Science became a big topic of literature during the Victorian Age. Shelley definitely introduces the idea of science and creation but the Victorians took that idea and thoroughly studied it. The most know science writer's of the time did a lot of traveling and were very credible sources. Darwin came up with many logical theories. His theories are still discussed today. Science became part of this culture. Curiosity was what drove these philosophers and writers to study abroad and explore the creation outside of the human world.
Huxley opens up one of his pieces making a very powerful statement. He states, "Let us suppose that knowledge is absolute, and not relative..." In other words these Victorians knew a lot but he wanted to step away from knowledge and see things for what they really were. Humans are incompetent and things out in nature are smarter then we give them credit for. Animals for example are not just something we look down upon anymore. In fact we are as primitive as animal because we are ignorant to thing we can’t find in a book. This is a powerful gesture coming from Huxley and definitely an insult to the Victorian people.
Darwin on the other hand was interested in stepping out of this box. He was not interested in being ignorant in life. He wanted to learn more and understand ore of the things that were quite like him. In his piece "The Origin of Species" he goes into great detail explaining the importance of each organism and how each one survives off one another. The flowers can't survive without insect sucking away at their pollen. He speaks of the struggle of existence. Already these Victorian understand what endangered species are. Today we have the Eagle, the Brown Pelican, White Tigers, etc. Just about two years ago the Panda Bear was taken off the list. A struggle of existence was noticed in the Victorian Age and is still a struggle today.
No comments:
Post a Comment