Telaah Prosa

Final Assignment

By:

Ananda Astrini Muhammad

F211 09 004

Faculty of Cultural Sciences

Hasanuddin University

2011

1. Definition of Prose

There are many definitions of prose because there is no ‘one definition’ that is

accepted universally. Below are some definitions of prose which views prose in many

different ways.

(1) Prose is ordinary language that people use in writing such as poetry, stories,

editorials, books, etc. The word prose is derived from the Latin word 'prosa' meaning

straightforward. Prose comes in two types of text - narrative and expository.

Narrative text is defined as "something that is narrated such as a story. Expository

text is non-fiction reading material such as Description, Analysis, Classification etc.

Prose is  not confined to poetic measures and is usually grouped into paragraphs.

Prose lacks a specific rhythm or the rhymes that can be found in poetry.

(2) Prose is the form of written language that is not organized according to formal

patterns of verse. It may have some sort of rhythm and some devices of repetition

and balance, but these are not governed by regularly sustained formal arrangement.

The significant unit is the sentence, not the line. Hence it is represented without line

breaks in writing.

(3) Prose is a literary form of writing, consists of the flow of narrative and dialogue

between characters. Prose is a literary work that is growing from time to time.

Several types of stories included in prose, among others, tragedy, anecdote, fable,

novel, short story, etc. Prose just like poetry, as a literary work, has elements of

intrinsic and extrinsic. However, unlike the one on poetry, prose forming elements

tend to be more easily found if a reader has completed reading of a prose. This is

because the prose has a lot of words composed by a certain path, which can carry a

reader's imagination to create a scene by scene directed by the author, with a

particular theme. The results of this imagination, readers can find out what it intends

to be submitted by the author in his work, without having to repeatedly read a prose.

(4) According to the Britannica Encyclopedia, prose is a literary medium distinguished

from poetry especially by its greater irregularity and variety of rhythm and its closer

correspondence to the patterns of everyday speech. Though it is readily

distinguishable from poetry in that it does not treat a line as a formal unit, the

significant differences between prose and poetry are of tone, pace, and sometimes

subject matter.

(5) The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms state that prose is the form of written

language that is not organized according to the formal patterns of verse; although it

will have some sort of rhythm and some devices of repetition and balance, these are

not governed by a regularly sustained formal arrangement, the significant unit being

the sentence rather than the line. Some uses of the term include spoken language as

well, but it is usually more helpful to maintain a distinction at least between written

prose and everyday speech, if not formal oratory. Prose has as its minimum

requirement some degree of continuous coherence beyond that of a mere list. The

adjectives prosaic and prosy have a derogatory meaning of dullness and ordinariness;

the neutral adjective is simply ‘prose’, as in ‘prose writings’.

(6) According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, prose is a meaningful and grammatical

written or spoken language that does not utilize the metrical structure, word

transposition, or rhyme characteristic of poetry or verse; it is, however, raised above

the level of lifeless composition or commonplace conversation by the use of balance,

rhythm, repetition, and antithesis. In literature, prose is the usual mode of expression

in such forms as the novel, short story, essay, letter (epistle), history, biography,

sermon, and oration.

(7) Rahmanto and Dick Hartoko (1986) states that prose is the opposite of poetry. Prose

uses unbound language (not bound by parallelism, meter, rhythm, etc). In

contemporary literature, the difference between prose and poetry is somewhat

obscure.

From the above definitions of prose, we can see that there are certain elements that

are continuously repeated. Hence, we can conclude that prose in literature is the

form of written language that is not organized according to formal patterns of verse making

it different from poetry. Prose comes in two types of text – narrative and expository. Prose

is usually grouped in paragraphs.

2. Analysis of Cooperation Versus Individualism in ‘The Old Man and The Sea’

2.1 Cooperation According to Benjamin Franklin

One of the most important ideas in Franklin’s ‘Autobiography’ is the idea of

cooperation. According to Franklin, cooperation originates from the notion that the

well being of an individual is closely related to the well being of his society.

Moreover, Franklin also believes that the most crucial thing in living in a society is to

preserve the integrity and give mutual assistance sincerely.

In his ‘Autobiography’, Franklin also expressed the importance of avoiding

confrontation in maintaining social relations. Franklin substituted words like

‘certainly’ and ‘undoubtly’ with expressions like ‘I conceive’, ‘I apprehend’, or ‘I

imagine’ because he believed that it would be much easier to persuade others to

agree with his opinion. This action is inspired by the hope of doing good to others

and receiving pleasure.

Altogether, Franklin’s idea of cooperation is the willingness to work together.

He genuinely believed that there is a need for individuals in a society to get

something from each other.

2.2 Individualism According to Ralph Waldo Emerson

Individualism is one of the main idea explained in Emerson’s essay, ‘Self-

Reliance’. To Emerson, individualism is when we speak of what we, not what other

people think. He also expressed that each man has a special power which makes it

possible for him to face his destiny. Man has to do his very best or this special power

will lose its strength and he will not be able to achieve any success. God has given

man the ability to trust himself. On the contrary, if a man is always controlled by the

society in every action he does, he will become weak, turn into a depending person,

and also can not be satisfied with himself.

Another important point in Emerson’s essay is the idea that property is

something that can not be relied on, just like society. Man should feel ashamed if he

owns something which is not the result of his own energy, for example inheritance

and gifts.

2.3 Cooperation and Individualism in ‘The Old Man and The Sea’

The idea of Franklin’s cooperation and Emerson’s individualism, both can be

found in the novel ‘The Old Man and The Sea’. First, let’s look at the ideas of

cooperation that Ernest Hemingway implied in the novel.

Although Santiago is old, and even after 84 consecutive days without catching

a fish, he still tries to prove himself to the villagers and to Manolin that he will be

able to catch fish. The name ‘salao’ which means ‘the worst kind of unluckiness’

which was given to him by the villagers also did not prevent him to go out to the sea

to fish again. Santiago’s wish to prove himself shows that he cares about his

society’s point of view about him, which also means that he, unconsciously, accepts

the fact that he needs other people.

Santiago is also a teacher for Manolin because he taught Manolin to fish since

he was only 5 years old. Santiago’s aim is quite clear, it is so that Manolin can

become a reliable fisherman. When Manolin becomes a reliable fisherman, he can

give benefit to his society, and may also teach another boy. According to Franklin’s

cooperation, Santiago is thinking of the well being of his society by teaching

Manolin.

Another evidence of the presence of cooperation in ‘The Old Man and The

Sea’ is Santiago expressing his need for the help of Manolin whenever he felt

vulnerable. He expressed this as much as four times. Below is the explanation on the

situation in which Santiago expressed his need for Manolin’s help.

(i) “I wish I had the boy” the old man said aloud. (Hemingway 17)

This is the first time Santiago expressed his need for Manolin’s help. He was

being towed by the giant Marlin and completely helpless. If only Manolin was

there, at least Manolin would be able to help to hold the line so as not to tire

Santiago too much.

(ii) Then he said aloud, “I wish I had the boy. To help me and to see this.”

(Hemingway 18)

In this situation, Santiago thought that ‘no one should be alone in their old

age’. So not only did he want Manolin to help him, he also wants Manolin for

company.

(iii) Aloud he said, “I wish I had the boy.” (Hemingway 20)

At this time, Santiago had problems with working the line and hooking up the

reserve coils since it was dark. As soon as he expressed his wish to have the

boy with him, he quickly banished the wishful idea.

(iv) “I wish the boy were here and that I had some salt,” he said aloud.

(Hemingway 21)

Santiago’s hand was injured and cramping. He wished for the boys help to help

him hold the line. He also had to eat tuna raw and without salt. If Manolin went

with him, he would probably not forget to bring some salt with them.

From the evidence above, it is clear that Santiago acknowledges the fact that he

has physical limitations and therefore he needs a helping hand.

Next, Santiago in his solitude in the sea occasionally talks to himself as he

waits for the Marlin to tire. This is evidence that he is lonely. It shows that in his

solitude, a man would always need someone else, no matter how small that need

may seem. Because he was alone, Santiago instead talked to fishes, a bird, God, and

even to himself.

Cooperation is not only evident in Santiago. It is also evident in the characters

Perico, Martin, and Manolin. Perico, the owner of the bodega in Santiago’s village

provides Santiago with newspapers. Martin, an owner of a café often gives Santiago

dinner through Manolin. Manolin himself always nurtures Santiago. These three

characters also thinks about the society’s well being by giving Santiago assistance

sincerely.

Individualism is also present in ‘The Old Man and The Sea’. Santiago’s

success in catching the fish is the result of self-reliance. Although it would have been

much easier to catch the Marlin if Manolin had helped, Santiago was able to catch

the fish alone. Santiago refused to give up, even when his hands had cramped badly

and was full of bleeding cuts caused by the line.

Moreover, Santiago was not bothered by how the society looked down upon

him. Like what Emerson said, individualism is when we speak of what we (in

Santiago’s case what he does), not what other people think. If Santiago listened to the

society, and truly accepted that he was indeed salao, he would have quit fishing.

Instead, he was determined that the 85th day was his lucky day, and it turned out to be

right.

Finally, the most important individualism idea in ‘The Old Man and The Sea’

is that Santiago had trusted himself. “Now is the time to think of only one thing. That

which I was born for.” (Hemingway 15) He believed that he had a unique power

bestowed by God that will help him catch the giant Marlin (his destiny). By trusting

himself and doing his very best, he had achieved success. From Emerson’s

perspective, we know that Santiago is definitely an outstanding man.

The only thing that may not be in accordance with Emerson’s individualism is

that Santiago received help from Perico, Martin, and Manolin. Though according to

Franklin, it shows that the idea of cooperation is indeed true. Santiago after he was

offered fresh baits from Manolin thought that: He was too simple to wonder when he

had attained humility. But he knew he had attained it and he knew it was not

disgraceful and it carried no loss of true pride. (Hemingway 5)

2.4 Conclusion

Cooperation and individualism is both present in ‘The Old Man and The Sea’.

Each idea does not stand on its own, but instead complements each other. ‘The Old

Man and The Sea’ is a perfect example of the balance of Cooperation and

Individualism in American Literature. It is no wonder that ‘The Old Man and The

Sea’ is one of the best works of Hemingway and also one of the best American

literature in his generation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Definition of Prose

Abdi, Furqon (2011). The Definition of Prose. From http://www.bukisa.com/articles/494742_the-definition-of-prose, 10 December 2011.

Anonymous (2001). Prose. From http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/91-prose.htm, 10 December 2011.

Anonymous (2010). Poetry Vs Prose. From http://www.diffen.com/ difference/Poetry_vs_ Prose, 10 December 2011.

Baldick, Chris. 2001. “Prose”, In The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. Oxford University Press

Hartoko, Dick & B. Rahmanto. 1986. Pemandu di Dunia Sastra. Kanisius: Yogyakarta

Lagasse, Paul. 2000. “Prose”, In Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press

“prose”. Enyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 10 December 2011.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/688075/prose

Analysis of Cooperation Versus Individualism in ‘The Old Man and The Sea’

Arafah, Burhanuddin. 2005. Cooperation Versus Individualism in American Literature. Gora Pustaka Indonesia: Sungguminasa

Hemingway, Ernest. 1995. The Old Man and The Sea. The Scribner Library: New York