How Does Twain Use Satire In The Lowest Animal

In “The Lowest Animal” by Mark Twain, a series of mockery or satire is being used throughout the essay. Twain takes it upon himself to disclaim Darwin's theory of human evolution, and the idea that humans are better than animals. He does this by conducting different experiments to show animal superiority, by showing the flaws and faults that humans have that animals don’t. He puts human nature in ridicule when he shows the cowardly traits we have within us,such as Greed, jealousy, and cruelty. Twain mentions the organization of a buffalo hunt for the “entertainment of English earl”, he explains how “they killed seventy-two of those great animals; and ate part of one of them and left the seventy-one to rot” showing how far the greed of humans

“I caused seven young calves to be turned into the anaconda's cage. The grateful reptile immediately crushed one of them and swallowed it, then laid back satisfied. It showed no further interest in the calves, and no disposition to harm them.” Twain then proceeded to explain the differences he found, but at the same time uses irony to show his results. An anaconda is frequently described as a dangerous and deceptive animal that is feared by many people, but an Earl is a nobleman a man who should be of kind heart and generous. Ironically, the results of Twain's findings revealed the complete opposite. “The fact stood proven that the difference between an earl and an anaconda is that the earl is cruel and the anaconda isn’t; and that the earl wantonly destroys what he has no use for, but the anaconda dosen’t.” The “horrible” anaconda took what he needed and let the rest survive, the Earl wanted it all not caring who he destroyed or who he was taking it

Twain begins to describe man as the religious animal. He says “He is the only animal that has the True Religion, several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself, and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight.” In this Twain uses humor to show that man will love his neighbor of he has the same ideology as he does. “Man is the reasoning animal. Such is his claim. I think it is open to dispute. Indeed, my experiments have proven to me that he is the Unreasoning Animal” Although, man will backup up his actions with something “reasonable”, after it all comes down his words or justifications will no longer be accepted. The words or actions of man can’t compete with those of animals. Through his essay Twain has proven who is the “best animal” and why they are. His essay comes with a lot of realizations and really puts into perspective the necessary changes within us and our community that need to be