In was aspects does the story portray human nature.

For example: It is human nature to do what is necessary to survive. Our moral judgement is distorted when our lives are at stake.

Maybe there is no 'morals' when it comes to simple survival; Akutagawa seems to think so. He was a dark fellow though, wasn't he.

I wonder if there is different levels though, it seems that robbing at sword point is worse (or at least more malevolent) then selling snake as fish, which might be worse then selling corpse hair wigs.

what I mean is, can we theorize that there are still acts which would be considered immoral, even if survival was at stake?