The portrayal of character’s hyperreality in Stephen King’s The Stand

This item is published by Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya

Rozi, Fakhrur (2021) The portrayal of character’s hyperreality in Stephen King’s The Stand. Undergraduate thesis, UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

Text
Fakhrur Rozi_A03217018.pdf
Download (1MB)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the portrayal of characters’ hyperreality in Stephen King’s The Stand. Besides that, this research also reveals how simulacra and simulation become the main supports to build hyperreality in the novel. This study focuses on two statements of the problems about the description of Project Blue that is made by the characters become simulacra and simulation and the portrayal of Free Zone and free will as characters’ hyperreality in the novel. Qualitative methods are used in this study. The research uses postmodern theory as a tool to analyze. The theory that is used is Jean Baudrillard’s theory about hyperreality. The approach used in this theory is to reveal forms of hyperreality and its supporting elements such as simulacra and simulation so that this study can be adequately understood. Here, the researcher finds quotations and narratives in the novel that related based on the characteristics of the theory. This study indicates that Project Blue is a simulacrum in the novel and how it is simulated. The project is created by the government and simulated into a superflu disease that spreads at high speed, resulting in the death of almost the entire population. The media also has an essential role in the simulation of Project Blue into a superflu. Therefore, hyperreality emerges through the Free Zone which is believed to be a safe and free area from superflu. In addition, the free will of all the characters also depicts a hyperreality beyond the limits of thinking where the will and freedom are within them.