Linda's Self-Actualization: A Maslowian Analysis of Paulo Coelho’s Adultery

Abstract

This study aims to psychoanalyze Linda, the protagonist of Paulo Coelho’s Adultery, through Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, focusing on her journey toward self-actualization. Linda experiences emotional stagnation despite fulfilling her basic and psychological needs. Her dissatisfaction with a seemingly ideal life leads her to seek deeper meaning and personal growth, consistent with Maslow’s theory. Using a qualitative psychoanalytical approach, the study analyzes Linda’s motivations and behavior through close textual analysis, framed within Maslow’s theoretical method. Findings show that Linda’s extramarital affair, while socially controversial, becomes a psychological route to explore unmet needs for passion and authenticity. Her actions reflect a natural drive for development, aligning with Maslow’s concept of self-actualization. This research encourages deeper exploration of how psychological constructs like happiness, well-being, and resilience interact with self-actualization and how literature provides unique insights into personal growth, enriching both psychological theory and literary understanding.