The Film Nell: Nature Vs. Nurture

The nature vs nurture debate has been continuing for years between sociologists and physiologists. Socialisation is defined as the ways in which a person learns to become a functioning member of society (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2017). The film Nell directed by Michael Apted in 1994 showcases the conceptual debate of nature verses nurture through the characterisation and development of Nell. Nature is associated with biology - that is a persons genetics, DNA and general bodily being. For example, a persons particular genetics can make them more inclined to inherit specific diseases that run through their family such as diabetes. Nurture is the aspects of a person that are collected through their life. Nurture refers to the qualities of a person

that are created through human experiences and help shape a persons identity (Thompson et. al., 2015).

Nature refers to biology, that is those aspects of humans that are part of their bodily being,genetics and DNA. All these qualities are inherited from parents that, for example,might give us a tendency to be susceptible to certain disease such as breast cancer or alcohol addiction.(Thompson et. Al.,2015) The film Nell depicts the fundamental concept of ones self through the use of environmental setting. Nell's nature is influenced by her environment. The environment in which Nell's is conveyed in is isolated and naive to globalisation thus influencing Nell's character to be introverted. Introverts tend to keep to themselves and hold in their internal thoughts and feelings rather than social and external expressions. These characteristics are addressed in Nell's character evidently during one of the first scenes where Jerry,the doctor, tries to introduce himself to Nell through verbal communication and she hides away out of fear. Nell's reluctancy to communicate showcases these characteristic of introversion and can be used an example when justifying the role of nature and how an isolated environment influences someone.

Nurture is the aspects of ourselves that are acquired during life.

It refers to the way people's parents raise them although it also suggests the influence of the range of life experiences that shapes a persons identity. (Thompson et. Al.,2015) Nurture can be linked within the concept of socialisation and can be seen in the quote by Samiksha S on the site 'your article library' that states; "Every society is faced with the necessity of making a responsible member out of each child born into it."In the film Nell the idea of this quote is showcased as Nell was born into an isolated society with just herself,her mum and her twin. Whilst Nell is still young her twin passes away leaving her with just her mother, who unfortunately has a stroke leaving half of her body to be paralysed. This quote by Samiksha S then comes into practice when the doctor ,Jerry makes an attempt to convert Nell into a functioning member of society. Doctor Jerry's efforts are evident specifically in the scene where He is trying to teach Nell english by tempting and teasing her with a packet of popcorn. Jerry uses the popcorn as bait to try and get Nell to come closer to him and communicate with him. This scene displays the concept if socialisation as Jerry is teaching Nell how to communicate as he would normally is

society.