Nature vs Nurture

Answer 1

• Dunstan is an immoral man and Godfrey is indecisive, a coward, and craves affection - could be due to nurture (neglectful father, absent mother) or nature (inherited from father). However, Godfrey is generally good, so leaves us questioning
• “spiteful jeering fellow” “enjoyed his drink the more when others went dry” - blackmail, theft, “stepped forward into the darkness”
• “moral cowardice” “natural irresolution” “evil terror in his mind that the woman might not be dead” - mistreats Molly, fails to look after Eppie, dotes on Nancy, puts of telling father
• “fountain of wholesome love and fear” “slack and feeble mouth” “as fiery volcanic matter cools and hardens into rock” “implacable man” “ate the beef hastily”
• Dolly, the unwitting Evangelist, is a solely good woman, who raises a good boy
• “apple-cheeked youngster” “voice like a bird” “looked like a cherubic head” - nature
• “the desire to give comfort that made itself heard in her quiet tones”
• “with gentle distress and compassion”
• “Silas’s comforters”
• Eppie is the daughter of an irresolute man and opium addict mother, yet through Silas’ paternity she is raised a virtuous lady