Examples Of Nurture In Frankenstein
Psychologists have long debated the nature versus nurture issue in the shaping of our identities. Are we shaped by our biology or by our environment? This psychological debate is explored in Mary Shelly’s gothic novel, Frankenstein. The novel poses a simple question: Was Frankenstein’s monster inherently an evil creature, or was he made into a killer because of his environment? Shelly’s characterization of Frankenstein’s monster shows that the creature began as a clean slate, but was shaped into a monster by his experiences and isolation. In accordance with John Locke’s Blank Slate Theory, or tabula rasa, Frankenstein’s monster was born with no knowledge. When he first came into existence, the creature had no previous life experiences
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They had a profound impact on the creature’s development because their interactions led to his understanding of emotion and human relationships. When the creature realized that taking the food from the family was hurting them, he stopped. He understood that what he was doing was wrong. An inherently evil being would not have felt guilt, showing again that he was not born evil. In fact, the creature’s actions show that he is inherently good. Further disproving his evilness, the creature gathered wood for the DeLaceys and felt satisfied in helping them. Like a young child, those around him influenced the creature’s emotions. When the DeLaceys were happy, so was he; when they were sad, so was he. His level of empathy for the family again shows that he is not evil because an evil being would not have the capacity to feel compassion for others. Three events led to the creature’s turning point at which he started doing evil things. He was completely rejected by society when the DeLaceys chased him away, when [they] shot him after he saved a girl from downing, and when he discovered Victor Frankenstein’s papers describing his disgust in his creation. These overwhelmingly negative experiences led the creature to commit evil deeds. He was angered that he was forced to live an isolated life, even by his own creator. The creature was driven to murder Victor Frankenstein’s closest family and friends because of his immense
They had a profound impact on the creature’s development because their interactions led to his understanding of emotion and human relationships. When the creature realized that taking the food from the family was hurting them, he stopped. He understood that what he was doing was wrong. An inherently evil being would not have felt guilt, showing again that he was not born evil. In fact, the creature’s actions show that he is inherently good. Further disproving his evilness, the creature gathered wood for the DeLaceys and felt satisfied in helping them. Like a young child, those around him influenced the creature’s emotions. When the DeLaceys were happy, so was he; when they were sad, so was he. His level of empathy for the family again shows that he is not evil because an evil being would not have the capacity to feel compassion for others. Three events led to the creature’s turning point at which he started doing evil things. He was completely rejected by society when the DeLaceys chased him away, when [they] shot him after he saved a girl from downing, and when he discovered Victor Frankenstein’s papers describing his disgust in his creation. These overwhelmingly negative experiences led the creature to commit evil deeds. He was angered that he was forced to live an isolated life, even by his own creator. The creature was driven to murder Victor Frankenstein’s closest family and friends because of his immense