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The Origin of Species · Character

Von Baer

An embryologist who formulated laws of development.

minor

Also known as Von Baer, Baer, the great Von Baer

First appearance: development and embryology

Von Baer shows up with force in On the Degree to Which Organisation Tends to Advance. The page is where that presence becomes real.

His standard of advancement—amount of differentiation of parts in the adult state—is cited as the most widely applicable and best.
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In On the Degree to Which Organisation Tends to Advance: His standard of advancement—amount of differentiation of parts in the adult state—is cited as the most widely applicable and best. Later, in On the State of…

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Character Web

5 connections

A slice of how Von Baer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

CDCharles DarwinMWMr. WallaceMWMoritz WagnerDHDr. HookerPOProfessor OwenVBVon Baer

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Broad intellectual network
  • Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because Darwin shifts from a defensive posture against objectio…

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Von Baer appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

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See Von Baer in development and embryology
Who is Von Baer in The Origin of Species?