AP English 12
Just like giving water to a dying person is pointless, a war started by trying to solve problems only to kill people is too. Mark Twain has been one of the biggest influences on American literature. He is highly respected for his humor, wit and his satirical view of the human species. In Mark Twain compelling essay The Lowest Animal; he talks about how humans are not as advanced morally as they should be, and how cruel man is. Twain proceeded on proving his appeal by using the scientific method: Ethos- making him creditable by conducting experiments, Logos- using logic or citing the facts and Pathos- playing on the emotions. The Lowest Animal makes humans revaluate themselves and actions and make us realize that we are no better than all of the other animals. Man is greedy. Human accumulate millions of dollars and yet they still feel the need to gain more. Rather it’s by getting the money the right way or cheating their way to the top by taking advantage of the poorer. Instead of them spending the money on things that will help the community or feed the hungry/ homeless, they spend it on materialistic things such as fancy vehicles and homes. Twain tried to get a lot of different kinds of wild animals to store a vast amount of food-but none of them would do it. They only stored enough food to get them through the winter. Humans are willing to take as much as they can get without thinking about the people around them. Only man starts wars. Humans are the only animal that is willing to knowingly kill its own kind even when he has not wronged him. South Korea has said that they will wreak havoc on the United States. What have we done for them to say that other than try to help? Humans join together in mass crowds just to watch a fight. In school, students gather around the two people in the altercation and “egg it on”. Humans have taken it step further by having animals to fight each other. Michael Vick, a professional football player, spent time in prison for holding organized pit-bull fights. Humans are vindictive. “Man is the only one that harbors insults and injuries, broods over them, waits till a chance comes and seeks revenge.” The drive for revenge is unknown to higher animals.
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