--- title: "Interpret: slavery of man to nature" subject: "Communication English" chapter: 1 key: "semester_5/communication_english:interpret-slavery-man-to-nature" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/interpret-slavery-man-to-nature site: BCT Engineering --- # Interpret: slavery of man to nature Communication English · Chapter 1: Intensive Reading - Asked in: 2071 Shrawan, 5 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/interpret-slavery-man-to-nature - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-1 ## Question Read the following text and interpret its meaning in your own language: Now mark another big difference between the natural slavery of man to nature and the unnatural slavery of man to man. Nature is kind to her slaves. If she forces you to eat and drink, she makes eating and drinking so pleasant that when we can afford it we eat and drink too much. We must sleep or go mad; but then sleep is so pleasant that we have great difficulty in getting up in the morning. ## Short answer Shaw contrasts natural slavery to nature with unnatural slavery of man to man. Nature compels us to eat, drink and sleep, yet makes these necessities pleasant, so we often overdo them. Human slavery, being unnatural, causes suffering and should be abolished. ## Answer Bernard Shaw contrasts two kinds of slavery. Man is the "natural" slave of nature, but nature treats him kindly. The "unnatural" slavery of man to man is cruel. #### Explanation - **Natural slavery.** Human beings are bound to nature's needs: we must eat, drink and sleep. We cannot refuse these demands. - **Nature's kindness.** Nature is a gentle master. She forces us to eat and drink, but she makes eating and drinking so pleasant that we often eat and drink more than necessary when we can afford to. - **Sleep.** We must sleep or go mad, but sleep is so pleasant that we find it hard to leave our beds in the morning. - **Implied contrast.** In the same way, nature's compulsion brings enjoyment, while slavery of one person to another brings only suffering, humiliation and loss of freedom. The word "unnatural" shows that it is against the natural order and has no justification. #### Message The necessities imposed by nature are rewarded with pleasure, but the forced labour of one human being for another is a harsh wrong that human society should abolish. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What two kinds of slavery does Shaw contrast? A. Slavery to money and to time B. Natural slavery to nature and unnatural slavery of man to man C. Slavery to kings and to law D. Slavery to work and to play Answer: B. Man's slavery to nature is natural; to man it is unnatural. (Key point: Two slaveries) 2. How is nature kind to her slaves? A. She gives food free B. She frees us from sleep C. She makes eating and drinking so pleasant that we often overdo them D. She makes us work less Answer: C. Nature's compulsion brings enjoyment. (Key point: Nature's kindness) 3. What is said of sleep? A. Sleep is unnecessary B. Sleep is painful C. Sleep is only for the old D. We must sleep or go mad, but it is so pleasant we find it hard to get up Answer: D. Sleep illustrates nature's gentle mastery. (Key point: Sleep) 4. What is implied about slavery of man to man? A. It brings suffering and humiliation and should be abolished B. It is as pleasant as nature C. It is natural D. It is necessary Answer: A. The word 'unnatural' shows it has no justification. 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