Rejection In Frankenstein

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?
The blatant rejection of the monster in Frankenstein highlights the characters flawed understanding of humanity. The novel suggests that humanity is not just about physical appearance, but also about one's actions, emotions, and intentions. The monster, despite his looks, possesses human-like qualities such as the ability to feel emotions like love and anger. When the monster first confronts Frankenstein, he says, "I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me" (Shelley 90). This statement demonstrates the monster's ability to reason and to understand his place in society. However, the characters in the novel do not recognize these qualities and instead see him as a monster.

Society has a tendency to fear the unknown, and the monster's grotesque appearance and actions only heighten that fear. This fear causes the characters to reject the monster, which ultimately leads to his feelings of isolation and loneliness. When the monster first encounters a family, he conveys, "I longed to join them, but dared not" (Shelley 101). This quote demonstrates the monster's desire for human connection and acceptance. However, the prejudice and fear of society prevent the monster from achieving this