Authority is a solvent of humanity: look at any husband, any father of a family, and note the absorption of the person by the persona, the individual by the role. Then multiply the family, and the authority, by some hundreds and see the effect upon a sea-captain, to say nothing of an absolute monarch. Surely man in general is born to be oppressed or solitary, if he is to be fully human; unless it so happens that he is immune to the poison.
The quote reflects on the idea that authority tends to diminish individual humanity. It suggests that when a person takes on a role, such as being a husband or a father, their individual identity can get lost in the expectations of that role. This phenomenon intensifies when considering figures like a sea-captain or an absolute monarch, where the weight of authority can overshadow personal identity and autonomy. As authority scales up, it can lead to a more profound erosion of individuality.
The implication is that humans might be destined to either feel oppressed or remain in solitude to maintain their true selves, unless they manage to avoid the detrimental effects of such authority. This perspective invites reflection on the struggle between personal identity and the responsibilities or expectations that come with certain roles. O’Brian’s observation underscores the challenge of navigating personal authenticity in a world defined by power dynamics.
