<![CDATA[JOURNEY AND TRANSFORMATION PRESENTED IN JEAN MARC VALLE’S FILM WILD (2014)]]>
Elsa Sopia Santika
Pengarang
Atinia Hidayah, S.S., M.Hum.
Dosen Pembimbing 2
Christina, S.S., MHum
Dosen Pembimbing 1
Christina, S.S., M.Hum
Penguji 1
Abdur Rofik, S.S., M.Pd
Ketua Penguji
Atinia Hidayah, S.S., M.Hum
Penguji 2
This study aims to analyze: (1) how traumatic experiences become the trigger forCheryl Strayed’s journey in the Wild (2014) movie, and (2) how her process of self transformation is portrayed throughoutthe film, basedonAbrahamMaslow’shierarchyofhumanneeds.This research uses a descriptive qualitative method, with Wild (2014) as the mainobject of analysis. Data ked collected through watching the film, reading the dialogues, identifying, classifying, and interpreting relevant scenes and conversations. The researcherapplies Abraham Maslow’s theory to explore how Cheryl’s psychological developmentprogresses from fulfilling basic needs up to achieving self-actualization.The results of the study show that: (1) Cheryl’s traumatic experiences such as thedeath of her mother, childhood abuse, addiction, and the failure of her marriage serve asthe emotional catalyst for her solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail; (2) through the stagesof Maslow’s hierarchy, Cheryl gradually fulfills her physiological and safety needs,progresses to seek love and belonging, develops self-esteem, and ultimately reaches a stateof self-actualization. Her transformation is portrayed through moments of emotionalstruggle, spiritual reflection, and personal growth, culminating in a rediscovery of heridentity and inner peace. This research concludes that Wild is not merely a depiction ofphysical struggle and endurance, but also a depiction of deep emotional healing andpsychological transformation driven by past trauma and guided by a search for meaning.
Keywords: Wild, self-transformation, trauma, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, psychologicaljourney, Cheryl Strayed.