Nature Versus Nurture

How much of our identity is shaped by our environments? How much is intrinsic to who we are and beyond the control of external forces? These are ancient questions with complex answers. In this collection we've gathered texts that explore the issue of nature versus nurture from a variety of angles.

Half Brother

by Kenneth Oppel

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Language, Coming of Age, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Nature Versus Nurture, Fathers, Siblings, Teamwork, Justice, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology

Tags Historical Fiction, Animals, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Half Brother (2010) is a young adult novel by Kenneth Oppel. In the novel, Oppel combines and fictionalizes several experiments in which chimpanzees learned sign language to communicate. The story follows the Tomlin family as they adopt a baby chimpanzee to see if it can learn and use language. Through this experiment and its effect on the characters, the text explores the themes of family, belonging, animal rights, communication, individuality, and growing up. The novel... Read Half Brother Summary

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

by J. K. Rowling

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Nature Versus Nurture, Love, Good & Evil, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) is the sixth book in the seven-part Harry Potter series penned by J. K. Rowling. The book revolves around the titular character Harry Potter, who is a wizard, and the events that take place during his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Joanne Rowling, known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a British author best known for her immensely popular fantasy series, Harry Potter... Read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Summary

Heart of a Dog

by Mikhail Bulgakov

Publication year 1925

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Coming of Age, Animals, Nature Versus Nurture, Social Class, Nation, War, Science & Technology

Tags Satirical Literature, Science Fiction, Russian Literature, Symbolic Narrative

The Heart of a Dog (1925) is a novella by Russian author and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov. During his lifetime, Bulgakov was celebrated as a playwright in the Soviet Union, but his works often faced censorship by authorities due to their satirical critiques of Soviet life and government. The Heart of a Dog is a satirical science fiction tale of a surgeon who uses organ transplants to transform a stray dog into a man. It deals... Read Heart of a Dog Summary

How Children Succeed

by Paul Tough

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture, Mental Health, Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Daughters & Sons, Social Class, Education, Equality

Tags Education, Psychology, Parenting, Children`s Literature, Education, Science & Nature, Sociology, Psychology, Self-Improvement

... Read How Children Succeed Summary

I Know Who You Are

by Alice Feeney

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Revenge, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Family, Marriage, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Social Class, Economics, Fame, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

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In the Shadow of Man

by Jane Goodall

Publication year 1971

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Environment, Animals, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Justice, Conflict, Forgiveness

Tags Science & Nature, Animals, Anthropology, Anthropology, Classic Fiction, Biography

Published in 1971, In the Shadow of Man is the third and most famous book by British primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. The work details Goodall’s groundbreaking study of chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park and her unlikely journey from being a secretary in the UK to heading a major chimpanzee study in East Africa and becoming one of the world’s foremost primatology experts. Functioning as both a memoir and a scientific exploration of chimp... Read In the Shadow of Man Summary

Iron John

by Robert Bly

Publication year 1984

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Masculinity, Nature Versus Nurture, Fathers

Tags Gender & Feminism, Philosophy, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Psychology, Fantasy, Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality

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Isola

by Allegra Goodman

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Love, Perseverance, Gender Identity, Death, Nature Versus Nurture, Social Class

Tags Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction

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Love, Mom

by Iliana Xander

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, The Past, Nature Versus Nurture, Daughters & Sons, Family, Mothers

Tags Psychological Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

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Masterminds

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies, Nature Versus Nurture, Appearance & Reality, Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Horror & Suspense, Science & Nature, Education, Technology, Science Fiction, Children`s Literature

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Men Who Hate Women

by Laura Bates

Publication year 2020

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Nature Versus Nurture, Community, Equality, Science & Technology

Tags Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Social Justice, Trauma & Abuse

... Read Men Who Hate Women Summary