Heredity

Definition

Heredity is the biological process through which genetic traits and characteristics are passed from one generation to the next. It plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's behavior, personality, and potential, linking closely to the concept of determinism, where inherited traits influence the choices and outcomes in a person's life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Heredity is central to the naturalist perspective, which often emphasizes how biological factors shape human behavior and societal outcomes.
2. In literature, characters are frequently portrayed as products of their heredity, suggesting that their traits and fates are largely pre-determined by their genetic backgrounds.
3. Naturalist writers often use heredity to explain characters' struggles, failures, or successes as an inevitable result of their inherited characteristics.
4. The concept of heredity intersects with social issues such as class and race, as literature examines how these inherited traits can impact societal status and personal destiny.
5. Heredity also raises questions about free will, challenging the idea that individuals can completely shape their own lives independent of their genetic makeup.

Review Questions

• How does heredity relate to the concept of determinism in literature?
  • Heredity connects to determinism in literature by suggesting that individuals are largely shaped by their inherited traits. This perspective presents characters whose lives and choices are influenced by biological factors, leading to the idea that their destinies are predetermined. As naturalist writers illustrate, heredity can dictate character development and plot outcomes, reinforcing the notion that personal agency may be limited by one's genetic background.
• In what ways do naturalist writers use heredity to develop themes related to social class or race?
  • Naturalist writers often employ heredity as a means to explore themes related to social class or race by illustrating how these inherited traits affect characters' positions within society. For instance, characters born into impoverished or marginalized communities might face insurmountable obstacles due to their genetic backgrounds. By highlighting these inherited characteristics, writers critique societal structures and emphasize the deterministic nature of one's fate in relation to class or racial lineage.
• Evaluate the implications of hereditary determinism on the portrayal of free will in naturalist literature.
  • Hereditary determinism significantly impacts the portrayal of free will in naturalist literature by suggesting that individuals are often at the mercy of their genetic make-up. Characters frequently grapple with inherent traits that limit their choices and potential for change, raising questions about accountability and moral responsibility. This portrayal challenges traditional notions of free will by presenting a view that emphasizes biological constraints over individual agency, ultimately provoking readers to consider how much control one truly has over their life circumstances.

Related terms

Genetics: The study of genes and heredity, focusing on how traits are inherited and expressed in living organisms.

Determinism: The philosophical belief that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, often linked to genetic predispositions.

Nature vs. Nurture: The debate concerning the relative importance of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) in determining individual traits and behaviors.