FrankensteinFinal

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature is what we think of as pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors. Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external factors after conception e.g. the product of exposure, experience and learning on an individual.

The nature-nurture debate is concerned with the relative contribution that both influences make to human behavior.

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor abandons his creation at conception and unleashes a destructive force upon humanity. Was the creature’s actions a product of Victor’s decisions or were they predisposed from the creatures propensity for evil and violence?

In a 500 word essay, discuss whether the creature’s actions were a product of its natural predisposition or a consequence derived from Victor’s lack of nurturing.

Be sure to:• Identify and analyze (at least) 3 examples from the novel

Frankenstein• Use at least one peer-reviewed or scholarly text to

support your answer• Use in-text citations • Follow MLA format

Introduction

I. Thesis StatementA.Topic #1B. Topic#2C. Topic#3D.Topic #4

1st Body Paragraph

II. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

2nd Body Paragraph

III. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

3rd Body Paragraph

IV. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

4th Body Paragraph

V. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

5th Body Paragraph

VI. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

6th Body Paragraph

VII. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

7th Body Paragraph

VIII. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

8th Body Paragraph

IX. Thesis StatementA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. Commentary

9th Body Paragraph

X. OverviewA. SupportB. SupportC. CommentaryD. CommentaryE. CommentaryF. Commentary

Conclusion

XI. Thesis StatementA.Topic #1B. Topic#2C. Topic#3D.Topic #4

Introduction

I. The creature was born with the propensity to act evilA. DeformityB. William & JustineC. “Miserable”D. Watkins

1st Body Paragraph

II. Deformity (116-7)A. The creature could see everyone

elseB. Saw that it was deformed when

looking into the pondC. The creature spent its days

hiding because he was mistreated

D. Chased away when stealing foodE. Cottagers were beautiful and had

ideal lives

2nd Body Paragraph

III. Deformity ExplainedA. Beauty equals goodnessB. Monster felt badC. Destroyed houseD. Was angry at Victor for

making him uglyE. Took vengeance

3rd Body Paragraph

IV. William & JustineA. William was strangledB. Justine was framed for his

murderC. The creature overpowered

something defenselessD. Showed a mischievous side for

framing anotherE. All because of their connection

to Victor

4th Body Paragraph

V. William & Justine explainedA. Both innocentB. Both dealt with

underhandedlyC. William murdered to upset

VictorD. Justine murdered because he

couldn’t have herE. He quickly reacted in an evil

way

5th Body Paragraph

VI. “Miserable”A. Creature reasons with VictorB. “I am Malicious because I am

miserable”C. States all the injustices done

to himD. States that Victor has a

responsibility to himE. Makes demands on Victor to

give him happiness

6th Body Paragraph

VII. “Miserable” ExplainedA. It is true that the monster

had a rough go of itB. It makes the decision to

destroyC. It tried to help with choresD. When love was spurned, it

burned down the cottageE. It chose to take vengeance

7th Body Paragraph

VIII. Watkins

A. “Mary Shelley’s creature becomes an articulate, intelligent being…he compares himself to the rejected Satan instead of the nurtured Adam”

B. He teaches himself to speak and read the French language and studies Paradise Lost

C. The highly creature is intelligent

D. Capable of making rational decisions

E. Chooses to fall back on instincts

8th Body Paragraph

IX. Watkins ExplainedA. Instead of intelligently

rationalizing, the monster falls back onto cruel, animalistic instincts

B. He could react in a good way but chooses to do wrong

C. Kills a childD. Frames an innocent womanE. Murders Victor’s wife for

revenge

9th Body Paragraph

X. Overview

A. The Monster is highly intelligent and is capable of reason

B. Chooses to act on evil instincts

C. His ugliness was the start of his hate

D. He took his rage out upon innocents

E. Doesn’t take responsibility for his actions

F. Although he is capable of intelligent reasoning

Conclusion

XI. The creature was born with the propensity to act evil

A. DeformityB. William & JustineC. “Miserable”D. Watkins