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 participates in the classroom discussion following Sloane's presentation on inter-species partnerships. He leans forward with interest when Sloane discusses "biological realities" of predator-prey relationships.
During the discussion, he voices 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---"
After Pawbert speaks up in defense of Nick and Judy, Snorton continues to push back: "Right. Like, good for them, but that doesn't mean everyone should try it. Some pairings just... don't make sense."
When Dr. Dillamond addresses his comments directly, noting that "what everyone thinks" is often the most invisible form of speciesism, Snorton falls silent. The certainty in his face gives way to doubt, suggesting the discussion has given him something to consider.
Later, when Snorton attempts to defend himself by saying "I'm not trying to be prejudiced. I'm just saying what everyone thinks," Dr. Dillamond responds: "And that's precisely the problem. 'What everyone thinks' is often the most invisible form of speciesism. It's not malicious. It's absorbed. It becomes common sense even when it's neither common nor sensible."
Key Lines
| Line | Context | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| "Predators evolved to hunt prey. That's just biology." | S04E14 | Presents speciesism as scientific fact |
| "Some pairings just... don't make sense." | S04E14 | Dismisses inter-species relationships |
| "I'm not trying to be prejudiced. I'm just saying what everyone thinks." | S04E14 | Illustrates invisible speciesism |
Trivia
- Snorton sits in the back section of the classroom.
- His character illustrates how prejudice can be absorbed as "common sense" without the holder recognizing it as bias.