De Villeneuve’s Beauty and the Beast is one of the most well-known and enjoyed fairy tales in the world. It tells the story of a handsome prince, transformed into the form of a hideous beast to match the intentions of his heart. Sometimes the most obviously ugly or depraved monsters are not the real monsters in the story at all. Beauty is fickle, and the designs of the soul reflect a person’s true attractiveness. Humankind’s prejudice towards beauty has been seen throughout literature and entertainment for ages, toying with the haunting reality that we are not as “good” as we believe. In Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein, young Victor Frankenstein creates a repulsive creature, who when left to his own devices experiences humanity’s obsession …show more content…
As the novel progresses, the monster begins to realize the true extent of his hideousness. He expresses that he is “...unable to believe that it was indeed [him] who was reflected in the mirror; and when [he] became fully convinced that [he] was in reality the monster that [he is, he] was filled with the bitterest sensations...” (Shelley, 121) When the monster is confronted with his reflection, he finally understands his horrible treatment. The constant rejection and hostility he has experienced is starting to take a toll on him. He is losing all sense of self-worth and any hope that he will ever find a place in society. The monster understands humanity’s tendency to dismiss all those who do not conform to societal boundaries or reflect the idealized “beauty.” Mankind is afraid of the “other” and the difference. We find comfort in our standards and rules. We see the few outcasts, living on the fringe of our lives, as a necessary evil for the greater good. The monster eventually tracks down Victor and begs him for another creature like