The mentality of Henry Townsend’s character in constructing his own identity in Edward P. Jones’ The Known World

Fadillah, Angga Feri (2013) The mentality of Henry Townsend’s character in constructing his own identity in Edward P. Jones’ The Known World. Diploma thesis, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.

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Abstract

This research focuses on the main character of Henry Townsend in the novel of Edward P. Jones The Known World. The Known World is a representation of slavery in the United States that also presents a phenomenon of the transformation of a slave to be the master of the other black slaves and the construction of identity represented by Henry Townsend’s character. In order to make the elaboration arguable the researcher also chooses the psychoanalysis theory as theoretical standpoint as well as the approach, method and tool of analysis to solve the problems. As it is known that psychoanalysis is one kind of literary criticism which studies the issue of personality in a character. This research uses descriptive method. A descriptive method is method used in the researches of an object, a set of condition, a system of thought and an event that takes place in the present time. Therefore the goal of a descriptive research is to systematically, factually and accurately describe or illustrate the facts, characteristics and relationship of the researched elements. The analysis finds that in the novel there are the structure of personality which divided into id, ego, and superego, and construction of identity. Id is seen on Henry's personality and dominant during childhood which marked by pleasure taking care of his master horses, feel comfortable with the place of his master and doing a bribe to his friend in order to get a pleasure. Id usually uses the principle of pleasure. Ego began to grow on the personality of Henry when he was adult which marked by the purchase of his first slave, Moses. Ego uses the principle of reality. Superego is seen at Henry personality when he has many slaves with characterized by providing a good food, religious education to the slaves, and want to be a different master with other white people. Superego uses the principle of morality. The conclusion, The Known World is a representation of slavery in Virginia, United States and that also presents a phenomenon of the transformation of a slave to be the master of the other black slaves, it is Henry Townsend. Besides that, The Known World shows the identity of Henry Townsend is the result of social construction through the model of identification of his master, it is William Robbins because the ego identity has dominant to control his character.

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