A Darwinian reading of the novel

Koochakpour, Farzaneh; AkbariBeiragh, Hassan

doi:10.22080/lpr.2026.29970.1141

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Master's degree, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, University of Semnan, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, University of Semnan, Iran.

10.22080/lpr.2026.29970.1141

Abstract

Evolution, a theory presented by Charles Darwin, although it was a biological theory, was not limited only to this scientific field, but also gained epistemological and ontological dominance over other branches of human knowledge, from the Experimental Sciences to the Humanities and Social Sciences. Among the fields that were not immune to the influence of this meta-theory were literary studies; Evolutionary literary criticism, which is the product of this fundamental transformation in science, attempts to provide an explanation of the behaviors of the "human species" by utilizing Darwin's theory of natural selection that reflects the nature and character of this creature. The present article is an attempt to apply the rules of evolution to analyze the behavior of the main characters in the novel "Neither Angel, Nor Saint" by Ivan Klima. first addressed the meaning and basis of evolution and then its impact on literary criticism. Then, explored the components of that theory in this novel. By going beyond the surface and entering the depths of the individual and collective actions of the characters in the story, we encountered behaviors such as violence, jealousy, betrayal, etc., all of which have their roots in the evolved nature of man. The result of this research is, first of all, confirmation of the comprehensive explanatory power of the theory of natural selection in the field of fiction, and, in the next stage, highlighting the background and common foundations of all human behavior, despite all the cultural and historical differences of human societies.

Keywords

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Literary-philosophical researches

A Darwinian reading of the novel "Neither Angel, nor Saint" by Ivan Kalima

References

References

Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
May 2026
Pages 171-190

A Darwinian reading of the novel "Neither Angel, nor Saint" by Ivan Kalima

References

References

Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7May 2026Pages 171-190

Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
May 2026
Pages 171-190