Understanding the Frankenstein Monster
The Frankenstein monster created by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is one of the most wondrous characters in literature. Furthermore, the psychology behind Victor Frankenstein and the monster that he had created has been an issue that has been debated by psychologists for several years. Moreover, it has been claimed that the Frankenstein monster gives the reader a glimpse into the consciousness of Victor himself. This being said, many individuals have tried to understand the reasons for the monsters actions and his change in disposition. Despite its vicious behavior and committing the act of murder, Doctor Victor Frankenstein’s creature is not characteristically evil or malicious but a creation of rejection and negligence and Shelley give numerous reasons to back this up. The first factor to acknowledge is that the monster is the creation of Doctor Frankenstein.
Furthermore, the literature that addresses the psychoanalysis of the characters in Frankenstein primarily focuses on the psychology of Victor. However, the monster does not stand alone as a character because he is an outward expression of the psychology of Victor. Furthermore, as the story progresses, the monster develops his own unique psychology causing him to react to the world around him. Hence, the ability to develop his own psychology gives the monster a more human characteristic. Despite not being born by ordinary means, the monster still has his own feelings and thoughts. Until the readers are able get an understanding of the story from the monsters point of view, in the meantime, they only see what the effects of the monster’s actions have on Victor and those around him. However, when the monster is allowed to speak, the reader finds that he is an intelligent and sensitive creature. Also, his demeanor influences the reader to put themselves in his place, even if it is hard to imagine oneself as a hideous monster. Hence, the reader is able to feel compassion for the monster and a
Furthermore, the literature that addresses the psychoanalysis of the characters in Frankenstein primarily focuses on the psychology of Victor. However, the monster does not stand alone as a character because he is an outward expression of the psychology of Victor. Furthermore, as the story progresses, the monster develops his own unique psychology causing him to react to the world around him. Hence, the ability to develop his own psychology gives the monster a more human characteristic. Despite not being born by ordinary means, the monster still has his own feelings and thoughts. Until the readers are able get an understanding of the story from the monsters point of view, in the meantime, they only see what the effects of the monster’s actions have on Victor and those around him. However, when the monster is allowed to speak, the reader finds that he is an intelligent and sensitive creature. Also, his demeanor influences the reader to put themselves in his place, even if it is hard to imagine oneself as a hideous monster. Hence, the reader is able to feel compassion for the monster and a
Cited: Bothelo, Keith. “Maternal Memory and Murder in Early-Seventeenth-Century England.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 Loebel, J. “Practical Geriatrics: Complete Suicide in Late Life.” Psychiatric Service. 56 (2005). 260-262. Shelley, M. Frankenstein. 1818. Online Text. 7 Aug 2009. http://www.boutell.com/frankenstein/ (2006). : 105-128.