Undergraduate Thesis Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English University of Rizal System, Rodriguez, Rizal 2011

This study contains the search for the women's power, the focal point of Sidney Sheldon's characters through his novel "The Sands of Time". The influence that the researchers gained from the works of Sidney Sheldon gives them the purpose for searching deeply for the women power as the focal point of Sidney Sheldon in his work. Thus, the answer to this study could be based on surveys, analysis, characterization, comments, and criticism of Sidney Sheldon's characters. And this study was conducted at the University of Rizal System, Rodriguez and was thoroughly studied by the researchers throughout the school year (2010-2011).

The analysis of this study was based on the following specific questions: (1) What is the main focus of the story and does it center on character, action, setting atmosphere, personage in the story in terms of: (1) Physical look, Teresa was far from beautiful, and yet there was spirituality about her an almost unearthly loveliness. Graciela on the other hand was beautiful woman in her early thirties. She had olive skin, exquisite features, and eyes that were luminous. Graciela had inherited her mother's looks with high cheekbones, shiny black hair, and thick, long eyelashes. Lucia's reflection showed a young girl with an oval face, creamy skin, even, white teeth, strong chin, voluptuous, full lips and dark, knowing eyes. At fifteen, Lucia had the body of a woman, with round firm breast, a narrow waist and hips that move all sensuous promise. Megan was a blond hair and bright blue eyes, milky complexion, blond eyebrows and lashes. She was in her late twenties and had a fresh, open-faced look. (2) Social status, Megan was the daughter of the owner of Scott Industries while Lucia's father was the leader of Mafia. Teresa was in the middle class while Graciela was born in poverty. Lucia avenged for her family, Megan was looking for her true identity. Teresa and Graciela were both running away from their past. (3) Emotional range, Teresa fell in love with young man named Raoul, but he eloped with her sister shortly before the wedding. Heartbroken, Teresa attempted suicide then suffered then suffered depression throughout her life. Graciela's unhappy childhood and unforgettable experience, she was born out of wed lock and for this her life became miserable, her mother did not show love for her because she blame Graciela for losing the man she love. Lucia shows her emotion of betrayal by the people whom her family trusts and it was the beginning of her revenge. Lucia's love for her family triggers her to kill those people who betrayed them, the passage below show her anger, she used her charm and beauty to avenge with them especially Benito Patas, Megan shows her jealousy to other children especially those who have a complete family. She always tell a story of her imaginary family to other children but these was all contrast to her true situation the truth is she don't know who are her parents. Megan's pity for herself was covered by her strong personality, many children count on her because she was brave and they depend on her all the time. She never showed her emptiness but deep inside she has many questions in her mind. The ending is foreshadowed by the situations revealing that Megan will own the Scott Industries, one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world. The following situations imply the ending. At the middle of the story when Ellen Scott finds that her life will not live longer anymore because of cancer that has spread throughout her lymphatic system she decided to find Megan the daughter of Byron and Susan Scott. Lack of justice, children born out of wedlock, desire for power, and abuse for women are among the social problems included in the novel. The related themes of the story are" love for self "for Sister Teresa, "sinner or sinned" for Graciela, "vengeance" for Lucia's family, "greediness and ambition" for Megan. The conflict was resolved in the story when Lucia decided to marry Rubio Arzano, and live a peaceful and happy life, Megan used her power and money to achieve her happiness, and Graciela chooses to return to the convent rather than marrying the love of her life. There are five comments found in the novel. In particular, their names are just names, they could be real names of person who have affected the author's life but in this novel, as they carry a certain character and characteristics they become symbolic. Through the researchers interpretation this are the names of the characters that have special significance in the story. Teresa's good heart, Graciela's gracious beauty, Lucia's fondness in sexual activity and truly smart, and Megan's pearl and smart. The symbols used to develop these issues are the golden cross and the white rose. The white rose symbolizes innocence and purity while the golden cross symbolizes sacrifice of being imperishable, eternal, and indestructible. The significant human experiences that are found in the story are the hatred of Colonel Ramón Acoca to the Basques and the Church, this hatred was caused by the death of his wife in the hands of the Basques that lead him to be a cold-blooded person. Sister Graciela, Lucia, Teresa and Megan have all entered the convent but they have their own different reasons, they have devote their time inside the convent to be away from all of their miseries and be devoted inside the serenity. Ellen Scott's atonement for her long suffering and mistake leads her to find again her niece, the true heir of the Scott industries, which she and her husband had abandoned after the plane crash. Since they don't have any child the only heir was Patricia Scott the daughter of the former head of Scott industries. And the lost of Jaime's family that leads him to fight for justice. The powerful characters of the women in the story are appropriate for today's time. That seem to show how big the contributions of women in this generation and how great women can be. These are the comments in terms of the appropriateness of the story in today's generation. And it can be relevant in the way that it can influence, encourage, and inspire people around the world as well as the women of today's generation. The historical content of the story is fascinating as well as the Separatist movement that is just the same as what happened here in the Philippines, shows the possibility of a bloodshed that can also be found in the story. The scenario that the main characters experienced when they are caught in the midst of the fight between the Basques and the government that situation can be true especially in fighting, because once you've deal or had been an ally to either of the two, the opposite would always treat you s their enemy. The subplots are all important in the story because through those subplots, one can truly understand the flow of the story. There are no unnecessary subplots because all of them are important that they should also be established in order to further understand the main as well as to enhance the beauty of the whole story. The story ended unexpectedly. One would be surprised and indeed be satisfied because the ending that was expected to be a tragic it turned out to be a happy one. Perhaps there are no suggestions to be made because of the satisfaction the researchers felt throughout the story. The ending of the story is not clear from the beginning since the story is told in third person omniscient and unfolds in chronological order. Also, the writer succeeds in sustaining suspense and excitement that leads the reader to ask what comes next until the end. There is no incident in Sidney Sheldon's life that contributes to the realities of the story "The Sands of Time" since Sidney Sheldon has been well acclaimed for his screenplays, to the researchers, the writer has chosen to attune his works to exemplifying the 20th century woman, a woman of the world, a woman of character and substance. The character features of the four nuns are the same but different in some way, based on their fate in the entire story; they all have a strong features. The four nuns have common characteristics, that is, being brave and able to stand up in times of trouble. And lastly the feministic stages of the female protagonists are all seen in the three stages; feminine, feminist, female through the feministic stage.

In the light of this analysis the following findings were drawn:

The main focus of the story is the women power that lies among the four main characters and it is centered on character, action, and setting atmosphere and thus it is illustrated through the researchers' point of view. The author uses the third person omniscient in the novel. The main personage in the story in terms of physical look, social status, and emotional range were described by the researchers through the character description of the novel. The ending is foreshadowed by the situations revealing that Megan will own the Scott Industries, one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world. The social problems that are included in the novel are lack of justice, children born out of wedlock, desire for power, and abuse for women. The related themes in the story are love for self, sinner or sinned, vengeance, greediness and ambition. The conflict was resolved in the story by the used of women's power, intelligence and money to achieve their happiness. With or without other people's comment, the novel can still stand of its own merit and therefore is highly recommended both for entertainment reading as well as for an in-depth analysis. The significance of the characters' names in particular, their names are just names, they could be real names of person who have affected the author's life but in this novel, as they carry a certain character and characteristics they become symbolic. The symbols used to develop these issues are the golden cross and the white rose. The significant human experiences that are found in the story are hatred, vengeance, miseries and atonement for suffering and mistakes, and devotion. The powerful characters of the women in the story are appropriate for today's time and it can be relevant in the way that it can influence, encourage, and inspire people around the world as well as the women of today's generation. The credibility of the story is its historical content. The subplots are all important in the story because through those subplots, one can truly understand the flow of the story. There are no unnecessary subplots because all of them are important that they should also be established in order to further understand the main as well as to enhance the beauty of the whole story. The story ended unexpectedly and researchers were satisfied. The ending of the story is not clear from the beginning since the story is told in third person omniscient and unfolds in chronological order. There is no incident in Sidney Sheldon's life that contributes to the realities of the story. The character features of the four nuns are the same but different in some way, based on their fate in the entire story; they all have a strong features. The four nuns have common characteristics. And the feministic stages of the female protagonists are all seen in the three stages; feminine, feminist, female through the feministic stage.

For this reason, a literary analysis can lend more meaning and deeper color to a story read. For each class of readers, this study is recommended for specific reasons such as:

To the students of literature, the youth of today continue to indulge in any kind of written material but there is a tendency for them to be affected by the so-called run-of-the-mill writings that can demoralize the absorbing minds of the students and because this study presents an in-depth analysis of the characters in the novel, these youth should develop their sense of critical thinking and judgment as to what books are worth reading. They should also consider the author's background for a better analysis of the material. To the educators, this study humbly attempts to offer a reference material that may aid them in imparting the facts of life to their students and subsequently affect the value formation of every learner. And because literature is a universal thought of one's point of view, educators should use this as a spring board or pattern when they are dealing with literature so as to uphold the value judgment of each student specifically on things that affect their perspectives in life. To the writers, should be inspired to write pieces or masterpieces that will immortalize them for the quality, time effort they have exerted in coming up with readable materials. To the literary enthusiasts, to take hold of an international bestseller is another. This literary analysis should add more substance to theit reading as they will be combining reading for pleasure with reading for depth and analysis. They should appreciate a novel not for its length but for the values it can impart and its relevance to their life. To the next researchers, this should serve as a take off point for more and deeper analyses.

This study discusses the women power as the focus of Sidney Sheldon's characters in the novel "The Sands of Time". The form of the study is in the qualitative research that serves to preserve the form and content of human interaction. These preservations, often in the form of text, are analyzed for their qualities but not subjected to mathematical transformations. This research work is touched on the social relevance of the novel and its appropriateness in today's times. A set of criteria for evaluation has also been observed to come up with a well guided writing. The subject of this study discusses the women power as the focus of Sidney Sheldon's characters in the novel "The Sands of Time". The women power who always outsmart the men like Megan, Lucia and Sister Teresa in protecting their self, to fight for their right and to fight for the things they believe in. The novel written by Sidney Sheldon is rich in details that become the researchers' material for careful analysis and interpretation and thus, the research instruments of the researchers are based on the basic guide questions for literary analysis. And the characters actions, plans, decisions, points of view and conflicts have proved to be interesting data for analysis.