Frankenstein Essay

587 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Human nature in Frankenstein

In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the main characters are contrasted in their personalities. Although the monster has sinister features and characteristics, the author uses perspective, character contrast, and dialogue to show sympathy towards the monster.
Shelley tells the story from the scientist Victor Frankenstein and the monster's perspective, giving equality to both character's decisions. Shelley gives the monster a mind to question his existence, just as humans do. The monster is given a pathetic soul to ask the questions of life, "Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed?" (161). The monster does not understand why he is not wanted, making him seem helpless at heart. This gives the audience an affinity for the monster, since many people can relate to question their purpose or actions. In addition, Shelley describes the monster's emotions about his thoughts or actions when he becomes acquainted with humans and the world. The monster tells his creator, Frankenstein, about how he feels about th...

Show More
Related

  • Frankenstein Romanticism Essay

    1864 Words  | 4 Pages

    As a response to the Enlightenment movement in 18th century Europe, Romanticism gradually began to undermine the way people thought about human consciousness and nature itself. Appreciation of the natural beauty of the world and pure, human emotion bloomed in Europe as Romanticism’s influence grew ("Topic Page: Romanticism”). Romantics valued Individualism and thought that being close to nature would make them closer to God (Morner and Rausch). People also searched for solace in nature to overcome the adversities and cynicisms that followed the French Revolution ("French Revolution."). Romanticism and Romantic ideals influenced Mary Shelley, and that influence can be seen throughout her novel Frankenstein. The two main characters, Victor Frankenstein

    Read More

  • Comparing and Contrasting the Book and Play Version of Shelley's Frankenstein

    1628 Words  | 4 Pages

    Do not judge a book by its cover. Those are the words of a famous American proverb that says a person’s character cannot be judged based on their appearance. This proverb is very fitting in regards to the monster from Frankenstein. On the outside, he has a terrible appearance, and as a result is victimized and made to suffer by those who cannot see past his looks. Yet he has a kind soul and is simply looking for happiness and a little compassion from others. Both the book and the play present him as a sufferer in a cruel world but ultimately the book does a better job portraying his pain and eliciting empathy from the reader. The monster in the book details his suffering in greater detail, is more eloquent and persuasive and also experiences a more tragic ending, and as a result the reader feels more sympathy towards him than an audience member would feel towards the monster in the play.

    Read More

  • Ex Machina And Frankenstein Essay

    681 Words  | 2 Pages

    The repercussions of treating sentient life as monsters or miscreation’s is disastrous. When non-human conscious life is created it is easier to treat these creations as outsiders rather than accepting them. There are two stories that show this clearly. The novel Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelly and the film Ex Machina by Alex Garland. When self-conscious life is created it must be treated as such.

    Read More

  • Sympathy for the Monster in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    411 Words  | 1 Pages

    In this essay I am going to answer ‘how and why does Mary Shelley make the reader sympathise with the character of the monster in her novel Frankenstein’.

    Read More

  • Sympathy in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    2939 Words  | 6 Pages

    Sympathy in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein In her novel, 'Frankenstein', Mary Shelley employs many innovative literary techniques to invoke feelings of sympathy for the monster. Sympathy is created by the author both by making the readers pity the monster’s loathsome existence and by leading them to understand his violent and cruel actions. We pity the creature because of the way he is treated by mankind and we can identify with his feelings and reactions and understand why he behaves as he does. Shelley uses different narrators throughout the novel and the reader sympathises with the views of these people to differing degrees.

    Read More

  • How Does Mary Shelley Create A Futile Attempt To Create The Perfect Human

    1779 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley chose to have her protagonist Victor Frankenstein create a being out of human parts and give it life without the natural conception, in a futile attempt to create a human free of original sin, because when sin entered the world through our own choosing we became like the creature at birth, flawed. In the course of the novel, the creature learns the same truth that Victor Frankenstein discovered in the end. It is impossible to self create a divine purpose in one’s own life.

    Read More

  • Devastating Nature in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    814 Words  | 2 Pages

    One’s nature has always influenced his or her actions. Everyone has his or her unique attitude but there are different attributes that make up one’s attitude. Arrogance, overconfidence, greed, selfishness, selflessness, benevolence, and fear are among these attributes. In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley empowers her characters with these attributes. In the gothic novel Frankenstein, the character Victor creates a creature in order to fulfill his ambitions. This creature is abandoned by Victor, which causes the creature to be overwhelmed with loneliness. Everyone judges the creature by his appearance and this causes the creature to disdain his master. The creature murders Victor’s family and later both of them duel each other in order to satiate their need of vengeance. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the characterizations of Victor and the creature in order to convey the idea that those who are overwhelmed with ignorance and arrogance are bound to experience sorrow.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein Theme Essay

    1026 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the main theme revolves around the internal and external consequences of being isolated from others. Being isolated from the world could result in a character losing his/her mental state and eventually causing harm to themselves or others. Because both Victor Frankenstein and the creature are isolated from family and society, they experienced depression, prejudice, and revenge.

    Read More

  • Victor Frankenstein The Real Monster Essay

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    At first, Victor views his monster as a beautiful creation but later when he first lays eyes on the monster he starts to fear and rejects the monster and no longer took interest in the monster. Frankenstein pays no attention to the Monster what so ever, and the Monster becomes jealous and angry at his creator. The Monster starts to take action and starts to go crazy/ berserk and later on in the novel begins to kill Victor’s family. The Monster kills Victor’s little brother William out of jealousy and confusion. The quote on page 58 states,” William is dead!

    Read More

  • Structure Of Frankenstein Essay

    514 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the novel Frankenstein the structure of writing and perspective changes greatly. Through a deep timeline of Imagery and Information, Mary Shelley proposes the idea of a what if scenario. What if a man could create life? What would happen to this idea of life and death, would this be good or bad in the hands of a single man. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein structure is the most important aspect of her writing, how does this shape the perspective of the novel?

    Read More

  • Frankenstein Exile Essay

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    Exile. Behind the word lies angst, behind it lies fear, behind it lies sorrow. To be exiled, outcasted, or abandoned is one of the biggest fear of humanity. For to be alone, one is left with their own thoughts. No one wants to be the fallen angel. The world exile carries with it many different negative connotations. The rest of society does not dare to interact with those exiled. Society does not dare to dance with the devil. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates a monster. The creature is abandoned by Frankenstein. And the creature searches for company and to eliminate the feeling of loneliness he has inside. After scrutinizing Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the creature chases after a normal life, one without loneliness; however, society

    Read More

  • Frankenstein: Don't Judge a Monster Based on His Appearance

    1505 Words  | 4 Pages

    The book goes into greater detail regarding the monster’s hardships, has a more eloquent and persuasive monster and has a more heartbreaking ending. As a result a reader feels greater sympathy towards the monster in the novel rather than in the play. The monster begins his journey a purely innocent and kind being, but because he has to suffer the misfortune of having such a monstrous appearance he is condemned by society. Frankenstein tells the story of a benevolent being persecuted by man, and has the reader questioning who the real monster is.

    Read More

  • Who Is the Real Monster in Frankenstein?

    1708 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...most readers tend to sympathize with Frankenstein because of the way in which he is mentally and physically harmed by his creation. However, one must also realize that while Frankenstein is a victim in the novel, he also exhibits features that make him a monster. These monstrous qualities, however, stem from his passion for science and his desire to create life. Not only does the reader criticize and pity Frankenstein, but the reader also empathizes with Frankenstein’s creation. He was unjustly shunned by society because of his physical appearance. On the other hand, the reader realizes that like Frankenstein, the creation can not be sympathized with entirely. He too exhibits traits that make him appear villainous. It is the duality of these two characters that make Frankenstein and his creation two of the most appealing characters of the nineteenth century.

    Read More

  • Victor Frankenstein Knowledge Essay

    668 Words  | 2 Pages

    The theme in a piece of literature is the main idea or insight on characters. Most pieces of literature do not limit itself to one but many other themes all collected into one. This is just like in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This horrifying story was produced in 1818 and has several themes that she portrays throughout. The theme of dangerous knowledge is unmistakably seen theme in Frankenstein. In Frankenstein we see this theme through three of the main characters, Victor Frankenstein, Robert Walton and the creature. We can see how their desire for knowledge can take them places and show them eventually what they are looking for. Sooner or later it will take them to dangerous and unwanted places. The desire for knowledge can eventually lead one to its grave. Victor Frankenstein’s scientific endeavor, Robert Walton’s search for the North Pole, and the creature’s kind heart but scary features creates this theme of dangerous knowledge.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein Critical Analysis Essay

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mary Shelley in her book Frankenstein addresses numerous themes relevant to the current trends in society during that period. However, the novel has received criticism from numerous authors. This paper discusses Walter Scott’s critical analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in his Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Review of Frankenstein (1818).

    Read More

More about Frankenstein Essay

Open Document