When Humans Fall Apart

There can be called social animals and asocial animals. If certain species are to be determined as either, how is the extent of the need for companionship discerned? What would classify as socializing? If it is a spectrum, where do humans generally fall? Do individual humans vary so much to the point some might even be able to survive without human contact? What could even lead to a human rejecting their natural tendency? The answer to the last question might just be the embracing of another tendency, which would be the need to differentiate oneself and lord status over others. However, that demarcation of the individual may ironically not be able to exist without social bonds to recognize it. Both are needed in order to validate a person's

The main character seems intent on making himself out to be anything but the average human male specimen and even clearly states "nature seems but a willed phenomenon, of the imagination" (Oates 267). His rejection of what he perceives to be common amongst other men serves to fuel his pride. In the quote, he underestimates the capabilities of his mind in regard to instinct, while at the same time overestimating his mind's willpower to overcome instinct. One might even go as far as to say he is trying to reach a higher state of being. Aristotle has said, "Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god" (Duncan 2012). So to be human is to have social ties, but gods and beasts are arguably reliant on others as well. A god needs believers, and a beast needs prey. The main character portrays this dichotomy when his dog dies. Before his dog dies, though, he spouts his quote: “So, you see who is the master, eh? Not a debased specimen of Canis familiaris, but an exemplary specimen of Homo sapiens” (Oates 279). Interesting how he made sure his godliness was acknowledged, while at the same time lumping himself in with the rest of his own species. And afterward, his godliness ceased to be and his gluttonous, beastly side came out, overwhelmed by his hunger. As such, the original goal of individualization has failed, and the prior paragraph's lesson is upheld: the need to be linked to others, be it recognized by heavenly followers or beastly competitors, is