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Aneesh Badola

Ms Prosper

NBE3U1

8 December 2023

The Void of Desires: Breaking the Balance Between Fulfillment and Self-Destruction

In a quest for complete fulfillment, the balance between desire and self-destruction

resembles a dangerous tightrope walk. Much like a double-edged sword, the constant pursuit for

more not only offers positive consequences but grave repercussions. This is detailed in Maslow's

Hierarchy of Needs – Theory of Human Motivation by Anjanaben J. Trivedi, Amit Mehta and

Richard Wagemese’s book Indian Horse, showcasing numerous self-destructive effects of an

uninterrupted quest for fulfillment. The novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagemese effectively

utilizes Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to portray the numerous consequences of an individual's

relentless pursuit for complete fulfillment; it highlights how this pursuit can trigger

self-destructive behaviors. This is illustrated by the adverse effects of one’s ability to correctly

understand the order of Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid, understanding what needs are

more important than others. This search for self worth as well as perfection is what is depicted by

Indian Horse as seen in Saul’s declining stages of hockey. The taunting and discrimination he

faces significantly alter his approach to the game, prompting Saul to deliberately skate with an

unwavering determination to prove himself despite going against his morals.

In both cases, the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs – Theory of Human Motivation and Indian

Horse it is evident that self-destruction can become a side effect when one pursues total

fulfillment and invites an overambitious mindset. During one of his exhibition games, Saul faces

discrimination and racism through many unfair calls, and taunts made by both the fans and the
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other teams players. Saul’s struggles on the ice which prompts him to want to prove himself in

order to better his circumstances. This makes him doubt himself of playing the game in a fair

manner leading into the transformation where he abandons his previous morals. Saul expresses

his discontent with the treatment he receives and in the locker room when he says, “If they

wanted me to be savage, that’s what I would give them.” (Wagemese 64). Saul's willingness to

transform into a "savage" in response to external expectations reveals a complex interplay

between a pursuit for complete fulfillment and the potential for self-destructive behavior.

Through the use of irony, Wagamese highlights the dangers of unrestrained pursuit of personal

fulfillment. Providing examples of how one might be forced to bend their internal moral codes

in order to conform to societal ideals. Sauls’ internal struggles serve as a reflection on the

delicate balance between personal integrity and attempt to prove himself and to others. Saul’s

acceptance upon his shift to turn ‘savage’ suggests an abrupt change in his personality which

leads one to question whether it was not this obsession fitting in with society but having the

feeling of complete fulfillment. Furthermore, Saul’s rebellious acts in an effort to give what

society wants of him turns him into something that does him greater harm rather than good.

Embodying a new self has made him experience hardships, including alcoholism and seeking

who he really is after abandoning his prior belief system. This idea of becoming a new-self with

complete fulfillment doing more harm than good is continued by the thought of Maslow’s

hierarchical structure specifically talking about the need for Esteem. This is demonstrated by a

person moving higher up the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid till they eventually reach the

point where one reaches complete fulfillment and desires power, and to be accepted by society.

One develops new self-destructive behaviors because one uses esteem as a source of motivation

causing harmful consequences and causes an individual to overlook the other needs which form a
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new wrong hierarchy. As the article states, "The need to be respected by others, need to be

appreciated by others, need to have power and finally a prestigious position. Once the previous

needs are satisfied, a person feels to be held in esteem both by himself and also by others." (

Trivedi & Metha, 3). This suggests that the emphasis on esteem, when pursued relentlessly, may

result in an unbalanced hierarchy, with potential harm being greater than the benefits offered.

The details made on the ”Need to be respected by others, need to be appreciated by others and

need to have power”, suggests that once basic needs are met, may lead individuals to adopt

self-destructive behaviors in a quest for complete fulfillment as they shift from adopting a new

source of motivation through Esteem. One can become blindsided by the potential dangers of

allowing esteem to control their life, they struggle to understand the importance of the hierarchy

and seek an unreachable amount of fulfillment. A person can endless pursue such fulfillment

without realizing its damaging effect due to the power esteem has on other as outlined through

the quote “a person feel to be held in esteem both by himself and alo by other” suggesting that

one feels a need for power over other and gain a more prestigious position rendering more

harmful than good. Similarly in Indian Horse, where Saul is obsessed with being the best one to

prove himself on the ice. Overwhelmed by discrimination and racism, Saul gives in to society’s

dictate for him to be “savage” so as to fit into society. Saul’s willingness to become a savage

highlights the difference between being true to oneself, and attempting to gain approval from

others. The shared experience in Indian Horse of negative consequences arising from unbothered

pursuit of fulfillment as seen in Maslow’s hierarchy. The statement argues that satisfied needs no

longer serve as a motive and thus highlight the dynamic nature of human’s basic needs. It does

not accept the view that it is possible to overcome certain challenges in addition to going through

progressive hierarchical stages. This fits Saul’s experience because he met previous targets in his
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life and new problems emerged because he wanted more than he could achieve due to the feeling

of fulfillment he would be able to gain. Both works suggest that once a person reaches a point in

life where their desires become their only fuel of motivation one lacks the view of the harmful

consequences it might bestow on one’s morals.

In conclusion both works highlight how in the pursuit of fulfillment, desire can lead one

toward self-destruction as highlighted by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Anjanaben J. Trivedi's

work and the narrative of Indian Horse by Richard Wagemese showcases the connection between

desire and self-destruction on the path to fulfillment. Maslow's pyramid is used as a framework

to understand the balance required for a fulfilling life, but an endless quest for this type of

success takes one through a route of self-destruction. These moral conflicts alter Saul’s gameplay

as he seeks to skate regardless of the discrimination he faces while in the game. This example

showcases the narrative's broader message, urging us to consider the profound impact of societal

expectations on one's well-being and emphasizing the importance of having a balanced pursuit of

fulfillment. This implies that realization is not just by itself, but instead involves recognizing the

dangers of allowing oneself to constantly crave a life with constant and complete fulfillment.