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Shaiel Redondo

Ms. Lauren

ENG3U h1+, English, 11, University

31 July 2021

Nature vs Nurture

The main question which remains to be answered in Frankenstein’s narrative, it is the

fact, if it was in the monster’s nature to be evil or rather it was the kind of upbringing he had

what made him commit outrageous acts. According to the story, Victor’s creation took the

form a grotesque-like creature that despite was deformed, it possessed kindness, intellect and

above all a great desire of curiosity regarding the people who surrounded it. So, in this story,

it is important to highlight how nature and nurture could influence on people’s behavior, in

this case, the Doctor’s invention and himself.

keeping in mind the development of the story, it is clear the creature had a personality

that was the result of its innate nature, but also of the way society reacted to its existence,

since its creator isolated him, which caused a dramatic change in its conduct. Likewise,

encounters with people somehow also influenced on his behaviour and made him do

harrowing acts.

This can be evidenced for example when the monster murders Henry Clerval, the son

of a merchant of Geneva; Victor says, “The examination, the presence of the magistrate and

witnesses passed like a dream from my memory, when I saw Henry Clerval’s body stretched

before me” (Shelley 198).

In the case of Doctor Victor, he also had an inherent nature, but with a different

nurturing style; and although both nature and nurture were important during the course of the

novel, the first one was the one responsible for the fall of Victor Frankenstein, while the

nurture argument was responsible for the fall of the creature. This is much clearer to the
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reader when describing their personalities. For instance, concerning the Doctor’s nature,

Shelley shows him as a man that comes from a rich family which makes part of his nature,

but victim of the same cause due to greediness for power, that came to fruition when Victor

brings life to his creature, and reflected on the toils of the past two years. This is

demonstrated when Victor states, “I had worked hard for the purpose of infusing life into a

lifeless body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health.” (Shelley 85).

This statement at the same time portrays the idea of an overwhelming familial need

for power and control present in Victor’s nature. Furthermore, his desire of curiosity comes to

light when the author decides to use a lightning as symbol for intellectual inquisitiveness.

This is observed when he expresses, “I remained, while the storm lasted, watching its

progress with inquisitiveness and delight” (Shelley 70). The use of light and fire symbolized

knowledge, curiosity and discovery for an intellectually intriguing, yet physically destructive

force. That’s why we see how nature influenced on Victor’s life which had a great desire for

power that sadly ended up affecting his own life and the creature’s.

On the other hand, in the case of Frankenstein’s creation, it was its nurture the one

responsible for his corruption and the terrible deeds he committed throughout the novel.

This is perfectly evident when he was left alone by his inventor in different places, but

also when he interacted to people who abused and treated him so badly. The following lines

show such act when the creature says, “Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore

me from his father, to whose knees I clung, in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground

and struck me violently with a stick” (Shelley 158). This constant degradation started fueling

a violent and aggressive conduct which causes his ill deeds.

In the end, nature and nurtured played an important role that shaped essential aspects

in the lives of Victor Frankenstein and his creation, but sadly ended up affecting their

behavior towards life and people. Its effects on these characters are illustrated for the reader,
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specially, because of the vocabulary that is used to picture them. Victor falls victim to nature

and the creature victim to nurture.

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Works Cited

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Barnes & Noble Books, 2003.