CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A. Previous Study

As Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a masterpiece of him, the thesis writer

realizes that many students of literature have studied it. The thesis writer finds that one of

students of Dr. Soetomo University, Muhammad Halil in 2012 wrote his thesis entitled A

Study of Struggle for Realizing the Dream of Santiago as Seen in Paulo Coelho’s The

Alchemist. In this thesis, Halil focused his study on how Santiago wanted to materialize

his dream through the journey to the places where he tried to find his “Personal Legend.”

His study used psychological approach.

While Halil focused on the struggle to make the dream come true, he did not

focus on the development of Santiago’s struggle on the motive behind it as value in

philosophical issues. The thesis writer thinks that the discussion of The Alchemist is very

useful if it is related to the essential one, the journey and its value.

There is another thesis written by Maria Yuliani Christina, a student of Petra

Christian University in 2009. Her thesis entitled Santiago’s Process of Becoming an

Optimistic Person in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. In her thesis, Christina focused her

study on what made Santiago change from a pessimist to optimist. Christina used literary

approach includes the theories of characterization and conflict. Christina found out that

the reason behind Santiago changing character is the enlightenment and love from the
other characters. This enlightenment and love changed Santiago from a pessimistic

person to an optimistic person.

The thesis writer is agree with Christina. But, in thesis writer opinion there is

another reason behind changes in Santiago character namely realization of higher reality

about life. Which makes him not only focus on what he does and strives for but also

allows him to achieve a transcendent life.

Another thesis was written by Mukhlas Nuri, a student of UNY (Universitas

Negeri Yogyakarta) in 2018. He wrote a thesis entitled An Existentialism Study on Paulo

Coelho’s The Alchemist. In his thesis, Nuri focused the study on how Santiago underwent

his journey to bear the freedom of choice through the view of existentialism. Nuri, in his

study, he used philosophical approach.

The thesis writer agrees with Nuri that the discussion of The Alchemist is closely

related to the value that philosophy is important. However, Nuri does not pay attention

that the issue of existentialism of freedom of choice that is experienced by Santiago is

related the spiritual issue, not just a broader sense of existentialism. Therefore, the thesis

writer focuses on specific kind of existentialism that is religious existentialism.

A student of UINSA, Rizqi Maydia Putri in 2022 wrote a thesis entitled Religious

Existentialism of Victor Frankenstein’s Obsession in Frankenstein by Marry Shelly. Her

study focused on how character Frankenstein had obsession and it was studied through

religious existentialism based on the idea of Soren Kierkegaard’s three stages of

existentialism. Though it was relevant to the theme of the novel, the thesis writer thinks

that there is a gap between the nature of Frankenstein’s intention that he tried to act as

God who created a man and the thoughts of religious existentialism that teaches the
 mystery of existence and criticizes the mechanical life. Moreover, the idea of

existentialism is the throwness of someone in this earth. If Putri wrote a religious

existentialism, she should focus on the monster instead of Victor Frankenstein. Because it

is the monster who feels throwness not Victor Frankenstein.

By stating this idea, the thesis writer considers that her thesis is new one and does

not do plagiarism, as it is genuine that nobody has done this research before.

B. Theoretical Background

1. Philosophical Approach

The moral or philosophical approach is defined as an approach that suggests that

the larger purpose of literature is to teach morality and to probe philosophical questions,

in the words of Samuel Johnson. This approach forces readers to dig deeper, discover the

moral values, and ask questions instead of accepting things the way they seem. Guerin,

Labor, Morgan, Reesman, & Willingham (2005) in their book entitled A Handbook of

Critical Approaches in Literature emphasized moralism and utilitarianism. They also

state that moral or philosophical approach is one of the approaches used by finding or

knowing the moral values contained in a literary work and it is the important things in

literary work (Wiranti, et al., 2021).

2. Philosophy of Existentialism

Existentialism philosophy is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the

issue of human existence (Lavrin, 1971:43). One of earliest existentialist is Martin

Heidegger (in Perry, 1989:756) in which he says that many people ask about “what does

it mean to be, say who am I?” But, according to Heidegger, the question is not authentic

because he just accepts the way of life that given by others. The authenticity is an

important issue as an authentic man should face the problem of being.

Therefore, the existentialistic point of view see that existentialism deals with

existence is more important that the essence. By considering his Being, someone has to

determine his own existence, create one’s own possibilities, and make choices and

commitment. Because basically the characteristics of human existence are active and

creative.

The characteristics of being active and making choice are also important in

existentialism. When someone does activeness and choice, he is free to determine his

own life by having authentic life. Human is free to choose what he wants to do. It is not

like an object or thing that has been determined for what it will be used for since it was

first created (Lacey, 1996: 109).

Heidegger also says about the thrownness of a man. The existence of someone in

this world is without his request or consent. He exists in this world not because of his will

but it is decided by others. Therefore, to have a new life, someone has to decide his own

life as a personal choice or himself.

Existentialism is related to some thinkers as Martin Heidegger, Friedrich

Nietzsche, Karl Jaspers, Jean Paul Sartre, Soren Kierkegaard, and Gabriel Marcel. Even

though they are different each other, they still share the same values or point, in which

Perry (1989:755) gives summary as follows:

 a) Living the reality in life is more important than just trying to understand the

meaning of life.

The thesis writer concludes that for an existentialist experiences a real life is

more important than living in unreal and abstract life.

b) Reason is not enough to be a standard of life. However, humans are created to

have feelings and wills.

From the quotation, the thesis writer can study that for an existentialist, the truth

cannot be found on rational thing.

c) Thoughts must be practiced and realized.

The quotation means that an existentialist wants to materialize what he dreams or

gets a plan.

d) Everyone is unique and authentic. One way to create authenticity is to dare to take

a different path from others.

The quotation states that every man is different from others.

e) Humans are responsible for themselves because the universe does not care about

humans’ will and death is always waiting for them.

The above quotation means that everybody is responsible for himself.

f) Humans are free to choose ways and steps to create self-authenticity and develop

their potential so that they can be better than before.

From the quotation above, it can be studied that someone is expected to

experience an authentic life and develop their potential life.

3. Religious Existentialism
A. Definition

As stated previously, about the thinkers of existentialism, many thinkers of

existentialism like Nietzsche, Camus, and Sartre are atheists, therefore, some judge that

this school of philosophy is atheistic one by nature. But, however, some thinkers, like

Soren Kierkegaard and Gabriel Marcel are the ones who believe in the existence of God

and even put the relationship with God is important.

By stating this position, the thesis writer can state that religious existentialism can

be discussed as part of existentialism. Religious existentialism is defined as involvements

with others provides someone with a glimpse of a transcendent reality and as a testimony

to God’s existence , and maintenance on faith in God that can overcome anxiety and

despair (Marcel in Perry, 1989: 759).

The definitions shows that while some still think that existentialism philosophy is

often related to atheists such as Sartre or Camus, or antitheist like Nietzsche, the fact is

not. On the contrary, some existentialists are thinkers who believe in God or religious

existentialist like Soren Kierkegaard and Gabriel Marcel. Kierkegaard and Marcel see

that atheistic existentialist do not answer the existentialism view on life. Therefore, this

thesis focuses on the thoughts of religious existentialist especially Gabriel Marcel.

Marcel’s ideas cannot be separated from his experience in his own life as a lonely

and despaired soldier in French army during the first world-war. He saw bitter conditions

of soldiers during the battles. He suffered the zero meaning of life as he saw men died on

trench like rats when he stayed in trench during the war as a foot soldier. When someone

died on the trench like a rat within a rainy season, he saw a man was completely

meaningless in life like a dead meat (Perry, 1989:759).

 Another expert, Anthony Malagon states that the religious existentialism that is

exposed by Gabriel Marcel that he focuses on the community in someone’s relation with

others in his approach to God (2016:3 and 10). The thesis writer studies from Malagon

that Marcel’s experience on being a soldier influences him to see and understand the

existential life of someone is related to a good relation with others and under the

comprehension on God’ as higher reality.

Marcel also explains that God’s presence is a gift, a man can become aware of

God and the man can come to know God’s presence (Malagon, 2016:12). The thesis

writer studies from Malagon’s statement that a religious existentialist man sees that the

presence of God is a gift that is not experienced by every man because some people do

not find the answer on the presence of God, but on the material gains. Malagon studies

that Marcel can endure life by feeling aware of the presence of God so that he can feel

the uniqueness of his life.

Marcel states that he wanted some people to surpass a functional and mechanical

view of life and to explore the mystery of existence – to penetrate to a higher level of

reality. Marcel held that one penetrates ultimate reality when one overcomes

egocentricity and exists for others, when one loves and is loved by others (Perry,

1989:759).

In order to summarize this study, the thesis writer adds some points of Gabriel

Marcel’s ideas on religious existentialism out the six points of common existentialism

ideas.
1. A man must seek and find a higher reality about life. Life is not only about the

reality of work or existing materials but must be able to achieve a transcendent

life so that it reveals the presence of God.

2. Because of his function as a thing, that is a shopkeeper, a laborer, etc, if the man

fails to achieve the best performance of the things, he is considered as a loser

(Perry, 1989:759). This meaningless life, if the man is not success, makes

someone feels despaired and gives a deep hole in his life regarding to find a

meaning. Marcel saw that a man without meaning of life (that is without the belief

in God) is the phenomenon of modern man who tends to appear to himself and to

others as an agglomeration of function. Marcel meant that as agglomeration of

function, a human being without souls or spiritual ideas, a man is merely a mass

of thing people viewed a man from his work, as a laborer, a shopkeeper, and so

on.

3. A human being that experiences religious existentialism does not become selfish

by neglecting his life solely on God but he relates the existence to the relation

with community. (Malagon, 2016:10).

From the all explanation above given by experts like Perry and Malagon,

the thesis writer can conclude that religious existentialism is involvements with

others provides someone with a glimpse of a transcendent reality and as a

testimony to God’s existence , and maintenance on faith in God that can

overcome anxiety and despair (Marcel in Perry, 1989: 759). The thesis writer also

concludes that the main difference between atheistic and religious existentialism
 is on the concept of experiencing the existential life from the acceptance of higher

reality for the religious and the problem of anxiety and despair related to

overcome it.

B. Effect on Experiencing Religious Existentialism

By experiencing life through religious existentialism then, someone can

have the effects on his life like he can overcome the feeling of anxiety and despair

(Perry, 1989:75). Zvobododa (2020:177) states that Marcel proposes the idea of

hope as a man to overcome the anxiety and despair, Zvobododa states that Marcel

means a hope is like a surge, a soaring of leap, a protestation dictated by love.

This love, he is sure that loving others means the partners he talks to is sure about

not going to die or despair. Therefore hope is here is related to love others, that is

to connect with others. A man should connect and care with others for a man is

related to others. A human should care for soul for he is not divine person.

(Zvobododa, 2020:17)

From the quotation above, the thesis writer can summarize that in

Marcel’s concept that when someone holds religious existentialism, he will have

effects on his mentality that he has hope in this life to overcome anxiety and

despair by having hope. Hope can happen if he cares to others, love others and

appreciate life. Someone must care others to concrete his life.

Zvobododa (2020:178) explains that the hope is related to the concept of

open soul. Open soul is related to idea that is the acceptance to others. The thesis

writer studies that Marcel sees the open soul and its acceptance to others is closely
related to the refutation to the anxiety and despair that can happen when someone

can feel during his life. Marcel. Marcel sees despair happens as the consequence

of evil and death of human being (Liskowski, 2019).

From all the explanation above, the thesis writer can say that there are

points of the effects of experiencing religious existentialism for someone:

 It can be a way to overcome anxiety and despair.

 The solution can take place if someone has the concept of hope.

Hope is big wave in someone’s feeling to love and appreciate

others in relation with God and God’s presence.

 Someone’s feeling of love is taken from the open soul within his

existence. This open soul can refute the despair that is considered

as the results of evil.

 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOD

A. Research Design

The design of this study is descriptive qualitative which aims to be able to answer

the research problem and to describe and interpret the quotations in the form of

sentences, phrases, or statements that shows the religious existentialism in Paulo

Coelho’s The Alchemist portrayed through Santiago. Nassaji (2015: 130) stated that the

descriptive research involves the exploration of the data to identify recurring themes,

patterns, or concepts and then describing and interpreting those categories.

Since the goal of this research is to describe and interpret the collected data,

hermeneutics becomes an appropriate research approach to choose because it is the

theory and practice of interpretation (Paterson and Higgs, 2005: 342). The hermeneutics

approach do not pursue on one version of interpretation, but always opens up

opportunities for exploration and reconstruction or refinement from other relevant

interpretation. This method is considered a way of starting for reflexive and critical

investigation (Gadamer in Chang, 2022: 2).

 According to hermeneutics, there is no fixed way or rule about how to interpret an

event in real life or in a text. Everyone is free to interpret something according to their

routine habits and assumptions as long as it is not out of the general context (Oevermann

in Chang, 2022: 3). Therefore, by using this approach researchers are freer to explore and

express their thoughts. Thus, this research will analyze and interpret words, statements

and phrases that describe the religious existentialism experienced by Santiago using

hermeneutics approach as well.

B. Data and Source of Data

The thesis writer realizes that this thesis a library research that uses text as the

source of data and data. Therefore, she uses written data as the materials for her study.

For the thesis, the thesis writer uses the data that are taken from the all

information in forms of words, sentences, phrases, and statements written that portray the

experience of religious existentialism experienced by Santiago. The data that are taken

are related to methods of characterization that are related to Santiago’s sayings and deeds,

as well as the statements about him as stated or thoughts by other characters and how the

narrator reveals him directly.

The source of the data is The Alchemist, the English version of O Alquimista

Novel written by Paulo Coelho, published by Harper Collins with ISBN 978-0-06-

231500-7.

C. Techniques of Data Collection

 The thesis writer studies this thesis as a qualitative research and uses

hermeneutics approach, so that she relies on the understanding of knowing the details of

the data that are discussed. Regarding this significance, the thesis writer applies some

steps stated by Gillo (2021:44). The techniques of data collecting applied in the study are:

1. Close reading and Making a Conceptual Frameworks

The thesis writer reads the novel intensively to understand the story concludes the

plot, setting, and characters. And while reading the novel intensively, the thesis writer

focuses on the problem under investigation exists in the novel which is Santiago’s

experience of religion existentialism.

2. Deciding the Representation of Data

Since this research uses the method of characterization, the thesis will take the

data that represents Santiago’s experience of religious existentialism from Santiago’s

saying and deeds as well as the statements stated by other characters about him.

3. Collecting and Classifying the Data

The thesis writer will collect the data, classify it into several categories according

to the statement of the problem and then put it into a table.

D. Techniques of Data Analysis

The thesis writer uses qualitative research in which it is realized that the analysis of

data is done by giving interpretation and delivering explanation about the data that can be
found. There are 5 steps of data analysis stated by Gillo (2021:45) according to

hermeneutics approach used by the writer:

1. Organize and prepare the data collected.

2. Reading the data holistically for full understanding.

3. Examining the data in detail and identifying themes and sub-themes or variation.

4. Developing the data by explaining interrelationships among the identified themes.

5. Writing a discussion for the interpretation.