Archetypal Characters In Frankenstein

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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a story of fear, love, betrayal, sacrifice, revenge and fate. It all begins with a curious man, Victor Frankenstein, a man that would seal his fate into the hands of his own creation. Who knew a little bit of lightning, a potpourri of spare body parts, and curiosity will create an obdurate creature fueled by revenge? The monster, a social reject, tried to assimilate into society but failed due to his outward appearance. His loneliness and search for acceptance turned him into the notorious creature that he is known for. Victor’s creation grew into a horrid being which terrorized the Frankenstein family and brought only misfortune and distress into his life. The creatures archetypal horror character is described …show more content…

Victor states, “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath: his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes,” which shows how hideous the creature is when it is brought to life (35). From the get go, the monster is vile, which is very common with an archetypal horror character. When the creature tried to help a little girl drowning, a man shot him because of his odious appearance. When the creature arrived at the village, the people fainted in shock. The kindling of fear is a vital factor a monster should have. The monster embodies the archetype of a horror character by his horrid appearance and striking …show more content…

The monsters ignoble stature leads to many unfortunate events that isolate the creature from society. The monsters abandonment from Victor is one of the key factors that decisively made him feel like an outcast. The creature clarifies himself by stating “ I am an unfortunate and deserted creature; I look around, and I have no relation or friend upon earth. These amiable people to whom I go have never seen me, and know little of me. I am full of fears; for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world for ever” (93). As friendless time goes by and Victors desertion of the female creatures sealed his fate in a never ending tunnel of loneliness. Loneliness is paramount archetype throughout horror creatures, especially the poor

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