A paradox is defined as a situation, person, or thing that has contradictory features or qualities. In the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Dr. Victor Frankenstein creates a monster from amalgamating body parts of the dead. The creature is hideous, with yellow eyes, and yellow skin barely covering the network of muscles underneath. All society condemns the monster, disgusted by his unsightly disposition. Despite the creature’s morbid physique, his speech is eloquent and beautiful, and he is capable of complex emotions, characterizing the creature by this paradox. The paradoxical characterization of the creature in Frankenstein highlights the destructive effects of societal rejection, loneliness, and the fear of change. Humans innately …show more content…
The creature seeks solace in observing a sweet family, the Delacey family, burned by poverty. He observes their familial structures and learns about the world, language, and history by following the Delaceys. Through gaining knowledge the creature realizes the desperation of his situation: “when [he] looked around, [he] saw and heard of none like [him]” and the creature began to wonder “was [he] then a monster, a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?” (##). His feelings of loneliness are intensified by his growing knowledge of human society, not only do you need power, wealth, and connections, but also land. The creature was born with nothing, not even a name. He was born hideous, estranging him from society. The creature is able to communicate just like humans, yet his emotions are completely disregarded due to his deformity. Isolating the creature from the rest of society when his only desire is companionship. The creature’s loneliness is exacerbated by his awareness of his own deformity and his inability to form meaningful connections. The more he learns about humanity, the more he understands what he lacks. This knowledge leads to a profound sense of despair, as he recognizes the impossibility of ever being