La peur de l'hérédité dans la littérature française du XIXe siècle / La paura dell'ereditarietà nella letteratura francese del XIX secolo

Scientific debate during the second half of the 19th century, the time when Darwins's evolutionism and medical theories emerged, focused on the notion of "heredity". The aim of this essay is to propose a reflection on this fascinating central theme, that quickly influenced the literary production of that age. Literary case studies will be considered in order to shed light on the symbolic dimension with which heredity is imbued, and that translates into a deep incontrollable felling: fear