Survival of the Fittest in Literature When many think of the term ‘survival of the fittest,’ the image of a violent struggle comes to mind, of which the strongest opponent survives. While this is an example of the concept, it does not define it. Being the ‘fittest’ can mean being the smartest, best camouflaged, or even most cooperative. This explains how some species, such as humans, have stopped growing in size and instead grow intellectually. Furthermore, both Bret Harte’s “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” and Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” illustrate this idea. Through their characters’ adaptation, or lack thereof, both authors demonstrate different facets of Darwin’s theory of survival. In Bret Harte’s “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” Uncle
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On one hand, Uncle Billy, a “suspected sluice robber” and “confirmed drunkard,” made off with the group’s mules and many of their supplies (360). While Mr. Oakhurst views this “rascality” as “felonious,” Uncle Billy was simply increasing his own chances for survival (363). He secures this survival through theft, subsequently lowering the others’ chances. This act depicts one of the simplest aspects of ‘survival of the fittest’ in that Uncle Billy makes himself the ‘fittest.’ Although he wasn’t the strongest or most intelligent of the outcasts, Uncle Billy was able to ensure his own survival, even if it meant killing the others. In an entirely different way, Mother Shipton demonstrates this theory by attempting to increase the chance of survival for another human being. Through Mother Shipton, Harte …show more content…
Whether this is shown through Mother Shipton’s change in character as a result of a change in her environment, or simply the man’s inability to adapt to his wintry climate, the idea of ‘survival of the fittest’ is clear throughout. Commonly thought of as strictly pertaining to wild animals, Darwin’s theory of survival is observable in the actions of these characters. While neither of the stories involve a brutal battle between animals, it is indisputable that their characters reflect Darwin’s
On one hand, Uncle Billy, a “suspected sluice robber” and “confirmed drunkard,” made off with the group’s mules and many of their supplies (360). While Mr. Oakhurst views this “rascality” as “felonious,” Uncle Billy was simply increasing his own chances for survival (363). He secures this survival through theft, subsequently lowering the others’ chances. This act depicts one of the simplest aspects of ‘survival of the fittest’ in that Uncle Billy makes himself the ‘fittest.’ Although he wasn’t the strongest or most intelligent of the outcasts, Uncle Billy was able to ensure his own survival, even if it meant killing the others. In an entirely different way, Mother Shipton demonstrates this theory by attempting to increase the chance of survival for another human being. Through Mother Shipton, Harte …show more content…
Whether this is shown through Mother Shipton’s change in character as a result of a change in her environment, or simply the man’s inability to adapt to his wintry climate, the idea of ‘survival of the fittest’ is clear throughout. Commonly thought of as strictly pertaining to wild animals, Darwin’s theory of survival is observable in the actions of these characters. While neither of the stories involve a brutal battle between animals, it is indisputable that their characters reflect Darwin’s