Determinism in Audrey Neffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife

Abstract

This research presents the Darwinian readings of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel The Time Traveler’s Wife. The core of the story revolves around two protagonists: Henry DeTemble and Clare Abshire, who struggle for the existence. Therefore, this thesis tries to explore how the characters are involved in struggle for existence and how the weak variations affect them to meet extinction after failing to adjust to the changing environment. The study also attempts to analyze the impact of heredity and environment upon characters and their way of life. In the novel, Henry suffers from hereditary disease called Chrono-Disorder, which he genetically inherited from his father. The disease leaves such a great impact in his life that many times he loses control over his life. On the other hand, Clare Abshire tries to commit suicide out of despair, frustration and hopelessness emerged from her problem of miscarriage for six times. The suicidal act of Clare suggests that adaptation and existence go together. People who can cope with circumstance can easily survive and those who are unable extinct like Henry. This is the truth of Darwinism. Clare's brother shots him and he dies in the arm of Clare. Finally, Clare and Alba are saved and the root is preserved from extinction. Thus, the researcher has applied the tool of Darwinism to analyze and prove the impact of heredity and environment upon characters and their way of life.