The Tragic Being of Frankenstein

2321 Words5 Pages

How far is it possible to see the being created Frankenstein as a

tragic figure?

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does

not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss

gazes into you"

Virtue is found at the margins of society more often than at its

centre. If this is so, Mary Shelley's Creation is a typical example.

Her creature is an isolate of great sensitivity, kindness, and

insight. Mary Shelley's creature was modelled on Rousseau's notion of

humanity as the "noble savage." The nobility of the Creature is

evident as he unveils his chronicle to Victor Frankenstein upon the

icy crags of Mount Blanc. The creature asks his creator, ""Did I

request thee, Maker from my clay to mould me man? Did I solicit thee,

from darkness to promote me?". We see that the creature resents his

creation, and therefore his creator. We see that the creature´s

primary concern is that of a companion who is similar in appearance

and likeness to him:

"Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other human

being...I was wretched, helpless and alone. Many times I considered

Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition".

The creature´s self-justification is part and parcel with the Romantic

philosophy that Mary Shelley critiqued in her novel. Unlike the

Enlightenment credo, "I think therefore I am," the creature´s creed

would have been the plaintive cry: " I suffer, therefore I am."

Self-knowledge, especially knowledge of his absolute difference from

others, escalates his suffering.

It appears mere coincidence that the creature sees a similarity

between himself and Satan, the reader must consider their social

similarities, not Satan´s religious connotations.

It...

... middle of paper ...

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a sensitive and intelligent killer. This judgement has nothing to do

with the physical or metaphysical gap between the creature and

humanity; there are many of his ilk in our species.

It is a criminal platform, which declares that upbringing, social

pressure, and heinous abuse lead to evil behaviour. Murder, theft and

rape, according to this view, are inescapably the result of extraneous

factors, not personal choice. Despite the creature´s appalling crimes,

we recognise his justification for his actions. We see that his inner

pity and loneliness drive him to the edge. Frankenstein appears to be

the antipathy of the creature´s existence and its actions. The

creature is not to blame - it is the creator. For this reason, we feel

more pathos, compassion, and pity for the creature - not its creator.

"In no beast so fierce, does not now some touch of pity"

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