A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS IN HANSEL AND GRETEL

WRITTEN BY JACOB AND WILHELM GRIMM

HUSNAYAINI
NIM. 103026027626




ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
JAKARTA
2011
i
ABSTRACT

Husnayaini, A Main Character Analysis in Hansel and Gretel Written by
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Thesis. Jakarta. English Letters Department,
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta, February 2011.

This research studies Jacob and Wilhelm Grimms entitled Hansel and
Gretel published by Grimms fairy tales in final edition, 1857. The writer uses the
characters characterization conception as the theoretical framework. The method
of this research is descriptive qualitative in analyzing the tale. The objective of
this research is to know how the character Hansel and Gretel characterized by the
author. The writer collects the characteristics of the main character through the
characterization. The collected data are analyzed by using character analysis.
In this analysis the writer finds out the main character characteristics.
Hansel is a young boy; he is smart, wise, strong, responsible, survivor, never give
up, and brave. In addition, his little sister, Gretel is also smart, brave, innocent,
submissive, wise, never give up, and survivor. Although they are still children,
both of them are brave person. They succeed overcome their problem from suffer
and they dare to force the wicked witch that they had met in the wood. Finally,
they went home and live happily ever after.

























ii
APPROVEMENT

A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS IN HANSEL AND GRETEL WRITTEN
BY JACOB AND WILHELM GRIMM



A Thesis
Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty
In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for
Strata 1 Degree (S1)



HUSNAYAINI
NIM. 103026027626


Approved by:


Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum
Advisor




ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
JAKARTA
2011
iii
LEGALIZATION

Name : Husnayaini
NIM : 103026027626
Title : A Main Character Analysis in Hansel and Gretel Written by Jacob
and Wilhelm Grimm


The thesis entitled A Main Character Analysis in Hansel and Gretel Written by
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm has been defended before the Letter and Humanities
Facultys Examination Committee on February 9
th
, 2011. The thesis has already
been accepted as a partial fulfillment of requirement for Strata One Degree (SI).



Jakarta, February 9
th
, 2011



The Examining Committee


Signature Date



1. Drs. Asep Saefudin, M. Pd (Chair Person)
NIP. 19640710 1999303 1 006


2. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum (Secretary)
NIP. 19781003 200112 2 002


3. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum (Advisor)
NIP. 19781003 200112 2 002


4. Dr. Muhammad Farkhan, M.Pd (Examiner I)
NIP. 19650919 200003 1 002


5. Inayatul Chusna, M. Hum (Examiner II)
NIP. 19780126 200312 2 002
iv
DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission in 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
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, Februari 2011


Husnayaini









v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to thank to Allah SWT, the Lord of the universe
and thereafter. I have no doubt that all I have is from Him. Peace and blessing be
upon our prophet Muhammad SAW, his family, all of his friends and followers.
I would like to express my gratitude to my beloved family: my mother
(Maswarni), my father (Alm. Imran), thank you so much for their love, financial
support, prayers, hope, motivation, and all the contribution I need to finish my
study in this University. I also want to thank to my husband; Hanafi and my
lovely children; Kim Bum Fakhrezi and Kirey Saraca who support me during the
preparation of doing my thesis. Thank you for all your kindness, spirit and care.
I would like to thank my advisor, Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum for his great
patient, and contributions in finishing this thesis. I thank for all her advises that
have been given to me, May God bless her.
I wish to say gratitude to the following persons:
1. Dr. H. Abdul Wahid Hasyim, M. Ag as the Dean of Letters and
Humanities Faculty, Syarif Hidyatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta.
2. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M. Pd as the head of English Letters Department.
3. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum as the secretary of English Letters Department
who has given helpful suggestions and comments.
4. Dr. Muhammad Farkhan, M.Pd as the examiner I of this thesis who has
given helpful suggestions and detailed comments.
vi
5. Inayatul Chusna, M. Hum as the examiner II of this thesis and her
suggestions.
6. All lecturers of English Letters Department who have taught and educated
me during my study at Syarif Hidayatullah University, Jakarta.
7. My big family, Delimunthe, thank you for all your kindness, spirit and
care.
8. All of my friends at English Letters Department; Muzdalifah (Ipheh),
Nugraheni Aditya (Uphi), Faisal, thank you for their kindness and care.
For all my friends that I cannot be mentioned one by one for giving their
friendship, thanks a lot.
May Allah SWT, the Almighty and the Merciful blesses us, Amin. Finally,
I realize that this thesis is far from being perfect. Accordingly, I hope any
suggestion and criticism for this thesis.


Jakarta, February 2011


The Writer




vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................... i
APPROVEMENT ............................................................................................. ii
LEGALIZATION ............................................................................................. iii
DECLARATION ............................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................ v
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................. vii

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1
A. Background of the Study ................................................................... 1
B. Focus of the Study ............................................................................. 3
C. Research Question ............................................................................. 3
D. Objectives of the Study.. 3
E. Research Methodology...................................................................... 4
1. The Objective of the Research .................................................... 4
2. Method of the Research .............................................................. 4
3. Technique of Data Analysis ........................................................ 4
4. Unit of Analysis .......................................................................... 4
5. Instrument ................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........................................ 5
A. Character and Characterization ......................................................... 5
B. Kinds of Character ............................................................................ 6
C. Identifying Character ........................................................................ 10

CHAPTER III. RESEARCH FINDINGS ....................................................... 12
A. Data Description................................................................................ 12
B. The Characteristics of Hansel and Gretel.......................................... 14
B.1. The Characteristics of Hansel. 14
B.2. The Characteristics of Gretel ...... 17

CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ................................. 22
A. Conclusion ...... 22
B. Suggestion.. .... 23
REFERENCES .................................................................................................. 24
APPENDIXES .................................................................................................. 26
1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION


A. Background of the Study
X. J. Kennedy explains that modern literary fiction in English has
been dominated by two forms: the novel and the short story. The two have many
elements in common. Perhaps we will be able to define the short story more
meaningfully, for it has traits more essential than just a particular length, if first,
for comparison, we consider some related varieties of fiction: the fable and the
tale. Ancient forms whose origins date back to the time of word of mouth
storytelling, the fable and the tale are relatively simply in structure; in them we
can plainly see elements also found in the short story (and in the novel)
1

Folk tales and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These
tales and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These tales which
developed concurrently with other narrative forms. The folk tales and fairy tales
that survive (such as Cinderella and Aesops Fables) are contemporary versions of
old, even ancient, tales that can be traced back centuries through many different
cultures. Despite their variety these narrative forms have several elements in
common. First, they have straight forward characterizations, often contrasting
distinctly different personality types. In additions, the folk tale or fairy tale has an

1
X. J. Kennedy, An Introduction to Fiction, Fifth Edition (New York: Harper Collins
Publisher, 1991), p. 2.




2
obvious theme or moral good triumphing over evil, for instance.
2

Folklorists make distinctions among the categories of folktales.
Legend and traditions are narratives of an explanatory nature concerning creation
and tribal beginnings, supernatural beings, and quasi historical figures (e.g., King
Arthur). These stories are related as fact and concern a specific time and place.
Fairy tales are entirely fictional and often begin with such formulas as once upon
a time Popular examples recount the supernatural adventures and mishaps of
youngest daughters, transformed princess, mermaids, and wood fairies and elves
(e.g., Cinderella). Animal tales abound in every culture; most of them are clearly
anthropomorphic, the animals assuming human personalities. Such tales are
classified according to three subdivisions: the etiological tale, or tale concerning
origins (e.g., Great Hare of the Native North Americans); the fable pointing to a
moral (Aesops Fables); and the beast epic (e.g., Reynard the Fox). Myths, which
are more difficult to define satisfactorily, treat happenings of a long time ago; they
generally concern the adventures of gods, giants, heroes, nymphs, satyrs, and
villains, as well as etiological themes.
3

A fairy tales analyzed by the writer is Hansel and Gretel created by
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. This story tells about the young children of a poor
wood cutter, when a great famine came to the land, their stepmother plans to take
the children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves. So that,
she and her husband might not starve. Their stepmother forces their father to agree

2
Ibid, p. 36.

3
Folktale from http//www.infoplease.com/ceb/ent/Ao819070.html#1Q1Mmmjse,
Accessed on June 18
th
, 2011.



3
to leave the children in the woods to die. In the woods the children come upon the
house of an evil witch who plans to eat them.
In this tale, the writer will analyze the problem by looking on the
characters characterization. The writer chooses this tale tells about the
relationship between family, which is taken from the reality or mimesis of reality
world and this tale more literary and more sentimental to analyze.

B. Focus of the Study
This research focuses on the study of Hansel and Gretels
characteristics in the tale Hansel and Gretel created by Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm by using character analysis.

C. Research Questions
The writer concentrates on answering questions as follow what are the
main characters characteristics in a tale Hansel and Gretel?

D. Objectives of the Study
The writer hopes the result of this study can be used for the readers
who are interested in the study of literature, especially character analysis. The
writer also hopes the result of this study can give advantages literature knowledge,
especially the study of tale Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob Wilhelm Grimm
published in final edition, 1857.



4
E. Research Methodology
1. The Objective of the Research
The objective of this research is to understand what the main
characters characteristics in a tale Hansel and Gretel.
2. Method of the Research
In this research, the writer uses descriptive qualitative method. The
research is based on the comprehension about the correlation of the conflict
of main character in the tale Hansel and Gretel which is evaluated from
character analysis.
3. Technique of Data Analysis
The writer collected the data from several sources that related to the
study. The data are analyzed by descriptive analysis.
4. Unit of Analysis
The unit of analysis of study is the tale of Hansel and Gretel that was
written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The writer takes the simplified version
that was published by Grimms Fairy Tales in final edition, 1857.
5. Instrument
In collecting data, the writer as the instrument reads, identifies, and
classifies the information from the tale by quoting evidences to support my
arguments.



5
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK


A. Character and Characterization
There are many definitions of character, they include: Character is like
creature in fictional story; is presented with the characteristics and clues that are
described in the story such as action, persons speech, description, environment,
thoughts, and explanation.
4
Brook and Warren view character as complexity of
potentialities action.
5

Robert Diyanni explains that a character is an imaginary person that
lives in a literary work. Literary character may be major or minor, static or
dynamic.
6
A character is some on in literature work who has some sort identity (it
need not be a strong on), an identity which is made up by appearance,
conversation, action, name, and possibly thoughts going in the head.
7

Characters in fiction can be classified as major and minor, static and
dynamic. A major character is an important figure at the center of the storys
action or theme. Usually a characters status as major or minor is clear. The major
character is sometimes called a protagonist whose conflict with an antagonist may

4
Singleton, et al., An Introduction to Literature (New York: The world publishing
company, 1996), p. 282.

5
Henri Guntur Tarigan, Dasar-dasar Sastra (Bandung: Angkasa, 1993), p. 148.

6
Robert Diyanni, Literature Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (New York: McGraw
Hill Companies, 2002), p. 54.

7
Richard Gill, Mastering English Literature (London: McMillan Master Series, 1995). P.
127



6
spark the storys conflict. Supporting the major character are one or more
secondary or minor characters whose function is partly to illuminate the major
characters. Minor characters are often static or unchanging, they remain the same
from the beginning of a work to the end. Dynamic characters, on the other hand,
exhibit some kind of change the attitude, of purpose, of behavior as the story
progresses.
8

Character has different meaning with characterization. A
characterization is the means by which writers present and reveal character. The
method of characterization is narrative description with explicit judgment. We are
given facts and interpretive comment. The characterization also reveals characters
by letting us enter their consciousness, telling us what character think and feel.
9

Characterization is the process of creating character in fiction. The
manners of describing can be done through the events, author direct statement,
conversation, and though statement from others characters.
10


B. Kinds of Character.
Vogler, in his best known book, the Writers Journey: Mythic
Structure for Writers divides character as follows:
1. Driver Characters:
a) Protagonist is the driver of the story: the one who forces the action that is

8
Robert Diyanni (2002), loc. cit.

9
Ibid. p, 56.

10
Burhan Nurgiantoro, Teori Pengkajian Fiksi (Jogyakarta: Gajah Mada University
Press, 1988), p. 164.



7
defined by pursue and consideration characteristics.
b) Antagonist is the character directly opposed to the protagonist that is
defined by prevent and reconsideration characteristics.
c) Guardian is a teacher or helper who aids the protagonist that is defined by
help and conscience to the protagonist.
11

2. Passenger Characters:
a) Rationalist makes its decisions and takes action on the basis of logic that is
defined by controlled and logic.
b) Emotionalist responds with its feeling without thinking that is defined by
uncontrolled and feeling.
c) Sidekicker is unfailing in its loyalty and support that is defined by support
and faith.
d) Skepticist doubts everything that is defined by opposition and disbelief.
12

Almost all of the scholars in literature agree with the kinds of
character below. The following are some ways in which readers sometimes
classify characters that is very common known. They are includes:
a) Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is the main character in the story or other literary work.
The protagonist experiences conflict caused by antagonist, which considers it
as a wicked character, is not accurately true because antagonist is a person

11
Christopher Vogler, the Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for the Writer (New York:
Blackwell, 2000), p. 150-154.

12
Ibid. p, 155-160.



8
who actively opposes somebody of something.
13

b) Static and Dynamic
A dynamic character is the one who changes significantly during the
course of the story. Changes considered to qualify a character as dynamic
include changes in sight or understanding, changes in commitment, and
changes in values. Changes in circumstances, even physical circumstance, do
not apply unless they result in some change within the characters self. By
that definition, the protagonist is nearly always a dynamic character. In
coming-of-age stories in particular, the protagonist often undergoes dramatic
change, transforming from innocence to experience to experience.
Antagonists in some stories are frequently dynamic as well.
14

A static character is a literary character that remains basically
unchanged throughout a work. Whether round or flat, their personalities
remain essentially stable throughout the course of the story. This is
commonly done with secondary characters in order to let them serve as
thematic or plot elements.
15

c) Flat and Round
Round characters are characters that are complex and realistic; they
represent a depth of personality which is imitation of life. They frequently
posses both good and bad traits, and they may react unexpectedly or become

13
Encyclopedia Americana. (London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985) p. 367.

14
Literature, taken from http:www.literatureforknowledge.com/. accessed on March 10
th
,
2009.

15
Ibid.



9
entangled in their own interior conflicts. These characters have been fully
developed by an author, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and are
detailed enough to seem real. A round character is usually a main character,
and is developed over the course of the story. A flat character is its opposite,
having hardly any development whatsoever.
16

A flat character is distinguished by its lack of a realistic personality.
Though the description of a flat character may be detailed and rich in defining
characteristics, it falls short of the complexity associated with a round
character.
17

d) Major and Minor
A major character is a person or thing that has a big role in the
development and configuration of the story. A none of this character causes
the absent of the story. All elements belong to the story such as theme, plot,
atmosphere, and others are focused on describing this kind of character.
While a minor character existence of this kind is to support the major one. A
minor character plays only small role and contribution to the development
and configuration of the story.
18




16
Laurie G. Kirzner et. al, Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing (Cambridge: University
of Cambridge), p. 146.

17
Ibid. p. 148.

18
A. P. Dhumel, Literature: Form and Function (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1965), p. 45.




10
C. Identifying Character
Perrine Lawrence states there are three principles to identify
character
19
:
1. First, the characters are consistent in their behavior. They do not behave one
way on one occasion and different way on another occasion unless there is clearly
sufficient reason for the change.
2. Second, the characters are clearly motivated in whatever they do, especially in
the changes of their behavior, the reason for what they do must be able to be
understood, if not immediately, at least by the end of the story.
3. Third, the characters are plausible or life like. It means every character who
presents the story always behave as if their real characteristic. The actors
indirectly tell to audience what characteristic in the story into their own character.
The actor can apply their performance to performance.
The next principle of how to analyze character is analyzing it from
many aspects through the words, action, narrator, and description of another
character. Analyzing through the word means that analyzing the words from script
of the story. Another principle of analyzing character is the action of every
character must behave accordingly to their characteristics in the story. Their
attitudes on acts indirectly indicate their personality and role.
20



19
Perrine Lawrence, Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense (London: Harcourt Bruce
Javanovic, 1984), p. 41

20
Dian Wisudawati, Main Character Analysis in the Blues Eyes (Jakarta: Paper, 2008), p.
8.




11
Another aspect in order that a character could be analyzed is
throughout the story of the narrator. Furthermore, the last principle that can be
taken to analyze character is through a description another.
21

Here the analysis concerns with relation among the characters build
the configuration of the story. For instances, in the case of major and minor
character, a term major comes out from a term minor. In other word we
cannot say this character is major without identifying that another character is
minor.















21
Ibid. p. 9.
12
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH FINDINGS

A. Data Description
Hansel and Gretel are the young children of a poor woodcutter. When
a great famine settles over the land, the woodcutters wife(step mother) concocts a
plan to take a children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves,
so that she and her husband, with two fewer mouths to feed, might not starve. The
woodcutter opposes the plan but finally, and reluctantly, submits to his wifes
scheme. They are unaware that in the childrens bedroom, Hansel and Gretel have
overheard them. After the parents have gone to bed, Hansel sneaks out of the
house and gathers as many white pebbles as he can, then returns to his room,
reassuring Gretel that god will not forsake them.
The next day, the families walk deep into the woods and Hansel lays a
trail of white pebbles. After their parents abandon them, the children wait for the
moon to rise and illuminate the pebbles. They return home safely, much to their
stepmother horror. One again provisions become scarce and the stepmother
angrily orders her husband to take the children further into the woods and leave
them there to die. Hansel and Gretel attempt to gather more pebbles, but find the
door locked and find it impossible to escape.
The following morning, the family treks into the woods. Hansel takes
a slice of bread and leaves a tail of bread crumbs for them to follow home.



13
However, after they are once again abandoned, they find that birds have eaten the
crumbs and they are lost in the woods. After days of wondering, they follow a
beautiful white bird to clearing in the woods, and discover a cottage built of
gingerbread and cakes with window panes of clear sugar. Hungry and tired, the
children begin to eat the rooftop of the candy house, when the door opens and a
very old woman emerges and lures the children inside, with the promise of soft
beds and delicious food. Their hostess is a wicked witch who always children to
cook and eat them.
The next morning, the witch locks Hansel in an iron cage in the garden
and forces Gretel into becoming a slave. The witch feeds Hansel regularly to
fatten him up, but Hansel cleverly offers a bone he found in the cage and the witch
feels it, thinking it to be his finger. Due to her blindness, she is fooled into
thinking Hansel is still too thin to eat. After weeks of this, the witch grows
impatient and decides to eat Hansel.
She prepared the oven for Hansel, but decides she is hungry enough to
eat Gretel, too. She asks Gretel to open the oven and prods her lean over in front
of it to see if the fire is hot enough. Gretel, sensing the witchs intents, pretends
she does not understand what she means. Suddenly, the witch demonstrates and
Gretel instantly shoves the witch into the oven, slams and bolts the door shut,
leaving her. The witch screaming in pain and burned until she dies. Gretel frees
Hansel from the cage and the pair discovers a vast treasure and precious stones.
Putting the jewels into their clothing, the children set off for home. A swan ferries
them across an expanses of water and at home they find their father but their



14
stepmother has died. The father has spent all his days lamenting the loss o his
children, and is delighted to see them safe and sound. With the witchs wealth,
they all live happily ever after.

B. The Characteristics of Hansel and Gretel
The writer examines Hansel and Gretel as the main character in the
tale of Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The author
describes Hansel and Gretels actions and attitude as a central figure in the story
as protagonist. In this chapter, the writer analyzes Hansel and Gretel through
several aspects by using clues that can be found from each characters narration in
the tale. The following are the characteristics of Hansel and Gretel:

B.1. The Characteristics of Hansel:
1. Smart
The author introduces in the first paragraph that Hansel and Gretel are
children who has a father and a step mother who works as poor woodcutter. When
a great famine came to their land, they could no longer provide even daily bread
as their food. One evening, their stepmother said to his husband that they must
leave Hansel and Gretel in the wood. Hence, they can free from suffer. First, the
father refuses what his wife said to him, but he didnt dare. However, he agreed it
with pressure. In the meantime, Hansel and Gretel hear what they said. Gretel
becomes sad to Hansel. But Hansel tries to make the situation calm. He convinces
her that he has a way to solve the problem. Then, he tries to sneak out to the front



15
door, collects shinny pebbles and puts them to his pocket to make them back
home from the jungle. The sentence below shows that Hansel is a smart.
and as soon as the adults had fallen asleep, he got up, pulled
on his jacket, opened the lower door, and crept outside. The moon
was shining brightly, and the white pebbles in front of the house
were glistening like silver coins. Hansel bent over and filled his
jacket pocket with them, as many as would fit (Jacob and
Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 8)

They followed the pebbles that glistened there like newly minted
coins, showing them way. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 25)

This happened twice, when Hansel and Gretel back home. The next day,
his stepmother tries to leave them again in the woods. But, Hansel has an idea.
Then, he drops his bread throughout the woods to make a way to go home.
on the way to the woods, Hansel crumbled his piece in his pocket,
then often stood still, and threw crumbs onto the groundlittle
Hansel dropped all the crumbs onto the path... (Jacob and
Wilhelm 1857, 33)

This also happened when Hansel and Gretel are caught by the witch. But,
the witch only took Hansel to the stall. And let Gretel to serve her. The witches
gave him a good meal, to make Hansel fattened up be eaten. Every morning, the
witches comes to the stall and asks him about his condition, make sure Hansel is
fat or yet. If he is fat, the itches already to eat him. Hansel knows that the witch
has bad eyes so he lies to her that he is still thin.
Every morning the old woman crept out to the stall and shouted,
Hansel, stick out your finger, so I can feel if you are fat yet.But
Hansel stuck out a little bone, and the old woman, who had bad
eyes and couldnt see the bone, thought it was Hansels finger, and
she wondered why he didnt get fat. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1857, 66)






16
2. Wise
Hansel is wise person as a young boy, especially to his little sister, Gretel.
When they hear that their father and stepmother will leave them in the woods,
Gretel begins crying. As an elder brother, he tries to comfort her with pleasure.
This can be shown below this sentence
..When they finally awoke, it was dark at night. Gretel began to
cry and said. How will we get out of woods?Hansel comforted
her, wait a little until the moon comes up, and then well find the
way.(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

This also happened twice again. When they succeed to back home, their
parents tries to leave them again in the deeper woods. Gretel begins crying, so
Hansel tries to entertain her again.
he comforted his little sister and said. Dont cry, Gretel. Sleep
well. God will help us. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 31)

and finally they saw the fathers house in the distances. They
began to run, rushed inside, and threw their arms around the
fathers neckGretel shook out her apron, scattering pearls and
precious stones around the room, and Hansel added to them by
throwing one handful after the other from his pocketsand they
lived happily together... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 84)

3. Responsible
Hansel also responsible person. He never leaves his little sister alone in the
woods; he keeps and takes care always to her. This can be seen below this
sentence.
Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire. When midday came each one
ate his little piece of bread... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,
20)

after the full moon had come up, Hansel took his little sister by
the hand. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 23)




17
4. Never give up and brave
Hansel is described as a brave person and never gives up. He always
optimist that he can solve the problem. He always tries to find a way to go home
with Gretel. He starts and starts again, never give up for few days until finding a
little house was built entirely from the bread with a roof made of cake, and the
windows are made of velar sugar. The sentence below shows that Hansel is a
brave person and never gives up.
..We will find our way... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

They walked through the entire night and the next day from
morning until evening, but they did not find their way out of the
woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper
into the woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

5. Survivor
Hansel is survivor. For a few days, he and his little sister, Gretel walk on
in the woods. When they are hungry, they eat berries that are growing on the
ground. This can be seen below this sentence.
They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small
berries that were growing o the ground. And because they were so
tired that their legs would no longer carry them, they lay down
under a tree and fell asleep. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,
46)


B.2. The Characteristics of Gretel:
1. Smart
She is a smart girl. When her stepmother gives her and Hansel a loaf of
bread, she knows that Hansels pocket is full of stones. So, Gretel puts the bread



18
under her apron to keep it from her stepmother. This can be seen below his
sentence.
Gretel put the bread under her apron, because Hansels pockets
were full of stones. Then all together they sat forth into the
woods. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 11)

This also happened when Gretel and Hansel are caught by the witch. The
witch asks her to put the bread in it. But, Gretel knows, it is trick of witch to bake
and eat her. So, Gretel deceives the witch that she doesnt know how to use the
oven. Then the witch goes into the oven and teaches her how to bake bread.
Suddenly, Gretel pushes her and locks and closed iron door and secures it with a
bar. The witch burned up miserably.
Climb in. Said the witch, and see if it is hot enough to put
the bread in yet. And when Gretel was inside, she intended to
close the oven, and bake her, and eat her as well. But Gretel saw
what she had in mind, so she said, I dont know how to do that.
How can I get inside? Stupid goose, said the old woman.
The opening is big enough. See, I myself could get in. and she
crawled up stuck her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a
shove, causing her to fall in. then she closed the iron door and
secured it with a bar. The old woman began to howl frightfully. But
Gretel ran away, and the godless witch burned up miserably
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 74)

His cleverness also showed when they succeed to go from the witch-
woods. He arrives in front of the river, but there is no boat. Then, Gretel tells to
Hansel that she will ask the ducking to help them across the river.
.. We cannot get across, said Hansel. I cannot see a walkway
or bridge,.there are no boats here, said Gretel. But there is a
white duck swimming. If I ask it, it will help us across....Then she
called outthe duckling came up to them (Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm 1857, 83)






19
2. Wise
She is described as a wise person. When Hansel throws a bread to make a
way along the path, she knows that her stepmother gives little pieces of bread,
even less than last time, his brother doesnt have bread at all. There is no
remaining. But as little sister, she shares his bread to Hansel and eats it together.
When it was midday Gretel shared her bread with Hansel, who
had scattered his piece along the path. (Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm 1857, 40)

The duckling came up to them, and Hansel climbed onto it, then
asked his little sister to sit down next to him. No, answered
Gretel. That would be too heavy for the duckling. It should take
us across one at a time.... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

3. Never give up
She is never give up like his brother, Hansel. Although, she is still
younger, she never complains to Hansel. She walks on through the entire night
and the next day from morning until evening. She is very strong.
They walked through the entire night and the next day from
morning until evening, but they did not their way out of the woods
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47).

it was already the third morning since they had left the fathers
house. They started walking again. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1857, 46)

4. Survivor
She is also survivor. Although, Gretel and Hansel walk on in the woods
for a few days, when they are hungry, they only eat berries that they find it on the
ground. She is very patience faces the problem. This can be se below this
paragraph.
They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small



20
berries that were growing on the ground (Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm 1857, 46)

They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper
into the woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

5. Submissive

As little children, she is submissive and obedient to his brother. When they
find a house built by a bread and sugar, Hansel asks her to eat the window that is
made from sugar. She agrees and eats it with pleasure.

Gretel, you eat from the window. That will be sweetHansel
reached up and broke off a little of the roof to see how it tasted,
while Gretel stood next to the windowpanes and was nibbling at
them (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 48)

Her obedient to his brother also can be seen below this sentence. This
happened when Hansel decides and asks her to leave the witch-wood. Although,
there are many foods, chocolates, candies, and other beautiful stones, she agrees
and doesnt refuse his brother to go out.
we must leave, said Hansel, and get out of these witch-
woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

6. Innocent
She is also innocent girl. As a little girl, this is not close opportunity that
she is innocent girl. After all, she is also tearful and like cry baby. She is always
crying when she knows that her father and stepmother will leave her and his
brother in the woods.
Gretel cried bitter tears and said to Hansel, it is over with us!
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 6)






21
This also happened again, when she hears that stepmother will leave her
twice in the deeper wood in the next days.
Gretel began to cry and said, How will we get out of woods?
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

This also showed when his brother, Hansel is caught by the witch. She is
very care to his brother. She cries and prays to the God devoutness and
pertinacity. She is very care to his brother.
Dear god, please help us, she cried. If only the wild animals
had devoured us in the woods, then we would have died together.
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 70)


From the description above, the writer concludes that the problem that
faced by the main character also can be drawn from character characterizations in
variety ways both negatively or positively. Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the
problem and fighting to find their way to go home. The experience makes them
live better that in the past.









22
CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION


A. CONCLUSION
After analyzing Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm published by Grimms Fairy Tales, the writer describes and explains the
main characters characteristics in a tale. In this thesis, the tale discusses about the
problem that faced by the main character by looking on the characters
characterization
In this tale, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm describe the main character
characteristics through physics, action and correlation between other characters.
Hansel is a young boy who has little sister, Gretel. They are live with father and
stepmother who work as poor woodcutter. When a great famine comes to the land,
the family couldnt no longer provide. Their parents decide to leave Hansel and
Gretel in the wood on purpose to make their parents survive.
Both of them have to live together after his parents leaving them in the
woods. Although, Hansel is still children, he is smart, wise, never give up,
survivor, and responsible to his little sister. He keeps his little sister with care and
kindly. He wouldnt leave her alone in the woods. He never give up finding a way
to go home, in addition, Hansel and Gretel have to forces to get out from the
witch-woods. Gretel is a little girl; she is innocent, submissive to his brother,
smart, wise, survivor, and never give up as his brother, Hansel. She is very



23
unique, because she dares to push the witch to the oven by deceiving the witch in
danger situation.
Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the problem and fighting to find
their way to go home. The experience makes them live better that in the past.

B. SUGGESTION
The writer suggests for those who are interested in the study about
literature, especially Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grim to use
qualitative method in the research based on two main characters by using
character analysis to analyze this thesis.
Anyone who is interested in doing deeper study about characters
characteristics in a tale, they may use the data that are taken from reading the
story and some references, noting some important data and browsing internet.
Finally, the writer expects that the research will be useful to reader especially who
want to analyze a fiction about main character in literary work.








24
REFERENCES

Books
Diyanni, Robert. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Fifth Edition.
New York: The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 2002.

Encyclopedia Americana. London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985.

Farkhan, Muhammad. Penulisan Karya Ilmiah. Jakarta: Cella, 2006.

G. Kirzner, Laurie, et al. Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing. Cambridge:
University of Cambridge, 1991.

Gill, Richard. Mastering English Literature. London: McMillan Master Series,
1995.

Guntur Tarigan, Henri. Dasar-dasar Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa, 1993.

Jacob,Wilhelm and Wilhelm Grimm. Hansel and Gretel. German: Random
House, from Pantheon book The Complete Grimms Fairy Tales, 1972.

Kennedy, X. J. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New
York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1991.

Lawrence, Perrine. Literature: Structure, sound, and Sense. London: Harcourt
Bruce Javanovic, 1984.

Nurgiantoro, Burhan. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gajah Mada
University Press, 1988.

P. Dhumel, P. Literature: Form and Function. New Jersey: Pretice Hall, 1965.

Singleton, et al. An Introduction to Literature. New York: The World Publishing
Company, 1966.

Trimmer, Joseph F. A Guide to MLA Documentation. USA: Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1999.

Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for The Writer. New
York: Blackwell, 2000.




25
Wisudawati, Dian. Main Character Analysis in the Blues Eyes. Jakarta: Paper,
2008.




Internet and Websites
Folktale.http//www.infoplease.com/com/ceb/Ao819070.html1#1Q1Mmmjse.
Accessed on June 18
th
, 2011.

Literature. Taken from http//www.literatureforknowledge.com/.Accessed on
March 10
th
, 2009.

















26
APPENDIXES

The Cover of the tale Hansel and Gretel





1
A MAIN CHARACTER ANALYSIS IN HANSEL AND GRETEL
WRITTEN BY JACOB AND WILHELM GRIMM



HUSNAYAINI


A student at English Letters Department, Letters and Humanities Faculty
State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta


ABSTRACT
Husnayaini, A Main Character Analysis in Hensel and Gretel Written by
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Thesis. Jakarta. English Letters Department,
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta, February 2010.

This research studies Jacob and Wilhelm Grimms entitled Hansel and
Gretel published by Grimms fairy Tales in final edition, 1857. The writer uses
the characters characterization conception as the theoretical framework. The
method of this research is descriptive qualitative in analyzing the tale.The
objective of this research is to know how the character Hansel and Gretel
characterized by the author. The writer collects the characteristics of the main
character through the characterization. The collected data are analyzed by using
character analysis.
In this analysis the writer finds out the main character characteristics.
Hansel is a young boy; he is smart, wise, strong, responsible, survivor, never give
up, and brave. In addition, his little sister, Gretel is also smart, brave, innocent,
submissive, wise, never give up, and survivor. Although they are still children,
both of them are brave person. They succeed overcome their problem from suffer
and they dare to force the wicked witch that they had met in the wood. Finally,
they went home and live happily ever after.




2
Background of the Study
X. J. Kennedy explains that modern literary fiction in English has been
dominated by two forms: the novel and the short story. The two have many
elements in common. Perhaps we will be able to define the short story more
meaningfully, for it has traits more essential than just a particular length, if first,
for comparison, we consider some related varieties of fiction: the fable and the
tale. Ancient forms whose origins date back to the time of word of mouth
storytelling, the fable and the tale are relatively simply in structure; in them we
can plainly see elements also found in the short story (and in the novel)
1

Folk tales and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These tales
and fairy tales also come out of the oral tradition. These tales which developed
concurrently with other narrative forms. The folk tales and fairy tales that survive
(such as Cinderella and Aesops Fables) are contemporary versions of old, even
ancient, tales that can be traced back centuries through many different cultures.
Despite their variety these narrative forms have several elements in common.
First, they have straight forward characterizations, often contrasting distinctly
different personality types. In additions, the folk tale or fairy tale has an obvious
theme or moral good triumphing over evil, for instance.
2





1
X. J. Kennedy, An Introduction to Fiction, Fifth Edition (New York: Harper Collins
Publisher, 1991), p. 2.

2
Ibid, p. 36.

3
Method
As the research aims to explain how to analyze a tale telling about
character characteristics of main character of the tale Hansel and Gretel. The
writer uses descriptive qualitative method, this method is used to described and
analyze the character characteristics of main character of Hansel and Gretel as the
main character in Hansel and Gretel. The writer collected the data from several
source such as books, internet, and from variety sources that related to the study.
The writer also uses herself as a main instrument by reading, identifying, and
classifying the information to support the arguments.
A fairy tales analyzed by the writer is Hansel and Gretel created by Jacob
and Wilhelm Grimm. This story tells about the young children of a poor wood
cutter, when a great famine came to the land, their stepmother plans to take the
children into the woods and leave them there to fend for themselves. So that, she
and her husband might not starve. Their stepmother forces their father to agree to
leave the children in the woods to die. In the woods the children come upon the
house of an evil witch who plans to eat them.
In this tale, the writer will analyze the problem by looking on the
characters characterization. The writer chooses this tale tells about the
relationship between family, which is taken from the reality or mimesis of reality
world and this tale more literary and more sentimental to analyze.



4
Findings
The unit of analysis of this study is taken from the tale of Hansel and
Gretel that was written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm that was published by
Grimms Fairy Tales in final edition, 1857.

Theoretical Framework
A. Character and Characterization
Character is like creature in fictional story; is presented with the
characteristics and clues that are described in the story such as action, persons
speech, description, environment, thoughts, and explanation.
3
Brook and Warren
view character as complexity of potentialities action.
4

Robert Diyanni explains that a character is an imaginary person that lives
in a literary work. Literary character may be major or minor, static or dynamic.
5
A
character is some on in literature work who has some sort identity (it need not be a
strong on), an identity which is made up by appearance, conversation, action,
name, and possibly thoughts going in the head.
6

Character has different meaning with characterization. A characterization
is the means by which writers present and reveal character. The method of
characterization is narrative description with explicit judgment. We are given facts

3
Singleton, et al., An Introduction to Literature (New York: The world publishing
company, 1996), p. 282.

4
Henri Guntur Tarigan, Dasar-dasar Sastra (Bandung: Angkasa, 1993), p. 148.

5
Robert Diyanni, Literature Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (New York: McGraw
Hill Companies, 2002), p. 54.

6
Richard Gill, Mastering English Literature (London: McMillan Master Series, 1995). P.
127
5
and interpretive comment. The characterization also reveals characters by letting
us enter their consciousness, telling us what character think and feel.
7

Characterization is the process of creating character in fiction. The
manners of describing can be done through the events, author direct statement,
conversation, and though statement from others characters.
8


B. Kinds of Character.
Vogler, in his best known book, the Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for
Writers divides character as follows:
1. Driver Characters:
a) Protagonist is the driver of the story: the one who forces the action that
is defined by pursue and consideration characteristics.
b) Antagonist is the character directly opposed to the protagonist that is
defined by prevent and reconsideration characteristics.
c) Guardian is a teacher or helper who aids the protagonist that is defined
by help and conscience to the protagonist.
9

2. Passenger Characters:
a) Rationalist makes its decisions and takes action on the basis of logic
that is defined by controlled and logic.
b) Emotionalist responds with its feeling without thinking that is defined

7
Ibid. p, 56.

8
Burhan Nurgiantoro, Teori Pengkajian Fiksi (Jogyakarta: Gajah Mada University Press,
1988), p. 164.
9
Christopher Vogler, the Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for the Writer (New York:
Blackwell, 2000), p. 150-154.

6
by uncontrolled and feeling.
c) Sidekicker is unfailing in its loyalty and support that is defined by
support and faith.
d) Skepticist doubts everything that is defined by opposition and
disbelief.
10

Almost all of the scholars in literature agree with the kinds of
character below. The following are some ways in which readers sometimes
classify characters that is very common known. They are includes:
a) Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is the main character in the story or other literary work. The
protagonist experiences conflict caused by antagonist, which considers it as a
wicked character, is not accurately true because antagonist is a person who
actively opposes somebody of something.
11

b) Static and Dynamic
A dynamic character is the one who changes significantly during the
course of the story. Changes considered to qualify a character as dynamic include
changes in sight or understanding, changes in commitment, and changes in values.
Changes in circumstances, even physical circumstance, do not apply unless they
result in some change within the characters self. By that definition, the
protagonist is nearly always a dynamic character. In coming-of-age stories in
particular, the protagonist often undergoes dramatic change, transforming from
innocence to experience to experience. Antagonists in some stories are frequently

10
Ibid. p, 155-160.
11
Encyclopedia Americana. (London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985) p. 367.

7
dynamic as well.
12

A static character is a literary character that remains basically
unchanged throughout a work. Whether round or flat, their personalities remain
essentially stable throughout the course of the story. This is commonly done with
secondary characters in order to let them serve as thematic or plot elements.
13

c) Flat and Round
Round characters are characters that are complex and realistic; they represent
a depth of personality which is imitation of life. They frequently posses both good
and bad traits, and they may react unexpectedly or become entangled in their own
interior conflicts. These characters have been fully developed by an author,
physically, mentally, and emotionally, and are detailed enough to seem real. A
round character is usually a main character, and is developed over the course of
the story. A flat character is its opposite, having hardly any development
whatsoever.
14

A flat character is distinguished by its lack of a realistic personality. Though
the description of a flat character may be detailed and rich in defining
characteristics, it falls short of the complexity associated with a round character.
15

d) Major and Minor
A major character is a person or thing that has a big role in the development and

12
Literature, taken from http:www.literatureforknowledge.com/. accessed on March 10
th
,
2009.

13
Ibid.
14
Laurie G. Kirzner et. al, Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing (Cambridge: University
of Cambridge), p. 146.

15
Ibid. p. 148.

8
configuration of the story. A none of this character causes the absent of the story.
All elements belong to the story such as theme, plot, atmosphere, and others are
focused on describing this kind of character. While a minor character existence of
this kind is to support the major one. A minor character plays only small role and
contribution to the development and configuration of the story.
16


C. Identifying Character
Perrine Lawrence states there are three principles to identify character
17
:
1. first, the characters are consistent in their behavior. They do not behave one
way on one occasion and different way on another occasion unless there is clearly
sufficient reason for the change.
2. Second, the characters are clearly motivated in whatever they do, especially in
the changes of their behavior, the reason for what they do must be able to be
understood, if not immediately, at least by the end of the story.
3. Third, the characters are plausible or life like. It means every character who
presents the story always behave as if their real characteristic. The actors
indirectly tell to audience what characteristic in the story into their own character.
The actor can apply their performance to performance.
Another aspect in order that a character could be analyzed is
throughout the story of the narrator. Furthermore, the last principle that can be

16
A. P. Dhumel, Literature: Form and Function (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1965), p. 45.

17
Perrine Lawrence, Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense (London: Harcourt Bruce
Javanovic, 1984), p. 41

9
taken to analyze character is through a description another.
18

Here the analysis concerns with relation among the characters build
the configuration of the story. For instances, in the case of major and minor
character, a term major comes out from a term minor. In other word we
cannot say this character is major without identifying that another character is
minor.

Discussion
It concerns with the analysis of the research findings, mainly
characteristics of main character, trauma reflection, and also the reflection of
defense mechanism through understanding and analyzing text. Here they are:
Characteristics of Main Character
The following are the characteristics of Hansel:
1. Smart
The author introduces in the first paragraph that Hansel and Gretel are
children who has father and step mother as poor woodcutter. When a great famine
came to their land, they could no longer provide even daily bread as their food.
One evening, their stepmother said to his husband that they must leaved Hansel
and Gretel in the wood. Hence, they can free from suffer. First, the father refuses
what his wife said to him, but he didnt dare. However, he agreed it with pressure.
In the meantime, Hansel and Gretel hear what they said. Gretel becomes sad to
Hansel. But Hansel tries to make the situation calm. He convinces her that he has

18
Ibid. p. 9.
10
a way to solve the problem. Then, he tries to sneak out to the front door, collects
shinny pebbles and puts them to his pocket to make them back home from the
jungle.
and as soon as the adults had fallen asleep, he got up, pulled
on his jacket, opened the lower door, and crept outside. The moon
was shining brightly, and the white pebbles in front of the house
were glistening like silver coins. Hansel bent over and filled his
jacket pocket with them, as many as would fit (Jacob and
Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 8)

They followed the pebbles that glistened there like newly minted
coins, showing them way. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 25)

This also happens twice, when Hansel and Gretel back home. The next day,
his stepmother tries to leave them again in the woods. But, Hansel has an idea.
Then, he drops his bread throughout the woods to make a way to go home.
on the way to the woods, Hansel crumbled his piece in his pocket,
then often stood still, and threw crumbs onto the groundlittle
Hansel dropped all the crumbs onto the path... (Jacob and
Wilhelm 1857, 33)

This also happen when Hansel and Gretel are caught by the witches. But, the
witch only takes Hansel to the stall. And let Gretel to serve her. The witches gives
him a good meal, to make Hansel fattened up be eaten. Every morning, the
witches comes to the stall and asks him about his condition, make sure Hansel is
fat or yet. If he is fat, the itches already to eat him. Hansel knows that the witch
has bad eyes so he lies to her that he is still thin.
Every morning the old woman crept out to the stall and shouted,
Hansel, stick out your finger, so I can feel if you are fat yet.But
Hansel stuck out a little bone, and the old woman, who had bad
eyes and couldnt see the bone, thought it was Hansels finger, and
she wondered why he didnt get fat. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1857, 66)

11

2. Wise
Hansel is wise person, especially to his little sister, Gretel. When they hears
that their father and stepmother will leave them in the woods, Gretel begins
crying. As an elder brother, he tries to comfort her with pleasure. This can be
shown below this sentence
..When they finally awoke, it was dark at night. Gretel began to
cry and said. How will we get out of woods?Hansel comforted
her, wait a little until the moon comes up, and then well find the
way.(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

This also happen twice again. When they succeed to back home, their parents
tries to leave them again in the deeper woods. Gretel begins crying, so Hansel
tries to entertain her again.
he comforted his little sister and said. Dont cry, Gretel. Sleep
well. God will help us. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 31)

and finally they saw the fathers house in the distances. They
began to run, rushed inside, and threw their arms around the
fathers neckGretel shook out her apron, scattering pearls and
precious stones around the room, and Hansel added to them by
throwing one handful after the other from his pocketsand they
lived happily together... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 84)

3. Responsible
Hansel also responsible person. He never leaves his little sister alone in the
woods; he keeps and takes care always to her. This can be seen below this
sentence.
Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire. When midday came each one
ate his little piece of bread... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,
20)

after the full moon had come up, Hansel took his little sister by
the hand. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 23)
12

4. Never give up and brave
Hansel is described as a brave person and never gives up. He always optimist
that he can solve the problem. He always tries to find a way to go home with
Gretel. he starts and starts again, never give up for few days until finding a little
house was built entirely from the bread with a roof made of cake, and the
windows are made of velar sugar . This can be seen below this sentence.
..We will find our way... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

They walked through the entire night and the next day from
morning until evening, but they did not find their way out of the
woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 45)

They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper
into the woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

5. Survivor
Hansel is survivor. For a few days, he and his little sister, Gretel walk on in the
woods. When they are hungry, they eat berries that are growing on the ground.
This can be seen below this sentence.
They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small
berries that were growing o the ground. And because they were so
tired that their legs would no longer carry them, they lay down
under a tree and fell asleep. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857,
46)

The following are the characteristics of Hansel:
1. Smart
She is a smart girl. When her stepmother gives her and Hansel a loaf of bread,
she knows that Hansels pocket is full of stones. So, Gretel puts the bread under
her apron to keep it from her stepmother. This can be seen below his sentence.
13
Gretel put the bread under her apron, because Hansels pockets
were full of stones. Then all together they sat forth into the
woods. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 11)

This also happen when Gretel and Hansel are caught by the witch. The witch
asks her to put the bread in it. But, Gretel knows, it is trick of witch to bake and
eat her. So, Gretel deceives the witch that she doesnt know how to use the oven.
Then the witch goes into the oven and teaches her how to bake bread. Suddenly,
Gretel pushes her and locks and closed iron door and secures it with a bar. The
witch burned up miserably.
Climb in. Said the witch, and see if it is hot enough to put
the bread in yet. And when Gretel was inside, she intended to
close the oven, and bake her, and eat her as well. But Gretel saw
what she had in mind, so she said, I dont know how to do that.
How can I get inside? Stupid goose, said the old woman.
The opening is big enough. See, I myself could get in. and she
crawled up stuck her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a
shove, causing her to fall in. then she closed the iron door and
secured it with a bar. The old woman began to howl frightfully. But
Gretel ran away, and the godless witch burned up miserably
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 74)

His cleverness also showed when they succeed to go from the witch-woods. He
arrives in front of the river, but there is no boat. Then, Gretel tells to Hansel that
she will ask the ducking to help them across the river.
.. We cannot get across, said Hansel. I cannot see a walkway
or bridge,.there are no boats here, said Gretel. But there is a
white duck swimming. If I ask it, it will help us across....Then she
called outthe duckling came up to them (Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm 1857, 83)

2. Wise
She is described as a wise person. When Hansel throws the bread to make a
way along the path. She knows that her stepmother gives little pieces of bread,
14
even less than last time, his brother doesnt have bread at all. There is no
remaining. But as little sister, she shares his bread to Hansel and eats it together.
When it was midday Gretel shared her bread with Hansel, who
had scattered his piece along the path. (Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm 1857, 40)

The duckling came up to them, and Hansel climbed onto it, then
asked his little sister to sit down next to him. No, answered
Gretel. That would be too heavy for the duckling. It should take
us across one at a time.... (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

3. Never give up
She is never give up like his brother, Hansel. Although, she is still younger, she
never complains to Hansel. She walks on through the entire night and the next day
from morning until evening. She is very strong.
They walked through the entire night and the next day from
morning until evening, but they did not their way out of the woods
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47).

it was already the third morning since they had left the fathers
house. They started walking again. (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1857, 46)

4. Survivor
She is also survivor. Although, Gretel and Hansel walk on in the woods for a
few days, when they are hungry, they only eat berries that they find it on the
ground. She is very patience faces the problem. This can be se below this
paragraph.
They were terrible hungry, for they had eaten only a few small
berries that were growing on the ground (Jacob and Wilhelm
Grimm 1857, 46)

They started again, but managed only to go deeper and deeper
into the woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 47)

15
5. Submissive

As little children, she is submissive and obedient to his brother. When they find
a house built by a bread and sugar, Hansel asks her to eat the window that is made
from sugar. She agrees and eats it with pleasure.

Gretel, you eat from the window. That will be sweetHansel
reached up and broke off a little of the roof to see how it tasted,
while Gretel stood next to the windowpanes and was nibbling at
them (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 48)

Her obedient to his brother also can be seen below this sentence. This happen
when Hansel decides and asks her to leave the witch-wood. Although, there are
many foods, chocolates, candies, and other beautiful stones, she agrees and
doesnt refuse his brother to go out.
we must leave, said Hansel, and get out of these witch-
woods (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 83)

6. Innocent
She is also innocent girl. As a little girl, this is not close opportunity that she is
innocent girl. After all, she is also tearful and like cry baby. She is always crying
when she knows that her father and stepmother will leave her and his brother in
the woods.
Gretel cried bitter tears and said to Hansel, it is over with us!
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 6)

This also happen again, when she hears that stepmother will leave her twice
in the deeper wood in the next days.

Gretel began to cry and said, How will we get out of woods?
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 22)

16
This also showed when his brother, Hansel is caught by the witch. She is very
care to his brother.She cries and prays to the God devoutness and pertinacity. She
is very care to his brother.

Dear god, please help us, she cried. If only the wild animals
had devoured us in the woods, then we would have died togethe.
(Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 1857, 70)


From the description above, the writer concludes that the problem that faced by
the main character also can be drawn from character characterizations in variety
ways both negatively or positively. Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the
problem and fighting to find their way to go home. The experience makes them
live better that in the past.












17
Conclusion
After analyzing Hansel and Gretel written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
published by Grimms Fairy Tales. The writer describes and explains the main
characters characteristics in a tale. In this thesis, the tale discusses about the
problem that faced by the main character by looking on the characters
characterization
In this tale, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm describe the main character
characteristics through physics, action and correlation between other characters.
Hansel is a young boy who has little sister, Gretel. They are live with father and
stepmother who work as poor woodcutter. When a great famine comes to the land,
the family couldnt no longer provide. Their parents decide to leave Hansel and
Gretel in the wood on purpose to make their parents survive.
Both of them have to live together after his parents leaving them in the
woods. Although, Hansel is still children, he is smart, wise, never give up,
survivor, and responsible to his little sister. He keeps his little sister with care and
kindly. He wouldnt leave her alone in the woods. He never give up finding a way
to go home, in addition, Hansel and Gretel have to forces to get out from the
witch-woods. Gretel is a little girl; she is innocent, submissive to his brother,
smart, wise, survivor, and never give up as his brother, Hansel. She is very
unique, because she dares to push the witch to the oven by deceiving the witch in
danger situation.
Hansel and Gretel struggle to solve the problem and fighting to find their
way to go home. The experience makes them live better that in the past.
18
REFERENCES
Books
Diyanni, Robert. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Fifth
Edition. New York: The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 2002.

Encyclopedia Americana. London: Grolier International, Volume VI, 1985.

Farkhan, Muhammad. Penulisan Karya Ilmiah. Jakarta: Cella, 2006.

G. Kirzner, Laurie, et al. Literature, Reading, Reacting, Writing. Cambridge:
University of Cambridge, 1991.

Gill, Richard. Mastering English Literature. London: McMillan Master
Series, 1995.

Guntur Tarigan, Henri. Dasar-dasar Sastra. Bandung: Angkasa, 1993.

Jacob,Wilhelm and Wilhelm Grimm. Hansel and Gretel. German: Random
House, from Pantheon book The Complete Grimms Fairy Tales,
1972.

Kennedy, X. J. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.
New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1991.

Lawrence, Perrine. Literature: Structure, sound, and Sense. London: Harcourt
Bruce Javanovic, 1984.

Nurgiantoro, Burhan. Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gajah Mada
University Press, 1988.

P. Dhumel, P. Literature: Form and Function. New Jersey: Pretice Hall,
1965.

Singleton, et al. An Introduction to Literature. New York: The World
Publishing Company, 1966.

Trimmer, Joseph F. A Guide to MLA Documentation. USA: Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1999.

Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for The Writer.
New York: Blackwell, 2000.

Wisudawati, Dian. Main Character Analysis in the Blues Eyes. Jakarta:
Paper, 2008.
19

Internet and Websites
Folktale.http//www.infoplease.com/com/ceb/Ao819070.html1#1Q1Mmmjse.
Accessed on June 18
th
, 2011.

Literature. Taken from http//www.literatureforknowledge.com/.Accessed on
March 10
th
, 2009.



















20
APPENDIXES

The Cover of The Tale Hansel and Gretel






CURRICULUM VITAE




Personal Details


Full Name
Sex
Place, Date of
Birth
Nationality
Marital Status
Height, Weight
Health
Religion
Address

Mobile
Phone
E-mail
: Husnayaini
: Female
: Kelapa 2 Wetan ciracas Rt 007/06 No 37 Ciracas jaktim
: Jakarta 21 juni 1983
: INDONESIA
: Married
: 155, 63 kg
: Perfect
: Muslim
: Jl. Swadaya Rt. 07/06, No. 37 Kelapa Dua Wetan, Jakarta
Timur 13730
: -
: 085213675572
: -


Educational Background


1991 - 1996
1996 - 1999
1999 - 2002
2002 - 2003
2003 - 2009
: Al-Maruf Elementary School, Jakarta
: Junior High School MTSn 22, Jakarta
: Senior High School MAN 2, Jakarta
: PGTKI
: Universitas Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta



Jakarta, July 18, 2011



Florentina Putri