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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelAn Act of Treachery is a novel created by one of British modern writers namely
Ann Widdecombe. Although she is best known as a member of the Parliament, but she is
concerned about many issues. An Act of Treachery is her third novel set during the
Second World War. This novel is dealing with the role of the family. Thus, I am
interested to take its dominant theme about the relationship between parents and children.
There are some different parenting styles used by parent. Surely each style brings effect
to children. However, in my analysis, I will only focus on Catherine as the main character
who experiences psychological problem because of her authoritarian parents. In short,
authoritarian parents described as people who tell "you must do it because I say so"
become the main cause of Catherine's anxiety. Therefore, I want to find the family values
that exactly cause Catherine's psychological problem and the ways she overcome her
problems. To meet my aim, I need the description of anxiety, authoritarian parenting style
and its effects. In addition, I use psychological approach with the help of the theory of
defense mechanisms in order to analyze Catherine's ways to deal with her psychological
problems. Catherine uses compensation, fantasy, and displacement as her defense
mechanism to cope with her uncomfortable condition. However, these mechanisms have
ruined her and create another new problem. Besides, Catherine's way to cope with her
psychological problems is considered as "an act of treachery". She is called a traitor
because of her love to an enemy to shift her needs of her parents' affection. Thus, I am
really interested in finding the effects of her ineffective defense mechanisms to her life. I
need the description of depression that will help me to achieve my purpose. Through this
analysis, we will learn and understand that authoritarian parenting style will give bad
effects to children and may lead to rebel. Unfortunately, most parents are using this style
because of their high expectations and their excessive love to their children. This is an up
to date topic because the issue naturally happens to every family. It can be a picture to
help parents to maintain an ideal way of communication with their children.