Interpreting Perspectives In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Throughout life, a person will encounter all kinds of different perspectives from the people they meet. To truly be able to connect with and understand a person, one must accept and come to terms with the concept that their own perspective is never the only perspective. Without understanding situations from other peoples’ perspectives, a person can become prejudiced and intolerant towards others and the things they may go through. Being able to connect with a person and understand their thoughts and beliefs, even if you may not agree with them, is a key skill that is needed for effective communication and meaningful relationships. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, one of the main characters suffers from isolation and lack of human connection

The intolerance that Victor demonstrates towards the creature when seeing him alive for the first time prevents the creature forming a bond with and becoming loyal to him. Had Victor been able to reflect on himself and attempt to see things from the creature’s point of view, he would most likely be able to better understand the creature’s feelings. Taking a pause to consider another’s perspective would have allowed Victor to see that the creature he ends up making is actually exactly what he had in mind; a loyal creature that could have helped him in all his endeavors. Victor’s intolerance is perspicuous when he tells the creature during their encounter on the mountain that “[he] will not hear [him]” and that “There can be no community between [them]” (Shelley 89). By telling the creature directly that he refuses to even try and listen to what the creature has to say, Victor is isolating the creature from connecting with people, because Victor won’t even let him explain his side of the story. Victor refuses to see things from the creature’s perspective because he is unwilling to understand the creature and his struggles that he’s faced. By writing Victor as an intolerant and quick to judge character, Mary Shelley demonstrates the prejudice that the creature faces because of his

The creature really is a benevolent and kindhearted creature. He goes into things with the best intentions, and only does unethical things because someone else, usually Victor, pushed him to do so. At first, he showed kindness towards others and expected it back in return, but instead “inspires loathing in everyone who meets it” (Britannica Academic | Frankenstein). The creature extends kindness and warmth to all of the people he comes across, but everybody is unable to shift their perspective to see past the creature’s appearance. The loathing that society feels towards the creature is in no way the creature’s fault, but he still experiences the brunt of their prejudice. Even his own creator, Victor Frankenstein, loathes his own creature. Victor dreamed of a creature that would be loyal to him, but when he saw the creature come to life, he assumed just based on his looks that he was an evil being with no value. Even though Frankenstein is the creature’s creator, “Frankenstein displays no loving care or sentiments toward his creation” (Green 2). Frankenstein’s immediate rejection of the creature makes him feel hurt and unloved. He feels it is unfair and cruel for others to judge him before even getting to know him. Frankenstein’s fatherly role and then rejection of the