Samuel Johnson once stated, “Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged”. The above quote suggests that revenge is not always a pitiful act to regain pride. Revenge may be used to express one's sense of justice through raw yet pure actions driven by emotion. In Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein, literary elements such as characterization and conflict are used in attempt to portray the theme, revenge and how it affects one’s sense of morality throughout the course of life.
To start, characterization is used in Frankenstein to evince that the monster’s revengeful acts were the product of being hurt, not being born evil. For example, the creature only desired a companion as he approached …show more content…
In chapter 15, after learning to read, the creature reads Victor’s journal and learns how his creator truly viewed him. After gaining this information he exclaims, “‘Accursed creator! Why did you for a monster so hideous that even YOU turned from me in disgust?” (55). The creature feels betrayed by the one who brought him into this world. He didn't ask for this life, but now he has to endure it due to Frankenstein, who abandoned him out of disgust. The thought of living in loneliness enraged the monster and causes him to grow a hatred towards Frankenstein. Another conflict arises when the creature attempts to be helpful, but is punished for his act of kindness. While trying to save a young girl from drowning, he is shot by her father due to his terrifying figure (61). This event serves as a conflict in the creature's life since it causes him to reconsider if acceptance is in his reach. The monster has been tormented several times over and has grown wary of humanity. He feels that the human race is undeserving and should pay for the indecency committed. The last example proceeds Victor destroying the female creation. The creature was prepared to abandon all human life due to his agreement, but after seeing his creator destroy the one thing that could bring happiness into his life, revenge was all that remained. With a heart of hatred, he cursed Victor by
To start, characterization is used in Frankenstein to evince that the monster’s revengeful acts were the product of being hurt, not being born evil. For example, the creature only desired a companion as he approached …show more content…
In chapter 15, after learning to read, the creature reads Victor’s journal and learns how his creator truly viewed him. After gaining this information he exclaims, “‘Accursed creator! Why did you for a monster so hideous that even YOU turned from me in disgust?” (55). The creature feels betrayed by the one who brought him into this world. He didn't ask for this life, but now he has to endure it due to Frankenstein, who abandoned him out of disgust. The thought of living in loneliness enraged the monster and causes him to grow a hatred towards Frankenstein. Another conflict arises when the creature attempts to be helpful, but is punished for his act of kindness. While trying to save a young girl from drowning, he is shot by her father due to his terrifying figure (61). This event serves as a conflict in the creature's life since it causes him to reconsider if acceptance is in his reach. The monster has been tormented several times over and has grown wary of humanity. He feels that the human race is undeserving and should pay for the indecency committed. The last example proceeds Victor destroying the female creation. The creature was prepared to abandon all human life due to his agreement, but after seeing his creator destroy the one thing that could bring happiness into his life, revenge was all that remained. With a heart of hatred, he cursed Victor by