Chapter 199 Summary

Christopher gives a lecture on God and evolution. People who believe in God are basically stupid and illogical, confused by the complexities of life and the scope of the physical universe. He briefly discusses replication, mutation and heritability. He explains the notion that with enough trials over an infinite period, any outcome of events and things is possible. He touches on adaptation and suggests that man could be the instrument of his own destruction.

Chapter 199 Analysis

This chapter is fairly didactic and seems to be purporting an agenda. Whether this is an expression of Haddon’s voice or more character development of Christopher is not clear. The discussion of adaptation fits with the story line, as Christopher adapts to a world outside of his mind, and to some extent mutation does as well, considering Christopher’s condition. It is curious, however, that this...