Description
My teachers notes: there are quite a few grammatical/punctuation errors in your essay that should’ve been proofread as well as their is a lot of repetition that needs to be fixed. I’ve realized that you haven’t provided analysis to a lot of your quotations. You are summarizing parts of the play, but not really digging deeper–analyzing word choice, use of literary devices, etc. After you quote the play, you need to analyze every quote rather than just summarize it. Before the quote, you add a summary, after the quote, you add analysis. Analysis only needs to be 2-3 sentences. Good intro and conclusion, but the body paragraphs need work. Rather than explaining quotes, you need to analyze them–look at the words used and ask yourself why that specific word was used for the quote and analyze it!Nature vs. Nurture
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Kate Leth’s Edward Scissorhands depict the themes of
isolation, evil choices, and revenge in a prominent and visible manner. The loss of human values
and innocence provokes the characters of Victor and Edward to choose evil paths. Their
deviation from nature reflects the dark side of their personalities that convince them to commit
horrific acts. The fall of the characters in the story represents the concept of nature. The creature
of Victor and the transformation of Edward to a monster reflect the themes of nature. Encounters
with tragic events provoke a devilish essence in the characters that takes them down the wrong
path. Both Victor and Edward develop hatred for the humans that are exposed to their choices.
Alienation, evilness, and revenge are driving forces for nature versus nurture that lead to the
destruction of human characters.
Isolation is a prominent theme in the lives of Victor and Edward. The characters are not
accepted by society due to their flaws. The role of isolation is made apparent in the text when
Victor says, “the desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many
days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me, and the only one which
man does not grudge” (Shelley). Victor’s life is filled with darkness and loneliness. The settings
displayed in the novels can be used to understand that Victor is suffering from loneliness, which
leaves him with the choice of living in darkness. Isolation is exhibited through explaining the
alienation of the monster from the society. Isolation is also visible in Edward Scissorhands as the
character experiences loneliness, misery, and suffering due to his scissor hands. His inability to
touch others without hurting them reflects his natural limitations. Society’s rejection is apparent
as Jim mentions, “f orget about holding her hand, man. Think about the damage he could do to
other places” (Leth). Edward encounters loneliness because he is different from normal humans
who are capable of touching others. He does not live with his family, further symbolizing the
lack of love and affection in his life. The people in society treat Edward with distrust and
maintain a safe distance.
Further, evilness is a driving force of nature versus nurture that convinces both characters
to neglect humanity. The evil nature of Victor and Edward is exposed as they make independent
choices. The choices are a reflection of both characters who are fascinated by rejecting their
goodness. The creation is portrayed as a scary monster covered with muscles and arteries, with
dun white sockets, watery eyes, black lips, and yellow skin with a shriveled complexion.
Essentially, the creation of the monster has uncanny and eerie effects. By creating monsters,
Victor promotes horror and violence for challenging nature. The monster becomes a destructive
force that threatens human beings of the society (Laurence). Evilness encourages Victor to give
life to the dead bodies by rejecting the code of nature. He says “I ought to be thy Adam, but I am
rather the fallen angel” (Shelley). Victor starts considering himself as a supernatural being. He
violates the law of nature by becoming a creator. Evilness is also chosen by Edward as he rejects
his reality. Edward neglects the Goodness of humans exhibited in the character of Pegg Boggs
who takes him home. Edward is turned into a monster who lacks humanity and instead desires to
take revenge by choosing an evil path. He says “I am not complete” (Leth). He develops the
passion of causing suffering to the world. Hatred of Edward towards the people and world is
motivated by his evil nature.
Revenge is a prominent theme in the lives of both characters as Victor and Edward fail to
accept the role of fate. Their decision of causing pain to humans is motivated by their personal
sufferings. The characters reject the role of nature by deciding to control the lives of others.
Victor and Edward challenge the code of nature by taking an unexpected role of becoming
creators to monsters. Victor’s decision of creating a monster reflects his desire for power. His
loss is great and convinces him to blame society, which results in him putting them in a tragic
state. The character of Edward is also inspired by similar events. His hatred promotes negative
feelings and convinces him to take revenge from nature. Edward is an incomplete human who
never fits into society and faces humiliation. These personal feelings of low self-worth and
dignity are developed due to the mistreatment of people. The looks of disbelief, lack of
compassion, and rudeness towards him nurture his growing feelings of revenge. Edward’s
tragedy is visible as he learns to hide his reality;“ the light concealing cream goes on first. Then
you blend, and blend, and blend. Blending is the secret” (Leh). His indulgence in evil acts such
as inflicting pain onto humans reflects the fact that he has rejected the codes of nature. He seeks
pleasure by causing sufferings to the humans that portray his monstrous image. Both Edward and
Victor fail to receive encouragement from the society that promotes their feelings of agony and
violence. The choices and the growth of the characters depict that nurture is missing from their
lives. Victor’s mother dies, leading him down the dark path and causing him to develop feelings
of revenge. These feelings of revenge grow further as Victor is betrayed by his imaginations and
takes comfort in falsehood. He says, “the fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that
enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone” (Shelley). The
feelings reveal his anger and hidden rage that are ultimately seen in the form of a monster. Both
Victor and Edward are victims of their own choices that cause their destruction and demise.
Similar situations are faced by characters that encourage them to accept their newly transformed
image. Cruelty towards humans confirms Victor and Edward vent their hatred and aggression
towards the innocent.
All in all, alienation, evilness, and revenge are prominent elements of Victor’s and
Edward’s life. These topics have relevance to the theme of nature versus nurture. The
comparison of the events of life, choices, and tragedies exhibits similarities between both
characters. The revenge of the characters from the people and nature reflects their deviation from
the code of nature. The choices of Frankenstein and Edward lead to their misery and suffering.
Alienation is the dominant theme in the lives of Victor and Edward because they face rejection
from society. Both of them long for company, friendship, and love. The role of alienation
becomes more visible upon the death of Victor’s mother. The feelings of the characters include
the melancholic pain that convinces them to choose the evil path. Both Victor and Edward face a
great deal of rejection that makes them realize their flaws, promoting their negative feelings and
sadistic traits. The hatred developed by the characters reflects the role of nature. Through the
suffering inflicted upon them, Victor and Edward develop aggressive feelings towards the people
and society that contribute to their ongoing self-loathing and hatred.