Class 12 English Unit 12 Animal World

The author in this essay brilliantly satirizes the modern human obsession with the ‘self’ based on individuality, independence, and uniqueness. The essay explores what human beings can learn about the self by observing nature closely. In the opening, the writer draws attention to our modern social trends of constantly promoting self-help, individual development, and the pride of being completely independent of others.

To counter this human arrogance, the author introduces the close, bizarre symbiotic relationship between the nudibranch and the medusa living in the Bay of Naples. A mature jellyfish engulfs a tiny, newly-hatched slug, only to be slowly devoured bit by bit until the snail completely dominates, and the jellyfish is reduced to a round, “successfully edited parasite” attached to the skin near the snail’s mouth. Eventually, the tentacles are consumed, and the jellyfish is reduced in substance while the snail grows in size. Yet, they cannot live any other way; they depend entirely on each other for survival.

The author illustrates the value of co-existence, cooperation, and biological togetherness with this tale. No organism is a self-sufficient island; all life is deeply interconnected, much like the relationship between anemones and crabs. Through these biological examples, the author satirizes the modern human concept of absolute independence, showing that pride over individuality and uniqueness is fundamentally unaligned with the cooperative, interdependent reality of nature.

Independence vs. Interdependence

Human beings usually categorize themselves into individual or group entities. These self-conceptions emanate in our minds and determine our social motivation and behaviors. There are two primary perceptions that people have about themselves regarding their relationship with others: the independent self-concept, where an individual views their existence as separate from others, and the interdependent self-concept, where a person feels deeply affiliated and connected to their community. Exploring these concepts reveals the profound advantages of interdependence over absolute independence.

Unlike the independent-self, which focuses on individual responsibility separate from the collective, the interdependent self-concept emphasizes shared responsibilities and mutual reliance. The core tenet of interdependence is that individuals in a society rely on one another for survival, emotional stability, and mutual progress. Interdependence instills the comforting idea that people are not isolated in their personal struggles; instead, they provide a network of support for social, emotional, and economic growth, encouraging diverse roles that contribute to the development of the community.

Furthermore, an interdependent self-concept is crucial for overcoming existential fear and insecurity. While absolute independence can pit an individual against the rest of society, interdependence promotes social cohesion, helping individuals experience lower levels of anxiety. The recognition that we have the support of a family or community is essential for mitigating the negative feelings of isolation. While we need a healthy balance of both independent agency and interdependent support, understanding our mutual reliance remains the key to a harmonious, functional civilization.

Increasing Individualism in the Modern Nepali Society

By Ramesh Thapa
March 12, 2019

Individualism is a social outlook and ideology that emphasizes the intrinsic worth, self-reliance, and personal independence of the individual. Individualists advocate that the goals and desires of an individual should take precedence over collective social groups or state control, opposing external interference. Today, this philosophy is spreading rapidly in modern Nepalese society, transforming traditional family and community dynamics.

Historically, Nepali culture was deeply collectivistic, rooted in joint family systems, cooperative farming (Parma), and shared neighborhood celebrations. However, rapid urbanization, higher incomes, modern education, and a shift toward white-collar job markets have led to a visible rise in individualism. Younger generations are increasingly prioritizing personal career paths and nuclear family setups over the expectations of extended kinships, a shift that is especially prominent in urban centers like Kathmandu.

While rising economic prosperity and education are highly welcome changes, the individualism that follows is often conflated with selfishness. Collectivism emphasizes close social ties and an interconnected view of the self, whereas modern individualism can sometimes lead to social isolation and the neglect of elderly citizens. As Nepali society continues to modernize, our challenge is to navigate this transition carefully—retaining the personal freedoms of individualism while preserving the invaluable cooperative spirit of our traditional community life.