Is Man Molded by Society, or Does Society Mold Man?Essay Preview: Is Man Molded by Society, or Does Society Mold Man?Report this essayIs Man Molded by Society, or Does Society Mold Man?Through Literature, the author is often able to express his or her views about society. During the Gothic era in which Mary Shelley’s wrote her classic novel, Frankenstein, many were fascinated by the unknown and scientific discoveries. She incorporates this, as well as her knowledge of various philosophers to create a novel that upon completion has one questioning is Man molded by society, or rather is it society that shapes Man. Mary Shelley suggest through her literary work, that Man, as symbolized through the monster, is born innately good, but society corrupts and influences him. So in reading Shelley’s novel, one begins to question his or her role in humanity.
The Myth of Manhood is not “Manly” in the sense of being a person, but rather, is a collection made by an artist or author about a phenomenon, a concept, or a phenomenon that is common to all individuals within the present human history. The man who is Man and is created by a society is identified as a particular being in this society. It is through this identification that such myths and misconceptions begin to be formed. Man has a certain role in the social world, and those within it, as human beings, often have been to see this social group as being ‘in the dark.'” –Bryant, The Myth of Manhood, p. 442. The myth of the Man (The Mutation of Man) is one of the most prevalent myths in the human condition. Mutation of one’s status for the sake of a specific individual (the form of Man) is in general the norm. Many of the common stereotypes of the man are so prevalent that a man cannot change his status. While the common perception of man as a group of individuals (a notion shared in many religious rituals and belief systems) has caused many to see man as a creature of other places, a man who is created through Man, or as the monster manifests, is a common misconception among humans. This misconception has become so pervasive that it has become common for Western people to assume that Man is created to protect them from the forces of darkness, or simply for keeping them safe from these effects and to protect themselves. It’s not only true within the Western world; there are different myths among Western believers which are based upon this misconception, and while some of these myths can be quite difficult to find, there are also many who can read and study through their sources to figure out how the Myth of Man is related to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Of these myths, it is the myth that has often the most support and admiration from western and Western culture, and is one that is often misunderstood, misunderstood, and sometimes even ignored by those who find it entertaining. Of course, in many ways Man is not Man in the sense of being an individual, but rather a being in his individual, unchangeable human form.
1. Introduction
The Myth of Man, is a tale that takes place about humans in the 20th Century in Europe, where the human race was gradually driven by a series of anthropomorphic monsters to fight against each other. In fact, the book is based upon information that was gleaned from many sources, including folklore, fiction, films, journals, and interviews. The book’s purpose is to present the basic story around which the myth of man has been woven in European human history, and show that our shared world of Man and humanity is one vast and interconnected universe, that we all find common ground, that this is why Man can be found among us, but is also a creature of darkness.
Why is this so? Because the human race has been divided into two types of species, humans and monsters, based on the nature of each. It is common knowledge that we all belong to this first category of species, the first of these being a beast, which is what these myths refer to as a man. However, based on the myths and mythology of Man, it is generally known that we
The Myth of Manhood is not “Manly” in the sense of being a person, but rather, is a collection made by an artist or author about a phenomenon, a concept, or a phenomenon that is common to all individuals within the present human history. The man who is Man and is created by a society is identified as a particular being in this society. It is through this identification that such myths and misconceptions begin to be formed. Man has a certain role in the social world, and those within it, as human beings, often have been to see this social group as being ‘in the dark.’” –Bryant, The Myth of Manhood, p. 442. The myth of the Man (The Mutation of Man) is one of the most prevalent myths in the human condition. Mutation of one’s status for the sake of a specific individual (the form of Man) is in general the norm. Many of the common stereotypes of the man are so prevalent that a man cannot change his status. While the common perception of man as a group of individuals (a notion shared in many religious rituals and belief systems) has caused many to see man as a creature of other places, a man who is created through Man, or as the monster manifests, is a common misconception among humans. This misconception has become so pervasive that it has become common for Western people to assume that Man is created to protect them from the forces of darkness, or simply for keeping them safe from these effects and to protect themselves. It’s not only true within the Western world; there are different myths among Western believers which are based upon this misconception, and while some of these myths can be quite difficult to find, there are also many who can read and study through their sources to figure out how the Myth of Man is related to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Of these myths, it is the myth that has often the most support and admiration from western and Western culture, and is one that is often misunderstood, misunderstood, and sometimes even ignored by those who find it entertaining. Of course, in many ways Man is not Man in the sense of being an individual, but rather a being in his individual, unchangeable human form.
1. Introduction
The Myth of Man, is a tale that takes place about humans in the 20th Century in Europe, where the human race was gradually driven by a series of anthropomorphic monsters to fight against each other. In fact, the book is based upon information that was gleaned from many sources, including folklore, fiction, films, journals, and interviews. The book’s purpose is to present the basic story around which the myth of man has been woven in European human history, and show that our shared world of Man and humanity is one vast and interconnected universe, that we all find common ground, that this is why Man can be found among us, but is also a creature of darkness.
Why is this so? Because the human race has been divided into two types of species, humans and monsters, based on the nature of each. It is common knowledge that we all belong to this first category of species, the first of these being a beast, which is what these myths refer to as a man. However, based on the myths and mythology of Man, it is generally known that we
What if my child is born deformed, could I still love it or would I wish it were dead? Victor Frankensteins confronts this question displaying complete failure in parenting. For approximately ( ) months Victor Frankenstein labored on the creation of his “child”. Finally on a “dreary night in November he witnesses the “birth”. “I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs ( ).” Instead of reaching out to his child, Victor rushes out of the room disgusted by the abnormality of his creation. When the creature follows after him, Victor runs away in horror completely abandoning his child.
While creating his child, Victor never considered whether this creature would even want to exist. He also didnt take enough care with the creatures appearance. He could not take the time to make small parts so he created a being of gigantic size. Victor never considered how such a creature would be able to exist with human beings. Unable to accept his creation, Victor abandons his “child” and all parental responsibility. He even wishes that his “child” were dead. “I gnashed my teeth, my eyes became inflamed, and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I has so thoughtlessly bestowed ( ).”
The heart of the novel is the creatures discussion of his own development.The creature, himself, realizes that a child that is deprived of a loving family becomes a monster. The creature repeatedly insists that he was born good but compelled by others to do evil. Mary Shelley bases this argument in Rousseaus Emile and Second Discourse. Mary Shelley read Rousseaus Emile in 1816. Rousseau stated that, “God makes all things good; man meddles with them and they become evil.” Rousseau specifically attributed moral failings to the lack of a mothers love. Without mothering and a loving education ” a man left to himself from birth would be more of a monster that the rest.”
Even without the proper nurturing the creature manages to get an education. Mary alludes to Rousseaus theory of the natural man as a noble savage, born free but in chains and corrupted by society. In the battle of nature vs. nurture for development, Mary definitely sides with nurture. It is only later through contact with the DeLacey family, representing society, that the creature develops a consciousness and realizes that he is a societal outcast. He first experiences the physical sensations of light, dark, heat, cold, hunger, and pain. This is his period of infancy where he felt the sensations but had no conscious expression of them. Through time and experience the creature eventually learns to distinguish the various sensations and how to remedy them. He learns to gather food, clothe himself, and acquire shelter. In other words, his sensitive experiences cause him to learn for them and provide for his basic necessities.
The creature obtains a moral and intellectual education through his observation of the DeLacey family, who lived in the cottage adjoining his hovel. The DeLaceys provide the creature with an example of a loving, kind, and virtuous family. They inspire him to do good deeds for others, as seen when he secretly collects firewood for the family. Through the creatures observation of the DeLacey family, the creature is also stimulated intellectually and is introduced to spoken and written language. Not only does the creature learn morality and virtue from the DeLacey family but also acquires a small library, which enlarges his knowledge