“The Damned Human Race” by Mark Twain

In “The Damned Human Race” by Mark Twain humans are referred to as a “descent from the Higher Animals.” Humankind is compared to a different sort of animals throughout this passage, and in all of the comparisons, humans are more corrupt than the animal. Also, Twain states how indecency, vulgarity, and obscenity are strictly confined to man because man created them. Twain is declaring that Mankind is the only slave, and the only animal that enslaves, and that is how we created those three qualities. Lastly, Twain says that throughout all the descents of the Higher Animal, we, Mankind, are the lowest, there is nothing below us.

“The Damned Human Race” has many points in which I agree upon, except one. In the passage, Twain states, “The higher animals engage in individual fights, but never in organized masses.” I disagree with this point because Mankind is not the only animal that fights in organized masses, for example, killer bees. Killer bees come in swarms; you will rarely find one alone. Other than this point I agree with what Twain states. The point that I find truest is how Mankind does things out of entertainment. Mankind will harm other animals, and even their own race, for no reason, simply for their own entertainment. Other animals will only harm for food, mating, shelter, or protection. Lastly, in “The Damned Human Race” Mark Twain says we are the “only slave.” I find this true because Mankind are the only reason Mankind cannot move forward.