Chapter 12, Totem & Taboo Summary and Analysis

Freud schematically sets out what a totem is. Essentially, it is an especially protected species or subspecies of animal. In short, if it is a pet, then it is being treated as a totem animal rather than as a wild adversary or a creature that is not a totem. For many who have had pets and hoped this theory to be more exotic this may be a disappointment. However, for those who have experienced or can conceive of nature with all her animals and plant life, to differentiate an entire group of animals as ones that we - as a group of humans, won't hunt don't and kill, is a to make a major distinction. These animals are often offered apologies if they are killed out of the need for food. Finally, the kinds that are able...