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Frankenstein Nature Vs Nurture

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"From a scientific perspective, ‘nature’ refers to the biological/genetic predispositions that impact one’s human traits — physical, emotional, and intellectual. ‘Nurture,’ in contrast, describes the influence of learning and other ‘environmental’ factors on these traits" (Katch). In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores the theme of nature versus nurture through the character of Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Victor believes that his creation is inherently evil because of its monstrous appearance, while the creature argues that it was only his experiences and the way he was treated by society that made him that way. This debate between nature and nurture is one that has been ongoing in real life as well, with many scientists and psychologists …show more content…

For example, children who grow up in abusive households are more likely to develop mental health issues later in life, in a study performed by a Dr. Aslund regarding the effect of childhood maltreatment concluded,” adolescent and antisocial behavior—another common criminal characteristic—are derived from childhood maltreatment. In a study conducted by Levitt (2013) it was conducted that nurture was an important factor in condemning criminals, due to the same antisocial behavior characteristic that was described by Aslund” (Highsmith et al). We see this in Frankenstein as the monster proclaims,”'Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?... I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants, and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery"(Shelley 138). Likewise in a review published by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, it emphasizes that being alone poses a serious threat to society and is a key factor in determining one's level of wellbeing. Loneliness, which is defined as misery resulting from a perceived gap between wanted and actual social connections, is linked to increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, dementia, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and a 30% higher mortality. Loneliness could be a significant element of the nurture argument in the creation of killers. (Lam) In Frankenstein, the creature's experiences with rejection and isolation lead him to become violent and destructive. Shelley states,”If I have no ties and no affections, hatred and vice must be my portion; the love of another will destroy the cause of my crimes, and I shall become a thing of whose existence everyone will be ignorant. My vices are the children of a forced solitude that I abhor; and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being, and

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As the creature in Frankenstein puts it, "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" (Shelley 15). This statement illustrates how loneliness can lead to a cycle of hostility and further isolation. The works remind us of the importance of empathy and understanding towards those who are different from

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1600 Words | 7 Pages

Skills involving logical reasoning and decision making are not fully developed in the creation because of this hindered development (Tawzer). The creation’s psychological deficits, due to Frankenstein’s abuse, vindicate his rash decision making. Consequently, Frankenstein is more accountable for his creation’s misdeeds because he was a negligent and abusive parent. Several studies have documented the correlation between child abuse and future juvenile delinquency. Children who have experienced abuse are nine times more likely to be involved in criminal activities (Gold et al.).

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Nature and nurture are both demonstrated through Victor Frankenstein and his creation that most people would think of as the monster. An example of nurture in the story is when Victor creates the monster and abandons it because of the monsters hideous appearance. Victor dies naturally of an illness on a ship. Victor’s nature is being born a genevese, which means he is from Geneva.

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925 Words | 4 Pages

Frankenstein: The Damnation of Isolation Saint Mother Teresa once said, “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty” (brainyquote.com). Being lonely or isolated is nothing to take lightly; loneliness has been proven to increase the risk of heart disease, dementia, and other health problems (Guner), but further, forced solitariness has massive psychological effects. It is not only a desire for most humans to be around others, but even a necessity. This fundamental concept of companionship is present throughout author Mary Shelley’s romantic novel Frankenstein, which tells the tale of a young, educated man named Victor Frankenstein who devotes himself completely to giving an artificial body life, which he does

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825 Words | 4 Pages

Nature is the predetermined traits that people are born with, while nurture is the influence that affects people after they’re born. The debate surrounding Nature V. Nurture is how much of a person’s traits is predetermined and how much is influenced by the environment. Mary Shelley's believes in nurture more than nature. Victor Frankenstein has certain traits that he’s born with. Frankenstein is born into a prestigious, wealthy family.

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In the Old Cherokee Legend, the “evil” and the “good” wolves relate to the nature vs. nurture debate because we are born with both happiness, the “good wolf”, and the bad, the “evil wolf.” Through time one will receive characteristics through both nature and nurture. Nature is where you are born with it, or heredity. Nurture is what and where you were born and raised, or learned. Nature will start in the womb and nurture will start when born.

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1678 Words | 7 Pages

Are we as humans formed by ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’? Since the first genetic experiment by Gregor Mendel in the 1860s, eugenicists have tried to determine why some people have certain physical and behavioral traits and some do not. The nature-versus-nurture discussion has continued to thrive as scientists, historians, and sociologists debate why certain people’s behavior follows a trend line while other’s represents behavioral digressions shunned in the societal construct, even in the same environment. The people who diverge from the established societal norm of success where other people flourish typically become stigmatized as ‘the Other’ in a society, an outsider who does not conform to that society's ideal image. These questions are the approach that Mary Shelly attempted to develop throughout her novel.

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870 Words | 4 Pages

Nature vs. nurture has been an ongoing argument throughout history between scientists and philosophers alike and is still being debated today. During the romantic period of literature, most romantics fell to the nurture side of the argument because they believed that a human’s well-being depended on how they had been treated by their parents, or lack thereof. While science might suggest that people are born with ethical abilities from nature alone, Mary Shelley alludes through her novel, “Frankenstein,” and proves through her own life why all people must be nurtured by loving influences to ensure happiness. As Mary Shelley’s, “Frankenstein” was really a way for her to express her lonely and neglected childhood, it shows how her abandonment

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868 Words | 4 Pages

The nature vs. nurture debate has been a topic of great interest, exploring the factors that shape an individual's behavior and development. Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein," delves into this debate through the captivating story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the creature. This essay argues that the creature’s behavior and development are significantly influenced by his surroundings, interactions with humans, the absence of a nurturing figure, and the role of education. By examining evidence from the novel itself and credible online sources, we can gain insight into the interplay between nature and nurture in the creature’s journey.

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894 Words | 4 Pages

The argument in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein is nature vs. nurture between the two main characters. Victor Frankenstein and the Creature he created, both have a unique part in each other’s way of life. Frankenstein and the Creature have two very different up brings. Nature and nurture are very important throughout the chapters because how each character is treated. The nature part of the argument is Frankenstein and his background, while nurture is the reason for the creature failing.

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883 Words | 4 Pages

In Shelley's novel, the creature is portrayed as a being who seeks acceptance and love from its creator and the people around it. However, as the creature is repeatedly rejected and mistreated, it becomes increasingly violent and vengeful. This is evident in the following quote from the novel: "I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create."

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1079 Words | 5 Pages

The debate over Frankenstein's creature being human is an ongoing discussion, but it is really based on the person perspective on the actions that he took. In my opinion, the creature is like any other human with the same emotions, making mistakes, and realizing them. Although there might have been things that may seem not human, but relating to these days, there has been unfortunate killings by many people. The only difference in the creature and humans is the deceiving looks of the creation. Despite the other view point, there is more human like idiosyncrasies in the creature than what it appears.

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551 Words | 3 Pages

One of the oldest, bitter, and storied debates in the history of psychology has been the Nature vs. Nurture argument. Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein, offers a textbook portrayal of the divergent concepts, and their outcome on mortal souls. Modern schools of thought understand that Nature, i.e. our genes and hereditary factors, form the foundation for the persons that we become, and provide initial advantages via a genetic lottery. Just as imperative, however, is the Nurture aspect, wherein our life experiences, relationships, and culture all meet to build the house of personhood atop the Nature foundation. Victor Frankenstein is the quintessential argument for active, caring parenting, showing how an indulgent upbringing can catapult

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1027 Words | 5 Pages

As a stated fact, every person has a distinct personality of their own, yet for centuries, scientists and philosophers have debated for centuries whether this personality stems from the result of nature or nurture. Jean Jacques Rousseau argued that, from the time a person is born, the genes inherited from blood family determines the result of a person’s character, predetermining the personality of one before they enter the world. John Locke, on the other spectrum, debated that when an individual is born, they are given a blank slate and all knowledge and behaviors are gained from observing the exterior world. In Mary Shelley's novel, “Frankenstein,” Shelley takes a clear stance on the nature versus nurture quandary and clearly sides with how

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1819 Words | 8 Pages

Nature V.S. Nurture in Mary Shelly's Frankenstein Mary Shelly's Frankenstein discusses the nature of human begins, whether it is simply one's natural instinct to act maliciously or if it's one's surroundings and environment that impact their behavior. Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist of this intricate novel, answers this question in two ways, as both the product and the perpetrator of how it is both in the nature of a person, and their nurturing that develops their behaviors, and in the case of this plot, malicious behaviors. Since a young age Frankenstein desired knowledge, constantly seeking for greater wisdom, while his father did not care for this. His passion for learning wasn't something that his parents conditioned him into, and

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