ipl-logo

The Monstrous Qualities In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

1372 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Victor frankenstein character analysis essay

Frankenstein's Monstrous Qualities Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, is well regarded as one of the first science fiction novels for the monstrous creature that young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, brings to life, and for the chilling events that follow this “abhorred” being’s creation. For many, such a brief synopsis implies that the true monster of the novel is the murderous creature, of which is composed of mix matched human body parts. However, others would agree that there are multiple characteristics displayed by Frankenstein himself that reveal a more monstrous disposition than his creation. I argue that, in this case, the difference between being a monster, and being monstrous are blurred, and that Frankenstein is quite monstrous due …show more content…

“What did he there? Could he be… the murderer of my brother? No sooner did that idea cross my imagination, than I became convinced of its truth,” (50). The truth is the creature did kill Frankenstein’s brother, but it is the speed and immediate confidence in authority of his accusation that is problematic. Victor has now revealed his inclination to imagine a crime committed by someone and quickly believe it as true; in this case, his accusations will always go towards the creature, because of his relentless hate for the being, and he will always believe the creature to be a criminal. In the same way that Victor changes his mind to suit his convenience, he can believe at once that a person has wronged him, at least when it is a person he detests, such as his creation. Such are the qualities of a man who, though monstrous, is not a monster in nature, unlike his …show more content…

“I thought of pursuing the devil; but it would have been in vain, for another flash discovered him to me hanging among the rocks of the nearby perpendicular ascent… He soon reached the summit, and disappeared,”(50). The creature is made of human parts, yet beholds a power that no human could rival. Is super strength all it takes to make him a monster? No, but a combination of not only what the creature is able to achieve physically, but also how he achieves it leads to the conclusion that he is not human, as Frankenstein is, because we do not know where the creature’s power comes from. Furthermore, Victor is not able to physically compete with the creature and he fails to act in that moment when both the violent elements of the storm and the crippling rage he feels for his brother’s murderer affect him, making him the more human of the two - the more susceptible to emotion and weakness. I would argue that the creature’s lack of weaknesses as well as his unaccountable strength leads to his inevitable condemnation as the monster of the story, because he is the least relatable, and the most

Show More
Related
911 Words | 4 Pages

When Victor creates the creature he also abandons it. Once Frankenstein’s creature begins to murder off his family thus he begins’ to realize the importance of family. Caroline’s death contributes to Victor’s isolated nature.

Read More
1845 Words | 8 Pages

Victor’s creation is described as a “monster” in the story of Frankenstein. He is immediately considered to be evil because he has committed murder, even though he meant no harm. He wrongfully forges his identity according to how others see him; as an evil monster. He forges his identity on how others view him, which is an evil monster (Lall 36). At this point, he is growing out of the mental stage of an infant and is beginning to learn how to take care of himself.

Read More
959 Words | 4 Pages

In Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, the creature 's acquisition of knowledge leads to his diversion from benevolence to pure hatred towards mankind. The works of Victor Frankenstein, the monster was created by old body parts and strange chemicals, animated by a spark making him come to life. The Creature enters life as an eight-foot giant only to have been created with the intellect of a newborn. Abandoned by his creator and confused, the Creature attempts to integrate himself into society only to be shunned away in disgust by humanity. The Creature then makes his way and lives next to a human family which is essentially the start for the creatures detestation towards humanity.

Read More
687 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
1021 Words | 5 Pages

“At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification”(Shelley 80). The Creation of Frankenstein woke up in a world of hate. Since he looked different, the Monster never fit in with normal people. He would become isolated and feared because of his looks. Because the Monster was a hideous creation from Frankenstein, he was isolated and hated by his looks and behaved in an ethical manner when he began his path of vengeance.

Read More
176 Words | 1 Pages

Consequently, Victor creates a monster that later ruins his life and the lives of those around him in the story mostly due to his poor variety of decisions. These facts proves that Victor’s downfall is most likely caused by his failure of balancing his ego by allowing his Id and superego get to him. In the novel

Read More
1049 Words | 5 Pages

In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, it scrutinizes the punishments when a man creates life, and plays the role of God. Victor Frankenstein, is at fault for the creature’s actions. Victor was looking for some honor and triumph, but when he accomplished his experiment, not only did it bring terror to Victor, but to the whole world. The monster never learned right from wrong and was never raised correctly, his first moment of life, all he experienced was the fear in Victor's emotion, and was abandoned right from the start. Victor selfishly isolated himself from society and ran away from his responsibilities which caused destruction to the people Victor cared for and loved deeply.

Read More
672 Words | 3 Pages

He uses the little that he knows to fuel his hatred towards humans and his creator. This shows the exponential growth of the problems that Victor has created as a result of his desire for knowledge. Not only did he create the destructive monster, but now the monster is using a hunger for knowledge, the very thing that created it, to do even more damage. This root cause is linked to everything that is causing Victor’s suffering. The monster also compares his relationship to Victor to that of God and Adam, wishing that he had the same supplication to his creator that Adam did, “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his creator.

Read More
596 Words | 3 Pages

When people hear the word “monster”, most people imagine a massive, horrid, and grotesque figure that haunts people. While pondering what a monster is, mankind thinks of the outward appearance. Seldom do people think of man’s internal qualities as being barbaric or gruesome. Authors allow readers to create their own images of these terrifying beings. Frankenstein is a thought-provoking novel that empowers readers to have their own opinions about who the actual monster is and what it looks like.

Read More
1019 Words | 5 Pages

He despised the monster he believed he is; he stated that “when [he] heard the details of vice and bloodshed, [his] wonder ceased, and [he] turned away with disgust and loathing” (104). Therefore, he realized his flaws, which Victor failed to

Read More
1539 Words | 7 Pages

Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein delves into the probability of reanimation as well as the consequences it produces. Throughout the two hundred years Shelley’s novel has been read, as well as discussed, a debate still lingers among modern society regarding the true monster present in Frankenstein. Many readers of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein believe that The Creature is the true monster to fear due to his disregard of human life however through a closer examination of the way in which Shelley portrays The Creature throughout the novel reveals The Creature is misguided and shown hostility only for the way in which he was created.             Natalie Lawrence’s article What Is A Monster? Defines monsters as “Things that did not fit into the accepted natural categories.”

Read More
1511 Words | 7 Pages

Victor is stirred by his work, but not in a positive manner. He goes on to explain his feelings towards the creature by saying, “… my heart sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred” (136). Victor is so bewildered and repulsed by the creature that he misses key signs of violence, from the creature, that may have saved Victor’s family had he not been so

Read More
494 Words | 2 Pages

In the novel Frankenstein, the monster created by Frankenstein shows some human qualities. Some qualities that make people human are reason, pain, anger, sadness, growth, and ultimately being made by God; the monster expresses the human qualities of pain, anger, sadness, and reason, but he does not have the quality of being made by God, and growth. One of the first qualities that the monster exhibits is reason. When the monster is sharing his story with Frankenstein, he explains how he discovered the rules of fire by saying, “ I quickly collected some branches; but they were wet, and would not burn.

Read More
1261 Words | 6 Pages

That is the turning point for the creation. Before he experienced rejection he was keen on the idea of love, similar to all humans. All he wanted was to be loved. But because all he ever knew was hate, he became a product of it. Had Victor nurtured him and taught him what love was, he wouldn’t have done the cruel things

Read More
656 Words | 3 Pages

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his obsession with creating human life. This leads him to creating a gruesome monster made of body-parts stolen from grave yards, whom upon discovering his hideousness, the monster seeks revenge against his creator, causing Victor to regret the creation of his monster for the rest of his life. Shelley uses the literary elements of personification, imagery, and similes to give a vivid sense and visualization of Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts and feelings as well as to allow us to delve deeper into the monster’s actions and emotions. Throughout the novel, Shelley uses personification of various forces and objects to reflect the effect in Victor’s actions.

Read More

More about The Monstrous Qualities In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Related Topics

Open Document