Child Neglect In Frankenstein Essay

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“Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley, portrays the effects of child neglect through the actions and emotions of the monster. From the beginning, Frankenstein regrets his decision of creating life and feels guilty for what he has done. Because of this, he abandons the monster and forces him to learn and fight for himself. He neglects the monster and therefore, the monster is faced with depression and takes on the role of an abused child. Frankenstein was fascinated with creating life from nothing, and is interested in the physical secrets of the world. He successfully created the being, and immediately regrets his decision from the first look at the entity. “I worked hard for nearly two years for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate …show more content…
He never got the support or education that he needs to be a functional being in society. The monster may be a more developed creature, but has the mindset of a young child. He learns quickly that he must embrace his surroundings and learn things for himself. “When night came again I found, with pleasure, that the fire gave light as well as heat and that the discovery of this element was useful to me in my food” (72). If Frankenstein had provided him with the care that he needed, he would not have to make such minor discoveries by himself and therefore could be an actual contributing member of society. Secondly, the monster begins to observe a human family and their interactions. He has to learn the family dynamic from afar. “I heard of different sexes, and the birth and growth of children, how the father doted on the smiles of the infant... and all the various relationships which bind one human being to another in mutual bonds” (85). Since he does not have education or a parental figure, the monster has to learn these things for himself. He fends for himself, which can be emotionally tolling. He observes this human interaction and begins to crave it. He knows that he is different, and stalking a family he wishes to be a part of is mentally unhealthy. If the monster was focusing all of his time on what he is rather that what he wishes he could be, there is a chance that he could see himself as something other than horrible and

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