An Analysis of The Main Characters’ Identity Formation in The Netflix Series Heartstopper Season 1

Abstract

This research aims to describe the characterization and identity formation of the main characters in the Netflix series Heartstopper Season 1. This research uses the qualitative descriptive analysis method. The main data used in this research is the dialogues and scenes taken from the series itself. Data collection is done in several ways: watching the series, understanding and marking some relevant data, and finally selecting the data. The selected data were analyzed by interpreting them in a narrative form. The researcher uses the theory of characterization by M.J Murphy to identify the characteristics of the main characters, while, to find out their identity formation process, the researcher uses the model of identity formation by Fassinger. The result of the research shows that there are 8 out of 9 ways of describing characters that reveal the personality of the main characters in this series: personal description, speech, character seen by another, past life, reaction, thoughts, mannerisms, and conversation of others, while there is no director’s direct comment that can describe the characterization of the main characters. Apart from that, the character went through 4 stages of identity formation: awareness, exploration, deepening or commitment, and internalization or synthesis