In a world of continuous external forces and the impact the society has on human growth and development, we have to analyze Erik Erikson developmental theory as it relates to the “monster” in Frankenstein. Erikson suggests that social interaction and experiences play an important role that shape the development and growth of human beings through eight different stages. Throughout the book, the “monster” goes through each stage, which impacts his development as a living being.
Sometimes, in novels like Frankenstein, the motives of the author are unclear. It is clear however, that one of the many themes Mary Shelley presents is the humanity of Victor Frankenstein's creation. Although she presents evidence in both support and opposition to the creation's humanity, it is apparent that this being is indeed human. His humanity is not only witnessed in his physical being, but in his intellectual and emotional thoughts as well. His humanity is argued by the fact that being human does not mean coming from a specific genetic chain and having family to relate to, but to embrace many of the distinct traits that set humans apart from other animals in this
Frankenstein was a scientist who thought that the world was a secret, which he desired to discover in the scientific field. He worked to find out the relationship between humans and animals. He was attracted by the structure of the human body, any animal related with life, and the cause of life. One day, Victor Frankenstein made an experiment where he included many different human parts from different dead people. This resulted in a human being and a strange creature never seen before in life, which made Frankenstein very scared. This creature or monster was tall enough to scare people by his height and with muscles that were well proportioned.
If there is one theme that the gothic novel Frankenstein expresses it is humanity. Throughout the text we are shown example after example of the little things that define humanity: curiosity, love, and mistakes.
In the novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, the relationship of external apperence and internal feelings are directly related. The creature is created and he is innocent, though he is seaverly deformed. His nature is to be good and kind, but society only views his external appereance which is grotesque. Human nature is to judge by external apperence. He is automatically ostracized and labeled as a monster because of his external apperence. He finnaly realized that no matter how elequintly he speaks and how kind he is, people will never be able to see past his external deformities. Children are fearful of him, Adults think he is dangerous, and his own creator abandons him in disgust.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Mary explains to the reader that human connections provide people with a life free of distraught and that human connections are also able to give societies non-violence, and thus make society more peaceful and functional. The monster, Frankenstein’s creation, blames the abhorrent actions of killing his creator’s loved ones on his feelings of loneliness or lack of human companionship. If the monster was unisolated, he would not have those twisted aspirations; this is one of the points Shelley uses to explain her view of human connections in her novel. Another example or point Shelley uses to explain her view of human connections is the build-up to when Frankenstein creates the monster. Frankenstein immediately regrets his creation. During the period of when Dr. Frankenstein creates the monster, he associates himself with no one showing that without companionship and people who will criticize, individuals will have actions that they will soon regret. Shelley also shows how human nature can create a peaceful society if Frankenstein's creation could be treated with respect. If the monster did not receive maltreatment from humans like the De Lacey family, then the monster would be less determined to do evil; the same goes for any other person in society.
For as long as man has encompassed this world, the divisive enigma of humanity has prevailed. Seeping its way into each generation, while sparking heated conversations, it has become evident that there is much we do not know about what truly makes us human. Regardless of our genetic composition, philosophers often ponder the deeper meaning of humanity. We know that, biologically, recreating the genetic makeup of a human does not yield humanity, so what is the missing aspect? Humans -have the ability to contemplate their own existence in this world. Awareness of existence. This driving force enables us to analyze situations while placing ourselves within them. Our involuntary ability to understand the impact of our actions and the affect they have on others causes us to be inherently human. Our actions evoke strong emotions within us that allow us to learn through our experiences. We retain the resonated feelings of certain occurrences and apply them to others in order to deduce outcomes. Often this facet of mankind is taken for granted, yet we are reminded, through both literature and hypothetical scenarios, of its importance. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, constitutes as one of these profound reminders. Shelley develops a theoretical story in which the humanity of Frankenstein’s monster is questioned. Despite having the accurate organs and framework of a human, Shelley causes the reader to seek the missing aspect that is preventing the monster from being human. Likewise,
When one looks in the mirror, they see many things about themselves; the color of their eyes, the way their pupils dilate when exposed to varying intensities of light, the curve of their mouth contrasting against the flatness of the surrounding walls. They look into the mirror and form a judgement about themselves, their appearance, their behaviors, who they are and what they are to become. But the question no one seems to ask themselves when they look in the mirror is what exactly makes that person they see human? And while this may not be a question that most people ask about themselves on a personal level, it is a topic that is widely discussed alongside Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. Many debates have surfaced discussing if
Shelley’s Romantic novel Frankenstein (1818) compares and reflects values of humanity and the consequences of our Promethean ambition against the futuristic, industrialized world of Blade Runner (1992) by Ridley Scott. The notions of unbridled scientific advancement and technological progress resonate with our desire to elevate humanity’s state of being, mirrored amongst the destructive ambition to overtake and disrupt nature and its processes. The disastrous implications of overreaching the boundary between progressive and destructive power and knowledge are heeded through the ultimate and inevitable loss of self and identity, transforming humanity into a form of monstrosity.
Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is book about the importance of human relationships and treating everyone with dignity and respect. The main character of the book is Victor Frankenstein who is a very intelligent man with a desire to create life in another being. After he completes his creation, he is horrified to find that what he has created is a monster. The monster is the ugliest, most disgusting creature that he has ever seen. Victor being sickened by his creation allows the monster to run off and become all alone in the world. Throughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the theme of human relationships to illustrate the bond that man has with other beings and the need for love and affection. The importance of human relationships
In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, man tries to tamper with nature. This is an enormous mistake, because his experiences prove that man should respect the omnipotent power of nature so man can be happy. Man should respect nature because if man goes beyond his limits, then nature lets man creates all types of consequences for himself which proves Shelley’s point to respect nature’s powers.When people look at nature, they are automatically healed just by its looks. This is a much more powerful force than anything man is capable of doing, thus nature is all powerful. Nature is constant, unlike man who is constantly changing, which shows that nature is always in control.
Frankenstein's monster didn't want to accept his individuality. He wanted to blend in with the human race and be socially accepted. But since he clearly is far from the social norm, it's going to change society. To be a true individualist, one must completely be different from the human race, a monster. Frankenstein's monster does have the potential to destroy our our cultural norms and a way of knowledge, because since not everyone fits in with the social norms, some people will be very interested in the way Victor created his creature and will want to follow his footsteps.
As I was reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a gothic science fiction story from the 19th century, an array of questions regarding human nature arose from the monster’s inhumane nature. The novel is a collection of letters from Robert Walton, an adventurous seafaring captain, transcribing the life of Victor Frankenstein, whom he finds chasing a giant creature towards the north pole. Victor relays his life story to the captain, whereupon we learn that he had an ardent passion for the study of alchemy and natural science. He attends university, where his professors push him to pursue natural science. He eventually is able to animate a creature of jumbled parts, defying all laws of nature.
What makes us human? Is it a beating heart and living flesh? Is it encompassing advanced psychological and social qualities? The classic gothic novel, Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and the modern horror novel, Warm Bodies, written by Issac Marion have lead many readers to question the complexity of human nature. Both novels explore several principal themes that develop the reader’s understanding of what it means to be human. We are miraculous creatures who are capable of both good and evil; humans are intricate beings who depend on love for survival, some can be troubled by or lack remorse, and in some cases, our actions can be motivated by fear. Throughout both novels, the main characters struggle with these aspects of human nature.
“Creature of a Created Culture” Frankenstein is a gothic novel written by Mary Shelley involving a scientist who creates a monster through various experiments. In the years following the book’s publication, the scientist’s name, Frankenstein, has been embraced and used by many to refer to the “villain” of the story, who was no apparent name. However, this is a misnomer. Readers of the novel should view the monster as a victim rather than a villain. This is made evident through the way in which his creator treated him upon his creation, the reaction a villager has to him saving a girl from drowning, and the way that one of the villagers and his family treated the monster.