Human or Monster?:The Paradox of Frankenstein
Humans are animals with a higher level of intellect and emotion that live in an organized society or community and have the ability to think about the future and self-reflect. In Mary Shelley 's gothic novel Frankenstein, the reader sympathizes with the grotesque creature as he humanly learns about the world around him and attempts to live contently in an oppressive society. However, Frankenstein’s barbaric characteristics represent the tragic potential in an inhuman society. Although, the once good-hearted creature is transformed into an evil murder, he reflects on his actions and feels remorse unlike his creator. The creature demonstrates strong human qualities of seeking community, empathy and …show more content…
The creature demonstrates empathy as he continues to peer through the crack in his hovel. The creature sees a living example of an unbiased family, which encourages him to do good towards others. The creature is emotionally moved from the sufferings he causes on the De Lacey family by taking their resources and says: “...[I] brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days” (102.) The creature is able to empathize with the cottagers as they suffer the hardships of poverty. The creature wants to alleviate the family’s workload to allow them to focus on more essential daily tasks. In contrast, Frankenstein’s failure to properly nurture his new born creature into the world is due to his lack of empathy and selfish ambitions. Frankenstein is blinded from his own scientific aspirations, “…Reminding us of the domestic harmony that Walton and similarly inspired males have turned their back upon in the pursuit of their Promethean dreams” (Asquith). In addition, blinded by his scientific studies, “...Frankenstein never considers the possibility that his creature might not wish the existence he is about to receive” (Mellor). During the hours Frankenstein spends creating the creature, he never considers how the gigantic and ugly creature will survive among normal human beings (Mellor). Soon after the birth of the creature Victor confesses: “...I may extinguish the spark which …show more content…
With his family destroyed, Frankenstein leaves Geneva and tracks his creature into the isolation of the snowy North. The creature tells Walton of all his sufferings and says: “No guilt, no mischief, no malignity, no misery, can be found comparable to mine” (188.) The creature takes blame for his actions; he admits his guilt and deeply regrets his evil actions. With his creator dead, the creature decides to end his own life and states: “...My agony was still superior to thine; for the bitter sting of remorse will not cease to rankle in my wounds until death shall close them for ever” (189). The creature makes the honorable and mature decision to end his own life by committing suicide. Unlike the creature, Frankenstein is unable to find blame or truthfully reflect on his life; Frankenstein says: “...I have been occupied in examining my past conduct; nor do I find it blamable” (184). The major difference between humans and animals is the ability to self-reflect and gain an outside perspective on one’s self. Frankenstein’s failure to self-reflect shows, “... his neurotic, obsessive and ultimately self-destructive personality” (Asquith). The reader sympathizes with the creature which reflects Shelley’s message of the importance of proper self-reflections and being able to learn from
Humans are animals with a higher level of intellect and emotion that live in an organized society or community and have the ability to think about the future and self-reflect. In Mary Shelley 's gothic novel Frankenstein, the reader sympathizes with the grotesque creature as he humanly learns about the world around him and attempts to live contently in an oppressive society. However, Frankenstein’s barbaric characteristics represent the tragic potential in an inhuman society. Although, the once good-hearted creature is transformed into an evil murder, he reflects on his actions and feels remorse unlike his creator. The creature demonstrates strong human qualities of seeking community, empathy and …show more content…
The creature demonstrates empathy as he continues to peer through the crack in his hovel. The creature sees a living example of an unbiased family, which encourages him to do good towards others. The creature is emotionally moved from the sufferings he causes on the De Lacey family by taking their resources and says: “...[I] brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days” (102.) The creature is able to empathize with the cottagers as they suffer the hardships of poverty. The creature wants to alleviate the family’s workload to allow them to focus on more essential daily tasks. In contrast, Frankenstein’s failure to properly nurture his new born creature into the world is due to his lack of empathy and selfish ambitions. Frankenstein is blinded from his own scientific aspirations, “…Reminding us of the domestic harmony that Walton and similarly inspired males have turned their back upon in the pursuit of their Promethean dreams” (Asquith). In addition, blinded by his scientific studies, “...Frankenstein never considers the possibility that his creature might not wish the existence he is about to receive” (Mellor). During the hours Frankenstein spends creating the creature, he never considers how the gigantic and ugly creature will survive among normal human beings (Mellor). Soon after the birth of the creature Victor confesses: “...I may extinguish the spark which …show more content…
With his family destroyed, Frankenstein leaves Geneva and tracks his creature into the isolation of the snowy North. The creature tells Walton of all his sufferings and says: “No guilt, no mischief, no malignity, no misery, can be found comparable to mine” (188.) The creature takes blame for his actions; he admits his guilt and deeply regrets his evil actions. With his creator dead, the creature decides to end his own life and states: “...My agony was still superior to thine; for the bitter sting of remorse will not cease to rankle in my wounds until death shall close them for ever” (189). The creature makes the honorable and mature decision to end his own life by committing suicide. Unlike the creature, Frankenstein is unable to find blame or truthfully reflect on his life; Frankenstein says: “...I have been occupied in examining my past conduct; nor do I find it blamable” (184). The major difference between humans and animals is the ability to self-reflect and gain an outside perspective on one’s self. Frankenstein’s failure to self-reflect shows, “... his neurotic, obsessive and ultimately self-destructive personality” (Asquith). The reader sympathizes with the creature which reflects Shelley’s message of the importance of proper self-reflections and being able to learn from