Maslow Hierarchy Of Needs Essay

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in psychology about human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Maslow expressed that individuals are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs should be prioritized over others. Maslow’s Hierarchy ascends from the bottom to the top as followed: physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs and self-actualization. The novel, "Life of Pi" follows a boy (also the narrator) who finds himself stuck on a raft for numerous days without any supplies. In the meantime, he must share his raft with a Bengal Tiger. Fending for himself he seeks out equipment and supplies that fit Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Firstly, physiological needs are the

In esteem needs, confidence must be met so as to proceed onward to the last level. If Pi wanted to increase his own confidence, he must be comfortable with Richard Parker. If Pi wanted to be comfortable with Richard Parker, he knew that he must tame the Bengal tiger. Thus, this is precisely what he did. “I [Pi] had an effect on Richard Parker. At the very first blow of the whistle he cringed and he snarled. Ha! Let him jump into the water if he wanted to! Let him try!” (183). Since Pi knew that he had an effect on the tiger, he felt more confident about his safety and he was able to proceed onward to the last level of Maslow’s Hierarchy.
In the final level of Maslow’s Hierarchy, self-actualization must be met to complete Maslow’s Hierarchy. Pi acknowledges Richard Parker’s importance during the duration of his survival. He meets the criteria of having a profound and significant relationship describing Richard Parker’s help: “He pushed me to go on living. I hated him for it, yet at the same time I was grateful. I am grateful. It's the plain truth: without Richard Parker, I wouldn't be alive today to tell you my story.”