The Dynamics of Eliza and Nella’s Friendship in Sarah Penner’s the lost apothecary

The study is aimed at investigating the dynamics of friendship between Nella and Eliza in The Lost Apothecary novel by Sarah Penner. The novel portrays a friendship between two characters with different backgrounds and a significant age gap, in which the dynamics of their relationship influence the development of each character. There are three problems to be solved in this study, namely: (1) how the friendship dynamics between Nella and Eliza are depicted in Sarah Penner’s The Lost Apothecary, and (2) how the friendship dynamics affect the character development of Nella and Eliza in Sarah Penner’s The Lost Apothecary. This study uses qualitative approach in relation to the use of clear and systematic description about the phenomena being studied. Descriptive study in textual analysis was applied in this study to analyze the intrinsic elements of the novel. The data were collected through close reading of the text, particularly focusing on dialogues, narration, and interactions between the characters. The collected data are then analyzed by identifying the forms of friendship relationships and the character development experienced by the main characters based on the New Criticism approach. The analysis was continued by identifying the dynamics of friendship presented in the novel. Finally, the reasons behind the emergence of these dynamics are examined by considering the context of events, character interactions, and situations that shape character development in the story. This study reveals that the friendship dynamics between Nella and Eliza are reflected through support, trust, conflict, and changes in attitude. These relationships significantly influence the development of both characters. Through their interactions and shared experiences, Nella and Eliza undergo changes in their ways of thinking, attitudes, and decision-making processes. The age gap between the two characters also contributes to their character development. This study concludes that friendship in The Lost Apothecary not only functions as a narrative element but also serves as a major factor in shaping the characters’ development gradually through a series of events they experience together.