Both nature and nurture contribute to the monsters behavior. However Mary Shelley suggests that nurture plays more of a role in the monsters development. The moment the monster opens his eyes he is alone. At first he acts civilized but after being repeatedly scorned by man he becomes spiteful and malicious. Doctor Frankenstein’s monster was not inherently evil or malicious; he was a product of society’s rejection.
The monster is alone from the very beginning. He is confused about his feelings so he sits down and cries. “I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept.” (Shelley 84).
Mary Shelley supports the Tabula Rasa, or blank slate, view of nature versus nurture. Meaning when the monster is born, he does not have any distinguishable personality traits (1“Nature”).
Before being corrupted by society he is sensitive and pure, so he cries to himself, instead of lashing out and causing harm. With no one around to comfort him, he gains pleasure from the simple things. He marvels at the beauty of the moon, and he becomes engrossed with the mysteries of fire (Powell).
After weeks of wandering around in the forest, the monster stumbles upon a cabin. When he steps inside the old man that lives there screams and runs away. This is the monsters first experience with a human. At first he thinks nothing of it, but he soon realizes that he is not accepted. “…some fled, some attacked me, until…I escaped to the
The Homework on Nature vs. Nurture 11
ABSTRACT The subject of nature versus nurture is addressed. Both nature and nurture have strong effects on how humans learn and are able to learn. Observations of three children discuss how nature has caused conditions that hinder development as well as how human intervention has enabled these children to grow despite their conditions. Nature and nurture have negative aspects that may or may not ...
open country and fearfully took refuge in a low hovel…Here, then, I retreated…however miserable form the inclemency of the season, and still more from the barbarity of man.” (Shelley 88).
After his second rejection the monster comes to realize he is not accepted, so he finds refuge in the forest and becomes isolated. Even though the monster is very social and loving he begins to learn people react to him in a negative way, so he isolates himself. This supports Judith Harris’s argument that nurture is not limited to family, but is mainly influenced by “random environmental factors” (1“Nature”).
At this point the monster is still has a benevolent nature. He begins to watch and learn from the De Lacey family. He observed that the two younger ones would give food to their father before themselves. The monster is struck by their actions, and begins to perform anonymous acts of kindness towards the De Lacey family. When he sees that he is harming them by stealing their food, he begins to satisfy his hunger with berries and nuts instead. The monster also sees that Felix has to go out everyday to collect firewood so he begins collecting firewood for the family. After seeing how altruistic his companions are, the monster imitates them and starts becoming more selfless. The monster starts to become attached to the De Lacey’s and he becomes empathetic for them. “…when they were unhappy, I was depressed; when they rejoiced, I sympathized in their joys.” (Shelley 93).
The monster learns everything by watching the De Lacey family, from language to being selfless. After a while he starts to see the De Lacey’s as his friends. Because peers have a huge effect on someone’s personality the monster starts to act more like the De Lacey family (2“Nature”).
After learning how to speak and read the monster reads three books that have been in his coat pocket. “I can hardly describe to you the effects of these books. They
produced in an infinity of new images and feelings…” (Shelley 108).
He has had little interaction with the world, so he is very impressionable (Powell).
He takes the stories very literally and they completely change the ideas he had developed about the world and himself. The monster begins to feel sad and dejected; he goes so far as to compare himself to the devil. With a new, bleak, outlook on life the monster begins to have second thoughts about introducing himself to the De Laceys. Through personal experience he has learned humans do not readily accept him so he is rightfully nervous about talking to the family. When he finally musters up the courage to do so, Felix barges in and attacks him. Still the benevolent nature of the monster shows through; when he runs away instead of easily destroying the family. The benevolent nature of the monster still over powers the nurture he has received. However after discovering a new outlet to learn, the monster begins to feel differently about mankind.
The Essay on Conveys To The Reader That The Monster Frankenstein Creator Shelley
"Monster's Point of View" The significance of the reason for existence in the world is a question that boggles the mind of every individual during one time or another in their lives. We all like to believe that we have a purpose in life, and we set goals to achieve such purposes. We might also believe in a creator, a God who wanted us to exist, and showed unconditional love for our mere existence. ...
The last straw that changes the monsters disposition is when Frankenstein, the monsters creator, rejects him and takes a way his last hope. Frankenstein promises to make him a companion but later he destroys his work. When the monster finds out he swears revenge, “I had feelings of affection, but they were requited by destination and scorn…my tyrant and tormenter, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery” (Shelley 146).
Only after years of being hated does the monster vow revenge on his master. The way he was raised made him spiteful. He kills Henry and Elizabeth but later he states that the crimes he has committed have “degraded [him] beneath the meanest animal” (Shelley 196).
He admits that not even he can believe that he once had thoughts about the “beauty and majesty of goodness” (196).
The monster knows that he was once innocent and pure but his violent upbringing changed his personality.
From beginning to end the only desire the monster ever wanted was a companion, and because that want was never fulfilled the monster was driven to do the unthinkable. The monster was not evil in the beginning, but his experience with people taught him they were the enemy. Societies disdain towards him drove the monster to commit evil and malicious actions.
