Companionship In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

The story of Frankenstein and his monster is one of the most famous horror stories of all time. This story has been retold extensively in numerous cinematic productions. However, the original book Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, may differ from the tale so many think they know. Shelley tells the story of a man, Frankenstein, who lets his scientific ambition lead him to create something unnatural. However, the creature Frankenstein creates, known commonly as his ‘monster’, is not a mindless being. This can be seem in the rest of the book which tells how the monster learns and interacts with the world after his creation. Through this telling one can see it is only when the monster feels rejected or betrayed that he resorts to violence. This correlation leads into one of the main themes of the book which is the importance of companionship.

The main character, Frankenstein, is especially shown to have strong companions in his family, fiancé, and close friend. In contrast, since coming into existence Frankenstein’s monster is rejected by all who come in contact with him. After some time the monster seeks out Frankenstein and tells him, “I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.” (p. 103-104) By this plea the monster shows that he thinks if only he could have a fellow companion he could be relieve of his suffering. In the end Frankenstein does not give the monster his request and the monster kills Frankenstein’s fiancé as an act of