SELF ACTUALIZATION OF THE MAIN CHARACTER IN

THE HUNGER GAMES NOVEL BY SUZANNE COLLINS

Ayu Wulan Romdhaniyah

Drs. Supatra, M.Pd.

Abstract : The Hunger Games is science fiction novel

by Suzanne Collins that is very interesting to discuss.
The novel is told in the view point of a girl 16 years
old named Katniss Everdeen, who succeded to be
th
winner of 74 The Hunger Games. The Hunger
Games is an annual event that is Followed by a boys
and girls aged between 12-18 years from the twelve
districts surrounding the Capitol. They are selected
through the draw to compete in a deadly battle that
was broadcast live on television. The researcher is
interest to choose the title because the researcher
wants to show to the readers about human needs
through literary works. The aim of this research is to
describe how self actualization of the main character,
what the factors and impact of self actualization. The
result of this research are realization of Katniss’s
actualization maintaining her true identity and it is
unaffected by desires of Capitol, Katniss knowing
what her want and strive to make it happen. For this
thesis, the researcher only focused on the human
needs, especially self actualization with Humanistic
Pshychology approach.
Key Words : Self Actualization, The Hunger
Games, Main Character.

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Introduction
Since many centuries, literature as the language of art has
become the media of the people to express their mind, either in
imaginative or in unimaginative.
Literature is something independent and stand on its own,
and therefore does not depend on other elements, including
not dependent on poets or writers. One of the literary
review, new criticism that literature is an independent study
or stand on its own, it is not dependent on other studies,
such as a history, philosophy, biography, psychology and so
on. (Budi Darma. 2004)
Literary work is not only to be enjoyed, but also understandable.
That is necessary for the study or in-depth research and analysis
of the literature.
In the term of German, the word of novelle, novel and
novella literally means a small new item and then it is
interpreted as a short story in prose (Abrams in
Nurgiyantoro, 2000). Novel is an invented prose narrative of
considerable length and a certain complexity that deals
imaginatively with human experience, usually through a
connected sequence of events involving a group of persons
in a specific setting. Within its broad framework, the genre
of the novel has encompassed an extensive range of types
and styles: epistolary, Gothic, romantic, realist, historical—
to name only some of the more important ones.
Novel is a literary work that has a long story and became the
book, has intrinsic and extrinsic elements that are interconnected
each other.
The main character known as a protagonist is the most
important person or famous character in literary work such as
novel, drama, short story, who mostly has admirable characters
that being portrayed through the words, thought, appearances,

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 Journal of Self Actualization of The Main Character

action, and backgrounds that is created by the writer and also

undergoes some changes.
Humanistic psychology is an approach to experiences and
behaviors of human based on the uniqueness of human
characteristics.
The researcher is interested to choose the title of this study,
because the researcher wants to show to the readers about human
needs through literary works. Therefore, the researcher wants to
examine more deeply about the self-actualization of the main
character in The Hunger Games novel.

I. Self Actualization
Definition of self actualization is the motivation to realize
one's own maximum potential and possibilities. It is considered to
be the master motive or the only real motive, all other motives
being its various forms.
Self-actualization is the intrinsic growth of what is already
in the organism, or more accurately, of what the organism
is. (Maslow. 2011)
Self-actualization can be defined as the development of the
most height of all the talents, fulfilling all the quality and capacity.

Picture 1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

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Famous psychologist Abraham Maslow, in his Hierarchy of

Needs uses the term self-actualization as needs and the highest
achievement of a human being. Maslow found that regardless of a
person's ethnic origin, every man stages experienced an increased
need or achievement in life.
These needs include:
1. Physiological needs (physiological),
2. Safety and security needs (safety).
3. Needs a sense of belonging, social and love (social).
4. The need for recognition (esteem).
5. Self-actualization needs (self-actualization).
Based on the above explanation, it can be said that self-
actualization is a process of developing properties and potential of
individuals to be a complete personality.

II. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a novel science fiction by author of
the 2008 essay USA Suzanne Collins. The novel is told in the
viewpoint of a girl 16 years old named Katniss Everdeen, who
lives in a state dystopia pasca apokalips named Panem in North
America. Capitol, mother very advanced metropolis, the political
control over the entire country. The Hunger Games is an annual
event that is followed by a boys and girls aged between 12-18
years from the twelve districts surrounding the Capitol, which is
selected through the draw to compete in a deadly battle that was
broadcast live on television. The victor then wins a new house for
themselves and their families in their district, along with food,
fame, and wealth.

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III. Self Actualization Of The Main Character In The Hunger

Games Novel By Suzanne Collins.
The study is a descriptive qualitative study especially use
library research by finding some references or sources to support
such research. The method which is applied to analyze this study
is inductive method. It discusses from particular things then goes
to general knowledge to gain conclusion.
In analyzing the data, the researcher reviewing data that has
been collected and then determining the parts of data that was has
been analyzed. After that, the researcher formulating a theory
which will be used to analyze and finally the researcher drawing
conclusions from the results of the analysis.
Based on the Hierachy of Needs by Maslow, the five
examples of this analysis are presented as followed :

a. Achievement of physiological needs consist of foods,

drinks, cloths, and shelter as well as biological needs.

Since Katniss’s father die because mine explosion, her life is

different like before. Her mother (Mrs. Everdeen) has depression and
shirking her obligations as housewife. Katniss and her sister
(Primrose Everdeen) trying to survive a potluck. In
addition, growing old in the District 12 let alone live in
slums (Seam) is a pride for them, because an awful lot
of people in the District 12 who died from starvation. Awareness
of Katniss to fill her physiological needs begins since the winter
that threatens the life of the mother and her sister. Although it is
not easy and many other requirements that must be filled. Like
this quotes:
They’re not our kids, of course. But they might as well be.
Gale’s two little brothers and a sister. Prim. And you may as
well throw in our mothers, too, because how would they live

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without us? Who would fill those mouths that are always
asking for more? With both of us hunting daily, there are
still nights when game has to be swapped for lard or
shoelaces or wool, still nights when we go to bed with our
stomachs growling. (The Hunger Games, page 9).

b. Achievement of safety needs consist of job security,

freedom from fear or pressure, security of events or threaten
circumstances. Human want to be protected from physical
and emotional hazards.

Katniss move to the next needs. She reach safety needs to

get tranquility, certainty, and regularity in her environment.
Through bad something, Katniss learn to try and take risk bravely.
The woods becomes the best place for her expression. She can
talk everything and get a best partner for hunting. Such as the
quotation in the novel that:
In the woods waits the only person with whom I can be
myself. Gale. I can feel the muscles in my face relaxing,
my pace quickening as I climb the hills to our place, a
rock ledge overlooking a valley. A thicket of berry bushes
protects it from unwanted eyes. The sight of him waiting
there brings on a smile. Gale says I never smile except in
the woods. (The Hunger Games, page 6)

c. The achievement of social needs consist of achievement for

friendship, family, group, interaction with other,
compassion, acceptance, a sense of ownership, and love.

The achievement of social needs likes love family and

friendship. Fullfillment of second basics needs before push it for
filling third needs is that love for social needs. Before the Hunger

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Games begin every love of Katniss is to her sister (Prim). She

even got to hate her mother because she had let her and Prim
suffers. Her love for Prim make her can do anything to protect and
stay with Prim. As a tribute, Katniss Volunteered to replace Prim
position. It means proof of her love for Prim and her district. It is
the first step that her recognised for existence.
Like this quotes:
“Prim!” The strangled cry comes out of my throat, and my
muscles begin to move again. “Prim!” I don’t need to shove
through the crowd. The other kids make way immediately
allowing me a straight path to the stage. I reach her just as
she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm,
I push her behind me.
“I volunteer!” I gasp. “I volunteer as tribute!”
There’s some confusion on the stage. District 12 hasn’t had
a volunteer in decades and the protocol has become rusty.
The rule is that once a tribute’s name has been pulled from
the ball, another eligible boy, if a boy’s name has been read,
or girl, if a girl’s name has been read, can step forward to
take his or her place. In some districts, in which winning the
reaping is such a great honor, people are eager to risk their
lives, the volunteering is complicated. But in District 12,
where the word tribute is pretty much synonymous with the
word corpse, volunteers are all but extinct. (The Hunger
Games, page 22).

d. Achievement of esteem needs include the need for price

self, status, prestige, respect, and appreciation of the other

As well as Katniss, who doesn't realize until the reaping day

that her presence is very valuable in the society, the people who
she thinks that they are not so close, come to her to give

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motivation. Peeta's father came up with giving a cake (At that

time cake classified as luxury food) and promised to keep her
younger sister, Prim and her mother. Madge, her school friend,
whom Katniss consider just a friends because they do not have a
group of friends at a school, Madge comes gave her gold pin
shaped Mockingjay (A kind of birds that can imitate the human
voice tone). The Mayor of District 12, Undersee, also gave a sad
expression when Katniss volunteered as a tributes. Society of
District 12 gave a honour to Katniss because her replaced Prim
position as a tributes of The Hunger Games It can be seen in the
following quotation:
To the everlasting credit of the people of District 12, not one
person claps. Not even the ones holding betting slips, the
ones who are usually beyond caring. Possibly because they
know me from the Hob, or knew my father, or have
encountered Prim, who no one can help loving. So instead
of acknowledging applause, I stand there unmoving while
they take part in the boldest form of dissent they can
manage. Silence. Which says we do not agree. We do not
condone. All of this is wrong.
Then something unexpected happens. At least, I don’t
expect it because I don’t think of District 12 as a place that
cares about me. But a shift has occurred since I stepped up
to take Prim’s place, and now it seems I have become
someone precious. At first one, then another, then almost
every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers
of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an
old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen
at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means
good-bye to someone you love. (The Hunger Games, page
23-24).

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 Journal of Self Actualization of The Main Character

e. Achievement of the self actualization needs consist of

growth, achievement of one's potential, and the fulfillment
yourself. Self actualization needs is the highest place in
Hierarchy of Needs from Maslow’s theory.

As well as Katniss, she aware to her potential ability along

her growth. The first characteristics of Katniss actualization
is observed reality efficiently. At the
first, Katniss overshadowed nightmares after his father's
death. However it did not happen long time, because she found
out and decided to do something soon. When her family suffer by
starvation and no one cares, Katniss figure out a way to survive by
hunting in the Woods.
The woods became our savior, and each day I went a bit
farther into its arms. It was slow-going at first, but I was
determined to feed us. I stole eggs from nests, caught fish in
nets, sometimes managed to shoot a squirrel or rabbit for
stew, and gathered the various plants that sprung up beneath
my feet. Plants are tricky. Many are edible, but one false
mouthful and you’re dead. I checked and double-checked
the plants I harvested with my father’s pictures. I kept us
alive. (The Hunger Games, page 50)

IV. Conclusion
Based on the finding and discussion of the research, it can
be concluded that: Ability to perform optimally in self-
actualization can be achieved because of the fulfillment
of the basic needs that do not have barriers. Achieving of self-
actualization needs a supportive environment conditions, lack of
courage and openness to accept new ideas and experiences.
Maslow says that the form of self-actualization is different
between individual one with other individuals. Realization

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of Katniss’s actualization is about she maintains her true identity

and is not affected by desires of Capitol. Katniss knows what she
wants and strives to make it happen. Katniss is a girl who could
do actualizing because she realized her potential.
The factors that contributes to self actualization of Katniss
are: Katniss felt trauma about her past, Flavor of love towards
those around her, and Katniss’s desire to become a better person
than before with her own potential. The Impact of Arising A
Result of Self Actualization of Katniss are: Katniss is best known
and received by many people, especially in Capitol and her
District, Katniss starts to realize that she really exists and is
recognised by those around them, and Katniss starts to do a lot of
changes for her future.

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