The Ape Of The Sushi Master Analysis

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The Ape of the Sushi Master Essay Frands de Waal is a world leading primatologist, author of The Ape of the Sushi Master, who decided to inform everyday people about his cultural reflections regarding his theory of survival of the kindest. He questions the popular theory of survival of the fittest with his own scientific observations. He allows us to explore the animal kingdom with his observations as he informs his audience on his theory. Waal claims that animal species rely on altruism which is acts of kindness in order to survive. Throughout his book he supports his claim by using rhetorical strategies (list) this appeals to the audience (appeals, trust in him as author,feelings) ultimately make his main argument persuasive. It is first …show more content…

He uses this approach to show that animals are truly altruistic. In the first example he taps in on what humans value the most, motherhood. He informs us about the experience of a biologist named Thomas Kunz, with 2 fruit bats. He describes one bat as a midwife (someone who helps with the birthing process) and the second bat as an "unexperienced mother" who is struggling to give birth. He states, "She licked and groomed her behind and wrapped her wings around her, perhaps so as to prevent the emerging pup from falling" (327). The midwife bat is seen to be giving comfort as she wraps her wings around the future mother similarly to a hug. Furthermore, the midwife bat demonstrates the new mother the correct feet down position for a successful delivery as if she was her tutor. As he is describing the situation he allows the audience to feel for the bat emotionally. It is important for the audience to be emotionally connected because that will lead to them to root and care for the bats. Throughout this example not only is he showing that the bats are being altruistic, but we are also experiencing altruism because we care. In addition, he wants us to see the bats as humans. He adds, "She also repeatedly fanned the exhausted mother with her wings" (328). The midwife bat is showing true altruism by helping the mother bat even …show more content…

Wall uses charged language to create an environment where the audience can feel the same feelings as the animals from his examples. For example, charged language is seen when talking about the depressed rescue dogs to evoke sympathy, sadness, and heavy hearted. He refers back to Mexico's city's earthquake of 1985 where rescued dogs were used to save victims from the rubble. He focuses on Aly a German shepherd and his experience from this event. Aly would be happy when he found survivors however, became depressed as the number of deaths outweighed the number of survivors. He states, "Aly regarded humans as his friends, and he could not stand to be surrounded by so many dead friends" (332). In addition, after a few days from Aly's trip to Mexico Wall states, "His big brown eyes were mournful, and he hid behind the bed when Hebard wanted to take him out again" (333). Hebard is a pioneer of canine search and rescue who owns Aly. Aly wasn't the only dog that became depressed, but others too became so depressed that they stopped eating and would even reject their favorite treats. The charged language used evokes sadness as we can see that Aly and other dogs lost their passion for their job and lost hope. The charged language also allows the audience to hope that Aly and the other dogs get back on their feet. In order for the dogs to gain their happiness and

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