Arum Putri S, 2250407074 (2012) Delusion as Defense Mechanism in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Under Graduates thesis, Universitas Negeri Semarang.

Microsoft Word ( Delusion as Defense Mechanism in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) - Published Version Download (30kB)

Abstract

This study is entitled ‘Delusion as Defense Mechanism in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’. The study is conducted to analyze the defense mechanism which is used for modern people and to discuss the effect of delusion as defense mechanism. This study analyzed the roles of modern people in short story for their society, the representation of defense mechanism in short story and the effect of delusion for someone’s life. I used James Thurber’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty as the object of this study. The data was analysed by using descriptive qualitative method. This study was a descriptive qualitative study that the datas were analyzed by using psychological approach. It was descriptive qualitative since the data of the study were in the form of words, phrases, sentences, narrations, and dialogues.The data were gained by reading the short story thoroughly, identifying, intventorizing, classifying, selecting, and reporting. The analysis was done by several techniques including exposing, explaining, and interpreting. This investigation resulted in several findings. First, modern people had significant roles to the development of the society. Second, the delusion as the representation of WalterMitty’s defense mechanism and it showed Mitty’s analogous of his Id, Ego and Superego. And the last, the effect of delusion which is used by Mitty can helps him to save his live in his society. The writer in this case, borrowed the theory of Psychoanalysis of Freud (Freudian psychoanalysis theory) to find out the concept of defense mechanism and the representation of Mitty’s Id, Ego and Superego and also the theory of modern people from Ross Poole. Based on the result of the study, it could be concluded Mr and Mrs.Mitty as the representation of modern people have significant roles in the development of society, but when Mr.Mitty cannot accept the lifestyle concept of modern society he will use delusion to defense and protect himself from all strange action that he might do at that time. Shortly, it can be said also that defense mechanism is the way to save his life in order he can live among modern society. Finally, I do hope that by reading the short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” we are understand the use of defense mechanism in someone’s life so that we will not think bad about defense mechanism and I hope also that we are able to choose the most save defense mechanism which appropriates with the condition around us.

Actions (login required)

View Item