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The quote included at the beginning of this book is from Darwin. What do you think this epigraph is being used for?
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Epigraph
The quote included at the beginning of this book is from Darwin. What do you think this epigraph is being used for?
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Darwin's quote is placed there as a preface to the book. Darwin explains that everything can't be the same and that beauty evolves. This serves as a preface because according to the summary of the book, Edgar will come of age and "evolve" throughout the story.
Darwin's quote is describing nature developing and becoming something grand and gorgeous from a fixed setting (Earth in this case). This relates to the book because Edgar is supposed to grow and "become beautiful" himself after living with being deaf (his fixed scenario).
This epigraph is included in the book to foreshadow what is going to happen. In the quote, Darwin says that life started in few forms, possibly one, and it eventually developed into many different forms of life. Edgar starts out all on his own; he is the first person heard of who can hear but cannot speak. With time, his mother teaches him sign language so he is able to communicate with people. Like life in Darwin’s quote, Edgar starts off alone but slowly learns how to communicate with others. The epigraph also foreshadows the new dog breed that evolves on the Sawtelle’s property. The Sawtelles started off with just a few dogs and turned them into a whole new breed. The epigraph not only explains how life evolved but also how Edgar and the Sawtelle dogs evolved.
By the time I type this, I've already read past part one, and, in retrospect, I think I now know what the epigraph is supposed to signify. "...its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one," these forms are the dogs in the litter for which Edgar is responsible, with the singular being Edgar himself. "...from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." We've been present for the births of both Edgar and his pups, and I think we will witness many changes in these characters and they grow up and "evolve". Darwin's quote fits in perfectly with the novel, as we learn of Edgar's grandfather breeding new dogs after discovering an article on heredity at the start of the book.
I think the author used this quote to show how the characters will be developed with a great sense of appreciation for life and how Edgar is a new adaptation of a “wonderful and beautiful form” born out of simplicity.
I think that the epigraph is placed in the this book to foreshadow future events. It, in a way, shows where the characters mind set will be. For example, full of life and beauty, yet still revolving around the more simple aspects of life.
I think the epigraph is foreshadowing future events. It's maybe saying that what starts from a simple thing will then one day evolve into something greater. Whether it's good or bad I don't know. Also maybe it's saying that there's always change. The world keeps going on and adjusting to what's happening.
The quote could be there as a suggestion on how to view the novel's events. If you read the story with Darwinism in the back of your mind, your perception could be altered.
Darwinism can be summarized into "survival of the fittest". The Sawtelles use this philosophy to breed their dogs. They choose only the smartest and well-trained to breed, taking the process of natural selection into their own hands.
Edgar is born mute, a trait which makes him vulnerable. In order to survive, he must overcome his weakness, or use it to his advantage.
The epigraph by Charles Darwin foreshadows change in the book. The epigraph says species had begun in a plain and simple state, but became beautiful and wonderful through evolution. I believe the main character, Edgar, will evolve throughout the book. At the beginning he may seem plain and unexciting, but by the end he will have changed into something truly remarkable.
I think the epigraph at the beginning of this novel acts as a preface to the book. The quote used is by Charles Darwin and it talks about the beauty in the world and how it is always changing and evolving. I think it is forshadowing of how the characters in the novel will grow and change as well and how they see the world as a beautiful and ever-changing place.
The purpose of the epigraph is to give the reader some insight as to what will take place later on in the novel. I think it hints that one or more characters will continue to change throughout the novel. Also, I think that they will gain a better understanding and respect for the simply beauty in the world as they try to cope with its changes.
The Epigraph at the the beginning of the book signifies what will happen throughout the book. I believe it is foreshadowing how the characters of the book will grow, change, and evolve into something beautiful. They will start to see the world from a different perspective as life goes on. At first, life for Edgar is "plain", but throughout the novel he will become incredible by learning to communicate with others.
The quote at the beginning of the novel by Charles Darwin is used to show the maturing and growing of all creatures in the cycle of life. This quote foreshadows something simple changing and growing from experience to become something beautiful and awesome. The epigraph can be an insight to the theme or conflict in the novel as characters evolve throughout the story to change their views and the reader's view.
I can see two meanings in the epigraph. One relates the natural evolution occurring in our world to the story because they use genetics to breed the best dog they can. I also think it will refer to Edgar, though, because he will grow and develop throughout his life and the story. Even though he may seem like a plain character in the beginning, he will develop into a more complex and intriguing character later in the novel.
I think that the epigraph in the beginning is foreshadowing Edgar's beautiful change that will happen throughout the book. From his quote you can tell that Edgar will definitely be a dynamic character in this story. He will grow and learn from experiences which will prepare him to face his battles in life.
I think that the epigraph was included in this book to open the reader's mind to the idea that at all times things are evolving. To me, it is a foreshadowing of how Edgar will be able to come from being so simple to something extraordinary through evolving.
I think that this quote is used as a preface to the book. It foreshadows some of the events in the story. Edgar starts off as a simple character and he will grow, or evolve, into something greater and more wonderful. His life will have a more important meaning than what it started off as.
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