The Creature's nature

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

One topic that was brought up by my small group in discussion was the creature's nature vs. nurture. Now, although the notion that because the creature was created in a laboratory by a scientists, he would not have a precomposed genial make-up meaning his initial nature would be impossible may sound logical, this is a science fiction book and such thoughts are to be thrown out the window. By staying in line with the imagination of the book, it would be conceivable to say that the creature does contain some precomposed tendencies. Although the many miserable encounters that the creature had with humanity and his scholarly learning formed him into the evil wretch he is by the end of the book, the creature does seem to posses some traits that may have been alive in him from his very conception. One obvious trait of the creature's initial nature is his heightened intelligence. When speaking to Frankenstein of his past he admits this by saying, "I may boast that I improved more rapidly than the Arabian" (Shelley 84). This does show that he can learn at a much faster rate than the average human. This trait of a nature plays a part in who he is because it is what enables him to learn about and contemplate the human world and his creator and deep, philosophical questions. These lessons only help him more in the destruction of his master. However, one trait that appears to lie in the monster that is less obvious is his very quick and unrelenting anger. Yes, the events that take place during his short life term him into a miserable wretch, however, the quickness in which the monster resorts to violence is unnerving. Just as the cottagers leave their dwelling, the creature goes mad and burns the cabin down while howling through the night. This is not normal. Another, instance in which the creature is quickly wrapped in his anger is when he takes his first victim. Here one can truly see his deviousness. After destroying the young boys life, the boy he had moments before wished to take as a companion, he feels no remorse what so ever.