Is the Creature Truly a Monster? Unpacking the Heart of Frankenstein
The question of whether the creature in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is truly a monster is complex and defies a simple yes or no answer. Ultimately, the creature is not inherently a monster but rather becomes monstrous due to the horrific circumstances and cruel treatment he endures. Initially, he possesses an innocent nature and a yearning for connection, displaying more humanity than his creator, Victor Frankenstein. His descent into violence and despair is a consequence of the societal rejection and abandonment he experiences, making him a tragic figure rather than an embodiment of pure evil. The true monstrous acts in the novel often stem from the choices and actions of humans, particularly Victor, highlighting the crucial theme of responsibility and the corrupting influence of fear.
The Creature’s Initial Innocence and Yearning for Connection
The creature’s genesis is not one of inherent malevolence. Awakened into a world of sensory overload and confusion, he possesses the mind of a newborn, full of curiosity and a desperate need for connection. He observes the family living in the cottage, learning about language, love, and societal structures. His desire to be accepted and understood is palpable as he studies their interactions. The creature’s inherent goodness shines through his desire for companionship and relationships, a stark contrast to Victor’s solitary existence. He yearns for a family, a purpose, and a place in a world that recoils from his physical appearance.
The Cruelty of Society and the Transformation into a “Monster”
It is the brutal rejection by society that catalyzes the creature’s transformation into what is commonly deemed a “monster”. His initial attempts to connect with humanity are met with fear, disgust, and violence. The villagers attack him, his creator abandons him, and even the kind DeLacey family rejects him due to his appearance. These repeated acts of cruelty strip away his innocence and replace it with bitterness, anger, and a desire for revenge. He is, in essence, made a monster by the monstrous behavior he encounters.
The True Monster: Victor Frankenstein’s Role in the Tragedy
While the creature’s actions are undeniably violent, much of the blame for his suffering, and ultimately his transformation into a vengeful being, lies squarely with Victor Frankenstein. Victor’s selfish ambition and irresponsibility are the true seeds of the novel’s tragedy. He creates the creature with no real thought to the consequences and, upon witnessing the result of his work, abandons him immediately. This act of abandonment is a profound betrayal, setting the stage for the creature’s descent into darkness.
Victor’s Moral Failings: Abandonment, Selfishness, and Lack of Empathy
Victor demonstrates a profound lack of empathy for his creation. He views the creature as an abomination and never takes responsibility for the consequences of his actions. Even when he is confronted with the creature’s pain and demands, Victor’s main concern is his own well-being, displaying a selfish nature that rivals any perceived monstrous quality in the creature. Victor’s consistent inability to see past the creature’s appearance is indicative of his inability to truly understand his own responsibility in creating the monster in the first place. This makes his actions significantly more monstrous than the creatures actions, which stem out of desperation.
The Human vs. Monster Dichotomy: Who is More Human?
A key theme of Frankenstein is the exploration of what makes us human. The creature, despite his grotesque appearance, displays many qualities that are considered essential to humanity, such as the capacity for empathy, learning, and a strong desire for connection. On the other hand, Victor, who is physically human, is often driven by ego, selfishness, and a lack of moral responsibility, raising questions about who truly embodies humanity. In many ways, the creature is more human than his creator, exhibiting the capacity for love and remorse while Victor is consumed by fear and self-preservation.
The Creature’s Capacity for Remorse and the Tragic Ending
At the end of the novel, the creature shows genuine regret for his actions. He mourns the deaths he has caused and expresses a desire to end his own existence. This capacity for remorse highlights his humanity, demonstrating that even after a life of suffering and violence, he still possesses a conscience. He visits Victor’s body with lament, highlighting that his actions were not purely malicious, but stemmed from a desire for vengeance for being wronged. The creatures intent to end himself shows that he never wanted to be a monster, but his suffering caused him to act like one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does Victor initially reject the creature?
Victor rejects the creature based on his physical appearance and his own overwhelming fear and disgust. The creature’s appearance was an immediate shock to Victor, making him fear his creation. He could not bear to look at him and immediately ran out of the room. The sudden horror of his actions consumed him, preventing him from taking responsibility for his creation.
2. How does society contribute to the creature’s transformation into a monster?
The creature’s repeated rejections from society fuel his transformation. The fear, disgust, and violence with which he is met force him to abandon his initial innocent nature and embrace bitterness and a desire for revenge. Without the prejudice of society he may have stayed innocent.
3. Is the creature inherently evil when he is created?
No, the creature is not inherently evil. He is initially innocent, curious, and full of the desire to be accepted. His violent actions are a consequence of the mistreatment he receives. The creature desires only companionship, not violence, in the beginning.
4. Who is the real villain in Frankenstein?
While the creature commits acts of violence, Victor Frankenstein often emerges as the true villain due to his selfish actions, irresponsibility, and lack of empathy for his creation. The creature would not have become vengeful if Victor had not abandoned him.
5. Does the creature ever regret his actions?
Yes, the creature expresses genuine remorse at the end of the novel for the murders he has committed. He laments the pain he has caused and intends to end his own life, showing that he has a conscience.
6. What is the significance of the creature’s appearance?
The creature’s physical appearance serves as a metaphor for the fear of the unknown and the prejudice against those who are different. He is judged and rejected based on his looks, not his character.
7. Is Victor’s ambition ultimately a positive or negative force?
Victor’s ambition is portrayed as a destructive force. His overreaching ambition blinds him to his responsibilities as a creator, leading to tragic consequences for himself and his creation. It serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition.
8. Why doesn’t Victor create a female companion for the creature?
Victor fears the potential consequences of creating another being like the creature, specifically that the pair would breed, and he could potentially be the root of an entire race of monsters. He also believes that the female would be just as evil. His decision is rooted in self-preservation and fear, not morality.
9. Does the creature have a name?
The creature is never given a specific name in the novel. He is usually referred to as “the creature,” “the monster,” or “Frankenstein’s monster.”
10. What does the creature learn from the DeLacey family?
The creature learns about language, love, family dynamics, and societal structures by observing the DeLacey family. This knowledge fuels his desire to be accepted and understood, and demonstrates that he has a human capacity for learning.
11. Is the creature’s desire for revenge justified?
While violence is never justified, the creature’s actions are understandable within the context of the cruel and unjust treatment he has received. His revenge is a reaction to the profound pain and suffering he has endured.
12. What is the deeper message of Frankenstein?
Frankenstein explores the dangers of unchecked ambition, the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions, and the corrupting influence of fear and prejudice. It also questions what it truly means to be human.
13. Why do people often confuse Frankenstein with the monster?
The confusion arises because the monster is referred to as “Frankenstein’s monster”. The reader then sees the word “Frankenstein” and assumes it to be the name of the monster. However, Frankenstein is the name of the creator, and the monster does not have an assigned name.
14. Is Frankenstein’s flat-top head a creative liberty or based on something real?
The flat-top depiction of Frankenstein’s monster was a creative liberty that gained traction over time. It is loosely based on the idea that the brain was removed from a cadaver and then replaced with the top of the skull being replaced.
15. How does the novel portray the nature vs. nurture debate?
Frankenstein highlights the influence of both nature and nurture on an individual’s development. The creature’s initial innocence is his “nature,” but the cruel treatment he receives contributes to his transformation into a “monster” his nurture. The novel suggests that nurture, or the way an individual is treated, has a powerful impact on their development.