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Darwin On "Woman"

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edited 8/19/11

Darwin painstakingly established that all life shares common ancestors, and evolved over time through the process of natural selection. Eventually his life’s work provided the foundation for all modern life sciences and ranks with the greatest scientific achievements of all time. Nevertheless, religious fundamentalists have never forgiven him for including humans in his evolutionary model, thus undermining their literal interpretations of the Bible.

Darwin long pondered whether or not to marry Emma Wedgewood, his wealthy, charming and cultured cousin. He even made notations on the positives and negatives of marriage. Arranged on the page headed “Marry” he listed, “constant companion and a friend in old age … better than a dog anyhow.” On the “Not Marry” page he wrote, “terrible loss of time,” and “less money for books.”

Emma, too, had concerns. A devoted Anglican, she was afraid that death would separate her from her agnostic mate. Nevertheless, they married and the union endured. They had ten children, seven of whom grew to adulthood. They loved one another deeply and Emma nursed him through repeated illnesses, On his deathbed Charles spoke his last words to Emma saying, “Remember what a good wife you have been.”

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Darwin

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) English naturalist who provided the basis for all life sciences


Man is more powerful in body and mind than woman.
               The Descent of Man

Women everywhere are conscious of the value of their own beauty; and when they have the means, they take more delight in decorating themselves with all sorts of ornaments than do man.”
               The Descent of Man

Women are much more sensitive about their personal appearance than men are, especially elderly women in comparison with elderly men.
               The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

As far as I have been able to observe, the grief-muscles are brought into action much more frequently by children and women than by men.
               The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Women blush much more than men.
               The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

(With respect to blushing) We can understand why the young are much more affected than the old, and women more than men.
               The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Some curious cases have been recorded in the case of women, of the power of the mind on the mammary glands; and still more remarkable ones in relation to the uterine functions.
               The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals


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