Frankenstein Theme Statement

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    Maria Estrada

    Period 3

    Dialectical Journal- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    *Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley is a novel about how societys neglect toward a creation

    can lead to rage.

    Passage from the Text My ThoughtsCh X: If you comply with my conditions, Iwill leave them and you at peace; but if you

    refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be

    satiated with the blood of your remaining

    friends. (68)

    I believe that the monster had no other choice

    but to act as a threatening creature so that he

    could be listened to since he was experiencing

    denial from society and Victor. The monsters

    threatening statement can most likely be

    considered as his first step toward feeling rage.

    The monster asked for a female companion

    simply because everyone neglected him and

    judged him for his appearance. The monster

    wanted to feel accepted and simply wanted

    someone that wouldnt treat him similarly tothe humans who hurt him both physically and

    emotionally.

    Ch X: I am miserable, and they shall share mywretchedness. (69)

    When the creature speaks of himself as being

    miserable I think about all of the times that

    he was rejected and isolated from society

    because the people judged him based upon his

    appearances. I believe that the monster

    understands that societys denial has made him

    inhumane. Because he is unhappy he desires

    for the people to be unhappy as well.

    Ch X: You, my creator, abhor me, what hopecan I gather from your fellow creatures, who

    owe me nothing? (69)

    I wonder how being rejected from onescreator makes one feel. In this scenario, the

    creature probably hates his creator in the first

    place since he doesnt accept him and treats

    him with disgust. Although, I also believe that

    the monster blames Victor of the hatred that is

    shown to him by other human beings because

    he created him in a way that shuts him out

    from society.

    Ch XI: I felt light, and hunger, and thirst, and

    darkness, innumerable sounds rang in my ears,

    and on all sides various scents saluted me: theonly object that I could distinguish was the

    bright moon, and I fixed my eyes on that with

    pleasure. (71)

    Throughout the novel, the monster began to

    evolve from an innocent creature into a

    malicious creature who desired revenge. Thisevent caused for me to question whether

    societys treatment can change ones character.In this case, I believe that the monster

    somewhat resembled a dangerous wild animal

    similar to a wolf under the bright moonbecause he felt more freely at night since

    humans wouldnt spot him easily.

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    Maria Estrada

    Period 3

    Ch XV: But I was perfectly unacquaintedwith towns, and large assemblages of

    men.(92)

    This quote proves how the monster was

    ostracized from the people. Not only was the

    creature shut out from society, but he also

    chose to distance himself to not continue

    experiencing unpleasant treatment of the

    people who panicked or hurt him when theyspotted him. The monster was completely

    disconnected from society because he didnt fitin! If I were the monster I would have done the

    same, and felt anger toward humans.

    Ch XVI: my feelings were those of rage

    and revenge. I could with pleasure have

    destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants, and

    have glutted myself with their shrieks and

    misery. (97)

    I understand that with all of the unjust

    treatment from Victor and the humans, the

    creature only wished to seek revenge with

    pleasure. However, I dont think that themonster really meant what he stated about

    hurting the cottagers because he spoke of

    wanting to hurt them after they had unjustlytreated him, but before the incident he admired

    them. I dont think that the monster would

    have actually hurt them because they were

    somewhat an ideal of what he desired.

    Ch XVI: I was like a wild beast that hadbroken the toils, destroying the objects that

    obstructed me, and ranging through the wood

    with a stag-like swiftness. (97).

    Toward the end of the novel, the creature

    describes himself as a wild beast which

    supports the idea that isolation has led him to

    rage. Although, I think that in the end his rage

    overpowers his nobility and humanity.

    Ch XVI: Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal

    hatred and vengeance to all mankind. (101)

    The creature shows his hatred toward humans

    by swearing vengeance, but blames the painthat he has felt for his actions. For example,

    when the creature asked Victor to create a

    female companion for him and Victor refused,

    the monster was fulfilled with anger and

    threatened Victor. I believe that the monster

    made a reasonable request to Victor since he

    was lonely, but Victors fear shut down the

    monsters dream and caused for the monster to

    believe that his creator didnt want for him to

    be happy.

    Ch XVI: a deep and deadly revenge, suchas would alone compensate for the outrages

    and anguish I had endured. (101)

    The monsters rage that resulted from varioustraumatizing experiences changed his character

    completely. He became perilous and I believe

    that the only purpose left for him to fulfill was

    to seek revenge upon Victor and human

    beings. I was disappointed by the fact that

    Victor as the creator and the monster as the

    creation never united. I came to realize that

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    Maria Estrada

    Period 3

    Victors neglect toward the monster played amajor role in causing for the monster to feel

    rage.

    Ch XVI: this death will carry despair to

    him, and a thousand other miseries shall

    torment and destroy him. (102).

    When the monster threatened Victor and began

    haunting his family, I felt that the murdering of

    Frankensteins son was inhumane. I wasbewildered because I still had hope that the

    monster would come to understand that Victor

    was also innocent and had reasonable reasons

    as to why he shouldnt have pleased themonsters request. The fact that the monster

    killed the little boy who was innocent led me to

    a conclusion. The monster hated Victor for

    creating him since his existence had only

    brought injustices from all humans.