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THOMSEN’S MOTIVATION TO OVERCOME POVERTY

OF THE VILLAGERS SEEN IN LIVING POOR A PEACE

CORP CHRONICLE BY MORITZ THOMSEN

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

HELYNKA RESI ASTIKA

Student Number: 114 214 045

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2018

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

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THOMSEN’S MOTIVATION TO OVERCOME POVERTY

OF THE VILLAGERS SEEN IN LIVING POOR A PEACE

CORP CHRONICLE BY MORITZ THOMSEN

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

HELYNKA RESI ASTIKA

Student Number: 114 214 045

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2018


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“IF I HAVE THE BELIEF THAT I CAN DO IT, I SHALL SURELY ACQUIRE THE CAPACITY TO

DO IT EVEN IF I MAY NOT HAVE IT AT THE BEGINNING.”

-MAHATMA GANDHI


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For My Beloved Parents

“You are precious to me, and I have given you

a special place of honor. I love you.”

Isaiah 43:4a


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to thank my Lord, Jesus Christ for His blessing,

everlasting love in my life. He gives me strength for my day, comfort for my

tears, and light for my way. I am nothing without Him. I praise Him in every

second in my life.

I am indebted to my thesis advisor, Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M.Hum,

for his advice, time, patient guidance and inspiration in the process of writing

my undergraduate thesis from the beginning until now. My appreciation also

goes to my co-advisor, Adventina Putranti, SS., M.Hum for the correction and

guidance that help me complete this undergraduate thesis. I also want to thank

my lecturers in Sanata Dharma University, secretariat and library staff who have

helped and supported me during the process of my study.

I would also like to give my greatest gratitude to my beloved parents,

Pudjono Hermanto and Adi Nurati who patiently wait for my undergraduate

thesis and always give me the unconditional support, motivation, loves and cares

for me. I would like to thank my sister and brothers, Kartika Ardiansari, Bryan

Wisnu Hernadi, Agustinus Yudhianto Herawan and also my little nephew

Angelo Hadiatma Hayu Waratmaja. Thanks for their love, guidance, and support

for me to finish my study. Also for my grandmother, Darti Silih Antara who

always support me to finish this study and remind me to do my obligation.

I would like to also thank my best friend Nuradha Triyaningtias who

always gives me the never-ending motivation and be my partner for sharing all


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my problems. Thank my friend Yohanes Satrio Prabowo who always gives me

support and his time helping my troubles before I submit this undergraduate

thesis. Thank for all my friends in Sanata Dharma University, for their

happiness, time, motivation and love. I thank my kost friends MB 21 for their

support too.

Last but not least, I thank all people that that have helped and supported

me. I could not make these happen without you.

Love,

Helynka Resi Astika


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ............................................................................................................ ii

APPROVAL PAGE ................................................................................................. iii

ACCEPTANCE PAGE ........................................................................................... iv

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH

..................................................................................................................................... v

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY ...................................................................... vi

MOTTO PAGE ...................................................................................................... vii

DEDICATION PAGE ........................................................................................... viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................... ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................ xi

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ xiii

ABSTRAK .............................................................................................................. xiiii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1

A. Background of the Study .......................................................................... 1

B. Problem Formulation ................................................................................ 3

C. Objectives of The Study ........................................................................... 4

D. Definition of Terms .................................................................................. 4

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ....................................................... 5

A. Review of Related Studies ....................................................................... 5

B. Review of Related Theories ..................................................................... 9

1. Theory of Character and Characterization ................................... 9

2. Theory of Motivation ................................................................. 12

3. The Relation between Psychology and Literature ...................... 17

C. Theoretical Framework .......................................................................... 19

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ...................................................................... 21

A. Object of The Study ............................................................................... 21

B. Approach of The Study .......................................................................... 23

C. Method of The Study .............................................................................. 23

CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS .................................................................................. 25

A. The Description of Thomsen’s Character .............................................. 25

1. Smart .................. ................................................................................25

2. Caring.............. ........... ........................................................................28

3. Confident .......................................................................................... 29

4. Enthusiastic.................. ......... .............................................................31

B. Thomsen’s Motivation to Overcome Poverty of the Villagers .............. 33

1. To Change the Mindset of the Villagers ........................................... 34

2. To make a Better Life for the Villagers ........................................... 38

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ............................................................................. 42

BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 44


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APPENDIX ............................................................................................................. 46


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ABSTRACT

HELYNKA RESI ASTIKA. Thomsen’s Motivation to Overcome Poverty of

The Villagers Seen in Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle by Moritz

Thomsen. Yogyakarta: Departement of English Letters, Faculty of Letters,

Sanata Dharma University, 2017.

Moritz Thomsen: Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle is a story that about the

main character, Moritz Thomsen, in his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer

in the 1960s in a small village in Ecuador named Rio Verde. Thomsen comes to

the village with aim that he will be successful, that he will make a difference,

and he can help people out of poverty.

As the ground of the study, there are two problems formulated. The first

problem discusses the characteristic of Thomsen. The second problem discussed

Thomsen’s motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers.

This study employs library research in order to find out the characteristics of

Thomsen and how his characteristics reveal his motivation to overcome poverty

of the villagers. The writer collects the data by analyzing the books and web-

based articles. This study applies the psychological approach to analyze

Thomsen’s motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers.

The study finds out that there is some characterization from Thomsen as the

main character, smart, caring, confident, and enthusiatic. Furthermore, from the

characterization which has been analyzed previously, this study then continues

analyzing motivation of Thomsen to overcome poverty of the villagers in

Ecuador. There are two motivations from Thomsen, to change the mindset of the

villagers and to make a better life of the villagers.


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ABSTRAK

HELYNKA RESI ASTIKA. Thomsen’s Motivation to Overcome Poverty of

The Villagers Seen in Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle by Moritz

Thomsen. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra,

Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2017.

Moritz Thomsen: Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle adalah sebuah cerita

yang menceritakan tentang karakter utama, Moritz Thomsen, dalam

pengalamannya ketika bergabung sebagai sukarelawan Peace Corp pada tahun

1960an di desa kecil di Ecuador, Rio Verde. Thomsen datang ke desa tersebut

dengan maksud dia akan sukses, bahwa dia akan membuat suatu perubahan, dan

dia dapat membantu masyarakat terbebas dari kemisikinan.

Sebagai dasar penelitian, penulis merumuskan dua rumusan masalah. Rumusan

masalah pertama membahas karakteristik Thomsen. Rumusan masalah kedua

membahas motivasi Thomsen untuk mengatasi penduduk desa dari kemiskinan.

Penelitian ini menggunakan studi pustaka untuk mengetahui karakteristik

Thomsen dan bagaimana kerakteristiknya tersebut mengungkapkan motivasinya

untuk mengatasi penduduk desa dari kemiskinan. Penulis memperoleh data

dengan menganalisis buku dan artikel berbasis web. Penelitian ini menerapkan

pendekatan psikologis untuk menganalisis motivasi Thomsen mengatasi

penduduk desa dari kemiskinan.

Dari analisis ini menemukan bahwa ada beberapa karakterisasi dari Thomsen

sebagai karakter utaman, pintar, peduli, percaya diri dan bersemangat.

Selanjutnya, dari karakterisasi yang sudah dianalisis sebelumnya, analisis ini

kemudian berlanjut dengan menganalisis motivasi Thomsen untuk mengatasi

kemiskinan penduduk desa di Ecuador. Ada dua motivasi dari Thomsen, untuk

mengubah cara pikir penduduk desa dan untuk membuat kehidupan penduduk

desa lebih baik.


CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

William Henry Hudson (2006:10) defines literature as a vital record of

what men have seen in life, what they have experienced of it, what they have

thought and felt about those aspects of it. By that idea, the writer sees that one

uses literary works as medium to express their feelings that are related to social

life. Literature becomes essential because it covers people, feelings, ideas, and

thought about social life.

It is obvious that one has purposes in life that lead him/her to his/her

destiny. Thus, that person will have many interactions with others in order to

achieve his/her purposes. The writer may say that those interactions are done as

an effort to survive. Besides, the purposes of a person life in this world is also to

fulfill his/her needs and reach his/her destiny.

In fact, human being has a privilege to share their thought and their

feeling with other human beings. They need to interact with other human beings

in their society to learn about life. Through literature, people express the way

they think and feel about the world, their relationship with each other their

society, and their life.

A literary work may presents a real life since literature ‘represents’ ‘life’,

and ‘life’ is in large measure, a social reality, even though the natural

work and the inner or subjective world of the individual also been

objects of literary ‘imitation’ (Wellek & Warren, 1956:93).


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From the quotation above, it can be said that a literary work is an

imitation of life. If a literary work is a representation of reality, it can be said

that the characters in the literary work represent human nature.

When analyzing a literary work, it would be better if we analyze the

separate elements that build the literary work. This idea is strengthened by

Kenney’s statement in his book:

To analyze a literary work is to identify the separate parts that make it up

(this corresponds roughly to the notion of treating it to process), to

determine the relationship among parts, and to discover the relation of

parts to the whole (1996:5).

A book is one of the parts which is become the important thing for the

readers in understanding a literary work. By understanding the book itself, the

readers will find out all the necessary information in a literary work which can

be useful in analyzing it.

Motivation of the character is one of the necessary information in literary

work. Gerrig and Zimbardo in Psychological and Life (2002:364), define

motivation as a process of starting, directing and maintaining physical and

psychological activities toward a certain goal. In general, when we speak of

motivation we are referring to the causes or reason that underlie a given

behavior.

Moreover, a literary work can be viewed through various approaches. A

psychological approach is one of the approaches that can be used to analyze the

behavior of character in the story that influences their motivation in doing

action. Motivation is one aspect that influences human’s behavior.


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Moritz Thomsen has produced four books in his lifetime, Living Poor: A

Peace Corps Chronicle, The Farm on the River of Emeralds, The Saddest

Pleasure, and My Two Wars. Those books reveal Thomsen’s memoirs of life.

Marcus Convert stated, “Thomsen’s four books are all memoirs; they contain

everything he cared to say about his extraordinary life. Thomsen’s choice of

memoir as his genre may partly explain his “little-known status”

(http://peacecorpsworldwide.org, October 11, 2017).

Since the author’s memoir of life is the strongest element of Thomsen’s

works, the writer is interested to analyzing one of Thomsen’s works, Living

Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. This Thomsen’s first book was published by

University of Washington Press in 1969. It is considered to be one of the best

accounts of the Peace Corps experience to this day.

In this study, the writer tries to analyze the characterization of Thomsen

and his motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers in Rio Verde. It is

interesting to be analyzed since it tells about a 48-year-old farmer who joined

the Peace Corps because he was good at two things, living poor and farming. He

has motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers and would make the

Ecuadorian have a better life.

B. Problem Formulation

To achieve the objective and specify the study, two research questions

related to the topic have been prepared. The questions are formulated as follows:

1. How is the character of Thomsen described in the story?


http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/

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2. What is Thomsen’s motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers seen

in Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle’s story?

C. Objectives of the Study

This study, in general, is intended to analyze the characteristic of

Thomsen in the story. Furthermore, this study intends to find Thomsen’s

motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers.

D. Definition of Terms

In order to avoid misunderstanding and ambiguity in this study, the

writer gives some explanations about the meaning of terms that are closely

related to the topic. The first term is characters. Abrams delivers that

characters are the person which presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who

are interpreted by the reader as being endowed by moral, dispositional and

emotional qualities which are expressed in their dialogue and action (1985:23).

The second term is motivation. According to Petri, motivation is the

concepts we use when describing the forces acting on an organism to initiate

direct certain behavior (1981:3).

In other words, motivation is the reason underlying someone to start

doing an action. Motivation in this study refers to the reason why Thomsen

overcome poverty of the villagers.


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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Studies

In order to support the study, it is necessary for the writer to discuss the

studies that have been done related to the topic and object of this study.

There are two researchers from Sanata Dharma University that discuss

the same topic. The first is Brilyan Nilam Pratiwi, a student of English Letter

Study Program Department of English Letters of Sanata Dharma University,

2009. In her study entitled “Wanderer’s Motivation to Live with Human in

Stephenie Meyer’s the Host”, Pratiwi focuses on Wanderer’s motivation to live

with human. There are three points in her analysis. The first is the description

of Wanderer’s characterization, the second is description of the conflict of

Wanderer, and the third is how her motivation to live with human is revealed

due to the influence of her characterization on and conflict.

She uses psychological approach in analyzing her work since it deals

with motivation. Thus, she obtains an understanding of Wanderer’s mind,

feelings and behaviors that influence her motivation to live with human.

The last, the writer finds out the reasons behind Wanderer’s motivation

using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that are influenced by her characteristics

and her conflict. Wanderer is motivated to live with humans to fulfill her

physiological needs, safety needs, love needs or belongingness needs, and

esteem needs.(Pratiwi, 2009: xi )


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Wanderer is motivated to live with human, firstly in order to fulfill her

physiological needs such as drinks and food. The second level, which is

safety needs also fulfilled because human can give her protection from

Seeker and another human who wants to kills her. Her love or

belongingness needs also fulfilled as human consider her as friend and

also part of their community. Last, her need of esteem is also fulfilled

when they are appreciated and respect her as important as human. She

is no longer seen as an enemy due to the fact that she does the best she

can do for them (Pratiwi, 2009: 55).

It can be concluded that Wanderer’s characters and conflicts influenced

her motivation to live with human. Her strength, bravery, intelligence,

persistence, compassion, and sincerity affect her behavior to solve her

conflicts. This characters motivate Wanderer to fulfill her physiological needs,

safety needs, love or belongingness needs, and esteem needs that happen when

the conflict arise. Her needs can be fulfilled only when she lives with human.

Meanwhile, Wiwit Hendra Asmara a student of English Language

Education Study Program Department of Language and Arts Education

Faculty of Teachers and Education Sanata Dharma University, 2006, in her

study entitled “The Motivation of Jewel’s Heroic Actions as Seen in

Faulkner's As I Lay Dying” focuses on Jewel’s motivation in committing

heroic actions happened in his daily life besides in his ignorant and selfish

attitude.

Jewel commits his heroic actions because he gets pleasure when he is

able to give other people something they need. In other words, he gets

satisfaction when he succeeds in helping other people. His motivations

to sympathy based on the fact that he treats other people as a subject

rather than an object. He gives them what they want instead using them

to get what he wants. His heroic actions are solid evidence that he has a

great love towards his family (Asmara, 2011: xiii).


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He uses psychological approach in analyzing her work since the study

is aimed at getting a deeper understanding of the character’s motivation in

committing such heroic actions.

His undergraduate thesis is closely related to this study, discussing the

same topic about motivation. He focuses to analyze on Jewel’s motivation in

committing heroic action happened in his daily family life. Meanwhile, this

study focuses on Thomsen's motivation to overcome poverty in Ecuador . The

main difference between Asmara’s undergraduate thesis and this

undergraduate thesis is the object of the study. While Asmara tried to analyze

the novel descriptively by focusing on Jewel’s his motivation happened in his

daily family life, this undergraduate thesis tries to reveal the Thomsen’s

motivation happened in Ecuador area.

Jeffrey S. Blumberg, J.D a student of The School of Continuing Studies

and of The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Masters of Arts in Liberal

Studies Georgetown University in his thesis entitled “The American Dream

Through The Window of Peace Corps Memoirs”. He focuses on whether and

how Peace Corps volunteers attempt to impart the values of the American

Dream to the communities where him serve. “Thomsen is constantly trying to

coach him on the path to success, a path that can define by the values of

conservative American Dream; thrift, hard work, perseverance, and diligence”

(2008:44).

Thomsen was in one of the first Peace Corps volunteer groups, and an

analysis of his memoir sheds light on the idea of volunteers trying to


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impart the values of the American Dream to the communities where

they served (2008:38).

It explains that Thomsen join Peace Corp is from his willingnes and he

want to deliver to the villagers about the good behavior like an American to

make a better life and to change the villagers’ condition better.

As Thomsen works in his village, as he tries to impart his American

Dream values, he learns about himself and the villagers he is serving.

An analysis of his experience opens up the window to the American

Dream as it is being imparted by one volunteer to a small village in

Ecuador in the 1960s”(2008:39).

It means that Thomsen comes to the village with purpose that he will be

successful, that he will make s difference, that he can help the villagers out

from poverty and help them find the version of American Dream.

The last, the writer finds out the result of the volunteers, Thomsen that

attempt to impart the values of American Dream to the Ecuadorian. That the

values of American Dream cannot be applied in his service in Ecuador. “In the

end, Thomsen faces disillusionment and learns that the villagers have to find

happiness within their own culture and that the American Dream ideas do not

necessarily fit that equation” (2008:51). The focus is different from this study,

but his study is discussing the same work.

The two studies from Brilyan Nilam Pratiwi and Wiwit Hendra Asmara

reviewed above describe the same topic that is about the motivation of

someone to reach their goals. Although the studies mentioned have the same

topic, but the contexts are different. The first study discusses the Wanderer’s

motivation to live with human and her sincerity is genuine because she helps


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humans to have better lives. The second study discusses the motivation of

Jewel’s heroic action. She has a great love for her family and also feels

satisfied to help people.

In addition the third study from Jeffrey S. Blumberg, J.D. have

different topic and context with this study, but discussing the same work Peace

Corps Memoir-Living Poor A Peace Corps Chronicle by Moritz Thomsen.

Thus, the main context of this study is the motivation of Thomsen as the main

character to overcome poverty of the villagers.

B. Review of Related Theories

There are some theories that the writer uses to answer the questions that

are formulated in chapter I. This part presents reviews of the theories applied

in this study namely theory of character and characterization and theory of

motivation.

1. Theory of Character and Characterization

A character has an important role in a literary work or story apart from

plot, conflict, and setting. It also drives a control how the story goes.

Moreover, though the character, readers are able to gain a better understanding

of the story, the value of life and theme presented in the story. Therefore, it is

important to know the character which appears in the story and how it is

characterized.


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A character becomes an essential intrinsic element in the story since it

is the main point of the story. A character in a story becomes the device to

deliver the value that is implied by the author. According to Abrams,

characters are the person which presented in a dramatic or narrative

work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed by moral,

dispositional and emotional qualities which are expressed in their

dialogue and action (1985:23).

A character may expose the nature of his/herself to be his/her distinct

feature. Therefore, a character is a person that has characteristics which

contribute the development of the story in a narrative work.

According to Hankle, the character can be divided into two part; major

and secondary character. The major character is the most significant character

in the story. It can be analyzed by the complexity of the characterization, the

attention given to certain figures, and the personal intensity that characters

seem to transmit (1977:87). On the contrary, the secondary character performs

more limited functions. It is less complex and described in shallower relief. It

becomes a point of reference in the story or sometimes acts as contrast for the

major character.

In order to analyze character’s characterization in a story, Murphy

stated nine ways. Those ways help the readers gain a better understanding of

the character.

The first way is personal description of the character. Character can be

analyzed through their personal description. The detail about character’s

appearance such as clothes, the face, skin, and eyes are important keys to find


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the characterization (1972:161) it provides particular clues related to the

character due to the fact that each character has their own appearance.

The second way is through character description as seen by another

(1972:162). The reader is able to obtain reflection or image of the character

through the eyes of another character in the story.

The third way is speech of the character. The author can give some

understanding of the character through what character says. The author

presents some hints of the characterization whenever a character speaks,

whenever a character is in conversation with another character or whenever

character states an opinion (1972:64).

The fourth way is the past life of the author. The reader can learn

something about a character’s past life by a hint given by the author in the

story. The past life of the character reflects through direct comment seen in the

person’s, thought, conversation, or through the medium of another character

(1972:66).

The fifth way is the character’s conversation by of other. The character

often talks about other characters and it gives some hints to the description of

particular character (1972:167).

The sixth is reaction of the character. The characterization can be

analyzed through reactions. The author can give the reader hints by presenting

the character’s reactions to particular situations and events (1972:168).

The seventh is direct comment from the author to the character. The

characterization can be analyzed through direct comment shows by the author.


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The author explains or comments on a person’s character straightly without

any medium (1972:170).

The eighth way is character’s thoughts. The author gives the reader

straight information of what character is thinking about, what is on the

character’s mind and what the character feels (1972:171).

The last way is mannerism of the character. The author portrays a

character’s mannerism by the description of the character’s habits and

behaviors (1972:173).

2. Theory of Motivation

Many psychologists have defined and explained the meaning of

motivation. According to Petri, “motivation’ is the concepts we use when

describing the forces acting on or within an organism to initiate and direct

behavior” (1981:3). Besides, Jung also adds that motivation refers to the terms

of diverse conditions like desires, wises, plans, goals, intents, impulses, and

purposes (1978:4).

McClelland states that there are three kinds of needs, which influenced

by the cultural background and life experiences. They are the need for

achievement motivation, the need for power or power motivation, the need for

affiliation of affiliation motivation (1985:45). The writer does not uses power

motivation because the characteristics of power motivation are contrary to this

study. However, in this study, the writer only uses the achievement and


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affiliation motivation because those two motivations are appropriate to this

study.

a. Achievement Motivation

Lahey states that achievement motivation is ‘the psychological need to

succeed in school, work, and other areas of life” (2009: 39) in some cases, he

explained that the definition of “success” is different from the one to others.

People might have different motivation to achieve a version of success. Thus,

to understand people’s achievement motivation needs to understand the thing

they want to do and the reasons underlying action.

Murray, as cited in Huffman, Vernoy, and Vernoy explains

achievement motivation is “the need for success, for doing better than others,

and for mastering challenging task” (2000:399). Then, as cited in Beck,

Murray states that achievement motivation is “a desire or tendency to

overcome an obstacle, to exercise power, to strive to do something difficult as

well as quickly as possible” (1978:317). Meanwhile, Murray, as cited in

McClelland defines that achievement motivation deals with the reasons

underlying someone doing something better for intrinsic satisfaction. He

defines achievement motivation as follows.

To accomplish something difficult. To master, manipulate, or organize

physical objects, human beings, or ideas. To do this rapidly and as

independently as possible. To overcome obstacles and attain a high

standard. To excel oneself. To rival and surpass others. To increase

self-regard by successful exercise of talent (1985:46).


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From some definitions of achievement motivation above, it can be

summarized up that the achievement motivation is the need or desire which

actuates people to strive to do something better, overcome obstacles, and

master challenging or difficult task so that they can exercise their abilities and

achieve their own success, goals, or standards.

Huffman, Vernoy, and Vernoy add that achievement-motivated people

will be responsible for the task and tend to persist at the task as if they are

difficult. They will also fell satisfied if they can finish the task well

(2000:399).

The explanation above, explains that the achievement motivation is the

need to do and master challenging task in order to reach the goals or standards.

The achievement motivation can be evaluated by identifying the characteristics

and standards of achievement-motivated people.

It can be concluded that people with achievement motivation are people

that need challenging. They thrive on overcoming difficult problems or

situations. People with need of achievement motivation are work very

effectively. They want to know what they are doing right-and wrong-so they

can improve.

b. Affiliation Motivation

As human beings, people tend to stay with others. As stated by Jung, it

is inherent in the nature of human needs that people cannot survive without the


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assistance of others. They need others to share and support their living

(1989:46). In the other words, the tendency to affiliate exists in human lives.

McClelland gives the definition of affiliation motivation, as follows.

To draw near and enjoyably cooperate or reciprocate an allied other

(another who resembles the subject or who likes the subject). To please

and win affection of catheter object. To adhere and remain loyal to a

friend (1985:46).

The definition shows that the affiliation motivation is the desire to have

personal relationships and be with others. Worchel and Shebilske explain that

social comfort and interaction have the influence of the development of the

people with the need for affiliation. In order to reduce their anxiety or fear, the

people with the need for affiliation will seek out others who they think can

help them cover particular feelings. Besides, they tend to interact more with

others, form the more about friendship, and know more about their friends.

Therefore, the personal traits also affect the development of the need for

affiliation (1989:399-400).

The presence of others for the people with the need for affiliation may

have bad or good side. Epley, as cited in Beck explains that there are three

ways, in which the presence of others may reduce the development of the need

for affiliation, as follow.

First, the other person may serve as a ‘calm’ model for anxious person

to imitate. Second, the companion may do something to distract the

subject. Third, the mere physical presence of another might be fear

reducing, even though the other person does nothing (1978:356).


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However, when the presence of others can reduce the fear and anxiety

of the people with the need for affiliation, it gives good side to the

development of the people with the need for affiliation.

In conclusion, the affiliation motivation is defined as the desire to

associate with and be around others. It is affected by the personal traits and

learning and early experiences. The presence of others helps people with the

need for affiliation reduces their feeling of distrust, fear, and anxiety. They

want to belong to the group. They work best in a group environment. They

want to be liked, and will often go along with whatever the rest of the group

wants to do. These people work effectively in roles based on social

instructions.

c. Power Motivation

Winter and Stewart in McClelland give the definition person with

power motivation, “the characters are described in ways that increase or

decrease their prestige. Settings, title, adjectives of status, reputation, and

alliance with some prestigeful person or institution are all example of prestige”

(1985:272). The definition shows that people with power motivation are the

individuals that have a desire to control and influence others. Status and

recognition is something they aspire. The need to enhance their self esteem and

reputation drives these people.

Besides, Winter and Stewart in McClelland also give other explanation

about people with power motivation.


17

Power imagery: scored if some person or group of persons in the story

is concerned about establishing, maintaining, or restoring power-that is

impact, control, or influence over another person, group, or the world at

large (1985:272).

From some definition of power motivation above, it can be summarized

that power motivation is the need of desire within a person to hold control and

authority over another person and influence and change their decision in

accordance with his own needs or desires. The need to enhance their self-

esteem and reputation drives these people, they desire their views and ideas to

be accepted and implemented over the views and ideas over others. Those with

a high need for power motivation work best when they are in charge. Because

they enjoy competition.

3. The Relation Between Literature and Psychology

There is a close relation between literature and psychology. A literary

work creates its own world in which terms we can find an atmosphere of life as

we might find in a real world. In fact, a literary work, which constitutes an

author’s imagination sometimes, can reveal the truth, sadness, happiness, and

struggle of life as well as in human experience.

According to Wellek and Warren, psychology and literature have a

close relation to a literary work. Literature studies human as the creation of the

author, while psychology studies human as a real creation made by God.

Human life, from the point of view of the author, is the main objects of his

work. Literature, as the creation of the author, is used to express and

communicate emotions, style of life, thought, and his views toward human life.


18

Understanding literary work means understanding human’s problem and life.

Formerly, some theorists argue that literature cannot be studied at all. People

can only read, enjoy, appreciate it (1984:15).

Wellek and Waren (1984:81) say in Theory of Literature:

By ‘psychology of literature’ we may mean the psychological study of

the writer, as type and as individual, or the study of creative process, or

the study the psychological types and laws present within works of

literature, or , finally, the effects of literature upon readers (audience

psychology).

In this study, the writer exposes the study of psychological presents

within a work of literature. On the surface, psychology and literature are seen

as two different things. Psychology may be seen as a field of study which

concerns on human’s mind and how it systematically. Therefore, all the things

related to psychology field are made in a scientific way. While, literature is

seen as a field of study which deals with a work of art in written form like

prose, play, and poem. Literature is very contrast with scientific writing since

literature is respected as the work of art.

Yet, when the writer looks deeper, both psychology and literature share

the same property. Through psychology, people get help to understand one’s

behavior. Through literature, people have the understanding on human values

in the art of writing. In short, psychology and literature concern on human’s

condition in life.

The author of the story experiences a creative process while producing

a work of literature either prose, play, or poem (Wellek and Waren, 1984:81).


19

The creative process is closely related to the author’s state of mind. As s result,

the author may create a character in a novel that is the reflection of the author-

self and perhaps the character shares the same qualities with the author.

Thereafter, a psychological study takes part in this matter. By applying

psychological study, it enables the reader to identify the character’s behavior.

So, it is clear that psychology and literature have a very close relation in

attempt to analyze a character’s behavior in a literature.

d. Theoretical Framework

In this section, the rationale of the theories is elaborated. The writer

chooses some suitable theories for the basic analysis and the theories have

their own contribution to the analysis. There are two theories which have been

explained, there are theory character and characterization and theory of

motivation.

By theory of character and characterization suggested by Murphy that

presents nine ways that are used to answering the first question formulated in

problem formulation. The writer only uses three methods, they are: by the

speech, by conversation, and by his reaction. This theory helped the writer to

understand the characteristic of the characters described in the story in order to

conduct in the further analysis.

Theory motivation and the relation of psychology and literature are

used to examine how motivation acquires. Based on the psychological

approach in order to analyze Thomsen’s motivation in order to overcome

poverty of the villagers. In the end, the writer finds out how the motivation is


20

reflected in the Thomsen’s action by analyzing the data that already gathered

using psychological approach and theory of motivation.


21

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Object of the Study

The object of the study is a book created by Moritz Thomsen: Living

Poor A Peace Corps Chronicle published by University of Washington Press on

1969. This book consists of four parts and 278 pages. This book is based on true

story of the author. The book tells about Thomsen’s experience as a Peace Corps

volunteer in the small village in Ecuador named Rio Verde. Thomsen, 48 years

old, is a pig farmer that has difficulties of speaking Spanish and has a dream to

make Ecuadorian have a better life and out of the poverty.

This book is suitable to be observed because discussed the author’s

struggles as he tried to make chenges to the villagers in Ecuador. His struggles

to overcome the poverty condition in Ecuador. Thomsen brings goals of helping

the developing world to Ecuador. He brings this goals as well from his own life

experiences and abilities that give him his definition of success.

Thomsen comes to the village in Ecuador named Rio Verde with goals

that he will be successfull in that village, that he will make a change to help the

people in Ecuador overcome poverty. The complete summary of this book can

be found in the appendix on the last page on this study.


22

B. Approach of the Study

The appropriate approach is needed by the writer in this study. Since the

writer deals with the character’s motivation. The approach that is used in

analyzing this study is psychological approach. This approach is suitable

because the approach deals with human behavior a human motivation. It helps

the writer to understand the character’s mind and behavior well as Ryan’s

statement that “psychology is associated with more recent developments in the

sciences of the mind” (2012:44).

The psychological approach is used, considering that this study is aimed

at getting deeper understanding about Thomsen’s motivation to overcome

poverty of the villagers. Rohrberger and Woods state that “psychological

approach draws knowledge which carries human motivation, mind, imagination,

thought and behavior (1971:13).” It means that character’s motivation,

behavior, and also thought is the subject of psychological approach.

Moreover, Rohgerber and Woods stated that “psychological approach

involves the effort to locate and demonstrate certain recurrent patterns’

(1971:13). It can be said that the purpose of psychological approach is to define

repeated patterns of people. The patterns are behaviors, perspectives, and

emotions are the clues to discover psychological aspects such motivation. In this

study, the patterns are the characterization of Thomsen that can be through his

behavior, perspective, and emotion. This characterization influenced he to do

actions to reach his goal.


23

Therefore, this approach is suitable for this study because the writer

focuses on human motivation, to explain the character that reveals the

motivation of Thomsen. In this case, the writer also tries to see the character’s

motivation and behavior through psychological point of view.

C. Method of the Study

In this study, the writer applies a library research. Library research

means that the writer uses books, theories, and any information related to the

topic to collect supportive data on the subject matter.

Several steps were carried in order to analyze the story. The first step

was reading the primary source, Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle as an

object of the study. The second step was searching the data from another book

as the secondary sources. The secondary sources were from internet and theory

books. Third, the writer presented the two problems that were discussed in this

study. Fourth, the writer used some references that were taken from books,

internet, and articles to analyze the story. Fifth, the writer found out the review

of related studies and appropriate theory that helped the writer analyze this

study. It was important to use the undergraduate thesis from Asmara and Pratiwi

from English Language Education Study Program Department of Language and

Education Faculty of Teachers and Education Sanata Dharma University, and a

thesis from Jeffrey S. Blumberg, J.D a student of The School of Continuing

Studies and of The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Masters of Arts in

Liberal Studies Georgetown University, because the focus and the object are

same with this study.


24

The writer applied the theories and approach that were presented earlier

to answer the problem formulation. The theory character and characterization

were used to reveal the characteristics of Thomsen as the main character. After

the first question in problem formulation answered, the second problem could be

answered as well by applying the relation between literature and psychology and

theory motivation were used to reveal the Thomsen’s motivation to overcome

poverty of the villagers.

The last step was drawing a conclusion. It was important because

contained the summary of the study and the problem formulations.


25

CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

In this chapter, the writer wants to analyze the problems that have been

shown in the beginning chapter. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first

part discusses the character and characterization. The second part explains

Thomsen’s motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers. In another word, in

the last analysis, the writer tries to show the motivation of Thomsen that reveal

through his action in lift the villagers from poverty.

A. The Description of Thomsen’s Character

In order to explore Thomsen characterization, the writer uses the theory

presented by Murphy. Thomsen’s characterization is pictured through several

ways of characterization such speech, character’s reaction and character’s

thoughts. Those ways can help the writer analyze Thomsen characterization.

Thomsen’s characterizations are as follows

1. Smart

Throughout the story, obstacle and hardship happen to Thomsen since he

lives in Ecuador and faces many people with different mindset that are not

accustomed to doing business and make new step to be better. Fortunately, he

can overcome the problem because he is a smart soul. The situation makes her

reacts smartly to think about how the way to get more money. The


26

characterization of the character can describe by his/her reactions to particular

situations and event.

“For the money, hombre. For the money. When does a poor man have

enough money to buy a whole hog?”

“But you are known as an honest man; you have a good name. Why you

don’t buy the pig on credit, sell the meat, and pay the owner the next

day?” (p.50).

From the quotation above can be said that the Ecuadorian people are still

kept in their bad behavior that have become accustomed to poverty. But,

Thomsen is a smart person, he can give advice to Alexandro to do pig business.

Thus, his cleverness enables him to find a solution he needs to solve the problem

to get more money to Alexandro.

Whenever a character is in conversation with another character or

whenever character states an opinion can be the clue of his/her characterization.

Thomsen is a smart person, it can be seen through his conversation with Ramon

and her action to donate the nails to help Ramon build chicken business.

“Good,” I said. “That’s great.” I’ll even help you build it; I’ll donate the nails”

(p.65).

Besides that, Thomsen also quick to give his response to Ramon and

gives some options to help Ramon build that chicken business. He gives options

that the chickens are for meat or for eggs. It is the smart action of Thomsen

because it is the way that Thomsen uses to taught Ramon how to build chickens

business, not just for eggs but also for the meat. “Now tell me, what kind of

chickens do you want, for eggs or for meat?” “About half and half, I think”

“That’s a good idea,” I said (p.65).


27

Moreover, Thomsen also gives a smart reaction in his conversation with

Ramon, he gives his ideas to Ramon about the chicken business. He said that

Ramon should divide the house down the middle then Ramon can see which

type that makes the most money. Next, Thomsen gives his smart action again,

he told to Ramon that balanced ration is so very important to do that chicken

business.

“I said. “We’ll have to divide the house down the middle. Then you can

see which type makes the most money for you. Now, as I told you, the

main thing is that you have enough money for a balanced ration. Without

a balanced ration, without protein, this whole new system is worthless.”

“Yes, I understand,” he said (p.65).

From that conversation, it explains that Thomsen is a smart person. He

always gives the best opinions and ideas to get the best solution about chicken

business. He always asks Ramon about what Ramon should do in that business,

so he will get the best chicken business.

Now, how many chickens do you think you can afford to raise? We have

to make gallinero big enough, two and one half square feet for each

chicken.”

“Yes, “Ramon said. “I want to do everything just right. I think I can

handle six chickens-three for meat and three for eggs” (p.65).

From the conversations above, it can be said that Thomsen is very smart

person in reacting in that situation, he gives good opinions to doing business

with Ramon. His reaction shows his cleverness because he can make Ramon

believe and agree with his opinions. He can make Ramon have great ambition to

do that business. Thomsen has no doubt to do that, to help Ramon build chicken

coop.


28

The last, Thomsen shows that he is a smart person give a solution when

he explaining to the villagers about orange juice. How young baby should be

feed orange just because every two weeks in there the child was ill. And how

important it was to balance a diet with vitamin and minerals.

For two months, I have been explaining about orange juice to Alexandre

and his wife. Every two weeks, every time the child was ill, I had

explained the whole solution to them in detail-how at first to mix the

juice with boiled water and then gradually feed it stronger and stronger;

how important it was to balance a diet with vitamins and minerals (p.51).

It is describe that Thomsen is a smart person. Thomsen’s reaction that

gives information to the villagers about orange juice to reduce the child illness is

the clue that he is a smart person.

2. Caring

Thomsen often thinks about other people. He is very helpful and

generous. Through Thomsen’s reaction and his speech can give the clues about

his characterization. Thomsen’s reaction and speech in some situations show

that Thomsen is a caring person.

The first, Thomsen shows that he is a caring person when Alexandro had

no funds to get the bamboo to make chicken houses though Alexandro wanted to

raise chickens.

Realizing that he had no funds, I told him that I would loan him money

to buy a few sack of corn while the price was low and that he could pay

me back later when his chickens began to lay. I was only making two

thousand sucres a month (p.57).

Thomsen’s reaction and speech to Alexandro are clearly explaining that

he is a caring person. He always tries to help the people around him. Alexandro


29

also had a real passion to raise chickens, but that bamboo sold for two dollars

for a dozen and Alexandro could not figure out how he was going to raise so

much money with everyone. Moreover, there was also the problem of feed. The

price of corn would double and triple in price from the low of thirty sucres a

sack. However Thomsen shows that he is a caring person, he gives a loan to

Alexandre to buy a few sack of corn. Through Thomsen’s reaction, it shows that

Thomsen is a caring person.

The second, the evidence showing that Thomsen is a caring person is

when he met the baby with malaria. He asks senora to take the baby to the

doctor after he checks the baby’s temperature with a thermometer.

I went over to lunch one day to find the senora distraught pacing back

and forth with the baby in her arms.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Oh my God, the little creature has mal aire;”

The baby wouldn’t keep the thermometer in her mouth, so we put the

thermometer between the baby’s legs and held them together; she had a

temperature of 102.

“You’d better get into Emeraldas to the doctor,” I told the senora (p.52).

His quick respond and reaction to the baby who gets malaria explain that

he is a caring person. He still cares to the baby condition, he seriously cares

about that and gives his best action. At the end, he asks to the baby condition to

the doctor, it is described that he is very caring person, he wants the baby get the

best solution.

3. Confident

Thomsen is a confident person. Some ways to prove Thomsen’s

confidently are through his speech, reaction and thought (Thomsen shows his


30

confident when he gave a talk with the people about the cooperative, community

chicken houses, and cooperative hog project.

I gave a talk on what a cooperative was, and how it would be possible if

there was no panic for everyone to own his own land. I talked about

chicken houses and a co-operative hog project (p.166).

From the quotation above, it can be seen that Thomsen is a confident

person seen from his thought, by what his mind. He delivers to the people that

“it would be possible if there was no panic” it explains how confident he is in

order to invite the people to join the cooperative.

The second evidence that Thomsen is a confident person is when he

talked to everyone to make a new pond, to make a dam, and all people agree

especially the women during the dry season.

“I said, we’ll have to clean and burn all the brush so that tractor can get

into work, and then we’ll have to build some sort of a spillway so the

dam won’t wash away in the first rains” (p.191)

From the quotation above, explain that Thomsen is a confident person

seen from his speech. He is very confident to invite the people to do what he

said to their project.

By his reaction and his thought toward the villagers, are others evidence

that proof Thomsen is a confident person.

“No,” I said, I won’t help, but I think it would be fine if the co-op wants

to give the town a lagoon. I’m not thinking of the town but the co-op; the

fact is that the old lagoon on top of the hill now belongs to the co-op,

and if you can build a lagoon closer to town then the people won’t be

coming up on the farm to steal all your corps” (p.195)


31

It explains that Thomsen is a very confident person. He believes if the

villagers build a lagoon closer to the farm, it will be safe from the people who

want to steal all the crops.

In every situation that Thomsen faces, explain that he is a confident

person through his reactions and thought. He is always given the best solutions

with very confidence. Whatever Thomsen ideas that he gives to the villagers are

for their projects. So the projects will get the best result. Thomsen's reaction,

speech, and thoughts above show that he is a man who has a strong confident.

4. Enthusiastic

Thomsen is an enthusiastic person, he shows it during his time in

Ecuador. Some ways to prove that Thomsen is an enthusiastic person are

through his speech, reaction and thoughts. Thomsen shows it when he gives

some ideas to the villagers about the activities that can give their more money to

their lives.

Thomsen responds to the request for more marmalade by asking the

villager to make the next batch.

“Why don’t you make some then?

“I can show you again how to make it, and you can show the women

how to make it. I sat there visualizing all the women in town stirring up

great pots of marmalade and stuffing the scrawny children with

vitamins”(p.49).

From Thomsen’s reaction and speech above, explain that he is an

enthusiastic person. He wants the villagers going to make another marmalade, so


32

they can sell it and get more money to their life. He is very enthusiastic about it and

also wants to teach the villagers to make it.

In the village of Rio Verde, there is very little meat. A villager tells

Thomsen that he was able to buy a hog with some money and then sold the meat

for a profit to all of the villagers. Here, Thomsen shows that he is the

enthusiastic person with giving advises again to the man to follow his idea and

try to buy some hogs on credit and then continue to sell the meat for a profit,

“Why don’t you buy a pig on credit, sell the meat, and pay the owner next

day?”(p.50).

The evidence showing that Thomsen is an enthusiastic person from his

speech and reaction. He keeps giving some good advice to the villager to get

more money from pig transaction. Although the villagers do not have enough

money, Thomsen give the clue to buy the pig on credit and then sell the meat

and pay the owner in the next day. Thomsen is very enthusiastic, although the

villagers get the obstacles he still gives the solution and very enthusiastic in

order to help the villagers.

Then, at some point. Thomsen discusses his chicken projects with the

village chief, Segundo. He explains that he would not sell the chief any chickens

unless he first builds a raised chicken house. Thomsen explains the chief that he

was not only in the business of selling chickens but also teaching better ways to

raise them.

I explained that I couldn’t sell him any chickens if he didn’t first build a

raised chicken house to keep them in, that my primary business wasn’t

selling chickens but to teach new and better ways to raise them (p.77).


33

Thomsen’s statement above, it can be an evidence that Thomsen is an

enthusiastic person. He still on his concept and he keeps it. He not only wants to

sell chickens and get results in that, but he wants to teach the villagers how to

achieve more results by teaching them better ways. Because the point of this

business is that the villagers can know how to keep their business up and make it

better again. Thomsen's reaction and speech above shows that he is a man who

has a strong enthusiastic.

B. Thomsen’s Motivations to Overcome Poverty of the Villagers

Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle, written by Moritz Thomsen,

mostly talks about Thomsen’s life when joining Peace Corp as a volunteer, he is

having lives in a tiny Ecuadorean farming cooperative and working in a poor

village in Ecuador. In the book, Thomsen meets new people with poor condition

that have different mindset of life. He is trying to make a small, poor Ecuadorian

town a better place.

As stated in Chapter II, Petri states motivation is the concepts we use

when describing the forces acting on or within an organism to initiate direct

behavior (1981:3).

As for the concept of motivation to indicate behavior, in this section

tries to find out Thomsen’s motivation to lift the villagers out from poverty in

Ecuador. As it is described in the previous part, Thomsen is a smart person

because he can solve every problem in the right way, in every situation makes

he reacts smartly to think. Thomsen is an enthusiastic man who always wants


34

give the best to the villagers, he never gives up to take a risk in every situation

and in every project, so he should take risk more than he had in a project with

the villagers. And he is a caring man that always cares about the villagers since

he came to Ecuador and knows the condition in that town. He also wants to help

the villagers if they had problems.

From the theory of motivation. Thomsen is categorized as the person

with achievement and affiliation motivation. His motivation to overcome

poverty of the villagers poverty, it is derived from Thomsen’s willingness.

Those reasons are as follows.

1. To Change the Mindset of the Villagers

As the writer have been analyzed before, Thomsen is a smart and caring

person, he has high motivation to do his goals. When Thomsen initially arrives

in the village, he meets one of the villagers that have been among the local for

thirty years. He says that Thomsen cannot change anything in Rio Verde.

They are a lazy shiftless bunch here on the coast, the worst in the whole

country. I guess the worst in the whole world. The living is too easy. A

piece of fish, a dish of rice, a platano, and their goddamned hammock,

they don’t want anything else. You’re not going to change them; you’re

not going to change anything. They’ll love you to your face, boy, but

they’ll hate you to your back. (1969:41).

This man is proposing to Thomsen that he will end up a failure. He will

not be successful. This explains that he a pessimist, and he explains how bad the

mindset of the villagers, the villagers in Rio Verde do not believe something

new that can make their life better, that can make their village develop. They

just accept the condition of their village that the village is bad with poor people.


35

Thomsen, however, is not deterred and spends the next two years trying to make

a difference, trying to teach the villagers about how to success and the

possibility for a better.

Thomsen is a smart and caring person, and it becomes the reason to be

responsible for task and tend to persist at the task as if they are difficult.

Although it is difficult and the villagers are not accustomed to doing the

suggestion that Thomsen given to make the condition better, he still shows that

he is responsible with that.

“Why don’t you make some then?”

“Lemons are very scarce and dear,” he said.

“My God,” I said, “it only takes two lemons.”

“But the price of lemons,” Alexandro cried. “A real fandango, pure gold,

over a penny a piece.”

“I can show you again how to make it, and you can show the women

how to make it. I sat there visualizing all the women in town stirring up

great pots of marmalade and stuffing the scrawny children with

vitamins” (p.49).

He has strong motivation for doing something and become responsible to

do it because he knows it is better for him to do. It is proved by his willingness

to find another business to make a better life in Rio Verde. Thomsen talked to

everyone in town about chicken projects, they are the most expensive meat in

Ecuador at forty cents a pound. This is the new step to make a change in the

villagers.

I talked to everyone in town and went up and down the beach blowing

off to the tobacco farmers and the fishermen about chickens. They are

the most expensive meat in Ecuador at forty cents a pound. With all the

cheap corn and fish and a perfect climate, it seemed that the best way to

dazzle the local people with the brilliance of the Peace Corp was to get

some successful chicken projects going (p.65).


36

Thomsen is categorized as a smart and caring person with high

motivation to be success to handle aal the problems around him. As people with

achievement motivation that need for success, for doing better than others, and

for mastering challenging task. Thomsen also shows that he needs to success in

Ecuador, he doing something better here, he wants to make improvement and

get greater result than before. In the village of Rio Verde, there is very little

meat. A villager tells Thomsen that he was able to buy a hog with some money

and then sold the meat for a profit to all of the villagers. When Thomsen advises

the man to his suggestion and try to buy more hogs on credit and then continue

to sell the meat for a profit, he is met with the same response. The villager

shakes his head and says they are not accustomed to this.

“And couldn’t you go up the river every week and get a pig and sell it

here in Rio Verde?”

“No, the people are very poor, but every two weeks they would buy a

piece of meat.”

“Why don’t you do it then?” (p.50)

This shows that the villagers in Ecuador, especially in Rio Verde, are

still live in their negative mindset, that do not want to try something new to

make their life better. They would rather do business in the way in which they

are accustomed. They just accept the fact that they are cannot do any business

and do not want to try something new.

Therefore, the writer finds out that there are motivations that Thomsen

does when he meets with the villagers and see the situation and condition in that

time. Thomsen have desire to overcome obstacle, to exercise power and to strive

to do something difficult as well as quickly as possible. Other than that, when


37

Thomsen know there is a child that got malaria, he reacts quickly went back to

his house to put a thermometer and then check the child’s temperature, but when

the baby wouldn’t keep the thermometer in her mouth, Thomsen act quickly

again with put the thermometer between baby’s legs and held them together.

After Thomsen checks the child’s temperature and she had temperature of 102,

Thomsen ask to the mother of the child to go to the doctor as quickly.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Oh my God, the little creature has mal aire;”

The baby wouldn’t keep the thermometer in her mouth, so we put the

thermometer between the baby’s legs and held them together; she had a

temperature of 102.

“You’d better get into Emeraldas to the doctor,” I told the senora

(1969:52).

From the quotation above explain that Thomsen’s action is his desire to

overcome the condition that he looks, a child with malaria. And his action

explains that Thomsen is exercising his power and strive to solve the situation

that happens in that time. Thomsen wants to show the villagers that they should

change their mindset that does not pay attention to their condition. Because

when there is a death in their village is because get malaire. “The babies all get

mal aire when there is a death” (p.52).

The other evidence that the villagers still have bad mindset is when

Thomsen meet a daddy with his boy that had a very high fever.

“ ‘He’s got worms,’ I said. ‘We’ll have to give him some ‘Sure Shot’ ”.

“ ‘Oh, no,’ the father said. ‘You can’t worm my son with that fever; you

have to wait until the fever dies.’

“ ‘Listen,’ I said, ‘he’ll die before the fever does; it's the worms that are

causing the fever.’ And I finally had to make him go outside while I gave

the boy a good double dose of ‘Sure Shot’ ” (p.41).


38

From the quotation above, Thomsen shows that he wants the villagers to

think better about their condition, and change their bad mindset. This motivation

can be related to his characteristic as a caring person. He is a caring with the

villagers’ health condition.

From all the explanation above, Thomsen motivation to overcome

poverty is categorized as achievement motivation because his motivation to

change the villagers’ mindset is a challenging action. It is similar with the

characteristic of achievement motivation that needs of challenging. Thomsen

also thrives on difficult problems and work effectively, it belongs to the concept

of achievement motivation.

2. To Make a Better Life for the Villagers

Thomsen is confident and enthusiastic person with condition around him

to faces all problems. As an enthusiastic person, he has motivation to make a

better life for the villagers.

“I explained that I couldn’t sell him any chickens if he didn’t first build a

raised chicken house to keep them in, that my primary business wasn’t

selling chickens but to trying to teach new and better ways to raise them”

(p.77).

It shows that he wants the villagers have a business and the villagers know

how to keep and raise them in better ways. Thomsen doing this action because

he wants the villagers get the best business and can make their life condition

better.

Achievement motivation deals with the reasons underlying someone

doing better as Thomsen action that doing something better and accomplish


39

something difficult, so he can exercise his ability and achieve his goal to make

a better life for the villagers.

Moreover, the presence of others can give a good side to the

development affiliation motivation if they can reduce the fear and anxiety.

After Thomsen had a meeting with the villagers and knows that they can

accept him to work together with them, he feels better to join with them.

The meeting ended on an inconclusive note, but it was a fine

encouraging day. A couple of the farmers came over to visit me that

night, and we sat around by candlelight drinking coffee and talking

about pigs. My relationship with the town changed quite suddenly after

that meeting (p.31).

The presence of the villagers that can accept Thomsen and the good

relationship between Thomsen and the villagers have the good impact for

Thomsen. It makes Thomsen feels and he realizes that he has responsibility to

change the condition make a better life for the villagers. Moreover, it reduces

Thomsen’s fear and anxiety.

I so busy that I had to make appointments with the farmers three or four

days ahead of time. I was happy and very tired (the words seemed to go

together) (p.32).

The action that Thomsen did, describe the condition that he has strong

affiliation motivation that social and comfort interaction have the influence of

development his affiliation motivation. He interacts with Alexandre one of the

villager in that town to get more information about the others villagers and the

condition of their village. It can be seen when he is in Rio Verde.

I didn’t want to get involved in any quick projects this time, and I spent

the first few weeks traveling around the zone with Alexandro meeting


40

people and trying to learn their names and names of the villages where

they worked (p.40).

Before Thomsen involved with any projects with the villagers in that

town. First Thomsen has the desire to associate with and be around others.

Here, the presence of Alexandre helps Thomsen with the need of affiliation to

reduce their feeling of fear and anxiety.

Besides that, according to McClelland, affiliation motivation is

To draw near and enjoyably cooperate or reciprocate an allied other. To

please and win affection of catheter object. To adhere and remain loyal

to a friend (1985:46)

Therefore, it is the desire to have personal relationship and be with

others. The need for affiliation covers all kind of relationships such as

friendship and partnership. It seems like what Thomsen wants. He wants to

live and make friends in that village and then help them to do some business

that can produce more money, so the villagers’ life will be better.

I wish to live in the village, make friends, learn their language and their

customs, and that I wanted nothing from them except their friendship

and, if they wished, a chance to help them create a school garden and to

organize an experimental nursery. I also wanted to show them some

new ways of raising pigs, chickens, and cattle (p.30).

With his confident and enthusiastic personlity, it clearly that Thomsen

wants to have relationship with the villagers, a good relationship. He also

wants to know more about the villagers, and then help them to change their

village especially change their condition. He wants to make some business in

order to change the villagers’ life. So the villagers will have a better life.


41

Thomsen is categorized a person with affiliation motivation through his

action that have been explained above to make a better life to the villagers. His

motivation to make a better life to the villagers defined as affiliation

motivation because it means that he has desire to associate with and be around

others. From the actions of Thomsen that has motivation to make a better life

to the villagers, it belongs to affiliation motivation that work effectively in

roles based on social instructions.


42

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

In this chapter, the analysis of this study will be concluded. The book

was written by Moritz Thomsen entitled Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle

is a story that reveal Thomsen’s memoir of life when he being volunteer in

Ecuador. In this study, the objectives are to describe the characterization of

Thomsen and to identify his motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers.

The characterization uses the theory proposed by Hankle major and secondary

character and by Murphy which nine ways of characterization. After analyzing

the characterization, the writer analyzes Thomsen’s motivation to overcome

poverty based on psychological approach, with the theory of motivation as the

specific concept of that approach.

Based on the theory of characterization stated by Murphy, it can be

concluded that Thomsen is a smart and caring person, proven by his speech

and reactions. He gives advice and best solution to Alexandro when faces

money problem to do pig business, to Ramon when he faces chicken business.

Thomsen often thinks other people, he is very helpful and generous. He helps

Alexandro when Alexandro had no funds to get the bamboo to make chicken

houses. Meanwhile, Thomsen is a confident and enthusiastic person, proven by

his speech reaction and thought. When he delivers with confident his idea to

the villagers about cooperative, he is also very confident when he invites the

villagers to do what he said for their project. Moreover, he is a very


43

enthusiastic person when he intends gives his idea and ability to make

marmalade with the villagers. Besides, he discussed his chicken project with

the village chief and explains that he would not sell the chief any chickens

unless he first builds a raised chicken houses. This indicates that Thomsen is a

very enthusiastic person.

His motivation to overcome poverty is also reflected through Petri,

Jung, Murray, Huffman, Vernoy, & Vernoy, Worchel & Shebilske, Beck, and

McClelland theory. From the analysis, the writer finds that Thomsen’s

motivation to overcome poverty of the villagers is derived from Thomsen’s

willingness.

The first motivation is to change the mindset of the villagers. It is based

on the achievement theory of motivation. Since Thomsen arrives too the

village, he meets one villager that has been there for thirty years. He says that

Thomsen cannot change anything in Rio Verde. Besides that, Thomsen has

motivation to change the pessimist and bad mindset of the villagers to be an

optimistic people.

The second motivation is to make a better life for the villagers. It based

on affiliation theory of motivation. Already know that Rio Verde is a poor

place with bad condition life too. Based on that, Thomsen comes to Rio Verde

to change the condition, to make a better life for the villagers. So he gives

some project to the villagers so they will get more income to their life.


44

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Auden, W.H. Psychology and Art. London: John Lane, 1935.

Beck, R. C. Motivation: Theories and Principles. Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-

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Corp Memoir.” Thesis. Washington, D.C: Georgetown University,

2008.

Convert, Markus. “Moritz Thomsen’s Living Poor”. Remembering Moritz

Thomsen. n.p. May 13, 2014. (http://peacecorpsworldwide.org).

October 11, 2017.

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Huffman, Karen, Mark Vernoy, and Judith Vernoy. Psychology in Action, fifth

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Kenney, William. How to Analyze Fiction. New York: Monarch Press, 1996.

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McGraw-Hill, 2009.

McClelland, D.C. Human Motivation. Glenview, Scott, Foresman and

Company, 1985.


http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/

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Murphy, M.J. Understanding Unseens: An Introduction to English Poetry and

the English Novel for Overseas Studies. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd,

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Publishing Company, 1981.

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APPENDIX

The summary of Moritz Thomsen: Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle

Moritz Thomsen: Living Poor A Peace Corp Chronicle is a book tells

about the main character, Moritz Thomsen, in his experience as a Peace Corps

volunteer in the 1960s in a small village in Ecuador named Rio Verde. Thomsen

comes to the village with aim that he will be successful, that he will make a

difference, and he can help people out of poverty.

When he initially arrives in the village, he meets one of the villagers that

has been living for thirty years. This villager said that Thomsen will end up

failure. He will not be successful to make a change to the villagers. However,

Thomsen is not deterred and spends the next two years trying to make a

difference, trying to teach the villagers about success and the possibility for a

better, more prosperous life.

Initially, some of Thomsen’s ideas are met with enthusiasm. One of

Thomsen’s first ideas is chicken cultivation project in the village. Many of the

villagers signed on and started chicken projects. One man is very excited while

discussing the prospects of starting this project. Then, the second's project is an

idea to make marmalade. He realizes that he can make a marmalade and then

sell it. He realizes that the villagers could pull themselves out of poverty with a

profitable marmalade business. But, when he is talking to one villager who asks

him to make some marmalade, this villager answer that the villagers in there


47

aren’t accustomed to making marmalade. Thomsen constantly faces this

response when trying to invite the villagers with hog project.

Towards the end of his service, Thomsen decides to start a cooperative

that will farm more permanent crops, like coconuts or orange, that will

eventually bring in a more steady and stable income for the village. But, not all

of the villagers agree and join this project. And in the end, the co-op fields are

attacked by worms and all the crops die. The co-op is a failure. But, not of all of

Thomsen’s projects were failures, and some villagers did achieve some measure

of financial success from these projects.


thomsen’s motivation to overcome poverty of … · always gives me the never-ending motivation...

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