“There is a passion for hunting something deeply implanted in the human breast.”
This powerful observation comes from the masterful pen of Charles Dickens. At first glance, the line seems to speak of a literal chase through fields and forests. However, like much of Dickens’s work, its true meaning runs far deeper. It captures a fundamental truth about the human spirit. We are creatures driven by pursuit. This quote explores the innate, restless desire that compels us to seek, to strive, and to conquer, whether our prize is survival, success, or self-discovery.
The Quote’s Origin: A Dark Turn in Oliver Twist
Many people recognize the quote, but fewer know its specific context. Charles Dickens included this line in his famous novel, Oliver Twist, which was first published in serial form between 1837 and 1839 . The words appear in Chapter 10. The narrator utters them during a grim and pivotal moment in young Oliver’s life. After escaping the workhouse, Oliver falls in with a gang of young pickpockets led by the manipulative Fagin. Source
The scene describes the cruel tutelage of the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates as they teach Oliver their trade. They turn the grim business of theft into a twisted game. The narrator reflects on this predatory “fun” and the excitement the boys feel. He suggests this thrill taps into a primal human instinct. The “passion for hunting” here is not for sport or food. Instead, it is the dark, exhilarating pursuit of a vulnerable target. This context gives the quote a sinister and cautionary edge, revealing how a natural drive can be corrupted.
Deconstructing the Meaning: Literal and Metaphorical Pursuits
The genius of this quote lies in its expansive meaning. It operates on multiple levels, speaking to both our primal instincts and our most sophisticated ambitions. On a literal level, it acknowledges humanity’s evolutionary history. For millennia, hunting was essential for survival. That instinct to track, chase, and capture is woven into our DNA. It represents a drive for sustenance and security. This primal urge for the hunt is a foundational part of the human experience.
However, Dickens was a social commentator, and his true interest was in the metaphorical hunt. In his world, and in ours, people are constantly hunting for something. This can be a hunt for wealth, status, or power, as seen in the ambitious and often ruthless characters that populate his novels. Furthermore, it can be a noble quest for justice, truth, or love. Characters like Oliver Twist are, in essence, hunting for their identity, a safe home, and a place in the world. This quote perfectly encapsulates the driving force behind nearly every character’s motivation.
The Hunt as a Social Critique
Dickens often used his writing to critique the social injustices of Victorian England. The “passion for hunting” can therefore be seen as a commentary on a predatory society. In the dog-eat-dog world of industrial London, the wealthy and powerful often “hunted” the poor and vulnerable for profit and amusement. Fagin hunts for impressionable children to exploit. Other characters hunt for inheritances or social advantages with no regard for morality. This interpretation transforms the quote from a simple observation about human nature into a sharp critique of a deeply flawed social structure. It highlights how the instinct to pursue can manifest as greed and exploitation within a competitive society.
The Timeless Passion in the Modern World
Centuries after Dickens wrote these words, the