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Frankenstein Fatherhood Essay

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Final Essay
Frankenstein and Fatherhood
The 1831 novel titled Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley. The story has been retold through countless forms of media and is still taught in courses today. While not a lengthy read, Frankenstein cannot be labeled with one simple theme. The book takes on many societal problems both directly and subtly, depending on the issue at hand. A theme in this novel is the relationship between a father and child, or rather a lack thereof. The purpose of this essay is to dive into the reasoning behind the actions of the monster and why Frankenstein's neglect of the creature led him down a dark path of violence, sadness, and misplaced rage. These actions are rooted in multiple shortcomings from his creator Dr. …show more content…

Parenthood is the most important element in developing life. Parents set the example for how their offspring should interact with their surroundings to succeed and survive. It would be difficult to find a situation where a father is needed more than in the case of the monster’s father. Frankenstein's troubled past, combined with his partial ineptitude of social practices and normalcies, meant he was not fit to be a caregiver, nor a father. Laura Caldridge describes in a 1985 article on the tensions between parents and children, that “Romantic educators typically placed the blame for an adolescent’s misconduct at the door of a negligent (though often well-meaning) parent” (Caldridge). Using this logic, the conclusion can be drawn that Victor's negligence led to horrible actions from the …show more content…

Despite this, the theme of Victor’s absence and its effect on the creature ultimately remains. Wondering around searching for acceptance, the monster is often left feeling alone and resentful after being pushed away by humans. Even though the creature is quite clever, most of its time is spent attempting to adapt and conform to a society that does not accept it. It begins to view Victor as the source of its suffering and loneliness and seeks a way to enact revenge. The monster killed Victor’s brother, William, but this was more than just revenge for his abandonment. The murderous act was a cry for help and

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