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Human Nature in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein
Psychoanalyzing frankenstein through mary shelley
Psychoanalyzing frankenstein through mary shelley
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Recommended: Human Nature in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein
In most novel and movies monsters are known to be evil, committing numerous crimes against humanity and are normally the ones that we don’t sympathize with. However, this novel carefully shows the reader that monsters can be good creatures, with a decent heart and act based on the actions of others. The novel shows how the monster should be pitied, rather than criticised. Mary Shelley's “Frankenstein” manages to create sympathy for the creature through speech, actions and mistreatment the creature suffers.
First, Before the monster is created Victor says that he hopes this creation would bless him as his creator, and that the creature would be excellent nature and would be beautiful. After the creature is created Shelley creates sympathy for him by Victor’s description of him in a unique yet horrific way, “he’s ‘gigantic,” “deformed,” “yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath” this makes the creature abhorrent to typical humans. When thinking of the descriptions together, Shelley has created a vivid, unnatural image of the monster in the mind’s eyes. The language Shelley uses is powerful and emotive “shall I create another like yourself, whose joints wickedness
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might desolate the world?.” This seems harsh coming from from his creator. The creature is hideous to look at and Victor feels he must escape its grasp, by running away. All the comments indicate that the creature must be feared and is capable of great harm, but this is only the view from Victor. Next, Victor abandons the creature, which makes the creature’s violence the desperate, emotional response to the feeling of abandonment.
Victor animated the creature from dead body parts, effecting his creature’s appearance when he came alive. He couldn’t even look at his creation, and thought that it was malodorous, without thinking how unwanted and helpless the creature feels. With little hope for the creature because of his unappealing appearance, Victor does not bothering to wait and see if he has a good interior or not. As a result of Victor not taking responsibility, the monster decides to take revenge. The monster is repeatedly denied love and deals with the loneliness the only way that he can, revenge, killing Victor’s loved ones making him lonely just like
him. Lastly, the reactions and actions of the people that the monster comes in contact with creates sympathy for him.When the creature goes into a village most people flee with the first sight of him, which makes the creature want to stay away from humans, so he fled into the woods. The creature finds a cottage where he enters and starts talking to the old man, but when his family returns they chase him away because of his appearance. The creature is in the woods holding a girl and a man walks by and “tore the girl from his arms...aimed a gun at his body, and fired” making people realise how appalling people are towards him. The man not even giving him a chance to explain his reason and just shooting because of his appearance shows how most people saw him. But not only did others actions impact him, Victor’s actions has a big affect on the creature, he“sprang on him” and “flung his hands from his eyes with violence” making the creature sound hopeless. In conclusion, mary Shelley makes the reader sympathise for the creature through speech, actions and mistreatment of the others around him. The horrible treatment which Shelley’s monster edures makes the reader far more sympathetic towards his act of vengeance. When the creature is exposed to, and suffers from, the viciousness of human society that he himself begins to demonstrate violent behaviour and act as his appearance.
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.
Shelley 94). Victor’s various thoughts of rage and hatred that had at first deprive him of utterance, but he recovers only to overwhelm the creature with words expressive of furious detestation and contempt, as he recalled creature’s misdoings to his loved ones. However, Victor pauses to “conceive,” to “feel,” and to “reason” with monster (M. Shelley 94). As Victor follows his creation, he notices the “air [to be full] of exultation” and “the rain” beginning “to descend,” showcasing Victor’s consent to change his view. (M. Shelley 98). Chapter 10 is exemplary of the Romantic Period where story becomes an allegory for real emotions and struggles. Victor’s
monster got on well with the old man who was blind, but it was only
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.
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.
Sympathy in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein In her novel, 'Frankenstein', Mary Shelley employs many innovative literary techniques to invoke feelings of sympathy for the monster. Sympathy is created by the author both by making the readers pity the monster’s loathsome existence and by leading them to understand his violent and cruel actions. We pity the creature because of the way he is treated by mankind and we can identify with his feelings and reactions and understand why he behaves as he does. Shelley uses different narrators throughout the novel and the reader sympathises with the views of these people to differing degrees.
Victor, who is described as a beautiful man with no apparent flaws. He created another life and kept it a secret until the monster actually came to life. Mary Shelley knew what she was doing because she wanted to portray Victor as being a loyal and caring person. Shelley wanted us to view victor as the one who does not need to take responsibility for their actions but it all catches up with him in the end. Victor is selfish and doesn’t want to take responsibility for his actions, or his creation. Victor states, “I had desired it with and ardor that far exceeded moderation: But now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and the breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” (Shelley, Kindle) When reading this quote, you can see that he does not care anything about the monster after it has come to life. He spent all that time on it for him to judge the monster by its appearance instead of treating his creation like a child and teaching him everything he needs to know. Now all he knows is neglect and
Peter Brooks' essay "What Is a Monster" tackles many complex ideas within Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and the main concept that is the title of the essay itself. What is the definition of a monster, or to be monstrous? Is a monster the classic representation we know, green skin, neck bolts, grunting and groaning? A cartoon wishing to deliver sugary cereal? or someone we dislike so greatly their qualities invade our language and affect our interpretation of their image and physical being? Brooks' essay approaches this question by using Shelley's narrative structure to examine how language, not nature, is mainly accountable for creating the idea of the monstrous body.
The Monster enters the world unaware of what he is or what his purpose is, curious about humans and his interaction with them. His initial encounters with humans are not positive, so he flees into the woods and eventually comes across a cabin inhabited by a small family. As he observes them, his wish to be accepted by humans and have a connection with someone becomes stronger, as he “[yearns] to be known and loved by these amiable creatures” (Shelley 92). To prepare himself before he attempts to meet them, he learns their language through reading and manic observation of the family. Shelley is examining a different pursuit of knowledge: one that is still innocent in intent but obsessive in nature. This is also examined in The Reading Monster, which draws a parallel between the Monster and Frankenstein. Just like Frankenstein let his ambitions “run amok through the overreaching ambition and obsession of the mad scientist,” the Monster did the same, but with humans (Brantlinger 471). The Monster seeks to be accepted by a society of beings that are nothing like him, and will never welcome him, but still strives to do so. Upon mastering his rhetoric, he confronts the family, but is chased away due to his hideous appearance. Unfortunately, it is human nature to judge those initially based on appearance, so the Monster never gets an opportunity to prove his good intentions. In discovering his monstrous appearance, he sees the monstrosity that exists amongst humans as well: that of rejection, cruelty and fear of the unknown. In response, he claims his vengeance and hatred toward mankind (Brantlinger 471). This sparks his violence toward Frankenstein and all of the people in his life that he cares about. Once he starts his purge of revenge, he turns into exactly what he has hated all along: a hateful and evil being. Shelley is showing that trying to step into a foreign area of knowledge,
The more Shelley uses appearances and is overly detailed, the clearer the reader can picture the scene as what Mary Shelley had is her own mind. Appearances play a significant role in this book because the creature has a foreign body figure. This part of the book is incredibly unrealistic, so it’s necessary to have detailed characterization to develop the physical appearances in the book. Mary Shelley described the complexity of the creature by saying, “His yellow skin scarcely covered with the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes…" (Shelley 43) to define his appearance that Victor was fearful of. This creature was dreadful to look at and Victor was ashamed to have created such a ridiculously ugly person. Shelley establishes Victor’s feelings about the creature by continuously describing his ugly appearance and personality. Not only did she use appearances to describe the monster, but she also included several descriptions for all the other characters as well. When the opportunity presented itself, Shelley also
“Yet I seek not a fellow-feeling in my misery. No sympathy may I ever find” (Shelley 223). Feeling sympathy towards the misfortunes of others is a human characteristic, and felt not only towards other humans but those who are considered less than human as well. There are people with the capability to feel sympathy for even the most monstrous of beings that have been rejected by others due to their actions or appearance. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the monster’s flashback, descriptive language, and the theme questioning what defines a human are used to make the reader feel sympathy for the monster.
The monster really is not a monster but rather a victim. The true monster of the story is Victor because he creates monster just because he is just obsessed with them and can’t stay away from creating new creatures (Shelley, 411). Victor did not nurture the monster when it was little so it grew up in it’s own path doing things that parents should be teaching their little ones the monster was never loved. Maybe that is how Mary Shelley felt since her mother had died and no one had took care of her besides her dad. She related the book to her personal life and her dad try to create another monster or have another baby with her step mother but then if he did he would not take care of her. The monster would of had to learn to grow on its own and that is very difficult without getting a little help. Every kid needs to be nurture in their life it is not optional. Because what if the monster was really taken care of by Victor its whole life. The story would turn out different and the real monster of the story would be the creature because Victor would have led the monster on the right path of life but then the monster would just take a wrong turn and just murder innocent lives throughout the
The second stage of the monster that Shelley talks of is his coming to life, and, specifically, the reaction that Victor has to it. When Victor’s creation comes alive for the first time, his initial reaction is one of disgust; “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form?” (Shelley 58) Victor’s reaction shows how he cannot even put into words the unsightliness of the Monster and the disgust he feels when it finally comes to life, despite the countless hours he put in to do so. In using the monster as a symbol of Victor’s obsession, Shelley portrays how even Victor, though he may not want to admit it, is disgusted with his own obsession with the
Many reasons to have this creature be named a monster from Shelley’s writing. Victor creates this thing from scratch. A thing to fade away the fear Victor receives all throughout himself. Creating a version himself goes to the complete opposite direction. A version of himself and the creature he creates is labeled as the monster? What about Vicor, if “himself” is this creature is the monster, should he maybe be considered the monster? Victor explains deeply, “ I am alone and miserable: man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create.”(Shelley, 103). Victor is lonely, and wants the companion that is exactly like himself. The dream comes true of a creature being born. Victors shame and prudence brought this “monster” into the world. Shelley clearly defines the feelings Victor appeals from the monster throughout the novel. The mistakes that were made. The trouble that was costed. Victor having to live in this society where he did something wrong, having to deal with what he had did. Frankenstein’s monster learned; growing up in London during this faded era, learning from person to person. Learning the wrong ways can come into effect when learning about what life consist of. Frankenstein’s monster is created out of fear and disbelief. Which then is created with wrong
In this story we see one of the main characters Victor get really obsessed with learning about the body and eventually blocks out all family and friends to create his ‘creature’. Once Victor creates the monster he realizes how hideous his creature is he decides that he wants nothing to do with it and leaves it. Mary Shelley, purposely calls the monster or ‘creature’ because that is his name throughout the story to remind the readers that even though the creature seems to have feelings and do other things humans do, he will never be human.