Mailani Salsabila Pengarang Puji Laksono, S.S., M.Hum Dosen Pembimbing 2 Ana Widiyanti, S.S., M.Hum. Dosen Pembimbing 1 Ana Widiyanti, S.S., M.Hum Penguji 1 Puji Laksono, S.S., M.Hum Penguji 2

This research aims to analyze: 1) the motivations influencing Kitty Pong tobecoming a social climber in China Rich Girlfriend (2015), 2) how the power ofconnection in China Rich Girlfriend (2015) can be used to gain high social status,and 3) the impacts that Kitty Pong gets after becoming a social climber in ChinaRich Girlfriend (2015).This research uses a qualitative method to analyze the novel China RichGirlfriend (2015) written by Kevin Kwan as the object of study. The data collectionmethods include reading, identifying, and selecting. The researcher utilizes A. H.Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs, Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of socialcapital, and John Storey’s theory of consumption to analyze the data through stepsof classifying, analyzing, and interpreting.The result of this research shows that the motivations influencing Kitty Pongto becoming a social climber in China Rich Girlfriend (2015) including want toacquire high status, recognized by influential people, accepted by the society, andacquire power. The power of connection in China Rich Girlfriend (2015) that KittyPong can use to gain high social status including economic, cultural, and socialcapital, also cultural fields, and habitus. The impacts that Kitty Pong gets afterbecoming a social climber in China Rich Girlfriend (2015) including impacts ineconomic, psychological, and social life. Keywords: social climbers, consumerism, social capital