Introduction
Renowned for his satirical writings, Mark Twain wrote “The Lowest Animal” as an exploration of human behavior through the lens of humor. The use of Twain’s humor in Twain’s writing operates paradoxically as a source of entertainment and a platform for serious critique of society. The author skillfully combines humor and social criticism to entertain, engage, and challenge readers, using humor as a vehicle to reveal more profound truths about human nature.
Humor as a Tool
Humor is a literary device used to make the audience laugh and feel entertained. It incorporates numerous styles and techniques, such as exaggeration, wit, satire, irony, and sarcasm. Humor in literature can be used for a variety of things, including social commentary, enjoyment, and the study of human nature. In order to achieve a humorous effect, language, circumstances, and people are frequently manipulated.
Through the lens of humor, Twain exposes societal flaws and hypocrisies. He is known for his adept at injecting wit, wisdom, and humor into his works while simultaneously providing deep insights into human nature and society. Twain uses his writing to critique societal injustices, prejudices, and even political issues. By using humor, he makes his works accessible to a broad audience while inviting readers to reflect on deeper societal issues.
Twain does not shy away from addressing such topics as racism and inequality, often challenging readers to reflect on these issues. Moreover, “Mark Twain seems in effect to have engaged in a continuing dialogue between his own affirming and negating viewpoints” (Twain “The Devil’s Race-Track” 14). He found it very difficult to reconcile these, and whenever the side that had been suppressed or opposed at one point made a comeback, there would be a sudden reversal in his works (Twain “The Devil’s Race-Track” 14).
In addition, his use of satire analyzes the absurdity of human conduct in a sarcastic yet insightful way. He applies irony to tell stories that expose social injustices and make readers consider their behavior or actions, “Cats are loose in their morals, but not consciously so. Man, in his descent from the cat, has brought the cat’s looseness with him but has left the unconsciousness behind” (Twain “The Lowest Animal” 2).
The author also states, “So does the Australian bird [laughs] that is called the laughing jackass. No – Man is the Animal that Blushes” (Twain “The Lowest Animal” 3). Whether animals blush or not under emotional stress is probably not something scientifically tested. A defining characteristic of Twain’s writing, wit blends with clever and humorous insights to create both entertainment and enlightenment.
Achieving a Humorous Effect
“The Lowest Animal” by Mark Twain is a satirical essay in which Twain combines irony, exaggeration, satire, and perceptive observation of human nature. Twain uses wit and laughter to highlight human infirmity in an attempt to challenge the idea that humans are superior, which makes his use of humor here paradoxical (Jassim 38). His narratives explored themes of friendship, individualism, and the complexities of human nature. He ironically points out that animals have many of the qualities that humans have, such as diplomacy, faith, attentiveness, and understanding the difference between morality and immorality; for example, “I find this Defect to be the Moral Sense. He is the only animal [a human] that has it. It is the secret of his degradation” (Twain “The Lowest Animal” 4). In fact, Twain ironically attributes these qualities to humans alone, portraying them as highly sophisticated creatures.
Moreover, Mark Twain often paradoxically uses humor to convey deeper truths and make poignant social commentary. For instance, the writer mockingly depicts humans as the “lowest animal” by highlighting people’s purportedly unique characteristics, like cruelty, greed, and a propensity for mindless violence: “Men keep harems, but it is by brute force, privileged by atrocious laws which the other sex were allowed no hand in making. In this matter man occupies a far lower place than the rooster” (Twain “The Lowest Animal” 2). Although Twain’s exaggerated depiction of these behaviors invites laughter, it also challenges the audience to consider uncomfortable truths about true human nature.
The Balance of Humor and Trauma
Mark Twain is adept at mixing humor with some elements that often shock or challenge social norms. He deftly balanced humor and trauma to address sarcasm, irony, and sometimes controversial or prohibited topics. In “The Lowest Animal” and many of his other works, Twain uses humor to address uncomfortable truths about human nature and behavior without alienating the audience, “In truth, man is incurably foolish. Simple things which the other animals easily learn, he is incapable of learning” (4). Twain infuses his narratives with amusing anecdotes and incidents drawn from his own experiences. These anecdotes are not only entertaining but also convey more profound messages or critiques.
Nevertheless, the writer’s strength comes through in his stories, which highlight the general hopelessness of the situations and the frailty of human character (Twain “The Lowest Animal” 14). By humorously presenting shocking or controversial ideas and purposes, he significantly softens the impact while still delivering a thought-provoking message and hidden meaning. This unique technique allows him to broach sensitive and painful topics without overwhelming the audience, using laughter as a complex vehicle to make his criticisms more palatable. In this way, “Twain rejects any harm done to these dumb creatures because of the pain they feel in the inhumane treatment by humans” (Jassim 38). Hence, his thought-provoking stories highlight sentimental narratives as well as human flaws.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Twain’s paradoxical blend of humor and shocking truths in “The Lowest Animal” is multifaceted. His humor arises from his witty comparisons between human traits and the perceived absence of these traits in animals. Also, by adding humor to painful or disturbing scenes, he forced readers to confront reality uncomfortable, while making it easily accessible with wit and humor. The author entertains, challenges, and enlightens his audience by using laughter as a complex tool for effectively delivering a critique of human behavior and society.
Works Cited
Jassim, Shaima’Abudullah. “Posthumanism: A Study of Mark Twain’s “A Dog’s Tale”.” Journal of Tikrit University for The Humanities, vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 30 – 47, 2019. Web.
Twain, Mark. The Devil’s Race-Track: Mark Twain’s” Great Dark” Writings, The Best from Which Was the Dream? and Fables of Man. Univ of California Press, 2023.
Twain Mark. The Lowest Animal, 1962. Web.