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Summary Of Pushing The Bear

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Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a psychological concept, shows that human motivation and needs can be the driving force behind many simple actions. In Diana Glancy’s novel, Pushing The Bear, we are told the story of the Trail of Tears through the eyes of Cherokee Indians. The novel is centered around a group of Cherokee Indians who were forcibly removed from their homes and taken on a journey of challenge. While on this trail, the Cherokee are deprived of basic necessities and treated like animals. They lack the very things that make them who they are. Their land, corn, cabins, ancestral items, even their own spirits. With nothing to their names, the Cherokee go through tests of loyalty, faith, and community. One major character who goes through …show more content…

Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a theory, was created by the American psychologist Abraham Maslow. Abraham Maslow, a renowned psychologist, introduced the concept of the hierarchy of needs in his paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" in 1943. This hierarchy, shaped as a pyramid, was used to show what needs were deemed as a top priority. It also gave humans an idea of where they stood on the ladder towards self actualization, or their true potential. At the bottom of the hierarchy is physiological needs. This is also classified as basic needs such as food, shelter, water, and sleep. Basic needs may be overlooked, but are the foundation for motivation. Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met. Without physiological needs met, we cannot pursue the next level of the hierarchy. The next level is security and safety. Security and safety - a must. Safety and security isn't just about feeling secure, it’s an umbrella of things. Employment, emotional and financial security, having a job, social stability, and overall well …show more content…

When being dragged away from her land she says, “Didn’t the soldier know that we were the land.” Her needs were met by the land and her family. When that is ripped from her, she is left defenseless. While on the trail, all she wants is her husband to give her even the smallest bit of attention. While he thinks about touching other women's feet, she thinks about her home and her dying past. She constantly degrades Knobowtee as a result of this obvious neglect, “Was Knobowtee a husband to me? Can I talk to him? Did I hear his voice in my ear? Did I feel his strength in my body.” If Knobowtee can’t even give her the basics, what holds their relationship together? His stares at other women are already a hit on her esteem. He also couldn’t give her the love she desired so much, “Maybe someday he will touch me. Maybe someday love will come.” Throughout the trail, Maritole’s biggest search is for love and belonging. That love is missing between her and Knobowtee. That is what puts their already struggling relationship over the edge. Knobowtee does acknowledge his faults near the ending of the book, when Sergeant Williams leaves. However, Knobowtee also wanted Mariotle to provide when she

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