response Strategy, she puts forward some conclusions as follow: a. After analyzing the novel based on questions designed based on Reader s Response Strategy, the writer could find out easily all the elements of the novel and the followings are the result of analysis based on the seven steps of Reader s Response Strategy which were generated into 27 questions. The elements of the novel which are actually the intrinsic values of novels those are: 1) The theme of the story was very interesting because it tells us about Christian allegory, faith, the possibility of the impossible, redemption and rebirth. 2) Setting of place were seen clear, interesting, wonderful, good and well composed. 3) Plots of the story were good, make reader happy, sad, curious and do not make reader stop for reading until the end of the story. 4) Characters were good, because each chapter has characterization and strength. So, it is easy for readers to remember and understand them. b. The writer underlined that the steps of the principles of Reader s Response Strategy effective used for analyzing the novel, because the writer could understand about the novel. By using the seven step s of Reader s Response Strategy, the writer could find out the hidden messages of the novel. This novel has strong characters like ambitious, arrogant, kindly, wise and good relationship. Point of view of the chronicle of Narnia The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe was third person because the author was not as the main character in this novel. He created the story on his imagination. The writer finds the moral value of the story, that the winner is the right one. And also the writer finds out that there were beneficial inputs that can be taken from the novel, such as; we could improve our knowledge, improve our vocabulary and grammar, learn social life and cultural background and also we could understand other cultures of other nations. 2. Suggestions After conducting the study, the writer draws some suggestions as follows: a. Literary work which are popular among teenagers and young learners which is good for reading ingredient that can increase their knowledge. It is suggested that teachers of English should make their students have the reading habit. b. Analyzing English novels can give us some benefits, such as improving our knowledge of language and English vocabulary and also built students reading interest. Reading activities also can improve good imaginations. Therefore, teacher may ask students to discuss how to analyze the literary work. c. Teachers of English should read a lot of novels to improve the knowledge, in addition by reading the novels we can get a lot of information which are fruitful for guiding our students, for examples we can build our characters and we have positive attitudes. BIBLIOGRAPHY Beach and Marshal Teaching Literature in the Secondary School. United States of America: Harcourt Brace Jovannovich. Creswell. (1998). In Denzin and Lincoln In Lewis, C.S The Chronicle of Narnia The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama. Merriam Inhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/description. Peck and Coyle Literary Terms and Criticism. Houndsmills: Macmillan Education Ltd. 6