An Analysis of The Main Character of Edna O’brien’s Novel “The Little Red Chairs”

Literature is an important component at English Department. Literature encompasses compositions that contain stories, dramatized situations, emotions and ideas. Novel is a modern type of prose fiction as opposed to the medieval or classical romances. Novels, need to contain intrinsic and extrinsic elements to make it immersive for readers. Intrinsic elements in a novel are the elements which directly construct the story. Characterization is an essential intrinsic element, because fictions are usually adopted from human experiences that the characters must not contradict with human logic and act as real as possible. To find out characterization, the writer used descriptive method beside library research. “The Little Red Chairs” written by Edna O’Brien. As the second character, Dr. Vladimir Dragan is later revealed to be a fugitive responsible for genocide and war crimes during Bosnian War. This novel explores the consequences of war and suffering victims and survivors, especially women. Dr. Vladimir Dragan interactions with other characters to portray the theme of evil and human’s seemingly natural attraction to it. This thesis explores his character. The writer is interested in identifying the unique psychological traits about him as reflected on his attitude, thoughts and actions. To analyze the characterization of a character there are four channels, which must be elaborated, states the character’s statements or dialogue, actions, inner thoughts, and how other characters describe the said character. After analyzing the characterization of Dr. Vladimir Dragan, the writer concluded that he is a man who is enthusiastic, confident, smart, seducer, wise, cruel, and mysterious.