A study on the main characters of The Best Laid Plans by Sidney Sheldon

ABSTRACT

This study is chosen because the writer is interested in literature especially novels. The object of this study is The Best Laid Plans, a novel written by Sidney Sheldon.

This study takes Sidney Sheldon’s novel, The Best Laid Plans which focusses on the intrinsic aspects of The Best Laid Plans, namely : (1). The kinds of characterization of the main character; (2). The characterization development.

The purposes of this study are to analyze and to describe the kinds of characterizations that happen to the main character, to describe how the characterization developed. For these purposes, and to support the writer reviews reference materials such as the book on study and about the author, thesis, dictionaries, and also some literary theories.

The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative. Descriptive method is the method that describes and interprets about problems observed by the researcher. It concerns with the condition that exists, aptitude that is held, that process that is going on, and effects that are being felt. Qualitative means to analyze data by using the logical thinking carefully and systematically to get right conclusions. The approach used in this study is observing the literary work from the intrinsic elements by which study emphasizes on the main characters. After that the writers selects the supporting data and continues to the analysis of the characters and characterization of the main characters, those are Leslie Stewart, Oliver Russel and Senator Todd Davis.

From the result of the study, the following findings are presented. ,There are some characteization of the main charcters. Leslie Stewart was a smart and beautiful woman. She was public relations and advertising executives at the Lexington, Kentucky firm of Bailey and Tomkins. She realized that the power for several man is the most desire thin. At first, Leslie had plans that she would get married with Oliver Russel, who is very handsome. She tried hard to support Oliver’s Campaign to get the position. But Leslie felt that she was betrayed by Oliver, because he got married with Senator Todd Davis’ daughter, Jan. Because of this, she felt disappointed with Oliver until she tried hard to disturb Oliver’s efforts in getting the position both as a governor or the President of USA. Oliver was so angry with Leslie because he felt that Leslie always disturbed him by publishing her articles that discredited him. Oliver Russel was a brilliant man, handsome and the most eligible bachelon in the state. He was helped by Todd Davis to be a governor of Kentucky. Todd Davis was a rich senator and kind but he didn’t want to show his wealthy. He always influence the running of the story. For example, his influence to Oliver. First Todd Davis make Leslie Stewart betrayed by Oliver, second Oliver could become a governor or a president of USA because of his efforts.

The character development of Leslie Stewart was changed from good to be bad. ,The character of Oliver Russel was also changed from worse to better. But for the character development of senator Todd Davis is not change.

Finally, it is suggested that the novel is developed on the bases of American culture, so it will be better if one has adecuate knowledge about its culture, its people and its way of life in general. Example: how to get the power, how the people communicate each other, etc.