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Psychoanalytic interpretation of Mary Shelley's frankenstein
Analysis of Mary Shelley Frankenstein
Analysis of Mary Shelley Frankenstein
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In Mary Shelley’s timeless novel, Frankenstein, the protagonist, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, crafts a monster from old body parts. This story can be interpreted in many ways, but in this case, the question is particularly whether the monster was made to be a monster, or became a monster due to outside factors. Outside of literature, this can spark a question that in the worlds of science and psychology that is hotly debated: which has greater impact on personality, nature or nurture? There is an ongoing controversy as to whether genetics or environment have a greater impact on identity and personality; this is more commonly known as the “nature versus nurture” debate. There are those referred to as nativists, who believe that genes have a greater …show more content…
Although studies have shown that in the case of twins separated at birth and reunited as adults, twins tended to have the same posture and stand the same way as their twin (Lewis), other studies have demonstrated that the upbringing of a person has a greater effect on their behavior than their instincts do. For example, having perfect pitch, the ability to sense the pitch of a musical tone with no reference, is a gene commonly shared by relatives, in other words, it is not a random skill to have. Albeit, if children have had musical training before the age of six, it is possible for them to acquire perfect pitch, therefore it is not a strictly genetic ability (Davies). This demonstrates that the way one is raised, for example with musical training, can produce certain skills that to some are genetic, in a person that does not possess these traits already in their genes. Clearly then, a skill that comes naturally to some can be taught to others which signifies a greater impact from the way that one is raised versus purely genetic …show more content…
However, some argue that genetics and nature are more linked to intelligence than environment. One of these people is Arthur Jenson, an American psychologist who concluded that intelligence was mainly hereditary by finding a significant gap between the average I.Q. scores of colored and white people (McLeod). Although this experiment has dignity, it can not be proven that intelligence has nothing to do with the environment where these skills are brought forth. More specifically, if one person is more motivated to learn and is in an environment where learning is encouraged, they will be more intelligent than one who is not motivated or equipped to learn efficiently and become intelligent. In fact, in a study conducted by F. N. Freeman, K. J. Holzinger, and H. H. Newman of the University of Oxford in 1937, average I.Q. scores of identical twins raised together in the same environment had a .88 correlation coefficient, whereas identical twins raised in different environments had a .77 correlation coefficient (“Effects of Hereditary and Environment on individual Differences"). This is clear evidence that the environment that one is exposed to has a greater effect on intelligence than natural
...s may never agree on a conclusive degree to which both nature and nurture play roles in human development, but over the years, more improved studies have shown that both are crucial aspects. With all the knowledge we are gaining from these studies, it would be quite limiting to believe that a criminal and his actions are the sole result of heredity. Even in people who do not commit crimes, genes themselves are affected by the prenatal environment. Undoubtedly, the fetus experiences changes in environment, forcing possible changes in heredity and reactionary response. We are likely to never find the answer to how much or how little either, nature or nurture, impacts our lives, but at least we can agree that they both do, in fact, have major roles. Our development is not the culmination of heredity alone, but of a tangled web of experiences and genetics entwined.
Are nature and nurture required when creating a person? In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the nature vs. nurture discussion is put to the test by the actions of the main character Dr. Frankenstein's creation: a monster. In the novel Dr. Frankenstein is enthralled with the scientific creation of life and creates what he thinks will be a human but actually turns out to have the makings of a monster. Dr. Frankenstein is terrified by his creation and abandons it by running away and leaving it locked up. The monster breaks out of Dr. Frankenstein's confines and goes into the world to explore in his surroundings and hates his creator for not caring for him. By looking at environmental effects on a child's intellectual ability to learn, and a child's inherent sense of direction it is apparent that at birth the human mind is a blank slate.
The nature vs. nurture debate: the nature side, are those such as biologists, psychologists and others in the natural sciences, argue that behavioral traits can be explained by genetics. Those taking the nurture side are sociologists and others in the social sciences, they argue that human behavior is learned and shaped through social interaction. This argument should be dismissed because you don’t have to look far to see that both genetics and our environment, plays a role in who we are and our behaviors. (Glass). The point is there is a complex relationship between nature and nurture, either one alone is insufficient to explain what makes us human. (Colt). Our heredity gives us a basic potential,...
In the novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, the relationship of external apperence and internal feelings are directly related. The creature is created and he is innocent, though he is seaverly deformed. His nature is to be good and kind, but society only views his external appereance which is grotesque. Human nature is to judge by external apperence. He is automatically ostracized and labeled as a monster because of his external apperence. He finnaly realized that no matter how elequintly he speaks and how kind he is, people will never be able to see past his external deformities. Children are fearful of him, Adults think he is dangerous, and his own creator abandons him in disgust. The creature is treated as a monster, therefore he begins to internalize societies view of him and act the like a monster.
Genes or life experiences? What determines who you truly are? The nature versus nurture debate is one of the most popular debates throughout history. It questions whether genetics are the thing that decide who you are, or whether it is the life experiences that influence your characteristics and qualities. Did you gain that good humour from your mother? Or is it simply there due to the influences in the environment you grew up in? A rather vast selection of traits have been discussed in this type of debate – personality, gay or straight, political orientation, intelligence, and even your likeliness to be involved in violence. On the “Nature” side of the argument, it is believed that everything about us is already in our genes, and in some cases it is obvious that it is entirely down to genetics such as physical features and hereditary health issues. In opposition to this we have the “Nurture” half, it does not include just the love and care children receive by the people they have been raised by, but in a modern day debate environmental factors –such as friends from someone’s youth, surrounding culture, occurrences with technology, and even experiences from in the womb- are included. In my own personal view I believe that there are certain aspects in both arguments that provide evidence for equality in both nature and nurture.
The theme of nature vs. nurture is highly debated in the field of psychology and is quite a prevalent topic of the novel Frankenstein. Nature vs. nurture is a psychology term related to whether hereditary genes or the environment
When it comes to the development of someones behaviors and mannerisms the argument of nature versus nurture often emerges. In Mary Shelley’s horror novel Frankenstein, published in 1818, the antagonist, Frankenstein’s Monster, is the epitome for the nature versus nurture argument. The story takes place in Europe where Victor Frankenstein, a mastermind of science, takes his studies to the next level by giving life to a creature that resembles a deformed man; he then abandons his creation. Frankenstein's monster becomes a murderous fiend, but the question remains, was he born this way or did his environment shape his abhorred ways? Though we cannot discount the influence of nature or hereditary in the monster’s case, people become who they are
As a mother, I am shocked and dismayed by the general acceptance of the myth of genetic determinism. One's environment, including people one interacts with, has an undeniable influence on how one develops. Nonetheless, many scientists disregard the impact of environment on one's intelligence. I do not deny that one's biology is a crucial part of one's identity. Inheritance of physical traits is obvious. Children often look "just like" their father or mother, or another relative. One's genes determine eye and hair color, height and body build. I believe, however, that what makes us human is not something that can be found in...
In My Monster/My Self, Johnson explores how parenthood is showcased as a significant determining factor in how a child may develop mentally in Frankenstein. Throughout the novel, Shelley’s writing bares a stark comparison between two types of parenting. On one hand, a supportive and nurturing form of parenting can cause the child who receives this affection to become an intelligent and well-rounded being. A different form of parenting that utilizes abuse and isolation can produce a severally problematic child, who pales in comparison to the nurtured child. Victor, as a child, was treated with affection by his parents and given a bounty of educational opportunities that allowed him to mingle with the brightest minds of society. As an adult, Victor was able to become a well-educated, desired, and successful member of the scientific community. However, Victor’s creation was horribly neglected by Victor due to his harsh appearance. As a result, the creation began to experience violent outbursts that often resulted in acts of murder. These two very different experiences strengthen Shelly’s theme of parenthood within Frankenstein. Shelly showcases Victor as the prime example of neglectful parenting, while displaying mother nature to a forgiving and loving entity. In the
For nearly 2 centuries Mary Shelleys Frankenstein has been considered by many to be the ultimate human vs monster conflict. However what makes someone a “monster”? Appearance? Character traits? Since the creature was born as an outsider humans neglected him and he becomes malicious. In the beginning an overly ambitious victor creates an imperfect creature. Since he is neglected by his creator as he is born an outsider he faces societies shunning. This causes him to take his wrath out on victors family. So the question is was the creature really a monster.
In the history of psychology, the nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest argument in psychology. Nature and nurture have their own good sides but it's really hard to identify whether a person develops majority of the genetic or a majority of its influence by the environment and the experience in life. As we know that, nature and nurture are very crucial in part of the human development. Nowadays, there are 5 major perspectives in psychology which can help to explain the evolution of human behaviour around nature and nurture.
“Let us then suppose the mind to be, as we say, white paper void of all characters, without any ideas. How comes it to be furnished? Whence comes it by that vast store which the busy and boundless fancy of man has painted on it with an almost endless variety? Whence has it all the materials of reason and knowledge? To this I answer, in one word, from EXPERIENCE” ("The Nature versus Nurture Debate or Controversy"). Experience is defined as the observing, encountering, or undergoing of things generally as they occur in the course of time, and genetics is the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics, thus both factors are believed to have tremendous effects on the personalities
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic science fiction novel written in the romantic era that focuses on the elements of life. The romantic era was sparked by the changing social environment, including the industrial revolution. It was a form of revolt against the scientific revolutions of the era by developing a form of literature that romanticize nature and giving nature godliness. This element of romanticized nature is a recurrent element in Frankenstein and is used to reflect emotions, as a place for relaxation and as foreshadowing. Frankenstein also includes various other elements of romanticism including strong emotions and interest in the common people.
The Nature versus Nurture debate has been argued in psychology for a long time. As of today, we know that nature and nurture both portray important roles in the human development. The controversy comes into play when deciding whether a person’s development or behavior is due to a persons inherited genes or is influenced by their environment and life experiences. The natural side of the discussion asserts that the facial features and the way of their developed is strictly through DNA/genetics that are transmitted by ancestors. The nurture side of the debate argues that we are born with a clean slate and that all facial features are developed through experience and one’s
The unjustified beliefs of genetic inferiority of some races have long since been denounced. These unfounded beliefs have been replaced by research which indicates that the genetic component of intelligence is augmented by the nurturing environment (or lack thereof) of a child. The paper sites twin studies, which give creedence to the genetic component of intelligence, and notes these differences apply within the different ethnic and racial groups.