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

Philosophers and scientists alike have debated for centuries whether a persons typeface is the result of nature or nurture. In the writings of Thomas Hobbes, it is expressed that humans are endowed with piece 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 then develops character after a series of formative experiences. The idea that true character is the result of experiences and societal interaction is a theme deeply explored throughout Mary Shelleys Frankenstein. Through different interactions with the monster, Shelley attempts to express that it is because of achievers failings as a parent and creator, because of the monsters isolation, and because of societys 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 innately evil from birt h.One of the most influential contributions in the system 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, practiced 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 two 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 aesthetically pleasing being (Bond). Victor, due to his skewed vision of humanity, believes outer beauty to be a reflection of inner character, and that because of the monsters hideous appe... ...tation. The English Review Sept. 2009 18+. literary productions Resource Center. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.Lehman, Steven. The Motherless Child in Science Fiction Frankenstein and Moreau. Science Fiction Studies 191 (Mar. 1992) 49-57. Rpt. In Childre ns Literature Review. Ed. Tom Burns. Vol. 133. Gale, 2008. Literature Resource 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 Edge 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. stark naked York Barnes & Noble, 2003. Print.