Examples Of Compassion In Frankenstein

Compassion is the feeling of sympathy or pity causing to be concerned with the sufferings or misfortunes of others. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, a theme that impacts several characters immensely is compassion. Without the compassions from others, characters would not be able to have their burdens lifted off of their backs. However; compassion for others can causes some characters’ to develop other feelings that display their true colors. Throughout the story, the sense of empathy that characters have can be the basis of their and others feelings of guilt and cruelty causing compassion to impact the characters of the novel in a negative way. Frankenstein’s feelings of compassion for Justine cause him to act selfish and feel …show more content…
. “This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind.” (101) The monster can't help rescuing a girl who slips into a stream and almost drowns; he’s a hero, but when a man sees the monster and assumes the worst and attacks him. This is significant because the monster notices someone in trouble and acts out of compassion without hesitating, but his actions cause him danger since others can’t understand him. Furthermore, it shows how people don’t think about what could be occurring; they see the monster and attack. “I was inquisitive to know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad. I thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to these deserving people…Felix darted forward… he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb…But…I refrained…escaped unperceived to my hovel.” (80,81,97) The monster feeling sympathy for Felix and Agatha wants to help and when tries they reject him. The monsters compassion causes others to attack him and make him feel terrible; the monster gets hurt by the cruelty of others even though he has the best intentions. He’s the only that gets impacted negatively since people hurt him for being compassionate. The monsters compassion causes trouble for him due to how characters act cruel because of it. Compassion can be a negative thing because of how it causes characters to show dark feelings as a result of it; however, compassion can also cause