The Detriment of Survival Instincts in Surviving Society
Heavy breathing and a rapid heart rate, ready to run or, perhaps, attack, like a wild animal. Only, humans don’t need to be raised in the wilderness to act in such a manner. After all, when society places pressure on its population, the more prevalent survival-like traits become, which show up in the form of fear, greed and violence. When people are placed in difficult situations they retreat and stop thinking rationally, letting their instincts take over. An adrenaline rush washes over them and they live in a constant agitated state, which clouds their reasoning and morals. Therefore, it is important that one becomes self aware of their survival instincts when making quick judgements …show more content…
Evidently, Bigger’s life in South Chicago leaves him feeling frustrated. Society leaves him desperate for money and a better lifestyle, but afraid to challenge his oppressors. He winds up stealing and killing for money, easily from other African Americans. However, when the idea of robbing a caucasian enters his gang’s motives, he becomes so fearful that he beats his friend, Gus, and allows society to pressure him into getting a job for the Dalton’s, a white family. Among the Daltons, Biggers survival instincts are higher than ever. He is untrusting and on edge due to the tensions between the races in society. At one point, Bigger’s fear leads him to killing the young and wild Mary Dalton and keeping it a secret, for fear of his race resulting in a harsh sentence. Later, he and Bessie plan to use the death of Mary, framing it like a kidnapping, as a way to demand money from the Dalton family. Perhaps, Bigger would’ve been better off if he thought more rationally in the first place. But clearly, this was the result of desperation, because society left him poor, criminalized and, therefore, more likely to rely on instinctive measures as a means of survival deep within the depths of
Heavy breathing and a rapid heart rate, ready to run or, perhaps, attack, like a wild animal. Only, humans don’t need to be raised in the wilderness to act in such a manner. After all, when society places pressure on its population, the more prevalent survival-like traits become, which show up in the form of fear, greed and violence. When people are placed in difficult situations they retreat and stop thinking rationally, letting their instincts take over. An adrenaline rush washes over them and they live in a constant agitated state, which clouds their reasoning and morals. Therefore, it is important that one becomes self aware of their survival instincts when making quick judgements …show more content…
Evidently, Bigger’s life in South Chicago leaves him feeling frustrated. Society leaves him desperate for money and a better lifestyle, but afraid to challenge his oppressors. He winds up stealing and killing for money, easily from other African Americans. However, when the idea of robbing a caucasian enters his gang’s motives, he becomes so fearful that he beats his friend, Gus, and allows society to pressure him into getting a job for the Dalton’s, a white family. Among the Daltons, Biggers survival instincts are higher than ever. He is untrusting and on edge due to the tensions between the races in society. At one point, Bigger’s fear leads him to killing the young and wild Mary Dalton and keeping it a secret, for fear of his race resulting in a harsh sentence. Later, he and Bessie plan to use the death of Mary, framing it like a kidnapping, as a way to demand money from the Dalton family. Perhaps, Bigger would’ve been better off if he thought more rationally in the first place. But clearly, this was the result of desperation, because society left him poor, criminalized and, therefore, more likely to rely on instinctive measures as a means of survival deep within the depths of