In The Descent of Man, Darwin begins by comparing the body structures of humans and animals and discovers that there are many similarities in structures like bones, muscles and even the brain. To prove this point, he breaks down the human body step by step to show homologous structures in animals. Darwin also mentions that humans and animals have similar behavioral qualities. We react the same way to illnesses, medications and caffeine. Darwin also compares anatomical structures and social norms to show that humans and other mammals are similar, but there are differences within species, which include male/female and white/colored races. He uses these distinctions to show that within species there are differences but that these variations in sex and skin color are also found in other mammals. By comparing the behavior and intellect of humans and mammals, Darwin attempts to diminish the idea that humans are better than mammals and suggests that, to a large extent, all mammals are similar. Although we have significant differences within the human species, these differences are also found in other mammals. Overall, Darwin "pushes" humans off the pedestal and wants humans to realize that they are true animals in their essence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Darwin uses certain behavioral qualities of certain species to show how humans act similarly to other animals. Comparing behavioral qualities reinforces the idea that not only do humans physically resemble other animals, but the way the human body reacts to things, the way humans react and feel in their society mimics those of other species of animals. One of the behavioral identities he focuses on is the impact of addictive substances such as tobacco, coffee, and alcohol on humans compared to other animals. There are overlaps between the functioning of the human body and that of mammals. Due to the structure of our bodies, we are susceptible to the same diseases as "lower animals" such as syphilis, herpes and cholera. We can even share the same medicines to treat illnesses. Additionally, the things we are addicted to can affect mammals. Darwin says: “Monkeys have a strong taste for tea, coffee and spirituous liquors: they will also, as I myself have observed, smoke tobacco with pleasure” (Darwin, 23). Here, Darwin explains how monkeys have a strong penchant for caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee. They are also attracted to tobacco, just like us. Discussing things like tobacco and coffee, things that humans are naturally attracted to, creates a connection between the reader and the apes. Darwin tries to describe this connection because the reader subconsciously begins to see things from the ape's point of view, as it is very similar to that of humans. In itself, this helps to reduce the boundary that humans within society have created between themselves and other animals. Another case study that Darwin uses to show similarities between species is the effect of drinking alcohol in monkeys. He says: “Brehm states that the natives of North-East Africa capture wild baboons by exposing vessels containing strong beer, with which they are intoxicated. He saw in this statesome of these animals he held in captivity; and he reports their behavior and their strange grimaces. The next morning they were very unhappy and sad; They held their aching heads with both hands and had a most pitiful expression: when they were offered beer or wine, they turned away in disgust, but savored the juice of the lemons. An American monkey, an Ateles, after getting drunk on cognac, would never touch it again, and was therefore wiser than many men. These insignificant facts prove how similar the nerves of taste must be in apes and in man, and how similarly their entire nervous system is affected (Darwin, 23-24). It's interesting when he says that "after getting drunk on cognac, [they] would never touch it again" because here he is comparing them on an intellectual level. The way monkeys react to beer and make “strange faces” resembles human reactions. Once these monkeys are exposed to the harmful effects of alcohol, they are able to understand this idea and move away from it, but humans don't necessarily stay away from pain. Sometimes they end up doing the opposite. we opt for something that we know will harm us. So in that sense, Darwin is damaging humans as a species by saying that they think they are so different from animals and so much more intelligent when in fact, in this case, we are the most irrational and unable to think properly for ourselves. By undermining the human species, it erases the distinctions that set us apart from other mammals. Additionally, talking about alcohol consumption, a common occurrence among humans, about animals establishes this connection of shared characteristics between the two. This way, readers can connect and understand the monkey's pain as "they hold their aching head with both hands and wear a most pitiful expression." Because readers may have experienced a similar feeling, they may connect more to the bamboos and possibly 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 explaining how humans respond to addictive substances, it goes further and explains the comparison between males and females of humans and other mammals. Darwin does an interesting thing by showing that there is a sex difference among humans, but this difference is also found in other mammals. Thus, it takes into account the differences between the human species and other mammals and compares 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) . At the time Darwin was writing, around the middle of the 18th century, there was a clear differentiation between men and women. These gender roles are observed both in the human species and in other mammals. For example, males tend to feed while hunting and females tend to their young. This is just one example that reinforces Darwin's view that humans are really no different from other mammals and how our society was/is structured around how other mammals create their societies. That present gender roles arise from physical distinctions, particularly in matters of reproduction. Darwin also attempts to minimize the power gap between humans and animals by showing that animals have some connection with other animals, showing,.