Are individuals born malicious or do they become that way? In answering this question, you must consider the \u201cnature vs. nurture\u201d argument. Does one enter the world evil or does he become malicious gradually because of his life experiences?<\/p>\n
My answer to this controversial question is that nurture is mainly the cause for either one\u2019s goodwill or one\u2019s malice. This notion is proven throughout \u201cFrankenstein.\u201d The wretch was originally \u201cbenevolent and good; misery made [him] a fiend\u201d (119). The creature is born kind. It is nurture, or lack thereof, that made him malicious.<\/p>\n
The creature did good deeds. He collected wood for the needy family he admired and he saved a child that fell into a river. However, he is not praised for his kind actions. He is, instead, rebuked and harmed. After revealing himself to the family that he aided, the creature was \u201cstruck\u2026violently with a stick\u201d (148). Since this is the way humans treat him, it makes sense that the creature is not fond of mankind. Upon saving the little girl, the creature is not shown any gratitude; he is instead greeted by horror and is shot. How could he be benevolent when he is treated so poorly?<\/p>\n
The wretch is an \u201cunfortunate and deserted creature\u201d(147). He longs for friends and family, just as any other being does. Nobody gives the poor creature the benefit of the doubt. When he approached a cottage in a village, upon seeing him, \u201cthe whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked [him], until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, [he] escaped to the open country\u201d (124). The creature is viewed as the bad guy, however, he is not. He has nobody and is treated badly. He is not raised by his creator. Victor deserts him. Why should he want be kind to mankind, when he is treated so maliciously?<\/p>\n
Think about it. If you were in his place, would you be benevolent? Most likely not. He is initially compassionate, but mankind made him the way he is. Despite his good nature, lack of nurture and the cruelty of human beings have made him the way he is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Are individuals born malicious or do they become that way? In answering this question, you must consider the \u201cnature vs. nurture\u201d argument. Does one enter the world evil or does he become malicious gradually because of his life experiences? My answer to this controversial question is that nurture is mainly the cause for either one\u2019s<\/p>\n