PENNY FRANCONE’S DISSOCIATIVE INDENTITY DISORDER IN D.J PALMER THE PERFECT DAUGHTER

Abstract

This study aims to analyze dissociative identity disorder in experienced by Penny Francone in D.J Palmer The Perfect Daughter. The objectives of this study are to describe the symptoms of dissociative identity disorder of Penny Francone and to unfold the cause and effect of Penny Francone’s DID. According to DSM IV there are four symptoms of DID, namely the loss of memories of the past, the awareness of other identity, the immediate sensations, and the bodily controlled movements. In addition, the cause of DID may manifests in a Trauma in DID patient. Furthermore, there are three effects of DID:  behavior, mood, and psychological conditions. The applied research methods is qualitative method in which the research discusses more on nonnumeric data, such as behavior, beliefs, opinions, emotions, and relationships between individuals. The data are taken from The Perfect Daughter written by D.J Palmer. The results show that through the character, the novel discusses about a character who suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID). Penny Francone has alter identities named Ruby, Eve, Chloe, and the hidden alter Isabella Boyd have their own thoughts and personalities. Penny Francone’s other identities can be traced from the four symptoms: the loss of memories of the past, awareness of identity, immediate sensations, and control of the bodily movements experienced by Penny and her alters. The cause of DID can be read in the trauma of the event and childhood experienced by Isabella Boyd and Penny. The effects of DID are the behavior, mood and psychological conditions experienced by Penny and her alter. The finding of this study is that Penny Francone’s DID underscores the interconnectedness between symptoms, cause, and effects within the context of her experiences.