In The Descent of Man, Darwin begins by comparing the body structures of humans and animals and finds that there are many similarities in structures such as bones, muscles and even the brain. To demonstrate this point, he breaks down the human body step by step to show homologous structures in animals. Darwin also states that humans and animals have similar behavioral qualities. We react similarly to diseases, medicines and caffeine. Darwin also compares anatomical structures and social norms to demonstrate that humans and other mammals are similar but differences exist within species, which include men/women and white/colored races. He uses these distinctions to show that within species there are differences but these variations in sex and skin color are also found in other mammals. By comparing behavior and intellect between humans and mammals, Darwin is trying to undermine the idea that humans are better than mammals and suggests that in a broad perspective all mammals are similar. Although significant differences exist within the human species, these differences also occur in other mammals. Overall, Darwin “pushes” humans off the pedestal and wants humans to realize that they are truly animals in their essence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Darwin uses certain behavioral qualities of certain species to show how humans act similarly with other animals. The comparison of behavioral qualities reinforces the idea that not only do humans physically resemble other animals, but that the ways in which human bodies respond to things, the way humans react and feel in their society mimic those of other species of animals. One of the behavioral identities he emphasizes is the impact of addictive substances such as tobacco, coffee, and alcohol on humans compared to other animals. There are overlaps between the way the human body works and the way the mammalian body works. Because of the structure of our bodies, we are susceptible to the same diseases as “lower animals” such as syphilis, herpes and cholera. We can also share the same medicines to cure diseases. Additionally, the things we are addicted to can affect mammals. Darwin says, "Apes have a strong taste for tea, coffee, and alcoholic liquors: moreover, as I have myself seen, they will smoke tobacco with pleasure" (Darwin, 23). Here Darwin explains how monkeys have a strong predilection for caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee. They too are attracted to tobacco, just like us. Discussing things like tobacco and coffee, things that humans are naturally drawn to, creates a connection between the reader and the apes. Darwin tries to portray this connection because the reader subconsciously begins to see things from the ape's point of view because it is so similar to that of humans. This in itself helps to diminish the line that humans within society have created between themselves and other animals. Another case study that Darwin uses to show the similarity between species is the effect of alcohol consumption in monkeys. He says: “Brehm states that the natives of North-East Africa catch wild baboons by exposing vessels with strong beer, with which they are made drunk. He saw some of these animals, which he kept in prison, in this state; and gives a ridiculous account of their behavior and strange grimaces. The next morning they were very irritated and dejected; they held their aching heads withboth hands and had a very pitiful expression: when they were offered beer or wine, they turned away in disgust, but enjoyed the juice of the lemons. An American ape, an Ateles, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and was therefore wiser than many men. These trivial facts demonstrate how similar the nerves of taste must be in monkeys and man, and how similarly their entire nervous system is affected (Darwin, 23-24). It's interesting when he says that "after getting drunk on brandy, [they] would never touch it again" because here he is comparing them on an intellectual level. The way monkeys react to beer and the way they make “strange faces” resembles the reactions of humans. After these monkeys are exposed to the harmful effects of what alcohol can do to them, they are able to grasp that idea and stay away from it, but humans don't necessarily stay away from pain, sometimes they end up doing the opposite where we look for something that we know will hurt us. So in this sense, Darwin is undermining humans as a species by saying that they think they are so different from animals and so much more intelligent when in reality in this case we are the more irrational ones who can't think properly for ourselves. By undermining humans as a species, it erases the distinctions that set us apart from other mammals. Furthermore, talking about alcohol consumption, which is common among humans, regarding animals establishes this link of shared characteristics between the two. In this way, readers can connect and understand the monkeys' pain when they "held their painful heads with both hands and had a very pitiful expression." Because readers may have experienced a similar feeling, they may connect more with bamboos and eventually come to realize that humans are very similar to other animals. Darwin focuses on the similarities and differences between males and females across species. In addition to discussing how humans react to addictive substances, it goes further and explains the comparison between male and female humans and other mammals. Darwin does an interesting thing when he shows that this gender difference exists among humans, however this difference is also found in other mammals. Therefore, he is taking into account the differences in the human species and other mammals and comparing the roles they play in each species. He says, “Man differs from woman in size, bodily strength, hairiness, etc., as well as in mind, in the same manner as the two sexes of many mammals” (Darwin, 25). Considering the time in which Darwin wrote, around the mid-nineteenth century, there was a clear differentiation between men and women. These gender roles are found in both the human species and other mammals. For example, males tend to obtain food by hunting, and females care for their young. This is just one example that reinforces Darwin's point about how humans don't actually differ from other mammals and how our society was/is structured around how other mammals create their society. That present gender roles originate from physical distinctions, particularly when it comes to reproduction. Another way Darwin tries to minimize the power gap between humans and animals is by showing that animals have a certain bond with other animals, thus proving that humans are not the alpha species but derive from other animals. For example, Darwin talks about a specific type of fish called a lancet or amphioxus. This fish varies drastically from any other type of fish. “It is notable for its negative characters; it can hardly be said that he has a brain, a column,.