I was once asked about what shapes character. Some believe that we choose our character and traits, while others believe that it is chosen by our environment and those around us.
Character is who people are. It’s the traits and the things people do. What influences character, however, is a little bit of a different story. Some people would believe that we choose our own traits, while others believe that our character is formed by influences out of our control. On that note, neither idea is right or wrong, but character seems to be more of a combination of both.
Both worldly and minor things influence people from the time they are born. From the things they’re dressed in and allowed to play with, to what kind of people their parents are, it’s all very subjective. Character, first and foremost, is designed by things out of one’s control. From birth until a person can decide who they want to be, they’re not actively shaping or changing their character. Thus, outside influences are shaping them. Ideas like this are highlighted in Lord of the Flies by William Golding. For example, a group of boys land alone on an island without any adults. Initially, they plan on having a lot of rules to mimic their lives back home. Then, as human nature comes out, some of the boys turn more savage. This is caused by the lack of adult impact and by the lack of humanity and understanding that the boys had. They let the barbarian nature of themselves go while on the island because there was no one to stop them.
Outside influences will continue to shape people. It’s human nature to bend just so they can fit a social norm. However, character can be changed. It’s hard to become the societal definition of a “better person,” but also very easy to let character and morals slip. This is where humans would pick their own traits. It’s very difficult to change and takes a long time, but it can be done. Unfortunately, people will probably always have a version of their old self lingering in their mind. The old self is talking when one is trying to make a decision. What the new and improved version of oneself wants sometimes contradicts the old one, and instead makes one question his or her change. In Lord of the Flies, one older boy is throwing things at a younger one, but purposely not hitting him. He simply wanted to mess with him. By the older boy not allowing himself to actually hit the young one, the reader can see how he was controlling himself against the rueful nature of humanity. His inner self told him not to hit him because that’s what he grew up knowing, despite the fact that if he did, there would be no consequences. He was shaping his own character.
There fails to be an exact answer for this, given that every soul is different. However, my main thought is that initially, the world chooses a person’s character and will continue to unless stopped. After that, one either has to change their character and ideals or continue letting the world influence them, even if it’s not for the greater good. It’s all about personal choices and who someone wants to be.
