Lubbock's Character Traits

“No one is born fully-formed: it is through self-experience in the world that we become what we are.”

essentially asserts that the nuances of one's personality are not generated from within, but rather

What makes a person who they are is a difficult dilemma. Mark Twain's novel, "Pudd'nhead Wilson and Those Extraordinary Twins" is a critical analysis of how nature and nurture can cultivate emotions and free will, which in turn affects the life of individuals. "Twain's faltering sense of direction began about slavery, moral decay, and deceptive realities (Kaplan 314). The debate of `nature versus nurture' has been one of the most intriguing scientific and cultural issues for most of the twentieth century, in determining the behavioral aspects of human beings. The changes in environment, society, education, political influences, family values and morals

Perpetrators of cruelty have warped world-views, which leads the victims to be viewed as weak or inhuman, and the perpetrators to be either raised a hero, or detested as a villain.

For example “I once saw one of thirteen beating his father because the latter had not made his bed properly.” (Pg 70) This shows how cruelty can affect people differently, just because all the prisoners were exposed to the same kinds of cruelty does not mean they will all react the same. The boy in this example killed his father because the hunger he felt changed how he acted. “The shadow threw itself upon him. Elled to the ground, stunned with blows...Meir. Meir, my boy!....I’m your father!....you’re killing your father!” (Pg 106) This is an example of self-preservation no matter what the cost is, this happened to people because survival instincts came into action.

Since the beginning of time, the environment in which one is accustomed to provides them with the choices that lead down paths that make their legacy. This environment can be negative or positive, structured or chaotic, rich or poor, all which give a variety of choices. Regardless of the different trials and tribulations we face ultimately, it is the choices we make in response that make us the person we become.

John Lubbock once stated, “Your character will be what you yourself choose to make it.” This was 100% correctly said because there’s no other you. No one else can possibly make decisions for you. Our character is not formed by influences beyond our control, because those influences do not define us. They don't define who we really are.

The nature vs nurture issue has been a controversial argument among psychologist for decades. This argument exposes two different views. One of them emphasizes that our personality depends solely on genetics (nature). On the other hand, the second view suggests that humans “develop through experience” (Myers 2013, SG 6) (nurture).

Are men and women born with cruelty as a deep component of their nature? Is civilization largely a heroic struggle to build layer upon layer of varnish upon the rough and splintered raw material of humankind?

In the ongoing debate about whether nature or nurture is the primary force shaping a person’s character, Capote comes down firmly on the side of nurture and environment in his book In Cold Blood.

One of the longest running discussions in psychology is the nature vs nurture debate. That is, is human behavior influenced more by environmental factors in one’s life, such as parents, or by genetics and biological factors? In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is described as an outstanding role model for his children, Jem and Scout, teaching them morals, discipline, and important lessons such as the acceptance of those who are different. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne describes Hester Prynne as a strong and independent woman who, despite the circumstances, is a role model for her daughter, Pearl. In spite of having a drunkard for a father, Huck Finn, from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is

Circumstances change a person’s perspective. Those who seem to be caring can change under the radar. Those who change see it as the only way out of dire situations. It then becomes a game of survival of the fittest, or life and death. What may make humans change or become cruel can be political reasons, the theory of abstract, and personal issues. Politics can trap people in a cruel mindset of humanity.

John Lubbock wrote, "Your character will be what you yourself choose to make it." This is a great opinion, but I also have an opinion of my own. I personally feel that experiences shape you into who you are. Every situation you go through impacts your life in many different ways. One small decision can change your life forever.

People throughout history have become cruel when they are given power. The Nazis during the Holocaust, slave-masters, and even teachers at schools that are given power become absorbed in it, which makes them cruel. Being in charge makes people feel good, and will do anything to keep feeling good. It is human nature to become cruel for power.

In the novel The Hobbit, the characters have many different and diverse personality traits. A few of the traits are negative while some are positive. But it really depends on the situation; the trait could be a positive or negative one. Tolkien also shows that intelligence is more important than physical strength.