Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter mainly explains the related literature element that was used to do
the analysis on The Green Mile movie. This part provides the reader some brief
explanation of character and symbolism, followed by comparative literature theory.
Afterward, the reader will be offered the details about the Christianity approach to
literature works.
2.2 Character
This part presents the approach that is used in analyzing the characters of The
Green Mile movie. Basically, the methodology used was collecting the data of the
characters and comparing them with the Christianity principle. Written below is the
idea used in approaching the characters of this literature work.
Observing character in a literature used
to be done by comparing the
character's value, ideals, actions, goals, appearance and
personality with people
around the observer. Character is an aspect in literature, which is easier to identifY
and become familiar with the observer compared to other literature elements. (Derek,
2009, p. 65)
In other words, characters are analyzed by collecting the character's values,
ideals, actions, goals, appearance and personality that are shown in the movie and
compare them to the people around the writer. The preeminent way to compare them
is by using psychology, which can predict the personality and reason of an action
based on the characters' background and traits.
2.3 Symbolism
It can be said that all of literature works, starting from the ancient literature
up until now, contain symbolism. It is a frequently used medium to deliver messages
in literature works. Even more, symbolism also affects the daily life where gesture or
items are used to imply the feeling or desire of a person. Written below is some
information about symbolism and its relation to the analysis.
Literature works always have symbols as a part of their element within. A
symbol means more than a literal meaning; it can be in a form of an objects, natural
symbols, religious symbols and character as symbol. (Derek, 2009, p. 98)
Movie is included as a literature work. Movie might be showing imagination
that comes true, for example, The Lord of the Rings, which is an epic novel and
created into great trilogy with technology line up that able to formed the shape of the
imagination written in the books. Still, although the technology is getting more
advance and used commonly in making a movie, many movies still use symbols to
deliver subtle messages. Without a doubt, motion pictures will use imagery as a
cinematic element to beauty the film as well as symbolism of messages that are
meant for the viewer.
"A character in a literary work occasionally does double duty. A character
can be both a participant in the action, and a symbol which transcends action and
suggest deeper meaning ... " Dr Derek Soles stated in his book, "Understanding
literature and Film". (Derek, 2009, p. I 04)
The statement above signify the double role of a character in a movie, as the
player or character that doing the action in the story; and as a symbol that represents
something. This assertion also supports the suggestion, where John Coffey from The
Green Mile movie would be a symbol that represents an entity.
Accordingly, symbolism is not limited. It can be an object, gesture, action,
event, characters, etc. In addition, based on the writer's experience, switching point
of view in studying a literature work could emerge new symbolism. The Green Mile
is one of literature works that reveals different symbolism when the viewer changes
their point of view in watching the movie.
2.6 Comparative Analysis Approach
In
literature study, there
Comparative study uses
expression
such
is one
comparison of
study entitled Comparative Literature.
literature with
other field
of human
as: knowledge, belief, the arts, philosophy, history, the social
sciences, the sciences, religion, etc. (Zepetnek, 1998)
Taking an account to the statement above, it is revealed that there
Comparative Literature study that could
is
be used as an approach in analyzing a
literature work. The fascinating part of this study is where there is no limitation on
materials that could be used to do the comparison; it means that every aspect of life
is possible as a comparison to a literature work.
Earlier before, at point 2.3, it was stated that the writer influenced by her
culture, which is Christianity. Combined with Comparative Literature, the writer
manage to do compare The
Green Mile movie with
her religion-Christian.
The statement above signify the double role of a character in a movie, as the
However, without a doubt there is a possibility of some readers who are not aware or
understand
about the
Christianity. While the
knowledge of Christianity is a
requirement in order to comprehend the analysis. Thus, the following part of this part
would cover the brief explanation of Christianity and the Bible version used to gather
the data as the comparison.
2.6.1 Christianity
Christianity is a deep belief that most people would need to learn it for
years in order to reach its core understanding. As for the name of Christian,
the Scripture records the first time of the certain word used:
Ac:11:26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto
Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled
themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the
disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Some people would state that Christian was originally used to insults
the people who follow the Christ. This statement is emerged from one verse
from the Scripture:
1 Pe:4:16: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let him glorifY God on this behalf.
That verse, especially "suffer as a Christian"
makes the Christian
word seems to be used as an insult at that time. However, there is no evidence
that Christian was really used as an insult. (Pavao P. , 20 II)
Becoming Christians means a duty to announce the gospel, profess the
faith, worship God and ultimately to live their entire lives according to the
will of God. Being God's people means following God's law, which is to live
in the way of truth as written in Psalm 25:4--5; 86: I; and obeying it as written
in Romans 2:8; Galatians 5:7; I Peter 1:22; 3 John 3-4. (Stefan, 2012, pp. 6465)
It is also a common teaching that being a Christian means ready to
suffer, just like the
Christ; and following that common teaching, one
commitment a Christian must have is to be like Christ. After all, Christian
means "Christ like"-it does not mean that human must be turn into a god or
anything like that though. To be Christ figure means following Jesus Christ as
a role model to live as written in the King James Bible:
ICo:!!:I: Be yefollowers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Taking a root on it, a comparison is made. John Coffey from The
Green Mile movie could be consider as an example of a person who follows
Christ as a role model in their life. The details of analysis on John Coffey
related to the Christianity principle will be presented later at the chapter three.
2.6.2 Bible Version
Since this thesis uses comparative study with Christianity to cover the
analysis, a vital source needed for this thesis; which is the Christian Scripture
or the Bible. There are many version of Bible such as King James Bible, The
Amplified Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation, etc. The
differences of those versions are the language source and choice of words;
still, the contents are all the same. The use of different version usually intends
for some research; however, the commonly used Bible versions in the United
States are the King James and The Amplified Bible.
Bible version used in this thesis is the King James Bible Version
1611. The King James Version itself is well known for its closest meaning
because the translation
is taken from the original
Hebrew and Greek
scripture into English, while others, for example the Gideon version, might
translate the Latin version-the version
kept by the Catholic church. Even
more, it uses singular and plural second pronouns, which are thou and thy.
The use of singular and plural second pronouns is intended to discern
between a person and a population. (Pavao P. F., 2009-20 II)