Nature vs. Nurture

Prompt: How does the monster learn about the world in which he lives? How do rejection, abandonment, and isolation play a crucial role in Mo's transformation into someone who bears "eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind? Is Mo's descent into a murderous rage a result of his nature or nurture?

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Mo is left confused, disoriented, and alone. He is truly a baby in a grown man’s body. Mo flees from Victor’s home and ventures into the wilderness. He learns about the world around him through experiencing light and darkness, the coldness of weather, and hunger. He becomes acclimated to the world through trial and error. For example, he finds fire and then burns himself on it, learning that fire brings him warmth but he should not touch it. Mo comes upon the small home that holds the DeLacey family, and he begins to watch how they live their lives. As he watches their daily routine, he begins to learn human language and edicate. Mo eventually finds the book Paradise Lost and reads it as actual fact. He finds the story quite relatable which pushes him to read the pieces of Victor’s notes that he has in his pocket. The notes reveal the horrific manner of his creation which compels him to seek acceptance all the more.

Mo’s first experience in life was rejection and abandonment. He was left all alone to figure the world out for himself. Not only was he alone, but he was unwanted in all the places that he showed himself. Humans ran from him in fear because of his appearance, including his own creator. The humans took no time to actually inquire about Mo’s humanity. Mo did not always desire to get vengeance on all mankind; he simply wanted to belong and be wanted by someone. Mo would not hate mankind had they accepted him, for no one hates someone that accepts them for who they are. Mo’s desire for revenge upon mankind was a product of being abandoned by his creator, and rejected by other humans that he has sought to be like. I feel sympathy for Mo because he already does not get a fair chance in life because of his frightening appearance, but now he is forced to figure it all out for himself in complete isolation.

Mo’s descent into a murderous rage is a result of his nurture. His nature when he first woke up was not to kill or hurt anyone. This violent behavior stemmed from the abandonment Mo felt from Victor and the rejection he felt from all mankind. If Mo had been nurtured and taught how the world works by Victor, he would have managed to have the nature of a true human, just not the appearance. The reader is able to see Mo’s tender spirit in his longing for a deeper companion, and through his desire for relational connection with the DeLacey family. He aches to be like normal humans, and to partake in their normal lives. He does not wish to murder people. Mo acts this way out of hurt and anger for how he has been treated by the people of the world.

Word Count: 477