The Lowest Animal Summary by Mark Twain: A Scathing Satire on Human Nature

Have you ever wondered what makes humans different from the rest of the animal kingdom? Mark Twain, a famous American writer, has an interesting answer to that question. In his essay, The Lowest Animal, Twain argues that humans are not the superior species on earth, but instead, are the lowest of all animals.

Twain begins by describing the behavior of different animal species, from worms to elephants. He notes that each species has its unique qualities, but some also share common negative traits such as greed, cruelty, and violence. However, no animal exhibits these bad behaviors to the same extent as humans do.

One of the most powerful arguments that Twain uses to prove his point is satire. He humorously describes humans' actions as if they were performed by animals. For example, he compares the human tendency to hoard wealth to a squirrel's behavior of collecting nuts for the winter. This comparison shows how ridiculous and selfish the human behavior is in contrast to other species.

Moreover, Twain highlights the fact that humans can be trained to act like animals. He mentions an experiment where a group of soldiers was trained to act like dogs, for instance, barking, performing tricks, and following simple commands. This example proves that humans, despite their intelligence, can be conditioned to behave like animals, hence suggesting that they are not fundamentally superior.

Another interesting point that Twain raises is the concept of morality. He argues that humans are the only species, which have created complicated moral systems and ethical codes. However, this morality is often subjective and contradictory. Humans may condemn certain behaviors in one context, yet they justify them in another. This inconsistency shows how humans struggle to live up to their own moral standards, proving that they are not as civilized as they claim.

In his essay, Twain also emphasizes the environmental damage that humans cause. He argues that the destruction of forests, the pollution of rivers, and the extinction of species are examples of how humans disrespect nature. Furthermore, he suggests that these negative actions ultimately affect humans as well since they depend on the environment for their survival.

Finally, Twain concludes his essay with a powerful statement that summarizes his entire argument. He states that “Man is the only animal that causes pain to others with no object but wanting to do so. This statement highlights the cruelty that humans can exhibit towards animals and other humans, which is unique to their species.

In summary, Twain’s essay, The Lowest Animal,displays a satirical approach to describe human behavior and its negative impact on the environment and other living creatures. By comparing human actions to that of animals, Twain points out humans' innate tendencies towards greed, selfishness, violence, and destruction. His essay enlightens readers about the darker side of human nature and encourages them to reflect on their role in creating a more humane world.

"The Lowest Animal By Mark Twain Summary" ~ bbaz

Introduction

Mark Twain, one of the greatest writers in American history, wrote a satirical essay titled The Lowest Animal. In this essay, he discussed his views on human nature and animal behavior. He argued that humans were not as intelligent or morally superior as they thought they were, claiming that animals were better in most aspects of life.

Summary of The Lowest Animal

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In the first paragraph of The Lowest Animal, Twain introduces the idea that animals are superior to humans in many ways. He argues that humans are vain, greedy, and violent, while animals do not possess these negative traits.

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Twain then goes on to provide examples of how animals behave with more compassion and empathy than humans do. He cites instances where animals have risked their lives to save humans or other animals, thus highlighting their moral superiority.

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He also discusses the concept of civilization, arguing that humans tend to think that they have achieved greatness by creating complex societies and technologies. However, he states that animals do not need such things to survive and live fulfilling lives. They are content with their simple, natural existence.

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Twain then tackles the issue of cruelty towards animals, observing that humans often justify their mistreatment of animals by claiming that they are lower creatures. He disagrees with this mindset, pointing out that animals have their own unique abilities and ways of survival that should be respected.

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In one of the most powerful sections of the essay, Twain compares humans to the other animals using a series of experiments. He shows that humans are often driven by their basest instincts, such as greed and violence, while animals are capable of more selfless behavior.

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Twain then turns his attention to religion, which he believed was often used to justify human cruelty towards animals. He argues that the idea of humans being made in God's image is flawed, since it implies that humans are morally superior to other creatures. Twain disagrees with this assertion, claiming that animals are just as capable of moral behavior as humans are.

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Finally, Twain concludes his essay by stating that humans have a lot to learn from animals. If they can adopt some of the qualities of the animal kingdom, such as selflessness and compassion, they can become better beings themselves.

Conclusion

The Lowest Animal is a thought-provoking essay that challenges many of the assumptions that humans hold about themselves. By showing that animals are often better than humans in many aspects of life, Twain makes us question our own values and behaviors. It is a powerful reminder that we are not the only species on this planet and that we must learn to coexist with the other creatures around us.

The Lowest Animal by Mark Twain Summary: A Comparison

Introduction

Mark Twain’s essay ‘The Lowest Animal' talks about the characteristics of animals and human beings. In this essay, he tries to establish why humans are the lowest animal. Through careful observation and analysis, the writer argues that human beings possess qualities that make them inferior to animals. This essay is still read widely and is considered an important work of literature. In this blog post, we will compare different aspects of the essay, from its message to its style and more.

Message

The fundamental theme of 'The Lowest Animal' is that human beings are not superior to animals; in fact, they are worse than animals in many ways. Twain explains how people feel superior to animals but ignore their brutal behavior towards other humans. Animals, on the other hand, only kill what they need to survive, unlike humans who kill in the name of religion, power, and politics. Twain concludes by saying that humans should strive to obtain the characteristics of animals to be truly superior.

Table Comparison: How Humans and Animals Behave

| Characteristics | Humans | Animals ||:--------------------:|:--------------------------------:|:-------------------------:|| Acts of Violence | Kill in the name of power/politics | Only kill what they need || Compassion | Selective | Unconditional || Greed | High | Low || Way of Communication | Verbal | Non-Verbal |

Style

In terms of style, Twain employs sarcasm and irony to expose the hypocrisy and weaknesses of human beings. He uses stories and anecdotes to state his point of view effectively. The language of the essay is straightforward, making it easy to understand for readers. Twain does not mince his words or try to soften his sharp criticism of human behavior.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of 'The Lowest Animal' was the way it forced people to rethink their relationship with animals. While many people still consider humans superior to animals, this essay challenged people to look more carefully at animal behavior instead of accepting stereotypes. In fact, this essay was so controversial when it was published; it did not receive the same level of attention as other works by Mark Twain.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have demonstrated how Mark Twain's 'The Lowest Animal' is an essential piece of literature that calls into question human behavior and attitudes towards animals. We have looked at its message, style, and impact to show why it has endured to this day. Through careful comparison, we were able to provide a comprehensive understanding of the significance of this essay. Finally, it is more important than ever to re-evaluate our relationship with animals and consider the lessons taught in Twain’s essay.

The Lowest Animal By Mark Twain Summary

Mark Twain was a renowned American author who wrote several books and essays that made him famous. One of his most notable essays is The Lowest Animal, which was published in 1896. The essay highlights the various aspects of human nature that make man inferior to the animals, contrary to what most people believe. This article is a summary of The Lowest Animal, explaining what it is about and its significance.

Introduction of The Lowest Animal

The essay opens with Twain's commentary on how humans are often regarded as the highest-ranking species on earth. He then takes a position to debunk this claim, stating that we are the lowest animal of all. Twain defines low as poor and simple-minded, lacking in technology, culture, and intelligence. He goes ahead to analyze why he considers man the most degenerate of animals.

Human Nature is Degenerate

Twain argues that humans are the only animal that falls squarely under the category of cruel. In support of this thesis, he provides several examples of human cruelty. The essay notes cases in which humans have tortured and killed animals for the sake of sport or entertainment or killed each other during battle.Twain also claims that humans are selfish and self-centered. Humans are always focused on achieving their desires at the expense of others, even their own kind. Unlike any other animal, humans have the ability to torture and kill without seeking self-preservation or survival.

Rebuking Religious Teachings

Mark Twain's essay indirectly rebukes religious teachings that man is special or privileged on earth. Twain believes that religion has put too much emphasis on humans' greatness. Human beings have carried this belief to modern times and continue to neglect the atrocities they commit daily.

Animal and Human Comparisons

Twain compares animals' behaviors and humans, stating that more often than not, animals are humane while men are not. Animals do not torture, enslave or disrespect other animals within their circle or even outside of them. Conversely, humans have created sophisticated tools to torture, enslave, and exploit animals for various primary purposes.Twain proposes that animals have instincts that guide their lifestyle, such as running during danger. Humans also have instincts, such as the need to compete, but they have allowed insecurity and other damaging emotions to corrupt and override their instincts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Lowest Animal is a satirical essay, which Mark Twain used to voice his opinion about the nature of human beings. Twain's objective was to portray men as degenerate beings, contradicting conventional beliefs that give man supremacy over animals. Using humor and sarcasm, Twain highlights why humans are inferior to animals by examining their behavior towards one another and other living creatures around them.The essay is a stark reminder of how human beings continue to act cruelly, exploitatively, and selfishly towards other living things on earth, mainly because of their misplaced sense of superiority. Mark Twain intended for his essay to ignite a conversation, spur action, and encourage an honest assessment of ourselves in hopes of making a positive gain for the benefit of all creatures on earth.

The Lowest Animal By Mark Twain Summary

The Lowest Animal is an essay written by Mark Twain, which explores the possibility that humans are not the highest animals on Earth but are, in fact, the lowest animal. The essay is based on a series of observations that Twain made during his lifetime, and it challenges the widely held belief that humans are superior to all other creatures on this planet.

Twain's essay begins with a humorous anecdote about an experiment involving dogs and cats. He then proceeds to describe various instances of human behavior that he believes demonstrate our lowly position as animals. He points out that humans are capable of committing the most heinous crimes and acts of violence, including murder, war, and torture. He also notes that we have a tendency to engage in bad habits, such as smoking, drinking, and overeating.

Throughout the essay, Twain uses humor and satire to drive home his point that humans are not as superior as we like to think we are. He describes a wide range of behaviors that he believes demonstrate our inferiority to other creatures, including our tendency to be cruel, selfish, and intolerant. He argues that our flaws and weaknesses make us the lowest animal on Earth.

One of the key themes that Twain explores in The Lowest Animal is the idea that the human mind is the source of much of our trouble. He notes that humans are capable of imagining things that do not exist, such as religions, and that we often use our imagination to justify our actions. Twain suggests that this ability to imagine and rationalize is what sets us apart from other animals but also makes us susceptible to a range of vices and follies.

Another theme that Twain explores is the idea that there is a fundamental difference between humans and other animals. He notes that humans are the only animals that engage in warfare, that we have a tendency to kill for sport rather than necessity, and that we are the only animals that engage in systematic cruelty. This raises the question of whether humans are truly superior to other creatures or if our behavior is simply the result of our unique evolutionary history.

In conclusion, The Lowest Animal is a thought-provoking essay that challenges our beliefs about human superiority. Twain's observations and insights provide a powerful critique of many of the assumptions that we make about ourselves and our place in the world. Whether you agree with his arguments or not, this essay is sure to make you think about what it means to be human and how we can live up to our potential as a species.

Thank you for visiting our site and reading this summary of Mark Twain's The Lowest Animal. We hope that this essay has given you some food for thought and encouraged you to explore the fascinating world of literature further. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below, and don't forget to check out our other resources for more great content!

People Also Ask About The Lowest Animal By Mark Twain Summary

What is The Lowest Animal by Mark Twain about?

The Lowest Animal is an essay by Mark Twain that discusses his views on human nature and the cruelty of human beings towards other animals. In this essay, Twain argues that human beings are not only the lowest animals, but they are also the cruelest and most savage.

What is the main idea of The Lowest Animal?

The main idea of The Lowest Animal is that human beings are more cruel and savage than any other animal in the world. Twain believes that humans have a natural tendency to be violent and aggressive, especially towards other animals.

What is the tone of The Lowest Animal by Mark Twain?

The tone of The Lowest Animal is satirical and ironic. Twain uses humor and sarcasm to criticize human behavior and to highlight the hypocrisy of human values. He presents his ideas in a witty and entertaining way to ensure that readers are engaged and interested in his argument.

What literary devices does Mark Twain use in The Lowest Animal?

Mark Twain uses a variety of literary devices in The Lowest Animal to convey his message. Some of the key literary devices used in this essay include:

1. Irony - Twain uses irony to highlight the contradictions in human behavior.
2. Satire - Twain uses satire to criticize human nature and to mock human behavior.
3. Metaphors - Twain uses metaphors to compare human behavior to that of animals.
4. Anecdotes - Twain uses anecdotes to illustrate his points and to make his argument more compelling.

What is the significance of The Lowest Animal by Mark Twain?

The Lowest Animal is significant because it challenges the commonly held belief that human beings are superior to all other animals. Twain argues that human beings are actually the lowest and most savage of all animals, and that we need to be more compassionate and less violent towards other living beings. This essay is a timely reminder that our treatment of other animals reflects our own values as a society.