THE SEARCH FOR PERSONAL IDENTITY ON KATHRYN ERSKINE'S MOCKINGBIRD (2010)

The aim of this research in general is to analyze about the search of personal identity problems that experienced by the teenager. This study specifically discussed about the character with special need on the term of her personal identity search in a novel entitled Mockingbird written by Kathryn Erskine The focus of this research is the search for personal identity by the main character Caitlin Smith through a psychological approach.The purpose of this study is (1) to describe Caitlin’s personality in the novel (2) to presents Caitlin personal identity problems (3) to reveal the main character search for her personal identity in the Mockingbird novel.The study employed library study and descriptive qualitative analysis method. The data of the study are from the novel and other supporting documents. The data taken into the study are sentences,phrases, and words related to the search and understanding of Caitlin’s personal identity problem in psychological perspective. The research shared an analysis that can be concluded firstly, Caitlin Smith is characterized as a smart, polite, honest and family lover. Secondly, Caitlin personal identity problems was came from her Asperger syndrome, the lost feeling of her brother and people ability to accept her. Third, Caitlin’s personal identity finding was emerged through people acceptance about her special condition, her personal exploration to find the solution with her teacher involvement and guidance, Caitlin’s striving personalities whose brought her into tirelessly continuing effort to find the solution and her overcome inferiority feeling.
Keywords: Personal Identity, Teenager, Psychological Approach