COLEGIUL TEHNIC MIHAI BRAVU

English Literature in 19th century:

Charles Darwin

TEACHER: STĂNICĂ MIHAELA NAME: NICOLAE RADU ALEXANDRU

CLASS 12 G

MAY 2024

General
 Table of Contents

ARGUMENT................................................................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER II – EVOLUTION OF THE IDEAS ..................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER III – DARWINIAN INFLUENCE ON LITERATURE ............................................................................ 7
CHAPTER IV – SOCIAL AND CULTURAL REFLECTIONS.................................................................................. 9
Religious and Scientific Clash .................................................................................................................... 9
Impact on Social Hierarchies ..................................................................................................................... 9
Social Darwinism ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Scientific Advancements and Scepticism................................................................................................. 10
Literary and Cultural Expression ............................................................................................................. 10
Shift in Moral and Ethical Discussions..................................................................................................... 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................................ 11

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 ARGUMENT

Choosing the theme of English literature in the 19th century with a focus on Charles
Darwin provides a compelling and interdisciplinary perspective. Here are some reasons why I
find this theme intriguing:

1. Intellectual and Cultural Shifts: The 19th century witnessed significant intellectual and
cultural transformations. Exploring literature in this era allows you to delve into the
profound changes in thought, society, and values.
2. Darwinian Revolution: Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was revolutionary and had a
profound impact not only on the field of science but also on how people perceived
themselves, their place in the world, and the nature of existence. This theme allows you
to explore the intersection of science and literature during a period of paradigm shift.
3. Literature as a Mirror of Society: Literature often reflects and responds to societal
changes. By examining how literature of the 19th century engaged with Darwinian ideas,
you can gain insights into how authors grappled with the evolving understanding of
humanity and the natural world.
4. Diversity of Literary Responses: The 19th century produced a rich tapestry of literary
works across various genres and styles. This theme allows you to explore a diverse range
of texts, from novels and poetry to essays, providing a comprehensive view of the literary
landscape.
5. Legacy and Relevance: Understanding the literary responses to Darwinian thought in the
19th century can also shed light on the lasting impact of these ideas. You can explore
how these literary representations continue to influence contemporary perspectives on
science, nature, and human existence.

In essence, choosing this theme provides an opportunity to explore the dynamic interplay
between scientific advancements, cultural shifts, and artistic expression, offering a nuanced
understanding of the 19th-century intellectual landscape.

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 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION

The 19th century literary landscape was marked by a dynamic interplay of diverse
movements, reflecting the societal upheavals and intellectual shifts of the time. At the onset,
Romanticism prevailed, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individual expression. As the century
progressed, Realism emerged, portraying life with meticulous detail and addressing social issues.
The Victorian era brought a blend of Romantic ideals and a more realistic portrayal of society.
Authors such as Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Hardy shaped the
era with their exploration of class, morality, and industrialization. Overall, the 19th-century
literary scene witnessed a rich tapestry of styles and themes, capturing the complexities of a
rapidly changing world.

The 19th century was a transformative period in English literature, marked by profound
shifts in societal attitudes, technological advancements, and intellectual developments. One of
the most influential figures of this era was Charles Darwin, whose groundbreaking work in
evolutionary biology not only revolutionized scientific thought but also left an indelible mark on
the literary landscape.

In 1859 Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or
the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. Evolutionary theory, or the theory of
“transmutation” as it was more commonly referred to in the 19th century, was already a live
topic in Victorian (and broader Western) intellectual culture, as Darwin explains in the
“Historical Sketch of the Recent Progress of Opinion on the Origin of Species,” published with
the third edition of the Origin in 1861. For this and other reasons, Darwin’s work became
conflated with theories of development, change, and competition more generally, and the mantle
of “Darwinism” was co-opted by (and in some cases imposed upon) social theorists,
psychologists, as well as other biologists who were in many instances doing work quite different
from Darwin’s.

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 CHAPTER II – EVOLUTION OF THE IDEAS

The impact of Darwin’s theories reverberated through literature, influencing the themes,
styles, and concerns of writers in the 19th century. Authors grappled with the tension between
traditional religious beliefs and the emerging scientific worldview. Notable works, such as
Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and George Eliot’s “Middlemarch,” reflect the
anxieties and explorations of a society coming to terms with Darwinian ideas.

Darwin’s emphasis on adaptation, survival of the fittest, and the interconnectedness of all
life also had social and ethical repercussions. Writers engaged with these themes, exploring
issues of class, morality, and human behaviour. The works of Charles Dickens, for instance,
often depicted the struggles of the lower classes in an industrializing society, touching on the
survival instincts inherent in Darwin’s theories.

The quest for human origins goes back to research done by scientists before Charles
Darwin (1809-82) at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It has been rightly noted by two
historians of science thus “Evolution idea was in the air at the beginning of the 19th century.
Geologists were debating the issue of evolution of the Earth. And the discussion naturally went
hand in-hand with the question of biological evolution” (Spangenburg and Moser 1999:75). The
intellectual and scientific climate in the early part of the nineteenth century was such that
Darwin’s theory of evolution seems to follow a trajectory that was precipitated by previous
developments in geology and biology.

Darwin’s experience on the voyage made him realize that the current theories of
evolution were not adequate. His studies in the Galápagos Islands showed that the evolutionary
process was much more complex than was previously thought. Eventually Darwin conceived the
idea commonly known in the ‘survival of the fittest’ (which has attained the notoriety beyond
what its original context implied): in other words, this means that those species which
successfully transfer their attributes to the coming generations are the most suited to survive
(‘fittest’ here is not simply a synonym for ‘best’ or ‘strongest’). Darwin formed the idea of
divergence to explain the differences between varieties of the same species which eventually led
to the formation of new species.

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 Darwin was determined to present his theory of evolution by writing it down in a book,
which however, could not be completed. In 1858, when he was on the verge of completing his
book on evolution, another researcher working independently in Malaysia, Alfred Russell
Wallace (1823-1913), sent him an essay where he too arrived at the same findings is Darwin’s.
This was a shock to Darwin and after consulting Wallace, the theory of evolution was published
jointly-Wallace’s essay and Darwin’s summary of his own research in the Journal of the Linnean
Society in 1858. On November 24, 1859, Darwin published his findings in book form which
came to be known as On the Origin of Species.

Even though all the 1250 copies of the first print run of On the Origin of Species sold out
on the first day itself, the adoption of Darwinian ideas wasn’t as fast or as easily accepted. The
churchmen were among the first to react to his theory as it had no scope for divine intervention.
The criticism of the theory was intense and continued for quite some years unabated Cartoons
satirizing Darwin and snubs from the intellectual fraternity appeared regularly. Only a few came
forward to accept Darwin’s ideas, the most prominent of them being T.H. Huxley. Charles Lyell
(1797-1875) published his book called Geological Evidence of the Antiquity of Man in 1863
where he supported Darwin’s idea of evolution.

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 CHAPTER III – DARWINIAN INFLUENCE ON LITERATURE

Darwin’s work quickly captured the minds of Darwinism is a theory of biological

evolution developed by Charles Darwin and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and
develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual’s
ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Also called Darwinian theory, it originally included
the broad concepts of transmutation of species or of evolution which gained general scientific
acceptance when Charles Robert Darwin published On the Origin of Species, including concepts
which predated Darwin’s theories, but subsequently referred to specific concepts of natural
selection, the Weismann barrier or in genetics the central dogma of molecular biology.

Though it usually refers strictly to biological evolution, the term has been used by
creationists to refer to the origin of life, and has even been applied to concepts of cosmic
evolution, both of which have no connection to Darwin’s work. It is therefore considered the
belief and acceptance of Darwin’s, and his predecessors, work in place of other theories
including divine design and extraterrestrial origins. many writers. More recently, evolutionary
ideas have been used to explore how texts and even languages change over time.

Darwin’s work captivated the public interest and infiltrated the minds of Victorian
writers. You can see why, evolution is full of good material for books and plays; competition, the
struggle for existence, and lots of sex. Darwin also disturbed people’s views of themselves and
made them question their values and ideals. Darwinian themes pop up again and again in
Victorian literature, and in the work of writers such as Thomas Hardy, Alfred Tennyson, Samuel
Beckett, George Eliot and Bernard Shaw. How Darwin influenced these writers and others has
become a subject of great interest for literary scholars.

Darwin continues to inspire writers to this day. Another way Darwin’s Theory of
Evolution has influenced literature has been the application of evolutionary principles to the
study of how texts change through time. Before printing was invented, manuscripts of important
books were copied by hand. This introduced errors, some random, some probably on purpose.
These changes are in some ways akin to mutations in DNA and evolution through descent with
modification. For many years literary scholars have been interested in studying how and when
different versions of the same text arose, more recently this has involved applying models

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developed to understand the evolution of DNA. This new Systematic Analysis can be used to
reconstruct the probable original text and see when and in what ways this text has been edited
through the decades.

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 CHAPTER IV – SOCIAL AND CULTURAL REFLECTIONS

The Victorian era, during which Charles Darwin's groundbreaking work "On the Origin
of Species" was published in 1859, was a time of significant social and cultural upheaval.
Darwin's revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection had profound implications for
existing beliefs about the origins of life and humanity. Here, we explore the social and cultural
reflections of Darwin's time.

Religious and Scientific Clash

Darwin's theory challenged long-standing religious doctrines, particularly the prevailing

belief in creationism. The idea that species evolved over time through natural processes
contradicted the biblical narrative of divine creation. This clash between religious and scientific
perspectives led to a heated debate, often referred to as the "Darwinian controversy." The
implications of evolution on religious thought were profound, with some individuals embracing
the new scientific paradigm while others vehemently opposed it.

Impact on Social Hierarchies

The concept of evolution raised questions about the origins and interconnectedness of all
living beings. It challenged the traditional view of a fixed social hierarchy, suggesting that all
species, including humans, were part of a continuous process of adaptation and change. This
notion had profound implications for the understanding of human equality, challenging
hierarchical structures based on rigid class distinctions.

Social Darwinism
While Darwin himself did not explicitly apply his theory to human societies, the concept
of "Social Darwinism" emerged as a cultural interpretation. Social Darwinists applied
evolutionary principles to human societies, arguing that certain races or classes were more "fit"
and advanced than others. This perspective was misappropriated to justify discriminatory
practices, imperialism, and eugenics, leading to social implications that went beyond Darwin's
original intent.

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Scientific Advancements and Scepticism
Darwin's work was part of a broader scientific revolution during the Victorian era.
Advancements in geology, palaeontology, and anthropology further contributed to a re-
evaluation of humanity's place in the natural world. This period witnessed a growing scepticism
towards established beliefs, encouraging a more empirical and evidence-based approach to
understanding the world.
Literary and Cultural Expression
The cultural impact of Darwin's ideas extended to literature and the arts. Writers and
artists grappled with the implications of evolution, reflecting the intellectual ferment of the time.
Novels, such as Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and George Eliot's "Middlemarch,"
incorporated Darwinian themes, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the
consequences of natural selection.

Shift in Moral and Ethical Discussions

Darwin's theory prompted a re-examination of morality and ethics. The traditional
religious framework for understanding morality faced challenges as individuals sought new
foundations for ethical principles. The idea that morality could be understood as an adaptive trait
shaped by natural selection influenced discussions about human behaviour, altruism, and social
cooperation.
In conclusion, the social and cultural reflections during Darwin's time were marked by a
profound intellectual and ideological transformation. The clash between religious and scientific
worldviews, the impact on social hierarchies, the emergence of Social Darwinism, and the
influence on literature and the arts all contributed to a period of significant change. Darwin's
work not only revolutionized the field of biology but also catalysed broader discussions that
shaped the cultural landscape of the Victorian era and beyond.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
www.oxfordbibliographies.com

wordsonexpressions.wordpress.com

https://www.eng-literature.com/2022/11/darwinism-in-english-literature.html

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/02/04/darwin-and-his-theory-of-evolution/

https://www.csueastbay.edu/philosophy/reflections/2004/contents/cindy-chen.html

https://leakeyfoundation.org/the-importance-of-charles-darwin-2/

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