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Good And Evil In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

582 Words3 Pages

The nature of human beings has been questioned by many over the course of our existence. Mary Shelley’s most famous novel, Frankenstein (1818), introduces us to a creature that was brought to life by Victor Frankenstein, who had become obsessed with the idea of creating life. Due to his horrid physical appearance, society views him as a monstrous evil being. In fact, the creature commits several monstrous acts towards the end of the novel. This makes the reader question whether the humans that judged him were right or if they led to his wickedness. Human beings are born good and become evil only as a consequence of having been exposed to harsh and evil circumstances. The creature began his life completely good and innocent. However, he was …show more content…

This hovel contains a chink from where he can observe the family, the Delaceys, that resides in the cottage. Very quickly, he was captivated by the cottagers and the love they share for each other. Therefore, he decides to help them out. The creature says that “[he] cleared their path from the snow and performed those offices that [he] had seen done by Felix” (Shelley 122). Felix is the oldest son the cottager Mr. Delacey. The creature is clearly kind hearted, he does chores for the family because he wants to help them and make them happier since he has seen how their current state of poverty has affected them. This quote therefore, clearly proves that the creature was not evil at the beginning of his life. He started his life with good intentions and a thirst for love and making others happy. Felix and the cottagers taught Safie, Felix’s beloved, their language by reading to her Volney’s Ruins of Empires. The creature paid attention and, possessing a great thirst for knowledge, listened to each one of Felix’s explanations. Thus, learning about how society and government works. Upon learning the laws of man. The creature stated that “[he] could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow” (Shelley 128). The creature was unable to fathom how a human being would be capable of such atrocities. Once again demonstrating the pureness of his heart. However, his views on murder change

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