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Psychological Motivations Of The Monster In Frankenstein

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Psychological Motivations of the Monster in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein Frankenstein In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the Creature emerges as a complex character, embodying elements of monstrosity and deep-seated humanity. This research paper postulates that the Creature's destructive tendencies are not born of innate malevolence, but are rather the tragic consequences of its relentless alienation and perpetual "otherness," resulting from societal rejection and exclusion. The key psychological characteristics of the Creature, primarily its desperate quest for love and companionship, will be explored in detail. The core objective of this paper is to forge a link between such pervasive alienation and the subsequent violent behaviors, thereby offering …show more content…

After observing the De Laceys and learning about their values, the Creature identifies with them, believing that it can be accepted and loved (Shelley 90-91). However, the De Laceys' violent reaction demonstrates that even the kindest of humans are incapable of accepting the Creature due to its appearance, further isolating it from society. This rejection reinforces the creature's belief that it is inherently monstrous and unworthy of love. The creature's longing for companionship is evident when it states, "I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me" (Shelley 147). This repeated societal alienation leads the Creature to embrace the monstrous identity imposed upon it, as evidenced by its vow to take revenge on Frankenstein and humanity: "I will revenge my injuries: if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear; and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred" (Shelley 135). By embracing its monstrous identity and vengeful course, the Creature forsakes its own freedom and responsibility, succumbing to the oppressive expectations of others and perpetuating the cycle of violence and

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Outline For Frankenstein Research Paper

516 Words | 3 Pages

Frankenstein’s Monster is not categorized as evil by his malicious behavior and is sympathized with due to his creator abandoning him and the role of nature versus nurture taken place II. Monster’s Nature and alienation A. Monster originally had an inquisitive nature yet gentle nature a. Information on the German family was “each interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as [he] was” (105) B. With the rejection and alienation from society, the only interactions the monster experiences, he becomes full of hatred a. Rejected by De Lacey family by his looks and labeled a monster b. Tries to save a child but is shot by child’s father C. Reader may feel sympathy towards the Monster’s actions because the readers know that his true nature was not evil and he was misjudged III.

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The novel Frankenstein brings to light many problems and situations that shed light on the faults of mankind. Cruelty was a huge factor in the novel; throughout Frankenstein is cruel to his body and to his creation. When he first makes the creature he runs from it, leaving the creature to fend for himself; even when reuniting with the creature he continues displays cruelty. The creature, in turn exhibits Victor cruelty right back. Within Frankenstein cruelty can be attributed, often affecting both Victor and the creature; serving as a crucial motivator and revealing their anger, pain, frustration till eventually both die.

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The creature's actions are motivated by a desire to make Victor suffer and to show him the consequences of his actions. The creature tells Victor, "I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me" (Shelley, 98). This statement reflects the creature's sense of isolation and loneliness and its belief that its actions are justified by the cruelty of its existence. William and Henry The creature's desire for revenge leads it to commit several acts of violence, including the murder of William Frankenstein and Henry Clerval.

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Mary Shelly's Motives In Frankenstein

819 Words | 4 Pages

Humans are very complex beings; their motives and reasons for being are always different and sometimes difficult to understand. In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, she depicts the monster created as a very curious and caring creature that soon discovers his inevitably lonely fate which, upon realization, turns him into a vengeful savage. Mary Shelley illuminates the idea that no one is entirely pure nor evil, but a complex mixture of both. In the beginning of the novel, Frankenstein creates his monster and abandoned it out of fear and disgust.

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Frankenstein In her fiction novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley implies that trust and friendship are a key part of a functional and sane being. The lack or loss of this can lead to the desire of vengeance and revenge for the deeds that were done to them. The creature, through the actions of Victor Frankenstein ventured towards vengeance as his trust was lost for his creator. This is done from the very beginning when Frankenstein abandons the creature after he sees what he truly created and fears it.

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1207 Words | 5 Pages

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1141 Words | 5 Pages

The monster declares that he desires “creatures…cheering my gloom”; however, no “Eve soothed my sorrows” (118, Shelley). Because of this abandonment, the monster “cursed [Frankenstein]” (118, Shelley). No mother or Eve is present to nurture the monster. Therefore, he faults his creator for his isolation and plans to seek vengeance against Frankenstein, sending a message to the reader concerning the violent repercussions from an absence of nurture. Similarly, after the De Laceys beat the monster, he feels there are “none…men that existed who would pity or assist” him, causing him to “declare everlasting war against the species” (122, Shelley).

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Frankenstein’s creature initially shows no signs of ill will or malice when first encountering human beings (Shelley 72-73). On the contrary, through careful observation he is able to learn more about human society and personal relationships. He begins to admire the close connection between the people he observes and respects their virtue. This, however, makes him realise what he is missing. Observing the love and affection between others only increases the effect his own solitude has on him.

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788 Words | 4 Pages

The dehumanisation of creations is not only influenced by their lack of names: their hideous also contributes to this. The Creature and Hyde are continuously described as deformed and hideous, which acts as a barrier between them and society, because those who are deformed cannot be seen to be accepted. “Seeing how ugly and ‘hideous’ his creation is once he has animated it, Victor abandons it in horror.” Özdemir states that Frankenstein only abandons the Creature due to the hideousness of his form, which aids his dehumanisation, further influenced by his ostracisation by the DeLaceys and the rest of society.

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536 Words | 3 Pages

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a novel that dives into the intricacies of human nature and the concept of humanity. The book explores the rejection and isolation of the monster created by Victor Frankenstein, as all the characters view the monster as an inhuman creature. Although the monster throughout the story pleads to be seen as a human being, the characters refuse to acknowledge his humanity. This rejection raises questions about what it means to be human. What does the novel say about humanity when even the most grotesque, non-human creatures crave acceptance and love?

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1921 Words | 8 Pages

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1240 Words | 5 Pages

With procreation comes with the expectation to provide, protect and to love one’s progeny. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a cautionary tale of the effects that parentages and society have on adolescents, particularly the disabled and abused, and the consequences later in life. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious man with a God complex gives life to a monster, whom he immediately hates and fears. Victor’s disdain leads to the monster’s existential crisis and psychological impairment, which results in theft and murder.

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