What Does It Mean To Be Human In Frankenstein

The Human in the Creature

Philosophers have long questioned what it means to be human. Ludwig Wittgenstein stated that the ability to think consciously is a trait needed to be human. Similarly, Immanuel Kant considered humans those who can reason their own actions. Karl Marx believed humans are social beings and can only be fully developed when interacting in society. These three traits are key aspects of what it means to be a human. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley poses the same question for readers about the Creature which Victor created. The Creature is made of human parts and has the ability to think and reason his actions, along with the desire to be part of society and to be loved. The Creature showed his ability to think consciously

When humans put reason to their actions, they understand what they did and why. The Creature was aware of how people viewed him so he avoided human interaction. “I travelled only at night, fearful of encountering the visage of a human being”(pg. 141). While watching the De Lacey's, he began helping them with work on their land because he was aware of how hard they work and how much he could help them. “When they had retired to rest… I cleared their path from the snow and performed those offices that I had seen done by Felix” (pg. 117). The Creature enjoyed watching the faces of the busy family, as they awoke to stacks of wood and a cleared path each morning. The Creature was also aware of the murders he committed. “After the murder of Clerval, I returned to Switzerland, heartbroken and overcome”(pg. 223). The Creature killed Clerval because he knew how important that friendship was for Victor. After killing Victor, the Creature reflects on his emotions of some of the murders. “I knew I was preparing for myself a deadly torture; …Yet when she died! - nay, then I was not miserable”(pg. 222). Elizabeth was murdered because Victor refused to make a girl Creature for him so he seeked revenge by not allowing Victor to be happy with a companion. Both the murder of Clerval and Elizabeth were acknowledged by the Creature; he understood the reason that drove him to these

Marx said “if a human being is a social creature, then he can develop only in the society”, referring to how humans are shaped by interactions with one another. After coming to life, the Creature immediately seeked interaction with Victor, but was left alone when Victor ran away. “He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed downstairs” (pg. 59). Victor made a prejudiced decision about the Creature and assumed that he was reaching out to kill him. The Creature left Vistor’s apartment and wondered to the De Lacey’s house in France. The Creature ended up being “raised” indirectly by watching the De Lacey family, where he hoped one day he could meet them face to face and be loved the way he loved them. “I should first win their favour, and afterwards their love” (pg. 118). As he gained knowledge of God and humanity, the Creature began to desire a partner. He went to Victor in hopes of having a girl creature made for him, so he could have a partner to go through life together. “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” (pg. 146). The Creature believed that the companion would be an Eve to his Adam. “But it was all a dream; no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone” (pg. 134). The Creature came to view