Self-Actualization In The Hunger Games

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According to Abraham Maslow, a self-actualized person has specific characteristics: an efficient perception of reality, balanced acceptance of self and nature, reliant on their own experiences, spontaneous, autonomous, constantly appreciative, a non-hostile sense of humor, socially compassionate, and peak experiences. While she occasionally struggles to meet even the basic needs at the bottom of Maslow's pyramid, Katniss Everdeen shows many of the characteristics of a self-actualized person. In The Hunger Games, Katniss struggles to obtain the lower levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Because she lives in District 12, one of the poorest districts, she must fight to satisfy physiological needs and safety needs. Because of the post-apocalyptic environment, it is also difficult to achieve a sense of belongingness and esteem. However, being in the Hunger Games forced Katniss to transcend through every level of the hierarchy pyramid, eventually reaching self-actualization. One of the main characteristics of an self-actualized person Katniss has is an autonomous nature. Before she is reaped to go into the Hunger Games, Katniss was already rebellious and followed her own rules; she sneaks into restricted areas and sells items at the black…show more content…
The first event that lead to this was in the first Hunger Games, when she befriended Rue. Katniss and Rue worked together for a brief time until Rue was tragically killed by another Tribute. While Katniss is devastated by the loss, she doesn’t seek revenge on the other tributes because then she would just become another piece in their Games. Instead she surrounds Rue’s body with flowers and sing to her, displaying an act of love, which is the opposite of what the Capitol wants. Due to the death of her friend, Katniss is able to realize that she doesn’t need to be spiteful and vengeful to win the games — she just has to beat the
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