I should consent to breed under pressure, if I were…
“I should consent to breed under pressure, if I were convinced in any way of the reasonableness of reproducing the species. But my nerves and the nerves of any woman I could live with three months, would produce only a victim... lacking in impulse, a mere bundle of discriminations. If I were wealthy I might subsidize a stud of young peasants, or a tribal group in Tahiti.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker doubts the morality of reproducing under societal pressure, fearing it creates passive, overly discriminating individuals.
In simple terms: Questioning forced reproduction and its impact on personal agency.
Consider the ethics of procreation under pressure.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage decisions
- family planning
- societal expectations
- personal autonomy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What societal changes could reduce pressure to reproduce?
- How does gender influence reproductive choices?
The quote assumes a binary view of reproduction without addressing broader social reforms.