We have never understood why men mount the heads of animals and hang them up to look down on their conquerors. Possibly it feels good to these men to be superior to animals, but it does seem that if they were sure of it they would not have to prove it. Often a man who is afraid must constantly demonstrate his courage and, in the case of the hunter, must keep a tangible record of his courage.
I wonder, did Steinbeck have someone in mind as he wrote this?
“We have never understood why men mount the heads of animals and hang them up to look down on their conquerors. Possibly it feels good to these men to be superior to animals, but it does seem that if they were sure of it they would not have to prove it. Often a man who is afraid must constantly demonstrate his courage and, in the case of the hunter, must keep a tangible record of his courage.”
Reference
Steinbeck, John (1951). “The Log from the Sea of Cortez” (Penguin Classics). Kindle Edition. Chapter 16 MARCH 25, p. 137 of 289, 52%.
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