KIMBY RUDYARD KIPLING:
AN ANALYSIS TOWARDS THE LIFE CONDITION OF KIM THROUGH ABRAHAM MASLOW’S THEORY OF
HUMAN NEEDS
A THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Requirement in Obtaining Degree in the English Bachelor Program, Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts,
Sebelas Maret University
By:
Cahya Sukma Aji Pratama C1311009
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
KIMBY RUDYARD KIPLING:
AN ANALYSIS TOWARDS THE LIFE CONDITION OF KIM THROUGH ABRAHAM MASLOW’S THEORY OF
HUMAN NEEDS
By
Cahya Sukma Aji Pratama C1311009
Approved to be examined by the Board of Examiners, Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University
Thesis Supervisor
Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si., Ph.D
NIP. 19510201 198601 1001
The Head of English Department
Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A, Ph.D
KIMBY RUDYARD KIPLING:
AN ANALYSIS TOWARDS THE LIFE CONDITION OF KIM THROUGH ABRAHAM MASLOW’S THEORY OF
HUMAN NEEDS
By
Cahya Sukma Aji Pratama C1311009
Examined and approved by the Board of Examiners, Faculty of Letters and Fine
Arts, Sebelas Maret University on June 11th, 2014.
Position Name Signature
Chairperson Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D ( )
NIP. 196703231995122001
Secretary Justine Niken Afda, S.S, MA ( )
NIK 1986072320130201
First Examiner Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si., Ph.D ( )
NIP. 195102011986011001
Second Examiner Yuyun Kusdianto, S.S., MA ( )
NIP 197706182005011001
The Dean Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University
Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed., Ph.D
PRONOUNCEMENT
Name : Cahya Sukma Aji Pratama
Student Number : C1311009
This research entitled Kim by Rudyard Kipling: An Analysis towards the Life
Condition of Kim through Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Human Needs is neither
a kind of intended plagiarism nor written by other. All works and pieces of
writings consulted in this research are cited properly.
If someday it can be proven that I cheat, I am ready to take any consequences
given to me from the English Department, Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts,
Sebelas MaretUniversity.
Surakarta, June 2014
Researcher
MOTTO
DEDICATION
I would like to dedicate this wonderful final project report to:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Lord Jesus. It is a wonderful moment to be still in
the wonderful way that You have in me. I would also give honor and thankfulness
for those who are involved in writing this final project report. They are:
1. The Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, Sebelas Maret University, Drs.
Riyadi Santoso, M.Ed., Ph.D.
2. The Head of English Department, Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A., Ph.D.
3. My academic supervisor, Drs. Sugiyarto Budi Waskito, M.Pd.
4. My thesis supervisor, Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si., Ph.D.
5. Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D. Thank you for your help and
enlightenment.
6. Justine Niken Afda, S.S, MA. Thank you for your information and advice.
7. My best lecturer, Mr. Yuyun Kusdianto, S.S., M.A. Thank you for
appreciating us and being a humble lecturer for us.
8. My lovely family. My mom and mbak Ayik especially. Thank you for loving
me, encouraging me, and supporting me.
9. My friends in English Department, especially Yunita.
Surakarta, June 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ………..… i
APPROVAL OF CONSULTANT ……… ii
APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS ……… iii
PRONOUNCEMENT ……….….….. iv
MOTTO ………... v
DEDICATION ………..…. vi
ACKNWOLEDGEMENT ……….…… vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……….…. viii
ABSTRACT ………..……. xiii
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION ……….. 1
A. Background ………..…... 1
B. Scope of Study………..……… 6
C. Problem Statements ……… 6
D. Research Objectives ……… 7
E. Benefit of Study ……….………. 7
F. Research Methodology ………... 7
1. Source of Data ……… 8
2. Technique of Collecting Data ……… 8
G. Data Analysis ……….……….. 9
H. Theoretical Approach ………..….. 9
CHAPTER II : LITERATURE REVIEW……….…..… 12
A. The Correlation between Psychology and the Literary Works ……… 12
B. Human Needs by Abraham Maslow ………….….. 15
B. The Theory of Identity by James Marcia ……..… 20
1. Identity Diffusion ………..……….…… 22
2. Identity Foreclosure ………..… 22
3. Identity Moratorium ……….…… 22
4. Identity Achievement ………. 23
C. The Correlation between the Self-Actualization and the Theory of Identity ……….…….…..… 24
a. Five Characteristics of the Fully Functioning Person ……….……… 25
1. Open to Experience ……….………. 25
2. Existential Living ……….…. 26
3. Trust Feelings ……….…... 26
4. Creativity ………... 26
5. Fulfilled Life ……….…….… 26
b. Three Components of the Self-Concept ………... 27
1. Self-Worth ……….………. 27
2. Self-Image ………….……….…. 27
3. Ideal Self ……….….…... 27
CHAPTER III : DISCUSSION ……….……….. 34
A. Kim’s Survival in the Environment ………. 34
1. Biological and Psychological Needs ………..…… 36
2. Safety Needs ……….…. 39
3. Social Needs ………..…... 40
4. Esteem Needs ………....………….. 41
B. Kim’s Self-Actualization Process ……….…...……. 47
1. Characteristics of Self-Actualizers …………..…. 48
a. They Perceive Reality efficiently and can
Tolerate Uncertainty ……….….. 49
b. Accepting Themselves and Others for what
They are……….. 50
c. Spontaneous in Thought and Action ………... 54
d. Problem-Centered (not Self-Centered) ……... 56
e. Unusual Sense of Humor ……….. 57
f. Able to Look at Life Objectively ………….…. 58
g. Highly Creative ……….… 59
h. Resistant to Enculturation but Purposely
Unconventional ………..….. 59
i. Concern for the Welfare of Humanity ….….. 60
j. Capable of Deep Appreciation of Basic
Life-Experience ………... 64
Relationship with a few People ……….. 65
l. Peaking Experiences ……… 66
m. Needing for Privacy ……… 66
n. Democratic Attitude ……… 68
o. Strong Moral/Ethical Standard ……….. 70
2. Some Behaviors which Lead Us to Self-Actualization ……… 73
a. Experiencing Life like a Child, with full Absorption and Concentration ……….. 74
b. Trying New Things instead of Sticking to Safe Paths ………... 75
c. Listening to Your own Feelings in Evaluating Experiences instead of the Voice of Tradition, Authority or the Majority ……… 76
d. Avoiding Pretense and being Honest ………. 77
e. Being Prepared to be Unpopular if Your Views do not Coincide with Those of the Majority ……… 78
f. Taking Responsibility and Working Hard ….. 79
g. Trying to Indentify Your Defenses and Having the Courage to Support Them up ….….…….. 80
C. Kim’s Problem of Identity ………...…….……. 81
A. Conclusion ……….……….………… 92
1. The Way Kim Lived and Survived in
the Environment ……….………... 92
2. The Way Kim’s Process of Self-Actualization
was Carried out ………. 93
3. The Identity Problem of Kim due to the
Circumstances Surrounding him ……….… 93
B. Suggestion ……… 95
ABSTRACT
Cahya Sukma Aji Pratama. C1311009. 2014. Kim by Rudyard Kipling: An
Analysis towards the Life Condition of Kim through Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Human Needs. Undergraduate Thesis. Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts. Sebelas Maret University.
The objectives of this research are to explain how the orphan Kim, as the main
character in Kim novel by Rudyard Kipling, lives and survives in his eastern and
western environments, fulfills his self-actualization process, and figures out what really identity he really wants.
This research belongs to qualitative research with the application of Abraham Maslow’s theory of human needs and the theory of identity by James Marcia. The main data of this research are the conversation between Kim and the lama, and other conversations among other characters which have something to do with the title of this thesis, while supporting data come from other texts which are connected with the analysis. They are articles on internet, some criticisms from internet, and other books which are related to the issues. The two first problem statements are answered by comparing Abraham Maslow’s theory of human needs with Kim’s psychological aspects. Meanwhile, the third question is answered by comparing the theory of identity by James Marcia with Kim’s identity process. Based on the comparison result, the life condition of Kim was finally revealed. Kim lived and survived well in his environment with the local people in Lahore, India. He had many local friends who he could get help from. The half-cast woman looked after him since his very young age until teenage. Some other local people and the Red Bull also had the roles to help Kim live and survive. The local people gave him friendship, love, and care while the Red Bull gave him job, money, education, and prestige. Kim successfully tried to fulfill his human needs from the very basic up to the highest. In Kim’s case, his self-actualization process was carried out through his personal growth and the eastern wisdom showed by his spiritual teacher i.e. the lama. Almost all the characteristics of a self-actualizer were shown by his behavior. Moreover, the issue of Kim’s dual identity was also revealed. It seemed that Kim had two identities but he tended to choose the eastern identity rather than the western one. In the eastern identity, Kim felt love, friendship, wisdom, comfort, simplicity in life, peace, and harmony, while his western identity was close to war, violence, killing, blood shed, espionage, danger, restlessness, and greed. However, both eastern and western identities in Kim could not be separated.
