Cannibalism Quote by Laura Hillenbrand
““Stories of cannibalism among castaways were so common that British sailors considered the practice of choosing and sacrificing a victim to be an established “custom of the sea.” To well-fed men on land, the idea of cannibalism has always inspired revulsion. To many sailors who have stood on the threshold of death, lost in the agony and mind-altering effects of starvation, it has seemed a reasonable, even inescapable solution.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lost City of Z, 2009
Extreme survival can force people to adopt taboo practices like cannibalism, showing how desperation reshapes moral boundaries.
In simple terms: Starvation can make even reviled acts seem necessary.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how desperation alters ethics.
Themes
survival
morality
extremes
Mood
grim
thought‑provoking
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- shipwrecks
- polar expeditions
- war sieges
- food scarcity
Key Concepts
human behavior
cultural taboos
Questions to Reflect On
- What ethical lines shift when survival is at stake?
- How do societies label certain actions as “customs”?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments may differ under life‑threatening conditions.
