3:10 to Yuma

The movie 3:10 to Yuma definitely has some kind of connection to the "nature versus nurture" theme. In my opinion, Ben Wade's character is strongly representative of the "nurture argument." He was probably not initially a killer, a cheater, or a coldhearted person, but because of the people and events that surrounded him, he succumbed in order to fit in and in order to survive. His bad behavior may also be a result of his mom abandoning him when he was younger. When Ben Wade, at the beginning of the movie, states, "I hate Pinkertons," he seems to be going along with what his environment is reinforcing. One example of Wade's behavior is showcased when he kills Byron. It is obvious that Wade lives defensively, and at one point in the movie he even speaks of how good deeds are contagious. And for that reason, he stays away from the good deeds. Although Wade and his comrades show their extremely societal-based behaviors throughout the entirety of the movie, the environment, once again, molds Wade's character at the end-this time in a positive way. After he was "escorted" (haha) to the train station and after William watched his father get shot by Charlie Prince, Wade was deeply affected. Because of this environmental change, Wade shot his former friend, Charlie Prince, and rather than escaping, rightfully locked himself behind bars on the 3:10 train to Yuma.