Loneliness And Irony In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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.

Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred” (155). Goodness is all lost when the creature, driven by his desire for revenge, kills those dear to Frankenstein, in which the creation believes will therapeutically heal his personal recounting the pain of the mistreatment over the years. Even in the creation’s acts of kindness towards the family, because of the family’s reaction to the creature, this allows Shelly to reinforce that man is both ‘so virtuous and magnificent’, but also ‘vicious and base’.

Comparing Victor to God and himself to Adam, the monster says, "Many times I have considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition" (Marry Shelley pg. 132). The monster outlines his perspective of his "birth, " and soon after, Victor is fleeing from his lab. The creature was very confused. victors response: "I felt light, and hunger, and thirst, and darkness: innumerable sounds rang in my ears, and on all sides, various scents saluted me."

The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley says a person is responsible for their actions if they do not weigh the possible consequences of their actions before making their final decision. Throughout the novel, Mary Shelley shows the consequences of actions that are done without proper thought beforehand. Victor Frankenstein wants to create life, he wants to be god, and his lust for this goal overtakes his common sense. Victor rushes into making his creature and then makes rash decisions which also contributes to his demise and the death of several of his close friends and family. The monster should be held responsible for his actions to a certain extent, however, his actions are influenced by Victor’s initial impetuous decisions.

Moments, when characters have a sudden change in attitude, can be found often throughout Frankenstein, but it is prominent during Walton’s last letter to his sister as he tells of meeting the monster. The monster mentions his past concerning Victor Frankenstein and that his feelings were “forever ardent and craving; still [it] desired love and fellowship, and [it] was spurned…” (Shelley 211). While the monster recognizes his desire for love, he then contradicts that desire by stating that “[Frankenstein’s] abhorrence cannot equal that with which [it regarded itself]” (Shelley 212). The monster’s growing internal conflict through the novel between his desire to be accepted and his knowledge of being different is what causes him to be a dynamic character. He goes through such a dramatic change in desires from one end of the book to another it’s almost as if he’s a different person.

“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.

In the beginning the sight of his creation petrified Victor Frankenstein. As the novel progresses the relationship and the similarities between the Creature and Dr. Frankenstein become extremely obvious. They possess a need for knowledge which leads to extreme curiosity; which then lead to the creation of the Creature. They also both use nature to their advantage in many situations throughout the novel. The biggest similarity throughout the novel comes from the unending need for revenge.

Rejection is like ripping the wings off a butterfly; you force the butterfly to live forever on the ground taking its innate ability to fly. Author, Mary Shelley, in her novel, Frankenstein, illustrates how Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with creating new life ends up destroying everything he loves. Shelley’s purpose is to highlight how the regressive effects of rejection can push someone into a maddening state. Through Shelley’s use of point of view, emotional reaction, and tone, I believe that Frankenstein’s creation should be pardon from all his crimes committed due to the mental state others pushed him into. The first instance where we learn about the monster is through Victor’s point of view; however, due to the monster’s constant acts of revenge, everything Victor says shows his hateful bias against the creation.

All things considered, Frankenstein is a cautionary tale on the dangers of irresponsibility, Victor being matriarch. Victor exhibits his irresponsibility many times throughout the novel. His first instance of irresponsibility is shown after bring the creature to life, now only realizing: “…the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (59). As the result of his obsession with creating a stopped to death, he fails to realize the magnitude of what he is doing; creating a new life. However, he realizes the extent of his actions only when the creature is given life.

Frankenstein claims he will “pioneer a new way,” and discover “the deepest mysteries of creation.” By this he means he will “unfold” the truth about creating life from death. The desire for the knowledge consumed him, allowing him to only think about “one thought, one conception, one purpose.” The dangers of desire are examined after he has created the monster. Victor has just finished the monster and realizes the gravity of the situation. He diminished his “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” (42).