Not to go on all-Fours; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
The quote "Not to go on all-Fours; that is the Law. Are we not Men?" from H.G. Wells' "The Island of Doctor Moreau" encapsulates the central theme of the novel, which explores the boundaries between humanity and animality. The characters grapple with their identities as they navigate a world where human and animal traits are blurred, reflecting on what it truly means to be human. The phrase suggests a fundamental rule established by the creator of the beast-men, emphasizing that they must rise above their primal instincts.
This law acts as both a guiding principle and a source of conflict throughout the story. The beast-men, created through unethical experiments, must suppress their animalistic behaviors to adhere to their existence as beings striving for humanity. However, the struggle against their inherent nature raises questions about the essence of being human and the morality of scientific experimentation. Ultimately, the quote challenges readers to consider the implications of losing one's humanity and the ethical dilemmas posed by manipulations of nature.
