Examples Of Monstrosity In Frankenstein

Nic Roberts

2nd

A monstrosity can be defined as a malevolent, inhuman entity. A key trait of monsters is their lack of humanity, or the lack of empathetic emotional projection. Monsters have permeated culture for as long as stories have been told. The concept of monsters reveals several traits within human nature, including a penchant for order and organization, fearfulness, and imagination.

One of the traits monsters reveal about human nature is a preference for order. When something strays from the organized norm, humans fear it and will view it as monstrous. For example, in Douglas Allchin’s Monsters and the Tyranny of Normality: How do biologists interpret anomalous forms? states “The irony of monsters is while they are plainly products of nature, they are often viewed as ‘unnatural’ because they seem to ‘violate’ its ‘laws’.” This quote shows that even though nature produces strange and unusual anomalies, humans will fear them because they stray from the organized norm. Nature creates anomalous forms. If these creatures are natural, how can they break the laws of nature?

Another trait within human nature revealed by monsters is fearfulness.

Monsters are human creations, and act as a veritable panacea of human fears, meaning monsters project fears in order for humans to cope with them. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, the main character, Doctor Frankenstein, is shocked at the initial appearance of his monstrous creation. The character reveals thoughts such as “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe?” and “I was unable to compose my mind to sleep.” These thoughts show that Frankenstein is both doubtful and fearful of his creation, even to the point of sleeplessness. He is so afraid of his own creation that he begins

self-deprivation.
However, humans also enjoy being scared, to a point. Timothy Beal’s essay Our Monsters, Our Selves states “The reawakening of the monstrous continues. These days more than ever it seems you can’t keep a good monster down.” For context, this essay was written shortly after the September Eleventh attacks. This shows that even amidst turmoil, humans still enjoy being scared. This is because horror appears to humanity’s innately fearful nature.
Another trait that the concept of monsters reveal within human nature is imagination. Monsters can vary from pseudo-cannibalistic hulking brutes, to bizarre, wandering angels. Monsters are a perfect example of the imaginative trait within humanity. In Frankenstein, Frankenstein’s creation is described as follows, “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath…” Within the restrictions of the real world, the monster would not function. However, the monster is so enthrallingly described and designed that it allows for the total suspension of disbelief. Similarly, Max Ernst’s painting L’Ange de Foyer, the depicted monster shows imagination in its organically impossible shapes and colors. Monsters allow for the expression of human imagination.
The concept of monsters reveal several key traits within humanity. Humans fear the abnormal, which shows their craving for organization. Humans’ fearfulness is shown in their desire to be scared in times of turmoil. Imagination is shown in the design of monsters. Monsters are human creations that illustrate the core traits of human nature.