The process Frankenstein obtained in constructing the creature he has planned for was based on his determination, obsession, and commitment. For instance, in chapter four it states, “To examine the causes of life…. I became acquainted with the science of anatomy, but this was not sufficient; I must also observe the natural decay and corruption of the human body”(Shelley 18). This proves how he was committed towards his work since he studied constantly with little bits of rest. Clearly, showing his obsession was not letting him stop until his work was complete.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, we see how revenge can lead to obsession. In Chapters 23 to the end, Victor is so obsessed with getting revenge on the monster for killing Elizabeth and everyone else. His obsession with revenge starts on his wedding night when the monster killed Elizabeth. He then states while talking to the magistrate: “That cannot be; but all that I can say will be little avail. My revenge is of no moment to you: yet, while I allow it to be a vice, I confess that is it the devouring and only passion of my soul.
Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein is a frame narrative of the life of Victor Frankenstein recorded by Robert Walton. It is circled around his creation of a monster that suffered a lonely life and wanted revenge for being created. In Frankenstein, Shelley portrays many big ideas but, one that continues to show importance is the idea of Human Needs and Desires. so, in the novel Mary Shelley presents the idea that all creatures have a basic need for friendship and love.
The first letter in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein reveals a variety of literary devices such as ‘theme’ that accurately foreshadows various elements from the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Victor and Walter begin by setting out for recognition and popularity, these two desires intertwine together as they go in-depth when Victor says "wealthy was an inferior object, but with glory with attend discovery". This quote sheds light on Victor selfish desires.
Companionship is the closeness or familiarity, a true fellowship among people who for some reason have a connection. “I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, whose eyes would reply to mine.” The quote is from Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Robert Walton longs for a friend. The creature wanted a female companion.
Moments, when characters have a sudden change in attitude, can be found often throughout Frankenstein, but it is prominent during Walton’s last letter to his sister as he tells of meeting the monster. The monster mentions his past concerning Victor Frankenstein and that his feelings were “forever ardent and craving; still [it] desired love and fellowship, and [it] was spurned…” (Shelley 211). While the monster recognizes his desire for love, he then contradicts that desire by stating that “[Frankenstein’s] abhorrence cannot equal that with which [it regarded itself]” (Shelley 212). The monster’s growing internal conflict through the novel between his desire to be accepted and his knowledge of being different is what causes him to be a dynamic character.
In the novel, “Frankenstein”, by Mary Shelley, Shelley conveys the idea that nothing is born evil but it’s society that can create a monster with judgmental rejection. The monster proves that, when he is ultimately humiliated by people because of his appearance. The monster kept finding himself shunned from the public every single time. Each time he tried to convince the people that he was good, he was harmed with stones.
Relationships in Frankenstein 1)Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel analyzes the life of a monster abandoned by his father and creator with no companionship in life. 2) The monster created to appear beautiful turns out ugly which leads to his father abandoning him in fear. 3) The creator, Frankenstein, recognized the monster as grotesque and ran away in fear of the monster he had created.
Ambition as propelling it is, however can lead to the demise of the person influenced by it. Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, informs the reader of the consequences of ambition, by telling a story of man named Victor Frankenstein who is overwhelmed by his ambition to see the atrocities he commits. In his ignorance created a monster who served to be Victor’s mistake as he slaughtered his family members. The novel illustrates the dangers of ambition because it is the main reason of Victor’s downfall. Pursuing a desire too strongly as to cause obsession is what destroyed Victor.
„I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me; whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend” (Shelley 163-164). This is the wish of the scientist Robert Walton whose letters start Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Unlike the first thoughts coming to mind when hearing the title, friendship is one of the main topics in the story and the wish Walton expresses in the beginning stands for the desires of all the main characters. Not only Walton feels to be in need of companionship, the central character Victor Frankenstein does so too and even the Creature he brings into being expresses its strong wish to belong to someone.
Whereas Frankenstein does not properly value the domestic affection he is given until it is violently taken from him, his creation learns that this is what values most in life and yet is not able to gain this affection from others. Francis Bacon says in his essay Of Friendship “I have given the rule, where a man cannot fitly play his own part; if he have not a friend, he may quit the stage”. Shelley highlights the need for a sense of belonging and companionship by letting both her main figures suffer the pain of not having this need fulfilled and, in consequence, they both “quit the stage” (Bacon) and turn their backs on humanity. Social isolation, although through different circumstances, was the predominant cause for both Frankenstein and his creature’s demise. Even Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley’s husband, wrote in his preface to Frankenstein about the “amiableness of domestic affection” (Shelley 9).
The creature was trying to help this girl, but he was punished because of his looks (101). This causes his fury to build into evil and bitterness: “Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind,” (101). The creature was in pain from being shot, and he vowed to get revenge against all humans (101). Without friends, the creature has felt no love or kindness from anyone, except from blind De Lacey (95-96). This need for friends has developed into him being evil; where as if he had friends, then he probably would not want to cause pain and misery upon everyone.
Dr. Frankenstein grew up as only child by two loving parents but maintains a love and hate relationship with his parents because he senses that they share an affection that in some way that excludes in him. Therefore, Dr. Frankenstein feels like an object of their love not a participant in their love; “he is their plaything and idol” (p.33). Dr. frankenstein have troubled relationships with his friends and family. This explained why Dr. frankenstein goes into science to create frankenstein the monster. Dr. Frankenstein probably suffer from loneliness and depression, so this probably part of the main reason on why he created frankenstein.
Mary Shelley 's timeless story seeks to help readers beware of alleviating loneliness through valuing others, and she warns readers that living a life of secrecy drains the joy out of life. The human condition of loneliness triggered many of the events in this book. This creature that Victor Frankenstein forged from cadavers was immediately abandoned. Right after Victor created this innocent monster, he fled from him out of fear.
Love is an unselffish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelly the creature is not shown love which leads to emotions like unhappiness, hatred, and destruction. Emotion is the charactristic of romanticim which contributes to the overall motif of love is a necessity for happiness. Seeing that there was no hope in the goodness of humanity, the creature realizes that he needs an equally ugly female companion to love. He explains to victor “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.”
