The quote reflects on the perception that animals might experience suffering differently than humans. It suggests that acknowledging animals' capacity for pain would compel people to confront the harsh realities of nature, which is often filled with horror. This belief allows humans to distance themselves from the uncomfortable truth about the natural world, where predation and suffering are commonplace, thereby enabling a more detached view of existence.

Paul’s approval of humanity’s encroachment on nature, symbolized by concrete structures, suggests a desire to eliminate the unpredictable violence of the natural world. The analogy of a "cruel murderess being walled up" implies that humanity seeks to contain and suppress the brutality of life itself, reinforcing a sense of control. This reflects a complex relationship between civilization and nature, where the desire for comfort often comes at the cost of ignoring fundamental truths about existence.