Frankenstein Essay
!
Many Critics have commented that the creature is ultimately a character with whom we sympathise. Explore Mary Shelley’s presentation of the ‘creature’ in light of this comment
The monster created by Mary Shelley in Frankenstein, whilst hideous and terrifying in his appearance is ultimately a production of the world in which he has been born into. Consequently, through an accumulation of events throughout the novel, the creature becomes someone with whom we can, and do, sympathise with.
!
In light of the comment, the purposely placed namelessness of the creature and use of dehumanising epithets: ‘wretch…daemon…monster’ highlight, instead of the ambiguity as to its monstrousness, his isolation from humanity. Furthermore, when his humanising, child-like persona is taken into account (as shown through his learning of concepts, ‘I found with pleasure that the fire gave light as well as heat’) his outsider appearance is transformed into that of an orphaned child and thus, sympathy with his longing to be accepted and accepted into a family, ‘I looked upon them as superior beings, who would be the arbiters of my future destiny’.
!
This disposition that the creature finds itself in is also furthered with his distorted appearance which acts as the main reason for his isolation and his non-chance of finding any sort of companionship.
As a result, sympathy is felt for the monster and anger towards Frankenstein for creating him in such a way. Thus, Victor beholds a villainous appearance which is shown with his abandonment of the creature at his ‘birth’ with the monster an innocent and sympathetic character as ‘he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks’ showing his innocence and purity.
!
Thirdly, when the monster first speaks in chapter 10 after being called a ‘devil’ his calm acceptance of how he ‘expected this reception’ is another point of sympathy felt towards the creature which is continued with the creatures powerful, articulate
Many Critics have commented that the creature is ultimately a character with whom we sympathise. Explore Mary Shelley’s presentation of the ‘creature’ in light of this comment
The monster created by Mary Shelley in Frankenstein, whilst hideous and terrifying in his appearance is ultimately a production of the world in which he has been born into. Consequently, through an accumulation of events throughout the novel, the creature becomes someone with whom we can, and do, sympathise with.
!
In light of the comment, the purposely placed namelessness of the creature and use of dehumanising epithets: ‘wretch…daemon…monster’ highlight, instead of the ambiguity as to its monstrousness, his isolation from humanity. Furthermore, when his humanising, child-like persona is taken into account (as shown through his learning of concepts, ‘I found with pleasure that the fire gave light as well as heat’) his outsider appearance is transformed into that of an orphaned child and thus, sympathy with his longing to be accepted and accepted into a family, ‘I looked upon them as superior beings, who would be the arbiters of my future destiny’.
!
This disposition that the creature finds itself in is also furthered with his distorted appearance which acts as the main reason for his isolation and his non-chance of finding any sort of companionship.
As a result, sympathy is felt for the monster and anger towards Frankenstein for creating him in such a way. Thus, Victor beholds a villainous appearance which is shown with his abandonment of the creature at his ‘birth’ with the monster an innocent and sympathetic character as ‘he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks’ showing his innocence and purity.
!
Thirdly, when the monster first speaks in chapter 10 after being called a ‘devil’ his calm acceptance of how he ‘expected this reception’ is another point of sympathy felt towards the creature which is continued with the creatures powerful, articulate