Similarities Between The Road And Frankenstein

Humankind is one of the most unique and special species on Earth. With such power, intelligence and the ability to create objects and events that change the lifestyle of society, humans have the choice and opportunities to change the world, whether it be for better or for worse. “The Road”, by Cormac McCarthy, and “Frankenstein”, by Mary Shelly are both novels that display the true abilities that individuals hold that impact the lives of individuals, whether it be loved ones, or society as a whole.

The relationship between the creator and created is generally always powerful. The creator usually automatically has a love for what they have created, and the connection is inevitable. In some cases, an individual does not carry the love

that they should for their creation. In fact, it is common that a hatred is developed towards what they have produced. In the novel “Frankenstein”, Victor Frankenstein who became fascinated by chemistry and philosophy decided to take it into his hands to create life. He gathered old body parts and began his creation. When his creation came to life, he was terrified of the monstrous appearance and runs to his bed and attempts to sleep, but as he awakens he says, “I beheld the wretch— the miserable monster whom I had created.” (Shelly, 59). Victor neglected the monster, as he was afraid and ashamed of what he has created. This causes it to react in violent manners. The first incident is the monster murdering Victor’s brother, William, as a way of revenge due to the inconsideration and abandonment of his creator. The monster continues to seek refuge by finding ways to further hurt Victor, by killing those who Victor loves. On the other hand, In “The Road”, the father and son are left alone to survive the apocalypse. The mother is not present because she committed suicide. The father devotes everything he has to his son, knowing that they both are all they have left for each other. The father sees his son as the only evidence of God's existence, as it is said in the novel, “He knew only that the child was his warrant. He said: If he is not the word of God God never spoke.” (McCarthy, 5). His son gives him hope and pushes him to try and survive more each day. Contrary to Victor, the father would do anything it takes to protect his son and make him happy. As shown in the novel, the father and son consider themselves the “good guys”, because they have not resorted to killing anyone, as the rest of society has. The father says, “My job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do that by God. I will kill anyone who touches you.” (McCarthy, 77). This is evidence that the father is willing to do anything for his son, because of the unconditional love and care he feels for his creation. Humans have certain needs that are necessary in order to feel motivated to proceed with their life. The most fundamental needs are safety, which involve security of one’s body, resources, health and family, and love which involves friendship and family. If an individual lacks these aspects in their lives, they will find it extremely difficult to build the courage to live a happy life. This is why in The Road, the father provides his son with all the love and care he possibly can, so that his beloved creation can have the confidence and encouragement to survive in the cruel and empty world that they are stuck in. On the contrary, the monster is missing majority of the necessities in his life. He has been abandoned by his creator, he has no friends, no home and is unloved. He is unable to happily move on with his life which leads to self destruction. The characters in The Road and Frankenstein both provide the proof that it is possible to have an immense love or hatred for what an individual has created, and that the results of each could lead to fulfillment or destruction.

To prevent greater harm and evil is what any individual would do to protect their loved ones and society. Though it is often that individuals must do something that they understand is not morally right to get the result they desire. In the Road, the father carries a gun that contains two bullets. One bullet for him, and one for his son. The bullets are to be used when they are put in a situation where they may be killed. The father would rather have his son kill himself, rather than someone murder him, so that he can pass as peacefully as possible. After the father finds the humans with their limbs cut off, barely alive in the abandoned house, and the cannibalists are chasing after them, the father and son lay in leaves to hide from them and the father immediately takes action,
"He took the boys hand and pushed the revolver into it. Take it, he whispered. Take it. The boy was terrified. He put his arm around him and held him. His body so thin. Don't be afraid, he said. If they find you you are going to have to do it. Do you understand? Shh. No crying. Do you hear me? You know how to do it. You put it in your mouth and point it up. Do it quick and hard." (McCarthy, 113)
No parent wants to ever have to inform their child how to kill themselves, but under the circumstances of the father and son, the father feels like it is completely necessary because he does not want his child to suffer any more by having his life taken away in a brutal way.

The father knows that his child has not been given the chance to end life blissfully, and believes that him committing suicide is the closest he will get to a happy ending. The father is aware that it is not right to embed the idea of suicide into a child’s head, but he is only trying to protect him from the dangers around him. Even though he knows his son’s life will not last long, he does not want him to witness the full potential of monstrosity, and how easy it is for someone to take another’s life away. Differently, in Frankenstein, Victor is faced with the decision to create another female monster so that the monster he already created has a companion. The monster proposes, "You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being.” (Shelly, 153). After refusal, Victor finally agrees to go through with the idea, not only because the guilt of rejecting his creation— but the fact that he does not want the monster killing anyone else that Victor loves. Victor hopes that the female companion will end the monsters desire to kill, which will protect his loved ones and himself, but knows that it is not right to create another creature that is potentially dangerous to themselves and also society, because if the monsters breed, they can create a race of evil. Victor is left pondering the outcome of his potential decision, and ends up destroying the female creature during the process of creating her. Thinking he made the right choice, he is proven wrong when the monster is enraged and takes away the love of Victor’s life, and then ends both of their lives. This shows that Victor tries to prevent harm to his loved ones, but one choice

ends everything for him. Individuals three parts of the psyche are used when making decisions that could impact people’s lives forever. Though individuals may jump to the action they are impulsed to do, they must think about the realistic risks that may arise from their decision, but think about what is morally acceptable. Both Victor and the father are faced with critical decisions that they must think about for a considerable amount of time before undergoing any action, while having to jump around their morals to achieve the best outcome.

Humankind a species that deemed themselves as God, yet many turned out to be monsters. They have the ability to create. The fact of the matter is that humans have taken the ability of creation and manipulated it, creating evil. Victor Frankenstein took the ability to create without pondering the consequences of his actions. He wants to create life. When bringing life into the world, it needs proper attending to survive, regardless of the creature. When he succeeds, he is taken back by the appearance and is suddenly unable to handle the responsibility of bringing life into the world. He puts the blame on the monster and does not understand that it is him, Victor, who is responsible for the outrage and sadness the monster has, until the monster is able to confront him, “I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me into pieces, and triumph; remember that, and tell my why I should pity a man more than he pities me?” (Shelly, 154) This raises the question— who is really the monster? Victor has become too self indulged in the idea of finding the meaning of life. The obsession blinds him from the rationality of what is to come. His goal was to find the meaning of life, but failed to plant the seed of life in his creations heart. His creation is unable to feel alive because he is not provided with his needs. Similarly, in The Road, the father and son are left in this post apocalyptic world with almost nothing left. No food, no shelter, no friends and no family. Innocent humans are left to suffer in a cruel world. Civilization has been destroyed. The child is being forced to view the carnage left behind, breathing in the ash of decaying bodies. While his son is asleep, the father takes a moment to speak to God and says,”Are you there?, he whispered, Will I see you at the last? Have you by a neck by which to throttle you? Have you a heart? Damn you eternally have you a soul?” (McCarthy, 12). He believes he is speaking to God, when really, all of the chaos occurred because of the decisions and actions made by man, which also proves how it is possible to compare mankind to God, because of the potential that is held between both species. Those who caused the unfortunate events to the world did not consider what their actions were going to mean for society. Why should the world have to suffer the consequences of those who lacked rationality? A main issue is that society gives such qualification to those who are not fully mentally in check. Both Frankenstein and The Road are prime examples of how humanity has been lost in the world.

All humans have a strong ability to influence and change the world. When humans hold such power in their hands, they should take all factors into consideration and proceed with caution. It is the responsibility of humans, as creators to do what will truly only benefit society, instead of destroying the lives of everyone. In conclusion, “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy and “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly effectively prove just how capable humans are, and how much control they have over the lives of others.