The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a work of science fiction and horror; it is an unorthodox work of creation of a monster which throughout its lifetime, strives to torment the life of its creator, Victor. The author of the novel makes several strong comments on the nature of humankind; through the plot development that man is capable of doing both good and bad, as illustrated through the chapters of the book, the monster is seen as also being capable of doing both good and bad. For someone who has never read the novel Frankenstein, it is easy to categorize the creature as one of the most famous and popular monsters in the history of literary. The adaptations of the novel have added to this misinterpretation by conveying the creature as the most horrifying character who brings sorrow and provokes fear. However, can it be claimed that the monster is good? From chapter 11 to 18, the creature becomes the narrator of the story; at this point, the readers get to know the creature’s side of the story; we meet another being that demonstrates to possess sympathy. From these chapters, the reader views the monster from a different perspective.
It can be argued that the monster is good and not a horrifying monster when the creature narrates his own story; it’s easy for the reader to sympathize with the creature. From the first day of its life, after being created by Victor, the creature has led a lonely life; he has had no one to help him or someone to provide him with necessities like shelter and food. During the early days of the monster in the forest, the beast shows another side not expected of him; he shows how sensitive he is to nature; this is when he notices how birds sing. The creature is quoted as saying, “I also began to observe, with greater accuracy, the forms that surrounded me and to perceive the boundaries of the radiant roof of light which canopied me. Sometimes I tried to imitate the pleasant songs of the birds but was unable.” (Shelley, 77). Also, the monster does not hunt for meat; instead, he chooses to live by nuts and berries (Shelley, 78); this not only shows appreciation for nature, but it also demonstrates humility and compassion. In another example, the monster is drawn to De Lacey’s household. Affection, humbleness, and kindness attract him. He says of one experience with Da Lacey and his daughter. “He raised her and smiled with such kindness and affection that I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature; they were a mixture of pain and pleasure.” The creature attempts to model his ways and behaviors to reflect the compassion, love, and consideration of the De Lacey’s family. The creature later finds out that the family is having troubles with having enough food, this prompts him to stop taking food from the family, “I abstained from taking their food and satisfied myself with berries, nuts, and roots.” (Shelley 84). These illustrations point to the fact that the creature had the possibility of goodness, but is it enough to claim that the creature was good.
With these many attempts of trying to do good, the monster was consistently rejected wherever he turned to. When the creature comes across a human being, the individual either faints or runs away fast. The creature says of an old man who once saw him. “He turned on hearing a noise, and perceiving me, shrieked loudly, and quitting the hut, ran across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appeared capable.” (Shelley 78). Even Victor, his creator rejected the beast, and he could not convince Victor to listen to him; Victor also backs out of his promise to the creature to create him a mate; after seeing his reflection and all the rejection the creature has been through, he concludes that no human being will ever see his goodness. In one last incident where he saves a human and gets no appreciation but hatred, he decides to declare vengeance on humankind. The creature says, “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.” (Shelley 109). The monster is in pain and decides to use violence to make Victor feel this same pain he is feeling; he goes on a quest to kill those dear to Victor Frankenstein.
In conclusion, the argument stands, as opposed to what most people think, the monster can be claimed to be good rather than evil. While no excuse can be provided to justify the crimes committed by Victor, before that, the beast clearly shows the potential of goodness. All that is, however, wasted as a result of constant rejection. Lack of companionship can turn even the most humane into a horrifying monster.
