As Human As It Gets: Frankenstein By Mary Shelley

As Human As It Gets

In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley proves that things are not always what they seem. Harold Bloom, in the "After word" in the Signet Edition of Frankenstein states: "The monster is at once more intellectual and more emotional then his Maker"The greatest paradox and most astonishing achievement of Mary Shelley’s novel is that the monster is more human than his creator. This nameless being…is more lovable than his creator and more hateful, more to be pitied and more to be feared…” When one hears the word “monster” they think of someone who is evil and fearful, with no human like qualities at all. So how is it that Bloom can say that the monster is more human than his creator? The monsters lovable side shows during

Such as, after the cottagers chased the monster away certain emotions came over him that he wasn’t quite accustomed too, …”despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and despair.” (Shelley 137) The monster could not control his reactions to the terrible thing that happened to him. He shows that he does have the ability to hate and when he does he becomes very mean. When the monster if filled with hatred there is no telling what he will do and it can even lead to something terrible happening. Another instance is the monsters reaction to Frankenstein destroying the creation that was supposed to be his wife; “You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains- revenge, hence forth dearer than light or food.” (Shelley 173) The monster has shown that the hatred he has for Frankenstein turned into revenge and has become stronger. The monster has taken control of this hatred and has used it o his advantage. Creating power over

The monster is very fearful, as when the monster demands Frankenstein to create him a mate he says, “I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred.” (Shelley 148) The monster shows how powerful he can be by putting fear into people, particularly Frankenstein. Over the years the monster has become more fearful through his manifestation and the way that he employs threats. The thing that makes the monster be feared even more is the suspense of not knowing what he is going to do next. In addition after Frankenstein destroys the monsters soon-to-be wife the monster says, “…I have the power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you.” (Shelley 172) the monster realizes that Frankenstein fears him and he feeds off of this, giving him power over Frankenstein. He also knows that the only way people listen to him is if he puts fear in to them. The monster has taken this and used it to suit the little needs that he has. The fact that the monster knows this makes him all the more fearful because he is not afraid to do it. More or less, everyone that has encountered the monster fears