Literary-Psychological Study of the Character Alie in the Novel Rumah untuk Alie by Lenn Liu

Abstract

This study is motivated by the importance of understanding the psychological state of characters in literary works as representations of human life experiences expressed through literary language. It aims to describe the representation of the character Alie’s psychological needs, the ways in which these needs are fulfilled or left unfulfilled, and the use of literary language to depict her psychological state in Lenn Liu’s novel Rumah untuk Alie, drawing upon Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. The study employs a literary psychology approach, utilizing a qualitative descriptive method and content analysis. The data consist of narrative excerpts, dialogue, internal monologues, diction, and emotional expressions that reveal Alie’s psychological state. Data collection was conducted through document study and the "read-and-note" technique. The findings indicate that Alie’s psychological state is characterized primarily by unmet needs for safety, love and belonging, and esteem, resulting from rejection, verbal abuse, and a lack of affection within her family environment. These conditions are represented through the author's narration, dialogue between characters, internal monologues, and diction that conveys the character's emotional distress, sadness, fear, and sense of alienation. Despite facing various psychological pressures, Alie demonstrates efforts toward self-preservation and self-actualization through self-acceptance, resilience, and the ability to find meaning in her life experiences.