Extramarital Affair In Elle Newmarks The Sandalwood Tree (2011): A Sociological Perspective

This research focuses on extramarital affair issue delineated in The Sandalwood Tree novel (2011) by Elle Newmark. The perspective that is used in analyzing this novel is theory of sociology. This research uses documentation method to collect the data. This research is conducted to analyze the causes of extramarital affair in the novel, how the extramarital affair is depicted in the novel, and the reason of the author in addressing extramarital affair issue. The researcher uses primary and secondary data source. The Sandalwood Tree novel is the primary data source. Other journal, website and book that relate the issue of extramarital affair are the secondary data source. There are three main findings in this research. First, there are found seven causes of extramarital affair in the novel namely broken hearts, arranged marriage, emotional disconnection, childlessness, loneliness, need for companionship, and physical attraction. Second, the author depicted extramarital affair in The Sandalwood Tree novel through character, event, setting, and style in the novel. Third, the author address the extramarital affair issue based on her travels and her response to extramarital affair case that occurs in society