According to the online Merriam Webster dictionary a monster had three meanings, the first is a strange or horrible imaginary creature, the second is something that is extremely or unusually large, and the last is a powerful person or thing that cannot be controlled and that causes many problems. Before even beginning I was curious to ask a peer their thoughts on which monsters in literature they thought to be the scariest? She came up with some interesting answers; the first one she said was IT from Stephen King’s novel, the next was Frankenstein. Now I calmly explained how the monster is not named Frankenstein, and that their choices were a little uninformed. This got me thinking about what it actually means to be a monster? Is it ones appearance? …show more content…
Both of their stories come from some evil they have seen in humanity, weather it be the scary possibilities of science or the simple truth of an unaccepting society. Both stories are not told in a fantasy world but in the world we see around us. Humans in both stories are the creators of the monsters and in the case of Dorian, the monster himself. This idea that the world we live in can create such disfigured beings either inside or out is truly the most worrying fact that these two novels have in common. What is it about our world that allows these monsters to be created? Somewhat regular people create both monsters; a young driven scientist creates the creature, while two very different individuals create Dorian. One could argue that Basil is the true creator of Dorian, but I find that while Basil created the picture of Dorian Grey, we have another to blame for the creation of Dorian the monster. Henry is the true evil mastermind behind Dorian Grey; he leads him down a path that is not paved with good intentions, only material pleasures. Basil recognizes the change in Dorian and …show more content…
When the monster is faced with a choice to do good, or do nothing, he choses to help. The monster comes across a girl in the woods who falls into the river, without hesitation the monster acts to save her. This act of kindness from one who is perceived as a monster is just another instance that shows how benevolent he is. His appearance however proves to be his downfall as this act is met with violence. The creature says, “This was the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as recompense I now writhe under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone.” (Shelly,