Study Guide for “Lowest Animal”
1. What is the lesson of the anaconda and the Earl?
2. Find an example of Twain showing a bitter tone.
3. What method did Twain use to gather his information (proof)?
4. What is the lesson of the cages at the end of the story?
5. In what ways are the animals superior to humans?
6. What human failings is Twain satirizing?
7. What is ironic about man being a “Reasoning Animal”?
8. Why did Twain write this Satire?
9. Why is satire better than the direct approach?
10. Satire not only makes people laugh, it also ______.
11. What is Twain’s message in “The Lowest Animal”?
Definitions:
o Pun
o Burlesque
o Irony
o Parody
o Hyperbole
o Elevated Word Choice
o Allegiance
o Atrocious
o Appease
o Avaricious
o Sordid
o Disposition
o Wantonly
o Transition
o Sordid
o Caliber