Critical Analysis: The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex

Length: 400-500 words
Write a critical analysis of the passage below from Darwin’s Descent of Man that is part of the reading we have done. This analysis involves a close reading of the text—meaning attention to individual sentences, words, metaphors, analogies, etc. You will be expected to be as specific as possible in analyzing what Darwin was attempting to do when he wrote the passage you have selected. Do not merely repeat or summarize Darwin’s words or points. You must analyze carefully, delving below the surface meaning of the words. You must avoid extensive quotation though you may refer to phrases or words from the extract, or from course readings relevant to your argument. But stick primarily to this particular passage. Your analysis must be written in essay format with a central thesis and supporting arguments.This is the passage to be analysed:
“…without the higher powers of the imagination and reason, no eminent success in many subjects can be gained. But these latter as well as the former faculties will have been developed in man, partly through sexual selection, — that is, through the contest of
rival males, and partly through natural selection, — that is, from success in the general struggle for life; and as in both cases the struggle will have been during maturity, the characters thus gained will have been. transmitted more fully to the male than to the female offspring. It accords with the view that some of our mental faculties have been modified or strengthened through sexual selection, that, firstly, they undergo, as is generally admitted, a considerable change at puberty … . Thus man has ultimately become superior to woman. It is, indeed, fortunate that the law of the equal transmission of characters to both sexes has commonly prevailed throughout the whole class of mammals; otherwise it is probable that man would have become as superior in mental endowment to woman, as the peacock is in ornamental plumage to the peahen.”
(Chapter XIX, Descent of Man)
Possible themes to include:
An analysis of the language and literary aspects of the passage, including important words, metaphors, symbols, or images.
A discussion of how Darwin presents his science and why.
A discussion of how Darwin regards the intellectual powers of men and women.
An exploration of the key ideas in the passage as related to evolution.
An examination of Darwin’s rhetorical strategies (his strategies for persuading the reader) exhibited in the passage.
An inquiry into how the specific ideas developed in the passage fit into the rest of the chapter, the text from which it is extracted, or in comparison with other writings by Darwin that we have read in this course.
Criteria for Evaluation:Level of your understanding of passage selected for analysis.Ability to construct a clear, coherent argument from a specific point of view, to convey this argument to your reader, and to support it through analysis of the passage.
Suitability and effective use of evidence.Effective use of other passages where used to analyse the specific passage under analysis, which demonstrates an understanding of Darwin’s writings that we have encountered in the course so far.
Writing style, including good paragraph structure, clarity, and organizational structure.Good grammar and essay-mechanics (title, spelling, punctuation)
Ability to follow presentation instructions for format
Format Requirements:
1. Type your quote analysis, double-spaced, on white paper, using 12 point Times New Roman font.
2. Use 1-inch margins.
3. Number your pages.
4. Include a cover page that gives a thoughtful title for your essay, your name, your student number, the course number, the course title, your tutorial leader’s name and the date.