In this satirical short story written by Samuel Clemens (or even better known as Mark Twain) we witness the themes of social disparity or equality, man vs. man and madness
This story is about a group of men who get trapped on a train during a snow storm. After being stuck for five days, the men in their restlessness and hunger begin to accept the idea of cannibalism.
"Gentlemen: it cannot be delayed longer! The time is at hand! We must determine which of us shall die to furnish food for the rest!" (Clemens, 8)This is the first mention of cannibalism and definitely the first time the reader understands that this will be in acceptance among the other men trapped on the train. With this proclamation to the other passengers, the debate begins to decide which man shall be the first.
As the men offer their opinions on who shall be eaten, they also explain the lives that these men live. Men who live comfortable, or cushy lives will provide a nicer feast. Other men who work hard with their hands or spend their lives in the sun will supply a less desirable meat. For example:
"It may be urged by gentlemen that the hardships and privations of a frontier life have rendered Mr. Davis tough; but, gentlemen, is this a time to cavil at toughness?" (Clemens, 10)This quote illustrates the opinion of men who spend their life working on the frontier.
In the following paragraphs, as the narrator continues to tell his story, the men are eaten one by one.
"Morgan of Alabama for breakfast...he was a perfect gentleman, and singularly juicy. For supper we had that Oregon patriarch, and was a fraud there was no questions about it--old, scraggy, tough, nobody can picture the reality" (Clemens, 11).As the story comes to an end, the narrator takes his leave and the conductor explains:
"He was a member of Congress once, and a good one. But he got caught in a show-drift in the cars, and like to have been starved to death." (Clemens, 11)
"He is all right now, only he is a monomaniac, and when he gets on that old subject he never stops till he has eat up that whole car-load of people he talks about." (Clemens, 11)
"When he gets them all eat up but himself, he always says: 'Then the hour for the usual election for breakfast having arrived; and there being no opposition, I was duly elected, after which, there being no objections offered, I resigned. Thus I am here." (Clemens, 11).The men's debates inside of the cars illustrates social disparity in the sense that clearly some are better than others to be eaten. Specifically, the lower class, manual laborers would not meet high standards. But not only is social disparity present. We also see the theme of "man vs. man", or even more suitable, "man eats man." The narrator was once part of congress, and it can be said that many people in politics are bloodthirsty and ruthless and will do anything to survive. Thus, the elections were held and one by one each man was taken until the narrator was the only living person left. He survived, he won. So he resigned. Unfortunately, he was driven mad.
