Is Parental
Guidance Akin to Coaching?
As
we are reading Frankenstein by Mary
Shelley in our English class, I have noticed many possible themes the author is
trying to convey to her reader. One major idea I believe Shelley was trying to demonstrate
is related to parental care and responsibility. She was trying to share that most
children’s personality is directly influenced by their parents’ behavior and
personality. When parents fulfill their responsibilities and show affection toward
their children, the children tend to mirror these characteristics into
themselves. This is shown with, both, Elizabeth’s and Victor Frankenstein’s
character. They were both deeply loved and extremely cared for throughout their
childhood, which resulted in the development of their very well-mannered, keen
and loving personality. On the other hand, the creature, who was abandoned and
neglected by his creator and most of society, developed a bitter and vengeful
personality.
Could
this theme apply to a coach and his/her athlete? Does an athlete’s efficacy
depend on his/her coach?
I
believe that an athlete’s performance is directly motivated by the coach. Countless
athletes have the talent, but not all of them go pro because most athletes can’t
distinguish these talents without assistance. This assistance is provided by a good
coach who is devoted into executing his/her responsibility. Like parents, a
coach tends to develop a respectful and beneficial relationship with an
athlete. Like parents, good coaches also comfort, care and support an athlete
when needed. Like children, athletes respond to the coach’s behavior with respect,
care, and personal growth.
A
paradigm for this is John Calipari, who is the best college basketball coach
alive (may be biased as a UK fan). He produced about seventeen draft picks in
the four years he has coached Kentucky, thirteen of those picks were in the first
round. He has also coached three number 1 overall picks which included Derrick
Rose, John Wall and Anthony Davis. Derrick Rose is now an all-star and Anthony
Davis was part of Team USA in the 2012 Olympics. Akin to parents, John Calipari
and many other coaches nurture their athletes, developing them into talented
professional competitors.
By: Viresh
I agree with your connection between the theme that Shelley is trying to portray in Frankenstein and how coaches can sometimes be considered the fathers of the players they coach while they coach them. Their development and progression depends on how the coach approaches them as a young man under his wing for a year or even 4 years. Frankenstein didn't have the same thoughts about his creation though.
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