Darwin’s The Descent of Man Assignment Sample

• Subject Name : English Literature

Introduction to Darwin’s ‘The Descent of Man’ and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s Poem ‘Hymn of Man’

The essay deals with the ideas present in Darwin’s “The Descent of Man”and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem ‘Hymn of Man’. Darwin explores humankind’s origin as species in the “The Descent of Man”(Barrett 2016). He explains that the human's direct physical and social parentage from a former animal is connected to different apes and other chimpanzees. Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” discover show the humans were openly descended from an inferior form of an animal(Flannelly 2017). Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man” takes hold of the actual title of humanistic man. This means that the Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man” considers that the man is supreme of all. The man can also control the process of reproduction. These views of Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man” differs from the Christian teachings. This essay explains the ideas which are influenced by Darwin’s “The Descent of Man”(Flannelly 2017). Also, these ideas are represented in Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man”, which is discussed.

Discussion on Darwin’s ‘The Descent of Man’ and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s Poem ‘Hymn of Man’

According to Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” the physical structure of the animals and man are almost similar and have similar degrees. The theory of evolution of Darwin explains that all the animals and humans belong to a similar ancestor (McKaughan 2016). Also, Darwin analyses the extraordinary resemblances among the animals and man to prove his argument of evolution theory. He also describes that the embryos of humans, apes and dogs are similar and have a similar structure. Most of them appear to be same until the maturation period.“The Descent of Man” includes a number of similar traits like feet, hands, jaws, skull, spines, teeth and other internal organs like lungs, kidneys, heart and brain. Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” analysed the changes in the human structure since the man started to walk in an erect position(Bannan 2017). The internal organs adapted accordingly and the essential parts were strengthened. The unused parts like the tail were diminished. On the other hand, Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem ‘Hymn of Man’ seizes the real title of humanistic man. According to Algernon Charles Swinburne's poem, 'Hymn of Man' man have multiform features. These multiform features include manipulation, mental control and satisfaction, curiosity, and vocalization. It can be explained that since the beginning there were numerous recurrent assertions that the man is the director of his fortune. Also, it states that the future of the man lies in his hand. Some people argue that this saying is not linked with the Christian view of the human condition. As per Christianity, God is the supreme power who can do everything(Flannelly 2017).

According to Darwin's "The Descent of Man," the characters and features of animals and humans can be recognized to heredity and genetics. There is clarity that the socialization, environment and adaptability have a critical role in human evolution. Some of the features are transferred with the help of generations over heredity(McKaughan 2016). These can continueto be constant or can alter over time relying on all generation's experience. Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” links the inherited features and genetic strain to the physicalresemblances and alterationswhich are distributed from the animals and humans ancestor. Some undeniable qualities, for example, skin shade and hair have been utilized by Darwin to classify and isolate a few people dependent on race. However, he rejects such shallow thoughts because the physical structures of all races of mankind are almost indistinguishable (Flannelly 2017).

Regardless of how a man appears, like a dog or a horse or monkey so far as that is concerned, they are still unquestionably more indistinguishable in structure than they are unique. Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man” gives ideas likea man is ultimate and the man is of supreme importance(Holmes 2016). This relates to the fact that whenever a man is trying to control the process of reproduction, he wants to make a future of his creation. People claim that God has a good plan for all the individual's lives and family planning is God's sovereign will. It is a Christian teaching which means that the supreme authority is God and everything is in his control. This also means that God has the right to do things as per his moral desire. It can be stated that the foetus is related to the humanistic reasons and not Christian reason.

In the Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” much of the portion describes how man’s advanced intelligence make a difference from the animal territory and made man the earth's most leading animal (Barrett 2016). Darwin analyses the intelligent features common in men and their neighbouring companions which include apes and monkeys. It is observed that both have memories and can interact. Also, both can resolve issues. In any case, the author clarifies that the people's progressed mental capacities outperform those of their cousins like monkeys and apes. The progression of the mind combined with the improvement of language is an imperative advancement in mankind's strength. The two of them add to the species capacity to take care of issues, make propelled equipment, and form clans into networks and much bigger social groups and countries(Flannelly 2017). Memory and compassion assume significant jobs in mankind's capacity to identify with others and therefore find shared ethics. On the other hand, according to the Algernon Charles Swinburne's poem 'Hymn of Man,' the man is the glory of godhead which means that God is considered as the most magnificent being in actuality. It can be said that human beings are produced in God’s Image. Man can take part with an imperfection in the glory as image carriers.

As indicated byDarwin’s “The Descent of Man” animals show indication of rich communal lives, which is comparable to human’s communal communications. Animals also show separate feelings and team communal natures which is comparable to humans. Buta man as a social animal is more complicated, and exterior forces like sanction and disgrace from society play asignificant role in human socialization (McKaughan 2016). The parents and society teachchildren about morals. It also gives guidance to human acts in numerous ways. The human also wishes to be social just like animals. Ideas, for example, division of work, network ethics, and helping other people in need are not only related to human. Natural selection influences mankind's condition and improves it by strengthening and advancing the two thoughts and practices. Darwin recommends that mankind's thought of ethical quality is established on the related social thought of the Golden Rule which states that if you will do some good things for others they will also do good things in return. On the other hand, as indicated byAlgernon Charles Swinburne's poem 'Hymn of Man,' the man can die and also the man can tolerate. The man is considered as the master of all the things and the glory of the man is regarded as the greatest.

As per the analysis, it can be observed that Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” is mainly related to the evolution of human. It focuses on comparing humans with the animals and finding similar traits in it(Bannan 2017). It was observed that the physical structure of the animals and humans are similar. Only the unused parts are removed from the humans like the tails. In some parts, the humans are regarded as superior to the animals where intelligence and language are considered. It is also stated in Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” that the embryos of the man and animals are similar(McKaughan 2016).According to the Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem ‘Hymn of Man’, the man is regarded as the master of all the things. Also, the man tries to control the process of reproduction. Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem ‘Hymn of Man’ is based on the thinking of humanism which does not match with Christian learning. The ideas presented in both Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem ‘Hymn of Man’ have their own worth and value.

Conclusion on Darwin’s ‘The Descent of Man’ and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s Poem ‘Hymn of Man’

It can be concluded that both Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem ‘Hymn of Man’ are valued. Both explain the ideas related to man. The ideas in Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” are represented in the Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man”.Darwin explains “The Descent of Man” through questioning in the first chapter that is human different from the animals in terms of body and brain. He describes numerous common physical and inner structural features of humans and animals and the differences among them which includeportions that becomeunusable to humans overdevelopment. On the other hand, Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man” explains the humanistic thinking of the man. It also regards man as an ultimate and supreme creature. People claim that this thinking is different from Christian teaching. This essay describes the ideas related to Darwin’s “The Descent of Man” and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “Hymn of Man” in a decent manner.

References for Darwin’s ‘The Descent of Man’ and Algernon Charles Swinburne’s Poem ‘Hymn of Man’

Bannan, N., 2017. Darwin, music and evolution: new insights from family correspondence on The Descent of Man. Musicae Scientiae, 21(1), pp.3-25.

Barrett, P.H., 2016. The Works of Charles Darwin: v. 22: Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (, with an Essay by TH Huxley). United Kingdom: Routledge.

Flannelly, K.J., 2017. Darwin’s Books About Evolution and Reactions to Them. In Religious Beliefs, Evolutionary Psychiatry, and Mental Health in America (pp. 267-273).Springer, Cham.

Flannelly, K.J., 2017.Darwin’s descent of man and the expression of emotions.In Religious Beliefs, Evolutionary Psychiatry, and Mental Health in America (pp. 55-59).Springer, Cham.

Holmes, J., 2016. Algernon Swinburne, Anthropologist. Journal of Literature and Science, 9(1), pp.16-39.

McKaughan, D.J., 2016, August. Darwin’s Descent of Man and the Study of Science from a Liberal Arts Perspective. In The Quest for Excellence: Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Core Texts. Selected Proceedings from the Seventeenth Annual Conference of the Association for Core Texts and Courses (p. 151).United Kingdom: Rowman& Littlefield.

McKaughan, D.J., 2016. Darwin’s Descent of Man and the Value of Studying Science from a Liberal Arts Perspective,1(2).

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