The Danger of Lying

"The Danger of Lying in Bed," is a satirical masterpiece that pokes fun at human nature's tendency to be irrational and superstitious. The story is told from the perspective of a man who believes that lying in bed after the sun has risen will lead to certain death. Twain's humor is evident throughout the story, as he uses absurd situations and exaggerated characters to highlight the absurdity of the man's beliefs. For example, when the man's wife tries to reason with him, he dismisses her arguments by saying, "You can't argue a person out of a thing that he has not been argued into." The story's climax is both hilarious and poignant, as the man's fear of lying in bed causes him to sleep standing up, which leads to his death from exhaustion. Twain's message is clear: irrational fears and superstitions can be dangerous and ultimately lead to a person's perish.