Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF “RALPH” IN WRECK-IT RALPH FILM USING HIERARCHY OF HUMAN NEEDS BY
ABRAHAM H. MASLOW
A Thesis
Submitted to Letter and Humanities Faculty
In partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Strata One
By:
NURUL HAIFA 1110026000055
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTEMENT LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH JAKARTA
2015
i
ABSTRACT
Nurul Haifa, NIM: 1110026000055, a Main Character Analysis of “Ralph” in Wreck-It Ralph Film Using Hierarchy of Human Needs by Abraham H. Maslow. Thesis: English Letters Department, Letters and Humanities Faculty of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta 2015. The purpose of this research is to know what the main character needs for his life and how he fulfills his needs based on the theory of Hierarchy of Human Needs. The writer uses qualitative descriptive analysis method to analyze it. The data are collected from the narrative elements in the film. The writer analyzed this film using Hierarchy of Human Needs theory by Abraham H. Maslow. From the analysis of this film, the writer finds that the main character is troubled about himself. There is an unconfident of him so he decided to change his life to be like another man. He thought that being a hero or a winner is something that can make his life perfect. He just wanted to be like Felix, his partner in his work, who always got a prize and loved by the people. Just because he does not confident of himself who works as wrecker or his people say he is a bad guy he has to face a long journey to find what he really needs in his life. He tried to pursuit his esteem needs and actualize himself in order to make his perfection of life. In the middle of his pursuit, he realized that be another man is a bad thing because he lost everything that he already had before. Finally he felt that be a truly him is good and be a bad guy is not bad until he realized that he got the esteem from others. So he decided to serve forever in his job and got a peak his needs, actualize his life in his job.
iv
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is 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 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, March 5th 2015
Nurul Haifa
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, the writer would like to give appreciation and many thanks to
Allah SWT, the lord of the universe and the thereafter. She assures, she cannot do
anything without him. God guided us with all of his blessed in our life. Then, peace
and blessing is upon to our beloved prophet Muhammad SAW and all of his
followers.
This paper is presented to English Letters Department of Letters and
Humanities faculty UIN of Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta as partial fulfillment of the
requirement for strata one degree.
The writer would like to express the highest gratitude to her family; her
parents and brother and sister who always give spirit every day to makes her strong.
Most of all, her dedicated this thesis for all of her beloved family for the support all
this time.
The writer is very thankful to her advisor Ms. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum and
Ms. Ida Rosida, M.Hum. for the great patients and contributions on finishing this
paper. Thanks for all of the advices that have been given to me, and may Allah SWT
bless them and their family.
The writer also would like to convey her sincere gratitude particularly to:
1. Prof. Dr. Sukron Kamil, M. Hum., the Dean of Letters and Humanities
Faculty.
2. Drs. Saefudin, M.Pd., the Head of English Letters Department.
3. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum., the Secretary of English Letters Department.
4. Her Examiners who brought this thesis into perfection Mrs. Inayatul Chusna,
M. Hum. and Mrs. Pita Merdeka, M.A.
5. All lecturers of English Letters Department for their encouragement to the
writer.
vi
6. The beloved parents, M. Husin and Marisah for their love, patient, and
support.
7. All her beloved friends and Literature classmates at English Letters
Department. Her partners who are always struggle together in handling some
events in ELD; M. Noval and M. Media Adimurti. Her ‘four half years’ friend
who always together in this campus and always give his helps in every time
needed, Septian Hega Pratama. KKN SASAREUNGAN.
8. Her second family, all members of PSM UIN Jakarta, especially the “DPH
2014 – 2015” Ardito (thank you to always remind to fix this thesis and your
taught about the theory), Lullaby, Cajon, and Shenai thank you for your time
to handling all the things so we can work well without forgetting to fix this
thesis. All the “DPO”. Laja “The Conductor” thank you to always give spirit.
Colica who always ready to share about the theory. Every material song,
harmony, humor and laughter are the spirit of the writer when the boredom
and fatigue plagued.
9. All her playmates “CH”; Dita, Fia, Nadia, Dewi, Opi, Icut, Meyke, Shika.
In the end, the writer realizes the thesis is far from perfection. Therefore, she
needs more critics and suggestions from everyone who will contribute her to
make this paper better.
Jakarta, April 30th April
The Writer
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................... i APPROVAL SHEET ..................................................................................... ii LEGALIZATION ........................................................................................... iii DECLARATION ............................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................. vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................... 1 A. Background of the Study ............................................................................ 1 B. Focus of Study ............................................................................................. 4 C. The Problem of the Study ........................................................................... 4 D. The Significance of the Study ..................................................................... 4 E. The Methodology of the Study .................................................................... 5
1. Method of the Study .............................................................................. 5 2. The Objective of the Study .................................................................... 5 3. The Technique of Analysis Data ........................................................... 5 4. The Instrument of the Study .................................................................. 5 5. The Unit Analysis .................................................................................. 5 6. Time and Place of the Research ............................................................ 6
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ..................................... 7 A. Previous Research ....................................................................................... 7
viii
B. Characterization in the Movie .................................................................... 9 C. Maslow’s Theory of Hierarchy of Needs ................................................... 12 CHAPTER III DATA ANALYSIS .............................................................. 20 A. Character Analysis ...................................................................................... 20 B. The Hierarchy of Needs in Main Character ............................................... 25 CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS ........................... 31 A. Conclusions ................................................................................................. 31 B. Suggestions .................................................................................................. 32 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................... 34 APPENDICES ................................................................................................. 36
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Today, film not only has an entertainment values, it is also part of the
modern life and available in any forms, such as in cinema, television shows, in
video cassettes, and laser disc.1 People enjoy all genres of film, for example
cartoon or animation film is enjoyed not only by the children but also the adults.
So that, there are so many animation studios which have been developed rapidly
nowadays. The Walt Disney Company, the biggest American animation studio
now is known as Walt Disney Animation Studios, started in 1923 in the rear of a
small office occupied by Holly-Vermont Realty in Los Angeles. It was there that
Walt Disney, and his brother Roy, produced a series of short live-action/animated
films collectively called the ALICE COMEDIES. During the next 14 years, many
changes took place at the Disney studio: Mickey Mouse was "born" in 1928,
followed by Pluto, Goofy, Donald Duck, and the rest of the Disney gang.2 In
1937, The Walt Disney Studios released its first fully animated feature films.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pioneered a new form of family entertainment.3
In 1940, Disney released its second animation film titled Pinocchio and won an
Academy Award for best original score and Best Song, “When You Wish Upon a
1MaraselliSumarno, Dasar-DasarApresiasi film(Jakarta: PT. GramediaWidiaSarana
Indonesia, 1996)p.22 2The Walt Disney Studios, “The Walt Disney Studios History”,
http://studioservices.go.com/disneystudios/history.html (accessed on 12th October 2014) 3Walt Disney Animation Studios, “ The History of Disney Animation”,
http://www.disneyanimation.com/studio/our-films (accessed on 12th October 2014)
2
Star”. In 1900s was considered as Fantasia release. Disney then became more
productive followed by a number of titles that were released in each year. Those
film which were very popular in 1950s – 1960s were Cinderella, Alice in
Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, and 101 Dalmatians. And then in
1990s, there were Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Hercules, Pocahontas, Tarzan
and so on. Walt Disney Studios continues to honor its heritage through animated
films that combine beautiful artistry, masterful storytelling and ground-breaking
technology.4 Entering the 2000s, the films are more various. It combines the
picture with the beautiful storytelling and reveals the technology progress, for
example, Dinosaur, Treasure Planet, Meet the Robinson, Bolt and Wreck-It Ralph
in 2012.
Wreck-It Ralph is different with the others because the story and characters
are taken from video game that children commonly played. Besides that, the
filmmaking team used different techniques for characters within Felix Fix-It Jr.,
Hero’s Duty, and Sugar Rush as an addition to distinguish between the different
game worlds. The Felix Fix-It Jr. characters had an 8-bit, staccato influence, the
Hero’s Duty characters were intended to have hyper realistic movements, and the
Sugar Rush characters had an exaggerated, cartoon-like feel to how they moved5.
Wreck-It Ralph is the story of an arcade video game character. Ralph’s job
is being a bad guy who wrecks everything in sight so that "Fix it Felix," the hero
and namesake of the game, can fix it. The game ends with Felix always gets a
medal for his good deeds. It takes us behind the scenes, when the arcade closes,
4Ibid. 5Ibid.
3
and the characters "come to life" and socialize with other arcade game characters
before getting back to the roles that they have to play the next morning when the
arcade opens. But even though they are not "on stage" for the gamers, the
characters still distain Ralph and love Felix.
It is started with Ralph’s disappointment with his “Fix-It Felix” friends.
He never found any serious problem with his job as a bad guy for 30 years. As
long those years he has done his role with all the needs that had been fulfilled as a
human. He also already to get a confession with his job. Until one time he realized
that those were only a fantasy. He felt that his life was not perfect. Then he found
any disappointment of himself and other people. His disappointment came when
the 30th “Fix-It Felix” birthday celebration, he was not invited by his friends even
Felix. In the other hand, Ralph saw “Pac” from Pac Man game was there
attending the party while Pac is from another game. Then Ralph enforce himself
to get in the penthouse to come to the party though he was not invited. But as
Ralph came to the room, the reaction of his friends were not friendly to him. That
was because they did not like Ralph who wrecked their house, and admired Felix
who fixed their house. Since then, Ralph realized that he was not accepted by his
friends because he was bad and a loser. After that, Ralph swore to his friends that
he could be a good guy so he could win like Felix and they will love Ralph. So he
decided to quit from his job and did everything he could in order to prove that.
From the story above, shown that Ralph actually has a problem with
himself. If we see from another point of view, there truly that he was fine with his
job for that late 30 years. Because of that night incident of birthday celebration
4
and because he saw Pac was there but he did not, there was something that shook
his heart to do something for fulfilling his needs so he can actualize himself in his
environment. From there come out an issue that is why Ralph just considered this
confusion after that 30 years. So that, writer would like to analyze the character of
Ralph that reflected from his effort to satisfy his obsession in order he can
actualize himself after he fulfilled all his needs.
B. Focus of the Study
In this research, the writer will focus on the main character Ralph, and to
understand the needs that he must fulfill in order to reach his esteem needs and
can actualize himself seen from Hierarchy of Human Needs theory of Abraham
H. Maslow.
C. Research Question
Based on the research focus of the study, the question of the research is:
a) How is Ralph characterized in Wreck it Ralph film?
b) How does Ralph fulfill his esteem needs and actualize himself based on
the theory of Abraham Maslow?
D. Significance of the Study
The significances of this research are:
1. To know Ralph’s characteristics.
2. To know how Ralph fulfills his esteem needs and actualize himself
further we can understand about the hierarchy of human needs by
Abraham H. Maslow.
E. Methodology of the Research
5
a. Method of the Research
The writer uses qualitative method in conducting this research.
Qualitative research is the research which done with no numbers priority,
but emphasizing on appreciation to the interaction between the concepts
which are being analyzed empirically. Because, literary works are both
words and symbols world which have a full meaning.
b. Data Analysis
In this research, the writer uses descriptive analysis technique. Writer
collects some data from primary data and secondary data. Primary data is
from the Wreck it Ralph film and secondary data collects from available
resources like books, journal, or websites that related to this research.
c. Instrument of the Research
This qualitative research sets the writer herself as the main instrument in
collecting data by watching, writing down some dialogues and notes in this
film and pictures to support the research.
d. The Unit of Analysis
Unit analysis is the characteristic of thing, person, or something that can
be the center attention and the target of research. It can be seen from its
attitude, its activity, its opinion, its view, or its process.6So the unit of
analysis in this research is the film Wreck it Ralph by Rich Moore that is
released in 2012 by Walt Disney Pictures.
e. Place and Time of the Research
6Saifudin Anwar, MetodePenelitian (Yogyakarta, PustakaPelajar, 1998) p.35
6
The writer accomplishes the research during the academic year
2013/2014, at library, home and Department of English Letters, faculty of
Letters and Humanities, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University.
7
CHAPTER II
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Previous Research
The Wreck-It Ralph film research which told that this film can teach
people about life was taken from an analysis which written by Gerry Gavin
on his blog7. In the study, Gerry Gavin found that the story of Wreck-It Ralph
is a representation of human’s life. The problem which comes out in this story
is the imitation of human being’s problem.
He said there is a powerful spiritual analogy here and it revolves around
the story line of the heroine Vanellope. She is presented to us as a computer
glitch -- a broken character that feels that she is programmed to be a winning
car racer but who has been told that she cannot even compete. We come to
later learn that the program to her memory and everyone else's memory had
been deleted -- but will re-set if she can overcome the odds and win the big
race.
He added that this film has the same concept with the book, titled
“Messages from Margaret”, that tells about human’s experience. Some people
have forgotten the greatness of spirit self, human’s true being and humans
have settled into the roles and stories that we were born into.
So, he conclude that this film teaches us not to judge other people,
because we are all a part of a much bigger story that we have all come here to
7 Gerry Gavin, “What 'Wreck-It Ralph' Can Teach Us About Life”, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gerry-gavin/what-wreck-it-Ralph-can-teach-us-about-life_b_2160988.html (Accessed on March 5th 2014)
7
8
experience. They teach us that sometimes we are the good guy, sometimes we
are the bad guy and sometimes we are townspeople waiting for a leader. Then
we remember a little more about who we all truly are, and the ripple effect is
felt around the universe, and out of the wreckage a new world is born.
Gerry, in his research, only discuss about the characters of the film live
in social life and relate the problem that owned by Ralph to the problem that
humans had in real life. Gerry did not analyze deeper about Ralph’s problem
or what exactly happens with Ralph. He did not analyze Ralph through the
psychological approach so that he can know what Ralph needs in his life.
Another research was not talking about the Wreck-It Ralph film, but the
research studied about how each level of Hierarchy of Human Needs were
shown by a character in a film. The research was done by Gina Rizky
Ernanda an English Department, Faculty of Humanities student of Binus
University. The research was titled The Development of Andy Dufresne’s
Character in the Film the Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont.
This research discusses the basic needs of human being that are
revealed on the main character, Andy Dufresne by using hierarchy of needs
by Abraham Maslow. This paper also examines the development of Andy
Dufresne’s character through the environment using elements of intrinsic,
such as character, characterization, and setting. The aim of this study is to
find the hierarchy of needs of Andy Dufresne through The Shawshank
Redemption film and also to find how the environment can change Andy
Dufresne’s character and life, as well as to discuss how great having a hope is
9
that it allows people to survive and change their character while serving jail
time. For the result of the analysis, Andy Dufresne can fulfill his hierarchy of
needs and also shows his development character that is influenced by the
environment and also his inmate friends in Shawshank prison.
The writer only told how every single level of hierarchy of human
needs were fulfilled through the story of the main character in that film. There
were not found how a human struggle and faced any problem his/her needs in
the research.
B. Characterization in the Movie
Characterization is the process of the actor's interpreting a character in a
movie. Characterization differs according to the actor, the character, the
screenplay, and the director. As narrative movies developed through their
history, filmmakers increasingly left things out of their movies'
characterization, or left them implicit, or left them to viewer to determine.
Audiences learned to understand and accept these changing cinematic
conventions8, automatically filling in what was missing and thus themselves
becoming responsible for the verisimilitude of the actions.9
Here are some characterization method according to Boggs:
a) Characterization through Appearance
Movie actors project certain qualities of character the minute they appear
on the screen, characterization in movie has a great deal to do with casting. A
8 Accepted systems, method, or customs by which movie communicate. Cinematic
conventions are flexible; they are not "rules" 9 Richard Barsam. Looking at Movies: an Introducing to Film (3rd Edition). (New
York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2004). p. 137.
10
major aspect of movie characterization is revealed visually and instantaneously.
Although some actors may be versatile enough to project completely different
qualities indifferent roles, most actors are not. The minute we see most actors on
the screen, we make certain assumptions about them because of their facial
features, dress, physical build, and mannerisms and the way they move. Our first
visual impression may be proven erroneous as the story progresses, but it is
certainly an important means of establishing character.10
b) Characterization through Dialogue
Characters in a fictional movie are naturally revealed themselves by what
they say. But a great deal is also revealed by how they say it. Their true thoughts,
attitudes, and emotions can be revealed in subtle ways through word choice and
through the stress, pitch, and pause patterns of their speech.11
c) Characterization through External Action
The appearance is an important measure of a character's personality,
appearances are often misleading. Perhaps the best reflections of character are a
person's actions. It must be assumed, of course, that real characters are more than
more instruments of the plot, that they do what they do for a purpose, out of
motives that are consistent with their overall personality.
Thus, there should be a clear relationship between a character and his or
her actions; the actions should grow naturally out of the character's personality. If
the motivation for a character's action is clearly established, the character and the
plot become so closely interwoven that they are impossible to separate, and every 10 Joseph M. Boggs & Dennis W. Petrie. The Art of Watching Film. (New York: McGrawHill, 2008). p. 60. 11Ibid. p.61.
11
action that the character takes in some way reflects the quality of his or her
particular personality.12
d) Characterization through Internal Action
There is an inner world of action that normally remains unseen and
unheard by even the most careful observer/listener. Yet the dimension of human
nature that this world embraces is often essential to a real understanding of a
character. Inner action occurs within characters' minds and emotions and consists
of secret, unspoken thoughts, daydreams, aspirations, memories, fears, and
fantasies. People's hopes, dreams, and aspirations can be as important to an
understanding of their character as any real achievement, and their fears and
insecurities can be more terrible to them than any real catastrophic failure.13
e) Characterization through Reactions of Other Characters
The other characters view a person often serves as an excellent means of
characterization. Sometimes, a great deal of information about a character is
already provided through such means before the character first appears on the
screen. The other character can tell about the problem which is caused by the main
character and the characteristic of the main character.14
f) Characterization through Contrast: Dramatic Foils
One of the most effective techniques of characterization is the use of foils
contrasting characters whose behavior, attitudes, opinions, lifestyle, physical
appearance, and so on are the opposite of those of the main characters. The effect
12Ibid. p. 62.
13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. p. 64.
12
is similar to that achieved by putting black and white together the black appears
blacker and the white appears whiter.15
g) Characterization Through Caricature and Leitmotif
In order to catch a character quickly and deeply in our minds and
memories, actors often exaggerate or distort one or more dominant features or
personality traits. This device is called caricature (from the technique used in
cartooning).16
A similar means of characterization, leitmotif, is the repetition of a single
action, phrase, or idea by a character until it becomes almost a trademark or theme
song for that character. Because it essentially exaggerates and emphasizes
(through repetition), such a device acts very much like caricature.17
h) Characterization Through Choice of Name
One important method of characterization is the use of names possessing
appropriate qualities of sound, meaning, or connotation. This technique is known
as name typing. The screenwriter usually thinks hard to give the name to the
character and the name usually has the special connotation and the meaning of
something which has relationship to the role of the character, although the general
connotation of the name still exists.18
C. Maslow’s Theory of Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham H. Maslow was born in 1908 with Russia-Jews immigrant
family in Brooklyn, New York. He is a shy, neurotic, and depressive but a
15Ibid. 16 Ibid. pp. 65-66 17Ibid
18Ibid. p. 66
13
highly courageous and “super” clever person.19In 1954, Maslow released his
book, Motivation and Personality, two theories that are very popular and
influenced for some universities in America were Psychoanalysis of Sigmund
Freud and Behaviorism of John B. Watson.20
In psychology, the Psychoanalysis of Freud is considered as the first
force. While the Behaviorism as second force. It seems Maslow (has been
admired both) has different principal. 21The sample of Freud’s research were
his neurotic and psychotic patients. Maslow argued that before we understand
about mental illness, people should know about healthy mental first. In the
other hand, the Behaviorists collected the data of the research from animals are
like pigeon and mouse. Maslow thought that their conclusions can be applied
for fish, frogs, or mouse, but not for human.22Maslow, in his best work,
Motivation and Personality, described a number of propositions that have to be
concerned first before someone making a good theory of motivation. Maslow
admitted that some good propositions which mean can be accepted by a huge
number of population. The other propositions may be cannot be accepted and
debatable.
To gain a please and fully satisfy life is motivation to human, and its
process is the central of Maslow’s theory. Maslow’s theory of personality rests
on several basic assumption regarding motivation. First, Maslow adopted
19Tom Butler-Bowdon, 50 Self-Help Classics (Jakarta: Bhuana Ilmu Populer, 2005), p. 273
20Frank Globe, Mazhab Ketiga: Psikologi Humanistik Abraham Maslow (Yogyakarta: Kanisius, 1987), p.17
21Ibid. p.18 22Ibid. P. 33
14
holistic approach to motivation, repeatedly pointing out that whole person, not
any single part of function, is motivated. Second, motivation is usually
complex; it means that person’s behavior may appear from separate motives.
Third assumption is that people are continually motivated by one need or
another. When one need has been satisfied, then it will lose its motivational
power and will be replaced by another need. Next assumption is that all people
everywhere are motivated by the same basic needs. Needs for food, safety and
friendship are common to the entire species. The last assumption is that needs
can be arranged on a hierarchy.23Conversely, if the things that satisfy our lower
order needs are swept away, we are no longer concerned about the maintenance
of our higher order needs.
According to Maslow, there are five levels of hierarchy of needs; there
are physiological needs, safety needs, social needs (love and belonging),
esteem needs and self-actualization needs. Physiological, security, social, and
esteem needs are deficiency needs (also known as D-needs), meaning that these
needs arise due to deprivation. Satisfying these lower-level needs is important
in order to avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences. Maslow termed the
highest-level of the pyramid as growth needs also known as being needs or B-
needs). Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something, but rather from a
desire to grow as a person.24
23Jess Feist & Gregory J. Feist,Theories of Personality, fifth edition, (New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2002), p. 497. 24Kendra Cherry, “Hierarchy of Needs, The Five Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs”, www.About.com/Hierarchy-of-needs.htm (accessed on 22nd October 2014)
15
Maslow's hierarchy of needs represented as a pyramid25
1. Physiological Needs
The first level of Hierarchy consists of physiological needs. It is
the collection of needs which are urgency because it relates with
maintenance of biology and life. Physiological needs consists of the needs
of water oxygen, and active; taking a rest, constant body temperature, sex
and sensory stimulus. This need is really urgency so the need will be given
precedence for satisfaction by individual. If physiological need is not
satisfied then the individual will not gain the higher needs.26
25 Alan Chapman, "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs", 2001,
http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm (accessed on 27th October 2014) 26Jess Feist & Gregory J. Feist, 2002, op. cit, p. 119
16
Physiological needs is differ from other needs in at least two
important respects. First, they are the only needs that can be completely
satisfied even overly satisfied.27
2. Safety Needs
Safety needs will appear when physiological needs are fully
satisfied. Safety needs are including physical security, stability,
dependency, protection and freedom from such threatening forces as
illness, fear, anxiety, danger and chaos.28
Safety needs dominate our behavior primarily in times of
emergency. Maslow, however, felt that working of the safety needs can
also be seen in people’s preference for familiar surroundings, secure jobs,
savings accounts, and insurance. Safety needs are most evident in your
children, as shown when an infant cries if it is dropped suddenly, is started
by a loud sound, or a stranger enters the room.29
This needs also appear in adult but in other way. The way of adult
to get insurance for their work of get fancy salary is the example of the
safety needs in adult.30
3. Love and Belonging Needs
If both the physiological and the safety needs are fairly well
gratified, there will emerge the love and affection and belongingness
needs, and the whole cycle already described will repeat itself with this
27Ibid p. 498 28Jess Feist & Gregory J. Feist, 2002, loc. cit. 29Herbert L. Petri,Motivtation: Theory and Research (California: Wadsworth Publishing
Company, 2003), p. 290 30Jess Feist & Gregory J. Feist, 2002, op. cit, p. 122
17
new center.31 Then, they become unimportant in the direction of behavior,
and the love or belongingness needs emerge. These needs involve a hunger
for affectionate relationship with other, a need to feel part of a group, or a
feeling that one “belong”. The love needs are not equivalent to sexual
needs (which are physiological), though sexual intimacy can serve to
satisfy one’s need to belong.32 Maslow argue that individuals seek to
overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This involves both giving
and receiving love, affection and the sense of belonging.
4. Esteem Needs
If the love need have been adequately met, they too slip into the
background in relation to guiding behavior, and the esteem needs become
dominant. These are need for a positive, high evaluation of oneself. This
evaluation can be broken down into two subcategories – a need for self-
esteem and a need for esteem from other.33
The need for self-esteem motivates the individual to strive for
achievement, strength, confidence, independence, and freedom. The need
for self-esteem seems to have at its core the desire to feel worthwhile and
appears highly similar to Roger’s concept of positive regard34. The related
need of esteem from others involves a desire for reputation, status,
31C. George Boeree, Personality Theories. http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html (Accessed on 27th October, 2014)
32Herbert L. Petri (2003), loc. Cit. 33Ibid. 34 Accepting and respecting others as they are without judgment or evaluation. This is
different from unconditional love; unconditional positive regard does not require love or affection - it simply refers to acceptance of others whether you like them or not. Unconditional positive regard can be misunderstood as being nice, pleasant, or agreeable with others; however, unconditional positive regard is not an action towards others. Rather, it's more like a feeling or mindset.
18
recognition, appreciation by others of one’s abilities and a feeling of
importance.35People need knowledge that they were well known and well
assessed by others
5. Self-Actualization Needs
When one has satisfied the first four level of need, the final level of
development, which Maslow termed self-actualization, can be reached. At
the self-actualization level, the person’s behavior is motivated by different
conditions than at the lower level.36 It means, in this level, the person is in
the peak of his/her hierarchy needs.
The self-actualized individual has satisfied all the deprivation
needs of the first four levels of the hierarchy. The behavior of the self-
actualized person is, as a result, motivated by new set of needs, which
Maslow termed the being needs (B-motivation, or metamotivation). These
B-motives are values such as truth, honesty, beauty, and goodness, and
they provide meaning to the life of the self-actualized individual.37 The
clear emergence of these needs usually rest upon some prior satisfaction of
the physiological, safety, love and esteem needs.38
Maslow doesn’t think that self-actualizers are perfect, of course.
There were several flaws or imperfections he discovered along the way as
well: First, they often suffered considerable anxiety and guilt -- but
realistic anxiety and guilt, rather than misplaced or neurotic versions.
35Ibid. p. 291 36Ibid. 37Ibid. 38C. George Boeree, (2006), loc. Cit.
19
Some of them were absentminded and overly kind. And finally, some of
them had unexpected moments of ruthlessness, surgical coldness, and loss
of humor. Two other points he makes about these self-actualizers: Their
values were "natural" and seemed to flow effortlessly from their
personalities. And they appeared to transcend many of the dichotomies
others accept as being undeniable, such as the differences between the
spiritual and the physical, the selfish and the unselfish, and the masculine
and the feminine.39
39C. George Boeree, (2006), loc. Cit.
20
CHAPTER III
DATA ANALYSIS
1. Character Analysis
In this analysis, the writer would like to explain and describes
about the characteristics of Ralph as one of the main characters in Wreck-It
Ralph film. The story tells us about Ralph, the guy with short brown hair
who always wears an orange t-shirt, a brown jumper and never wears any
footwear. He works as a wrecker in a video game named “Felix Fix-It”.
In this film, Ralph was really described as a villain in the cartoon
characters generally. He has a big body like a giant. He is nine feet tall and
643 pounds weight. Because his job is a wrecker, he was depicted as a
temperamental person in this story.
Ralph : “My name’s Ralph, and I’m a Bad Guy. I’m 9 feet tall. I weigh 643 pounds. Got a little bit of a temper on me. You know, my passions bubble very near the surface, not gonna lie.” (00:49 – 01:07)
Because he has a creepy appearance and his occupation is a
wrecker, some people dislike him and frightened of him.
Like it is said before, Ralph is temperamental person. For example,
when he realized that he was not invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary
of “Felix Fix-it”, Ralph came furiously to the party because their friend
invited Pac who came from another game while Ralph, the member of that
game, was not invited.
20
21
Ralph : “Pac-Man! They invited Pac-Man? That cherry-chasing, dot-muncher isn’t even part of this game!”
And then, Ralph became more upset when he saw the birthday cake. He
was disappointed with his friends because his friends put the statue of
Ralph under the penthouse cake. So Ralph became angrier and destroyed
the cake.
Moreover, Ralph is an impatient person. And because of his
impatience he can harm other people. When Ralph was in Hero’s Duty
Game, Ralph was impatient to get the medal. A person who could get the
medal is the winner of the game and follows the rules. But Ralph was
against the program and forced to climb the building and enter the secret
room where the medal was placed. Like was told before the impatient may
cause a damage, Ralph messed up the game. He cracked the harmful
Cybugs’ eggs, the enemy of the soldier of Hero’s Duty and the game was
really mess.
Because of his big body, Ralph is often wrecks any stuff. He often
loses his control every time he moved so he always messes up in
everywhere he is and wrecks everything. When Ralph was in the King
Candy’s castle he wrecked the well to run away from the guardians but
actually he could run out through the door. Then, when he helped
Vanellope to make a new cart, he messed the manufactory because of his
big body. Ralph destroyed all the machines.
Besides that, Ralph is also depicted as a kind person. He has a high
awareness of other persons. Ralph cares about his friends who were being
22
homeless. One day, Ralph met his friend, Q-bert, who was homeless
because his game was out of order or unplug. He was starving and begging
people around to help him and his homeless friends. Seeing his friends,
Ralph wholeheartedly shared his fruit that he got in “Pac-Man” house.
Ralph: “Here you go buddy. It’s fresh. Straight from Pac-Man’s. Hang in there guys.” (08:53 – 09.00)
Not only that, Ralph also cares about his friends who does not have
job anymore. Ralph asked the homeless characters to help him in the
bonus level so they get a job again. And then he had an initiate to build a
house for Q-bert.
Ralph: “Oh, and I decided that living in a dump wasn’t making me feel very good about myself. So I cleaned it up. Built houses for our new co-workers, too-- well, with a little help from Felix.”
Then, he also often helps people around him. Ralph has been a hero
for Vanellope, the little girl racer of Sugar Rush game. Vanellope is a glitch
of her program. To bring her back like before, she had to join the race and
passed the finish line. But, many people hate Vanellope and did not want
her to join the race. One time, Vanellope was bullied by her friends. They
destroyed her kart. When Ralph saw this, he did not bear and went out
frightening Vanellope’s friends in order to make them run away from her.
Ralph and Vanellope went to the Kart Bakery, a manufactory where people
could make a kart by themselves. There, Ralph helped Vanellope to make a
new kart for her
23
Just then, she notices the glistening medal. Vanellope : Sweet mother of monkey milk! A gold coin! Ralph : Don’t even think about it. That is mine. Vanellope : Race you for it! Ralph : I don’t have to race you for it, because it’s mine. Vanellope : Double stripe! Vanellope makes it to the top and grabs the medal. Ralph : Come back here! Give it back, give it, give it! Vnellope : The winner! Whoa! Ralph grabs the branch she’s on and flings her off. She drops the medal. He catches it. She dives for it, misses. Ralph lands on a double-stripe. DING! (30:12 – 30:26)
The dialog above shows that Ralph is a persistent person. He does
not want his to be in vain. After Ralph got his medal from Hero’s Duty
game, he was stranded in Sugar Rush. There he met a “glitch girl” who
tried to steal Ralph’s medal which hung up in a branch of tree. But Ralph
could not remain in silent, he tried to grab the medal back by climbing the
tree until he fell. Not only that, Ralph is also persistent when he decided to
help Vanellope to win the kart. The story told that Vanellope never could
be fixed from the error system, but Ralph never accepted that. He kept
trying to make Vanellope be a winner of the kart in order she could be
fixed and back to the Sugar Rush game. Although they both once given up
and were cheated by the Sugar King, Ralph back to ensured Vanellope that
she could win that kart until Vanellope succeed to win the game.
Ralph also depicted as a very good person. He lived with kindness
of a social being with other. He more concerned for the interests of the
another than his. The King Candy lied to Ralph that if Vanellope joined
the race, she could threat the game and even herself. Finally Ralph was
forced to lie to Vanellope. He lied was not because he wicked to
24
Vanellope but because he did not want to lose her and wanted her to still
be alive.
Ralph : Look, what I’m saying is, you can’t be a racer. Her eyes go down to his chest and she sees something. Vanellope : What? Why would you— She pulls the Medal of Heroes out of Ralph’s pocket. Vanellope : Wait a minute. Where did you get this? Ralph : Look, I’m gonna be straight with you; I’ve been
talkingto King Candy. Vanellope : King Candy? You sold me out? Ralph : You don’t understand. Vanellope : No, I understand plenty, traitor. You’re a rat. And I
don’t need you! I can win that race on my own. Ralph : But I’m trying to save your skin, kid! Vanellope : Hey! Put me down. Let me go! Ralph : No, you listen to me. You know what’s gonna happen
when the players see you glitching? They’re gonna think the game’s broken.
Vanellope : I don’t care, you’re a liar. Ralph : You better care, because if your game goes out of
order, you go down with the ship, little sister! Vanellope : I’m not listening to you! Get out of my way! I’m
going to that race! Ralph : No, you’re not. He hangs her by her hood on the edge of a pointy gumdrop. Vanellope : Take me down from here, Ralph, right now! Ralph : No.... I’m doing this for your own good. Vanellope : Wait. Wait. Wait. No. No. No. Please, Ralph! No!
Stop! You really are a bad guy. (1:07:19 – 1:08:47)
He did not care that Vanellope would hate him. He did that in order
to safe Vanellope. It is proved when Ralph encouraged himself to go to the
“Cola Hot Springs”, the dangerous lake that would explode if the
“mentos” fell down to the lake. But, it was still done to save Vanellope
from the game. And finally Ralph could help Vanellope passed the finish
line.
25
If we look into Ralph’s life, as human, his hierarchy of needs is
seems already fulfilled. So in the next discussion there will be explanation
of what the other needs that will be pursued and leave his place, Felix Fix-
It game.
2. The Hierarchy of Needs in Main Character
Wreck-It Ralph tells about Ralph as the main character who works
as a wrecker of “Felix Fix-It” video game in his daily life. In every end of
the game he was depicted to be a loser. He found a mistrust of himself as a
human after the Felix Fix-It 30th Anniversary Celebration incident. He felt
that no one loved him because he was the only person in the game that was
not invited. From that moment, Ralph ran out the job to find a medal that he
thinks it will change everything.
In order to discuss Ralph’s pursuit of medal, the writer uses
Hierarchy of Human Needs of Abraham H. Maslow. The writer will identify
some main character’s behaviors, thoughts or feelings, and some
descriptions about him. Then, the writer will analyze whether those things
have relationship with Ralph’s needs as a human.
Ralph is actually depicted as a human who already fulfilled all his
needs. Working as a wrecker for 30 years in the game of “Felix Fix-it Jr.”
already made all the needs as human beings have been fulfilled even he had
been able to actualize himself into that job. First, the physiological needs of
a human, which needs that most fundamental of human, have been fulfilled.
Ralph could manage his life especially how to fulfill his hunger
26
independently. He knew how to satisfy himself to solve his physiological
needs though he had to take the food that was not him.
Only with that fruits he had, his hunger could be resolved. It is
proven by there no more complaining from him about his hunger at the other
scene. In this case, the main character can fulfill the needs without barriers
and obstacles. Therefore, physiological needs of the main character is already
fulfilled.
Second, he was already feeling safe and comfortable, there is no
danger that can be threatening himself. Although, in his job at “Fix-It Felix
Jr.”, was not told in this film that he got a good salary or insurance, he still
feel safe even he can still be professional and best workers .
Ralph: “Anyhoo, what else? I’m a wrecker. I wreck -- professionally. I’m gonna wreck it! I’m very good at what I do. Probably the best I know.” (0:01:01 – 0:01:15)
And Ralph already felt safe and comfortably lived in his house
which had no roof. Where people were think that the house was not feasible
for occupancy. But Ralph was never worried about it. Even he already felt
comfort with his “bricks” bed and his stump pillow. Live in a place like that,
Ralph never been disturbed or felt harmful.
Ralph: “And I head off to the pile of garbage in the dump... where I live. You might call it a lonely cesspit of despair on the outskirts of humanity...which would be accurate. But I call it home. I guess I can’t bellyache too much; I got my bricks. I got my stump. It looks uncomfortable, but it’s actually fine. I’m good.” (0:03:27 – 0:03:53)
Ralph never felt that there would be a danger. Because of his big
body and clever brain, if there is something that would threat him he can
27
solve it by himself. Just like when he was fighting in the Hero’s Duty game,
he felt the Cybugs threatened him, then, he was freaking out and making the
Robot as his protector of the Cybug attack.
And then, he also had friends who were caring and always paying
attention to him where Ralph is human who needs love belongingness of
others. His friends were much supported him of what he did and always
wanted to hear all about Ralph’s complaints and gave him an advice that
being a bad guy is not bad, it is good.
Clyde : Nice share, Ralph. As fellow Bad Guys, we’ve all felt what you’re feeling, and we’ve come to terms with it.
Ralph : Really? Zangief : (thick Russian accent) Right here. I am Zangief. I
am Bad Guy. Zangief : I relate to you, Ralph. When I hit bottom, I was
crushing man’s skull like sparrow egg between my thighs. (Smacking his thigh) And I am wondering, why do you have to be so bad, Zangief? Why can’t more like good guy? Then I have moment of clarity: If Zangief is good guy, who will crush man’s skull like sparrow egg between thighs? And I say, “Zangief, you are bad guy. But this does not mean you are bad guy.”
Zombie : Zangief saying: labels not make you happy -- good, bad...(Frankenstein growl) You must love you.
Clyde : Ralph, Ralph, we get it. But we can’t change who we are, and the sooner you accept that the better off your game and your life will be.
Zangief : Hey, one game at a time, Ralph. Clyde : Now let’s close out with the Bad Guy
Affirmation. (0:04:26 – 0:06:36)
Besides, Ralph also has Felix, the only one partner of his job, also felt
lost of Ralph and had an initiative to find him at the time of Ralph left the
28
games. Not only Felix, Calhoun, the leader of hero's duty game, also care
about Ralph and helped to find Ralph to return to the “Felix Fix-It Jr.” game.
After that, Ralph was already got the acknowledgement from the
others. Firstly, actually he already got the esteem from the others as a bad
guy. People already admitted his presence as a wrecker in Felix Fix-It game.
Everyone knows about Ralph that he is a man who works as a wrecker in
Felix Fix-It game. But, Ralph was not confident with himself because of the
treatment he got from people around him. Ralph felt that his life was not
perfect yet until in one moment he felt that his life would be perfect if he
could be a hero or a winner of his game. This thing was caused by his
position of his job as villain in the game. So, he wanted to change himself to
be like Felix, a hero of his game who always gets prizes from the people
because he won and got a medal in every ending of the game. Moreover, the
uninvited of Ralph incident in the celebration of 30th anniversary of “Felix
Fix-It Jr.” made the desire to change himself become stronger. Finally Ralph
ran out left his game to find a medal and if he came back people would love
him and gave him prizes.
Ralph infiltrate to the “Hero’s Duty” game and disguised as a soldier
of that game. He actually did not win the game, but he succeed to get that
medal by climbing the building where the medal took place. And Ralph made
all the set of Hero’s Duty messed up. Ralph stranded in “Sugar Rush” game.
There he met a “glitch” girl, Vanellope. That girl stole Ralph’s medal in order
29
to make her join a race. But Ralph could get his medal back although he
should fool of her and made her disappointed of him.
Finally, Ralph came back to his game “Felix Fix-It Jr.” But the
situation has changed. That was not as what he expected before. The game
had been unplugged because all the characters were all gone. He realized that
what he had done had harmed for the others and made the other went from
him. Then he thought that he really need was not the medal which he had
now, but he needed friends who were never he realized that actually he
already had them. So, Ralph threw away that medal.
Ralph : Anybody home? Felix? Mary? Gene : Well, you actually went and did it. Ralph : Gene? Where is everybody? Gene : They’re gone. After Felix went to find you and
then didn’t come back, everyone panicked and abandoned ship.
Ralph : But--but I’m here now. Gene : It’s too late, Ralph. Litwak’s pulling our plug in the
morning. But, never let it be said I’m not a man of my word. The place is yours, Ralph. Enjoy.
Ralph : Gene, wait. Listen, this is not what I wanted. Gene : So what did you want Ralph? Ralph : I don’t know, I just.... I was just tired of living
alone in the garbage. Gene : Well now you can live alone in the penthouse. Gene leaves. (1:09:25 – 1:10:12)
Ralph went back to Sugar Rush to help Vanellope who was glitched
by the system to win the race in order she could be a normal character in her
game. After that, Ralph was back to work in “Felix Fix-It Jr.” thereby the
game could be played again by the kids and became the most favorite video
game.
30
He finally actualizes himself as a truly wrecker in his game because
that is his job and he has to do it professionally. After he ran out from Felix
Fix-It he came back to the game and decided to stay long there.
Ralph: ”So yeah, I’m taking life one game at a time, and I gotta tell ya, I feel like a new Ralph.”
Then, beside he devoted his life to the game, with his goodness he
made the innovation of his game in order to make his game be liked by the
children. He hired all the homeless to have a job again. He asked the
homeless to play in the bonus level. And in fact, Ralph did it. He made the
game became more popular than before.
Ralph: “So we asked some of our friends to help us out on the bonus levels. And I swear our game hasn’t been this popular in years. The gamers, they say we’re retro, which I think means old but cool.” (1:31:32 – 1:31:47)
We may see that Ralph was successfully actualized himself and
reached his peak of needs. It is proven that there is no other that he wanted to
get. He felt that this is enough. He just continued his life as a well wrecker
then.
Ralph: “Turns out, I don’t need a medal to tell me I’m a good guy. ‘Cause if that little kid likes me, how bad can I be?” (1:31:48 – 1:32:05)
31
CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion
Wreck-It Ralph is a film directed by Rich Moore and published by
the biggest America animation studio, Walt Disney. In general, this film is
a representation of human life or imitation of human life that packaged in
animation fiction, which most of films that produced by Disney are
intended as a children spectacle, though Disney's films are also enjoyed by
adults. As a representation of a human life, characters in this film can be
regarded a human character as a social being in real life.
Wreck-It Ralph is a film which characters as same character as in
real life. It proves that there is relation between psychological and fiction.
In another word, literature works can be analyzed by the psychological
approaches. Therefore, the writer uses the theory of Hierarchy of Human
Needs by Abraham H. Maslow. The writer uses this theory because there
is problem that owned by the main character of this film in satisfying his
needs as a human in his life.
From the personality research of main character, Ralph, was found
that there is mistrust of himself which made Ralph want to be another
man. Just because he saw another’s life more perfect than his, he is Felix,
his partner of his work in Felix Fix-It Jr. game. Felix always got prizes
31
32
from people because in this game Felix is depicted as a winner while
Ralph is the loser. But those are their jobs, they have their own portion.
Every time he saw Felix who always got a medal, Ralph thought
that if he had a medal all going to be change and his life would become
perfect. But he was wrong. Being another man made him lost everything.
He had not any job at all, been disliked and left by the people around him.
Finally he changed his mind and decided to be himself.
All came back to Felix Fix-It, so did Ralph, he still in his job as a
wrecker. Ralph also has decided to serve forever of his job di Felix Fix-It
game. In other words, Ralph has actualized himself in that job and got the
peak of his needs. It means that Ralph has fulfilled all his hierarchy of his
needs. Just because of the unconfident of himself could obstruct his
journey of his life in fulfilling his needs as a human.
To conclude this research that a human, in this case is represented
by Ralph in the film, cannot get perfection of life when he has not fulfilled
his needs yet. People must be having a long journey to make sure
themselves that they already got the peak of satisfaction in their lives.
They complete step by step of their needs first and they can decide to
actualize themselves in one thing.
B. Suggestion
The writer suggests to those who want to study about a film to
understand deeply the film what is the biggest issue that come out in that
film. Then, understand deeply about the proper theory that can build the
33
research. And also the researcher has to consider any reference from any
resources.
By reading the thesis, the writer hopes the result of the study can
give any benefits to the reader. This object of the research (this film) is
possible to be analyzed with another theory or another issue if there any
researchers want to analyze this film. For example, how this film give an
impact for children. So, we can explore more about this film. And from
this research can give contribution to all students of English Letter
Department who want make a research either about the Hierarch of Human
Needs or the film as well.
34
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Anwar, Saifudin. (1998). Metode Penelitian. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.
Barsam, Richard. (2004). Looking at Movies: an Introducing to Film (3rd Edition). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Boggs, J. M. (2008). The Art of Watching Film. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Bowdon, Tom Butler. (2005). 50 Self-Help Classics. Jakarta: Bhuana Ilmu Populer.
Feist, Jess and Gregory J. Feist. (2002). Theories of Personality, fifth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Globe, Frank. (1987). Mazhab Ketiga: Psikologi Humanistik Abraham Maslow. Yogyakarta: Kanisius.
Hoffman, Michael J. and Patrick D. Murphy. (1988). Essential of the Theory of Fiction. Durham and London: Duke Press University
Moore, Rich. Wreck-It Ralph. (2012). America. The Walt Disney. All Right Reserved
Petri, Herbert L. (2003). Motivation: Theory and Research. California: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Renske, Christoper Rassel. (1996). How to Analyze Drama. New York: Monarch Press.
Sumarno, Maraselli. (1996). Dasar-Dasar Apresiasi Film. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Widia Sarana Indonesia.
Website
Alan Chapman. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.html. accessed on October, 27th 2014
George Boeree, Personality Theories. http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html. accessed on October, 27th, 2014
Kendra Cherry. Hierarchy of Needs, The Five Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. www.About.com/Hierarchy-of-needs.htm. accessed on October, 22nd 2014
35
Stephanie Palmer. Film Scripts: 8 Animation Scripts Screenwriters Should Read. http://goodinaroom.com/blog/film-scripts-animation/. Accessed on October, 12th 2014
The Walt Disney Studios. The Walt Disney Studios History. http://studioservices.go.com/disneystudios/history.html. Accessed on October, 12th 2014
Walt Disney Animation Studios. The History of Disney Animation. http://www.disneyanimation.com/studio/our-films. Accessed on October, 12th 2014
36
APPENDICCES
Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4
Picture 5 Picture 6
37
Picture 7 Picture 8
Picture 9 Picture 10
Picture 11 Picture 12
38
Picture 13 Picture 14
Picture 15 Picture 16
Picture 17 Picture 18
39
Picture 19 Picture 20
Picture 21 Picture 22
Picture 23 Picture 23
