Analysis Of The Descent Of Man By Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who chose a path in evolutionary theory to prove that all species descend from a lower life form. The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, was the second book written about evolutionary theory, this book followed his previous work, On the Origin of Species (“The Descent o Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex”). During exploration trips to the Galapagos Islands, Darwin was able to pick up on the many characterizes of finches. This, along with his strong knowledge of geology and biology, allowed him to form his evolutionary theory. The Descent of Man is a book all about evolution and sexual selection. This allows for strong traits to be passed from the partners to the offspring. Simply put

Though his books are about evolution, at the time these were all off Charles Darwin’s opinions. I also believe that evolution could be a protagonist as it’s the main theme through his works. Religion is the antagonist as it opposes all off Charles Darwin’s theories. Darwin wrote “Let us suppose the members of a tribe, practising some form of marriage, to spread over an unoccupied continent, they would soon split up into distinct hordes, separated from each other by various barriers, and still more effectually by the incessant wars between all barbarous nations. The hordes would thus be exposed to slightly different conditions and habits of life, and would sooner or later come to differ in some small degree. As soon as this occurred, each isolated tribe would form for itself a slightly different standard of beauty;* and then unconscious selection would come into action through the more powerful and leading men preferring certain women to others. Thus the differences between the tribes, at first very slight, would gradually and inevitably be more or less increased (“The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex”). In the passage Darwin is describing how tribes or individuals would be attracted to a trait not seen elsewhere. I believe this is true today. If you look at your family or social group you commonly are all attracted to the same type of characteristics. These traits or characteristics can and do change with location. Another passage from Darwin’s The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, “With some of the North American Indians, the contest is reduced to a system. That excellent observer, Hearne,* says:- "It has ever been the custom among these people for the men to wrestle for any woman to whom they are attached; and, of course, the strongest party always carries off the prize. A weak man, unless he be a good hunter, and well-beloved,