Nature vs Nurture in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Essay -- Mary Shelley

Philosophers and scientists alike develop debated for centuries whether a persons character is the result of nature or nurture. In the writings of Thomas Hobbes, it is expressed that humans are empower with character from birth, and that they are innately evil in nature. John Lockes response to this theory is that everyone is born with a tabula rasa, or blank slate, and accordingly develops character after a series of formative experiences. The idea that original character is the result of experiences and societal interaction is a theme late explored throughout Mary Shelleys Frankenstein. Through different interactions with the monster, Shelley attempts to express that it is because of skippers failings as a parent and creator, because of the monsters isolation, and because of lodges reaction to the monster that the monster has become evil. The monsters character is a direct result of how he was nurtured, based on his experiences and circumstances, rather than his being innate ly evil from birth.One of the most authoritative contributions in the formation of the monsters character is Victors failure as a creator and a father. As a creator, Victor has the responsibility of providing for his creation, just as God provided for Adam and Eve. At the same time, Victor also falls under the role of a father, and should therefore seek to strengthen the familial bond between the twain of them. However, Victor fails in both of these endeavors, because he cannot accept the monster in his deformity. Frankensteins sole regret is that he did not create an esthetically pleasing being (Bond). Victor, due to his skewed vision of humanity, believes outer strike to be a reflection of inner character, and that because of the monsters dreadful appe... ...tation. The English go over Sept. 2009 18+. Literature election Center. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.Lehman, Steven. The unparented Child in Science Fiction Frankenstein and Moreau. Science Fiction Studies 191 (Mar. 1992) 49-57. R pt. In Childrens Literature Review. Ed. Tom Burns. Vol. 133. Gale, 2008. Literature election Center. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.Marcus, Steven. Frankenstein myths of scientific and medical knowledge and stories of human relations. The Southern Review 38.1 (2002) 188+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 9 Jan. 2015. Seabury, Marcia Bundy. The Monsters We Create Woman on the bunt of Time and Frankenstein. Critique 42.2 (Winter 2001) 131-143. Rpt. in Childrens Literature Review. Ed. Tom Burns. Vol. 133. Detroit Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York Barnes & Noble, 2003. Print.