Exploring Self-Identity Crisis in Jen Wojtowicz's Picture Book: The Boy Who Grew Flowers

Abstract

This study is aimed at uncover issue of identity crisis in Jen Wojtowicz’s picture book The Boy who Grew Flowers focused on discovering the depictions of identity crisis and the way of the protagonist dealing with it. The objects of this study are picture book entitled The Boy who Grew Flowers (2006) by Jennifer Wojtowicz. The characters: The Bowagons, townspeople, school students, as well as parts of the picture book. Furthermore, the data were analyzed through texts and pictures by using a qualitative approach. In order to guide the study, the writer used Erikson’s theory (1970). This study applies descriptive qualitative research method. In this study, the writer focuses on the protagonist who is confused and difficult to find his true self due to his different which lead him to feel unacceptable among their friends. The analysis of this study indicates that there are two essential findings that can be concluded from this study. First, there are several conditions faced by the protagonist while experiencing identity crisis, namely uniqueness and strange. Second, the way of the protagonist dealing with identity crisis is similar which is accepting his true self or self- acceptance to determine his identity and feel accepted in their society.

Keywords: identity crisis, picture book, self-identity, self-acceptance.