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In the novel by Doris Lessing, the author asked the reader to determine the true nature of the character Ben. Ben is portrayed as a selfish, brutal, belligerent child. He relates to society in a cruel, aggressive manner. Based on the author ....

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... Harriet, Ben’s mother, tried to alter this behavior by first chastising him and then showing compassion. She sought help from professional therapists who chose to ignore the true nature of Ben’s personality. Lessing suggests that human nature is unchangeable and strongly believes in the “nature” vs. “nurture” theory of personality. From the time of birth, Harriet had conceived Ben as being a belligerent infant whose main purpose in the world was to harm. When he was in her womb, Ben would be “trying to tear its way out of her stomach (38),” in a rage of vigorous jabs and kicks. When Ben was born, he was a rebellious child, always try ...