Resilience and Transformation Journey through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in The Color Purple

Authors

  • Kamila Insani Universitas Negeri Semarang Author
  • Imas Istiani Universitas Negeri Semarang Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26877/allure.v6i2.619

Keywords:

hierarchy of needs, psychological, resilience,, The Color Purple, transformation

Abstract

This study discusses the psychological transformation of Celie, who is the main character in Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple, with the theory of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. As an African-American woman who has experienced violence, trauma, and social oppression, Celie has developed with five levels of Maslow's needs, namely physiological needs, a sense of security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. This study analyzes Celie's relationship with important figures such as Shug Avery and Nettie who help build her emotional resilience, self-confidence, and psychological growth. In addition, this study analyzes several important things that indicate Celie's change from an oppressed figure to an independent woman by being able to recognize her identity. This is different from previous research that focused more on feminism with oppression, but in this study it emphasizes that self-actualization is a gradual, dynamic, and influenced process of emotional support and interpersonal relationships. With a qualitative descriptive approach, where the main data is obtained from novels supported by journal articles with previous research on Maslow's theory. The results of the study indicate that Celie's life journey not only indicates the gradual fulfillment of needs, but also indicates the importance of relationships with supporters in building resilience, empowerment, and self-identity formation in the midst of an oppressive social environment.

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Published

2026-07-30

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