A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS IN HANSEL AND GRETEL

WRITTEN BY JACOB AND WILHELM GRIMM

HUSNAYAINI

NIM. 103026027626

ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT

LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY

SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

JAKARTA

2011

i

ABSTRACT

Husnayaini, “A Main Character Analysis in Hansel and Gretel Written by

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm”. Thesis. Jakarta. English Letters Department,

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta, February 2011.

This research studies Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s entitled Hansel and

Gretel published by Grimm’s fairy tales in final edition, 1857. The writer uses the

character’s characterization conception as the theoretical framework. The method

of this research is descriptive qualitative in analyzing the tale. The objective of

this research is to know how the character Hansel and Gretel characterized by the

author. The writer collects the characteristics of the main character through the

characterization. The collected data are analyzed by using character analysis.

In this analysis the writer finds out the main character characteristics.

Hansel is a young boy; he is smart, wise, strong, responsible, survivor, never give

up, and brave. In addition, his little sister, Gretel is also smart, brave, innocent,

submissive, wise, never give up, and survivor. Although they are still children,

both of them are brave person. They succeed overcome their problem from suffer

and they dare to force the wicked witch that they had met in the wood. Finally,

they went home and live happily ever after.

ii

APPROVEMENT

A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS IN HANSEL AND GRETEL WRITTEN

BY JACOB AND WILHELM GRIMM

A Thesis

Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for

Strata 1 Degree (S1)

HUSNAYAINI

NIM. 103026027626

Approved by:

Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum

Advisor

ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT

LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY

SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

JAKARTA

2011

iii

LEGALIZATION

Name : Husnayaini

NIM : 103026027626

Title : A Main Character Analysis in Hansel and Gretel Written by Jacob

and Wilhelm Grimm

The thesis entitled “A Main Character Analysis in Hansel and Gretel Written by

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm” has been defended before the Letter and Humanities

Faculty’s Examination Committee on February 9th

, 2011. The thesis has already

been accepted as a partial fulfillment of requirement for Strata One Degree (SI).

Jakarta, February 9th

, 2011

The Examining Committee

Signature Date

1. Drs. Asep Saefudin, M. Pd (Chair Person)

NIP. 19640710 1999303 1 006

2. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum (Secretary)

NIP. 19781003 200112 2 002

3. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum (Advisor)

NIP. 19781003 200112 2 002

4. Dr. Muhammad Farkhan, M.Pd (Examiner I)

NIP. 19650919 200003 1 002

5. Inayatul Chusna, M. Hum (Examiner II)

NIP. 19780126 200312 2 002

iv

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission in my own work and that, to the best of my

knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by

another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for

another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the

award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher

learning, except where due acknowledgement has been made in the text.

Jakarta, Februari 2011

Husnayaini

v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to thank to Allah SWT, the Lord of the universe

and thereafter. I have no doubt that all I have is from Him. Peace and blessing be

upon our prophet Muhammad SAW, his family, all of his friends and followers.

I would like to express my gratitude to my beloved family: my mother

(Maswarni), my father (Alm. Imran), thank you so much for their love, financial

support, prayers, hope, motivation, and all the contribution I need to finish my

study in this University. I also want to thank to my husband; Hanafi and my

lovely children; Kim Bum Fakhrezi and Kirey Saraca who support me during the

preparation of doing my thesis. Thank you for all your kindness, spirit and care.

I would like to thank my advisor, Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum for his great

patient, and contributions in finishing this thesis. I thank for all her advises that

have been given to me, May God bless her.

I wish to say gratitude to the following persons:

1. Dr. H. Abdul Wahid Hasyim, M. Ag as the Dean of Letters and

Humanities Faculty, Syarif Hidyatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta.

2. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M. Pd as the head of English Letters Department.

3. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum as the secretary of English Letters Department

who has given helpful suggestions and comments.

4. Dr. Muhammad Farkhan, M.Pd as the examiner I of this thesis who has

given helpful suggestions and detailed comments.

vi

5. Inayatul Chusna, M. Hum as the examiner II of this thesis and her

suggestions.

6. All lecturers of English Letters Department who have taught and educated

me during my study at Syarif Hidayatullah University, Jakarta.

7. My big family, Delimunthe, thank you for all your kindness, spirit and

care.

8. All of my friends at English Letters Department; Muzdalifah (Ipheh),

Nugraheni Aditya (Uphi), Faisal, thank you for their kindness and care.

For all my friends that I cannot be mentioned one by one for giving their

friendship, thanks a lot.

May Allah SWT, the Almighty and the Merciful blesses us, Amin. Finally,

I realize that this thesis is far from being perfect. Accordingly, I hope any

suggestion and criticism for this thesis.

Jakarta, February 2011

The Writer

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... i

APPROVEMENT ............................................................................................. ii

LEGALIZATION ............................................................................................. iii

DECLARATION ............................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................ v

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................. vii

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1

A. Background of the Study ................................................................... 1

B. Focus of the Study ............................................................................. 3

C. Research Question ............................................................................. 3

D. Objectives of the Study…………………………………………….. 3

E. Research Methodology...................................................................... 4

1. The Objective of the Research .................................................... 4

2. Method of the Research .............................................................. 4

3. Technique of Data Analysis ........................................................ 4

4. Unit of Analysis .......................................................................... 4

5. Instrument ................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........................................ 5

A. Character and Characterization ......................................................... 5

B. Kinds of Character ............................................................................ 6

C. Identifying Character ........................................................................ 10

CHAPTER III. RESEARCH FINDINGS ....................................................... 12

A. Data Description................................................................................ 12

B. The Characteristics of Hansel and Gretel.......................................... 14

B.1. The Characteristics of Hansel.………………………………… 14

B.2. The Characteristics of Gretel ..…...……………………………. 17

CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ................................. 22

A. Conclusion……………………………………………………… ...... 22

B. Suggestion……………………………………………………….. .... 23

REFERENCES .................................................................................................. 24

APPENDIXES .................................................................................................. 26

1

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

X. J. Kennedy explains that “modern literary fiction in English has

been dominated by two forms: the novel and the short story. The two have many

elements in common. Perhaps we will be able to define the short story more

meaningfully, for it has traits more essential than just a particular length, if first,

for comparison, we consider some related varieties of fiction: the fable and the

tale. Ancient forms whose origins date back to the time of word of mouth

storytelling, the fable and the tale are relatively simply in structure; in them we

can plainly see elements also found in the short story (and in the novel)”1

Folk tales and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These

tales and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These tales which

developed concurrently with other narrative forms. The folk tales and fairy tales

that survive (such as Cinderella and Aesop‟s Fables) are contemporary versions of

old, even ancient, tales that can be traced back centuries through many different

cultures. Despite their variety these narrative forms have several elements in

common. First, they have straight forward characterizations, often contrasting

distinctly different personality types. In additions, the folk tale or fairy tale has an

1 X. J. Kennedy, An Introduction to Fiction, Fifth Edition (New York: Harper Collins

Publisher, 1991), p. 2.

2

obvious theme or moral good triumphing over evil, for instance.2

Folklorists make distinctions among the categories of folktales.

Legend and traditions are narratives of an explanatory nature concerning creation

and tribal beginnings, supernatural beings, and quasi historical figures (e.g., King

Arthur). These stories are related as fact and concern a specific time and place.

Fairy tales are entirely fictional and often begin with such formulas as “once upon

a time…” Popular examples recount the supernatural adventures and mishaps of

youngest daughters, transformed princess, mermaids, and wood fairies and elves

(e.g., Cinderella). Animal tales abound in every culture; most of them are clearly

anthropomorphic, the animals assuming human personalities. Such tales are

classified according to three subdivisions: the etiological tale, or tale concerning

origins (e.g., Great Hare of the Native North Americans); the fable pointing to a

moral (Aesop‟s Fables); and the beast epic (e.g., Reynard the Fox). Myths, which

are more difficult to define satisfactorily, treat happenings of a long time ago; they

generally concern the adventures of gods, giants, heroes, nymphs, satyrs, and

villains, as well as etiological themes.3

A fairy tales analyzed by the writer is Hansel and Gretel created by

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. This story tells about the young children of a poor

wood cutter, when a great famine came to the land, their stepmother plans to take

the children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves. So that,

she and her husband might not starve. Their stepmother forces their father to agree

2 Ibid, p. 36.

3 Folktale from http//www.infoplease.com/ceb/ent/Ao819070.html#1Q1Mmmjse,

Accessed on June 18th

, 2011.

3

to leave the children in the woods to die. In the woods the children come upon the

house of an evil witch who plans to eat them.

In this tale, the writer will analyze the problem by looking on the

character’s characterization. The writer chooses this tale tells about the

relationship between family, which is taken from the reality or mimesis of reality

world and this tale more literary and more sentimental to analyze.

B. Focus of the Study

This research focuses on the study of Hansel and Gretel’s

characteristics in the tale “Hansel and Gretel” created by Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm by using character analysis.

C. Research Questions

The writer concentrates on answering questions as follow what are the

main character’s characteristics in a tale Hansel and Gretel?

D. Objectives of the Study

The writer hopes the result of this study can be used for the readers

who are interested in the study of literature, especially character analysis. The

writer also hopes the result of this study can give advantages literature knowledge,

especially the study of tale Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob Wilhelm Grimm

published in final edition, 1857.

4

E. Research Methodology

1. The Objective of the Research

The objective of this research is to understand what the main

character’s characteristics in a tale Hansel and Gretel.

2. Method of the Research

In this research, the writer uses descriptive qualitative method. The

research is based on the comprehension about the correlation of the conflict

of main character in the tale Hansel and Gretel which is evaluated from

character analysis.

3. Technique of Data Analysis

The writer collected the data from several sources that related to the

study. The data are analyzed by descriptive analysis.

4. Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis of study is the tale of Hansel and Gretel that was

written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The writer takes the simplified version

that was published by Grimm’s Fairy Tales in final edition, 1857.

5. Instrument

In collecting data, the writer as the instrument reads, identifies, and

classifies the information from the tale by quoting evidences to support my

arguments.

5

CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. Character and Characterization

There are many definitions of character, they include: Character is like

creature in fictional story; is presented with the characteristics and clues that are

described in the story such as action, person’s speech, description, environment,

thoughts, and explanation.4 Brook and Warren view character as complexity of

potentialities action.5

Robert Diyanni explains that a character is an imaginary person that

lives in a literary work. Literary character may be major or minor, static or

dynamic.6 A character is some on in literature work who has some sort identity (it

need not be a strong on), an identity which is made up by appearance,

conversation, action, name, and possibly thoughts going in the head.7

Characters in fiction can be classified as major and minor, static and

dynamic. A major character is an important figure at the center of the story’s

action or theme. Usually a character’s status as major or minor is clear. The major

character is sometimes called a protagonist whose conflict with an antagonist may

4 Singleton, et al., An Introduction to Literature (New York: The world publishing

company, 1996), p. 282.

5 Henri Guntur Tarigan, Dasar-dasar Sastra (Bandung: Angkasa, 1993), p. 148.

6 Robert Diyanni, Literature Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (New York: McGraw

Hill Companies, 2002), p. 54.

7 Richard Gill, Mastering English Literature (London: McMillan Master Series, 1995). P.

127

6

spark the story’s conflict. Supporting the major character are one or more

secondary or minor characters whose function is partly to illuminate the major

characters. Minor characters are often static or unchanging, they remain the same

from the beginning of a work to the end. Dynamic characters, on the other hand,

exhibit some kind of change the attitude, of purpose, of behavior as the story

progresses.8

Character has different meaning with characterization. A

characterization is the means by which writers present and reveal character. The

method of characterization is narrative description with explicit judgment. We are

given facts and interpretive comment. The characterization also reveals characters

by letting us enter their consciousness, telling us what character think and feel.9

Characterization is the process of creating character in fiction. The

manners of describing can be done through the events, author direct statement,

conversation, and though statement from others characters.10

B. Kinds of Character.

Vogler, in his best known book, the Writer’s Journey: Mythic

Structure for Writers divides character as follows:

1. Driver Characters:

a) Protagonist is the driver of the story: the one who forces the action that is

8 Robert Diyanni (2002), loc. cit.

9 Ibid. p, 56.

10

Burhan Nurgiantoro, Teori Pengkajian Fiksi (Jogyakarta: Gajah Mada University

Press, 1988), p. 164.

7

defined by pursue and consideration characteristics.

b) Antagonist is the character directly opposed to the protagonist that is

defined by prevent and reconsideration characteristics.

c) Guardian is a teacher or helper who aids the protagonist that is defined by

help and conscience to the protagonist.11

2. Passenger Characters:

a) Rationalist makes its decisions and takes action on the basis of logic that is

defined by controlled and logic.

b) Emotionalist responds with its feeling without thinking that is defined by

uncontrolled and feeling.

c) Sidekicker is unfailing in its loyalty and support that is defined by support

and faith.

d) Skepticist doubts everything that is defined by opposition and disbelief.12

Almost all of the scholars in literature agree with the kinds of

character below. The following are some ways in which readers sometimes

classify characters that is very common known. They are includes:

a) Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist is the main character in the story or other literary work.

The protagonist experiences conflict caused by antagonist, which considers it

as a wicked character, is not accurately true because antagonist is a person

11

Christopher Vogler, the Writer‟s Journey: Mythic Structure for the Writer (New York:

Blackwell, 2000), p. 150-154.

12

Ibid. p, 155-160.

8

who actively opposes somebody of something.13

b) Static and Dynamic

A dynamic character is the one who changes significantly during the

course of the story. Changes considered to qualify a character as dynamic

include changes in sight or understanding, changes in commitment, and

changes in values. Changes in circumstances, even physical circumstance, do

not apply unless they result in some change within the character’s self. By

that definition, the protagonist is nearly always a dynamic character. In

coming-of-age stories in particular, the protagonist often undergoes dramatic

change, transforming from innocence to experience to experience.

Antagonists in some stories are frequently dynamic as well.14

A static character is a literary character that remains basically

unchanged throughout a work. Whether round or flat, their personalities

remain essentially stable throughout the course of the story. This is

commonly done with secondary characters in order to let them serve as

thematic or plot elements.15

c) Flat and Round

Round characters are characters that are complex and realistic; they

represent a depth of personality which is imitation of life. They frequently

posses both good and bad traits, and they may react unexpectedly or become

13

Encyclopedia Americana. (London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985) p. 367.

14

Literature, taken from http:www.literatureforknowledge.com/. accessed on March 10th

,

2009.

15

Ibid.

9

entangled in their own interior conflicts. These characters have been fully

developed by an author, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and are

detailed enough to seem real. A round character is usually a main character,

and is developed over the course of the story. A flat character is its opposite,

having hardly any development whatsoever.16

A flat character is distinguished by its lack of a realistic personality.

Though the description of a flat character may be detailed and rich in defining

characteristics, it falls short of the complexity associated with a round

character.17

d) Major and Minor

A major character is a person or thing that has a big role in the

development and configuration of the story. A none of this character causes

the absent of the story. All elements belong to the story such as theme, plot,

atmosphere, and others are focused on describing this kind of character.

While a minor character existence of this kind is to support the major one. A

minor character plays only small role and contribution to the development

and configuration of the story.18

16

Laurie G. Kirzner et. al, Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing (Cambridge: University

of Cambridge), p. 146.

17

Ibid. p. 148.

18

A. P. Dhumel, Literature: Form and Function (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1965), p. 45.

10

C. Identifying Character

Perrine Lawrence states there are three principles to identify

character19

:

1. First, the characters are consistent in their behavior. They do not behave one

way on one occasion and different way on another occasion unless there is clearly

sufficient reason for the change.

2. Second, the characters are clearly motivated in whatever they do, especially in

the changes of their behavior, the reason for what they do must be able to be

understood, if not immediately, at least by the end of the story.

3. Third, the characters are plausible or life like. It means every character who

presents the story always behave as if their real characteristic. The actors

indirectly tell to audience what characteristic in the story into their own character.

The actor can apply their performance to performance.

The next principle of how to analyze character is analyzing it from

many aspects through the words, action, narrator, and description of another

character. Analyzing through the word means that analyzing the words from script

of the story. Another principle of analyzing character is the action of every

character must behave accordingly to their characteristics in the story. Their

attitudes on acts indirectly indicate their personality and role.20

19

Perrine Lawrence, Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense (London: Harcourt Bruce

Javanovic, 1984), p. 41

20

Dian Wisudawati, Main Character Analysis in the Blues Eyes (Jakarta: Paper, 2008), p.

8.

11

Another aspect in order that a character could be analyzed is

throughout the story of the narrator. Furthermore, the last principle that can be

taken to analyze character is through a description another.21

Here the analysis concerns with relation among the characters build

the configuration of the story. For instances, in the case of major and minor

character, a term “major” comes out from a term “minor”. In other word we

cannot say this character is major without identifying that another character is

minor.

21

Ibid. p. 9.

12

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH FINDINGS

A. Data Description

Hansel and Gretel are the young children of a poor woodcutter. When

a great famine settles over the land, the woodcutter’s wife(step mother) concocts a

plan to take a children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves,

so that she and her husband, with two fewer mouths to feed, might not starve. The

woodcutter opposes the plan but finally, and reluctantly, submits to his wife’s

scheme. They are unaware that in the children’s bedroom, Hansel and Gretel have

overheard them. After the parents have gone to bed, Hansel sneaks out of the

house and gathers as many white pebbles as he can, then returns to his room,

reassuring Gretel that god will not forsake them.

The next day, the families walk deep into the woods and Hansel lays a

trail of white pebbles. After their parents abandon them, the children wait for the

moon to rise and illuminate the pebbles. They return home safely, much to their

stepmother horror. One again provisions become scarce and the stepmother

angrily orders her husband to take the children further into the woods and leave

them there to die. Hansel and Gretel attempt to gather more pebbles, but find the

door locked and find it impossible to escape.

The following morning, the family treks into the woods. Hansel takes

a slice of bread and leaves a tail of bread crumbs for them to follow home.

13

However, after they are once again abandoned, they find that birds have eaten the

crumbs and they are lost in the woods. After days of wondering, they follow a

beautiful white bird to clearing in the woods, and discover a cottage built of

gingerbread and cakes with window panes of clear sugar. Hungry and tired, the

children begin to eat the rooftop of the candy house, when the door opens and a

very old woman emerges and lures the children inside, with the promise of soft

beds and delicious food. Their hostess is a “wicked witch” who always children to

cook and eat them.

The next morning, the witch locks Hansel in an iron cage in the garden

and forces Gretel into becoming a slave. The witch feeds Hansel regularly to

fatten him up, but Hansel cleverly offers a bone he found in the cage and the witch

feels it, thinking it to be his finger. Due to her blindness, she is fooled into

thinking Hansel is still too thin to eat. After weeks of this, the witch grows

impatient and decides to eat Hansel.

She prepared the oven for Hansel, but decides she is hungry enough to

eat Gretel, too. She asks Gretel to open the oven and prods her lean over in front

of it to see if the fire is hot enough. Gretel, sensing the witch’s intents, pretends

she does not understand what she means. Suddenly, the witch demonstrates and

Gretel instantly shoves the witch into the oven, slams and bolts the door shut,

leaving her. The witch screaming in pain and burned until she dies. Gretel frees

Hansel from the cage and the pair discovers a vast treasure and precious stones.

Putting the jewels into their clothing, the children set off for home. A swan ferries

them across an expanses of water and at home they find their father but their

14

stepmother has died. The father has spent all his days lamenting the loss o his

children, and is delighted to see them safe and sound. With the witch’s wealth,

they all live happily ever after.

B. The Characteristics of Hansel and Gretel

The writer examines Hansel and Gretel as the main character in the

tale of Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The author

describes Hansel and Gretel’s actions and attitude as a central figure in the story

as protagonist. In this chapter, the writer analyzes Hansel and Gretel through

several aspects by using clues that can be found from each character’s narration in

the tale. The following are the characteristics of Hansel and Gretel:

B.1. The Characteristics of Hansel:

1. Smart

The author introduces in the first paragraph that Hansel and Gretel are

children who has a father and a step mother who works as poor woodcutter. When

a great famine came to their land, they could no longer provide even daily bread

as their food. One evening, their stepmother said to his husband that they must

leave Hansel and Gretel in the wood. Hence, they can free from suffer. First, the

father refuses what his wife said to him, but he didn’t dare. However, he agreed it

with pressure. In the meantime, Hansel and Gretel hear what they said. Gretel

becomes sad to Hansel. But Hansel tries to make the situation calm. He convinces

her that he has a way to solve the problem. Then, he tries to sneak out to the front

15

door, collects shinny pebbles and puts them to his pocket to make them back

home from the jungle. The sentence below shows that Hansel is a smart.

“…and as soon as the adults had fallen asleep, he got up, pulled

on his jacket, opened the lower door, and crept outside. The moon

was shining brightly, and the white pebbles in front of the house

were glistening like silver coins. Hansel bent over and filled his

jacket pocket with them, as many as would fit…” (Jacob and

Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 8)

“They followed the pebbles that glistened there like newly minted

coins, showing them way.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 25)

This happened twice, when Hansel and Gretel back home. The next day,

his stepmother tries to leave them again in the woods. But, Hansel has an idea.

Then, he drops his bread throughout the woods to make a way to go home.

“on the way to the woods, Hansel crumbled his piece in his pocket,

then often stood still, and threw crumbs onto the ground…little

Hansel dropped all the crumbs onto the path...” (Jacob and

Wilhelm 1857, 33)

This also happened when Hansel and Gretel are caught by the witch. But,

the witch only took Hansel to the stall. And let Gretel to serve her. The witches

gave him a good meal, to make Hansel fattened up be eaten. Every morning, the

witches comes to the stall and asks him about his condition, make sure Hansel is

fat or yet. If he is fat, the itches already to eat him. Hansel knows that the witch

has bad eyes so he lies to her that he is still thin.

“Every morning the old woman crept out to the stall and shouted,”

Hansel, stick out your finger, so I can feel if you are fat yet.”…But

Hansel stuck out a little bone, and the old woman, who had bad

eyes and couldn‟t see the bone, thought it was Hansel‟s finger, and

she wondered why he didn‟t get fat.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

1857, 66)

16

2. Wise

Hansel is wise person as a young boy, especially to his little sister, Gretel.

When they hear that their father and stepmother will leave them in the woods,

Gretel begins crying. As an elder brother, he tries to comfort her with pleasure.

This can be shown below this sentence

“..When they finally awoke, it was dark at night. Gretel began to

cry and said. “How will we get out of woods?”…Hansel comforted

her, “wait a little until the moon comes up, and then we‟ll find the

way.”(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

This also happened twice again. When they succeed to back home, their

parents tries to leave them again in the deeper woods. Gretel begins crying, so

Hansel tries to entertain her again.

“…he comforted his little sister and said. “Don‟t cry, Gretel. Sleep

well. God will help us.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 31)

“…and finally they saw the father‟s house in the distances. They

began to run, rushed inside, and threw their arms around the

father‟s neck…Gretel shook out her apron, scattering pearls and

precious stones around the room, and Hansel added to them by

throwing one handful after the other from his pockets…and they

lived happily together...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 84)

3. Responsible

Hansel also responsible person. He never leaves his little sister alone in the

woods; he keeps and takes care always to her. This can be seen below this

sentence.

“Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire. When midday came each one

ate his little piece of bread...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,

20)

“…after the full moon had come up, Hansel took his little sister by

the hand.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 23)

17

4. Never give up and brave

Hansel is described as a brave person and never gives up. He always

optimist that he can solve the problem. He always tries to find a way to go home

with Gretel. He starts and starts again, never give up for few days until finding a

little house was built entirely from the bread with a roof made of cake, and the

windows are made of velar sugar. The sentence below shows that Hansel is a

brave person and never gives up.

“..We will find our way...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

“They walked through the entire night and the next day from

morning until evening, but they did not find their way out of the

woods” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

“They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper

into the woods” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

5. Survivor

Hansel is survivor. For a few days, he and his little sister, Gretel walk on

in the woods. When they are hungry, they eat berries that are growing on the

ground. This can be seen below this sentence.

“They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small

berries that were growing o the ground. And because they were so

tired that their legs would no longer carry them, they lay down

under a tree and fell asleep.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,

46)

B.2. The Characteristics of Gretel:

1. Smart

She is a smart girl. When her stepmother gives her and Hansel a loaf of

bread, she knows that Hansel’s pocket is full of stones. So, Gretel puts the bread

18

under her apron to keep it from her stepmother. This can be seen below his

sentence.

“Gretel put the bread under her apron, because Hansel‟s pockets

were full of stones. Then all together they sat forth into the

woods”. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 11)

This also happened when Gretel and Hansel are caught by the witch. The

witch asks her to put the bread in it. But, Gretel knows, it is trick of witch to bake

and eat her. So, Gretel deceives the witch that she doesn’t know how to use the

oven. Then the witch goes into the oven and teaches her how to bake bread.

Suddenly, Gretel pushes her and locks and closed iron door and secures it with a

bar. The witch burned up miserably.

“… “Climb in”. Said the witch, “and see if it is hot enough to put

the bread in yet”. And when Gretel was inside, she intended to

close the oven, and bake her, and eat her as well. But Gretel saw

what she had in mind, so she said, “I don‟t know how to do that.

How can I get inside?”… “Stupid goose,” said the old woman.

“The opening is big enough. See, I myself could get in.” and she

crawled up stuck her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a

shove, causing her to fall in. then she closed the iron door and

secured it with a bar. The old woman began to howl frightfully. But

Gretel ran away, and the godless witch burned up miserably”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 74)

His cleverness also showed when they succeed to go from the witch-

woods. He arrives in front of the river, but there is no boat. Then, Gretel tells to

Hansel that she will ask the ducking to help them across the river.

“.. „We cannot get across,‟ said Hansel. „I cannot see a walkway

or bridge,‟….‟there are no boats here,‟ said Gretel. „But there is a

white duck swimming. If I ask it, it will help us across.‟...Then she

called out…the duckling came up to them…” (Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm 1857, 83)

19

2. Wise

She is described as a wise person. When Hansel throws a bread to make a

way along the path, she knows that her stepmother gives little pieces of bread,

even less than last time, his brother doesn’t have bread at all. There is no

remaining. But as little sister, she shares his bread to Hansel and eats it together.

“When it was midday Gretel shared her bread with Hansel, who

had scattered his piece along the path.” (Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm 1857, 40)

“The duckling came up to them, and Hansel climbed onto it, then

asked his little sister to sit down next to him. „ No,‟ answered

Gretel. “That would be too heavy for the duckling. It should take

us across one at a time.”...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

3. Never give up

She is never give up like his brother, Hansel. Although, she is still

younger, she never complains to Hansel. She walks on through the entire night

and the next day from morning until evening. She is very strong.

“They walked through the entire night and the next day from

morning until evening, but they did not their way out of the woods”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47).

“it was already the third morning since they had left the father‟s

house. They started walking again….” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

1857, 46)

4. Survivor

She is also survivor. Although, Gretel and Hansel walk on in the woods

for a few days, when they are hungry, they only eat berries that they find it on the

ground. She is very patience faces the problem. This can be se below this

paragraph.

“They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small

20

berries that were growing on the ground…” (Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm 1857, 46)

“They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper

into the woods” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

5. Submissive

As little children, she is submissive and obedient to his brother. When they

find a house built by a bread and sugar, Hansel asks her to eat the window that is

made from sugar. She agrees and eats it with pleasure.

“…“Gretel, you eat from the window. That will be sweet”…Hansel

reached up and broke off a little of the roof to see how it tasted,

while Gretel stood next to the windowpanes and was nibbling at

them…” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 48)

Her obedient to his brother also can be seen below this sentence. This

happened when Hansel decides and asks her to leave the witch-wood. Although,

there are many foods, chocolates, candies, and other beautiful stones, she agrees

and doesn’t refuse his brother to go out.

“…„we must leave,‟ said Hansel, „and get out of these witch-

woods‟ ” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

6. Innocent

She is also innocent girl. As a little girl, this is not close opportunity that

she is innocent girl. After all, she is also tearful and like cry baby. She is always

crying when she knows that her father and stepmother will leave her and his

brother in the woods.

“Gretel cried bitter tears and said to Hansel, „it is over with us!‟”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 6)

21

This also happened again, when she hears that stepmother will leave her

twice in the deeper wood in the next days.

“Gretel began to cry and said, “How will we get out of woods?”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

This also showed when his brother, Hansel is caught by the witch. She is

very care to his brother. She cries and prays to the God devoutness and

pertinacity. She is very care to his brother.

“„Dear god, please help us,‟ she cried. „If only the wild animals

had devoured us in the woods, then we would have died together.‟

” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 70)

From the description above, the writer concludes that the problem that

faced by the main character also can be drawn from character characterizations in

variety ways both negatively or positively. Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the

problem and fighting to find their way to go home. The experience makes them

live better that in the past.

22

CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

A. CONCLUSION

After analyzing Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm published by Grimm’s Fairy Tales, the writer describes and explains the

main character’s characteristics in a tale. In this thesis, the tale discusses about the

problem that faced by the main character by looking on the character’s

characterization

In this tale, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm describe the main character

characteristics through physics, action and correlation between other characters.

Hansel is a young boy who has little sister, Gretel. They are live with father and

stepmother who work as poor woodcutter. When a great famine comes to the land,

the family couldn’t no longer provide. Their parents decide to leave Hansel and

Gretel in the wood on purpose to make their parents survive.

Both of them have to live together after his parents leaving them in the

woods. Although, Hansel is still children, he is smart, wise, never give up,

survivor, and responsible to his little sister. He keeps his little sister with care and

kindly. He wouldn’t leave her alone in the woods. He never give up finding a way

to go home, in addition, Hansel and Gretel have to forces to get out from the

witch-woods. Gretel is a little girl; she is innocent, submissive to his brother,

smart, wise, survivor, and never give up as his brother, Hansel. She is very

23

unique, because she dares to push the witch to the oven by deceiving the witch in

danger situation.

Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the problem and fighting to find

their way to go home. The experience makes them live better that in the past.

B. SUGGESTION

The writer suggests for those who are interested in the study about

literature, especially Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grim to use

qualitative method in the research based on two main characters by using

character analysis to analyze this thesis.

Anyone who is interested in doing deeper study about character’s

characteristics in a tale, they may use the data that are taken from reading the

story and some references, noting some important data and browsing internet.

Finally, the writer expects that the research will be useful to reader especially who

want to analyze a fiction about main character in literary work.

24

REFERENCES

Books

Diyanni, Robert. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Fifth Edition.

New York: The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 2002.

Encyclopedia Americana. London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985.

Farkhan, Muhammad. Penulisan Karya Ilmiah. Jakarta: Cella, 2006.

G. Kirzner, Laurie, et al. Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing. Cambridge:

University of Cambridge, 1991.

Gill, Richard. Mastering English Literature. London: McMillan Master Series,

1995.

Guntur Tarigan, Henri. Dasar-dasar Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa, 1993.

Jacob,Wilhelm and Wilhelm Grimm. Hansel and Gretel. German: Random

House, from Pantheon book The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales, 1972.

Kennedy, X. J. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New

York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1991.

Lawrence, Perrine. Literature: Structure, sound, and Sense. London: Harcourt

Bruce Javanovic, 1984.

Nurgiantoro, Burhan. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gajah Mada

University Press, 1988.

P. Dhumel, P. Literature: Form and Function. New Jersey: Pretice Hall, 1965.

Singleton, et al. An Introduction to Literature. New York: The World Publishing

Company, 1966.

Trimmer, Joseph F. A Guide to MLA Documentation. USA: Houghton Mifflin

Company, 1999.

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer‟s Journey: Mythic Structure for The Writer. New

York: Blackwell, 2000.

25

Wisudawati, Dian. Main Character Analysis in the Blues Eyes. Jakarta: Paper,

2008.

Internet and Websites

Folktale.http//www.infoplease.com/com/ceb/Ao819070.html1#1Q1Mmmjse.

Accessed on June 18th

, 2011.

Literature. Taken from http//www.literatureforknowledge.com/.Accessed on

March 10th

, 2009.

26

APPENDIXES

The Cover of the tale Hansel and Gretel

1

A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS IN HANSEL AND GRETEL

WRITTEN BY JACOB AND WILHELM GRIMM

HUSNAYAINI

A student at English Letters Department, Letters and Humanities Faculty

State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

ABSTRACT

Husnayaini, “A Main Character Analysis in Hensel and Gretel Written by

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm”. Thesis. Jakarta. English Letters Department,

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta, February 2010.

This research studies Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s entitled Hansel and

Gretel published by Grimm’s fairy Tales in final edition, 1857. The writer uses

the character’s characterization conception as the theoretical framework. The

method of this research is descriptive qualitative in analyzing the tale.The

objective of this research is to know how the character Hansel and Gretel

characterized by the author. The writer collects the characteristics of the main

character through the characterization. The collected data are analyzed by using

character analysis.

In this analysis the writer finds out the main character characteristics.

Hansel is a young boy; he is smart, wise, strong, responsible, survivor, never give

up, and brave. In addition, his little sister, Gretel is also smart, brave, innocent,

submissive, wise, never give up, and survivor. Although they are still children,

both of them are brave person. They succeed overcome their problem from suffer

and they dare to force the wicked witch that they had met in the wood. Finally,

they went home and live happily ever after.

2

Background of the Study

X. J. Kennedy explains that “modern literary fiction in English has been

dominated by two forms: the novel and the short story. The two have many

elements in common. Perhaps we will be able to define the short story more

meaningfully, for it has traits more essential than just a particular length, if first,

for comparison, we consider some related varieties of fiction: the fable and the

tale. Ancient forms whose origins date back to the time of word of mouth

storytelling, the fable and the tale are relatively simply in structure; in them we

can plainly see elements also found in the short story (and in the novel)”1

Folk tales and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These tales

and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These tales which developed

concurrently with other narrative forms. The folk tales and fairy tales that survive

(such as Cinderella and Aesop‟s Fables) are contemporary versions of old, even

ancient, tales that can be traced back centuries through many different cultures.

Despite their variety these narrative forms have several elements in common.

First, they have straight forward characterizations, often contrasting distinctly

different personality types. In additions, the folk tale or fairy tale has an obvious

theme or moral good triumphing over evil, for instance.2

1 X. J. Kennedy, An Introduction to Fiction, Fifth Edition (New York: Harper Collins

Publisher, 1991), p. 2.

2 Ibid, p. 36.

3

Method

As the research aims to explain how to analyze a tale telling about

character characteristics of main character of the tale Hansel and Gretel. The

writer uses descriptive qualitative method, this method is used to described and

analyze the character characteristics of main character of Hansel and Gretel as the

main character in Hansel and Gretel. The writer collected the data from several

source such as books, internet, and from variety sources that related to the study.

The writer also uses herself as a main instrument by reading, identifying, and

classifying the information to support the arguments.

A fairy tales analyzed by the writer is Hansel and Gretel created by Jacob

and Wilhelm Grimm. This story tells about the young children of a poor wood

cutter, when a great famine came to the land, their stepmother plans to take the

children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves. So that, she

and her husband might not starve. Their stepmother forces their father to agree to

leave the children in the woods to die. In the woods the children come upon the

house of an evil witch who plans to eat them.

In this tale, the writer will analyze the problem by looking on the

character’s characterization. The writer chooses this tale tells about the

relationship between family, which is taken from the reality or mimesis of reality

world and this tale more literary and more sentimental to analyze.

4

Findings

The unit of analysis of this study is taken from the tale of Hansel and

Gretel that was written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm that was published by

Grimm’s Fairy Tales in final edition, 1857.

Theoretical Framework

A. Character and Characterization

Character is like creature in fictional story; is presented with the

characteristics and clues that are described in the story such as action, person’s

speech, description, environment, thoughts, and explanation.3 Brook and Warren

view character as complexity of potentialities action.4

Robert Diyanni explains that a character is an imaginary person that lives

in a literary work. Literary character may be major or minor, static or dynamic.5 A

character is some on in literature work who has some sort identity (it need not be a

strong on), an identity which is made up by appearance, conversation, action,

name, and possibly thoughts going in the head.6

Character has different meaning with characterization. A characterization

is the means by which writers present and reveal character. The method of

characterization is narrative description with explicit judgment. We are given facts

3 Singleton, et al., An Introduction to Literature (New York: The world publishing

company, 1996), p. 282.

4 Henri Guntur Tarigan, Dasar-dasar Sastra (Bandung: Angkasa, 1993), p. 148.

5 Robert Diyanni, Literature Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (New York: McGraw

Hill Companies, 2002), p. 54.

6 Richard Gill, Mastering English Literature (London: McMillan Master Series, 1995). P.

127

5

and interpretive comment. The characterization also reveals characters by letting

us enter their consciousness, telling us what character think and feel.7

Characterization is the process of creating character in fiction. The

manners of describing can be done through the events, author direct statement,

conversation, and though statement from others characters.8

B. Kinds of Character.

Vogler, in his best known book, the Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for

Writers divides character as follows:

1. Driver Characters:

a) Protagonist is the driver of the story: the one who forces the action that

is defined by pursue and consideration characteristics.

b) Antagonist is the character directly opposed to the protagonist that is

defined by prevent and reconsideration characteristics.

c) Guardian is a teacher or helper who aids the protagonist that is defined

by help and conscience to the protagonist.9

2. Passenger Characters:

a) Rationalist makes its decisions and takes action on the basis of logic

that is defined by controlled and logic.

b) Emotionalist responds with its feeling without thinking that is defined

7 Ibid. p, 56.

8 Burhan Nurgiantoro, Teori Pengkajian Fiksi (Jogyakarta: Gajah Mada University Press,

1988), p. 164. 9 Christopher Vogler, the Writer‟s Journey: Mythic Structure for the Writer (New York:

Blackwell, 2000), p. 150-154.

6

by uncontrolled and feeling.

c) Sidekicker is unfailing in its loyalty and support that is defined by

support and faith.

d) Skepticist doubts everything that is defined by opposition and

disbelief.10

Almost all of the scholars in literature agree with the kinds of

character below. The following are some ways in which readers sometimes

classify characters that is very common known. They are includes:

a) Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist is the main character in the story or other literary work. The

protagonist experiences conflict caused by antagonist, which considers it as a

wicked character, is not accurately true because antagonist is a person who

actively opposes somebody of something.11

b) Static and Dynamic

A dynamic character is the one who changes significantly during the

course of the story. Changes considered to qualify a character as dynamic include

changes in sight or understanding, changes in commitment, and changes in values.

Changes in circumstances, even physical circumstance, do not apply unless they

result in some change within the character’s self. By that definition, the

protagonist is nearly always a dynamic character. In coming-of-age stories in

particular, the protagonist often undergoes dramatic change, transforming from

innocence to experience to experience. Antagonists in some stories are frequently

10

Ibid. p, 155-160. 11

Encyclopedia Americana. (London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985) p. 367.

7

dynamic as well.12

A static character is a literary character that remains basically

unchanged throughout a work. Whether round or flat, their personalities remain

essentially stable throughout the course of the story. This is commonly done with

secondary characters in order to let them serve as thematic or plot elements.13

c) Flat and Round

Round characters are characters that are complex and realistic; they represent

a depth of personality which is imitation of life. They frequently posses both good

and bad traits, and they may react unexpectedly or become entangled in their own

interior conflicts. These characters have been fully developed by an author,

physically, mentally, and emotionally, and are detailed enough to seem real. A

round character is usually a main character, and is developed over the course of

the story. A flat character is its opposite, having hardly any development

whatsoever.14

A flat character is distinguished by its lack of a realistic personality. Though

the description of a flat character may be detailed and rich in defining

characteristics, it falls short of the complexity associated with a round character.15

d) Major and Minor

A major character is a person or thing that has a big role in the development and

12

Literature, taken from http:www.literatureforknowledge.com/. accessed on March 10th

,

2009.

13

Ibid. 14

Laurie G. Kirzner et. al, Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing (Cambridge: University

of Cambridge), p. 146.

15

Ibid. p. 148.

8

configuration of the story. A none of this character causes the absent of the story.

All elements belong to the story such as theme, plot, atmosphere, and others are

focused on describing this kind of character. While a minor character existence of

this kind is to support the major one. A minor character plays only small role and

contribution to the development and configuration of the story.16

C. Identifying Character

Perrine Lawrence states there are three principles to identify character17

:

1. first, the characters are consistent in their behavior. They do not behave one

way on one occasion and different way on another occasion unless there is clearly

sufficient reason for the change.

2. Second, the characters are clearly motivated in whatever they do, especially in

the changes of their behavior, the reason for what they do must be able to be

understood, if not immediately, at least by the end of the story.

3. Third, the characters are plausible or life like. It means every character who

presents the story always behave as if their real characteristic. The actors

indirectly tell to audience what characteristic in the story into their own character.

The actor can apply their performance to performance.

Another aspect in order that a character could be analyzed is

throughout the story of the narrator. Furthermore, the last principle that can be

16

A. P. Dhumel, Literature: Form and Function (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1965), p. 45.

17

Perrine Lawrence, Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense (London: Harcourt Bruce

Javanovic, 1984), p. 41

9

taken to analyze character is through a description another.18

Here the analysis concerns with relation among the characters build

the configuration of the story. For instances, in the case of major and minor

character, a term “major” comes out from a term “minor”. In other word we

cannot say this character is major without identifying that another character is

minor.

Discussion

It concerns with the analysis of the research findings, mainly

characteristics of main character, trauma reflection, and also the reflection of

defense mechanism through understanding and analyzing text. Here they are:

Characteristics of Main Character

The following are the characteristics of Hansel:

1. Smart

The author introduces in the first paragraph that Hansel and Gretel are

children who has father and step mother as poor woodcutter. When a great famine

came to their land, they could no longer provide even daily bread as their food.

One evening, their stepmother said to his husband that they must leaved Hansel

and Gretel in the wood. Hence, they can free from suffer. First, the father refuses

what his wife said to him, but he didn’t dare. However, he agreed it with pressure.

In the meantime, Hansel and Gretel hear what they said. Gretel becomes sad to

Hansel. But Hansel tries to make the situation calm. He convinces her that he has

18

Ibid. p. 9.

10

a way to solve the problem. Then, he tries to sneak out to the front door, collects

shinny pebbles and puts them to his pocket to make them back home from the

jungle.

“…and as soon as the adults had fallen asleep, he got up, pulled

on his jacket, opened the lower door, and crept outside. The moon

was shining brightly, and the white pebbles in front of the house

were glistening like silver coins. Hansel bent over and filled his

jacket pocket with them, as many as would fit…” (Jacob and

Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 8)

“They followed the pebbles that glistened there like newly minted

coins, showing them way.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 25)

This also happens twice, when Hansel and Gretel back home. The next day,

his stepmother tries to leave them again in the woods. But, Hansel has an idea.

Then, he drops his bread throughout the woods to make a way to go home.

“on the way to the woods, Hansel crumbled his piece in his pocket,

then often stood still, and threw crumbs onto the ground…little

Hansel dropped all the crumbs onto the path...” (Jacob and

Wilhelm 1857, 33)

This also happen when Hansel and Gretel are caught by the witches. But, the

witch only takes Hansel to the stall. And let Gretel to serve her. The witches gives

him a good meal, to make Hansel fattened up be eaten. Every morning, the

witches comes to the stall and asks him about his condition, make sure Hansel is

fat or yet. If he is fat, the itches already to eat him. Hansel knows that the witch

has bad eyes so he lies to her that he is still thin.

“Every morning the old woman crept out to the stall and shouted,”

Hansel, stick out your finger, so I can feel if you are fat yet.”…But

Hansel stuck out a little bone, and the old woman, who had bad

eyes and couldn‟t see the bone, thought it was Hansel‟s finger, and

she wondered why he didn‟t get fat.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

1857, 66)

11

2. Wise

Hansel is wise person, especially to his little sister, Gretel. When they hears

that their father and stepmother will leave them in the woods, Gretel begins

crying. As an elder brother, he tries to comfort her with pleasure. This can be

shown below this sentence

“..When they finally awoke, it was dark at night. Gretel began to

cry and said. “How will we get out of woods?”…Hansel comforted

her, “wait a little until the moon comes up, and then we‟ll find the

way.”(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

This also happen twice again. When they succeed to back home, their parents

tries to leave them again in the deeper woods. Gretel begins crying, so Hansel

tries to entertain her again.

“…he comforted his little sister and said. “Don‟t cry, Gretel. Sleep

well. God will help us.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 31)

“…and finally they saw the father‟s house in the distances. They

began to run, rushed inside, and threw their arms around the

father‟s neck…Gretel shook out her apron, scattering pearls and

precious stones around the room, and Hansel added to them by

throwing one handful after the other from his pockets…and they

lived happily together...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 84)

3. Responsible

Hansel also responsible person. He never leaves his little sister alone in the

woods; he keeps and takes care always to her. This can be seen below this

sentence.

“Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire. When midday came each one

ate his little piece of bread...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,

20)

“…after the full moon had come up, Hansel took his little sister by

the hand.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 23)

12

4. Never give up and brave

Hansel is described as a brave person and never gives up. He always optimist

that he can solve the problem. He always tries to find a way to go home with

Gretel. he starts and starts again, never give up for few days until finding a little

house was built entirely from the bread with a roof made of cake, and the

windows are made of velar sugar . This can be seen below this sentence.

“..We will find our way...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

“They walked through the entire night and the next day from

morning until evening, but they did not find their way out of the

woods” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

“They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper

into the woods” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

5. Survivor

Hansel is survivor. For a few days, he and his little sister, Gretel walk on in the

woods. When they are hungry, they eat berries that are growing on the ground.

This can be seen below this sentence.

“They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small

berries that were growing o the ground. And because they were so

tired that their legs would no longer carry them, they lay down

under a tree and fell asleep.” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,

46)

The following are the characteristics of Hansel:

1. Smart

She is a smart girl. When her stepmother gives her and Hansel a loaf of bread,

she knows that Hansel’s pocket is full of stones. So, Gretel puts the bread under

her apron to keep it from her stepmother. This can be seen below his sentence.

13

“Gretel put the bread under her apron, because Hansel‟s pockets

were full of stones. Then all together they sat forth into the

woods”. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 11)

This also happen when Gretel and Hansel are caught by the witch. The witch

asks her to put the bread in it. But, Gretel knows, it is trick of witch to bake and

eat her. So, Gretel deceives the witch that she doesn’t know how to use the oven.

Then the witch goes into the oven and teaches her how to bake bread. Suddenly,

Gretel pushes her and locks and closed iron door and secures it with a bar. The

witch burned up miserably.

“… “Climb in”. Said the witch, “and see if it is hot enough to put

the bread in yet”. And when Gretel was inside, she intended to

close the oven, and bake her, and eat her as well. But Gretel saw

what she had in mind, so she said, “I don‟t know how to do that.

How can I get inside?”… “Stupid goose,” said the old woman.

“The opening is big enough. See, I myself could get in.” and she

crawled up stuck her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a

shove, causing her to fall in. then she closed the iron door and

secured it with a bar. The old woman began to howl frightfully. But

Gretel ran away, and the godless witch burned up miserably”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 74)

His cleverness also showed when they succeed to go from the witch-woods. He

arrives in front of the river, but there is no boat. Then, Gretel tells to Hansel that

she will ask the ducking to help them across the river.

“.. „We cannot get across,‟ said Hansel. „I cannot see a walkway

or bridge,‟….‟there are no boats here,‟ said Gretel. „But there is a

white duck swimming. If I ask it, it will help us across.‟...Then she

called out…the duckling came up to them…” (Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm 1857, 83)

2. Wise

She is described as a wise person. When Hansel throws the bread to make a

way along the path. She knows that her stepmother gives little pieces of bread,

14

even less than last time, his brother doesn’t have bread at all. There is no

remaining. But as little sister, she shares his bread to Hansel and eats it together.

“When it was midday Gretel shared her bread with Hansel, who

had scattered his piece along the path.” (Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm 1857, 40)

“The duckling came up to them, and Hansel climbed onto it, then

asked his little sister to sit down next to him. „ No,‟ answered

Gretel. “That would be too heavy for the duckling. It should take

us across one at a time.”...” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

3. Never give up

She is never give up like his brother, Hansel. Although, she is still younger, she

never complains to Hansel. She walks on through the entire night and the next day

from morning until evening. She is very strong.

“They walked through the entire night and the next day from

morning until evening, but they did not their way out of the woods”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47).

“it was already the third morning since they had left the father‟s

house. They started walking again….” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

1857, 46)

4. Survivor

She is also survivor. Although, Gretel and Hansel walk on in the woods for a

few days, when they are hungry, they only eat berries that they find it on the

ground. She is very patience faces the problem. This can be se below this

paragraph.

They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small

berries that were growing on the ground…” (Jacob and Wilhelm

Grimm 1857, 46)

“They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper

into the woods” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

15

5. Submissive

As little children, she is submissive and obedient to his brother. When they find

a house built by a bread and sugar, Hansel asks her to eat the window that is made

from sugar. She agrees and eats it with pleasure.

“…“Gretel, you eat from the window. That will be sweet”…Hansel

reached up and broke off a little of the roof to see how it tasted,

while Gretel stood next to the windowpanes and was nibbling at

them…” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 48)

Her obedient to his brother also can be seen below this sentence. This happen

when Hansel decides and asks her to leave the witch-wood. Although, there are

many foods, chocolates, candies, and other beautiful stones, she agrees and

doesn’t refuse his brother to go out.

“…„we must leave,‟ said Hansel, „and get out of these witch-

woods‟ ” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

6. Innocent

She is also innocent girl. As a little girl, this is not close opportunity that she is

innocent girl. After all, she is also tearful and like cry baby. She is always crying

when she knows that her father and stepmother will leave her and his brother in

the woods.

“Gretel cried bitter tears and said to Hansel, „it is over with us!‟”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 6)

This also happen again, when she hears that stepmother will leave her twice

in the deeper wood in the next days.

“Gretel began to cry and said, “How will we get out of woods?”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

16

This also showed when his brother, Hansel is caught by the witch. She is very

care to his brother.She cries and prays to the God devoutness and pertinacity. She

is very care to his brother.

“„Dear god, please help us,‟ she cried. „If only the wild animals

had devoured us in the woods, then we would have died togethe.‟ ”

(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 70)

From the description above, the writer concludes that the problem that faced by

the main character also can be drawn from character characterizations in variety

ways both negatively or positively. Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the

problem and fighting to find their way to go home. The experience makes them

live better that in the past.

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Conclusion

After analyzing Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

published by Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The writer describes and explains the main

character’s characteristics in a tale. In this thesis, the tale discusses about the

problem that faced by the main character by looking on the character’s

characterization

In this tale, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm describe the main character

characteristics through physics, action and correlation between other characters.

Hansel is a young boy who has little sister, Gretel. They are live with father and

stepmother who work as poor woodcutter. When a great famine comes to the land,

the family couldn’t no longer provide. Their parents decide to leave Hansel and

Gretel in the wood on purpose to make their parents survive.

Both of them have to live together after his parents leaving them in the

woods. Although, Hansel is still children, he is smart, wise, never give up,

survivor, and responsible to his little sister. He keeps his little sister with care and

kindly. He wouldn’t leave her alone in the woods. He never give up finding a way

to go home, in addition, Hansel and Gretel have to forces to get out from the

witch-woods. Gretel is a little girl; she is innocent, submissive to his brother,

smart, wise, survivor, and never give up as his brother, Hansel. She is very

unique, because she dares to push the witch to the oven by deceiving the witch in

danger situation.

Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the problem and fighting to find their

way to go home. The experience makes them live better that in the past.

18

REFERENCES

Books

Diyanni, Robert. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Fifth

Edition. New York: The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 2002.

Encyclopedia Americana. London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985.

Farkhan, Muhammad. Penulisan Karya Ilmiah. Jakarta: Cella, 2006.

G. Kirzner, Laurie, et al. Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing. Cambridge:

University of Cambridge, 1991.

Gill, Richard. Mastering English Literature. London: McMillan Master

Series, 1995.

Guntur Tarigan, Henri. Dasar-dasar Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa, 1993.

Jacob,Wilhelm and Wilhelm Grimm. Hansel and Gretel. German: Random

House, from Pantheon book The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales,

1972.

Kennedy, X. J. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.

New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1991.

Lawrence, Perrine. Literature: Structure, sound, and Sense. London: Harcourt

Bruce Javanovic, 1984.

Nurgiantoro, Burhan. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gajah Mada

University Press, 1988.

P. Dhumel, P. Literature: Form and Function. New Jersey: Pretice Hall,

1965.

Singleton, et al. An Introduction to Literature. New York: The World

Publishing Company, 1966.

Trimmer, Joseph F. A Guide to MLA Documentation. USA: Houghton Mifflin

Company, 1999.

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer‟s Journey: Mythic Structure for The Writer.

New York: Blackwell, 2000.

Wisudawati, Dian. Main Character Analysis in the Blues Eyes. Jakarta:

Paper, 2008.

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Internet and Websites

Folktale.http//www.infoplease.com/com/ceb/Ao819070.html1#1Q1Mmmjse.

Accessed on June 18th

, 2011.

Literature. Taken from http//www.literatureforknowledge.com/.Accessed on

March 10th

, 2009.

20

APPENDIXES

The Cover of The Tale Hansel and Gretel

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Details

Full Name

Sex

Place, Date of

Birth

Nationality

Marital Status

Height, Weight

Health

Religion

Address

Mobile

Phone

E-mail

: Husnayaini

: Female

: Kelapa 2 Wetan ciracas Rt 007/06 No 37 Ciracas jaktim

: Jakarta 21 juni 1983

: INDONESIA

: Married

: 155, 63 kg

: Perfect

: Muslim

: Jl. Swadaya Rt. 07/06, No. 37 Kelapa Dua Wetan, Jakarta

Timur 13730

: -

: 085213675572

: -

Educational Background

1991 - 1996

1996 - 1999

1999 - 2002

2002 - 2003

2003 - 2009

: Al-Ma’ruf Elementary School, Jakarta

: Junior High School MTSn 22, Jakarta

: Senior High School MAN 2, Jakarta

: PGTKI

: Universitas Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

Jakarta, July 18, 2011

Florentina Putri