Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character’s actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary. I. Introduction: A. In Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein, the reader is tasked with answering the central question of who is the truest evil. a. One the most impactful character’s is Frankenstein’s Monster b. Although he killed and became the monster he appeared the be, many readers sympathize and align with him c. Monster was abandon by his creator …show more content…
Frankenstein’s Monster is not categorized as evil by his malicious behavior and is sympathized with due to his creator abandoning him and the role of nature versus nurture taken place II. Monster’s Nature and alienation A. Monster originally had an inquisitive nature yet gentle nature a. Information on the German family was “each interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as [he] was” (105) B. With the rejection and alienation from society, the only interactions the monster experiences, he becomes full of hatred a. Rejected by De Lacey family by his looks and labeled a monster b. Tries to save a child but is shot by child’s father C. Reader may feel sympathy towards the Monster’s actions because the readers know that his true nature was not evil and he was misjudged III. Victor’s Nurture and Responsibility Towards the Monster A. Sympathy for the Monster may come from the understanding on how Victor treated a. Left Monster to care for himself after “birth” when Victor discovered how grotesque and deformed he looked b. Felt limited responsibility towards the Monster c. Killed his companion B. Reader may feel that the Monster’s actions were justified by his
The book How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster, is continuously present in Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein. A specific example of this can be found when analyzing the chapter “... More Than It’s Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence”; Foster gives humorous insight to understand the meaning behind violence and death in literature. Conveniently, the concept of life and death in Frankenstein is the most important driving force behind the plot. Victor Frankenstein creates the Monster who continuously feels out of place in the world.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a classic novel that explores the consequences of cruelty, both towards oneself and others. Through the course of the story, the theme of cruelty functions as a crucial motivator and major social and political factor, driving the plot and the development of the characters. This essay will analyze how cruelty functions in the work as a whole, the impact it has on the characters, and what it reveals about the perpetrator/victim relationship. One of the most striking examples of cruelty in the novel is the treatment of the creature by his creator, Victor Frankenstein.
As Lawrence Lipking rightfully assessed the creature at first is “too good” (Lipking 428) and “innocent” (Lipking 428) but sooner rather than later “hostility and prejudice of men” (Lipking 428) awake desires of violence and revenge in it which lead to its awful plot against its creator. There is a huge shift in the emotions of Victor Frankenstein once his work is done and the creature finally opens its eyes. While
For this reason, are two major characters worth describing and analyzing: Victor Frankenstein and the creature. Victor Frankenstein First and foremost, as the title alludes to his name, Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist of the novel. As he is one of the three first person narrators, he is mostly described indirectly by other characters such as Robert Walton. Each reader therefore has to draw an individual conclusion after reading his thoughts and feelings. Some features of direct, also named explicit, characterization can be found; nevertheless, the indirect, also called implicit, characterization outweighs far more in the novel.
Mary Shelly 's classic novel, Frankenstein, is a dark tale that follows the life of a monster and its creator. As the story progresses, the reader notices that Victor and his creation have numerous similarities embedded into their characters. Both the monster and Victor are outcasts of society, their emotions are both affected by nature, and they are equally driven by a desire for revenge and a passion for knowledge. Toward the conclusion of the book, the 'monster ' and the 'victim ' are almost indistinguishable as Victor and his creation have become so similar. However, through comparing the characters ' traits, actions, and habits, the reader will discover the true monster in Frankenstein.
In the novel Frankenstein, both Victor Frankenstein and his monster live tragic lives. Between the death of Victor’s loved ones and the monster having nobody to love him in the first place, it becomes difficult to decide who really deserves the most pity. Although it may seem that victor lost more, his misery does not compare to that of the monster’s. Because the monster was ridiculed by society for his appearance and had no one to connect to, the monster deserves the most pity.
Therefore, this essay argues that it is Frankenstein 's behavior and his characteristic traits that make him an unlikable character, unfit to be a protagonist and hence more easily
The gothic fiction novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley centralizes on humanity and the qualifications that make someone human. The content of the novel Frankenstein depicts a monster displaying human traits that his creator Victor does not possess: empathy, a need for companionship, and a will to learn and fit in. Throughout the novel Shelley emphasizes empathy as a critical humanistic trait. The monster displays his ability to empathize with people even though they are strangers. On the other hand Victor, fails to show empathy throughout the novel even when it relates to his own family and friends.
Frankenstein as a book was filled with the feelings of lost motives and finding how abandonment and loneliness can come back harder and make the life that connected them could corrupt everyone who is connected to them. Frankenstein's monster is a great example of how his motives had changed and made the characters in the book make there life change and contort to become something from the fear of responsibility to facing the consequences of abandoning. The monster had shown that the all he wanted was to feel as if he wasn't lonely and that had stayed and changed his character from learning to hatred and his wished had stayed the same. The monster had made his creator his imagine of success with love and looks and was shown with the feeling
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” - Christopher Reeve. To be a hero you don 't really need to do something amazing on a large scale. The world might have heroes, but so do neighborhoods , schools, and even friend groups. Being a hero could be as simple as cleaning up a neighborhood or babysitting someone’s kids. However, it could be as complicated as serving your country and coming back with beautiful medals.
The need and mutual respect for love and companionship is what truly makes one human. In the book Frankenstein it is seen from the first time Victor brings his monster to life that he has no compassion or attachment towards him. In fact, he abandons him out of fear. Throughout the story the monster feels a lack of affection, not only from Victor but from the other people he meets and wants to make friends with, leaving him in misery. Due to persistent abandonment and apathy, the monster sought out revenge and committed treacherous acts of violence.
These characters had a tumultuous relationship due to the monster’s upbringing. It can be argued that the true monster in the Frankenstein is Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein’s id plays
One of the main perception In Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein, was because of the monsters physical features he was thought to be a danger to society and would harm others. In this novel, the monster not only struggles with perceptions of society but also from the perception of his creator Victor. Because of the misperceptions that the monster encountered
“The Monsterous Hero” Frankenstein by Mary Shelley shattered the mold of typical horror novels written during the Romantic period and revolutionized the next generation of horror writers. Shelley’s unique use of Romantic elements such as supernatural components, dualism, spontaneous creation, individual thought, and innocence illuminate important aspects that help determine the romantic hero. Specifically, a romantic hero is identified as one that opposes established standards, faces rejection by society, and is the center of his own existence. Although Victor and Walton both have some characteristics of a romantic hero, the monster is the ideal romantic hero.
All literature has an underlying message of a constant battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is no different. The forces of supposed good and evil come to clash with the persistent battle between Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. This conflict between the two forces can be seen to represent the forces of God and Lucifer (or the Devil), as both the literary and religious characters share a number of characteristics.