nonfiction blogpost

Charles and Emma Darwin made an interesting couple.  They were very similar in many ways that brought them together.  For instance, they both had a large interest in books, specifically their favorite, Paradise Lost.  They both were very curious and interested in learning new things.  Still they were very different people.  Their personalities were very different and they both had opposing beliefs.  It's amazing that their love for each other kept the marriage together.  

Charles for one was and organized scientist.  Charles liked everything in order and where it was supposed to be.  He kept his writing and notes in neat little notebooks.  Each had a special category and each had it's own specific letter.  Charles was, "an organizer, a collector, and a list maker." (Heiligman 37).  Emma on the other hand was messy and unorganized.  She was even called Little miss slip-slop at times.  You would think that Emma's messiness would get on Charles nerves but it didn't.  Instead Charles's love drove him to, "give up all his natural taste for tidiness"(Heiligman 91) according to his daughter and that he would, "not allow himself to fell annoyed by her calm disregard for such details" (Heiligman 91).  Although they had conflicting viewpoints on organization, their love removed that barrier.  

Another way why they were different was their beliefs.  Emma was a good Christian and devoted one too.  Charles was and scientist who had other things on his mind.  Specifically he was questioning G-d's role in the creation of species.  He was exploring evolution and moving a way from Christianity.  This bothered his wife Emma.  She believed that she would go to heaven and he would go to hell so they couldn't meet in the afterlife.  She was, "in agony over her husband's lack of faith." (Heiligman 99).  Although he didn't change his mind, her letters begging him to pray moved him and he still loved her and they continued to have a good time together.

Although the Darwins may be different, their love held them together.  When her clumsiness clashed with his neatness he made himself more tolerant of it.  For a while when she was anxious about his faith he went to church to satisfy her.  They soon learned that he wasn't going to change and they accepted that.  Any problems they had were solved by their patience.  Fighting was never an option for them and that should be the situation for many couples.  They should read about Charles and Emma's relationship and try to be understanding of eachother like they were.