** Possible questions to consider: What makes us "monsters"? Does the creature deserve a companion? Is the creature's anger justified? What about his murders?
Choose a line/passage, quote it, and then either ask a question and thoroughly answer your own question OR discuss why you chose that particular quotation, explaining why it stood out to you.
Look carefully at language/devices and try to connect your observations to a big idea from the novel (justice, what it means to be human, how people become "monsters," impact of nature, society's notion of normal, loneliness/abandonment, etc) to deepen your analysis.
Do not repeat a classmate's quotation. If that line intrigues you, just respond to their comment and choose your own, new passage to comment on. YOU MUST RESPOND TO A CLASSMATE.
“All, save, I, were art rest or in enjoyment; I, like the arch-fiend, bore a hell within me, and finding myself un-sympathized with, wished to tear up the trees spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin” (146).
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What makes us monsters?
In this quote, the creature becomes angry and revengeful due to his violent experience with the cottagers. His deep frustration with himself and basically all of humanity for not being able to accept him, leads him to desire destruction and chaos, which also shows how ultimately, creation leads to destruction. But I think this also highlights answers to one of the main questions in the book: What makes us monsters? The need for human connection, companionship, and the inability to receive this, is what drives the creature insane. Only after the creature discovers that even his ideal family that he has observed for two years is unable to look past his physical stature, does he become destructive and monstrous. I think Shelley wants us to examine what societal and human elements push people to become “monsters” and some of those aspects are the need for human connection and people’s inability to accept those that are physically different.
I completely agree. I think that what you said about creation leading to destruction is very true. Although all of us were some how created, the creature was put together using left over body parts which resulted in him lacking the qualities that most humans possess. I think what Mary Shelley is trying to highlight here is that it takes so much more to make a human and if you carelessly create someone like the creature it will lead to destruction and fear.
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Delete"the child struggled…I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet"(144).
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it made me wonder if Victor or the creature is to be accused of the death of Victors brother. I think it is really the creature who should be accused for the death of Victors brother because he is the one who killed him. But I also think that it is Victors fault for the death of his brother since he created all the hate that the creature has toward him. If Victor were to talk to the creature and try to help him fit in society then I think that his brother might still be alive and the creature would have not killed him. But since Victor does not what to tell people that he created this horrible monster then the horrible monster is making him go through sad moments. I think the creature does this because he wants Victor to feel the same way he did when he was lost in the world and did not know anything. I think that it is both Victor and the creatures fault for the death of Victors brother because if the creature did not exist none of this would have happened. Also if Victor were to help the creature fit in society he wouldn't have hate toward Victor and his family.
I agree with your thoughts here, Jenifer. The creature's hatred towards his creator was definitely caused by Frankenstein himself since he was ignorant towards his creation, however there were other factors that lead to his brother's death. The cottagers and the man who shot the creature enraged him deeply and made him despise human beings. Besides the fact that the little boy said he was related to Victor Frankenstein, he also called the creature a "hideous monster and an ugly wretch" which deepened the creature's anger towards the little boy. The boy calling him names and him being related to Victor is what initially caused Victor's brother's death.
Delete"A ghastly grin wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me, where I sat fulfilling the task which he had allotted me." (171)
ReplyDeleteLooking at the question of what makes us monsters, through Frankenstein's perspective it seems to be based on one's appearance. Frankenstein assumes that the creature's smile hides a malicious intention, however he does not see that the smile is coming from pure happiness on the idea that the creature may never be alone again with the help of Frankenstein. Frankenstein is scared by the 'ghastly grin' and gives an unpleasing description of 'wrinkled lips', however he does not understand that the creature has tirelessly followed Frankenstein in hopes of getting a mate. Frankenstein can only perceive and understand what he physically sees in front of him. On the other hand, Frankenstein starts to become more self-aware and looks at whether he could be the monster. Frankenstein decides not to create another creature because he thinks it through and believes it to be immoral. He convinces himself this way that he cannot be a monster if he doesn't create a monster. i think that it is his perception of the creature as a monster that makes him more of a monster. He refuses to see any humanity in the creature. He does not want to see this hope and happiness that a companion brings to the creature. He does not want to sympathize with the creature's loneliness because he does not want to admit that he himself is lonely, and find any connection to the creature.
"Suddenly, as I gazed on him, an idea seized me that this little creature was unprejudiced, and had lived to short a time to have imbibed a horror of deformity. If, therefore, I could seize him and educate him as a companion and friend, I should not be so desolate in this people earth" (144).
ReplyDeleteDue to his unfortunate experience with the cottages, the creature is left to dwell in loneliness and misery. However, still desperate for companionship, he looks to befriend a child he sees as "unprejudiced" due to his lack of knowlegde of deformity. This reminds me of Holden's love for children, in The Cather in the Rye, due to their inabilty to judge because they haven't been exposed to adulthood. However, Holden learns that it is impossible to prevent children from adulthood because they are curious and desire knowlegde. The child, who the creature believes to not have enough knowledge to judge him, seems like a pontiental campanion. However, when the "little creature" covered its eyes and called the creature a "monster! ugly wretch!..."(144) he truly understood that all human are prejudice and therefore unable to accept his deformity. This realization therefore justifies his wish for Frankenstein to create a female creature like himself so that he doesn't continue to live a life filled with prejudice from human beings. This quote also provides an answer to the question, what makes us monsters? It seems that the creature is unable to find companionship even in children who seem innocent resulting in him internalizing people view of him as a monster. Knowlegde also seems to be a factor of creating and identifying monsters.
This is an interesting idea to explore because arguably, we learn everything that we know from our parents and when we are young. If these children were raised with the mindset not to judge people by their appearance, would this have gone differently? Or is the innocence of a child not enough to distract from "ugliness"?
DeleteI think it's an interesting idea that the creature chose to befriend William because he was an "unprejudiced" child. The creature, too can be seen as child, naive to the world and how everyone will perceive him. He could have seen a parallel between William and himself and for that reason thought maybe he would find someone with similar ethics he could connect to, without only viewing him as ugly or a monster.
Delete"'You are in the wrong,' replied the fiend; 'and, instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I'm miserable. Am I not shunned and hated daily by mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces, and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me?" (147).
ReplyDeleteThis quote is very interesting because it explores the thoughts of the monster and helps us understand what the logic behind his actions are. We see time and time again that the creature is actually quite intelligent, and compassionate, yet time and time again he results to destructive tendencies. This struck me as strange until I read this passage, the creature is compassionate, but he is also hurt. He's smart enough to understand that the world doesn't accept him, so why should he accept the world? He is the only of his kind, he feels he cannot truly make connections and be companionable and be loved, so why should he care for these people? The fact that he knows all these things is also a contribution to his murderious tendencies. He sees his life as pointless, a mistake. He did not ask to be put on the earth, so why should he be? And if he feels this way, as if nothing in his life really matters, why would he be discouraged from hurting others?
I agree with your comment. To add on, I am actually surprised that he did not kill more people because he has endured so much during the time he has been alive. One would think that as a monster-looking creature, he would rage everywhere he go and destroy everything in his path. However I don't see him as a monster, I see him as any other human that was exposed to so much hurt in his early life and had to let it out somehow.
Delete"Shall each man," cried he, "find a wife for his bosom and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection and they were requited by detestation and scorn." (182)
ReplyDeleteI believe that the creature deserves a companion because the truth is that he is lonely and wants to be loved by someone. Every single attempt he made at trying to be benevolent towards another person has "backfired" as he realized that everyone feared him and was disgusted by him. This constant rejection and detestation is what led him to believe that the only way he can protect himself and hide his vulnerability is by creating a persona of an evil "monster." To be honest, I don't think that creating a woman like him will satisfy the creature's desire because I believe that the creature ultimately wants Frankenstein to show some sort of compassion towards him. In the quote, the creature talks about everyone having someone but him being the only one with no one. I saw this as his cry for help towards Frankenstein to beg him (Frankenstein) to demonstrate an ounce of compassion. Despite the fact that the creatures demands for a female version of him is justifiable, his murders are not. By definition, a monster is an ugly creature that frightens people but I think that what makes us monstrous are dictated by the actions we choose to take. The creature's decision to commit murders and cause revenge towards Frankenstein does make him in some sense a monster and he is only continuing the stereotype that creatures like him are monstrous.
I think its a really interesting point that it isn't a female companion that the creature needs but the affection of Frankenstein. I agree with this because I think that for the creature, simply a friendship can help so much more than a romantic relationship. He doesn't think through what having a female companion means, and the fact that it's possible she wouldn't want to hide from humanity or that she may want to have kids. This is similar to how Frankenstein didn't think through creating another being. Also, although I do think that murder is not justifiable, it is important to sympathize with or at least understand where the creature is coming from. He killed William accidentally, and he intended only to have a partner to keep him company. Also, the create isn't aware of the power he holds. He has a strength that no other person has and he has never learned to have control over it, so it is unfair to fully blame him for his actions.
DeleteI completely agree! I feel that Frankenstein has been longing for Frankenstein's friendship and that could really benefit the creature since he has suffered so much. When it comes to murder, I beleive it is important to look at the creatures point of view. Him killing William was an accident. He wasn't fully aware of the physical abuse he could put on someone. Therefore, I agree that you cannot fully blame him for what he had done.
Delete"Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master-obey!"(172)
ReplyDeleteThere are many aspects of this quote that catch my attention. First, the creature calls Victor slave and claims that he is Victor's master. What catches my attention is that the creature can kill him at any time and do what he pleases with him, which gives him power over Victor. Also, the main cause of Victor's thoughts and unhappiness is the creature, meaning he is also the master in his mind. I agree with the creature and I can understand why he would be so angry because knowing what he is capable of, he still tries to reason with his creator. The same creator, that cursed him, hated him and called him a demon. With that in mind, I think he tried to reason with him enough. Considering everything the creature has endured, he has the right to be angry with Victor. To play devil's advocate, Victor did have a reason to destroy the creature in progress because maybe the original creature is lying about leaving mankind alone, maybe he'll raise an army of his kind and destroy everyone.
I definitely agree with this and I think it shows us more about how connected Frankenstein and the creature are because even though both of them are hateful towards each other they both are dependent on each other and their actions definitely reflect each other which is really interesting to look at
DeleteI agree and also found the power dynamic between Victor and the creature to be very significant. Also it is interesting how in the beginning of this reading the creature was the one coming to Victor and asking him to create another creature like himself to be his companion, but then the roles switch and the creature is claiming power over Victor. I think Mary Shelley's choice to use the word "slave" is very interesting also since it is a very intense name to call a person, it adds a strong sense of anger and seriousness to this section.
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ReplyDelete"This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had entertained but a few moment before, gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind" (143).
ReplyDeleteThis quotation stood out to me because it portrays how the people in society are blinded by the standards of beauty and will go to extreme measures to keep those standards. In this scene, the creature saw a little girl accidentally fall into a stream and almost drown, when he decides to jump in and save her. The creature at this moment is showing humility and compassion towards human beings even though throughout his existence, humans have treated him harshly. However, due to his appearance, the girl's guardian, was surprised to see an eight foot tall, deformed "monster" cradling his child. This eventually led him to shoot the creature all together. To think about how the creature felt during this moment is disheartening. He aided this little girl who he has never seen before, yet he was not rewarded with gratitude, but shot with a gun by a man. The level of sadness and anger has increased in the monster and he desires the destruction of all human beings which caused the death of Victor Frankenstein's little brother. The creature's anger is justified in some way because the cottagers were not able to look past his deformities and accept him into the family, even after the creature observed and helped them during their time of need. The sudden appearance of the creature in their house caused the whole family to be shaken and ultimately the fleeing from their cottage. It is evidently difficult for the cottagers and the girl's companion to accept people who are physically different. His anger from the gunshot was combined with the little boy who made him furious when the boy called him a "hideous monster and an ugly wretch" (144). The creature already despised human beings and the boy calling him hurtful names made the creature even angrier which accelerated into the boy's death. As the readers, we can clearly see that the creature is a kind being who genuinely cares about others yet the views of society on people made him into the enraged monster he became.
I completely agree! Any time that the creature attempts to show compassion or kindness towards a human, he is rejected. The hatred he receives from humans causes for him to have the same mutual feeling towards them. This ultimately shows that he is solely judged on his appearance for he is thought to be a monster, however he is not truly a "monster" for his traits show the opposite.
DeleteI agree with you and think that this also show that the creature has feelings and he is not a mean an ugly creature. But since people only focus on the creatures appearance they do not see the good side to the creature they only see the ugly side to him. He is just trying to fit in society by helping out the girl but no one appreciates his help since they see him as a monster who is dangerous. Since people keep seeing him as a monster because of his appearance his hate continues to grow toward Victor and people because no on e accepts him.
DeleteI also agree with you, when a powerful entity that is filled with kindness is rejected in the most horrific way, either by stones and arrows or by words and lies, you get yourself an enemy. In the creatures case though, he saw the good in humans, he saw how good they were with each other. The family in the village that he was with for a while seemed like a good choice for him to present himself too. It turned out to be a bad choice and he received nothing other then a beating. The only respectful person though was the old man. So at the end of the day, the creature just has to make sure that he has sympathy for a couple of humans that are similar to the old man.
Delete“There none was among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me ; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and , more than all , against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery...For the first time the feeling of revenge and hate filled my bosom , and I did not strive to control them; but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream , I bent my mind towards injury and death”
ReplyDeleteI thought this quote was extremely interesting because as i was reading this book I was wonder why Mary Shelley gave the creature a name , like a real name , because up until this point I saw him as more the creature I saw him as a human that was involved in unfortunate circumstances. A name is something you give ( in my opinion) to something with some value to humans weather it be the name of a car or a pet , but see that Shelly or “Victor“ never gave the creature and actual name bring the fact that it has no human value,which connects to this quote ,because up until this point he was perceived as human with the man creature but when he says” from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species” which is the first time he see himself as a creature. But don't get me wrong it is not his fault that he doesn't he himself a human ,it is the fault of society and Victor for never accepting , despite what he looks like .
I agree the creature now has fallen into the mindset of society and is accepting what they are calling him. Even though all he wants is love and peace, he is now becoming bent in rage in anger due to society looking at him as a monster just because of his appearance not his personality. Mary Shelly is really making a statement about society and how people are categorized by things that you shouldn't be like appearance when in reality we should not judge a book by its cover.
Delete"They might even hate each other; the creature who already lived loathed his own deformity, and might he not conceive a greater abhorrence for it when it came before his eyes in the female form." (170)
ReplyDeleteI found this quote interesting because Victor explains how as a result of the creature expressing hatred towards himself, he will probably be horrified with the female creation. Victor express fear and disappointment towards the creature just in the way that the creature will most likely disapprove on the female being created for him. It's a chain reaction, and it makes me wonder about how maybe the situation would be different for everybody specifically the creature if he was loved more by his owner. It would have given him a more positive perspective on humanity and if Victor idolized him, he would have been viewed differently by others. Now that the creature hates himself, he is not going to be able to love his female companion. If Victor would have invested happiness and ambition into this creation, the creature would have come out differently and society may have been able to see past his abnormal appearance. Since that didn't happen, the creature is going to continue to loathe himself and view humanity and his female companion as a destructive beings rather than the intelligent, unique creatures they are.
I completely agree with you, Hayley. I also feel that if Victor would have been more involved and accepting with his creation then the story would be completely different. The creature experiences anger and hate for the first time when the feeling of abandonment rekindles in his life because he the cottagers left him, as did Victor (149). Frankenstein is also the main reason why the creature has such a hateful heart because his own creator didn't even want him due to his "horrid appearance". If Frankenstein would've accepted his creation for how he originally made him, then the creature wouldn't have so much hate, spite and revenge fill his heart.
Delete"His words had a strange effect upon me. I compassionated with him and sometimes felt a wish to console him; but when I looked upon him...my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred" (149).
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it demonstrates that the creature was able to appeal to Frankenstein's emotions, but his appearance is what altered his perception on him. It is clear that the creature has humane qualities and that Frankenstein was moved by his sincerity. Moreover, Frankenstein had previously stated "I felt that there was some justice in his argument. His tale, and the feelings he expressed, proved him to be a creature of fine sensations..." (148) Nonetheless, Frankenstein was for a moment able to understand where the creature was coming from. He even felt a wish to console the creature, which as his "father" should be completely acceptable. However, when looking at the creature's face his point of view immediately changes, which shows how beauty plays a major role for Frankenstein. His standards of beauty do not allow him to fully feel for the creature or sympathize with him.
I really agree with what you are saying. I also think that Frankenstein is ruled solely by looks and has a hard time getting over this vanity when trying to accept his creature. This idea is very similar to the Romantic ideas of looks and the beauty of something is valued more than the actual use or potential it has. Frankenstein feels the same way towards his creature and is stuck with the "horror" that he sees in his face. I think that this also shows how Frankenstein has the ability to be like a father to the creature and that he could love it, yet he cannot. This brings up the question about whether or not this inability is based solely upon on the creature's looks, or if maybe Frankenstein would be unable to love it no matter what based upon how much love he already feels and gives to other people (such as Elizabeth).
DeleteI agree with you Rashell, the personality and being of the creature is appealing to Frankenstein but its appreance erases any sympathy felt by Frankenstein. This quote shows the power beauty standards holds and the the conflicts it creates as a result. It is truly heartbreaking that the creature's creator is unable to show any affection towards it due to its looks which it had no control over. Even if the creature was beautiful, its size and the way it was created would have been judged by other. In our society today, no one is every beautiful according to beauty standards, makes me wonder why they were created in the first place.
Delete"'It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless,and free from the misery I now feel.'" (148)
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Why does the creature want a companion and is his request for one justifiable/acceptable?
This quote stands out to me because it shows that while the creature does have a valid reason for wanting a companion, his request is not acceptable or justifiable. He wants a companion so that he won't be all alone anymore, and so that he can have someone to spend the rest of his time with. He no longer wishes to be in the state of constant loneliness as it leads to depression and a great anger within him. He cannot find a friend or wife or companion in anyone else (although he desperately wants someone to love) so he wants Frankenstein to make someone just like him who (in his mind) will love him. However, this request is not justifiable or acceptable. First of all, there is no guarantee that when the new, female creature awakens that she will want to be with the male creature, or that she will even find him attractive. Everyone else shies away from him in fear and disgust, and maybe the new creature will do the same. Secondly, it is completely unfair for the creature to wish the loneliness and hatred that surrounds himself onto another being. He knows that they will both be hated and it is unfair for him to want to bring someone else to life (without their choice) when he knows that they will be hated and tortured like him solely for his own personal gain. Finally, this whole conflict and problem started with Frankenstein creating/giving life to the creature, so this new creature will have the potential to wreak even more havoc.
I agree with you. The creature's life is miserable, and he wants Frankenstein to create and equally miserable person so that he wont be lonely anymore. This is extremely selfish, because he sees that this other person will have a very poor quality of life, and yet he wants another miserable creature to be created simply so he wont feel alone anymore. This reminds me of how Frankenstein was originally going to make the creature in order to save himself, even though he knew it was highly possible that this new creature would be malicious, and kill lots of people. Frankenstein ended up deciding that he would be selfless, and out himself in danger in order to stop the creation of this new creature. Does the creature deserve a companion, or is it too risky?
Delete"We may not part until you have promised to comply with my requisition. I am alone, and miserable;man will not be associated with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me."
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because after all the creature has been through because of Victor, he is willing to forgive him if he creates one like him. The creature has a clear mind and seems to not want revenge as much as he wants a life where someone wants him. The way the creature is conducting himself is very weird because he is very calm and wants peace. The creature now knows the power he holds which he exerts on Frankenstein to make him another creature. The creature has a clearer conscience than a lot of humans who are bent on revenge for little things, but the creature is now aware, and been through so much that he is ready to use his strength and dominance to get what he wants,
quote (146)
DeleteI think it is less his strength and dominance that he is using to assert his "power" but rather his clear, very obvious feeling of loneliness and depressive state. This drives him so insane, that even Frankenstein can sense it. This is what he uses to get what he wants out of Frankenstein rather than his strength in this case. Usually, he uses his strength and power, but here it is something much different.
Delete"I shall feel the affection of a sensitive being, and become linked to the chain of existence and events, from which I am now excluded." (150)
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it reinforces the theme of friendship and the need for a companion, which is displayed throughout the entire book. In the letters in the beginning of the book, Victor talks about creating the monster to be a companion and Walton talks about wanting a friend on the ship with him. It is significant that the creature has this same desire to want a companion because his only knowledge of people interacting is from the cottagers. This proves that finding a mate is a natural human instinct because this creature, with no parent to sway his opinion, naturally came to his decision to ask Victor to create a companion for him. The monster feels left out from feeling affection because he doesn't have an equal. However, since the monster was abandoned immediately after he was created, it would make sense for him to latch on to any relationship, even if it was just the idea of a mate formed in his mind. It was sad reading about how lonely the creature was out in the woods, all his time observing the cottagers from afar. But Victor is quick to assume that creating a second one of these monsters would only double the troubles he has experienced with the first creation. Also, since the creature has had such bad experiences with humans who think he is scary and ugly, the creature really just wants an equal who won't run screaming from his appearance. Through all his encounters and observations since he was "born" the creature has built an understanding of the world, with no outside opinions swaying his beliefs, which can prove to us that we humans have a natural instinct to find a companion in life to be an equal counterpart.
I totally agree with what you are saying! The creature is eager to find someone who can see past his looks and accept him, and as he has already figured out, all of mankind is quick to jump to conclusions just based on how he looks. The creature was already hurt by the cottagers and the man who shot him after he saved the girl, so i think he's lost all hope in being accepted by mankind. Which is why he is pushed to face his enemy, Victor, and ask for a friend in exchange for complete forgiveness of what he did to him and he will leave the continent.
Delete"Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness; and, instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance" (147)
ReplyDeleteIn this quote the creature is talking about how he should treat mankind if they are going to treat him badly. The creature feels that why should he treat the people with only kindness, doing good deeds for them and trying to help them, when they are only going to react with violence. So in this quote he is trying to say that if people accepted him and let him do his good deeds instead of thinking the worst of him, then he would no longer feel inclined to injure them. But instead of injuring them he would praise them and be so grateful that they have seen past his looks. The creature is trying to say that he wasn't made a bad person but he has become bad because he has been provoked by the people who judge him based on his looks to do so. Also the creature is so sick of being treated badly for doing good things, that even one person accepting him would change his whole view on man and might even force him to accept them, which he states later in the book.
I agree with you and I just wanted to add on that in this quote you can see that the creature yearns to experience being kind to somebody, but he cannot because nobody will accept his benevolence. In this quote, I saw the potential humanity in the creature.
DeleteThis is a great quote! Another idea I'm not sure you touched on but that definitely comes up in my mind is the theory that if someone is treated as something, they will become that thing. If a kid is treated like a baby, they will act like one, if someone who is innocent is treated as if they are a convict, then they will act like a convict. All it is is a response to our environment. People believe they are what they are told.
Delete"If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them an hundred and an hundredfold; for that one creature's sake I would make peace with the whole kind!
ReplyDeleteI thought this quote was important because it made me start to wonder who was the real antagonist in the novel. Before reaching this part of the novel, I thought I clearly understood that Victor Frankenstein was a man victim of his own discoveries, who created a creature so horrible that it killed Frankenstein's baby brother. But now I see Frankenstein at fault, had Frankenstein shown any kind of kindness towards the creature, Frankenstein's monster would not have been a monster at all. In this part of the novel especially, my perspective of the antagonist of the story starts to move towards Victor Frankenstein. He drove the creature to the revenge-ridden state of mind he is in now, but despite the injustices performed upon him, the creature offers Frankenstein a chance to undo his wrongs. In this part of the novel I was praying that Frankenstein would immediately hop to this opportunity and make it right with this creature that he created but refused to father. Frankenstein's reluctance towards the idea of making it right with the creature proves that he is in the wrong in this novel.
"She, who in all probability was to become a thinking and reasoning animal, might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation." (179)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is important because it shows the idea of not choosing your circumstances. In the beginning of this unit, we talked about how Frankenstein did not choose to be born, and to look scary, but yet he suffers greatly because of it. There are lots of stereotypes and assumptions that people make about others, which have basically been grandfathered in. For example, we were talking about racial profiling, and that people oftentimes jude a book based on it cover', or rather, judge a person based on their color. In the case of Mike Brown, the police officer felt threatened, but what made him feel threatened by Mike Brown? People do not choose their races, or how they look, and yet somehow, we make assumptions about people's character based on their physical appearance. The Creature was benevolent at first, but outwardly, he looked like a monster. This caused people to run from him, and treat him like a threat, even though he may not truly have been a threat. It is human nature to judge people, and when you first meet someone, the only thing you have to judge them based on is physical appearance. A reoccurring theme in the book is the idea of being born into circumstances, and having no control over how the world sees you based on that.
I agree with the parallel of how the Creature is judged by appearance vs. how people judge others based on color/race and the idea that we don't choose the way we look. I think that it is such an important point because it allows people to sympathize with the creature and begin to understand what he is going through since we witness it happening in our everyday lives. Perhaps, because such stereotypes of what a monster looks like, creatures who do fit that sort of profile either begins to believe that he/she is automatically a monster or is forced into such confinement by society.
Delete"We may not part until you have promised to comply with my requisition. I am alone, and miserable; ...My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects."
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because this is sort of the final resort for the creature and just about the only thing that will make Frankenstein have any type of sympathy for his creation, which is so surprising because in the beginning of the book all Frankenstein could possibly care about was his work on the creature. It kept him occupied for 2 years in which he didn't see his family at all. Now, he has abandoned his creature to the point where it is desperately lonely and needs a companion, and this is the only solution to Frankenstein being left alone from his creature. You almost can't help but sympathize with the creature even though he is a murderer, because he is so lonely and desperate to the point where he is depressed. This is a truth about people in our society today. People without companions tend to feel more lonely and depressed, and is easy to sympathize with.
I agree and I also find it interesting that the creature after being shunned can no longer think of himself as human or intermingle with humans. His last resort is for Frankenstein to make him something that is "of the same species" because he is afraid anyone else won't sympathize with him. I also find it interesting how he specifies that it also has "the same defects". He wants the other creature to be just as bad or worse so that he can feel better about himself and so that his new companion will be disliked in the same way he is by humans.
Delete“Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?... my feelings were those of rage and revenge”(146)
ReplyDeleteI picked this quote because it is perfect representation of the human condition. Throughout this quote the creature feels a plethora of emotions from sadness to anger. Sticking with the sadness he feels deep depression, which happens to be something that many people feel at some point in their life. He also asks “Why did I live?” this question is something everyone thinks about and some people spend their lives trying to answer. We constantly search for anything that gives us a sense of purpose and that is exactly what the monster lacks: a sense of purpose. Anyone who has the mental capability to ask this question and needs an answer to this question is human in my book. These thoughts make it even harder for me to view this intelligent person who has reacts in the same way people do as a “monster” or a “creature”.
"The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had entertained but a few moments before, gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind" (143).
ReplyDeleteThe creature that victor created has no fault in feeling hatred for mankind.If you were in the creatures shoes for just one day, you would personally want to end humanity yourself. The creature had to endure so many attacks towards him just because he was not human enough, he was, a monster. As the only one of his kind, there is nobody in the world that can say that he is wrong to want vengeance and have hatred towards humanity. This is what he sees fit as just. At the end of the day, people brought this to themselves, instead of giving the creature a chance and becoming allies with this creature they have only enraged it and turn the creature into nothing more or less then an enemy of Humanity.
I also agree, as the creature was something brought into this world only to be shunned, is it not just that he should be able to lash out at those around him? For him to have his vengeance? He is alone, who is "vile" in the church's eyes, who perhaps should not have been brought into this world.
Delete"...and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No; from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery" (147).
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it shows a change in the creatures attitude towards humans. The incident in the cottage with the family left him devastated. He hoped to have a future with the family full of love, compassion, and acceptance. He did not plan on doing any harm to them. They automatically rejected his proposal to stay with them due to his appearance and intimidating physical features. Now, since who he thought was his "family" does not accept him, he no longer shows the need to have a relationship with humans. The creature knows now that he is feared as a monster and will do what monsters do. He says that he "declared everlasting war against the species", which indicates that he now shows hatred toward all mankind, including the man that created him.
I do agree with you to an extent. But then I think that he has hatred towards people but mostly towards his creator. And I only say that because he blames the way he looks at Frankenstein. And if he had not made him so ugly then people would not treat him in such away. Which then ends with him telling Frankenstein that if he creates a wife for him he will run away and never come back. That maybe he not only just wants to end mankind but just run away from it. So by ending Frankenstein’s life it could bring closure to him and his feelings towards humans.
Delete"I gazed on my victim, and my heart welled with exultation and hellish triumph; clapping my hands, I exclaimed, 'I too can create desolation; my enemy is not invulnerable; this death will carry despair to him, and a thousand other miseries shall torment and destroy him" (153).
ReplyDeleteThis passage stands out to me because it is evident how much the creature has changed since he was first created. His ideas, thoughts and actions are more violent after being exposed to society and its criticism. The creature now sees himself as nothing more than a hideous monster because that is what everyone he's encountered views him as. After being chased by villagers, hurt by Felix, shot by a stranger, and judged based on his appearance so often, the creature turns into the "monster" society has pushed him to be. The creature's heart is no longer kind and warm because vengeance now fills in what was his benevolent heart.
I agree with you, in what i wrote i talked about how it is obvious that if violence was what the creature was targeted with and exposed to, it would make sense that his persona changes into what he knows from others, violence.Also, I feel like the creature has gone changing along with Frankenstein in the way that everything that they aim for and think about they do it fervently. [ ;) ]
DeleteYou could also go on to say that this just helps prove Rousseau's point on how society corrupts humans and how humans, in nature, aren't born bad, nor are they born good.
Delete"`1I now made arrangements for my journey; but one feeling haunted me, which filled me with fear and agitation. During my absence I should leave my friends unconscious of the existence of their enemy, and unprotected from his attacks, exasperated as he might by my departure."(158)
ReplyDeleteThis passage shows that the creature is like a plague over Frankenstein's family, as Frankenstein is afraid that he will go off and kill more of his family, more than his little brother. The creature could also be considered a foil of Elizabeth, or someone identical in nature to her. They were both left alone on this earth, but while the creature was shunned and put away as he was so ugly even his own creator ran away while glancing at him, but they are both as pure as each other. The creature, however took a turn in life which led to him becoming a "monster", the very monster that will frighten innocent children, and bully Frankenstein and his family while he is away. Of course, the creature will be irritated that he is even going away, as in my opinion he thinks that the master owes him debt for creating him, a debt for pushing him into this world as someone who is to be killed by a mob.
“Frankenstein! you belong then to my enemy--to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim.’ The child struggled...I grabbed his throat to silence him and in a moment he lay dead at my feet.”
ReplyDeleteI picked this quote because I thought it was interesting how the monster says “you shall be my first victim” but then when he explains how he killed the boy it sounds like it was an accident. Mostly because it saids “to silence him and in a moment he lay dead.” But then it brings us the idea of how the monster should look as a killer. Did he really mean to kill the boy in that moment or not at all. To think that if maybe the monster did not kill the little boy then maybe he never would have. This is what I think because when he is explaining what happened he seemed like he wanted to get back at Frankenstein but not really wanting to get more people involved. Thats why when he is telling Frankenstein what he had done he made it seem like it was an accident and it was not done on purpose. Which shows how Mary Shelley wants the reader to see the monster and his intentions towards the world and what he wishes to get out of it.
I agree. I honestly believe the creature did not kill the boy intentionally. This was accidental because now the creature knows the power and strength he has in him. He is using this as leverage for Frankenstein. Mary Shelley wants us to respect the creature and see thing sin his point of view and stop the comparisons between good and bad. This doe snot justify the killing but creates a huge understanding. Even after the story lets pay attention to how Frankenstein refers to his own creation. He sees him as a demon and i feel like this is important. I feel like this is his way of projecting his internal feelings. Frankenstein should be the one full of guilt. He is the daemon.
Delete"... the feeling of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and i did not strive to control them; but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, i bent my mind towards injury and death." (140)
ReplyDeleteI feel like this quote stood out to me because it reminded me of what M.Kaufman showed us in class for the unit of the Handmaids Tale. The comedian louis CK mentioned feeling melancholic is therapeutic because it help us understand our happiness. We often ignore these feelings because of our phones. He mentioned us blocking out our feelings and resulting to our phones as soon as possible. Frankenstein was not forced to confront this feeling of sadness but nature helped him realize his ultimate pain. He decided to deal with it and follow it like stream. This is very important because it reminds me of a book i read called "The Fault in our Stars" Augustus waters said " That's the thing about pain, it demands to be felt." The human body can not ignore this strong feeling in the heart. It is huge moment in where you feel bad but in the labyrinth of feeling bad you reach ultimate happiness. Just because you're good at blocking out pain, doesn't mean you can't feel a metal-smashing rage and pain. It is our way of coping with harsh realities. Frankenstein feels awful for trying to betray his own creature. The creature also feels this pain with the cottagers but deals with it and takes out his pain on killing.
"You are in the wrong," replied the fiend ; "and instead of threatening, i am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember tat, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me?" 156
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because I feel like the creature is very reasonable with what he says. I also believe that what the creature says connects a lot to today's society. Of course, I feel if a person is treated negatively by everyone or the majority of the people, they become a little enraged and of course sad for themselves. I think the creature has reason behind becoming a mean person because that's all he's ever known directed towards him. Also, this quote shows the way appearance is a main part in the way people judge others in the book and in reality as well. If a crime was committed by the creature, he would be seen as a monster and criminal, but if Frankenstein were to kill the creature himself, it would be seen as morally right that he killed "the monster". Despite what has been said of don't judge a book by its cover, that is all we have been taught in this society.
I completely agree with you. I think that it is important to see how society molds us into believing all these things and with the creature too. I like the comparison you made between the creature and Frankenstein and how if it would've been him, people would've seen it as okay. This is why the creature says that for someone to understand him, they would have to be able to be the same exact "species" that he is.
Delete"...the love of another will destroy the cause of my crimes..." (150)
ReplyDeleteHere the creature is arguing to Frankenstein that having someone in his life, someone he can be with when the rest of the world is against him, is the solution. For me, this humanizes the creature a lot. I think it's a very "human" need to want a partner, especially when no one else is even on your side. After having read this, I don't really view the creature as a monster. I can sympathize with him more I think, and he clearly just wants to live an ordinary human life. That being said, I now want to re-ask the question. What makes someone a monster and what makes someone a person? I don't think it's based off of appearance as much as it is based off of the way people view the world, which ties back into my comment on Grace's post: if people are treated like something, they will acquire attributes of that thing, and basically become that thing they are said to be.
"I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create"(155).
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me because it shows the perspective of the creature as he slowly begins to realize that he is not like everyone else. This certain passage reveals the true intentions of the creature. He did not want for people to hate him or run away from him or throw stones at him. All he wanted was not to be an outcast and when he sees that that is who he is he begins to hate himself for it. The words and judgments of the people around him force the creature to become what they see him as, not who he really is. This creature is lonely and is probably one of the least judgmental people in this society. Yet, his appearance and his "ugly" self (according to society's view of beautiful) force him to feel bad about himself to the point where he says that his "companion", the only person who will understand him, has to be "of the same species and have the same defects". This means that the only person who will ever understand what he is going through is someone who has been in his shoes. This further raises the question of" why humans do not help each other? Is it because we are scared of what might happen if we do or is it because we frankly don't care?" I think in the creature's eyes it could mean both. He could see it as the fact that he's so ugly that people are forced to be scared of him. But it could also be that they do not want to take the time to get to know him and this forces them to just stick to society's norms of what to do.
"He struggled violently, 'Let me go' he said 'monster! Ugly Wretch! You wish to eat me and tear me to pieces. You are an ogre. Let me go or I will tell my papa.' " (153)
ReplyDeleteThis quote in particular stuck with me because what William is saying is the exact opposite that he would want to do to a human. It is just that the society that they live in judges everyone by their cover and since the Monster looks ugly and scary, they think that he will attack them. Yea right, attack them! Maybe with hugs and kisses. The monster is a lonely little person in a big world, besides his tall stature, which means nothing. He could feel like the biggest and best person in the world for being 8 feet tall and all but the society makes him feel bad about literally every detail about him. Now a days if someone is over 6'6'' people praise them but he is getting looked down upon by people who feel bad about themselves and their situations, rather than not liking the monster.
"I am malicious because I am miserable" (147).
ReplyDeleteWhat makes us monsters?
This quote stood out to me because the creature's emotions and reasoning behind why he is who he is, seems very human. The creature is "miserable" and lonely because society shuns him in regards to his appearance; completely isolating him. He states this as the reason for his exorbitant anger and killing of William, which when said by the creature seems somewhat unjustified, but if looking at it from a more general, "human" point of view it makes sense. When thinking about the current world and reasoning behind starting wars, or committing crimes, or even teasing someone; it is because people aren't content with something in their or other's lives and have no other output for their anger than doing "malicious" things. If the creature is a monster for being malicious as a result of his misery, then by that standard everyone is. Mary Shelley has taken this reaction contempt to an extreme, but nevertheless has the same "human" emotional reasoning behind it.