preview

Monster In Frankenstein

Decent Essays

When picturing a stereotype of a monster, often the thought of an asymmetrical, gruesome, and evil figure is visualized. A creature born to wreak havoc and compromise the peace of the defenseless and innocent. Because in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein the common conception of a monstrous creature is not mirrored, the reader is forced to question who the true monster of the novel is. At first, the reader believes that Victor’s monster is to assume position, but as the plot unfolds, the situation demands closer attention. Upon further analysis, the reader can conclude by the character’s actions and motives, that Victor Frankenstein’s creature is not the real monster, rather Victor, himself. To begin to understand the circumstances of both Frankenstein …show more content…

Knowing nothing but rejection, the creation was left “a poor, helpless, miserable wretch... feeling pain invade... on all sides”, it “sat down and wept” (Shelley 103). Despite its outbursts, the creature learns to reason. It begins to show compassion regardless of the rejection of its creator, the De Lacey family, and many others who judged its outward appearance. This compassion that brewed within, led to its “heart yearning to be known and loved...”. It’s being “required kindness and sympathy...” that it firmly “did not believe itself utterly unworthy of” (Shelley 131). Once the creature decides to take a pivotal change in its perspective, it decides to produce unmeasurable misery for Frankenstein. Once the creature has enticed and angered Frankenstein enough to entice him to seek revenge, the creature hesitantly moves forward. Although he is finally receiving attention from his creator, the creature does not seek to actively physically harm Frankenstein. In fact, even though Frankenstein quite literally chased his creation to the grave, his creation found no joy in his death. “For while [it] destroyed his hopes, [it] did not satisfy [its] own desires. They were forever ardent and craving; still [it] desired love and fellowship, and [it] was still spurned” (Shelley 221). What type of “monster”, let alone adversary, feels no joy in his enemy’s

Get Access