---
title: "Unnatural slavery according to Shaw"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:unnatural-slavery-according-to-shaw"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/unnatural-slavery-according-to-shaw
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Unnatural slavery according to Shaw

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 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/unnatural-slavery-according-to-shaw
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

What is unnatural slavery according to Shaw? [Of Studies]

## Short answer

Unnatural slavery is man forced to serve another, imposed by human greed, not nature. Unlike natural slavery to nature’s pleasant demands, it is unnecessary, joyless, exploitative, and robs freedom and dignity.

## Answer

According to George Bernard Shaw (in "Freedom"), unnatural slavery is the slavery of one human being to another. It is called unnatural because it is not required by any law of nature; it is created by human greed and power.

#### Natural and unnatural slavery
- **Natural slavery** is the slavery of man to nature. We must eat, drink and sleep to live. Nature, however, is a kind master: she makes eating, drinking and sleeping so pleasant that we often take more than we need.
- **Unnatural slavery** is the slavery of man to man. One person is forced to work or obey for another person's benefit.

#### Features of unnatural slavery
1. It is imposed by force or by social arrangements, not by nature.
2. The slave works for the master's profit, and receives little benefit.
3. It gives no pleasure; it brings hardship, fear and humiliation.
4. It takes away freedom, choice and dignity.
5. It exploits the weak by the strong.

Shaw's point is that although nobody can be free from nature, there is no justification for any person to be a slave of another. Freedom means freedom from the rule of other persons, and a civilised society should end such slavery.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. According to Shaw, what is unnatural slavery?
   A. The slavery of man to nature
   B. The slavery of one human being to another
   C. Dependence on food, drink and sleep
   D. Slavery to one's own habits
   Answer: B. Unnatural slavery is man's slavery to man, created by human greed and power. (Key point: Definition)

2. What is 'natural slavery' in Shaw's view?
   A. Man's slavery to nature, such as the need to eat, drink and sleep
   B. Slavery of workers to employers
   C. Slavery that is imposed by law
   D. Slavery caused by war
   Answer: A. Natural slavery is the necessity to eat, drink and sleep, which nature makes pleasant. (Key point: Natural slavery)

3. Why is slavery of man to man called unnatural?
   A. Because it is pleasant like natural needs
   B. Because nature forces some people to serve others
   C. Because it is practised only in unusual places
   D. Because no law of nature requires it; it is created by human greed and power
   Answer: D. Nature does not require it; it is imposed by force or social arrangements. (Key point: Why unnatural)

4. Which is a feature of unnatural slavery given in the answer?
   A. It benefits the slave more than the master
   B. Nature makes it pleasant
   C. It gives no pleasure and brings hardship, fear and humiliation
   D. It cannot be ended by civilised society
   Answer: C. Unlike natural slavery, it takes away freedom and dignity and brings hardship. (Key point: Features)

## Related in Communication English

- [Freedom: unnatural slavery of man to man](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aunnatural-slavery-man-to-man) — Communication English, chapter 2
- [Interpret: slavery of man to nature](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-slavery-man-to-nature) — Communication English, chapter 1