- Published: November 17, 2021
- Updated: November 17, 2021
- University / College: University of California, Davis
- Language: English
- Downloads: 22
Shelley’s Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is one of the most outstanding books in world literature. When a young scientist Victor Frankenstein decided to make the man, he did not expect to suffer from his work but was seized with the thoughts that man can become something like God, creating such a masterpieces. The creature was not perfect, and the scientist preferred to reject it, calling it a Monster, but who can be called Monster with unwavering confidence?
Many readers refer the name Frankenstein to the monster instead of the scientist. How justly is it? Can the innocent ugly creature be called a monster or it must be a man who has decided to pretend to be God and created the miserable being that was left by him because of unsightly appearance? The readers began to sympathize with the monster, as well as hate Victor Frankenstein. After his birth, the Monster loves people and craves the same attitude towards him. Obviously, the creation expresses many signs of monstrosity at different situations throughout the story. Tired of being castaway the miserable creation decides to make his master feel loneliness and helplessness. Victor Frankenstein should see the death of beloved people, without any chances to change the state of affairs. He realizes that he must blame himself in all of thes accidents and can not do anything to end it. Victor Frankenstein was born into a caring family; he was loved by his mother, father and a sister, Elizabeth. It is unfair that the creation was not destined to experience all the good that his creator. The monster’s life differed from Victor’s. There was not any human being who sympathized with the monster. There was not anyone who could guess that there was a soft interior underneath the hard and ugly shell. At first glance, there should be an instant hatred for the monster, but there is not. Victor Frankenstein is totally guilty of all the murders. He loves every person in his life, but his cowardice overrides all these pure feelings.
The monster confesses during their conversation “ Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me? You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-rifts and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands. Shall I respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance. I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards yoou my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred.” (Shelley, 1992. p. 75-76)
Victor dies exhausted, lonely and miserable. Till the end of his life, he is driven by only one thing-to kill the monster, thus save the world from evil. His pain increases with the knowledge how much he had lost. The miserable creation dies after him: there is no need to revenge anymore. His heart still wants love, but there is not any person who can share this feeling with him. Both of them have been abandoned, isolated, and become outcasts of the society. The society makes people successful as well as outcasts. The worst torture for both Frankenstein and his creation is loneliness.
Undoubtedly, monster cannot be recognized and defined only by its physical appearance. How cruel it is to tame a man and then turn away from it. Victor Frankenstein’s creation should not be considered as a monster, despite it had many monstrous characteristics. His appearance was repulsive for people, but initially he had a kind heart and magnanimous thoughts. He behaves like a little sincere child who needs care and love. It is truly remarkable, that the scientist is a real monster. Guided by his own vanity, he created a person who was not adapted to life. Scientists should be responsible for their creations.