The Representation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Emoni in With the Fire on High (2019)

Abstract

This study analyzes the fulfillment of human needs experienced by the main character, Emoni Santiago, in the novel With the Fire on High (2019) by applying Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. Literary works often portray human motivation and personal growth that can be examined through psychological approaches. Therefore, this study aims to identify how each level of the hierarchy of needs is fulfilled throughout the story. This study employed a descriptive qualitative method. The data were taken from dialogues, monologues, and narrative in the novel and were supported by relevant secondary sources such as books and journals. The data were collected through several steps, including reading the novel repeatedly, identifying relevant data, classifying the data, and reducing the data based on the study objectives. The results indicate that Emoni Santiago progresses through the five levels of needs, beginning with physiological and safety needs, followed by love and belongingness and esteem needs, and ultimately achieving self-actualization. This finding demonstrates that Emoni Santiago experiences Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs sequentially and reaches self-actualization after the fulfillment of lower-level needs, highlighting the relevance of Maslow’s theory in literary analysis.