The Role Of Creature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

In the novel, Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, the creature's actions are essentially evil and immoral due to the fact that he did take someone’s life. However, the story as a whole is in favor of the creature and allows readers to sympathize for him.

The creature was born into a world as a science experiment, and was refused to be accepted. Keeping in mind that a few minutes past his birth, he was abandoned. All the creature strived for was acceptance and to be a part of society. He states, “The feeling of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before, gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth”(Shelley 101). This emphasizes the creature's desire to be a part of society, but is rather shot at due to his appearance. Also shows how the creature felt about humanity; him saving a little girl and putting his life on the line allows the readers to sympathize with him. The true evilness in the novel is depicted through society judging someone according to their appearance.

From the beginning, of the creatures life, he was shunned and denied of love.

Yet he was born in a world that empathized the importance of companionship. The creature was rejected of being nurtured, and being loved from a parent, which caused him to lash out on his father, Victor. Essentially, the creature was like a big baby since he was never taught morals. The creature murdering William, Justine, Henry, and Elizabeth can be justified through the fact that he truly didn’t know what he was doing. It was the idea that it distressed Victor when he did murder them, that brought a sense of satisfaction to him. Dedicating his life to making his creator suffer since he was the reason of his unhappiness. Yet again, having the readers sympathize for the creature since he behaved and had the mindset of a

child.
The creature’s childlike behavior was utterly characterized in volume two of the novel. The monster becomes very fond of the De Lacey family as he is observing their every move. In the beginning, he take their food, but soon feels ashamed and realizes what he was doing was unethical. He begins helping them by doing small errands such as chopping wood so they’re comfortable. Doing things as such had the creature feel accepted, which brought him jubilation. The creature states, “I observed, with pleasure that he did not go to the forest that day, but spent it in repairing the cottage and cultivating the garden”(Shelley 77). The creature assisting the family had him feel like he belonged since in a family, everyone must contribute. Once again showing that he had humanlike characteristics but was rather exiled due to his abnormal appearance. The creature’s choice of actions has readers realize he was misunderstood and justifies his “immoral” actions.
The creature being abandoned and treated inhumane had the readers react more sympathetic than usual. The creature only strived for acceptance from his ‘father’ but instead received repugnance and desertion. Stealing the creatures innocence and creating him to become a vindictive critter. Throughout the novel, Mary Shelley’s idea to not judge people due to their appearance was expressed, which is the initial reason why readers sympathized with the creature.