Theme Of Nature Vs. Nurture In The Chronicles Of Narnia

William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien and

C.S. Lewis-- for decades, authors have been writing about the development of the psychological mind

through the actions of their characters. One of the most common themes is the idea of nature versus

nurture; the difference between acquired traits and honed characteristics. In the movie The Chronicles of

Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, based off of the novel written by C.S. Lewis, Edmund

Pevensie struggles with his role as a human being and the temptations of power. Because of his internal

struggle, the idea of nature versus nurture is illustrated throughout the film. Through his human nature,

childhood upbringing, and the question

As a

child of God, Edmund is deemed inherently moral, but with the gift of free will. As a parallel to the story

of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Edmund falls to the temptation of power just like Eve does. The

Turkish Delight Edmund consumes is a symbol of the apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and

Evil; the White Witch, the snake or devil. God gives every human the potential to do well and avoid evil;

therefore, humankind is inherently good. Yet why does Edmund struggle to be righteous when his siblings

seemingly have no problem at all? During his time with the Witch, Edmund begins to realize he does not

agree with the actions she performs and his guilt overwhelms him. The guilt he feels pushes him to do

right because humans are inherently good and he reverts back to his original nature. While his nature

seems askew at first, it is not exceedingly different from the struggles within humankind on a daily basis.

As is intended, Edmund 's psychological development stems not only from his nature as a human being

but also from the nurturing he receives growing

His nurture also defines his psychological development and

choices in life.

While some people will argue the claim that humans are driven by their nature or nurture

only, it is clear that both are used in decision making processes. Nature and nurture go hand-in-hand.

Nurture builds upon what nature gives to a human; therefore, Edmund 's childhood expands on his

inherent goodness and eventually guides him in the right direction. According to the website simply psychology, http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html,

defends the argument that humans are not solely defined by their nature or nurture, but by both. The

article expands on the idea and quotes, "So instead of asking whether child development is down to nature

or nurture the question has been reformulated as 'How much? '" In some cases a person relies more on

their nature or instincts, in others, their nurture or upbringing. The article also debates that the question

"how much" is not always the correct answer either. Instead the ideal way of thinking about nature versus

nurture is that neither is independent, but rather, they work together simultaneously.

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