-”Frankenstein” by Merry Shelley-
[Monstrocity in “Frankenstein”]
Anything that exists beyond the boundaries of normalcy is marked as a monster whether in
form , action or morality. Mary Shelley explores this idea by presenting monstrosity not only in
the creature's unnatural body, but also in the actions and attitudes of the humans around him.
The novel questions whether the true monster is one who is shunned for his looks. Or the one
who refuses to take responsibility for the life he has made.
Victor Frankenstein's relentless pursuit of knowledge and ambition, which is often paralleled
with the myth of Prometheus, drives him to transgress the natural boundaries of life and
death.Obsessed with the idea of creating life, he creates a being whom he immediately
perceives as "so hideous" and “wretch". Victor left the creature alone, without taking any
responsibilities. He is both the father and the creator of the monster. Yet he neglects his duties
that led the creature down a path of vengeance and violence.
After being abandoned by Victor, the creature wanders alone in search of safety and human
connection. He eventually met the De Lacey family. By listening to their conversation and
studying books he acquires knowledge of his own. Critics have commented that the knowledge
the creature strives for and acquires throughout the novel suggests that he is more virtuous and
humane than any of the humans in the story. Being lonely in a world where everyone abhorred
him because of his hideous look , he asks Victor to create a female companion. However, as
Victor rejects his demand , the creature swore vengeance on his creator. One by one he started
killing those who are closest to Victor.
In this novel, Shelley represented the creature as a marginalized figure. From the moment he
comes to life, his physical differences mark him as an “other”. He questions "what am I" ?, which
is central to the core of hamon self- understanding. The creature, however, does not act like a
monster from the beginning. It is only after he encounters people who deny and degrade him .
He is a self-taught creature, who tries to humanize himself through the knowledge he acquires.
He wants to become a part of human society, he desires companionship, he acquired language
to communicate, but because of his appearance he is denied the rights of a man.
The novel asks a very crucial question - who is the actual monster ? If the creature is a
monster then Victor Frankenstein is also a monster. His treatment towards the creature is
monstrous. As a father and creator he should have protected his child or creation. It is the lack
of parental care that led the creature to be monstrous. We find a connection of monster with
Mary
Shelley's personal life. Like the creature Shelley was also a motherless child, her mother died
in childbirth. The novel blurred the boundary between normal and abnormal by forcing us to
question. whether monstrosity lies in appearance or in actions. The creature's eloquent speech,
his knowledge and reasoning and sensitivity complicate the idea that he is abnormal, while
[Monstrocity in “Frankenstein”]
Anything that exists beyond the boundaries of normalcy is marked as a monster whether in
form , action or morality. Mary Shelley explores this idea by presenting monstrosity not only in
the creature's unnatural body, but also in the actions and attitudes of the humans around him.
The novel questions whether the true monster is one who is shunned for his looks. Or the one
who refuses to take responsibility for the life he has made.
Victor Frankenstein's relentless pursuit of knowledge and ambition, which is often paralleled
with the myth of Prometheus, drives him to transgress the natural boundaries of life and
death.Obsessed with the idea of creating life, he creates a being whom he immediately
perceives as "so hideous" and “wretch". Victor left the creature alone, without taking any
responsibilities. He is both the father and the creator of the monster. Yet he neglects his duties
that led the creature down a path of vengeance and violence.
After being abandoned by Victor, the creature wanders alone in search of safety and human
connection. He eventually met the De Lacey family. By listening to their conversation and
studying books he acquires knowledge of his own. Critics have commented that the knowledge
the creature strives for and acquires throughout the novel suggests that he is more virtuous and
humane than any of the humans in the story. Being lonely in a world where everyone abhorred
him because of his hideous look , he asks Victor to create a female companion. However, as
Victor rejects his demand , the creature swore vengeance on his creator. One by one he started
killing those who are closest to Victor.
In this novel, Shelley represented the creature as a marginalized figure. From the moment he
comes to life, his physical differences mark him as an “other”. He questions "what am I" ?, which
is central to the core of hamon self- understanding. The creature, however, does not act like a
monster from the beginning. It is only after he encounters people who deny and degrade him .
He is a self-taught creature, who tries to humanize himself through the knowledge he acquires.
He wants to become a part of human society, he desires companionship, he acquired language
to communicate, but because of his appearance he is denied the rights of a man.
The novel asks a very crucial question - who is the actual monster ? If the creature is a
monster then Victor Frankenstein is also a monster. His treatment towards the creature is
monstrous. As a father and creator he should have protected his child or creation. It is the lack
of parental care that led the creature to be monstrous. We find a connection of monster with
Mary
Shelley's personal life. Like the creature Shelley was also a motherless child, her mother died
in childbirth. The novel blurred the boundary between normal and abnormal by forcing us to
question. whether monstrosity lies in appearance or in actions. The creature's eloquent speech,
his knowledge and reasoning and sensitivity complicate the idea that he is abnormal, while
