English Language and Literature Commons^™

“Do Not Ask Me To Remain The Same”: Charles Darwin In Lizzie Bright And The Buckminster Boy, Rachael D. Tague

English Seminar Capstone Research Papers

In Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Gary D. Schmidt uses Darwin to allow his young protagonist to question the mindless acceptance of organized religion and to force his readers to engage difficult conversations, come to their own conclusions, and apply truth to their lives. Darwin provides answers and adventure, delivers Turner from his prison-like label, draws him closer to his father, his friends, and nature, while at the same time disconnecting him from the self-righteous town, its corrupt church, and its unjust God. Phippsburg was a prison; Darwin is freedom.