Blog 5

Blog 5 (Essay #2 Brainstorm) 02-16-10

What It Means to be Human

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the main protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, creates a creature that is abhorred by him and society. However, it is the creature’s outward appearance that makes him horrid. He displays some intellect in that he strategizes how to get food and where not to tread; as he knows that he is still an abhorrence to society. He has emotions and feelings, but did not understand what they were until later. He was capable of learning as well. From the desire not to be alone and shunned, he made an effort to be a part of society. It is only human to feel emotions of rejection and wanting to fit in, so the creature acted upon his feelings to do so.

In taking action to fit in, he yearns to communicate with others, just as humans do, so he “led [himself] to apply with fresh ardour to the acquiring the art of language” (91) of which his neighboring cottagers speak. He also learns “the science of letters” (95) to read books and letters in which he acquires over time. Perhaps Shelley characterizes the creature wanting to learn the basics of communication to show that he is not the monster that Victor and others in society fear him to be. Just like any other outcast, the creature wanted to fit in and enjoy life as any other human would.

Contrastingly, Victor deliberately outcasts himself from other people, and occupies himself with himself. It is first with his studies and of the making of the creature. “Winter, spring, and summer, passed away during [his] labors” (38) as he did not yet respond to his family’s letters. If he was so enraptured by his studies, why did he not share them? Is it because he is embarrassed to be in the process of making a “monster?” As the story progresses, he finds out about the murder of his little brother, William. Then he learns of the unjustly punishment of Justine Moritz for the crime. He knew that the creature murdered his brother and that Justine was innocent, yet he did not do anything but weep at their demise. He knew he was at fault, but he did not take responsibility for it. However, he did take it upon himself to bare the burden alone for his punishment. This characterization of Victor as a self-inflicted outcast can be seen in a couple of ways. He was either so absorbed in his studying that it was all that mattered, or he wanted to be alone to take on the burden of the deaths in which he was a part of. The former shows that he is a selfish monster, only wanting the joy of being able to create something amazing from the use of his studies. The latter shows that he is not that selfish and is willing to take his own punishment, but it is still selfish in the fact that he keeps it all confided and does not do much about it. This dehumanizes Victor in that it makes him feel like he is not part of society, and therefore, shuts himself out from it just as he shuts the creature out for being ugly. Although it is human for others to reject as it is to accept, a monster would reject on the basis of appearance, as it does not fit in with others. Victor takes it to an ugly level himself, rejecting his own creation from his selfish occupations.