Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, chronicles the life of a manmade “daemon” and his creator; simultaneously, the two wreak havoc on each other’s lives. The ultimate question proposed throughout the novel asks whether the daemon corrupts society or if society corrupts him. Nature versus nurture is a long-debated topic in the psychological field; not only can the argument vouch for humans, but it can also apply to Frankenstein’s daemon. Specifically, through the daemon’s interactions with the humans around him, it is evident that environmental factors have a more profound impact on him, rather than nature. Since Frankenstein abandoned the daemon after he created him, the daemon was never taught how to function in society or how to interact
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The daemon demands, “’Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind’” (103). All the creature desires is companionship and compassion. He is denied these things by everyone, including his own creator. Even though Victor abandoned him, the daemon still vows not to harm him. He does threaten the people Victor cares about, but not him directly. This exemplifies the fact that he at least has some level of respect for his creator. However, this changes when Victor refuses to create a woman for the daemon to spend his life with. Victor fears, “This letter revived in my memory what I had before forgotten, the threat of the fiend- ‘I will be with you on your wedding night!’” (192). Since the daemon could not spend his life with a woman by his side, he decided to take that opportunity away from Victor, as well. He threatens Victor and warns him that he will be present at his wedding. Victor already knows he is going to disturb the tranquility, however, he believes that the daemon will kill him. Instead, the daemon murders Elizabeth. This is the ultimate act of betrayal because without Elizabeth, Victor does not see a purpose for his life. He values her life far more than his own. Eventually, his constant battling and hiding from the creature leads to his own mortality. Metaphorically, the daemon killed Victor, although not physically. All of this could have been avoided if …show more content…
He did not have any genetic makeup to contribute to his actions. His appearance altered the way others treated him, but not did impact the way he acted towards others. If people treated him kindly, he returned the gesture. If people treated him cruelly, he matched their efforts. All of his actions and emotional reactions were products of his environment. The same can be said for humans. Humans control their own destiny, but there is only so much they can do to keep outside factors from making an
The daemon demands, “’Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind’” (103). All the creature desires is companionship and compassion. He is denied these things by everyone, including his own creator. Even though Victor abandoned him, the daemon still vows not to harm him. He does threaten the people Victor cares about, but not him directly. This exemplifies the fact that he at least has some level of respect for his creator. However, this changes when Victor refuses to create a woman for the daemon to spend his life with. Victor fears, “This letter revived in my memory what I had before forgotten, the threat of the fiend- ‘I will be with you on your wedding night!’” (192). Since the daemon could not spend his life with a woman by his side, he decided to take that opportunity away from Victor, as well. He threatens Victor and warns him that he will be present at his wedding. Victor already knows he is going to disturb the tranquility, however, he believes that the daemon will kill him. Instead, the daemon murders Elizabeth. This is the ultimate act of betrayal because without Elizabeth, Victor does not see a purpose for his life. He values her life far more than his own. Eventually, his constant battling and hiding from the creature leads to his own mortality. Metaphorically, the daemon killed Victor, although not physically. All of this could have been avoided if …show more content…
He did not have any genetic makeup to contribute to his actions. His appearance altered the way others treated him, but not did impact the way he acted towards others. If people treated him kindly, he returned the gesture. If people treated him cruelly, he matched their efforts. All of his actions and emotional reactions were products of his environment. The same can be said for humans. Humans control their own destiny, but there is only so much they can do to keep outside factors from making an