Does Shelley seem to think influences humans more, nature or nurture?
Throughout Frankenstein, Shelley specifically chooses her syntax and diction in a way that reflects her opinion, subtly reinforcing her belief that nature has more of an impact on human behavior than nurture. While Shelley doesn't explain Victor's 'picture perfect' upbringing with great detail or purpose, she does describe Victor's feelings of destiny and belonging when he finds something he is interested in at the university. This signifies that nurture, or childhood experiences and influences, are not as important to Shelley within the story as nature and an individual's destiny that guides their actions and choices; childhood is brushed aside while scientific purpose takes center stage. All mention of Victor's years at home are contained in pages 16-20, while his time at the university creating his creature stretches from page 29-37; this pursuit begins with the sentence "Thus ended a day memorable to me: it decided my future destiny." (pg. 29) While in the process of creation, Shelley describes Victor's obsession with the fulfillment of his 'destiny': The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was the most beautiful season... but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature. And the same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had not seen for so long a time." (pg. 33) Shelley's emphasis on the importance of destiny and it's influence on Victor's life illustrates her own values of destiny and fate, and their impact's on the lives of humans.
No comments:
Post a Comment