Nature Vs. Nurture In Lord Of The Flies And Frankenstein
One of the oldest controversies has been the argument of nature versus nurture. This ongoing debate looks at whether human development is caused by biological aspects or influenced by society and experiences. Nature versus nurture is a subtle but power theme illustrated throughout two novels, Lord of the Flies written by William Golding, and Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley. Through these two works we find multiple examples which show Golding’s argument that although one’s environment influences one’s behavior, humans have the capacity to be savage , whereas, Shelley, on the other hand argues that humans are born without evil rather society and experience cause humans to be savage.
In Lord of the Flies, a group of boys are left on an …show more content…
Victor Frankenstein creates a monster whom he is to protect, love, and nurture, however, instead he abandons the creature upon his birth. The abandonment, isolation and hostility the creature encountered turned him savage. The Creature was abandoned by his own creator, beaten and chased away by villagers; never given a chance to properly fit in. He finally gets the opportunity to be loved and stumbles upon a cottage where the Delacey’s live. Unfortunately, his appearance scares them and he gets beaten with a stick, Safie screams in terror and runs away, and they leave the cottage never to return. “I had hardly placed my foot within the door before the children shrieked, can done of the women fainted… some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country…” (Shelley). After his encounter with the Delacey’s, the Creature’s personality changes. He becomes hateful and acknowledges that his actions and personality were altered due to his environment, “perhaps, if my first introduction to humanity had been made by a young soldier, burning for glory and slaughter, I should have been imbued with different sensations” (Shelley 117). Victor refuses to be the Creature’s companion even after he explains how that is all he wants. The Creature tells Victor, “I am malicious because I am miserable.”(Shelley 124). It is possible the Creature would have shown some compassion to others if he had been taught compassion
In Lord of the Flies, a group of boys are left on an …show more content…
Victor Frankenstein creates a monster whom he is to protect, love, and nurture, however, instead he abandons the creature upon his birth. The abandonment, isolation and hostility the creature encountered turned him savage. The Creature was abandoned by his own creator, beaten and chased away by villagers; never given a chance to properly fit in. He finally gets the opportunity to be loved and stumbles upon a cottage where the Delacey’s live. Unfortunately, his appearance scares them and he gets beaten with a stick, Safie screams in terror and runs away, and they leave the cottage never to return. “I had hardly placed my foot within the door before the children shrieked, can done of the women fainted… some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country…” (Shelley). After his encounter with the Delacey’s, the Creature’s personality changes. He becomes hateful and acknowledges that his actions and personality were altered due to his environment, “perhaps, if my first introduction to humanity had been made by a young soldier, burning for glory and slaughter, I should have been imbued with different sensations” (Shelley 117). Victor refuses to be the Creature’s companion even after he explains how that is all he wants. The Creature tells Victor, “I am malicious because I am miserable.”(Shelley 124). It is possible the Creature would have shown some compassion to others if he had been taught compassion