The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father by Roy Lewis (Book Analysis)

This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father by Roy Lewis. It provides a thorough exploration of the novel’s plot, characters and main themes, including prehistory, technology and discovery. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

This clear and detailed 56-page reading guide is structured as follows:

• Biography of Roy Lewis
• Presentation of The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father
• Summary of The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father
• Character study
  • Ernest
  • Edward
  • Uncle Vanya
  • Griselda
  • Millicent
  • Oswald
  • Wilbur
  • Alexander
  • William
  • Uncle Ian
  • The other members of the horde
• Analysis of The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father
  • Actantial model and narrative outline
  • A historical novel
  • A universally accessible novel
  • Roy Lewis and Darwin’s theories
  • Freud’s interpretation of the taboo of parricide

About The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father

The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father was first published in 1960, and was directly inspired by the discovery of the remains of a prehistoric man in Tanzania in 1959. It tells the story of a prehistoric family whose father, Edward, is fixated on the idea of progress and is constantly working on new inventions and discoveries that will help the species to advance. However, his sons are against his plan to share his new knowledge with other hordes and decide to take matters into their own hands, with fateful consequences.

About Roy Lewis

Roy Lewis was an English sociologist and journalist who wrote for The Times and The Economist, among others. He had a keen interest in anthropology and humankind’s past, which is reflected in his first and most successful novel, The Evolution Man, Or, How I Ate My Father. Lewis died in London in 1996.