The nature vs. nurture argument is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate concerning whether human behaviors are caused predominantly by nature or nurture. Nature is described in this debate as genetic or innate behaviors, while nurture is often defined as environment and experiences. Although it is the consensus that an individual is a heterogeneous product of both his genetics and environment, one of the two occasionally plays a larger role in shaping the behaviors and actions of the individual, making it the complicated argument it is. Additionally, depending on how innately ‘good or bad’ the behavioral determinant is, it can either lead to their success or demise. Mary Shelly exemplifies the complicated interactions between nurture debate in her novel, Frankenstein. While Victor Frankenstein and the creature he creates have differences in their natural personalities, the nurture they received was wholly opposite. Victor’s nurture is described as very loving, affectionate and supportive. Victor states that his father “had devoted himself to the education of his children” from a young age (Shelley 19). Victor also adds that “no creature could have more tender parents than [his]” (Shelley 19). He describes his father’s careful attitude when stating, “[He] had taken the greatest precautions that [his] mind should be impressed with supernatural horrors,” such as sciences (Shelley 33). If nurture were the predominating factor, it would seem obvious that he would grow to be a loving, careful man. Victor’s nature, however, seems to contradict the nurture he had received. Victor’s nature drove him to desire an esteemed place in society; leading to a greediness for power, like the power that came before him. Victor describes his family as “one of the most distinguished of that republic” and uses words such as “honour” and “integrity” to describe his bloodline (Shelley 18). Powerful words are used to describe Victor’s overwhelming need for power and control. Moreover, Victor has a natural curiosity about sciences; “I had worked…for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body… I had desired it with ardor that far exceeded moderation,” nurture debate is complicated by a multitude of elements. It is nearly impossible to come to a definitive conclusion when looking at several instances; such as, Victor Frankenstein and Creature in Frankenstein, Equiano in The interesting narrative of Olaudah Equiano, and Babo in Benito Cereno. Each individual is a product of both their nature and nurture; with some being greater influenced by one and it being unclear for others. Understandably, scientists and philosophers are extremely interesting in trying to explain why people are the way they are; scientists sequence whole genomes to find a “bad gene”, psychologists spend decades following individuals to investigate their upbringing and future behaviors and philosophers endlessly try to make sense of the incomprehensible. Frustratingly, with every step forward, we take five steps back from finding the answer to the questions: Is our behaviors driven by our genetic composition or the environment we are surrounded
...s may never agree on a conclusive degree to which both nature and nurture play roles in human development, but over the years, more improved studies have shown that both are crucial aspects. With all the knowledge we are gaining from these studies, it would be quite limiting to believe that a criminal and his actions are the sole result of heredity. Even in people who do not commit crimes, genes themselves are affected by the prenatal environment. Undoubtedly, the fetus experiences changes in environment, forcing possible changes in heredity and reactionary response. We are likely to never find the answer to how much or how little either, nature or nurture, impacts our lives, but at least we can agree that they both do, in fact, have major roles. Our development is not the culmination of heredity alone, but of a tangled web of experiences and genetics entwined.
Mary Shelley put a new outlook on nature versus nurture in human development. By making the monster’s being a blank slate, and morphing his personality based on the different events that shape his life, Shelley clearly states her support for the nurture side.
Nature versus Nurture is the name of a long running debate on whether an individual’s behavior is determined by their genes or by how they were raised. John Locke famously held the view that humans had a “blank slate”, which means that human’s personality and character traits are determined by a person’s environment and what they experience. But, many argue against this: for instance, twins are raised similarly, but can have completely different personalities. The real question is this: are people born monsters, or do they become monsters? In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and in Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, both authors provide a clear warning of what makes a monster: society’s superficial nature creates monsters, and
The debate of nature versus nurture has been argued for a long period time. The concept of tabula rasa was popularized by John Locke; it stated that babies are born into this world without innate knowledge. Knowledge and personality are developed through experiences and environment, emphasising the nurture in the nature-nurture split. At first blush, Frankenstein avidly supports the theory but in some other parts it does not.
Mary Shelley 's "Frankenstein" is a book with a profound message that touches to the very heart. This message suggests that the reader won 't see the story just from the point of view of the storyteller additionally uncover various concealed assessments and shape an individual translation of the novel. One of its essential proclamations is that nobody is conceived a creature and a "beast" is made all through socialization, and the procedure of socialization begins from the contact with the "maker". It is Victor Frankenstein that couldn 't assume the liability for his animal and was not ready to deal with his "kid". Pride and vanity were the qualities that guided Victor Frankenstein to his revelation of life ".
Nature versus Nurture is a very debatable topic within our society today. The nature versus nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture (Good Therapy, 2014). This debate is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behavior that promote intelligence, athletic ability, and overall success are a product of either inherited or acquired characteristics (McLeod, 2007). Nature is often defined in this debate as genetic or hormone-based behaviors, while nurture is most commonly defined as environment and experience (Good Therapy, 2014).
Mary Shelly first deals with Victor’s childhood in a supportive household. Victor and his family are identified as exceedingly wealthy and kind hearted. He labels himself as being born “a Genevese” and “wealthy fortunate child” with a family that is “one of the most distinguished of that republic” (Shelley 18). This use of characterization of Victor in such an early stage in the novel is to identify the social and financial stand point of the house he was born into. Victor later explains that his ancestors, for many years, had been “counselors and syndics” (18). He carries on in stating his family with words such as, “honour, wealth,” and “integrity” (18). These strong words are carefully used by Shelley to focus on the structure and provide a description on Frankenstein’s family. Frankenstein’s prestigious history of powerful ancestors directly is
The most frightening horror story can only be called such if it is believable. Nothing is so unnerving as lying awake at night with very real fears. No monster can harm you, unless the monster was genetically engineered by a mad scientist. The theme of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - scientific investigation without consideration of morality and responsibility - is a very relevant topic in today's world. This theme, along with the less obvious themes of revenge, prejudice against deviation from the norm, and fate all make Frankenstein one of the most unique and terrifying horror novels ever.
Nature vs. Nurture is one of the world's oldest psychological debates that questions whether your environment or how you were raised or treated impact on someone's development, like how someone behaves, their intelligence and personality. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein were going to look at which nature or nurture had more effect on the characters in this novel. I believe that nurture had the strongest impact on the characters. You should always think about how your actions are going to have an impact on those around you. ” The fatal impulse that has lead to my ruin” (Shelley 21).Victor became so obsessed with creating this creature that he didn’t think about the outcome of how he was going to feel once the monster was created.
“I am malicious because I am miserable.” (P.124) Nature vs Nurture is prevailed all throughout Mary Shelley’s book, Frankenstein. Shelley created the creature as if he was a newborn baby and his personality was shaped by the events that had happened in his life. The creature's environment, good or bad, impacted his personality as well as the lack of love, and a combination of isolation and hatred, led the creature to turn towards a path of destruction.
A child’s development plays a big role in who they become later in life. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, it becomes obvious very quickly that nature versus nurture shows up in the creature’s development. He is abandoned by Victor Frankenstein, his creator, and is forced to fend for himself, in order to live as a normal human. He learns nearly everything from nature and is very amused at all it has to offer. But as much as he wants to be like everyone else, the creature is far from normal. He was created from a plethora of body parts that Victor stitched together and was then placed into a bath. Using electricity from lightning, the creature was brought to life. Scared and disgusted with
Many people may think that if someone were to create life as complex as humans it would beneficial to humans. In the story Frankenstein, Victor creates an intelligent new species of life. This “monster” is rejected by society and seeks revenge on humans and Victor. Throughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the theme of the creation and destruction of life to illustrate how the creation of life can be a threat to many other lives.
In 1874, Francis Galton said, “Nature is all that a man brings with him into the world; nurture is every influence that affects him after his birth”. The human body contains millions upon millions of cells and each of these cells contains hereditary information and DNA. However, there is no proof that the information carried in these genes predetermines the way in which we behave. I believe it is our life experiences and what we see and are told that shape the way in which we behave. Therefore, it appears to me that nurturing plays a far more governing and dominant role in a human being’s development rather than nature.
One of the hottest debates is and has been nature vs nurture for years, but what is the difference between the two? Nature is what people think of as already having and not being able to change it, in other words, pre-wiring (Sincero). Nurture is the influence of experiences and its environment of external factors (Sincero). Both nature and nurture play important roles in human development. Scientists and researchers are both trying to figure out which is the main cause in development because it is still unknown on which it is. The best position to side with is nature. Nature is also defined as genetic or hormone based behaviors (Agin). Regardless of the involvement in everyday life, or nurture, this argumentation centers around the effect genes have on human personalities. Although it is understandable on reasons to side with nurture, nature is the better stand in this controversy. Reasons to side with nature is because of genes and what genes hold. Genes is what
Throughout the history of human existence, there have always been questions that have plagued man for centuries. Some of these questions are “what is the meaning of life” and “which came first, the chicken or the egg”. Within the past 400 years a new question has surfaced which takes our minds to much further levels. The question asked is whether nature or nurture has more of an impact on the growing development of people. It is a fact that a combination of nature and nurture play important roles in how humans behave socially. However, I believe that nature has a more domineering role in the development of how people behave in society with regards to sexual orientation, crimes and violence and mental disorders.