The "Savage Man"

One of Rousseau’s arguments he makes about the “savage man” is that the savage man is smarter than ferocious animals, and while wild animals are much stronger than a man, the savage man puts up a strong fight so eventually wild animals do not aggressively attack humans. He also argues that it is intended by nature for animals to be the food for man. It appears that Rousseau argues that there is a natural and pre-existing relationship between animals and man in the wild in which humans do not kill for fun, but only kill for the necessity of food or self-defense. Humans in society do longer follow this natural code and therefore fear wild animals as they believe they will be attacked. This idea is found in the movie Avatar in the scene where Jake is being attacked by the wild wolf-type-things. Jake represents the man corrupted by society while Neytiri represents the savage man (or in this case a savage woman). Jake sees a wolf near him and lashes out. This attack drives the wolves to go after him more aggressively. Rousseau would argue that Jake was attacked by the wolves because he lashed out at them first, so it was neither an act of self-defense nor hunting. Neytiri, being the savage woman who is in touch with nature, uses smart fighting tactics to save Jake from the wolves. Her act was an act of self-defense, and she even apologizes as she kills the wolves. She tells Jake that their deaths were not necessary and that Jake is like a baby and does not understand the way of the Na’vi people. He is violent and fearful of nature because he has been corrupted by society and believes that nature is below him and can be abused at man’s will.