Abstract:
This paper aims to describe and discuss the messages and meanings of the short story “The
Lazy Jack”. The significance of this research is for building new frame that analyzing literary
work is only viewed from the setting or character in a simple manner, but also can be viewed
from identity theory assisted with critical thinking as the thinking approach rationally and
based on the reason. The basis of reasoning is based on the researchers’ capacity in deepening
and learning the situations and conflict happening to the character in the story. It is qualitative
research in which the data collection is started from coding obtained from the text “The Lazy
Jack” in line with the goal of the research. The result of this research shows that Jack does
not have a firm personal identity, firm life principle, life vision, and struggling for survival.
He is the one dependent on others although he always fails to learn to be better. It means that
Jack is without personal and social identity.
Keywords
critical thinking; identity theory; the lazy jack
