Journal of Language Volume 5, Number 1, pp: 120-126, May 2023 e-ISSN: 2685-8878 | p-ISSN: 2655-9080 https://jurnal.uisu.ac.id/index.php/journaloflanguage 120 Nationally Accredited in SINTA 4 and indexed in Copernicus LOVE AND BELONGING NEEDS IN ISTIQOMAH’S NOVEL SERIBU MUSIM MERINDUIMU Nurhasanah, Purwanto Siwi, Muhammad Ali Pawiro Faculty of Literature, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara Medan, Indonesia E-mail: hasanahnst123@gmail.com Received: 2023-04-03 Accepted: 2023-05-14 Published: 2023-05-29 Abstract The aim of the study is to explore the protagonist's effort in fulfilling her love and belonging needs as viewed from Abraham Maslow's theory. There are four different levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs discussed: security and safety needs, social needs, and esteem needs. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid of needs are made up of the most basic needs, while the most complex needs are at the top. Once lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs. The researchers identify the characteristics of Reysa as the protagonist in Seribu Musim Merinduimu and analyze her fulfillment of love and belonging needs. This novel was chosen because nowadays people think that love is the right of everyone, regardless of their marital status. The researchers use qualitative descriptive analysis to reveal the findings, as the focus of the research revolves around people and their surroundings. The data were collected from the novel and other relevant sources. From the analysis of the novel, the researchers find the four hierarchy of needs. In the context of the hierarchy of needs, she faces obstacles in fulfilling her love and belonging needs because she loves a married man. But in the end, she is able to fulfill her needs for love and belonging after going through various challenges. Keywords: esteem; security and safety needs; self-actualization needs; social needs 1. Introduction A novel is a fictional piece of prose that is typically written in a narrative style and presented as a bound book. Novels tell stories, which are usually defined as a series of events described in a sequence. The novel has been a part of human culture for over a thousand years, although its origins are somewhat debated. Regardless of how it began, the novel has risen to prominence and remained one of the most popular and treasured examples of human culture and writing. Its form and presentation tend to change with the times, but it remains an essential part of the literary cultures of nearly all societies around the world. One of the most interesting novels is Seribu Musim Merinduimu by Istiqomah. Istiqomah is a teacher who has written many novels, such as Tuhan, Malu, Safir Cinta, and Seribu Musim Merinduimu. Seribu Musim Merinduimu novel is a romantic novel,