Miss Suhila Mahamu

1135030166

The concept of love in Suzanne Collins novel: The Hunger Games

A Proposal of Research

1. background

There are some ways to express ideas, especially in a literary work. There is
a literary work that brings us to the world of dreams and takes us away from
reality. It has to be contrasted with a literary work that needs our interpretation.
Literature is a personal expression of feeling including experience, idea,
motivation, confidence in the concrete description by using language. Novel is
a part of prose form beside short story. The most of people read novel and short
story. A novel expresses some aspect of humans love and existence. Because
novel talks about human activities and describes what happened in
surrounding, so it is written in long composition. In human life, the word love
is generally defined as passion that shares willingness to give and take in all
consequences among man. Since the senses of love is addressed to main in
literary man is equal to character or person that takes part in the story of the
novel and this thesis focus an analysis the concept of love in The Hunger
Games novel. Novel is generally thought of as containing about forty five
thousand words or more (Kenney, 1966; 103). So novel is longer narrative than
short story and novella.
Novel as a literary works has known since eighteenth century in England.
With the result as like novel, poem, poetry, drama, and prose. Prose is often as
specific terms for all discourage spoken or written which is not patterned into
recurrent matrix united that we call verse. Prose has longer meaning because it

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covers everything that is written as literary work but it includes some of non-
fiction work.
Greek philosopher Aristotle said: Love is composed of a single soul
inhabiting two bodies. According to Greek legend, by the story based on
mythology written by Aristotles mentor, Plato in his work, Symposium,
humans originally were half male and half female. After conspiring to climb
Mount Olympus, Zeus ordered them cut in half. Since that day, every human
spends their life searching for their other half.
Yet it is undeniable that love plays an enormous and unavoidable role in our
several cultures; we find it discussed in song, film, and novels humorously or
seriously; it is a constant theme of maturing life and a vibrant theme for youth.
Philosophically, the nature of love has, since the time of the Ancient Greeks,
been a mainstay in philosophy, producing theories that range from the
materialistic conception of love as purely a physical phenomenon an
animalistic or genetic urge that dictates our behavior to theories of love as an
intensely spiritual affair that in its highest permits us to touch divinity.
Historically, in the Western tradition, Platos Symposium presents the initiating
text, for it provides us with an enormously influential and attractive notion that
love is characterized by a series of elevations, in which animalistic desire or
base lust is superseded by a more intellectual conception of love which also is
surpassed by what may be construed by a theological vision of love that
transcends sensual attraction and mutuality. Since then there have been
detractors and supporters of Platonic love as well as a host of alternative
theories including that of Platos student, Aristotle and his more secular theory
of true love reflecting what he described as two bodies and one soul.

Beside on the description before, the researcher wants to use Robert

Sternberg (1984) theory. This thesis provides an analysis the concept of love
in Suzanne Collins novel: The hunger games, Love is a basic human emotion,
but understanding how and why it happens is not necessarily easy. In fact, for a
long time, many people suggested that love was simply something to primal,
mysterious, and spiritual for science to ever fully understand.

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 The popularity of The Hunger Games trilogy written by Suzanne Collins
did not come at once. In fact, it was not until the final novel was about to be
published that the success of the trilogy became clear. The trilogy became such
a success that other authors began discussing and praising it, amongst others
Stephen King (The Hunger Games 2008). Furthermore, in 2012 the first
novel of the series will be adapted into a film. But what was the cause of the
success and interest? One reason might be that the protagonist is a strong,
independent girl, or the fact that Collins is not afraid to show young adults the
reality of war. Another reason may be the fact that the reader is able to connect
to this impossible world because there are elements that relate to the world
she/he lives in today.

The purpose of this thesis will be to show what the concept of love in this
novel is. Collins touches upon many sensitive topics in her trilogy, such as
love, entertainment, environment; something Collins is making a point of in the
trilogy. By discussing these topics in relation to the novel and to our world, one
interesting aspect in this novel is Peeta and Katniss' relationship is the
evolution. The two start off as virtual strangers, then they enter into an uneasy
friendship that finally progresses into love .this thesis will Endeavour to reveal
the underlying love that is to be found in the Hunger Games novel. Then the
researcher entitled this research The concept of love in Suzanne Collins
novel: The Hunger Games.

2. Statement of problem

Based on the background of the study above, the research problems are
formulated as follows:

1. How are the concepts of love found in novel The hunger games?

2. What is category of love in the novel The hunger games?

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3. Objective of the Study

The purposes of the study are;

1. To know how the concepts of love are found in novel The hunger
games.
2. To know What is category of love in the novel The hunger games

4. Significance of Study

This study is significant to enrich the understanding analyze the concept of

love in the novel The Hunger Games , especially about love when pertaining
to the lead female character of Katniss Everdeen, the thesis literary work such
as novel. By reading literary work and analyzing the concept of love used in
the human life, we can understand the types of love in this novel and how to
apply it appropriately in our daily life.

5. Theoretical Framework
In this research, the researcher will use Robert Sternberg theory
supported by others theory about The triangular theory of love.

a. The triangular theory

The triangular theory of love is a theory of love developed
by psychologist Robert Sternberg. Presented in the year 1985, Sternberg
was a member of the Psychology Department at Yale University. During
his time as a professor, Sternberg emphasized his research in the fields of
Intelligence, Creativity, Wisdom, Leadership, Thinking Styles, Ethical
Reasoning, Love, and Hate. In the context of interpersonal relationships,
"the three components of love, according to the triangular theory, are an
intimacy component, a passion component, and a decision/commitment
component.

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b. Three Components
The triangular theory of love holds that love can be understood in
terms of three components that together can be viewed as forming the
vertices of a triangle.
1. The intimacy component refers to feelings of closeness,
connectedness, and bondedness in loving relationships. It thus includes
within its purview those feelings that give rise, essentially, to the
experience of warmth in a loving relationship. The passion component
refers to the drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, sexual
consummation, and related phenomena in loving relationships.

2. The passion component thus includes within its purview those

sources of motivational and other forms of arousal that lead to the
experience of passion in a loving relationship. The
decision/commitment component refers to, in the short term, the
decision that one loves someone else, and in the long term, the
commitment to maintain that love.

3. The decision/commitment component thus includes within its

purview the cognitive elements that are involved in decision making
about the existence of and potential long-term commitment to a loving
relationship.

In general, the intimacy component might be viewed as largely, but

not exclusively, deriving from emotional investment in the
relationship; the passion component as deriving largely, although not
exclusively, from motivational involvement in the relationship; and the
decision/commitment component as deriving largely, although not
exclusively, from cognitive decision in and commitment to the
relationship. From one point of view, the intimacy component might

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 be viewed as a "warm" one, the passion component as a "hot" one, and
the decision/commitment component as a "cold" one.

c. Kinds of Love

Love is an important and complex topic of study for social

psychologists. In this lesson, we begin our discussion about love with
Robert Sternberg's triangular theory of love. We define each of his eight
types of love.

1. Nonlove It is merely the absence of the three components. This basically

characterizes the majority of our personal relationships, which are simply
casual interactions. It could apply to your acquaintances or someone
youre not particularly attached with.
2. Liking or friendship in this case is not used in a trivial sense. Sternberg
says that this intimate liking characterizes true friendships, in which a
person feels a bondedness, a warmth, and a closeness with another but not
intense passion or long-term commitment.
3. Infatuated love is often what is felt as "love at first sight." But without the
intimacy and the commitment components of love, infatuated love may
disappear suddenly.
4. Empty love: Sometimes, a stronger love deteriorates into empty love, in
which the commitment remains, but the intimacy and passion have died. In
cultures in which arranged marriages are common, relationships often
begin as empty love.
5. Romantic love: Romantic lovers are bonded emotionally (as in liking)
and physically through passionate arousal. 5.
6. Companionate love is often found in marriages in which the passion has
gone out of the relationship, but a deep affection and commitment remain.
Companionate love is generally a personal relation you build with
somebody you share your life with, but with no sexual or physical desire.
It is stronger than friendship because of the extra element of commitment.
The love ideally shared between family members is a form of

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 companionate love, as is the love between deep friends or those who spend
a lot of time together in any asexual but friendly relationship.
7. Fatuous love can be exemplified by a whirlwind courtship and marriage
in which a commitment is motivated largely by passion, without the
stabilizing influence of intimacy.
8. Consummate love is the complete form of love, representing the ideal
relationship toward which many people strive but which apparently few
achieve. Sternberg cautions that maintaining a consummate love may be
even harder than achieving it. He stresses the importance of translating the
components of love into action. "Without expression," he warns, "even the
greatest of loves can die" (1987, p.341). Consummate love may not be
permanent. For example, if passion is lost over time, it may change into
companionate love.

6. Research of Methodology
Research of methodology begins with research method, source of
data, sample of data, technique of collecting data, and technique of
analysing data.
6.1 Research Method
From the description above the researcher will use qualitative
analyses to analyse this research. Creswell (2008:15) says:
Qualitative research is an inquiry process of understanding based
on distinct methodological traditions of inquiry that explore a
social or human problem. The research builds a complex, holistic
picture, analyses words; reports detailed views of informants, and
conducted the study in natural setting.

Analyses were emphasized in human understanding of

incomprehension on existing data. Then the data will be analyzed by using
the information from data so that the data will be more accurate and easily
understood by human.

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6.2 Source of Data

The data of this research is taken from The Hunger Game novel
pdf.

6.3 Sample of Data

The intimacy component

"I have chosen Gale and the rebellion. A future with Peeta is the Capitol's
design, not mine."-Catching Fire

This statement is also worth noting because it reveals an important

aspect of how Katniss feels towards Peeta.

"A future with Peeta is the Capitol's design, not mine."

Peeta is someone that she cares for, but who is also someone that has
been forced upon her. Her feelings for him developed when she was being
controlled by the Capitol, when she was in the Games

The decision/commitment component

"All those months of taking for granted that Peeta thought I was wonderful
are over. Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful.
Manipulative. Deadly. And I hate him for it."-Mockingjay.

Peeta makes her feel bad about herself and makes her feel guilty,
and Peeta's return did not entirely mean a romantic rekindling for Katniss.
She longs for him in her mind but she is also resistant to being left with
him and/or is resistant to having to handle him, especially since the person
that she longs for no longer knows her and no longer exists.

6.4 Technique of Collecting Data

In conducting the research, there are four steps in collecting data as

presented below:

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1. Looking for the object The Hunger Games Novel.
2. Reading the The Hunger games novel.
3. Sorting out or marking the data needed in line with the research
question
4. Writing all chosen data that next will be analysed.

6.5 Technique of Analysing Data

In conducting the research, there are three steps in analysing data

as presented below:

1. Categorizing or classifying data into component of love.

2. Analysing the marked data based on types of love.
3. Analysing the meaning of love.

7. Organization of Writing

Chapter I : Introduction, this chapter consists of background of study,

research question, research objective, research significance, and the
organization of writing.

Chapter II : Theoretical Foundation, this chapter serves some theories

about , The triangular theory of love and all about The Hunger games
Novel.

Chapter III : Research methodology that contains research design,

source of data, sample of data, technique of collecting data, and technique
of analysing data.

Chapter IV : Finding and discussion which elaborates data analysis

related to the finding and further discussion the data that will be presented
in this part.

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 Chapter V : Conclusion and suggestion. It includes the conclusion and
suggestion of data analysis related to the finding the data that will be
presented in this part.

REFERENCES

Hatfield, E., & Rapson, R. L. Love, sex, and intimacy: Their psychology, biology,
and history. New York: HarperCollins; 1993.

Lee, J.A. The Colors of Love. New York: Prentice-Hall; 1976.

Rubin, Z. "Measurement of romantic love." Journal of Personality and Social

Psychology, 1970, 16: 265-273.

Sternberg, R.J. The Triangle of Love: Intimacy, Passion, Commitment. New

York: Basic Books; 1988.

All about The Hunger Games. (2012, March). [Collectors special issue]. People
Magazine.
Atwood, M. (1998). The handmaids tale. New York, NY: Anchor. (Original
work published 1986) Blasinghame, J. (2009). Interview with Suzanne

Collins. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 52, 726727. Booker, M. K

(Ed.). (2013). Critical insights: Dystopia. Ipswich, MA: Salem.
Borsellino, M. (2010). Your heart is a weapon the size of your fist. In L.

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Wilson (Ed.), The girl who was on fire (pp. 2939). Dallas, TX: Smart Pop.
Butler,
J. (2006). Gender trouble: Gender and the subversion of identity. New York, NY:
Routledge
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Croydon: Scholastic Ltd, 2009.
Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. Croydon: Scholastic Ltd, 2009. Collins, Suzanne.
Mockingjay. Croydon: Scholastic Ltd, 2010.

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