In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Shelley explores John Locke's theory of birth as a blank slate by introducing a character who was born with a blank slate. When the creature comes to life, it is immediately labeled "miserable" (Shelley 68) and is left to fend for itself. The creature is like a child without parents and no idea what to do. In John Locke's blank slate theory, knowledge and moral sense arise solely from experience. He therefore attached paramount importance to the development of education. John Locke promoted the role of sensory awareness and experiences in the formation of human notion. This theory shows that simple things, like colors and shapes, are gathered passively, while more complex thoughts, like the relationship between cause and effect and individual identities, are actively gathered. (World History in Context) “Most critics agree that Locke strongly influenced Shelley's characterization of the creature. She wanted her readers to understand how important the creature's social conditioning is to its development as a conscious being. (Gale Reference Library) Jean Jacque Rousseau created the social contact theory, which is quite similar to John Locke's theory. In social contract theory, the moral or political obligations of individuals depend on a contract or agreement between them to form the society in which they live. He is enormously influenced by John Locke, who made the theory of birth with a "blank slate" (Gale Reference Library) one of the best-known theories. Like John Locke, Jean Jacque Rousseau also believed that humans are born with a blank slate and learn from their experiences. Mary Shelley was inspired by Rouss... middle of paper ... all humanity has sinned against me? " (Shelley 160) The creature also believes that society has treated him badly and he attributes all of his mistakes to Although what happens in the book is a fantasy, Mary Shelley's message applies to the real world. By example, if a child is abused by their parents, they may have a harder time relating to others to abuse their own children. The creature is never treated well by humans, so it is difficult for them to do well. treat them in return John Locke and Jean Jacque Rousseau explain that if humans are treated well, they are more likely to transform (Gale Reference Library) Mary Shelley wants people to give a chance to those who. may seem bad because the people around them changed them to make them who they are..