Personal Perception (Frankenstein) Perception in our society is formed through evaluations of others in our environment. Whenever personal perceptions are developed, it has an effect on the way we treat people. Usually perception is formed based on an individual’s physical traits, and it is usually not accurate. An example of a misperception would be that all big guys are good football players. One of the main perception In Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein, was because of the monsters physical features he was thought to be a danger to society and would harm others. In this novel, the monster not only struggles with perceptions of society but also from the perception of his creator Victor. Because of the misperceptions that the monster encountered …show more content…
The monster positive qualities were never seen in the eyes of society due to his deformed features blinding everyone from the positive qualities he possessed. This is apparent when the monster was trying to befriend the child. “Let me go, ' he cried; `monster! Ugly wretch! You wish to eat me and tear me to pieces. You are an ogre. Let me go, or I will tell my papa. '” (Shelley 131). The boy’s response and prejudgment causes the monster to act accordingly to the perceptions. "`Boy, you will never see your father again; you must come with me. '” (Shelly 131) The quotations are an example of perception based on physical appearances and provide real life reactions when people are stereotyped by their looks. The monster is only seeking divine approval and acceptance from society, and this is apparent when he revealed his feelings toward the cottagers. “The more I saw of them, the greater became my desire to claim their protection and kindness; my heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures; to see their sweet looks directed towards me with affection was the utmost limit of my ambition”(128). Being acceptance is still valued in today 's society, but perception can outcast a person from society as the villagers did the monster by throwing rocks and pushing the monster away. Perceiving a person as such can determine a person’s actions. For …show more content…
Whenever personal perceptions are developed, it has an effect on the way we treat people. Misperception by society caused the monster to behave accordingly throughout his experience as a living being. Perceptions are developed at first sight of an individual’s physical appearance, which was the cause for the monster being outcast from society. Throughout the novel the monster becomes progressively evil, and seeks revenge on all mankind. As humans we need to be mindful as to how perceptions can affect people. For every human action there is a reaction and personal perceptions will determine what that reaction will