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Chapter 11: Revelations
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Unsheltered, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Truth vs. Comfort
Evolution, Adaptation, and Survival
False Promises and Hope
Consumerism and Greed
Human Connection
Summary
Analysis
Back in the 19th century, Thatcher stands onstage in Plum Hall, about to debate Cutler in a forum titled “Darwin versus Decency.” Landis is the moderator. Polly and Mary are in the audience, though Rose is absent. Thatcher begins his argument with four assertions: individuals within a population vary, traits in their variation are inherited, death comes to all living beings, and those who inherit useful traits from their ancestors the fittest to survive. Polly and Mary coached Thatcher as he rehearsed this speech. These simple statements confuse Cutler, who interjects randomly to disagree with minor details. When Thatcher claims he has just described Darwin’s theory of descent with modification by natural selection in full—and that Cutler has just agreed with it—Cutler accuses him of lying.
The lecture’s title reveals an obvious bias toward Cutler, who is supposedly arguing on the side of decency. The odds are additionally stacked against Thatcher with Landis moderating, since he has already sided with Cutler in private. Nevertheless, Thatcher delivers his argument concisely, drawing on examples from farm life, which resonate with his audience. His argument is intentionally non-threatening and doesn’t mention religion at all. Mary and Polly’s support emboldens Thatcher, while Rose’s absence hints at the growing distance between them. That Cutler is baffled by Thatcher’s skillful rhetoric underlines his own incompetence.
Active
Themes
Literary Devices
Cutler admits he has not read Darwin’s book, only a review condemning it. Thatcher carries on, using the example of a wolf pack whose fastest members survive the longest because they catch more prey to explain how useful traits are passed on to future generations. Likewise, Arctic hares dominate snowy climates because their white fur allows them to hide from predators, ensuring their survival and increasing the likelihood that they will reproduce and pass on the trait of white fur. Thatcher rests his case, and Landis calls for intermission. Still onstage, Thatcher thinks of Rose, who has gone horseback riding with her new friend Louise Dunwiddie. Aurelia is developing plans to marry Louise’s widowed father for his wealth. Thatcher hopes it works out.
Cutler’s pride in his own ignorance reveals the depth of his stubbornness, as he refuses to even entertain Darwin’s theories and only reads literature that agrees with his personal perspective. Thatcher doesn’t rise to Cutler’s moralistic bait but persists with concrete examples of evolution that his audience can understand. Rose and Aurelia’s involvement with the Dunwiddies suggests they have finally made wealthy acquaintances to match their elevated view of themselves.
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Themes
Though Thatcher is grateful for Polly and Mary’s support, he wishes Rose were here, despite telling her not to come. He exits the stage onto the street with Polly, who praises his performance so far. They discuss their deteriorating house, which would cost $10,000 to rebuild according to the builders. Thatcher worries for Rose, who is out riding in such frigid weather. Polly assures him that Louise and the other Dunwiddies are rich enough to avoid all discomfort. She reveals that Rose planned the outing for today so the Dunwiddies wouldn’t attend the forum and see Thatcher humiliated. Thatcher feels betrayed.
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Themes
Back in the auditorium, Cutler begins his argument against Darwinism, quoting the biblical story of Noah’s ark. Thatcher questions how every animal managed to reproduce when Noah sacrificed some after the flood, but Cutler dismisses this argument as crude. He insists that God gave humans supremacy over animals. Thatcher tries to derail his opponent by referencing questionable Scripture passages, such as one that calls for children to be disciplined by “dashing out the[ir] brains.” But this only alarms the audience, giving Cutler the upper hand. Landis calms the crowd with his talent for balancing fear of corruption with the comfort of tradition.
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Themes
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Cutler explains his theory of animal distribution based on the assumption that Noah left the ark in Asia. Using creative Biblical interpretation, Cutler argues that God parted the Atlantic Ocean so animals could walk to North America. This theory has obvious flaws and lacks concrete evidence. Thatcher counters Cutler’s argument with Darwin’s theory of descent with modification, a simpler explanation of animal distribution across the continents. Though Landis takes Cutler’s side, Thatcher describes the principle of Occam’s razor, developed by a 14th-century monk, which insists that the simplest explanation is the most likely. Darwin’s theory is supported by simple evidence, whereas Cutler’s imagined scenario is complicated and illogical.
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Themes
Obeying a sign from Mary, Thatcher requests Landis’s permission to display his illustrations of fossils that the paleontologist Mary Anning found in England. The remains belonged to animals like the plesiosaur, a long-necked turtle, that no longer exist on Earth. Enraged, Cutler maintains that God promised never to smite living creatures after the flood, so such creatures couldn’t have existed if they aren’t around today. Landis, captivated by the drawings, suggests the creatures could have migrated. Ultimately, he sides with Cutler’s insistence that God doesn’t make mistakes. Landis declares Darwin’s theories disproven and irrelevant, though Thatcher claims he and other respected scientists are still collecting data. Thatcher sees Carruth in the audience.
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Themes
Sensing defeat, Thatcher appeals to the audience. Their livelihoods confirm that survival is not random but shaped by agency: farmers cull their herds, and parents raise children to be better off than themselves. With finality, Landis declares that Vineland, at least, is safe from the monstrous creatures Thatcher described. The audience applauds. Spotting Carruth, Landis declares that true evil spouts false accusations and undermines authority. Thatcher insists that science can’t turn a blind eye to uncomfortable truths. Cutler says he will stand beside the ape as one of God’s creations, but he will never allow a monkey to pretend it is human. Joking, Landis suggests they shave the ape using Occam’s razor. Thatcher takes comfort in the knowledge of Mary’s support and wishes she were a man who could argue beside him.
