Evolutionary Literary Theory

Definition: Evolutionary Literary Theory

Evolutionary Literary Theory is a multidisciplinary approach that seeks to explain the evolutionary function of literature. This theory draws on evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, and anthropology to analyze literature in terms of its adaptive and cognitive functions.

By studying literature in this way, evolutionary literary theorists seek to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which literature reflects and shapes human nature and culture.

Etymology and Nomenclature of Evolution Literary Theory

The term “evolutionary literary theory” draws its etymological roots from two key sources: “evolution” and “literary theory.” “Evolution” is derived from the Latin word “evolutio,” meaning “an unrolling or unfolding.”

It gained prominence in the mid-19th century through Charles Darwin’s theory of biological evolution, which posited the gradual development and adaptation of species over time. In the context of literary theory, “evolutionary” refers to the application of evolutionary biology principles to the study of literature and human culture.

This theory, which emerged in the late 20th century, seeks to understand how literature and storytelling have evolved as adaptive strategies in human evolution, exploring themes such as narrative universals, the cognitive basis of storytelling, and the role of literature in human development. Thus, “evolutionary literary theory” signifies the intersection of evolutionary science and literary analysis to uncover the evolutionary origins and significance of human storytelling and literary expression.

Evolutionary Literary Theory: Major Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorist	Notable Work	Key Arguments
Joseph Carroll	Evolution and Literary Theory (1995)	Carroll argues that literature, similar to other human behaviors, can be comprehended as an adaptation shaped by natural selection. He emphasizes the significance of analyzing literature through the lens of universal human nature, including themes related to social relationships, morality, and human nature itself.
Jonathan Gottschall	The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human (2012)	Gottschall explores the role of storytelling in human evolution, proposing that it serves as a form of mental rehearsal for real-world problem-solving. He contends that humans are inherently drawn to narratives and that literature is a product of this evolutionary predisposition.
Brian Boyd	On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction (2009)	Boyd focuses on the cognitive aspects of storytelling and literature, highlighting the role of creativity in human evolution. He investigates how literature engages the human mind’s capacity for imaginative play and its influence on cultural development.
Lisa Zunshine	Why We Read Fiction: Theory of Mind and the Novel (2006)	Zunshine delves into the theory of mind (ToM) and its connection to literature. She argues that literature facilitates the development of ToM by enabling readers to enter the minds of fictional characters, enhancing empathy and social cognition.
David Sloan Wilson	This View of Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolution (2019)	Wilson extends the principles of evolution to culture, including literature. He suggests that literature, as a cultural product, can be analyzed in terms of group-level adaptations and cultural evolution, providing insights into human cooperation and social organization.
Ellen Dissanayake	Homo-Aestheticus: Where Art Comes From and Why (1995)	Dissanayake explores the role of art, including literature, in human evolution. She argues that art and aesthetic experiences have deep evolutionary roots, serving as means of communication, bonding, and the expression of essential human emotions.

Principals of Evolutionary Literary Theory

1. Literature as an Adaptation: Evolutionary Literary Theory posits that literature, storytelling, and narrative engagement are not merely cultural byproducts but adaptations shaped by natural selection. These adaptations are thought to have evolved to serve various functions, including communication, social bonding, and problem-solving.
2. Universal Themes and Motifs: Evolutionary literary theorists argue that certain themes and motifs in literature are universal across cultures and time periods. These themes often revolve around fundamental human experiences, such as love, survival, conflict, and moral dilemmas. These universals are seen as reflective of shared human nature.
3. Cognitive Foundations: The theory suggests that literature engages and leverages cognitive mechanisms and structures that have evolved in the human mind. For example, the theory of mind (ToM), which involves understanding and attributing mental states to others, plays a crucial role in character development and empathy in narratives.
4. Adaptive Functions: Evolutionary Literary Theory explores the adaptive functions of literature, such as its role in conveying survival strategies, transmitting cultural knowledge, and fostering social cohesion. Stories are seen as vehicles for transmitting valuable information and cultural norms.
5. Narrative Evolution: Proponents of this theory examine how narratives have evolved over time, from oral traditions to written literature and digital storytelling. They consider how changes in technology and communication mediums influence the ways in which stories are crafted and consumed.
6. Literary Darwinism: Some evolutionary literary theorists align with the concept of “literary Darwinism,” which applies the principles of natural selection to literary works. It involves analyzing literary texts in terms of their reproductive success (popularity, influence) and how they compete for readers’ attention and memory.
7. Interdisciplinary Approach: Evolutionary Literary Theory draws from various disciplines, including evolutionary psychology, biology, anthropology, and cognitive science. It encourages interdisciplinary research and collaboration to gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between literature and evolution.
8. Empirical Research: While rooted in theoretical frameworks, Evolutionary Literary Theory also incorporates empirical research, such as psychological experiments and surveys, to test hypotheses about literary preferences, reader responses, and the cognitive underpinnings of storytelling.
9. Critique of Other Approaches: Evolutionary Literary Theory often engages in critical dialogues with other literary theories, such as postmodernism and deconstruction. It seeks to offer alternative explanations for literary phenomena and challenge some of the assumptions of other literary theories.
10. Ethical and Moral Questions: The theory raises ethical and moral questions about the portrayal of certain behaviors in literature and their potential impact on readers. It explores how literature can both reflect and influence societal values and norms.

Suggested Readings

1. Carroll, Joseph. Evolution and Literary Theory. University of Missouri Press, 1995.
2. Dissanayake, Ellen. Homo-Aestheticus: Where Art Comes From and Why. University of Washington Press, 1995.
3. Gottschall, Jonathan. The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. Mariner Books, 2012.
4. Miller, John. The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture. Oxford University Press, 1992.
5. Tooby, John, and Leda Cosmides. The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture. Oxford University Press, 1992.
6. Wilson, David Sloan. This View of Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolution. Pantheon, 2019.
7. Zunshine, Lisa. Why We Read Fiction: Theory of Mind and the Novel. Ohio State University Press, 2006.