Mankind is the Monster

Majority of us are guilty of being quick to judge a character, especially in today’s political world. We tend to divide, and immediately view somebody as a monster maybe even evil. This is similar to what happened after Frankenstein (the novel) was written. At first glance many thought the true monster was the creature (Frankenstein’s science project). Some even thought it was solely Frankenstein. The truth is, mankind was the real monster. Let me explain.

Victor Frankenstein creates the monster using modernized (at the time) methods. During this time, the exploration of human anatomy and dissection was popularized, as well as the possibility of bringing somebody back from the dead. Often, after a person’s execution, their body was dissected in front of crowds and an attempt at “revival” was taken. As more gruesome methods and experiments took place, scientists began to see the body as an engineered system rather than a ball of tissue and flesh. It seemed at the time that mankind had used the “journey for intellectuality” as a reason to not be ethically responsible, as did victor. He created a creature who never wanted to be created. He didn’t accept it, care or nurture for it. In other words, he is lacking great amounts of responsibility. But, in his eyes he thinks he knows “what it feels like to be god” (Frankenstein, 1931).

Victor was worried about what other people would think, and how the creature was a danger to society. Meanwhile, the creature was lost but curios of the new world around him. Without his physical features he could be easily mistaken as a child. His mannerisms distinctly mimic those of infants. He was constantly learning through experiences, absorbing everything that he came across. After just a while he “comprehended and could imitate almost every word that was spoken.” (Shelley, 213) Along with all the new things he learned, he quickly discovered the cold hearts of mankind. Because of his physical feature and monster like skull he was not accepted as a man in society. The creature thought he was “ alone and miserable” (265) and that “man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.”(265) Through lack of support and nurture the creature couldn’t understand his emotions. Finally, when his heroism and kindness was rejected after trying to save a little girl from drowning, he grew a hatred for society and took it out on Victor’s friends and family. This revenge consisted of killing many of victors friends. He really didn’t understand what he was doing or why, since nobody had helped him make sense of his emotions. 

Mary Shelley (the author of Frankenstein) was trying to comment on mankind’s lack of responsibility for their actions, because she too had felt the repercussions of this as a child. When she was young her mother passed, and not soon after her father had remarried. As Mary grew older her love for literature and education flourished. But, her stepmother had decided to send her daughter (Jane) to school and not Mary. Her step mothers lack of acceptance and responsibility towards Mary’s well being had hindered her to do what she loved, learn. Not soon after she had run away with her soon to be husband. Over the next few years she would have multiple miscarriages, which affected Mary greatly. She was ready to have a child to nurture and take the responsibility of accepting its flaws (something her father or stepmother didn’t do), yet she couldn’t. 

Mary’s childhood, as well as current events could have sparked the creation of Frankenstein. A tale that highlights the lack of acceptance and responsibility  mankind have for the problems they create. The tragedy and sadness she experienced through her miscarriages could have been a catalyst for her novel. In her story, the creature is a symbol of innocence and sensitivity and Frankenstein is a representation of mankind. The events that follow show just how fragile innocence can be in the face of unacceptance and irresponsibility. Saying this, the true monster in Mary Shelly’s novel is humankind. 

As time went on Frankenstein was eventually created into a movie, directed by James Whale. The movie was a huge success and was a catalyst for the horror genre. It didn’t come without some roller coasters though. Many which were outlined in another movie called “Gods and Monsters”. This movie told the controversial story of James Whale’s life and career. As James talks about the monster he says, “the creature is noble and misunderstood” (Gods and Monsters). The director himself is even admitting that the monster is not truly a monster, just misunderstood. James understands the creature, because he felt as though he too was misunderstood.

I think we can learn a thing or two from Mary Shelley’s novel, especially in today’s world. We are dealing with world wide issues like climate change, school shootings, political divisions and wars. The common denominator in these issues is the lack of responsibility and acceptance. We need to take responsibility for the mass amounts of plastic being produced, the forest fires and dying species. We need to be more accepting of others political views. We need to be more inclusive and stop pushing people out of society for the way they look or act. I truly hope that one day we can prove Mary Shelley wrong; that the human race is indeed responsible and accepting, and not a monster.


Fact time!

Drowning deaths are very prominent throughout Frankenstein. Mary Shelley’s husband tragically dies drowning, James Whales unfortunately commits suicide by drowning and the monster drowns a girl in the 1931 movie. Interestingly enough, drowning deaths were a catalyst in the research of human anatomy and the “Age of Enlightenment”. There were multiple records of people who were thought to be dead after drowning but really weren’t. Scientists were now beginning to debate where life begins and when it ends. As more and more people were being buried alive after drowning, a group of people decided to found the Royal Humane Society in 1774. This society would retrieve the bodies of drowned victims and would then give rewards for anybody who could resurrect them. The resurrection method is pretty similar to today’s lifesaving skills. They would apply heat to the body, perform artificial respiration and finally electricity (just like Frankenstein!). This led people to experiment with electricity and galvanism, as well as human anatomy and dissections. Maybe this was part of Mary Shelley’s inspiration for her novel.

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