Analysis Of Letters From The Earth

Letters from the Earth is a story that presents a slightly different narrative of the biblical story of what occurred in regards to the creation of the earth, and Satan’s fall from grace. It begins with God creating the earth and animals, as several archangels, including Satan, watch in amazement. However, Satan is not actually impressed. He secretly makes sarcastic remarks, mocking God’s creation. Because of this, he is banished from heaven for a celestial day. Eager to explore the new earth, Satan makes his way there and begins his observation of the human race. He documents his perceptions of the earth and mankind, by sending letters to the archangels, Gabriel and Michael. The majority of the story is told through these letters.

It is clear that a God exists in the story, because the character, Satan, came to earth after God banished him from Heaven. Twain uses letters that Satan was sent from earth, to heaven, as a method to articulate his disbelief in God. For example, when Satan arrives on earth, he is astonished by man’s perspective of the world and its relationship to God. In his first letter Satan writes, “The people are all insane…Man is a marvelous curiosity…He believes the Creator is proud of him [and] loves him…Isn 't it a quaint idea?” He goes on to write, in disbelief;” …he thinks he is going to heaven!” The opinions expressed throughout the story, suggest Twain’s religious views resemble that of deism; the belief that God exists, but He does not actively participate in the daily lives of humans. In fact, most of the arguments he makes are based on this belief. He refuses to accept Christianity as the truth, because its fundamental principles do not comply with his notion of a God who is detached from the world. He cannot understand how a loving and all-knowing God can allow horrible atrocities to afflict the people He created. Therefore, he dismisses the thought that such a God even

He mentions several desires that humans naturally have, yet the Bible forbids them. He argues that a fair and loving God would not allow people to have evil desires, while simultaneously telling them they will be punished for acting on them. Throughout the story, Twain also draws comparisons, between the nature of God, and that of people. He suggests that God lacks empathy and tenderness toward mankind because He punishes everyone equally. In contrast, man only punishes those who are responsible for any wrongdoing. An example, Twain used, is when God destroyed the earth, but saved Noah, along with his family and a number of animals, in the ark. Twain chose to focus on those who were left behind. He plays with the readers’ emotions by providing striking imagery of the people helplessly crying out to God to save them. He writes about the” lamentations” of “…the multitude of weeping fathers and mothers and frightened little children who were clinging to the wave-washed rocks in the pouring rain and lifting imploring prayers to an All-Just and All-Forgiving and All-Pitying Being who had never answered a prayer…”. He also uses obvious sarcasm to make his argument that God does not care about them, and will continue to ignore their pleas. Twain used the same example to suggest that God not only allows bad things to happen to people, but he purposefully