Human Evolution and Fantastic Victorian Fiction

Victorian anthropology made two contradictory claims: it distinguished civilized man from animals and primitive humans and it linked them though descent. This book shows how Victorian and early Edwardian fictions—utopias,dystopias,nonsense literature,gothic horror, and childrens fables—untether human and nonhuman animal agency from this account of the deep past, revealing dynamic landscapes of cognitive descent that contest prevailing anthropological ideas about race, culture, and species difference.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Following the publication of Charles Darwin's groundbreaking work "On the Origin of Species," Victorian anthropology made two seemingly contradictory claims. Firstly, it distinguished "civilized man" from animals and primitive humans, recognizing the unique characteristics and advancements of the former group. Secondly, it established a link between these two groups through descent, suggesting a shared evolutionary history. However, this paradoxical approach allowed evolutionary anthropology to assert a new form of human exceptionalism. By positioning human history in a distant past shaped by incremental changes rather than at the apex of a Providential order, evolutionary anthropologists could claim that civilized humanity stood apart from both human and nonhuman savagery.

This book delves into the fascinating realm of Victorian and early Edwardian fictions, encompassing a wide range of genres such as utopias, dystopias, nonsense literature, gothic horror, and children's fables. These works challenge the orthodox account of the deep past by untethering human and nonhuman animal agency. They envision worlds that transcend the limitations imposed by evolutionary constraints, allowing for the exploration of dynamic landscapes of cognitive descent. Through their imaginative narratives, these stories reveal and even occupy these dynamic landscapes, challenging prevailing anthropological ideas about race, culture, and species difference.

In this exploration, the book highlights the ways in which Victorian and early Edwardian fictions challenge the notion of a linear and progressive evolution. These stories depict a world where human and nonhuman animals possess agency and can shape their own destinies. They challenge the idea that evolution is solely a matter of gradual changes over time and instead present a more complex and dynamic understanding of the process. By collapsing evolution into lived time, these fictions create a sense of immediacy and relevance, making the reader more engaged with the cognitive descent that is central to their narratives.

Furthermore, the book explores the ways in which Victorian and early Edwardian fictions engage with issues of race, culture, and species difference. These stories often depict hybrid creatures, blurring the boundaries between different human and nonhuman groups. They challenge the rigid categorizations of race and culture that were prevalent in Victorian society and offer alternative perspectives on the nature of difference. Through their imaginative narratives, these fictions offer a means of exploring the complexities and contradictions of human-nonhuman relationships and the potential for cross-cultural understanding.

In conclusion, this book provides a unique and insightful perspective on Victorian and early Edwardian fictions. By untethering human and nonhuman animal agency from the orthodox account of the deep past, these fictions challenge prevailing anthropological ideas about race, culture, and species difference. They offer a dynamic and imaginative exploration of cognitive descent, challenging the reader to reimagine the relationship between human and nonhuman animals in the past and present. Through their imaginative narratives, these fictions provide a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complexities of human-nonhuman relationships and the potential for cross-cultural understanding in the future.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032009988