Exploration of Self-actualization and Belongingness in Divergent Through the Lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the process and struggles of the protagonist “Tris”, to satisfy her desire to achieve a sense of belonging and self-actualization in the novel Divergent. The research chose Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Motivation i.e. the hierarchy of needs to explain the motivation behind Tris’s fight to belong and her process of becoming a self-actualized person. The article explores how Tris reached the targeted stages of the hierarchy of needs, after successfully achieving other primary needs like physiological needs, Safety and security needs, and Esteem needs. It is nearly impossible to achieve “social and belongingness needs” when the “physiological needs” and “safety needs” are not achieved. Just like this, “self-actualization” is also impossible to attain if esteem needs are not met. So the research highlights how Tris achieved “belongingness” and “self-actualization” from stage one of hierarchy of needs.