ipl-logo

Frankenstein Society's Myopia Character Analysis

879 Words4 Pages

Frankenstein: Society’s Myopia
“The eye is the window of the soul”
~Hiram Powers
Throughout Frankenstein, the creature’s eyes constantly display his feelings and insight. Also, the creature descends into violence as society refuses to accept him for his gruesome image. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley juxtaposes the blindness and despondency shown in the creature’s eyes with the fear he induces in others due to his hideous superficial appearance, leading to his transformation from a curious, innocent creature into a dangerous pariah.
Shelley illuminates the creature’s grief through his eyes however, his intimidating demeanor and sheer size overshadow his innate innocence and leads to Frankenstein’s misunderstanding of his creature’s true, harmless …show more content…

For instance, after Frankenstein abandons the creature, the creature locates Frankenstein and decides to confront him, “He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me” (Shelley 46). Shelley emphasizes the inhumane appearance of the creature and the creature’s eyes’ which contrast to the clear and thoughtfulness of human eyes. The defined fear Frankenstein has towards his creation results not from his incomprehension of the gentleness of the creature’s nature but the ferocity accompanying his aura. Also, Frankenstein attempts to understand his creation and decides to consider the creature as a scholar: “…knowledge might enable me to overlook the deformity of my figure; for with this also the contrast perpetually presented to my eyes had made me acquainted” (Shelley 88). The creature himself understands people cannot see his peaceful intentions that are encapsulated in his terrifying, inalterable body. Overall, because the creature is unable to physically fit into society, he decides to separate himself willingly and cause harm to those who cannot accept …show more content…

First, the creature has not learned basic knowledge about life and “thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain” (Shelley 81). Shelley uses the fire as an example of how the misunderstanding of volatile things confuses and angers the creature. Furthermore, the creature explains his confusion in interpreting what he sees: “Darkness then came over me, and troubled me; but hardly had I felt this, when, by opening my eyes, as I now suppose, the light poured in upon me again” (Shelley 79). The creature becomes aware of what he truly is and understands that society will not accept his intelligence because of his form. As a result, the creature decides to fit into society’s picture of him leading to him murdering Frankenstein’s family and those who cause his creator the most happiness. Consequently, the creature does not have strongly developed morals and decides others should suffer as he suffers from their ill formed assumptions based on his

Show More
Related

  • 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

  • Frankenstein And The Monster Likeable Analysis

    1290 Words  | 6 Pages

    The monster is also capable of wanton destruction when he burns down the DeLaceys’ house and dances “with fury around the devoted cottage”(123) like a savage. Finally, the monster seems to enjoy the pain he causes Frankenstein: “your sufferings will satisfy my everlasting hatred” (181) he writes to Victor. Were these pieces of evidence taken out of context, the reader would surely side with Frankenstein. But Shelley prevents such one-sidedness by letting the monster tell his version of the story. The monster’s first-person narrative draws the reader in and one learns that the creature is not abomination

    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

  • An Analysis Of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: From Benevolent To Feind

    1246 Words  | 5 Pages

    Frankenstein seems to show a prejudice towards his own creation; though he purposefully made the monster large to make it easier to add smaller things—such as nails and eyelashes—he chooses to look at his newly-awakened creation with repugnance. “For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” (Shelley 35) This disgust motivates him to run away, thus abandoning his monster.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein: Human Character In Gris Grimly's Frankenstein

    847 Words  | 4 Pages

    The creature is no different than humans in the way that humans can kill, be kind or be violent and miserable, which the creature shows and experiences. As the creature learns more he encounters villagers with "gentle manners" and some barbarous villagers" who treat him like trash. If humans are so called humans because of their sympathy and compassion, then humans shouldn 't be considered humans if they kill or become violent. The men the creature meets are just as defective as he becomes. Just like any human around the creature 's "heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy", but he also experiences "misery" and "violence" he is "filled with an insatiable thirst for vengeance" (190).

    Read More

  • Ambition For Knowledge In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1278 Words  | 6 Pages

    The creature wishes to live in peace, but because he does not look like a normal human, he can not live in peace. Additionally, Frankenstein does not help the creature or nurture him with love, thus, he causes the creature to develop a deep resentment towards Frankenstein. The creature, whom is optimistic until now, says, “ Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?” (161).

    Read More

  • The Consequences Of Physical Appearance In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1218 Words  | 5 Pages

    The use of the word monster in the book also correlates to appearance, and when the creature is called a monster, he feels forced to act like one. After being rejected by society because of his appearance the creature cries to Frankenstein, “Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust” (Shelley 93). This shows that the creature internalized all of the hate he received from his appearance, to the point where he viewed himself as a monster. When he internalizes all this negativity about himself that stems from his appearance, and begins to see himself as a monster, he then begins to behave as one.

    Read More

  • Social Belonging In Frankenstein

    987 Words  | 4 Pages

    He is aware of his otherness and knows that he is “shut out from intercourse” (84) with the people he holds so dear. It can be argued that this is the point where the creature’s humanity is the strongest throughout the course of story. He has a basic understanding of human societies, he speaks and reads their language, shows compassion and, most importantly, seeks their company and friendship. In his knowledge that social belonging is the missing component to his own happiness, he confronts the people he secretly observed only to, once again, be met with fear and anger (94-95). He comes to realise that he

    Read More

  • Nature Of Evil In Frankenstein

    587 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although the monster acts as a creature of evil, this evilness resulted from the neglect he received from humans. As the monster continues to experience abuse, his soul fully corrupts when his last few attempts to establish a bond with humans fails. When the girl in the river is drowning, he saves her, but “when the man saw [the monster] draw near, he aimed a gun, which he carried… and fired” ( Shelley 101). The monsters last chance to establish a friendly connection with another human has been rejected, signifying the the monsters loss of belief in humans judging an individual by their personality rather than appearance. Even the act of saving a human's life fails to establish the monster’s desire for benevolence between himself and others which makes him plunge into a malicious being.

    Read More

  • Jealousy In Frankenstein

    1021 Words  | 5 Pages

    “At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification”(Shelley 80). The Creation of Frankenstein woke up in a world of hate. Since he looked different, the Monster never fit in with normal people. He would become isolated and feared because of his looks. Because the Monster was a hideous creation from Frankenstein, he was isolated and hated by his looks and behaved in an ethical manner when he began his path of vengeance.

    Read More

  • How Does Victor Change In Frankenstein

    1530 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the creature is an outcast in society, without a friend in the who world is thrust away by humanity due to his appearance. The creature devolves due to a series of events feeling different emotions for the first time in his life. These experiences due to the fact his creator, Victor Frankenstein turns his back on the creature leaving him to his own instincts on learning how to survive and integrate into society. devices to learn how to survive. becoming helpless, discouraged leading into leading into retaliation of anger and violence.

    Read More

  • Duality Of Human Nature In Frankenstein

    819 Words  | 4 Pages

    The monster continues by reassuring the creator of his independent intelligence and power over the creature by telling Frankenstein, “This you alone can do”. Here, the creature assumes a role of submissiveness and reliance on Frankenstein. Frankenstein’s monster gains the sympathy of the reader who, despite condemning the murder of innocent people, commiserate with the lonely creature who is in search of an acquaintance, which he will likely never find. The monster also displays power and aggressiveness over Frankenstein; “You are my creator; but I am your master; obey!” The monster wants to desolate Victor’s heart, not by killing him directly,

    Read More

  • Victor Is The Real Monster In Frankenstein

    596 Words  | 3 Pages

    When people hear the word “monster”, most people imagine a massive, horrid, and grotesque figure that haunts people. While pondering what a monster is, mankind thinks of the outward appearance. Seldom do people think of man’s internal qualities as being barbaric or gruesome. Authors allow readers to create their own images of these terrifying beings. Frankenstein is a thought-provoking novel that empowers readers to have their own opinions about who the actual monster is and what it looks like.

    Read More

  • The Monster's Alienation In Frankenstein

    782 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the novel Frankenstein,by Mary Shelley, the mysterious and unnatural origins of the character of Frankenstein’s monster are an important element. The Monster, having been created unethically and haphazardly, is at odds throughout the novel, resulting in his alienation from society and prolonged feelings of anger, desertion, and loneliness. Shaping his character, his relationships with other characters, and the meaning of the work as a whole, the Monster’s origins are what define him. The Monster faces rejection and violence every time he attempts to make contact with the new, foreign world he has been thrust into.

    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

More about Frankenstein Society's Myopia Character Analysis

Open Document