The Self-Transformation of Esther as a Jewish in The Book of Esther in The Jerusalem Bible: A Psycho-Spiritual Case Study
A THESIS
by Tri Winarni Student Number : 99.80.0066
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME FACULTY OF LETTERS SOEGIJAPRANATA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SEMARANG 2004
TABLE OF CONTENS
TITLE PAGE ...........................................................................................
i
PAGES OF APPROVAL ...........................................................................
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...........................................................................
vi
ABSTRACT ..............................................................................................
viii
ABSTRAK ..............................................................................................
x
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION............................................................
1
1.1. Background of the Study ...........................................
1
1.2. Scope of the Study ....................................................
3
1.3. Problem Formulation.................................................
3
1.4. Objective of the Study...............................................
4
1.5. Significance of the Study ..........................................
4
1.6. Definition of Terms...................................................
4
CHAPTER II LITERARY REVIEW......................................................
5
2.1. The Book of Esther ...................................................
6
2.2. The Jews ...................................................................
9
2.3. Psychology and Literature .........................................
12
2.4. Psycho-Spiritual Approach........................................
13
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................
19
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ...............
22
4.1. Esther's Struggle for Her Faith.................................
22
4.1.1. Esther as an Orphan and a Jewish..................
23
4.1.2. Esther as the Queen Persia.............................
25
4.2. The Process of Esther’s Self-Transformation...........
27
4.2.1. Three Dimensions of Esther as an Integral Subject 27 4.2.1.1. The Structural Dimension of Esther ...
28
4.2.1.2. The Finality Dimension of Esther ......
30
4.2.1.3. The Motivation Dimension of Esther .
31
4.2.2. The Phases of Esther’s Self-Transformation ..
32
4.2.2.1. Compromise and Compliance ............
32
4.2.2.2. Identification without Reflection........
33
4.2.2.3. Internalisation or Reflection...............
34
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION................................................................
36
BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................
38
APPENDIX
................................................ 40
ABSTRACT The Book of Esther is considered as a great literary work if it is seen from the view of literary art. It is the story of Esther’s life, the Jewess, an orphan, who was adopted by Mordecai. Esther and Mordecai lived in Persia, after Israel fell. In her future life, Esther was chosen as the queen in Persia. She experienced a dilemma when she had to face her nation, the Jews, who will be exterminated in Persia. Esther experienced an inner conflict. She felt afraid to face her death but she wanted to save her nation. Finally, her faith in God encouraged her to become brave in taking a decision to save the Jews. This thesis is a study in literature which employs a character development analysis. This thesis uses a library research method to gain data. It analyses the process of Esther’s character development that experienced selftransformation when she took the decision to save the Jews from a psychospiritual point of view. The psycho-spiritual approach is used in analysing the three dimensions of Esther as the integral subject and in analysing the phases of Esther’s self-transformation. The result showed that the three dimensions of Esther as the integral subject were the factors which suported her in the process of selftransformation. The three dimensions of Esther were Esther’s inner power that helped her to reflect the experience, to internalise the objective values, and to gain her final aim in life. Esther’s self- transformation was visible from the moment she took the decision to save the Jews. At that moment Esther had internalised and reflected the objective values. In the internalization or
reflection phase, Esther found her vision as a queen. Esther was aware that God had a plan for her life and would help her to face the mission. Esther’s faith had encouraged her to become brave to take the decision to save the Jews. Therefore, Esther’s motivation to save the Jews was not caused by the pressure of an outsider, but Esther as an integral subject who had the inner power to internalise the objective values in her life.
ABSTRAK
Kitab Esther dianggap sebagai suatu karya sastra besar bila dilihat dari sudut pandang seni sastera. Kitab ini mengisahkan kehidupan Esther, seorang yatim piatu berkebangsaan Yahudi, yang diadopsi oleh Mordecai. Esther dan Mordecai tinggal di Persia setelah Israel jatuh. Dalam kehidupan selanjutnya, Esther terpilih sebagai ratu di Persia. Esther mengalami suatu dilema ketika dia harus menghadapi peristiwa bahwa bangsanya akan dimusnahkan di Persia. Esther mengalami konflik dalam dirinya. Dia merasa takut menghadapi kematiannya, akan tetapi dia ingin menyelamatkan bangsanya. Akhirnya, imannya telah menguatkan dirinya, berani mengambil keputusan untuk menyelamatkan bangsanya. Skripsi ini adalah pembahasan karya sastra terutama pada analisa perkembangan karakter. Skripsi ini menggunakan metode studi pustaka. Skripsi ini menganalisa tentang proses perkembangan karakter Esther yang mengalami transformasi diri ketika dia mengambil keputusan untuk menyelamatkan bangsanya, dari sudut pandang psiko-spiritual. Pendekatan psiko-spiritual digunakan dalam menganalisa tiga dimensi dalam diri Esther sebagai subyek yang integral dan untuk menganalisa tahap-tahap transformasi diri Esther. Hasil analisa menunjukkan bahwa tiga dimensi dalam diri Esther sebagai pribadi yang integral merupakan faktor yang mendukung dalam proses transformasi dirinya. Tiga dimensi tersebut merupakan kekuatan dari dalam diri Esther
yang
membantunya
merefleksikan
suatu
pengalaman,
menginternalisasikan nilai-nilai obyektif dan mencapai tujuan akhir hidupnya. Transformasi diri Esther nampak dalam peristiwa saat dia pada akhirnya memutuskan untuk menyelamatkan bangsanya, Yahudi. Dalam peristiwa ini Esther telah menginternalisasikan dan merefleksikan nilai-nilai obyektive. Dalam tahap internalisasi atau refleksi, Esther menemukan visi hidupnya sebagai ratu. Esther sadar bahwa Tuhan mempunyai rencana bagi kehidupannya dan akan membantu dalam menghadapi misinya menyelamatkan bangsa Yahudi. Iman Esther telah menguatkannya untuk berani mengambil keputusan menyelamatkan bangsanya. Karenanya motivasi Esther untuk menyelamatkan bangsanya, Yahudi, bukan disebabkan tekanan dari luar, akan tetapi sebagai subyek yang integral, Esther mempunyai kemampuan dari dalam untuk menginternalisasikan nilai-nilai obyektif dalam kehidupannya.
