ABSTRACT As the title suggests, this thesis is about the analysis of symbols in Walt Whitman s elegy for Abraham Lincoln, When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom d. The purpose of this writing is to find out what symbols Whitman used in the poem and what other meaning lied behind Whitman s expression of mourning. The poem was analyzed using Paul Ricoeur s hermeneutic through three dimensions of symbol: cosmic, oneiric and poetic, and the interpretation of symbol that has three layers: arché, telos and eskaton. Through the analysis, the readers are expected to understand the poem and understand what the poet wants to express. Moreover, the readers can accept death as it is God s will, and realize that a good person will remain still in other people s mind even though he is dead. The method used in analyzing this poem is by collecting data from books as the main source, internet, and other articles. From the analysis, it can be concluded that there is something beyond this poem that Whitman wanted to say, instead of just an expression of his deep feeling of loss. This elegy is more than just an expression of mourning for Lincoln, but also about Lincoln as a great president of the United States and Whitman s hope. iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I want to thank my gracious God, that after experiencing some difficulties, finally I can finish this thesis, which is titled Analysis of Symbols in Walt Whitman s When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom d. I realize that there are so many people who have helped me in finishing this thesis, and I would not be able to finish it without them all. Therefore, my second thanks are dedicated to: 1. Head of Bina Nusantara University, Mr. Prof. Dr. Gerardus Polla, M.App.Sc. 2. Dean of the Faculty of Letter, Mrs. Dra. Ienneke Indra Dewi, M.Hum. 3. Head of English Department, Mrs. Risa Simanjuntak. 4. Secretary of English Department, Ms. Tetty M.M., S.S., M.Hum. 5. My mentor, Ms. M.A. Inez Saptenno, S.pd. 6. Mrs. Wiwiek Andreani and Ms. Ruth Sih Kinanti. 7. My parents who have given me supports in spiritual and material during the writing of this thesis. 8. My families and friends who have supported and helped me during the writing of this thesis. 9. Others who can not be mentioned one by one. Jakarta, January 2008 Liliani v
TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE...i APPROVAL...ii STATEMENT OF EXAMINERS...iii ABSTRACT...iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...v TABLE OF CONTENT...vi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION....1 1.1 Background of Study.. 1 1.2 Statement of Problem 4 1.3 Scope and Limitation 4 1.4 Goal and Function.5 1.5 Research Methods.5 CHAPTER 2 THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK..6 2.1 Hermeneutic...6 2.2 Paul Ricoeur......6 2.3 Symbol..7 2.3.1 Symbol as a Figurative Language 7 2.3.2 Symbol According to Ricoeur..9 2.3.2.1 Dimensions of Symbol...9 2.3.2.2 Interpretation of Symbol..10 vi
CHAPTER 3 ANALYSIS OF SYMBOLS IN WHITMAN S WHEN LILACS LAST IN THE DOORYARD BLOOM D USING PAUL RICOEUR S HERMENEUTIC...11 3.1 The Symbolical Analysis......11 3.1.1 The First Part...11 3.1.2 The Second Part....16 3.1.3 The Third Part......18 3.1.4 The Fourth Part.22 3.1.5 The Fifth Part 24 3.1.6 The Sixth Part...25 3.1.7 The Seventh Part...26 3.1.8 The Eighth Part.28 3.1.9 The Ninth Part..31 3.1.10 The Tenth Part..33 3.1.11 The Eleventh Part.34 3.1.12 The Twelfth Part..35 3.1.13 The Thirteenth Part..36 3.1.14 The Fourteenth Part.39 3.1.15 The Fifteenth Part 43 3.1.16 The Sixteenth Part...45 3.2 Interpretation of Symbol...47 3.2.1 Arché...47 3.2.2 Telos....49 3.2.3 Eskaton....50 vii
CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION...52 SUMMARY (IN INDONESIAN)..53 BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDIX CURRICULUM VITAE viii