The philosophies regarding the nature of man are as numerous as they are varied. Despite this they all address two factors of that nature: his original “god given” state and the influence society has on the former. Jean-Jacques Rousseau is one philosopher that influences many with his ideas about man. Mary Shelley, being one of the many, adds to Rousseau’s ideas about the uncorrupted nature of man before the influence of society in Frankenstein and illustrates her own thoughts about an irony that exist in said nature. Shelley, through Victor Frankenstein and his monster, reveals what she believes to be the fundamental flaw of man: He seeks and needs that which corrupts him from his original sinless state—society.
The monster is introduced into …show more content…
The monster narrates “from what [he] had been”, makes “[him] what [he] [is]”. This section of his narration is almost entirely comprised of interactions with society because that is what Shelley is showing corrupts him. Previous to actually interacting with the cottagers the monster feels “love and reverence” toward them, calling them his “friends” and “protectors”. In the hindsight of his narration he realizes he called them such out of “self-deceit”(121) because upon actual interaction he is “overcome by pain and anguish” and forced to “[escape] unperceived to [his] hovel”(135). In the aftermath of his interaction he “[bears] a hell within” and “wish[es] to tear up trees” and “spread havoc and destruction”. His “everlasting war against the species”(136) that rejects him is the night to his bright and shining original nature. His entire motive changes and, upon subsequent interactions, the change only gets reinforced. The next point where his kind nature further dwindles to the monstrous is when as “the reward of [his] benevolence” his is shot. This affects him so that “the feelings of kindness and gentleness which [he] had entertained but a few months before [give] place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth”. Shelley continues a pattern of the monster vowing “eternal hatred and vengeance”(141) after the monster has any altercations with men. During the turning point where the …show more content…
This second example is Victor; someone who grew up on the “most distinguished” side or society, yet is depicted nonetheless corruptible. Victor is born as an “innocent and helpless creature” who only conceives only the “happiness”(31) he can bring to the world. He develops with a “curiosity” and a desire to help people with his knowledge. In Victor’s early life he is naive to all evils and his desire to learn, “protect, love and cherish”(33) are attributed to his innocent nature. But, the “one train of enjoyment” that is Victor’s life does not shield him from man’s vice. Victor’s corruption is made apparent for the reason of displaying a counterpoint that without any out of the ordinary extreme negative experiences corruption still occurs. Society, even in his life style, leads him to a different kind or of corruption—prejudice. Victor makes that evident when he first sees the eyes of his creation open and is filled with “breathless horror and disgust” that causes him to “[rush] out of the room”(56). Victor being unable to behold what is tantamount to his son is what puts the full depth of society’s influence in view. Another way Shelley makes his prejudice evident is in his storytelling. To the reader the monster’s actions are not incriminating but, the language Victor uses attempts villainies them. He tells as if the monster is trying to “detain him” and that he “escape[s]”. The very names the monster is given by
The monster is introduced into …show more content…
The monster narrates “from what [he] had been”, makes “[him] what [he] [is]”. This section of his narration is almost entirely comprised of interactions with society because that is what Shelley is showing corrupts him. Previous to actually interacting with the cottagers the monster feels “love and reverence” toward them, calling them his “friends” and “protectors”. In the hindsight of his narration he realizes he called them such out of “self-deceit”(121) because upon actual interaction he is “overcome by pain and anguish” and forced to “[escape] unperceived to [his] hovel”(135). In the aftermath of his interaction he “[bears] a hell within” and “wish[es] to tear up trees” and “spread havoc and destruction”. His “everlasting war against the species”(136) that rejects him is the night to his bright and shining original nature. His entire motive changes and, upon subsequent interactions, the change only gets reinforced. The next point where his kind nature further dwindles to the monstrous is when as “the reward of [his] benevolence” his is shot. This affects him so that “the feelings of kindness and gentleness which [he] had entertained but a few months before [give] place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth”. Shelley continues a pattern of the monster vowing “eternal hatred and vengeance”(141) after the monster has any altercations with men. During the turning point where the …show more content…
This second example is Victor; someone who grew up on the “most distinguished” side or society, yet is depicted nonetheless corruptible. Victor is born as an “innocent and helpless creature” who only conceives only the “happiness”(31) he can bring to the world. He develops with a “curiosity” and a desire to help people with his knowledge. In Victor’s early life he is naive to all evils and his desire to learn, “protect, love and cherish”(33) are attributed to his innocent nature. But, the “one train of enjoyment” that is Victor’s life does not shield him from man’s vice. Victor’s corruption is made apparent for the reason of displaying a counterpoint that without any out of the ordinary extreme negative experiences corruption still occurs. Society, even in his life style, leads him to a different kind or of corruption—prejudice. Victor makes that evident when he first sees the eyes of his creation open and is filled with “breathless horror and disgust” that causes him to “[rush] out of the room”(56). Victor being unable to behold what is tantamount to his son is what puts the full depth of society’s influence in view. Another way Shelley makes his prejudice evident is in his storytelling. To the reader the monster’s actions are not incriminating but, the language Victor uses attempts villainies them. He tells as if the monster is trying to “detain him” and that he “escape[s]”. The very names the monster is given by