This essay investigates how the view of nature and humanity’s position in the great chain of being has changed from the Enlightenment to present day. In order to do so, Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games are used. In addition, pedagogical implementations of the two texts in an upper secondary school education are suggested.

The analysis of the texts indicates that the view of humanity’s position in nature has shifted from a role of “guardian” or “conqueror”, superior to animals, to a role where humans are equal to other organisms in an ecosystem. Because of this shift, discussions surrounding the texts in an upper secondary school setting may provide students with opportunities to develop necessary skills, such as speaking, critical thinking and the ability to give constructive criticism.