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The Role Of Humanity In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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The novel Frankenstein has many topics of debate. One of the most discussed subjects is the idea of humanity and what makes people human. This idea is based on the question if the creature in the novel should be considered human or if he is still a monster. Many characteristics may go into this question, and there is not a definite answer if the creature is human. Based on some physical, mental, and emotional attributes that qualify as human, however, the creature could be concluded as human.

When thinking of physical characteristics of humans, people generally assume two legs, two arms, a head, and a torso. Although there are those who might not have these features, this is the basic structure of a human being. If humanity is declared solely on this …show more content…

Not only this, but the level of emotions humans feel are complex. The emotional complexity and feelings of people are also characteristics that form a border between human and monster. As well as the mental characteristics, the border begins to blur when the creature is observed. He appears to feel emotions on nearly the same complicated level as people. The single emotion he longs to feel is love or compassion, but the main emotion he feels is anger. This is only slightly different from humans, and it is because of the rejection the creature faces the entire novel. If the creature had been accepted by even Victor, the complexity of emotions of the creature would likely mirror that of a human child, although it would progress at a much quicker rate.
Determining the classification of a human is generally simple. In the case of Victor Frankenstein’s creature, however, the line between human and monster are slightly blurred. When most qualities of humanity are taken into account, the creature may be considered human. Though the physical aspect might deter this idea, the mental and emotional level the creature was able to reach can signify that the creature is in fact

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