ipl-logo

Psychological Motivations Of The Monster In Frankenstein

2195 Words9 Pages

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

Show More
Related
1483 Words | 6 Pages

Society Made Monsters Societal isolation is not talked about as much as it should, it creeps into a person’s mind and fills them with apathy towards their fellow man. No quote better emulates this than in Chapter Seventeen of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, “I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all of mankind?” The Creature is beseeching Victor Frankenstein to end his loneliness by providing him with a woman like him.

Read More
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.

Read More
3053 Words | 13 Pages

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

Read More
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.

Read More
645 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
1207 Words | 5 Pages

He’s an apotheosis of strife, misery, and misplaced hatred. He condemns before guilt and morality can superimpose themselves into his better conscience, he mulls over his figurative wounds until they fester, and he derives pleasure from it all. During the course of his life, he nurtures a detestation he gained from mankind’s repugnance of his appearance and it becomes the driving force behind his purpose of life. His first months were rooted in hopes of companionship and love, but his development spurs more complex feelings resulting from rejection and torment. In a momentous decision, the creature declares “everlasting war against the species (man), and, more than all, against him who had formed me…” (Shelley, 135).

Read More
1141 Words | 5 Pages

Because the monster experiences violence rather than nurture, he turns violent against mankind. The violence from the De Lacy family causes the creature to “feel anger, then a desire for revenge, and finally a violent severing from all that is human” (Mellor). This exhibits violent recurrence that arises as nurture is replaced by violence. This violence leads to murderous actions. When the monster first encounters William, he hopes to “educate him as [his] companion” (126, Shelley).

Read More
2539 Words | 11 Pages

The Creature in Frankenstein Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” is an inspirational work of horror and science fiction; it is the narrative of an unorthodox act of creation, of a monster which torments his miserable creator. The author puts forth ideas, and reinforces it through the development of the plot, that mankind is capable of both good and evil. Shelly demonstrates the ‘humanity’ of the creature; his actions and his inclination are like those of mankind. Indeed, even the negative aspect of his character, demonstrated through his quest for revenge, has a parallel in the actions of his human creator. In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” the creature is represented as being vicious and murderous but he is not inherently evil or malicious.

Read More
987 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More
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.

Read More
824 Words | 4 Pages

As Lawrence Lipking rightfully assessed the creature at first is “too good” (Lipking 428) and “innocent” (Lipking 428) but sooner rather than later “hostility and prejudice of men” (Lipking 428) awake desires of violence and revenge in it which lead to its awful plot against its creator. There is a huge shift in the emotions of Victor Frankenstein once his work is done and the creature finally opens its eyes. While

Read More
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?

Read More
929 Words | 4 Pages

INTRODUCTION In Literature, the product of an author’s mind, when it is related to fiction, often represents an alternative reality created by that person. It can be understood as a dream originated by the author’s wills of a different life, perhaps that makes the reader travel because of the story, going to places or seeing things or even be a different creature that they wouldn’t be able to in real life. In regard of that, some theories expose that fiction can also be understood as an author’s inferiority complex, expressing something that they wished to be in real life, and writing it in order to feel superior.

Read More
1921 Words | 8 Pages

The fictional horror novel of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is driven by the accentuation of humanity’s flaws. Even at the very mention of her work an archetypal monster fills one’s imagination, coupled with visions of a crazed scientist to boot. Opening her novel with Robert Walton, the conduit of the story, he also serves as a character to parallel the protagonist’s in many ways. As the ‘protagonist’ of the story, Victor Frankenstein, takes on the mantle of the deluded scientist, his nameless creation becomes the embodiment of a truly abandoned child – one left to fend for itself against the harsh reality posed by society. On the other hand, Walton also serves as a foil to Victor – he is not compulsive enough to risk what would be almost

Read More
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.

Read More

More about Psychological Motivations Of The Monster In Frankenstein

Open Document