Frankenstein-Ostracizing a Monster
Victoria Allred
Prof. Olson
ENG. 2309.007
October 30, 2013
Ostracizing A Monster In the world of Frankenstein if you aren’t normal then you are automatically ostracized by the world. But it seems like it has been that way since the beginning of time. In the book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a man named Victor Frankenstein created a monster. This monster came to be known as Frankenstein but was never actually named. When introduced into the world, Frankenstein is automatically shunned by the people. Nobody ever starts out evil, they become evil by the way that world treats them and looks down on them. Frankenstein is not really evil, he just wants to be loved but nobody will give him a chance because of the way he looks and that is what drives the monster out of him. In Frankenstein the conflict is perfectly encapsulated in the character of the monster; is he inherently evil and bloodthirsty, or did harsh societal treatment force him to be that way? It is an age-old question, still yet to be solved. However, through her writing and characterization it becomes clear that the monster began life as fresh and innocent as a regular newborn baby. He only became a true "monster" in the archetypal sense after enduring hatred and isolation at the hands of the humans he so longed to be. He is, in effect, nurtured into being the murderer that he becomes.
Despite his unnatural birth, Frankenstein's creation still exudes the freshness and naivety of a young child discovering things for the first time. The prime example of this is his discovery of fire: "I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars...in my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain" (Shelley 89). He obviously has no life experiences to guide his actions and spends his first few weeks investigating and trying to understand the world around him, much like a newborn would. He even says that "no distinct ideas occupied my mind" (Shelley 88).
Prof. Olson
ENG. 2309.007
October 30, 2013
Ostracizing A Monster In the world of Frankenstein if you aren’t normal then you are automatically ostracized by the world. But it seems like it has been that way since the beginning of time. In the book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a man named Victor Frankenstein created a monster. This monster came to be known as Frankenstein but was never actually named. When introduced into the world, Frankenstein is automatically shunned by the people. Nobody ever starts out evil, they become evil by the way that world treats them and looks down on them. Frankenstein is not really evil, he just wants to be loved but nobody will give him a chance because of the way he looks and that is what drives the monster out of him. In Frankenstein the conflict is perfectly encapsulated in the character of the monster; is he inherently evil and bloodthirsty, or did harsh societal treatment force him to be that way? It is an age-old question, still yet to be solved. However, through her writing and characterization it becomes clear that the monster began life as fresh and innocent as a regular newborn baby. He only became a true "monster" in the archetypal sense after enduring hatred and isolation at the hands of the humans he so longed to be. He is, in effect, nurtured into being the murderer that he becomes.
Despite his unnatural birth, Frankenstein's creation still exudes the freshness and naivety of a young child discovering things for the first time. The prime example of this is his discovery of fire: "I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars...in my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain" (Shelley 89). He obviously has no life experiences to guide his actions and spends his first few weeks investigating and trying to understand the world around him, much like a newborn would. He even says that "no distinct ideas occupied my mind" (Shelley 88).