What Is Man? and Other Essays

What Is Man? is one of the central pieces in the collection. In this essay Twain delves into philosophical questions about human behavior the nature of self-interest and the concept of free will. He examines the conflicting forces of good and evil within human beings and argues that these forces are intertwined and often driven by self-interest. Other essays in the collection touch on themes such as politics religion and the complexities of human relationships. Twain''s characteristic humor and satirical commentary are evident in many of these essays as he critiques societal norms and challenges established beliefs. Some of the essays you might find in this collection include The Lowest Animal in which Twain humorously compares the behaviors of humans to those of animals and Letters from the Earth a series of fictional letters in which Twain offers his skeptical take on religion and human beliefs.