Who Is Responsible In Frankenstein
Josh Burke
Mrs. Nutter
AP English 12
2 August, 2013
In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates a creature to which he immediately abhors and detests. Frankenstein believes he is responsible for the monster’s well being, however, he states that his duty to his fellow man was more important: “My duties towards the being of my own species had greater claims to my attention because they included a greater proportion of happiness or misery” (Shelly p.207). He ran from his home leaving the creature alone to fend for himself in the world of man. Those who see the beast immediately find hatred towards it and lash out. This continues until the being finds refuge in the forests. It is here he finds a haven from man, as well as a family living in …show more content…
a cottage. After several months of spying on the family, learning their customs and language, the monster attempts to befriend them, but is again thrown out and shun by his “protectors”. Each interaction with humans leads to the rejection of the creature and to his greater hatred of mankind. The monster was not a being of hatred or devilish self satisfaction until human being made him such. The creature is innocent in whole and is only driven to murder by the rejection of every person he comes into contact with, including his creator. When the being first addresses Frankenstein he tells him of his life that he has lived.
It is here where the creature tells of his true nature. He is a being only wanting sympathy and compassion not unlike the wanting of most men. When he first meets people in a village he is immediately hated. He does not yet understand why and wishes only for the friendship and understanding. His next attempt is with a family living in a small cottage near the woodlands of which the monster resides. Learning from his previous encounter with the village people he waits months to attempt speaking to the cottagers. When he does he is only accepted by the blind father, but this joy is short lived by the creature for the son of the man immediately upon his return to the cottage throws the being out in an attempt to “save” their father from the retched beast. It is here after that the beast learns that the only being he can gain sympathy from would be one of his own species, however, only his creator can make him a companion. Frankenstein firstly agrees to the task only to realize what this would mean to the world and destroys his work before it is finished. This is the final blow the monster and he becomes ever more so blood
thirsty. Frankenstein’s monster is truly one of his own creation. If he cares for the monster rather than leaving to fend for itself then perhaps the deaths can easily be avoided. It is to no fault of the monster his crimes but instead it is the fault of mankind and especially that of Victor Frankenstein for lacking the acceptance of a deformed creature. Let the tale of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein be a warning to those who shun away the likes of which do not suit their eyes.
Work Cited
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Classic, 2003. Print.
Mrs. Nutter
AP English 12
2 August, 2013
In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates a creature to which he immediately abhors and detests. Frankenstein believes he is responsible for the monster’s well being, however, he states that his duty to his fellow man was more important: “My duties towards the being of my own species had greater claims to my attention because they included a greater proportion of happiness or misery” (Shelly p.207). He ran from his home leaving the creature alone to fend for himself in the world of man. Those who see the beast immediately find hatred towards it and lash out. This continues until the being finds refuge in the forests. It is here he finds a haven from man, as well as a family living in …show more content…
a cottage. After several months of spying on the family, learning their customs and language, the monster attempts to befriend them, but is again thrown out and shun by his “protectors”. Each interaction with humans leads to the rejection of the creature and to his greater hatred of mankind. The monster was not a being of hatred or devilish self satisfaction until human being made him such. The creature is innocent in whole and is only driven to murder by the rejection of every person he comes into contact with, including his creator. When the being first addresses Frankenstein he tells him of his life that he has lived.
It is here where the creature tells of his true nature. He is a being only wanting sympathy and compassion not unlike the wanting of most men. When he first meets people in a village he is immediately hated. He does not yet understand why and wishes only for the friendship and understanding. His next attempt is with a family living in a small cottage near the woodlands of which the monster resides. Learning from his previous encounter with the village people he waits months to attempt speaking to the cottagers. When he does he is only accepted by the blind father, but this joy is short lived by the creature for the son of the man immediately upon his return to the cottage throws the being out in an attempt to “save” their father from the retched beast. It is here after that the beast learns that the only being he can gain sympathy from would be one of his own species, however, only his creator can make him a companion. Frankenstein firstly agrees to the task only to realize what this would mean to the world and destroys his work before it is finished. This is the final blow the monster and he becomes ever more so blood
thirsty. Frankenstein’s monster is truly one of his own creation. If he cares for the monster rather than leaving to fend for itself then perhaps the deaths can easily be avoided. It is to no fault of the monster his crimes but instead it is the fault of mankind and especially that of Victor Frankenstein for lacking the acceptance of a deformed creature. Let the tale of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein be a warning to those who shun away the likes of which do not suit their eyes.
Work Cited
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Classic, 2003. Print.