The Ferryman Poem Analysis

A struggle for survival can lead human beings to degeneration towards the lowest realms of animality. A man is a man only until his basic instincts of hunger and survival are fulfilled. Once his survival instincts are challenged physically, mentally and emotionally, he will go above and beyond his human nature that is assumed to be decent, kind and humane. These limits of ruthlessness are crossed as these “living dead” can touch any depths of lowliness ranging from cannibalism to coprophagy. Ironically, they lose their real self and become neither man, nor woman, nor child. (author 's last name, 120). In (the title of the story,) a theme of degeneration is presented, where men have completely lost their basic human traits compelled by hunger. The author suggests that humans can be lower than animals by eating human flesh and …show more content…
For instance, he mentions that if the narrator consumes human flesh, he will become a “good decent human being” (120). This shows that the narrator is becoming dehumanized in order to become “human” again. This is supported in the event when the young child gnaws onto a toenail as if it were a piece of beef jerky (121). From the narrator 's perspective, he senses “the glitter of humanity in [the young child 's] eyes” (121).
This very glitter of humanity indicates complete devolution of the human beings. In the end, the narrator 's demeanor changes as he blurts out, “you sons of bitches” (121). This is considered to be the climax of the story where we see a major shift in the narrator 's behaviour. instead of being the decent, polite gentleman he had been portrayed throughout the story, he becomes a trapped soul. Not only is a theme of devolution being presented, but the harsh realities in which humans must face. By consuming human flesh and feces to fight for their survival; they are essentially the living