Does an ‘evil gene’ actually exist? It is difficult to say because genetics are only half of the nature versus nurture debate when it comes to human fallibility. It is common to wonder whether one’s error-prone actions are a result of his hard-wired genes or his environment as he grew up. When a baby is born, one wouldn’t say that they he has an evil predisposition, but that he is innocent and ‘good’. So, how does the innocent newborn become evil? The concepts of rejection, the quest for vengeance, and the need for approval have a considerable impact on one’s mindset. One’s demeanor carries an important role in his future actions. Mary Shelley considers society’s influence on such behaviors in her classic novel, Frankenstein. She creates characters
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He regrets not having ‘familiarized the old De Lacey’ to himself since his desire for the family’s approval has not been met. His connection with the De Lacey’s is so important to him because he views humans as having more power than himself. The creature seeks a friend in the ‘old De Lacey’ and would like to be accepted. As he is rejected by the cottagers, he then wants to ‘win him’ (the old man) to his ‘party.’ This action he wishes to take is immoral, however, because he wants to ‘seek the old man’ and violate his family to satisfy his own desires. As a stranger to the family, forcing his presence upon them could only push them further away and scare them. This effect is clear as the family decides to move away after the creature is introduced to them. When one faces rejection from his peers, he comes to resent the general population who has dismissed him. As the creature seeks to gain Victor’s attention so he will listen to his story, he uses pathos appeals so Victor can sympathize for him. Not only did Victor abandon him, but every time the creature encountered humans, they would scream in terror or try to attack him. They were frightened by him and therefore repel him. The creature explains the shift he experiences as his compassionate nature becomes quickly diminished due to these
He regrets not having ‘familiarized the old De Lacey’ to himself since his desire for the family’s approval has not been met. His connection with the De Lacey’s is so important to him because he views humans as having more power than himself. The creature seeks a friend in the ‘old De Lacey’ and would like to be accepted. As he is rejected by the cottagers, he then wants to ‘win him’ (the old man) to his ‘party.’ This action he wishes to take is immoral, however, because he wants to ‘seek the old man’ and violate his family to satisfy his own desires. As a stranger to the family, forcing his presence upon them could only push them further away and scare them. This effect is clear as the family decides to move away after the creature is introduced to them. When one faces rejection from his peers, he comes to resent the general population who has dismissed him. As the creature seeks to gain Victor’s attention so he will listen to his story, he uses pathos appeals so Victor can sympathize for him. Not only did Victor abandon him, but every time the creature encountered humans, they would scream in terror or try to attack him. They were frightened by him and therefore repel him. The creature explains the shift he experiences as his compassionate nature becomes quickly diminished due to these