Frankenstein Nature vs Nurture

creator rejection and blame

• “Accursed creator, why did you create a monster so hideous that even you turn from me in disgust” pg 133 (creature)

innate goodness corrupted externally

• “I was benevolent and good, misery made me a fiend pg 103 (creature)

suffering leads to violence

• “I am malicious because i am miserable” pg 103 (creature)

ambition collapsing into horror

• “The beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” pg 58 (victor)

fear of unnatural appearance

• “Oh, no mortal could support the horror of that countenance” pg 59

innocence before moral corruption

• “As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil; benevolence and generosity were ever present before me, inciting within me a desire to become an actor in the busy scene” pg 130 (creature)

secret acts of kindness

• “During the night, I took his tools…” pg 114 (collects wood for the de Lacey family)

desire for social belonging

• “Sometimes I tried to imitate the pleasant songs of the birds, but was unable” pg 106 (creature) 

hope for fair acceptance

• “...an idea seized me that this little creature was unprejudiced…” pg 144

emotional longing for connection

• “He raised her, and smiled with such kindness and affection… I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature…mixture of pain and pleasure such as I had never experienced… I withdrew…unable to bear these emotions” pg 111

idealised childhood love security

• “I was their plaything and their idol, and something better—their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by Heaven.” Ch 1

ambition turns into horror

• “The beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” Ch 5

helpless ignorance at birth

“I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing.” Ch 11

admiration and dependence on others

“I looked upon them as superior beings who would be the arbiters of my future destiny.” Ch 12

life viewed as curse

“Hateful day when I received life!” Ch 15

kindness punished by society

• “This was then the reward of my benevolence!” Ch16

power reversal over creator

• “You are my creator, but 1 am your master;—obey!” Ch 20

good turns fully evil

• “The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.” Ch 24