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Poem
May 19, 1871
National Opinion
Bradford, Orange County, Vermont
What is this article about?
A father humorously instructs his son on Darwin's theory of evolution while viewing animals at a menagerie, emphasizing reverence for their shared ancestry and playfully suggesting the animals might view humans similarly.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
This is supposed to be a brief conversation
between a thoughtful American male parent
and his boy, at a popular show:
While viewing this menagerie,
If smiles you'd from your pa win,
I'd have you bear in mind, my son,
The works of Mr. Darwin.
When yonder creature reaches for
Your treasured candy-chunk, he
Exhibits such a hand as wore
Our own ancestral monkey.
So do not mock at him, my child,
Nor in your spirit jeer him.
But show a filial reverence
Whenever you are near him.
Selection—evolution—they,
In distance being sunk, he
Would be exactly like yourself,
And you yourself a monkey.
I'll heed your lesson, dear papa,
And treat the creature kindly,
And look on him—(as he on us,
It's likely)—not so blindly;
For who can tell but that in turn,
While staring from his bunk, he
Thinks you're a cynocephalus,
And I'm your little monkey!
between a thoughtful American male parent
and his boy, at a popular show:
While viewing this menagerie,
If smiles you'd from your pa win,
I'd have you bear in mind, my son,
The works of Mr. Darwin.
When yonder creature reaches for
Your treasured candy-chunk, he
Exhibits such a hand as wore
Our own ancestral monkey.
So do not mock at him, my child,
Nor in your spirit jeer him.
But show a filial reverence
Whenever you are near him.
Selection—evolution—they,
In distance being sunk, he
Would be exactly like yourself,
And you yourself a monkey.
I'll heed your lesson, dear papa,
And treat the creature kindly,
And look on him—(as he on us,
It's likely)—not so blindly;
For who can tell but that in turn,
While staring from his bunk, he
Thinks you're a cynocephalus,
And I'm your little monkey!
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Science Progress
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Darwin
Evolution
Menagerie
Monkey
Father Son
Ancestry
Poem Details
Subject
Conversation Between Father And Son At A Menagerie On Darwin And Evolution
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
While Viewing This Menagerie,
If Smiles You'd From Your Pa Win,
I'd Have You Bear In Mind, My Son,
The Works Of Mr. Darwin.
When Yonder Creature Reaches For
Your Treasured Candy Chunk, He
Exhibits Such A Hand As Wore
Our Own Ancestral Monkey.
For Who Can Tell But That In Turn,
While Staring From His Bunk, He
Thinks You're A Cynocephalus,
And I'm Your Little Monkey!