Frankestain, by Mary Shelly

962 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Frankenstein on human nature and society

Societies pride themselves for their open-mindedness and forward-thinking, but when put to the test, these ideals are quickly forgotten. No one has the courage to stand up for what is right because of a fear of the consequences. Citizens choose the path of least resistance- turning a blind eye- because they believe that someone else will take control of the situation. However, ignoring the problem is more involved than people want to believe. Not choosing to take action is a choice in and of itself. When the majority decides to not to step up for what is right, the situation will never be solved and the victims will be trapped indefinitely. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, no one takes a risk to stand up for the creature’s integrity and ability to be a productive citizen. Everyone pushes the creature away, including the people closest time him. It is only a matter of time before the creature reaches his breaking point. Although Victor Frankenstein may seem to be directly at fault, ultimately society is the driving force behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus.
Society’s refusal to accept differences drives the creature toward violence. The standards of normal and abnormal are established at an early age, and no individual is left untouched. The creature, as a living being, has the right to be accepted and loved. However, the instant he tries to integrate in society, someone notices that he does not fit society’s definition of normal and revokes his rights. The creature tries to find food in a village to survive, and encounters a man in a hut: “He turned on hearing a noise; and, perceiving me, shrieked loudly, and, quitting the hut, ran across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appe...

... middle of paper ...

...n should be able to look past the creature’s differences and love him because he is the creature’s father, but he is too vain and rooted in the societal construct of beauty to fulfill his responsibilities. De Lacey is the only person who is blind to society’s expectations, but his son is not and violently removes the creature from his house. If the society is firmly structured around true acceptance, the creature would not have to wear the labels of an outcast, a monster, or a murderer. Society’s constant rejection drives the creature to the tipping point, which would not have to exist if he is given a chance to prove his worthiness.

Works Cited

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. Clayton, Del.: Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Classics, 2006. Print.
Winter, Sarah. "The Novel And Prejudice." Comparative Literature Studies 46.1 (2008): 76-102. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Textual Irony In Frankenstein's Monologue Essay

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    The result of society’s resentment, Shelly’s cynical text unmasks the fact that Frankenstein’s creation was not produced as innately monstrous but instead learned to become a monster over time. Once again utilizing the literary element of irony, the monster’s exclamation “Nay, these are virtuous and immaculate being!”, demonstrates the monster’s resentment towards not only humans but also himself. Realizing biological inferiority to be the cause of his misfortune, the monster’s frustrations underline the novel’s central paradox of the natural versus the artificial. That is, because human beings exist within the natural order of society and therefore control the law, characters such as Victor, Felix, and even Walton’s carelessness remain protected. Meanwhile, Frankenstein’s creation, an artificial production, exists as mankind’s ostracized enemy regardless of the being’s emotional or intellectual superiority. Beyond envy, the monster’s monologue additionally reflects a sense of desperation. Utilizing the repetition of the word “injustice,” Shelly’s literary choice solidifies the perpetual denial of societies crimes against Frankenstein’s monster. Concluding his speech with the word “injustice”, Frankenstein’s monster testimony signifies the unavoidable truth the being’s presence never caused

    Read More

  • Victor And Prometheus Quotes In Frankenstein

    1239 Words  | 3 Pages

    “What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?”-John Green, an American author of young adult fiction, such as The Fault in Our Stars, and the YouTube blogger of crash course history. The mythological character Prometheus and Victor from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, try to influence mankind in a positive way, but instead the result is detrimental to society. Victor and Prometheus both want to help mankind, regardless, both overstep their bounds, and are severely punished. Although their true characters are revealed through how they handle their suffering.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Insecurity In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein '

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    Like many do today, the creature goes above and beyond the limitations of his world to show others around him that he should not receive poor treatment because of his differences. By exploring the language of the villagers, the monster is able to use the negativity from his surroundings as his motivations to learn how to explain his story to

    Read More

  • Frankenstein: Mary Shelley's Ability to Create Sympathy for the Monster

    1840 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is ‘one of the pioneering works of modern science fiction’, and is also a frightening story that speaks to the ‘mysterious fears of our nature’. Mary Shelley mocks the idea of “playing God”, the idea that came from the Greek myth of Prometheus, of the Greek titan who stole Zeus’ gift of life. Both the story of Frankenstein and Prometheus reveal the dark side of human nature and the dangerous effects of creating artificial life. Frankenstein reveals the shocking reality of the consequences to prejudging someone. The creature’s first-person narration reveals to us his humanity, and his want to be accepted by others even though he is different. We are shown that this ‘monster’ is a ‘creature’ and more of a human than we think.

    Read More

  • Loss Of Humanity In Frankenstein

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    The creature who has been leading a solitary existence by observing the Delacey family, exclaims “The more I saw of them, the greater my desire to claim their protection and kindness; my heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures” (Shelley 112). Being isolated from most of society, the creature’s only contact with mankind is through observing the Delaceys. Unlike any base monster, the creature has “yearning” that originates in his heart. Because the creature relates with the Delaceys as “amiable creatures” his desire for companionship with them is brought forth, further distinguishing him as distinctly human. Miserable and lonely, the creature desires to also “claim their protection and kindness” which demonstrates how the creature desires even more than just mere companionship but also to be loved. Most importantly, the creature desires acceptance into their family as one of their own. Although he observed the family, the creature took a radical and somewhat desperate choice to abduct Victor’s younger brother: “If I could therefore seize him, and educate him as my companion and friend, I should not be so desolate”. (Shelley 121). Such extremes show to what lengths the creature was willing to go to gain companionship and acceptance. Without companionship, the creature cannot survive in happiness, but he yearns for it and cannot do without it. Once again, the human need for companionship comes to the forefront of the creature’s purpose and endeavors and he is not fulfilled without it. Far from being an emotionless, brutish monster, the creature need for a friend aligns it to mankind’s basic

    Read More

  • Victor Frankenstein as the True Monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1500 Words  | 3 Pages

    The fact that Frankenstein’s creation turns on him and murders innocent people is never overlooked; it has been the subject of virtually every popularization of the novel. What is not often acknowledged is the fact that Frankenstein himself embodies some of the worst traits of humankind. He is self-centered, with little real love for those who care about him; he is prejudiced, inflexible and cannot forgive, even in death. While some of these traits could be forgivable, to own and flaunt them all should be enough to remind a careful reader that there are two "monsters" in Frankenstein.

    Read More

  • Tragic Hero in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tragedy shows no discrimination and often strikes down on those undeserving of such turmoil. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a creature more repulsive than one can imagine is brought to life by a young scientist. Although this creature is horrifying in sight, he is gentle by nature. Unfortunately, the softer side of the creature is repeatedly overlooked and the so called “monster” is driven to a breaking point. Even though the Creature committed many crimes, Mary Shelley’s Creature was the tragic hero of this story because of his efforts rescue the life of a young girl and helping destitute cottagers.

    Read More

  • Selfish Ambition Frankenstein

    1510 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... good, but can be turned to evil by society’s narrow-minded view of what is normal, and the corruption of the mind through knowledge and education. The repercussions of Victor’s and others alienation of the creature turned a caring individual to an evil one. Shelley succeeds in bringing Rousseau's theory to life, that one is born good, but he can be turned to evil through civilization and education. This story still has a great meaning for us today. Millions of people are outcast by society, not only because of physical appearance, but also because of sexual orientation, social status, and religion. Once people quit looking so narrow-mindedly at one another, the world will be a much better place, and Frankenstein's "monster" will rest in peace!

    Read More

  • Frankenstein

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s world of genetically engineered hearts and genetically altered glowing rats, the story of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, seems as if it could be seen in the newspapers in our near future. The discoveries seen in modern science, as well as in the novel, often have controversy and negative consequences that follow them, the biggest of which being the responsibility the creator of life has to what has been created. Victor Frankenstein suffers from a variety of internal and external conflicts stemming from the creation of his monster, which in return also experiences similar problems. Shelley uses these tumultuous issues to portray the discrepancies between right and wrong, particularly through romanticism and the knowledge of science.

    Read More

  • Power in Frankenstein

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    In turn, the De Lacy family hold power, unbeknownst to them, over the creature, so much so that he commits himself to living in what is little more than a wooden box for a year. The creature’,s hopes for the future lie entirely on this family, and power of this nature is perhaps the strongest type of power anybody could exert over another being. This is due to the fact that the one who is controlled, ie, the creature, does not realize this and so will never attempt to free themselves from the hierarchy they find themselves in.

    Read More

  • How Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Depicts Human Reaction to Difference

    559 Words  | 2 Pages

    The narrow ways of men continue to put constraints on that which is acceptable and that which is different. Similarly, the things that are repulsive, scary, hideous and vile. Humans have a constant need to categorize things they do not understand, so they attach a label to everything. The Creature's father and creator Victor Frankenstein berthed him to life with out a name. This is possibly the saddest aspect of The Creature's character. Viewed this way a perspective on humans as compassionate and caring individuals is distorted to show people as cold and inconsiderate. Attempting to define difference, humans socially segregate distinction and inconsistency.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein: Less Human Than His Creation

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    (66). However, after society refuses to accept him based on personal appearance, the creature becomes angry.

    Read More

  • Who Is the Real Monster in Frankenstein?

    1708 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a nineteenth century literary work that delves into the world of science and the plausible outcomes of morally insensitive technological research. Although the novel brings to the forefront several issues about knowledge and sublime nature, the novel mostly explores the psychological and physical journey of two complex characters. While each character exhibits several interesting traits that range from passive and contemplative to rash and impulsive, their most attractive quality is their monstrosity. Their monstrosities, however, differ in the way each of the character’s act and respond to their environment. Throughout Frankenstein, one assumes that Frankenstein’s creation is the true monster. While the creation’s actions are indeed monstrous, one must also realize that his creator, Victor Frankenstein is also a villain. His inconsiderate and selfish acts as well as his passion for science result in the death of his friend and family members and ultimately in his own demise.

    Read More

  • Monstrosity in Frankenstein

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, explores the monstrous and destructive affects of obsession, guilt, fate, and man’s attempt to control nature. Victor Frankenstein, the novel’s protagonist and antihero, attempts to transcend the barriers of scientific knowledge and application in creating a life. His determination in bringing to life a dead body consequently renders him ill, both mentally and physically. His endeavors alone consume all his time and effort until he becomes fixated on his success. The reason for his success is perhaps to be considered the greatest scientist ever known, but in his obsessive toil, he loses sight of the ethical motivation of science. His production would ultimately grieve him throughout his life, and the consequences of his undertaking would prove disastrous and deadly. Frankenstein illustrates the creation of a monster both literally and figuratively, and sheds light on the dangers of man’s desire to play God.

    Read More

  • The Effect of Frankenstein's Monster

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    Countless situations created in life will always have some consequence, whether the outcome is a positive outcome or a negative outcome. During the novel, Frankenstein, there are many incidents portrayed through the characters that have both a positive outcome and a negative outcome, no matter the type of situation. The majorities of the situations that are conveyed in this novel almost always have a negative outcome because of the way the effects damage and hurt the innocence of the other characters in the story. In this novel many of the negative outcomes are a consequence of a hideous monster, known as Frankenstein’s monster, which was created by the hands of Victor Frankenstein.

    Read More

More about Frankestain, by Mary Shelly

Open Document