| Author |
Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 |
| Title |
What Is Man? and Other Essays
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 69.3 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Contents |
What is man? -- The death of Jean -- The turning-point of my life -- How to make history dates stick -- The memorable assassination -- A scrap of curious history -- Switzerland, the cradle of liberty -- At the Shrine of St. Wagner -- William Dean Howells -- English as she is taught -- A simplified alphabet -- As concerns interpreting the Deity -- Concerning tobacco -- The bee -- Taming the bicycle -- Is Shakespeare dead?
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| Credits |
An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger
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| Summary |
"What Is Man? and Other Essays" by Mark Twain is a collection of essays and philosophical dialogues written in the late 19th century. The essays explore profound inquiries into human nature, morality, and the influences that shape our thoughts and behaviors. The opening dialogue focuses on a conversation between an Old Man and a Young Man, wherein they debate whether human beings are merely machines driven by external influences, leading to a discussion about personal merit and the essence of free will. The beginning of this work sets the stage for Twain’s exploration of existential questions and the concept of man as a machine. The Old Man argues that individuals do not create their thoughts or actions independently; instead, they are influenced and shaped by their experiences and environment, likening humanity's state to that of a complex engine rather than free-thinking beings. He discusses the origins of opinions and virtues, suggesting that every impulse—whether for noble or selfish reasons—is ultimately aimed at appeasing one's inner self. This establishes a provocative premise that invites readers to reflect on the essence of their own motives and the nature of human existence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
American essays
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
70 |
| Release Date |
Sep 13, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
May 26, 2022 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
1129 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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