Charles and Emma

The reading of this book tied in nicely with the Chapter we had to read from Darwin's Origin of the Species for the educational foundations class I am taking. Creationism versus evolution has been an issue of huge conflict since and before Darwin's book. I think the book showed through Emma and Charles relationship, that a balance can be achieved. I enjoyed getting to know Darwin as a person and how he struggled tremendously with what people would think of his work. I was amazed at the amount of research and thought he put into his theories and how he wanted his works to be easy to read and understood by all, and not just intellectuals. And after having read a chapter from his Origin of the Species I have to concur, that it is very nice read. I especially appreciated the relationship of Charles and Emma. Emma, a devout Christian, who had to hold onto her belief in God and heaven, so that she would be able to see her sister Fanny and the children she lost, once again and Charles, who accepted many of the moral principles in the Bible but didn't think you should take the Bible literally. What a fascinating scientific life Charles led. Being able to document species from all over during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. What an opportunity during this time period. And to have such a wonderful partnership with his wife and an extreme love for her and his children. All this made him seem so real, and a genuinely caring and thorough individual, not the heretic he was often made out to be. And, his research makes sense. Natural selection and the struggle for existence can be proven. The idea that destruction or extinction occurs in order to maintain a balance, can be seen throughout history. These ideas could be expanded in the classroom in a discussion, for example, on the BP oil spill and what it is and will do to this balance. And, the relationship between Charles and Emma would be a great starting point for a discussion on tolerance for the religious and spiritual beliefs of others. I am realizing, after reading 2 nonfiction books, that I really like young adult nonfiction and that it has an amazing potential for use in the classroom.