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The Nature Of Evil In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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We all like to think that evil is not born within us, but rather nurtured into to us; while this may be true for some, others have evil born directly into them. When man toys with the powers reserved for only God, God strikes back with a wicked evil to show many the power that they really lack. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein contains a prime example of a being born of unnatural causes and thus having these evil urges that they cannot control. Frankenstein’s monster is a highly intelligent being, and hence he is very manipulative. He pulls at the heartstrings of Victor’s emotions but Victor can see the true evil that is within him. “But it is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept and grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living being,” had mentioned the monster after Victor’s death (197). The monster claims that he was unloved, and he was right in that regard, but that does not form evil. Evil is formed by the weakness of one’s mind, not neglect. The monster being born from death symbolizes an inherent evil. Death is one often see as an evil, even though death is inevitable. By bringing his monster to life, …show more content…

The method of suicide the monster choose to was a bit peculiar as well. There are a plethora of ways to off yourself that don’t involve this level torture. It may be thought of this being a way for him to wash, or burn, away his sins. “Do not think that I shall be slow to perform this sacrifice. [...] I shall collect my funeral pile and consume to ashes this miserable frame” (197). This can also be seen as a references to biblical stories of the Devil. Not only does the monster know he has evil, but he relates himself to the Devil because of the evil he has done. He decides that the only way to rectify what he has wronged would be to go out in a fiery

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