Examples Of Human Nature In Frankenstein

Humanity Through Shelley’s Eyes In Frankenstein, the author, Mary Shelley, portrays humans as inherently evil, and they exhibit principles that support her claim. This is contrary to what the character De Lacey stands for. His view is therefore a foil to that of the author, and his points are repeatedly proven wrong, at least in the novel’s context. The monster’s interactions with humans show Shelley’s negative view on human nature. She also shows the principles of treachery, discrimination, and injustice which further display the evil in humankind.
Throughout Frankenstein the monster’s negative interactions with people prove Shelley’s view on human nature. This view is opposite to that of De Lacey, who believes that, “The hearts of men,

These exhibit further her belief in the natural evil of mankind. One of these is the levels of injustice in human society. This is most evident in the trial of Justine. Justine is a loyal servant of the Frankenstein’s, but is falsely convicted of murder. Both Victor and Elizabeth believe her to be innocent, and Elizabeth even testifies. She calls Justine, “The most amiable and benevolent of human creatures” (56). This is the ultimate injustice, as the most happy, innocent girl is to be killed wrongfully. This idea of injustice is present in all of Gothic literature where people are seen as inherently bad. Death is also a major theme in gothic literature. Shelley includes this idea of injustice to further show the evil tendencies of mankind. Another principle is that of human discrimination, especially based on physical appearance. This is apparent in the human reactions to the monster. Whenever he first appears to a person they immediately are scared. This is evident in all of his interactions, even with the his creator. When describing the monster, Victor says, “A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch” (36). Victor judges his own creation as hideous, and runs away from him. If even the monster’s creator cannot find any beauty in him, then clearly there is discrimination towards.the monster. Shelley conveys this very obviously, and clearly believes that this discrimination is present in real life as well. Also in the novel is the principle that people can and will take advantage of other’s generosity. This is evident in the Turk’s exploitation of Felix. After Felix breaks the Turk out of jail, Felix’s family is arrested. However, when he leaves the Turk to help them, the Turk goes away, and takes his daughter whom was promised to Felix. As the monster says of the Turk, “[He] became a traitor to good feeling and honor and had quitted Italy with his