Zoology, Alfred Russel: Article Analysis

Wallace, Alfred Russel. (1858). On the tendency of varieties to depart indefinitely from the original type. Zoology, 3, 61-64.
The author of this article clearly states his purpose of writing within the first few paragraphs: “to show that (the assumption that varieties occurring in a state of nature are … analogous to or even identical with those of domestic animals, and are governed by the same laws as regards their permanence or further variation) is false, that there is a general principle in nature which will cause many varieties to survive the parent species, and to give rise to successive variations departing further and further from the original type, and which also produces, in domesticated animals, the tendency of varieties to return to the parent form” (62). Wallace continues with this argument (that varieties of species can survive outside of the parent form) with strong points including
Those students who steer away from algebra early often forfeit some of their options for the future” (62). He then goes into discussing the origin of Algebra by mentioning the first Algebra textbook, “the reunion of broken parts.” After mentioning this, he states that there are three opportunities to encounter and engage diversity – through history, multiple representations, and object concept of function. He then breaks his article into sections, discussing in detail how diversity can be introduced using these three methods. He concludes his article with a quote from Mary Everest Boole: “Always remember that the use of algebra is to free people from bondage.” This article will be helpful, not only with Algebra classes, but with any high school math class to help the instructor find ways to incorporate diversity into their lessons in order to help