Snorton
Snorton is a warthog and a student at Gnu York University's School of Social Work in We Can Fix Pawbert. He represents the kind of casual, unexamined speciesism that Dr. Dillamond's course aims to challenge.
Background
Snorton is a Social Work student enrolled in UNDSWUS 55: Diversity, Speciesism, Oppression and Privilege. He sits in the back section of the classroom.
Personality
Snorton voices common assumptions about inter-species relationships without recognizing them as prejudice. He speaks with the confidence of someone who believes they are stating obvious facts rather than perpetuating bias.
Key personality traits:
- Unexamined — Holds speciesist views without recognizing them as such
- Vocal — Speaks up in class discussions
- Defensive — Initially resistant to having assumptions challenged
- Receptive — Shows doubt when his certainty is questioned
Series History
Season 4
In S04E14 "Case Study", Snorton sits in the back section of Dr. Dillamond's classroom and leans forward with interest as Sloane's presentation on inter-species partnerships turns toward the biology of predator and prey.
He speaks first when the floor opens, voicing the kind of casual speciesism the course is designed to examine: "I mean, isn't there something to that? Predators evolved to hunt prey. That's just biology. We can pretend it doesn't matter, but—" When Sloane tries to stay neutral and grants that Nick and Judy have clearly succeeded, Snorton narrows it to an exception: "Right. Like, good for them, but that doesn't mean everyone should try it. Some pairings just... don't make sense."
That is the remark Pawbert stands up to answer. Snorton's mouth opens and closes as Pawbert tells the room the two officers are his family, and he frowns his way through the Snarlbucks counter argument that follows.
After Dr. Dillamond builds on Pawbert's point, Snorton raises his hoof to defend himself: "But— I mean, I'm not trying to be prejudiced. I'm just saying what everyone thinks." Dr. Dillamond answers that this is precisely the problem — that "what everyone thinks" is often the most invisible form of speciesism, absorbed rather than malicious, common sense even when it is neither common nor sensible. Snorton stays quiet after that, still listening, the certainty in his face given way to doubt.
Key Lines
| Line | Context | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| "Predators evolved to hunt prey. That's just biology." | S04E14, opening the discussion | Presents speciesism as scientific fact |
| "Right. Like, good for them, but that doesn't mean everyone should try it. Some pairings just... don't make sense." | S04E14, before Pawbert stands | Dismisses inter-species relationships; the line Pawbert answers |
| "I'm not trying to be prejudiced. I'm just saying what everyone thinks." | S04E14, after Dillamond builds on Pawbert's point | Illustrates invisible speciesism |