Name : Hasbiani
Semester : VI (Sixth)
Date : , 2008
Subject : Prose Analysis
The Analysis of John Steinbeck’s Novel “Burning bright”
Theme
The theme of John Steinbeck’s novel “Burning Bright” was told about the problems in marital life. It is the story of a man who felt depression of being infertility. He was afraid that he will not have children to continue his blood line. There so many problems happened during Joe Saul’s marital life, which is filled with intrics, love affair, Sacrifice, conflicts, and friendship.
Dramatic conflict in Steinbeck’s novel “Burning Bright”
Here we found two basic conflict that built this novel, social conflict and psychological conflict.
· Social conflict
Through the scene one “the sea”, we could find the author filled social conflict for his story. It is relevant with the example bellow:
I’ve given every thought,’ he cried.’ I can’t do it you are my woman and that is my child. I must have you.
‘Are you crazy?’ she stood in front of him.’ I am not your woman!’
‘Maybe crazy,’ she said.’ And maybe I will get crazier you must come away with me now. You are my woman and I cannot have my child born here.’
‘Mr. Victor.’ she said in command.’ Go to your quarter. Go instantly… (Steinbeck 1970:75-82)
This quotation obviously depicts Victor’s fear to lose his woman and his child. He hardly trying to ask Mordeen, Joe Saul’s wife, to leave her husband and go away with him. In spite of the fact that there was love affair between them, Mordeen doesn’t love Victor utterly. The strongest reason of her love affair is only in order to be pregnant to delight him as her only beloved husband because she is aware that Joe Saul will not be able to have children. The result is she refused to leave her husband even Victor tried to force and pressure her living with him.
· Psychological conflict
In “burning bright” novel written by John Steinbeck The psychological conflict can we find in many lines through the story. Here are some of the lines that contained psychological conflict:
A seething excitement filled victor. He moved one of the big chairs a little. ‘No, he said at last, guilty but with a force controlled in his throat. ‘I can’t! I tried, Mordeen. I tried to force myself. And I know that if it goes on a little more I will not. I will not know what I am doing.’ He held out his arms and he cried:” see a chill is going on in me. My hands will not be quiet. Mordeen, I can’t let you go.’(Steinbeck 1970:77)
Here we know that Victor tried to forget his love to Mordeen, even, it was contradicted with his mind. Even lately, he decided to force Mordeen to leave her husband because he could not stop to love her. However, he felt desperation because he failed to persuade her. And than he went away leaving Mordeen Lives with her husband.
Now rage came flooding in Joe Saul’s body and in his mind. I’ll have to kill him,’ he said hoarsely.’ There is no place in the world for him to live, knowing and sneering, maybe never telling but always knowing. I cannot have his mind living in the same world with me. (Steinbeck 1970:87)
In this section, Joe Saul was angry and disappointed. He shocked to know the fact that his wife had love affair with Victor and resulted in her pregnancy. These big mistakes immediately reopen his previous wound, even, it is worse. He cannot accept and forgive Mordeen’s treachery.
Moral Messages in “Burning Bright” Novel
After reread the novel we can conclude what moral messages saved in the “Burning Bright” novel. Here are some of them:
Ø Human being is impossible separated from his nature; therefore, the need of human being to have children is merely based on his natural necessity to continue his life cycle.
Ø The human being cannot always achieve his goals because of some obstacles that, of course, remains disappointment within his mind.
Ø The significance of friendship in life.
Ø A good friend is a person who always there to give you valuable advice and big support for your future.
Ø Good communication is necessary in marital life.
Ø The goal of marriage is to establish a family in order to achieve happiness and peace of life.
