A Humanistic Analysis of Development of The Character Jake Sully in the Movie Avatar

RINGKASAN Yuwono, Awig M. 2017. A Humanistic Analysis of Development of TheCharacter Jake Sully in the Movie Avatar. Thesis, English Literature, Faculty of Letters, State University of Malang. Advisor I: Drs. Kukuh Prayitno S, M.A., Advisor II: Inayatul Fariha, S.S., M.A. Keywords: Avatar, humanistic psychology, hierarchical needs This thesis is about Avatar (2009), an American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. The story revolves around Jake Sully, an ex marine who resigned from his position because his legs were damaged in a war and the veteran benefit didn’t cover the money to fix his injury. Until one day, Jake Sully got a call from his brother institute to replace his brother position to join the Avatar program. This film portrays how human becomes more trustworthy, self-protecting and self-governing. This film had a concern that is important to be delivered because it shows how humanism occurred in Jake Sully’s phenomenon represented in five hierarchical needs through certain behaviors. The analysis of Avatar uses the humanistic psychology as approach. Furthermore, the researcher also uses Abraham Maslow’s five hierarchical needs theory to help readers understand Jake Sully’s mind. This theory uncovers motive behind Jake Sully’s shifted point of view. In sum, the findings show that Jake Sully’s five hierarchical needs are fulfilled in Pandora when he is as an Avatar. Although he is crippled as human, he has two functioning legs and can move freely as Avatar. After that, many of other needs are also fulfilled in planet Pandora. This shows that as an individual Jake also has desire to fulfill his needs, and if he cannot fulfill them in real world then he will fulfill it in Pandora. In conclusion, from humanistic psychology point of view, this is why Jake finally take side with the Na’vi and not the humans