The Ape Of The Sushi Master Analysis

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

important to acknowledge that he begins by establishing common ground with his audience by using ethos. He starts off by sharing his personal experience in a small zoo in Lop Buri, Thailand. From this anecdote we can come to the conclusion that he wants his audience to see him as person who is just like us. When he went to the zoo he did not go as a scientist but rather tourist. He establishes common ground since a visit to the zoo is an experience that is commonly shared by many people. From this experience he supports his claim of altruism by sharing what he witnessed at the zoo. In the small zoo he witnessed three tigers sharing a cage with two dogs as he calls them "walking snacks". However, he continues by explaining how this came to be he says, "I learned that one of dogs had raised the tiger cubs along with her own puppy, and that the whole family had happily stayed together" (317). Furthermore, he observes the actions of the tigers by using descriptive language to describe the tiger's actions towards a boy who in this case was seen as a as walking snack (OFF TOPIC). It is important for Wall to start off this way to make the reader feel comfortable and grow a relationship where he is a superior that is talking above us.
France de Waals establishes his credibility as a scientist through the use of ethos to make his argument valid. He is seen establish his credibility when he starts analyzing the statue of a tiger and an eagle fighting each other. He comes to the conclusion that the statue is quite ironic since both animals do not encounter each other in their perspective habitats. He relates the statue to the concept of survival of the fittest however then mocks the zoo by presenting a statue with artificial situations. Furthermore, he continues to establish his credibility as a scientist when he presents us with his hypothesis regarding the argument of animals help each other only if the help is reciprocated back. Wall tested this idea with chimpanzees sharing food at the Yerkes Primate Centers Field Station located near Atlanta. From his observations he concluded, "If chimpanzee A groomed B in the morning, A's chances of getting food from B in the afternoon were greatly improved" (318). This an example of both chimpanzees experiencing true kindness.
Throughout Walls book he brings his audience closer through pathos by tapping into things they value the most and hold dearly such as motherhood, and dogs.

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

though she's is not experiencing any benefits, this is a complete act of kindness. To continue supporting his argument Wall also covered dogs which is something we hold dear, after all dogs are a human best friend. He includes an example of two dogs one Rottweiler and one golden retriever who rescued their owner who fell through ice from a frozen lake (331). He states, "crawled side by side on their bellies toward their master". He adds "the heavy man managed to grab their collars, one in each hand, upon which both dogs inched backward, pulling him out". We can take from both of these quotes that the dogs were aware of the danger they faced since they crawled on their bellies and inched backward. It is also important to acknowledge that because their owner was a heavy man that meant more risk for the two dogs. Therefore, this is an example of true asterism as the dogs are risking their life to save their owner.
Charged language is seen throughout the text to evoke and tap into the audience's emotions through the use of pathos.

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

passion for their job they had the dogs participate in a mock earthquake rescue where they were able to find a "victim" alive. After this Wall states "Refreshed by this exercise, the dogs were ready to work again" (333). Without the use of charged language Walls audience would not have been able to follow along with Aly and her emotions. Aly and other rescue dogs are a perfect example of altruism as they risk their life's in natural disasters in order to save humans who are not even part of their same species.