Introduction: Evolutionary Theory in Literature
Evolutionary theory in literature, often referred to as “literary Darwinism” or “evocriticism,” explores the application of principles from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to the analysis of literary works.
This interdisciplinary approach seeks to understand how human nature, behaviors, and cultural aspects are reflected in literature by examining themes, characters, and narratives through the lens of evolutionary psychology and biology. It considers how traits like altruism, cooperation, mate selection, and storytelling may be influenced by our evolutionary history and how they manifest in the stories we tell.
By integrating biology and literature, this field offers insights into the universality and adaptive significance of human storytelling and artistic expression.
Criticism Against Evolutionary Theory in Literature
- Reductionism: Critics argue that evolutionary theory in literature tends to oversimplify complex literary works by reducing them to evolutionary explanations, potentially overlooking the richness and depth of artistic expression.
- Lack of Empirical Evidence: Some scholars question the empirical validity of applying evolutionary principles to literary analysis, arguing that it can be challenging to provide concrete evidence for evolutionary claims made about specific literary texts and their meanings.
- Overemphasis on Adaptation: Critics contend that an overemphasis on adaptation and survival-based explanations may lead to a narrow interpretation of literature, ignoring the importance of other cultural, historical, and psychological factors that shape literary creation and interpretation.
- Ethical Concerns: There are ethical concerns raised regarding the potential for misusing evolutionary theory to support and reinforce stereotypes, biases, or controversial social and political agendas, particularly in the interpretation of character behavior and relationships in literature.
- Neglect of Artistic Value: Some argue that a strict evolutionary focus can divert attention away from the intrinsic artistic and aesthetic value of literature, reducing it to a means of conveying evolutionary concepts rather than appreciating it as an art form in its own right.
Examples of Evolutionary Theory in Literature
- The Bees by Laline Paull (2014): This novel is a unique exploration of a bee’s life within a hive. It closely follows Flora 717, a worker bee, as she navigates the complex and hierarchical world of the hive. The book delves into themes of hierarchy, survival, and adaptation in the context of a bee colony. While centered on bees, it draws thought-provoking parallels to human society and evolution, making readers consider the similarities and differences between the two worlds.
- The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (2013): Set in the 19th century, this historical novel tells the story of Alma Whittaker, a botanist with a passion for studying plants and their development over time. As Alma’s research progresses, the novel explores the concept of natural selection and evolution, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. Through Alma’s journey, readers gain insights into the evolving understanding of the natural world during the age of exploration.
- The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough (2013): This science fiction novel is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world where humanity is threatened by an alien plague. The salvation of mankind comes in the form of a space elevator known as the Darwin Elevator. Amid the struggle for survival, the book incorporates themes of adaptation, resilience, and the profound impact of extraterrestrial influences on human evolution. It explores how humans adapt to extreme circumstances and the complex choices they make in a world forever changed by the elevator’s existence.
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2006): Although not recent, this novel remains a powerful exploration of human survival and adaptation. Set in a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape, it follows the harrowing journey of a father and his son as they navigate a world devoid of civilization. The story goes deeply into the idea of human adaptation, both physically and emotionally, as the characters confront the challenges of a harsh and unforgiving environment. McCarthy’s work raises questions about the essence of humanity and the lengths people will go to in order to survive.
Keywords in Evolutionary Theory in Literature
- Adaptation: The process by which organisms, including humans, evolve traits and behaviors that enhance their fitness or survival in their environment. In literature, adaptation refers to the portrayal of characters or themes that reflect adaptive traits or behaviors.
- Natural Selection: A fundamental mechanism of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to the next generation. In literature, natural selection can be used metaphorically to describe the survival of certain themes, stories, or literary elements over time.
- Human Nature: The inherent and universal characteristics, behaviors, and tendencies that define what it means to be human. Evolutionary theory in literature often explores how literary works reflect and comment on aspects of human nature.
- Narrative Universals: Common narrative patterns, themes, or structures found across different cultures and time periods. Evolutionary theory in literature suggests that certain narrative universals may have evolved due to their adaptive value in transmitting information and promoting social cohesion.
- Mimesis: The imitation or representation of aspects of the real world, often used in literature to describe how stories and characters imitate or represent elements of human experience and behavior.
- Kin Selection: A concept from evolutionary biology that explains the tendency for individuals to help close relatives because doing so can indirectly promote the survival of their shared genes. In literature, kin selection can be examined in the context of familial relationships and loyalty.
- Sexual Selection: A form of natural selection related to the competition for mates and the preferences of potential partners. In literature, sexual selection may be explored in the context of characters’ mating strategies and romantic relationships.
- Evolutionary Psychology: A field that applies principles of evolutionary theoryin literature to understand human cognitive and psychological processes. In literature, evolutionary psychology can be used to analyze characters’ motivations and behaviors.
- Consilience: The idea that knowledge from different disciplines, including biology and the humanities, can be integrated to form a unified understanding of complex phenomena. Evolutionary theory in literature often seeks consilience by bridging the gap between science and the arts.
- Cultural Evolution: The process by which cultural traits, practices, and ideas evolve and change over time within human societies. In literature, cultural evolution may be explored through the examination of how literary themes and narratives adapt to reflect changing cultural norms and values.
Suggested Readings
- Carroll, Joseph. “Evolution and Literary Theory.” Renascence: Essays on Values in Literature, vol. 49, no. 1, 1996, pp. 61-76.
- Darwin, Charles. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Oxford UP, 2009.
- Dissanayake, Ellen. Hom* Aestheticus: Where Art Comes From and Why. Free Press, 1992.
- Gottschall, Jonathan. The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. Mariner Books, 2013.
- Holland, Norman N. Literature and the Brain. Pearson, 2009.
- Lamarque, Peter, and Stein Haugom Olsen. Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: The Analytic Tradition. Wiley-Blackwell, 2007.
- McEwan, Ian. Enduring Love. Anchor Books, 1998.
- Pinker, Steven. The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature. Penguin Books, 2008.
- Wilson, E.O. Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge. Vintage Books, 1999.
