Name: ______________________________
Section: ___________________
The Color Purple: Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Definition: Abraham Maslow believed that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and,
once that need is fulfilled, people have a desire to fulfill another need. He developed a five stage
model that is divided into basic needs and growth needs. A person must satisfy basic needs
(lower level needs) before he/she can satisfy growth needs (higher level needs). Maslow believed
that every person was capable of reaching the top tier need, self-actualization, but the
progression to that level was often disrupted. The disruption could be an inability to meet a lower
level need or encountering an experience which causes a person to fluctuate between levels
rather than continually progress up the ladder. Here is Maslow’s pyramid of needs:
Self-actualization
Respect/Self-Respect
Belonging and Intimacy
Safety/Security & Stimulation
Basic Physiological Needs
1. Basic Physiological Needs include air, food, drink, touch, freedom from physical
discomfort, shelter, warmth, etc.
2. Safety/Security & Stimulation Needs include stability and protection from fear and
anxiety, need for activity (exploration, experience, adventure, challenge), and a sense of
law or justice maintaining safety.
3. Belonging and Intimacy Needs include the creation of meaningful relationships (family,
romantic relationships, friendships, co-workers, etc.) and feelings of affection, intimacy,
or love.
4. Respect/Self-Respect Needs include recognizing oneself as a meaningful contributor to
society, determining a personal sense of dignity and self-worth, establishing a sense of
independence, desiring to have responsibilities and confidence to carry out those
responsibilities, acquiring and applying knowledge, and/or appreciating things that are
aesthetically pleasing.
5. Self-actualization is the need for self-fulfillment. In the process of self-actualization, a
person seeks to find the meaning of life that is important to them and realizing what
he/she is fully capable of contributing to the greater community around him/her. A person
in the process of self-actualization will experience “peak experiences” which incite
feelings of euphoria, joy, or wonder. Furthermore, such people can look at situations
objectively, tend to be creative, and have developed a strong moral code.
*Maslow’s ladder of needs is truly a ladder ideology. A person must fulfill each level to get to
the next level. Self-actualization is not meant to be the end of a process, but a personal
achievement that is always in progress.
Assignment:
 Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to the novel The Color Purple. Explain if or how
Celie and a second character of your choice reach self-actualization by the end of the
novel. Provide three specific examples that illustrate the character’s evolution,
fluctuation, or stagnancy throughout the novel. Use direct quotes as needed and cite those
quotes in correct MLA format. Your response should show your ability to analyze a
character with only the tools provided: the novel & the included information about
Maslow’s hierarchy. You are not to consult outside sources for this analysis.
Prepare two analyses. Each analysis should be 1-2 paragraphs in length.
 Write a detailed paragraph analyzing the quality of Maslow’s chart. Is it a logical theory?
Are there any gaps or uses of faulty logic? What are the strong points of the theory and
what makes them strong points? Your paragraph should show your ability to think
critically and articulate your critique thoughtfully.
Be prepared to submit this assignment (two character analyses and Maslow paragraph)
on the first day of school. The assignment should be one typed document, 3-5
paragraphs in length, and prepared in MLA format (heading, font, spacing, etc.).