The Role Of Upbringing In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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Memories of a Monster
Frankenstein’s monster is usually considered a monster of inconceivable malevolence, but it seems as though Mary Shelley believed there was more to his story in the novel: Frankenstein. Bioengineering plays a key role in this question, so does the type of upbringing given and the psychological aspect cannot be forgotten. This Nature vs Nurture topic makes for an interesting discussion on raising children in modern america, which is why I feel strongly about this question. The question is; was Frankenstein’s monster corrupt from his creation, or was he taught to be malicious?
Was his creation a bad egg from the start, or was he spoiled as time went on? To answer this, we must first realize the bioengineering of the monster. As commonly known, it takes years for children to develop proper motor skills, but as said in the book; “I walked and, I believe, descended, but I presently found a great alteration in my sensations.” (Shelley 71), this indicates that the brain Frankenstein procured was not of a child, but of a man. Strangely enough, he has no remembrance of his old life, possibly due to mild amnesia, however, it does account for his quick learning …show more content…

If neglected or greatly cared for, either have an outcome on who you will become or have become as a person. The latter greatly exemplifies the monster who sadly had neither a parent, or a guardian to watch over him. He taught himself and basically raised himself on good morals, despite how he was treated by everyone else. This theme of self-reliance is brought up on multiple occasions, mostly through Chapters 10-17, a vast majority of the book, mostly because of its utter importance to the novel in explaining the backstory of The Monster, this allows us to see how he progresses as a ‘round’ character in the novel. He was ‘raised’ differently than most, but what does severe tolls does this detachment from society afflict on a