PERSONALITY DYNAMICS OF THE MAIN CHARACTER IN HUDA BARAAKAT’S BARIID AL-LAIL

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the way life experiences determine how a person’s personality changes dynamically throughout a span of time in their lifetime based on the person-centered theory proposed by Carl Rogers. This theory is the base for the corresponding research to understand more about oneself’s actualization aspect. This literary study utilizes the contents of the main character's sad outpour and analyzes the personality dynamics. The object of this study is a novel entitled Bariid Al-Lail written by Huda Baraakat. By using content analysis techniques, the collected data are analyzed and scrutinized through the perspective of Carl Rogers’ person-centered theory. The findings show that there is a unique portrayal of the psychological side of the main character, both in the way of her looking at the world filled with various kinds of dynamics and her mechanism regarding positioning herself in the reality of life. Depicted as an old woman, the main character still has the desire to continue to grow and achieve the goal of self-actualization. Based on the person-centered theory, the main character’s personality dynamics goes through 1. Childish behavior; 2. Strong resolution; 3. Self-acceptance; and 4. Reality check. These findings thus provide evidence that age does not limit someone's desire to reach another dream.