An Analysis Of Mary Shelley's 'Monster'

Griffin Shea

Toni J, Weeden

Honors Senior English

7 November 2017 The Monster The story of Frankenstein portrayed by Mary Shelley will always be a classic In literature. However, one of the most talked about aspects of this novel is the “Monster”. Victor was big into science and philosophy and he wanted to experiment with creating life. In doing so, he created something far beyond anything else that anybody had ever seen before. Little did Victor know that was just the beginning of something he had no control over. Immediately after the creature was brought to life, Victor runs away in fear for his life because of how ugly the creature appears to be. Victor then leaves the creature alone in his apartment just to find

Society will always depict whether you are or aren't good enough. Often times people will make the right choices but it's society that is so fast to judge and tell us what the right and wrong decisions are. A fantastic example from Frankenstein is when the ‘Monster” stumbles across the girl drowning in the river. The Monster did what any other good samaritan would do and dropped everything to try and save this little girl that so desperately needs help. After safely bringing the child ashore, The monster spots a man walking towards him. The man then swiftly grabs the child out of his arms. Taking off into the woods, the monster followed him. However, once the monster got closer, He aimed a gun and shot the proclaimed “monster”. “This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense, I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and I fainted." (Shelley, 169) He's not trying to be a “Monster”. He's trying his best to be accepted but due to his appearance, society will not allow him to be

The name “monster” was given because of his anger filled retaliation towards Victor and his family. The monster was neglected from the second he was created and nobody ever gave him a chance to learn what life was about and help guide him. Imagine all of the wrong choices you would have made with no parents telling you what was right and what was wrong? Or people not only wanting to stay as far away from you as they can but also have another group of people that want to kill you because of your physical appearance. “Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” (Shelley, 114) Not one person ever felt sympathy for the monster. Not one person even wanted to talk to him. Do I think that if given a chance that the creature would have been accepted into society? Yes, of course. Everybody likes to think positive and find good in every story. But unfortunately, there are no silver linings in Mary Shelley's “Frankenstein”. Sources

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus : the 1818 Text. Oxford ; New York :Oxford University Press, 1998. Print.

“Frankenstein Quotes by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.” By Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, www goodreads.com/work/quotes/4836639-frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus

“Why Frankenstein Is Still Relevant, Almost 200 Years After It Was Published.” Slate Magazine, SLATE, NEW AMERICA, AND ASU, 3 Jan.