Human Nature (Q2: 2)

Quote: "'Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all animals'" (19)

This is another part of Old Major's manifesto speech, in which he describes the nature of Man's oppression. He uses repetition to drive home his point of human uselessness, as well as irony. It is ironic that Man gets the largest share when he contributes the smallest share. 

I chose this quote because it raises the question of why Man doesn't contribute to the pile and yet maintains control.

Analysis: Why does Man not produce his fair share? Is it because Man is more deserving? I think that it is because we can. The constant biological struggle of both life and evolution is to maximize comfort and minimize energy expenditure. Life is personal. If we can stand on others' shoulders and live our lives in comfort why would we not? That is not human nature, that is just nature. It is even better if you can keep the shoulders you are standing on unaware of their burden, or afraid to move. There are many methods of doing this, you could anchor them to you, create the illusion of freedom (unburdened), or threaten their lives if they leave. All of these have been employed by people to other people in history before, metaphorically and literally, so why on earth would Man not take advantage of lowly animals, the lowest of the classes.