ipl-logo

Common Trope In Frankenstein

897 Words4 Pages

When one hears of atrocious deeds, there is a common gut reaction to uncover the background of the person who committed the crime. There is a psychological inclination to discover what exactly happened in a person's life to drive them to evil acts. People with more unfavorable upbringings tend to be regarded less severely for their wrongdoings. The novel, Frankenstein tackles this notion beautifully with the infamous character of Frankenstein's creature. The creature's life allows the reader to empathize with him as he suffers from the betrayal of his own creator, other human beings, lack of moral understanding, and utter hopelessness when he finally exacts his revenge. The titular character of Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's first published novel exemplifies the common trope of a mad scientist attempting to play God. In this case, Frankenstein evokes one of the original images of God; as a judge damning one of his angels to Hell, condemning his creation which he produced in order to achieve a life of glory and fame. The creature is unnamed and unacknowledged by his creator, forced into exile when he was just made due to his revolting appearance. Shelley's refusal to name the creature reinforces the morally ambiguous view of Frankenstein. Her characterization of the monster elicits pity, …show more content…

The only true kindness he experienced was in the form of De Lacey, one of the cottagers he observed for months. The creature perceives the cottagers as the epitome of human compassion and does tasks for them, unbeknownst, in order to garner affection from them when he reveals himself. However, his first and only direct meeting with the family ends with disaster. Driven from the house, the creature finally learns of the cruelty of man and realizes how grotesque he truly appears to people. Continuously denied and rejected, the creature is unable to fathom idea of generosity that he had witnessed in the

Show More
Related

  • Culpability Of Frankenstein

    1090 Words  | 5 Pages

    The issue of the moral culpability of the Creature for his actions in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is marked by a complex closure with valid arguments supporting both sides. With the ambiguous nature of the creature's action, his upbringing being created by Victor Frankenstines lust for science, and other avenues, they all serve a purpose in portraying why and how the creature may be morally responsible. Although the nature of his actions can be argued through the Creatures initial benevolence the novelty of his life being faced with hardships, it is evident to state that the Creature had a moral responsibility through his acts with revenge and hatred towards Victor Frankenstein and the diction of his words making him knowledgeable/well aware

    Read More

  • The Creature's Acquisition Of Knowledge In Frankenstein

    959 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, the creature 's acquisition of knowledge leads to his diversion from benevolence to pure hatred towards mankind. The works of Victor Frankenstein, the monster was created by old body parts and strange chemicals, animated by a spark making him come to life. The Creature enters life as an eight-foot giant only to have been created with the intellect of a newborn. Abandoned by his creator and confused, the Creature attempts to integrate himself into society only to be shunned away in disgust by humanity. The Creature then makes his way and lives next to a human family which is essentially the start for the creatures detestation towards humanity.

    Read More

  • Why Does Mary Shelley Use Of Personification In Frankenstein

    656 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his obsession with creating human life. This leads him to creating a gruesome monster made of body-parts stolen from grave yards, whom upon discovering his hideousness, the monster seeks revenge against his creator, causing Victor to regret the creation of his monster for the rest of his life. Shelley uses the literary elements of personification, imagery, and similes to give a vivid sense and visualization of Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts and feelings as well as to allow us to delve deeper into the monster’s actions and emotions. Throughout the novel, Shelley uses personification of various forces and objects to reflect the effect in Victor’s actions.

    Read More

  • Who Created The Monster In Frankenstein

    695 Words  | 3 Pages

    After being so rejected and feared by society it results in the creature having to hide out from everybody. In the mean time he experiences severe long-term isolation,which keeps the constant thought of lonliness and in the case of the creation a longing for any kind of physical interaction,lack of this can cause false reasoning when a chance to interact comes about. Those who are abandoned seek the relationship to fill the void in thier lives in attemptt to feel once again. The false reasoning ultimately makes the neighboring De Lacey family the flawed fixation of his attention. This obession created a blinding feel of hope after describing the emotions the Delaceys gave him as “A lovely sight,even to me poor wretch who had never beheld aught beautiful before’.(Shelley 52)

    Read More

  • Scrutinize The Punishment In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1049 Words  | 5 Pages

    In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, it scrutinizes the punishments when a man creates life, and plays the role of God. Victor Frankenstein, is at fault for the creature’s actions. Victor was looking for some honor and triumph, but when he accomplished his experiment, not only did it bring terror to Victor, but to the whole world. The monster never learned right from wrong and was never raised correctly, his first moment of life, all he experienced was the fear in Victor's emotion, and was abandoned right from the start. Victor selfishly isolated himself from society and ran away from his responsibilities which caused destruction to the people Victor cared for and loved deeply.

    Read More

  • Empathy In Frankenstein

    929 Words  | 4 Pages

    The gothic fiction novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley centralizes on humanity and the qualifications that make someone human. The content of the novel Frankenstein depicts a monster displaying human traits that his creator Victor does not possess: empathy, a need for companionship, and a will to learn and fit in. Throughout the novel Shelley emphasizes empathy as a critical humanistic trait. The monster displays his ability to empathize with people even though they are strangers. On the other hand Victor, fails to show empathy throughout the novel even when it relates to his own family and friends.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Nurture In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1799 Words  | 8 Pages

    In this work one can compare Victor Frankenstein’s upbringing with that of the Creature to determine which traits are most influential, and explain

    Read More

  • Prometheus And Frankenstein Comparison Essay

    743 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a great comparison is shown between Victor Frankenstein, the main character, and Prometheus, one of Greek mythology’s greatest Gods. Shelley borrows from the tale of Prometheus a consequence resulting from searching for a great source of enlightenment and power. In creating a being and giving it life, Frankenstein seems to take on the remarkable role of God which leads him to thinking that a power that is so heavenly cannot be played with by mankind. During his quest to expand his creative knowledge, abilities, drive, and ambition to know the origin of life, he puts himself in conflict. Frankenstein gambled his way into the godly realm without realizing he committed a sin by creating the monster, and

    Read More

  • Social Belonging In Frankenstein

    987 Words  | 4 Pages

    Frankenstein’s creature initially shows no signs of ill will or malice when first encountering human beings (Shelley 72-73). On the contrary, through careful observation he is able to learn more about human society and personal relationships. He begins to admire the close connection between the people he observes and respects their virtue. This, however, makes him realise what he is missing. Observing the love and affection between others only increases the effect his own solitude has on him.

    Read More

  • Duality Of Human Nature In Frankenstein

    819 Words  | 4 Pages

    Duality is shown in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, a gothic tale of a scientist whom looks to advance the life-giving qualities of mother nature. Through this novel, Shelley proves that good and evil in human nature is not always simple to define, and that everyone has both of these qualities within them. The duality of human nature is shown through the characters of Victor Frankenstein and his monster, who are both heroes in the novel while simultaneously displaying anti-hero qualities. Shelley forces the reader to sympathize with them both but also creates gruesome ideas of the two. Frankenstein’s creature places himself in a submissive position when he begs his creator to have mercy on him and asking the creator to “create a female for [him] with whom [he] can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for [his] being.”

    Read More

  • Outline For Frankenstein Research Paper

    516 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frankenstein’s Monster is not categorized as evil by his malicious behavior and is sympathized with due to his creator abandoning him and the role of nature versus nurture taken place II. Monster’s Nature and alienation A. Monster originally had an inquisitive nature yet gentle nature a. Information on the German family was “each interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as [he] was” (105) B. With the rejection and alienation from society, the only interactions the monster experiences, he becomes full of hatred a. Rejected by De Lacey family by his looks and labeled a monster b. Tries to save a child but is shot by child’s father C. Reader may feel sympathy towards the Monster’s actions because the readers know that his true nature was not evil and he was misjudged III.

    Read More

  • The Creature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    2539 Words  | 11 Pages

    The Creature in Frankenstein Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” is an inspirational work of horror and science fiction; it is the narrative of an unorthodox act of creation, of a monster which torments his miserable creator. The author puts forth ideas, and reinforces it through the development of the plot, that mankind is capable of both good and evil. Shelly demonstrates the ‘humanity’ of the creature; his actions and his inclination are like those of mankind. Indeed, even the negative aspect of his character, demonstrated through his quest for revenge, has a parallel in the actions of his human creator. In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” the creature is represented as being vicious and murderous but he is not inherently evil or malicious.

    Read More

  • Family In Frankenstein Essay

    1309 Words  | 6 Pages

    Since the monster looked up towards both Victor and the De Laceys, they can both assume a parental role. The monster describes the De Lacey family as “‘perfect forms’” and is entranced by “‘their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions!” (Shelley 121). The monster becomes more civil and empathetic by studying the De Laceys. He reflects on the kindness that the family members show to one-another and applies that to his own actions.

    Read More

  • Character Development In Frankenstein

    1921 Words  | 8 Pages

    The fictional horror novel of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is driven by the accentuation of humanity’s flaws. Even at the very mention of her work an archetypal monster fills one’s imagination, coupled with visions of a crazed scientist to boot. Opening her novel with Robert Walton, the conduit of the story, he also serves as a character to parallel the protagonist’s in many ways. As the ‘protagonist’ of the story, Victor Frankenstein, takes on the mantle of the deluded scientist, his nameless creation becomes the embodiment of a truly abandoned child – one left to fend for itself against the harsh reality posed by society. On the other hand, Walton also serves as a foil to Victor – he is not compulsive enough to risk what would be almost

    Read More

  • Literary Criticism In Frankenstein

    1245 Words  | 5 Pages

    Frankenstein Literary Criticism Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, is filled with motifs of Nature and companionship. During the Romantic period or movement, when the novel Frankenstein was written, nature was a huge part of romanticism. Nature was perceived as pure, peaceful, and almost motherly. As we read the novel through Victor Frankenstein 's perspective, we the readers can see how romanticized-nature is perceived as by those who find comfort in nature. This novel also contains, in addition to romantic elements, heavy-filled gothic scenes and descriptions.

    Read More

More about Common Trope In Frankenstein

Open Document