Analysis of the main characters in the Candide novel by Voltaire based on the theory of Abraham Maslow

Subject Areas : Comparative Literature Studies

Hadiseh Adhami sayadmahaleh ¹ , Hamideh Adhami sayadmahaleh ²

1 -
2 - Faculty of literature and foreign languages, University of Tehran

Received: 2020-02-21 Accepted : 2020-02-21 Published : 2019-05-22

Keywords: personality, Abraham Maslow, Voltaire, Candide, Psychoanalytic Criticism,

Abstract :

  Fictional characters are repetitions of real characters and based on the characterizations of the novelist, the story information more documentary than information that people show up. Special needs of the characters create instability, and humans in a particular environment embody many of their own rules and inner angles. Stories have also become the subjective reflections of particular human lives, so they can be based on psychology theories of all fictional characters and human characters in particular. One of these theories is the humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow. The hierarchical needs of the Maslow encompasses his ideas and can be based on the theory of human beings and explain with it. Candide is the most famous novel of Voltaire that can be analysed by the theory of Abraham Maslow. Based on the results of this study, we can see that in all the characters, including candid, Cunégonde    Pangloss, Old Lady, Martin and Cacambo; overcome psychological needs and then belongingness and love needs. Because of the problems and corruption of the Voltaire time society the most characters around candide were initially not qualified to cultivate their hidden talents to flourish; so the heroes of this novel are often introverted, isolated, psychotic and defeated. They spent a lot of time and have worked hard to achieve their full potentials and self-actualization.