Analysis of Frankenstein’s Innocence: From Innocence to Evil
Analysis of Frankenstein’s Innocence:
From Innocence to Evil Prompt 7
Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s creation in Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, was initially innocent and became corrupt throughout the book (Intro xxxii). This is shown through the monster’s desire for love and acceptance, thinking he can only gain love through fear, and him blaming Victor for his evil ways. Victor Frankenstein created life with only the best intentions. He himself, felt that he “be[gan] life with benevolent intentions” (93). He wanted to prove that his theories about how life can be conducted were more than mere theories.
Frankenstein’s monster desired love and acceptance from the very beginning of his creation. The monster demonstrated this human necessity because he adapted the qualities and characteristics that he had when he was living the first time. The monster felt ugly when people would run from him out of terror or when people would look at him like he was a disgrace to all mankind. The monster went through much shunning and discrimination that it began to push him to his breaking points. He felt as if society would never have a place for him and the only way in which he would ever be loved is if Victor created him a mate as ugly as he was. This is demonstrated by the monster telling Frankenstein, “I am alone and miserable. Only someone as ugly as I am could love me.” (137). The monster was denied the mate he so longed for. “Shelley 's Frankenstein demonstrates a common belief that when men leave desires for love and achievement unguarded against obsession, evil perverts pure motives and produces destructive consequences.” (Wengerd).
After being denied the one thing that could end what seemed like an endless nightmare for Victor, the monster came to realize that the only way to gain love was through creating fear. The monster watched the quaint little family from the town over and was accepted by the blind man and child, because their hearts were full of kindness and no
From Innocence to Evil Prompt 7
Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s creation in Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, was initially innocent and became corrupt throughout the book (Intro xxxii). This is shown through the monster’s desire for love and acceptance, thinking he can only gain love through fear, and him blaming Victor for his evil ways. Victor Frankenstein created life with only the best intentions. He himself, felt that he “be[gan] life with benevolent intentions” (93). He wanted to prove that his theories about how life can be conducted were more than mere theories.
Frankenstein’s monster desired love and acceptance from the very beginning of his creation. The monster demonstrated this human necessity because he adapted the qualities and characteristics that he had when he was living the first time. The monster felt ugly when people would run from him out of terror or when people would look at him like he was a disgrace to all mankind. The monster went through much shunning and discrimination that it began to push him to his breaking points. He felt as if society would never have a place for him and the only way in which he would ever be loved is if Victor created him a mate as ugly as he was. This is demonstrated by the monster telling Frankenstein, “I am alone and miserable. Only someone as ugly as I am could love me.” (137). The monster was denied the mate he so longed for. “Shelley 's Frankenstein demonstrates a common belief that when men leave desires for love and achievement unguarded against obsession, evil perverts pure motives and produces destructive consequences.” (Wengerd).
After being denied the one thing that could end what seemed like an endless nightmare for Victor, the monster came to realize that the only way to gain love was through creating fear. The monster watched the quaint little family from the town over and was accepted by the blind man and child, because their hearts were full of kindness and no
Cited: Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1984.