A Study On Dick’s Deterioration In Tender Is The Night From The Perspective Of Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Need

With the rapid development of American economy in the 1920s, people considered money first and were indulged in the scene of debauchery, pursuing Hedonism. Fitzgerald named this period of time the "Jazz Age". Renowned as the "historiographer" and the "poet laureate" of the Jazz Age, Fitzgerald’s works are full the features of 1920s and are of great concerns. Tender Is the Night is Fitzgerald’s last novel before his death, describing a promising middle-class young man confronted with failure and finally falling to deterioration. The protagonist of the novel, Dick’s tragic life is the food of thoughts. This thesis tries to use Maslow’s hierarchy of need to analyze the reasons for Dick’s corruption and find its enlightenment to readers.The thesis is divided into five parts. Firstly, it briefly introduces F. Scott Fitzgerald and his work Tender Is the Night as well as the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Secondly, the thesis deals with Dick’s satisfaction of physiological need and deficiency of safety need. As the descendant of middle class, Dick’s basic necessities of life are well ensured. However, marrying Nicole makes Dick gradually depend on the Warrens. Losing independent financial resources, Dick lacks the safety from property and occupation. Thirdly, the loss of love, belongingness, esteem and the reasons why they are ungratified are elaborated in this part. The special relationship between Dick and Nicole makes Dick seldom receive love from marriage and family. Postnuptial Dick enters into the upper class, however, being incompatible with noble people places him lack of sense of belonging. Self-aggrandizement of upper class makes him in the absence of respects. Unsatisfied needs lead to Dick’s deterioration. Fourthly, the thesis analyzes Dick’s self-actualization. His abortive marriage and cause disillusionment eventually lead him to deterioration. Based on the above, a conclusion can be drawn that the reasons for Dick’s deterioration is the absence of his deficient needs.The study on Dick’s deterioration from the perspective of the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provides a new field to obtain new recognition of Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night, deepening the understanding of Fitzgerald and widening the study of his artistic accomplishment. It is also of great significance to individual development since a healthy development of individual must rest on an environment that is able to satisfy people’s needs and promote individual’s growth. To study Dick by the theory of hierarchy of needs can help people better understand their own needs and develop soundly.