Examples Of Misunderstood Monster In Frankenstein

Joseph Aharoni
Period 6, 10/2/14
Frankenstein: Misunderstood Monster Throughout the course of Frankenstein, Victor’s creation struggles to find a purpose and his own self definition. Tossed into the world with absolutely no guidance, hated by every living being he encounters, and remorseful of his own wicked deeds, the Creature shapes one of the most contradictory and enigmatic characters experienced in literature. The way that Victor and the Creature view each other, as well as themselves, shifts drastically throughout the course of the story, and ultimately the decision of whose beliefs are more correct is arbitrary to each reader. I find more truth in the Creature’s view of himself as opposed to Victor’s. The Creature believes himself to

His very first experience as a sentient being was that of misery and distress resulting from Victor’s disgust and inability to endure his appearance. The fact that he remains nameless for the entire book is not a mistake. This is part of Victor’s rejection, and gives the Creature a lack of identity. Everything the Creature learned, he learned by himself. However, one of the most important lessons we must learn is the ability to cope with grief and stress. Both Victor and his creation have different ways of dealing with difficulties, but it seems neither have them have found an optimal method. The Creature leads a difficult life, filled with bitter hatred and opprobrium, and his murderous reactions are rational in his

“Think you that the groans of Clerval were music to my ears? My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of change without torture such as you cannot even imagine.” (210) The Creature’s remorse at the thought of his own ruthlessness is evidence of his altruistic personality, and undermines the facile nature of Victor’s perceptions. He even leaves clues for Victor of his whereabouts during the long chase scene, almost hinting like he wants to be found. The Creature even recognizes the fact that he is hated and wants Walton and Victor to know that he loathes himself for both his actions and his appearance even more. “You hate me, but your abhorrence cannot equal that with which I regard myself.”