Anastaisha Rogovskaya

ENG3U1-14
Ms. Mondrow
04-04-13
Exploring the Idea of a "True" Monster
For as long as people have existed in this universe, judgement has always been
present. The criteria of beauty existed in every era and century, which kept changing as
new ideas and innovations came into this world. First impressions have always been
based on looks, rather than the personality analyses and judgement of the action of the
person. However, by just taking a look at a person, it may not necessarily help to find
out what this person makes of him or herself. No matter how hard people try to hide
their physical imperfections, the true monster and his actions can never be hidden.
Looks are deceiving and so are the words. Therefore, analyzing parental skills,
knowledge, as well as the ability to apply it the right way, and expression of love may
help to recognize and unfold the real nature that is hidden deep inside, underneath.
Mary Shelley in her novel, Frankenstein, explores the idea of what makes person a
monster.
While some children have a happy childhood and caring parents, others may have to
suffer from loneliness and sadness that overtakes them and their thoughts, allowing to
make reckless and foolish decisions, all due to parental absence. Mary Shelley reveals
the importance of having a full and happy family through her main character in the story,
Victor Frankenstein, who talks about his happy and joyful childhood and how thankful
he is to his parents:
No human being could have passed a
happier childhood than myself. My parents
were possessed by the very spirit of kindness
and indulgence. We felt that they were not the
tyrants to rule our lot according to their
caprice, but the agents and creators of all the
many delights which we enjoyed. When I
mingled with other families, I distinctly
discerned how peculiarly fortunate my lot was,
and gratitude assisted the development of filial
love. (Shelley 37)
Mary Shelley uses personification when Frankenstein is talking about his childhood,
how great it was, and how "gratitude assisted the development of filial love".
Personification intensifies the feeling he expresses towards his parents - the feeling that
he holds throughout his life. At this point in the story, the reader shares Frankenstein's
warm memories with his or her own, believing that a happy childhood Frankenstein had
will make him a good parent in the future. However, a joyful childhood with caring
parents does not seem to be enough for Frankenstein to become an acceptable parent.
Mary Shelley shows us Frankenstein's behaviour after he had created his creature - his
"son". Frankenstein explains, "When I thought of him, I gnashed my teeth, my eyes
became inflamed, and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so
thoughtlessly bestowed." (92) Mary Shelley uses imagery, which creates a very vivid
picture. Imagery helps to understand how angry Victor feels towards his "son",
"gnashedteeth"; how this anger grows stronger, "eyes became enflamed"; how close
he is to committing another sin, "extinguish that life". Frankenstein is just so angry and
is focused on his creature's looks, that he forgets to think about what the creature feels
and what it thinks about its creator:
'I expected this reception' said the daemon.
'All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I
be hated, who am miserable beyond all living
things! Yet you, my creator, detest, and spurn
me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by
ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of
us. You purpose to kill me. How dare you sport
thus with life?'(99)
Mary Shelley uses the allusion of a "daemon" to show how Victor Frankenstein thinks of
his "son" as if he is a dark and evil creature, that can only destroy and harm. The
reader understands that a good and caring parent will not say such words to his or her
child. The whole scene changes the perception of Frankenstein as a responsible parent.
Although, Frankenstein has seen and experienced a perfect example of parenting skills,
he does not take it into consideration, as he is too busy studying science, and
knowledge takes over his conscious.
Knowledge plays a significant role in the lives of human beings. It allows to grow and
evolve as a person and as a human being. However, it is important to know how to use
the knowledge obtained, because getting knowledge without responsibility may result in
devastating consequences. Mary Shelley introduces the idea of irresponsible use of
knowledge. At the beginning of the novel, Victor Frankenstein admits that he always
wanted to study, however, he blames his father for the knowledge he gained:
It is even possible, that the train of my
ideas would never have received the fatal
impulse that led to my ruin. But the cursory
glance my father had taken of my volume by
no means assured me that he was acquainted
with its contents; and I continued to read with
the greatest avidity. (39)
Mary Shelley uses an idiom of "the train" of "ideas". The quotation implies that
Frankenstein denies responsibility as he blames his father for not interfering with his
son's passion of knowledge and stopping him from "fatal impulse" that leads to
Frankenstein's distraction. At this point in the story, the reader shares Frankenstein's
irritability and displeasure, believing that "the train" of "ideas" Frankenstein has been
"suffering" from is all his father's fault. However, Mary Shelley shows later in the story,
Frankenstein blames his professor, M. Krempe, for not stopping him from a dangerous
obsession:
I replied in the affirmative. 'Every minute,'
continued M. Krempe with warmth, 'every
instant that you have wasted on those books
is utterly and entirely lost. You have
burdened your memory with exploded
systems and useless names. Good God!'
(45-46)
Mary Shelley, by using situational irony, intensifies the message of Victor Frankenstein
being obsessed with dangerous ideas. It is unusual to hear from a professor that books
can be a waste. However, there is a reason for M. Krempe to say such things. Perhaps
it is because he sees Frankenstein as an irresponsible scientist; Frankenstein's book
choice proves it to M. Krempe. Later in the novel Mary Shelley keeps portraying Victor
Frankenstein as an irresponsible scientist who chooses to play God and cannot stop
applying his knowledge for his personal satisfaction. The creature, on the other hand,
takes learning much more seriously and handles it responsibly. Mary Shelley shows that
the monster is very thankful for getting an opportunity to gain knowledge:
My days were spent in close attention, that
I might more speedily master the language;
and I may boast that I improved more rapidly
than the Arabian, who understood very little,
and conversed in broken accents, whilst I
comprehended and could imitate almost
every word that was spoken. While I
improved in speech, I also learned the
science of letters, as it was taught to the
stranger; and this opened before me a wide
field for wonder and delight. (118-119)
The author uses analogy to describe how the monster learns and what he feels. He
speaks about the "science of letters" which represents knowledge to the creature. He
later says, that this knowledge opens a "field for wonder and delight."(119) Mary
Shelley implies that the creature is much more responsible for what he learns. Even
though the creature is boasting, his knowledge imposers him without harming others,
unlike Victor Frankenstein's knowledge that does not bring much happiness to himself
and others. Frankenstein's obsession with science leads to the loss of his family and his
love towards them.
When love is mentioned in our society, it is most often referred to physical attraction,
which indeed is not true. Love has not always been just physical, but emotional as
well. Care, support, and kindness are the main traits of love. When a person loves,
many more feelings come sand allow to feel joyful and satisfied. Mary Shelley
introduces love and its affect on human beings. At the beginning of the novel, she
allows us to see Victor Frankenstein's soft and emotional side, where he loves.
Frankenstein explained, "I was new to sorrow, but it did not the less alarm me. I was
unwilling to quit the sight of those that remained to me; and, above all, I desired to see
my sweet Elizabeth in some degree consoled." (44) The author shows us that at this
point in the story Frankenstein did have feelings, and was not yet out of love. However,
some develop a trait and emotion such as obsession which overpowers love, which may
shut off all the incredible emotions of the real feeling of love. Mary Shelley introduces
the idea of obsession and how it suppresses the feeling of love. It is seen at the
beginning of the novel when Frankenstein shares his feelings about his talk with
professor M. Waldman:
Such were professor's words-rather let me
say such the words of fate, announced to
destroy me. As he went on, I felt as if my soul
were grappling with a palpable enemy; one by
one the various keys were touched which
formed the mechanism of my being: chord
after chord was sounded, and soon my mind
was filled with one thought, once conception,
one purpose. So much has been done,
exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein, - more,
far more, will I achieve: treading in steps
already marked, I will pioneer a new way,
explore unknown powers, and unfold to the
world the deepest mysterious of creation. (48)
The author uses metaphor
'I discovered also another means through
which I was enabled to assist their labours. I
found that the youth spent a great part of
each day in collecting wood for the family
fire; and, during the night, I often took his
tools, the use of which i quickly discovered,
and brought home firing sufficient for the
consumption of several daysI observed
with, with pleasure, that he did not go to the
forest that day, but spent it in repairing the
cottage, and cultivating the garden.' (111)
Mary Shelley uses opposition as she deliberately separates "with pleasure" with commas, stressing out that the creature is happy by giving.
This scene allows the reader to understand that love is not only about receiving. The author shows that the creature is capable of giving and
not only receiving. At this point in the story, it is clear that the creature, unlike Frankenstein, cherishes love and has a better understanding of
it. Victor Frankenstein, on the other hand, takes for granted the love he received from his close friends and family, and did not give any love
back for them to know he cares. This behaviour results with him ending up with no love at all. Ironically, when Frankenstein looses all the
close ones, he starts hating his love and obsession for science, even though he is afraid to admit it.
Throughout the novel, Mary Shelley, explores the hidden traits and hidden
uncontrollable powers that can lead to a complete devastation of a person as they turn
him into a monster. Being a good parent is one of the most important traits a person
should have. An acceptable parent protects the child, cares for him or her, and explains
what is good and what is bad. It is what is considered being human. Correct use of
knowledge is a vital characteristic to one. It allows to make thoughtful decisions and the
right choices; choices that will not harm anyone or anything. Also, love is another
characteristic of a human being that differs him or her from a monster. Love makes a
person think about others and the world around him or her. Love, is what keeps us
balanced.
Knowledge is power, but as any power, it should be under control. If a person is not
strong enough to control it(obsession/responsibility) by him or herself, then blaming
others does not add to the perfect picture. Love is also a power. Love can create and
love can destroy. (significant statement)