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The theme nature and nurture is a constant battle that never seems to end in the story “My brother Gary Gilmore.” Many people believe that some criminals dont have a chose between wrong and right but they do. They believe that criminal intent and criminal actions are handed down from parent to child. In this true story we see how socialization, morals and time period affects a persons action.
The reason for Garys violent behavior is due to the lack of attention, love and also the time period he grew up in which was the rebellious period of the 50s. Garys lack of love force him to get attention and to the easily influence by the bad company because there was no one there to teach him and guide him in the right path.
“When my brother Gaylen was born in the mid forties, my father turned all his love on his new, beautiful brown eyed son.”
“Frank, Gary and Gaylen signifies the teenage rebellion of the fifties for me. They wore their hair in greasy pompadours and played Elvis Presley and Fat Domino record. .”They smoked cigarettes, drank booze and cough syrup, skipped – and quit school, or taking part in gang rumbles.”
Although Mikhal was loved more by hid father, Gary did not show much dislike to Mikhal. Gary gives his brother Mikhal advice to keep out of trouble even keeps him alive and shows him compassion although it was not much because he was not around much. Gary tells him this because he grew up with boys like that and know what will happen to Mikhal if he fought back (pg 107 lines 1-9). Also if Mikhal had fought back it would allure him to continue on to fight in every situation that arises. People will judge him base on this but due to the guidance of his brother; Gary knows that he is not like this.
People of Mikhals community think that nature will take course and he will some day be like his brother. The principal and the policeman told Mikhal that they have seen enough of Garys crime (arm robbery, stealing, fighting).
“I remember been called into the principal office while still in grammar school, and being warned that that the school would never tolerate my acting as my brother s did. …Once I was waiting for the bus in the centre of the town when a cop pulled over. “Youre one of the Gilmore boys arent you? I hope you dont end up like those two. Ive have seen enough shitheads from your family.”