How Does Mark Twain Use Satire In The Damned Human Race

Renowned American author Mark Twain is known for his clever use of satire in storytelling. During his essay The Damned Human Race, Mark Twain asserts that the Darwinian theory of the ascent of man from lower animals should be abandoned for a newer and truer one, the descent of man from the higher animals (Twain 1). He proposes his theory through satirical stories and theoretical science experiments. His satire though, is his downfall. Twain attempts to support his thesis with science, but the entire essay is riddled with comedy and sarcasm, taking away from the overall message. Humans are the most advanced species on the planet, and are on top of the food-chain for a reason. Mark Twain’s argument that man is descending from the higher animals is not successful due to his overuse of satire and sarcasm. Twain’s sarcastic style of writing is apparent from the very beginning when he describes his comparison of man to an anaconda. “In order to determine the difference between an anaconda and an earl (if any) I caused seven young calves to be turned into the anaconda’s cage.” (Twain 2). It is apparent throughout this essay that Twain was in an emotionally troubled place when he wrote it. He continuously uses pessimistic language and sarcastic tone. In another passage Twain …show more content…
Twain theorizes that the moral sense, that is the ability of humans to determine the difference between good and evil, is the primary cause of our decent. Twain even goes as far as saying, “It is the secret of his degradation.” (Twain 4). Humans’ ability to sense morals is one of the reasons our brains are so advanced. Mark Twain though, compares morals to rabies stating that, “Rabies is bad, but it is not so bad as this disease.” (Twain 4). It is clear to the reader by this point that Mark Twain does not honestly believe in his descent theory but rather is writing from an emotionally angry