Racism Quotes In Frankenstein

Revenge for Racism Racism has been around since B.C. times, so it only makes sense that racism would be found in Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein from the very beginning. In the start of the novel Walton and fellow shipmen are exploring when they see a “being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic structure” (Shelly 17). This does not sound racist in any way, however, the follow-up comment they make when Victor Frankenstein is rescued adds a racist vibe stating, “not a savage inhabitant of some undiscovered land, but a European” (Shelly 18). This statement makes it clear that a European is viewed as entirely civilized, yet, inhabitants of undiscovered …show more content…
Indicating that the creations actions are a metaphor for slave rebellion as the novel “offers an oblique account of white anxiety in the face of slave rebellion as the novel presents a white protagonist who is haunted and undone by the rebellious monster whom he has created” (Young 21). This is a very interesting revelation; however, I find it to be a bit of a stretch. The novel is based around a European man who creates a colored creature that seeks violent revenge, due to verbal mistreatment. This is similar to rebellion that slaves partook in, however, I find that more slaves rebelled due to being forced to labor free of wage under unfair conditions. Slaves rebelled based on the totalitarian control that masters placed upon them, the racist verbal mistreatment they endured was terrible as well, however, the leading factor for want of revenge was the actual oppression. I believe that if Shelly wanted this subliminal theme of slave rebellion to be shown in her novel she would have oppressed the creature in a more slave like manor, forcing him to labor and do the dirty work for a white man. Instead, I find that Mary Shelly used Frankenstein to emphasize the mistreatment of racially diverse people in the United Kingdom, and indicate that the abuse directed toward them was the cause of