The Monster In Frankenstein

Appearing in the English language between the 12th and 14th centuries, the word “monster” derives from monstrum, a Latin word for an aberration that denotes something wrong with the natural order. Although mentioning the word “monster” usually evokes gruesome images of unhuman creatures that behave both primitively and aggressively, in reality, the word incorporates so much more, revealing deep truths about the way humans see themselves and others. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this contrast between two perceptions of monsters is evident – on the surface, while the story appears to be simply a conflict between Victor Frankenstein, a man, and his monster, when analyzed closely, there are striking parallels between the two characters. Although
Matching the Gothic theme of the novel, Frankenstein from an early age exhibits different characteristics from his peers. Despite being raised in an almost idyllic manner, Frankenstein finds himself engrossed by alchemy via Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus. In context, since the letters of Robert Walton occur sometime in the 1700s, one can confidently conclude that the story takes place after the scientific revolution, where alchemy has already been long thrown out in favor of empirical thinking and logical reasoning. Therefore, it can be deduced that Frankenstein is an abnormality – and this fact becomes more established since Frankenstein was written in 1818, where chemistry had already for the large part replaced the dwindling theories of alchemy. Furthermore, Frankenstein’s tenacious approach to studying bears a sharp contrast in comparison to those around him. While Frankenstein’s family is peaceful and happy and his friend, Henry Clerval, is a textbook romantic, Frankenstein himself remarks that, “My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement” (23). He desires to learn “the secrets of heaven and earth…the physical secrets of the world” (23). Frankenstein’s desire to explore the unknown is unnatural, prompting the reader to develop a glimpse into how Frankenstein becomes a monster. Perhaps the greatest inspiration to creating the
It is only reasonable that the monster, having been abandoned by its creator and forced to live a difficult and abject life, develops hatred and a thirst for revenge. He is shocked at how he was created, and the fact that Frankenstein would rather destroy than develop the monster angers him. Here, Shelley offers a powerful argument in favor of nurture in the debate between nature and nurture – Frankenstein’s monster was never inherently evil, but instead accuses Frankenstein of making him this way. Even Frankenstein himself views the monster as somewhat of an extension of