Examples Of Nurture In Frankenstein

Nature vs Nurture in the Novel “Frankenstein” In Frankenstein, a variety of themes were exposed throughout the story. Nature vs Nurture being one of the most controversial topics to be debated about. Nature is known to be the physical aspects that we inherit naturally while the nurture aspect is the environment that builds up the type of person we are. The three main characters Victor Frankenstein, the creature and Elizabeth Lavenza were put through very different nurturing styles that developed their behaviors and made them who they are. In the novel Frankenstein, nature and nurture equally help shape the characteristics of Victor F, the creature and Elizabeth. Nature was set take the leading role in Victor Frankenstein’s life. He explains how he was born “a Genevese” out of a family that is “one of the most distinguished of that republic” (Shelley 18). Victor generously describes the rest of his family as those people with “honour” and “integrity”, meaning he as well has inherited those traits (18). They’re all in an eminent placement in society due to their opulent ancestral history, which is explains why Victor has such desire for power. All that power took over when victor “had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this [he} had deprived [himself] of rest and health. [He] had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation” (39). Victor’s aspiration for power and overall control are hereditary features. It’s something that was already developed in his personality which is one of the major aspects in nature. Nurture was well expressed in Victor’s personality when he exclaims how “no creature could have more tender parents than [his own]” (19). He was raised in a healthy, positive environment where anything aggressive was revoked. Although Victor’s personality was positively influenced it resulted into a great downfall at the end. In the creature’s case, he was mostly developed through his nurture. Although his nature was to be kind, good and solely innocent it changed throughout time when he was exposed to a negative environment causing to bring out a dark side in him. Due to his external appearance he was rejected by society and automatically labeled as an ugly monster. After confronting the family in the cottage he was “struck violently with a stick” (110). He was referred as an “ogre” or a “hideous monster” (177). All the humans were terrified of him, nobody accepted him not knowing his true colors. After a while, all …show more content…
She was described as a “creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks” she’s “thin and very fair. Her hair was the brightest living gold” and she also had “cloudless blue eyes” (19) She was an orphan child taken in by the Frankenstein family after being found living with a poor family. She was then nurtured in a loving family just like Victor was. Although Elizabeth did not share the same interest as Frankenstein, she was educated with him. Since she was first shortly raised in a poor environment she learned to aid the poor and respect all classes of people. Elizabeth was a happy child whose innocence was always there. Benevolence was both in her genes and were enforced while being raised. This makes her overall the kind hearted girl that everyone