The Lowest Animal based on the essay by Mark Twain
evaluate in paragraph to Twain says that he reached his conclusion by following the scientific method explain whether this claim is intended to be taken seriously support your response with evidence from the text
In Mark Twain's essay "The Lowest Animal," he humorously presents his observations of various behavior in animals and humans to argue that humans are the lowest and cruelest beings on Earth. Twain claims that he reached this conclusion by following the scientific method. However, it can be argued that this claim is not intended to be taken seriously but rather serves as a satire on human behavior.
Throughout the essay, Twain uses a humorous and satirical tone to poke fun at both animals and humans. He presents various examples of animal behavior and compares them to human behavior, highlighting humans' innate cruelty and selfishness. Twain writes, "There isn't an animal that is cruel...only man." By emphasizing the contrast between the noble behaviors of animals and the deplorable actions of humans, Twain is mocking the idea of humans being the highest form of life.
Furthermore, Twain's satirical tone is evident in his exaggerated descriptions of animal behavior. He presents animals as kind, honest, and compassionate beings, contrasting them with humans who are described as deceitful and cruel. Twain writes, "Man is the only animal that robs his helpless fellow of his country...man is the only animal that steals, and carries off things unhurt by him."
Moreover, Twain incorporates elements of irony throughout the essay to further highlight the absurdity of his claim. For instance, he mentions that humans conduct experiments on animals in the name of science and progress, while the animals studied by scientists do not exhibit unethical behavior. This irony underlines the satirical nature of the essay and suggests that Twain's claim of following the scientific method is meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
In conclusion, it can be argued that Twain's claim of reaching his conclusion by following the scientific method in "The Lowest Animal" is not intended to be taken seriously. The use of humor, satire, exaggerated descriptions, and irony throughout the essay suggests that Twain's main purpose is to criticize and mock human behavior rather than providing a genuine scientific analysis.