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Abstract
This study examines the library as a crucial point in Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library to reshape life through transformation. For Haig, the library is not just a physical place, but a liminal space that stands for a transformation. This paper applies theoretical analysis as a method of interpretation using border theory as a theoretical tool, particularly the concept of liminal space, to project the library as the positive threshold for personal and social transformation. Drawing on Homi K Bhabha’s borderland theory related to the liminal space, this study examines how the library serves as a liminal space for reforming life through conversion. Ultimately, the protagonist Nora finds the library as a life-affirming space that points a shift from death mania to life, from self-effacement to optimism and self-discovery. This transformation ranges from factual life to creative life to designate creative world is more powerful than the physical one. This study argues that library not only blurs division that separates the physical world from the fictional creative world but also indicates that creative world is more powerful than the physical world. The conclusion of the novel indicates that the protagonist Nora Seed finds the library as a life affirming space the one that points a shift from death mania to life and hope. The library and librarian are so vibrant that they diffuse the general obsession suicidal tendency and reinforce a support to rejuvenate life. The transformation of Nora Seed’s life from self-effacement to optimism and self-discovery is only possible through the liminal space of library.
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References
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- Atzili, B. (2012). Good fences, bad neighbors: Border fixity and international conflict. The University of Chicago Press,
- Bhabha, H. (2011). Our neighbors ourselves. De Grunters.
- Castronovo, R. (1997). "Compromised Narratives along the Border: The Mason-Dixon Line, Resistance, and Hegemony. " Border theory: The limits of cultural politics. University of Minnesota Press.
- Duerden, N. (2015). "Matt Haig Interview: The Author on Books as Antidepressants, Finding Religion in Shakespeare and Why Country Music is Good for the Soul." Independent. 22 March. 2015. www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/matt-haig-interview-the-author-on-books-as-antidepressants-finding-religion-in-shakespeare-and-why-country-music-is-good-for-the-soul-10120442.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
- Haig, M. (2020). The midnight library, Canongate.
- Michaelsen, S. & Johnson, D.E. (1997). Border Theory: The limits of cultural politics. University of Minnesota Press.
- Mikaeili, H. (2023). A Jungian reading of The Midnight Library: Individuation theory and literary criticism. [Master's thesis, Linnaeus Univesity] Kalmar Vaxjo. Accessed on 11/10/2024.
- Renan, M. &Gul, E.Z. (2021). Philosophical Exploration of Existentialism and Absurdism in Matt Haig’s The Mid Night Library. University of Chitral journal of linguistics and literature. 5(2). 451-460. https://doi.org/10.33195/jii.vill.424.
- Sihotang, D. & Mubarak, Zia H.(2022). Analysis of the main Character’s Personality in “The Midnight Library Novel by Matt Haig. Syntax Literature: Journal Ilmiah Indonesia. Ridwan Institute 7(9).10.36418/syntax-literature. v7n9.14790.
- Kayalvizhi, S.V. &C.M., K. (2023). A Psychodynamic Exposition of Nora’s Personality Traits in Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals.6 (12). pp,47-49.
- Pulley, N. (2020)."The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Review – a Celebration of Life's Possibilities." The Guardian. 27 Aug. www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/27/the-mighnight-library-by-matt-haig-review-a- celebration-of-life’s-possibilities. Accessed 10/11/2024.
- Rowland, S. (2022). Jungian Literary Criticism: The Essential Guide. Routledge, Abington, 2019.
- Sabrina, I. Z. (2022). Self-Efficacy development of Nora Seed in The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. [Thesis, English Department, UIN, Sunan Ampel Surabaya]. Accessed on 9/30/2024.
- Schultz, D. P., & Sydney E. S. (2017). Theories of Personality. Cengage Learning.
- Shankari, S. (2022). "Life versus Death" in Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. International Journal of Research and perfo
References
Anzaldua, G. (1987). Borderland la frontera. Aunt Lute Book Company.
Atzili, B. (2012). Good fences, bad neighbors: Border fixity and international conflict. The University of Chicago Press,
Bhabha, H. (2011). Our neighbors ourselves. De Grunters.
Castronovo, R. (1997). "Compromised Narratives along the Border: The Mason-Dixon Line, Resistance, and Hegemony. " Border theory: The limits of cultural politics. University of Minnesota Press.
Duerden, N. (2015). "Matt Haig Interview: The Author on Books as Antidepressants, Finding Religion in Shakespeare and Why Country Music is Good for the Soul." Independent. 22 March. 2015. www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/matt-haig-interview-the-author-on-books-as-antidepressants-finding-religion-in-shakespeare-and-why-country-music-is-good-for-the-soul-10120442.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Haig, M. (2020). The midnight library, Canongate.
Michaelsen, S. & Johnson, D.E. (1997). Border Theory: The limits of cultural politics. University of Minnesota Press.
Mikaeili, H. (2023). A Jungian reading of The Midnight Library: Individuation theory and literary criticism. [Master's thesis, Linnaeus Univesity] Kalmar Vaxjo. Accessed on 11/10/2024.
Renan, M. &Gul, E.Z. (2021). Philosophical Exploration of Existentialism and Absurdism in Matt Haig’s The Mid Night Library. University of Chitral journal of linguistics and literature. 5(2). 451-460. https://doi.org/10.33195/jii.vill.424.
Sihotang, D. & Mubarak, Zia H.(2022). Analysis of the main Character’s Personality in “The Midnight Library Novel by Matt Haig. Syntax Literature: Journal Ilmiah Indonesia. Ridwan Institute 7(9).10.36418/syntax-literature. v7n9.14790.
Kayalvizhi, S.V. &C.M., K. (2023). A Psychodynamic Exposition of Nora’s Personality Traits in Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals.6 (12). pp,47-49.
Pulley, N. (2020)."The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Review – a Celebration of Life's Possibilities." The Guardian. 27 Aug. www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/27/the-mighnight-library-by-matt-haig-review-a- celebration-of-life’s-possibilities. Accessed 10/11/2024.
Rowland, S. (2022). Jungian Literary Criticism: The Essential Guide. Routledge, Abington, 2019.
Sabrina, I. Z. (2022). Self-Efficacy development of Nora Seed in The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. [Thesis, English Department, UIN, Sunan Ampel Surabaya]. Accessed on 9/30/2024.
Schultz, D. P., & Sydney E. S. (2017). Theories of Personality. Cengage Learning.
Shankari, S. (2022). "Life versus Death" in Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. International Journal of Research and perfo