Sympathy In Frankenstein
Morality and Judgements: the portrayal of Sympathy in Frankenstein.
Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and first published in 1818, follows the set of extraordinary events encompassing the life of Victor Frankenstein; natural philosophy devotee and reanimation pioneer. Characterization plays a major role in encouraging different attitudes in Frankenstein, an example being how the reader is encouraged to feel sympathy for Frankenstein and his creation throughout the novel. Aided by the differing narrative perspective, these sympathies are continually evolving, changing as the reader’s perception of the two is altered, and at the end of the novel, the reader is left questioning who the real monster is: Frankenstein, or his creation? The …show more content…
The anger of Frankenstein in this passage is reflected onto the reader, with phrases such as “fiendish finger” sticker in the reader’s mind. This alliteration accentuates the badness of the deed which the creation has just committed, and this is heavily contrasted with the nonchalant reaction of the creation to what he has done. This contrast further angers the reader and causes them to lose sympathy for the creation.
The speech, effect on others, and thoughts of Frankenstein and his creation are powerful tools in their characterisations, and allow the reader to sustain their sympathies for the two. Throughout the novel, we are introduced to the idea that there is a distinction between “Victor” and “Frankenstein,” Victor being the ‘good’ side of him. This is done through the contrast in Frankenstein at the beginning of the novel and after he has reanimated his creation. An example of this is when Victor leaves for university and Frankenstein returns home.
Victor leaves Geneva, saying
“I loved my brothers, Elizabeth and Clerval; these were ‘old familiar faces,’ but I believed myself totally unfitted for the company of …show more content…
This is seen as strange, because despite Frankenstein being away for several years, this is his hometown. It is also interesting to note Frankenstein’s use of “Native town,” which suggests dissociation from his own life. This marks how truly changed Frankenstein is, and makes the reader continue to sustain their sympathy for Frankenstein, as they question how accountable Frankenstein is for his actions. The reader is compelled to sustain their sympathy for the creation because of his loneliness, and the idea that he is still just a child, not fully fathoming what he has done. A good indication of the creations loneliness is in the
Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and first published in 1818, follows the set of extraordinary events encompassing the life of Victor Frankenstein; natural philosophy devotee and reanimation pioneer. Characterization plays a major role in encouraging different attitudes in Frankenstein, an example being how the reader is encouraged to feel sympathy for Frankenstein and his creation throughout the novel. Aided by the differing narrative perspective, these sympathies are continually evolving, changing as the reader’s perception of the two is altered, and at the end of the novel, the reader is left questioning who the real monster is: Frankenstein, or his creation? The …show more content…
The anger of Frankenstein in this passage is reflected onto the reader, with phrases such as “fiendish finger” sticker in the reader’s mind. This alliteration accentuates the badness of the deed which the creation has just committed, and this is heavily contrasted with the nonchalant reaction of the creation to what he has done. This contrast further angers the reader and causes them to lose sympathy for the creation.
The speech, effect on others, and thoughts of Frankenstein and his creation are powerful tools in their characterisations, and allow the reader to sustain their sympathies for the two. Throughout the novel, we are introduced to the idea that there is a distinction between “Victor” and “Frankenstein,” Victor being the ‘good’ side of him. This is done through the contrast in Frankenstein at the beginning of the novel and after he has reanimated his creation. An example of this is when Victor leaves for university and Frankenstein returns home.
Victor leaves Geneva, saying
“I loved my brothers, Elizabeth and Clerval; these were ‘old familiar faces,’ but I believed myself totally unfitted for the company of …show more content…
This is seen as strange, because despite Frankenstein being away for several years, this is his hometown. It is also interesting to note Frankenstein’s use of “Native town,” which suggests dissociation from his own life. This marks how truly changed Frankenstein is, and makes the reader continue to sustain their sympathy for Frankenstein, as they question how accountable Frankenstein is for his actions. The reader is compelled to sustain their sympathy for the creation because of his loneliness, and the idea that he is still just a child, not fully fathoming what he has done. A good indication of the creations loneliness is in the