American Literature – 1860 to Present

5.4 The influence of Darwin on literature

Citation:

Darwin's theory of evolution revolutionized scientific understanding and profoundly influenced American literature since 1860. It challenged traditional views, inspiring writers to explore new themes and perspectives in their works.

The theory provided a framework for examining human behavior, society, and nature that resonated with literary movements. Concepts like natural selection and survival of the fittest became powerful tools for writers to explore character development and societal dynamics.

Darwin's theory of evolution

Revolutionized scientific understanding of life's diversity and human origins, profoundly influencing American literature since 1860
Challenged traditional religious and philosophical views, inspiring writers to explore new themes and perspectives in their works
Provided a framework for examining human behavior, society, and the natural world that resonated with literary movements of the time

Natural selection concept

Organisms with advantageous traits more likely to survive and reproduce
Gradual accumulation of beneficial traits over generations leads to species adaptation
Explains diversity of life without need for divine intervention
Applied to literary characters facing environmental challenges (harsh landscapes, societal pressures)

Survival of the fittest

Coined by Herbert Spencer, not Darwin himself
Refers to differential survival and reproduction of organisms
Often misinterpreted as justification for social and economic inequality
Used as a theme in literature to explore competition and conflict between characters

Evolutionary timescales

Vast periods required for significant evolutionary changes
Challenged traditional beliefs in short Earth history and fixed species
Influenced literary depictions of human progress and societal change
Inspired writers to consider long-term consequences of human actions on environment and society

Literary naturalism

Emerged as a literary movement in late 19th century, heavily influenced by Darwin's ideas
Sought to apply scientific objectivity and determinism to the study of human nature in literature
Rejected romantic idealization of characters, focusing instead on realistic portrayals shaped by environment and heredity

Determinism vs free will

Naturalist writers emphasized external forces shaping human behavior
Characters often portrayed as products of their environment and genetic inheritance
Challenged traditional notions of individual agency and moral responsibility
Created tension in narratives between characters' desires and their predetermined fates

Environmental influences on characters

Physical environment (climate, geography) shapes characters' lives and choices
Social environment (class, education, family) determines opportunities and limitations
Economic conditions drive character motivations and actions
Natural disasters or harsh conditions often serve as catalysts for character development

Heredity in character development

Characters inherit physical and psychological traits from ancestors
Genetic predispositions influence behavior and decision-making
Family histories often play crucial roles in shaping character destinies
Exploration of nature vs nurture debate in character arcs

Misapplication of Darwin's biological theories to social and economic spheres
Influenced literary depictions of society, often critiquing or reinforcing existing power structures
Provided framework for exploring social inequality and competition in American literature

Class struggle themes

Portrayed economic competition as natural and inevitable
Depicted lower classes struggling against oppressive social conditions
Explored upward mobility and the American Dream through Darwinian lens
Often critiqued the notion that poverty results from personal failings rather than systemic issues

Racial hierarchies portrayed

Misused evolutionary theory to justify racist ideologies in literature
Depicted racial groups as more or less "evolved" or "fit" for survival
Challenged or reinforced racial stereotypes and prejudices of the time
Influenced characterizations and plot developments in novels dealing with race relations

Exposed harsh realities of industrial capitalism and urban poverty
Questioned the morality of "survival of the fittest" in human society
Explored tensions between individual success and collective well-being
Often advocated for social reform or revolution to address systemic inequalities

Darwinian themes in fiction

Incorporated evolutionary concepts into plot structures and character development
Used natural world as metaphor for human society and behavior
Explored implications of Darwin's theories for human morality and purpose

Human vs animal nature

Examined the blurred line between human and animal behavior
Portrayed characters struggling with their "bestial" instincts
Questioned traditional notions of human exceptionalism
Used animal imagery to represent human traits or societal roles

Adaptation and change

Characters forced to adapt to changing environments or circumstances
Explored consequences of failure to adapt in rapidly changing society
Depicted social and technological changes through Darwinian lens
Questioned whether human progress follows evolutionary principles

Struggle for existence

Portrayed life as constant competition for limited resources
Examined moral implications of prioritizing survival over other values
Depicted characters making difficult choices in harsh environments
Used survival narratives to explore human nature under extreme conditions

Impact on literary realism

Darwin's emphasis on observation and empirical evidence influenced realistic writing styles
Encouraged writers to depict life accurately, without romanticization or moralization
Shifted focus from idealized characters to ordinary individuals shaped by their circumstances

Scientific observation in writing

Detailed descriptions of environments and characters based on careful observation
Use of scientific terminology and concepts in literary works
Emphasis on cause-and-effect relationships in plot development
Incorporation of contemporary scientific theories into fictional narratives

Objective narrative techniques

Use of omniscient narrators to provide unbiased perspectives
Minimization of authorial intervention or moral judgments
Presentation of multiple viewpoints to create complex, realistic portrayals
Focus on showing rather than telling to allow readers to draw own conclusions

Emphasis on biological factors

Characters' behaviors explained through heredity and physiological drives
Exploration of how physical characteristics influence social interactions and opportunities
Incorporation of contemporary understanding of human biology into character development
Use of medical and scientific language to describe characters' mental and physical states

Key authors influenced

Prominent American writers who incorporated Darwinian themes and naturalistic techniques in their works
Shaped the literary landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Explored social issues and human nature through the lens of evolutionary theory

Jack London's works

"The Call of the Wild" explores themes of adaptation and survival in harsh environments
"The Sea-Wolf" examines social Darwinism and the struggle between civilized and primitive instincts
Used animal protagonists to explore human nature and societal structures
Incorporated personal experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush into his survival narratives

Theodore Dreiser's novels

"Sister Carrie" depicts the struggle for survival in urban environments
"An American Tragedy" explores the impact of social and economic forces on individual fate
Portrayed characters as products of their heredity and environment
Critiqued American society and the myth of upward mobility through Darwinian lens

Frank Norris's fiction

"McTeague" examines the influence of heredity and environment on human behavior
"The Octopus" explores the struggle between farmers and railroad monopolies through Darwinian themes
Used naturalistic techniques to portray the brutal realities of life in late 19th-century America
Incorporated scientific and economic theories into his literary works

Philosophical implications

Darwin's theory challenged traditional philosophical and religious beliefs
Influenced literary explorations of human nature, morality, and purpose
Sparked debates about the relationship between science and literature

Challenges to religious beliefs

Questioned the literal interpretation of biblical creation stories
Explored the psychological and social impacts of loss of faith
Depicted characters struggling with existential crises in light of evolutionary theory
Examined the role of religion in a world explained by natural processes

Materialist worldview

Emphasized physical and biological explanations for human behavior and society
Challenged notions of soul, free will, and divine intervention
Explored implications of a universe without inherent purpose or design
Influenced literary depictions of human motivations and social structures

Human place in nature

Questioned traditional hierarchies placing humans above other animals
Explored human connection to and dependence on the natural world
Examined ethical implications of human dominance over nature
Influenced environmental themes in American literature

Literary techniques

Darwinian concepts inspired new ways of structuring narratives and developing characters
Natural world used as source of metaphors and symbols to explore human condition
Scientific language and concepts incorporated into literary style

Animal imagery and symbolism

Animals used to represent human traits or social roles
Natural food chains and predator-prey relationships as metaphors for human society
Animal behavior used to explore human instincts and drives
Blurring of lines between human and animal to question human exceptionalism

Survival narratives

Stories structured around characters' struggles to survive in hostile environments
Use of physical or social "jungles" as settings to explore human nature
Emphasis on adaptation and resilience in face of challenging circumstances
Exploration of moral compromises made in pursuit of survival

Biological metaphors

Use of evolutionary concepts to describe social and cultural changes
Portrayal of cities or societies as living organisms
Application of biological processes (growth, decay, adaptation) to human institutions
Incorporation of scientific terminology into literary language

Criticism of Darwinian influence

Debates about the appropriateness and accuracy of applying biological theories to literature and society
Concerns about the ethical implications of Darwinian themes in literature
Critiques of reductionist or deterministic portrayals of human nature

Oversimplification of human nature

Criticism of reducing complex human behavior to biological instincts
Concerns about neglecting cultural, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human experience
Debates about the role of free will and individual agency in naturalistic literature
Critiques of overly pessimistic or fatalistic portrayals of human potential

Ethical concerns in literature

Debates about the moral implications of "survival of the fittest" in human society
Criticism of literature that seemed to justify social inequality or oppression
Concerns about the loss of traditional moral values in materialist worldviews
Exploration of ethical dilemmas arising from Darwinian understanding of human nature

Misapplication of scientific ideas

Critiques of authors misunderstanding or misrepresenting evolutionary theory
Concerns about the use of pseudo-scientific ideas to support racist or sexist ideologies
Debates about the appropriate relationship between science and literature
Criticism of overly literal applications of biological concepts to social phenomena

Key Terms to Review (14)

Stephen Crane: Stephen Crane was an American author and poet best known for his innovative contributions to naturalism and social realism, emerging as a significant figure in the late 19th century. His works often depicted the struggles of individuals against harsh environments and societal conditions, reflecting the deterministic views of naturalism while also showcasing the effects of urbanization and modern life on human experience.

Biological determinism: Biological determinism is the belief that human behavior and characteristics are largely determined by genetic and biological factors rather than environmental influences or individual choices. This idea suggests that aspects such as intelligence, criminality, and social roles can be attributed to an individual's biology, often leading to controversial implications in various fields, including literature, psychology, and sociology.

Scientific Realism: Scientific realism is a literary movement that emphasizes the importance of depicting everyday life with a focus on accurate and detailed representations of reality, often drawing on scientific principles and observations. This movement emerged in response to earlier romantic ideals, aiming to portray life as it truly is, with a strong emphasis on social issues, natural laws, and the human condition, influenced significantly by advancements in the sciences.

Struggle for existence: The struggle for existence refers to the competition among individuals for limited resources, such as food, shelter, and mates, which influences survival and reproduction. This concept was popularized by Charles Darwin in his theory of natural selection, illustrating how species evolve through the challenges posed by their environment. It connects to themes of survival, adaptation, and the natural world in literature, reflecting humanity's own struggles and conflicts.

Adaptation to Environment: Adaptation to environment refers to the process by which organisms or characters evolve traits that enhance their survival and reproduction in response to specific environmental conditions. This concept extends to literature, where characters may reflect or struggle against their environments, showcasing the influence of external factors on human behavior and societal structures.

Darwinism in literature: Darwinism in literature refers to the application of Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection to the understanding of human behavior, social structures, and character development in literary works. It emphasizes the idea that human beings, like other species, are subject to the same evolutionary processes, which can manifest in themes of survival, adaptation, and competition within narratives.

Evolutionary literary criticism: Evolutionary literary criticism is an approach that applies principles of evolutionary biology to analyze and interpret literature. It examines how literature reflects human nature, cultural evolution, and social behaviors shaped by natural selection, often focusing on themes such as survival, reproduction, and kinship. This perspective helps to illuminate the ways in which storytelling has evolved alongside human societies.

Evolutionary psychology: Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical approach that explores how human behavior and mental processes have evolved through natural selection. It suggests that many psychological traits and behaviors are adaptations shaped by the challenges faced by our ancestors, which can help explain contemporary human nature and social dynamics.

Survival of the fittest: Survival of the fittest is a phrase that originated from Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, signifying the idea that individuals or species best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This concept emphasizes competition, adaptation, and the role of environmental factors in shaping the evolution of species. In literature, it reflects themes of struggle, resilience, and the impact of societal forces on individuals, often highlighting the harsh realities of existence and the complex interplay between nature and nurture.

Naturalism: Naturalism is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior. It builds on realism but goes further by suggesting that individuals are often shaped by forces beyond their control, reflecting a deterministic view of life.

Maggie: A Girl of the Streets: Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is a novel by Stephen Crane published in 1893 that highlights the harsh realities of urban life and the struggles faced by individuals in impoverished environments. It serves as a significant example of social realism, depicting the impact of environment and circumstance on human behavior, while also embracing themes of determinism and the influence of Darwinian ideas on literature. Through the story of Maggie, the novel sheds light on the challenges posed by urbanization and the moral implications of survival in a rapidly changing society.

Realism: Realism is a literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, focusing on representing everyday life and ordinary people with an emphasis on accuracy and detail. This movement sought to depict life as it truly is, often highlighting social issues and the complexities of human behavior.

Jack London: Jack London was an American author and social activist best known for his novels and stories that reflect the harsh realities of life, often drawing from his own experiences in the wilderness and as a laborer. His works are significant examples of naturalism, exploring themes of survival, the struggle against nature, and the impact of environment on human behavior, all while embodying the principles of determinism influenced by Darwinian thought.

The call of the wild: The call of the wild refers to the deep instinctual pull towards nature and survival that certain creatures, including humans, experience when faced with primal challenges. This theme is prevalent in literature, especially in works that highlight the natural world’s influence on individuals' lives, connecting to ideas of raw instinct and the struggle between civilization and the wild.

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🏜️american literature – 1860 to present review