The Wild Child depicts a young boy found alone in a forest in France. He was unclothed and his body was covered with lacerations, indicating that he had been in the forest of a long time. As one might expect, this discovery sparked nationwide interest. After initially being placed in a home for death and mute children, it became increasingly clear that he did not belong there. The movie documents the attempt of Doctor Itard to educate him and prove that it was his unusual circumstance that made him the way he was, not his lack of intelligence. The movie perfectly illustrates the human state of nature. Hobbes and Rousseau, two early modern philosophers, provided two different accounts of this state of nature and used them to develop the basis of each of their social contracts. The Wild Child further illuminates the importance of self-preservation, which is the fundamental concept of Hobbes's state of nature. Many characteristics of Victor's behavior, such as his ability to climb trees and his instinct to bite those who captured him, provide evidence in support of Hobbes's account. However, Rousseau, who agrees that self-preservation is important, also understands that compassion is a part of humans in the state of nature. The way he touches the face of the Doctor and his primary care giver is his form of affection and provides the viewer with the notion that he is capable of being compassionate. The return of Victor at the end of the movie could be taken two ways. On one hand, he could have returned simply because he was hungry which indicates the importance of self-preservation. This represents Hobbes's perception of the state of nature. On the other hand, Victor could have returned because he was conscious of the doctor and his caregiver's interest in him. This indicates the concept of amore propre and supports Rousseau's claim.
Review of The Wild Child
