Changes

The primary theme of the [[novel]], play and film is the [[Nature-Nurture Controversy]] regarding the origins of criminal behavior. At issue: Does a habitual criminal ''inherit'' a tendency to criminality from his parents or other ancestors, or does criminal behavior result entirely from an unfavorable child-rearing environment?

The primary theme of the [[novel]], play and film is the [[Nature-Nurture Controversy]] regarding the origins of criminal behavior. At issue: Does a habitual criminal ''inherit'' a tendency to criminality from his parents or other ancestors, or does criminal behavior result entirely from an unfavorable child-rearing environment?

In the era in which this film was made and released, [[juvenile delinquency]] began to be far more prevalent, or far more widely reported and documented, than had been the case earlier in history. The nature-nurture controversy was an attempt at an explanation. Proponents of the "nature" side suggested that some people are born evil—with the clear implication that most people are ''not'' born evil. Proponents of the "nurture" side suggest that criminals learn their behavior from other criminals, or make the decision to turn to crime if chronically impoverished or otherwise "disadvantaged."

In the era in which this film was made and released, [[juvenile delinquency]] began to be far more prevalent, or far more widely reported and documented, than had been the case earlier in history. The nature-nurture controversy was an attempt at an explanation. Proponents of the "nature" side suggested that some people are born evil—with the clear implication that most people are ''not'' born evil. (Reginald Tasker even suggests that those persons "born evil" are "born with a brain that might have been normal thirty-five thousand years ago"—in other words, that they are [[atavism]]s, or literally, "throwbacks.") Proponents of the "nurture" side suggest that criminals learn their behavior from other criminals, or make the decision to turn to crime if chronically impoverished or otherwise "disadvantaged."

In point of fact, neither theory is correct. ''All'' persons are born with an inherent tendency to evil. The [[Israel]]ite King [[David]] made this point first:{{Bible quote|The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."/They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;/There is no one who does good./The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men/To see if there are any who understand,/Who seek after God./They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;/There is no one who does good, not even one.|book=Psalms|chap=14|verses=1-3|version=NASB}}

In point of fact, neither theory is correct. ''All'' persons are born with an inherent tendency to evil. The [[Israel]]ite King [[David]] made this point first:{{Bible quote|The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."/They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;/There is no one who does good./The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men/To see if there are any who understand,/Who seek after God./They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;/There is no one who does good, not even one.|book=Psalms|chap=14|verses=1-3|version=NASB}}