ipl-logo

Frankenstein By Mary Shelley: What Makes Us Human

1408 Words6 Pages

Monte Aladadi Professor Jennifer Rodrick English 114A October 20 2015 What Makes us Human? Humans are very complex beings. Philosophers, social scientists, and natural scientists have been searching to find the answer to this question for centuries. One thing we know for certainty is that humans are fallible, meaning imperct. But, if it were a matter of comparison, there’s surely something significant that distinguishes human beings from animals. Many of the habitual mannerisms human’s posses are instinctual and have developed over time as mechanisms for survival. When humans are faced with obstacles, they display emotions and think accordingly to our surroundings. However, humans have an even more distinctive attribute; their ability …show more content…

Human beings are social beings, their social pathways are important to their survival. Humans are composed of abilities that enable them to think, create and use morals. Humans by nature are social. They yearn for human connection. As much as American culture might perpetuate individualism, humans cannot cognitively and healthily survive by themselves. In Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, Frankenstein after being isolated from the world states, “There is love in me the likes of which you've never seen. There is rage in me the likes of which should never escape. If I am not satisfied in the one, I will indulge the other.” Frankenstein realizes the need for human companionship and the reciprocity of love. Love unlike rage, is contingent on the interaction between two human beings. Conversely, rage is solely out of self-interest and a byproduct of not being loved. …show more content…

When placed in certain situations, the human body instinctual adapts and copes in order to survive. The ways it does this are through structure in life and level of nurture you were given as a child. The lifestyle you may live everyday can be considered a taboo in a completely different society. So who is to decide what is considered normal? I believe that the role of society and the genetic layout that is given to you from your birth parents are deciding factors as to what makes you human. We are tailored to societies to do what is seen to be right and considered normal. Which can relate us to acting like zombies. Day in and day out we follow a methodical and repetitive lifestyle. Are they too to be considered humans? When the organization of cultural means and society are absent in development of the human mind. The outcome of their lives will be different. The morality of humans is determined by what standards are considered customary. The laws keep us in order and our instincts keep us

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of What You Ll Do Next By David Brooks

    1038 Words  | 5 Pages

    You need more of a personal understanding to figure out human

    Read More

  • Elizabeth And Frankenstein Comparison

    1292 Words  | 6 Pages

    On the other hand, Frankenstein was able to obtain love much easier than the creature. Although it was easier for Victor, he shows his desire for love in a letter he wrote to his father; “My dear father, re-assure yourself. I love my cousin tenderly and sincerely. I never saw any woman who excited; as Elizabeth does, my warmest admiration and affection my future hopes and prospects are entirely bound up in the expectation of our union” (Shelley 108). Here Frankenstein’s love for his Elizabeth is displayed and characterizes his desire for love.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein In The Monster's Human Nature

    217 Words  | 1 Pages

    The greater part of the creature’s anger generate from the revulsion he obtain from everybody that stagger upon his vision. The book makes it apparent that the world isolated the creature, changing him into the malevolent monster that quite a lot of recognize so well. In his piece of writing, The Monster’s Human Nature, Gould squabble that Victor botched because he chased a temperament of human nature- intuitive disgust at the creature’s appearance- and did not take on the responsibility of any maker or parent that educate others in suitability (Gould 61).” Victor’s mistake was not interfering with technology and efforting to follow God, he discarded his creation and denied to take blame for his actions.

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    606 Words  | 3 Pages

    I was born in 1998. In 2001 Isabella was born, then in 2004 Joshua came along. Both of them changed me in small ways, but they paled in comparison to how the brother I got in 2008 changed me. His name was Zachary. I was only nine when I first met him and he already had me wrapped around his little finger.

    Read More

  • A Sound Of Thunder Human Behavior Analysis

    389 Words  | 2 Pages

    Human behavior is the term used to describe a person’s action and conduct. The main characters in the short story, “A Sound of Thunder”, by Ray Bradbury show very different human behaviors. Travis is a confident leader while Eckels is anxious and fretful. The types of human behavior are clear by their actions, by what they say and how they say it.

    Read More

  • GEH 1010 Group Presentation Analysis

    691 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nonhumans’ needs are limited to basic needs such as safety and physiological needs. However, humans have the capacity to transcend this basic need barrier to fulfill psychological and self-fulfillment needs. This distinguish the higher level of emotional ability which humans have over nonhumans. During lecture, a video of a chimpanzee experiment where the animal had to

    Read More

  • Humanization And Acceptance In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1565 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, there are many different themes that one may find. I believe that one of the most important themes in this book is humanization and acceptance.  One of the main qualities that us humans have and what separates us from many other species is what connects us to one another our feelings. Most species are fighting everyday just to live, but we live our life through our emotions. We want to be wanted and accepted, have companionship, friendships, and a partner to spend our life with.

    Read More

  • Shelley's Frankenstein: The Biography Of Mary Shelley

    809 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mary Shelley was a born in London, England on August 30, 1797. Following in her parent’s footsteps, she became one of the most famous authors of her time (Means). Her most popular work is Frankenstein or, the Modern Prometheus (Leighton 69). Since Mary Shelley was homeschooled, she was more intelligent than most girls her age. Her father, being a famous writer, caused Mary Shelley to be exposed to many different writers.

    Read More

  • Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: The Pursuit Of Knowledge

    1420 Words  | 6 Pages

    ENG-3U0 November 20 2015 Frankenstein: The Pursuit of Knowledge Throughout the course of their individual journeys, Victor Frankenstein’s extreme passion for gaining knowledge about creating life, Robert Walton’s curiosity to discover land beyond the North Pole and the monster’s eagerness to obtain knowledge about humans was the principal cause of each of their suffering. As such, In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the pursuit of knowledge is a dangerous path which leads to suffering. Victor Frankenstein develops a keen interest in discovering knowledge about living beings which ultimately results in his personal suffering as well as others suffering. To begin with, Victor embarks on an assignment through combining body parts and following various

    Read More

  • Theme Of Love In Frankenstein

    1159 Words  | 5 Pages

    The need and mutual respect for love and companionship is what truly makes one human. In the book Frankenstein it is seen from the first time Victor brings his monster to life that he has no compassion or attachment towards him. In fact, he abandons him out of fear. Throughout the story the monster feels a lack of affection, not only from Victor but from the other people he meets and wants to make friends with, leaving him in misery. Due to persistent abandonment and apathy, the monster sought out revenge and committed treacherous acts of violence.

    Read More

  • Humanity In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    908 Words  | 4 Pages

    We would essentially think humanity only consists humans in this story but ironically Frankenstein makes an effort to create life considering that it will experience responsibility and consequences of his actions. A key question in the story Frankenstein is whether Victor Frankenstein or the creation is more human ? The creation is human because he shows responsibility and compassion considering that he was pretty much raised up on his own. “ So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein-more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world deepest mysteries of creation”(Shelley).

    Read More

  • The Destruction Of Humanity In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    673 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley portrays a negative light on humanity from the characters’ insults and malice towards one another. Shelley’s characters lack redeeming qualities shown through society’s abuse of Justine, humanity’s disgust and neglect of the Creature, and Victor’s determination to kill the Creature. Overall, Shelley’s characters display qualities of cruelty, vengeance, and betrayal causing them to deserve none of the reader’s sympathy. Society’s abuse of Justine Mortiz shows an evil aspect of humanity.

    Read More

  • The Destruction Of Humanity In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1189 Words  | 5 Pages

    While science is typically associated with rationality, objective thought, and maturity, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein follows the story of a scientist who, while intellectually developed, possesses in many senses a childlike personality and worldview. One common trait among children is that they tend to focus mostly on their individual desires and interests, essentially absorbed in their own worlds, yet lack the maturity to hold themselves accountable when their pursuits lead to negative outcomes. Victor Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with discovering the secret to creating life, exhibits these characteristics as he leans towards either independence or dependence when it suits him most. Though his emotional relationship with science causes

    Read More

  • Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: A Narrative Fiction

    447 Words  | 2 Pages

    There once was a little girl who very poor. That little girl’s name was Mary. She lived with her mother, Margret, but not with her father. One day when Mary was growing crops, she saw something move in the tall grass.

    Read More

  • Factors Affecting Human Behavior

    1816 Words  | 8 Pages

    The topic of this assignment is to discuss and analyse what factors affect human behavior and in doing so how human behavior is shaped. But before discussing that, it is important to understand what human behavior is. To define it in a few sentences or words would not be sufficient as human behavior consists of many factors and therefore contributes majorly to who we are as a person. But to put it simply, it is defined as all actions and emotions that an individual portrays in response to the different kinds of stimuli they receive no matter whether these responses are conscious or subconscious and voluntary or involuntary (Merriam-webster.com, 2015).

    Read More

More about Frankenstein By Mary Shelley: What Makes Us Human

Open Document