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Family In Frankenstein Essay

1309 Words6 Pages

What’s a man without his family? The most influential factor in anyone’s young life is their family, but all families are not created equal. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley provides an interesting commentary on how families should raise their children. This text compares two families with drastically different parenting styles. Throughout the text Mary Shelly suggests that a structured “formal” education is corruptive, while a more natural education is favorable. Victor’s parental figures in Frankenstein poison him by surrounding him with countless indulgences. From childhood, Victor was given all of his desires without question and this led to him becoming self-centered and dependent on the service of others. Victor describes his childhood with …show more content…

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. During his time studying the family, the monster becomes more “open to love and compassion, valuing education, language, and communication as he develops the ability to comprehend and share with others,” (Brackett). At first, the monster routinely stole food from the cottagers, however, when he discovered that this action brought hardship upon them he satisfied himself “‘with berries, nuts, and roots...gathered from a neighboring wood,” (Shelley 118). This improvement in character strengthens the idea that a natural education is superior. Conversely, when the monster imagines his creator, Victor, he curses “‘his crimes & malice”’ thoughts of hatred and revenge consume him (Shelley 96). This dichotomy highlights the incompetence of Victor as a parent. This helps to reassert that the monster’s “wickedness originates not with his soul but his treatment,” (Ferguson). Victor’s negligence as a parent, a trait caused by his poor upbringing, caused the corruption of his

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