Sympathy for Frankenstein Essay Example
Sympathy for Frankenstein Essay Example

Sympathy for Frankenstein Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1002 words)
  • Published: June 9, 2017
  • Type: Analysis
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Frankenstein is the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant Swiss scientist who discovers the secret of bringing inanimate things to life, eventually creating a human- like monster which proceeds to ruin his life. Victor created the monster with dead body parts that he got through grave robbing. Once he got all of the parts, it took him two years to build the body. Victor was very obsessed with his work because he would not let anyone help him or see him. The creature later became a disastrous scientific experiment.

Mary Shelley has written Frankenstein at the age of fifteen and the novel was published when she was twenty-one years old. The life of Mary Shelley was very difficult and troubled as many of her family members had tragically died. Most of her life events are replicated in this book, which makes the reader to be sympat

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hetic. In the novel Frankenstein, many themes are discussed and a major one is sympathy. Sympathy is defined as "feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. " -The Free Dictionary.

When sympathy is discussed in Frankenstein, we are mostly talking about having sympathy towards the monster or Victor Frankenstein. Different arguments and points support both sides, but It entirely depends on the readers' perspective; a reader can feel the pain of the monster or Victor. Mostly any person would identify himself with Victor and sympathize with him because losing family members repeatedly, as a human being, can cause much agony and pain. This is also why the novelist also has a soft corner for Victor, however, Frankenstein's creation/the monster should deserve more sympathy than the creator himself.

In the fifth chapter

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of Frankenstein, the scenery Is described as a "dark, dreary night In November. " -Shelley, P. 4. As we all know, this Is pathetic fallacy. Pathetic fallacy Is "when the weather affects the current mode of the film/ play/book/etc. "-TheFreeDlctlonary. Every time the monster enters the story, the environment changes to a dark and raining setting. This gives the readers the uneasy and disturbed feeling towards the monster. The fact that the author uses pathetic fallacy Is because she wants the readers to predict what will happen next and create a fearful vibe about the dangers of the monster.

If the scenery was sunny and beautiful when the monster entered, It would make the readers more comfortable hich creates a positive vibe, therefore Ilklng the monster. On the dreary night, Victor Frankenstein finally brings the monster to life after two years of difficult work. Victor describes how his creation was meant to be 'beautiful and extraordinary' but explains how his enthusiasm for his project was dashed when the creation and the creator first came face to face. Victor described his creation as a monster or machine rather than a human being.

He said, "l had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of Infusing life Into an Inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of est and health. I had desired It with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but disgust filled my heart. -Shelley, P. 35 This quote explains how Victor is filled with horror when his creation came to life. This makes us feel sympathy for the monster because his own father/creator rejects him. If Victor hates his own creation, it

does not give the monster much hope of being loved by others, interacting with people or making friends.

Having to experience the rejection by a family member is cruel and very inhuman. This makes us feel sorry for the monster, thus showing more sympathy towards him. Mary Shelley attempts to teach the readers not to Judge a book by its cover, as Frankenstein did to the monster. We feel sympathy for the monster in the fifteenth chapter of the book, where he thinks that the De Lacy family might accept him, if he becomes friends with the blind man. The monster had an urge to help this poor family by bringing wood to them during the night so they can spend the day repairing their house and cultivating their garden.

The people do not know that the monster is bringing the wood; they have not seen him yet. Despite him being a monster, helping others show humanity. One day, when Sane, Agatha and Felix departed on a long country walk, the old and blind man, De Lacey, was left alone in the cottage. My heart beat quick; this was the hour and moment of trial, which would decide my hopes, or realise my fears. " -Shelley, P. 95. The monster's courage and hope to be accepted as who he is makes the readers feel sympathy for him as he has come to love the family as his own.

The monster and De Lacy have a conversation together, something the monster had never experienced. The monster explained how he felt that he doesn't belong in the world. "l am an unfortunate and deserted reature; I look around, and I

have no relation or friend upon earth. These amiable people to whom I go have never seen me, and know little of me. I am full of tears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever. " -Shelley, P. 95 Sooner or later, the other family members return and discover the monster with De Lacey.

The group thought the monster was hurting De Lacey and decided to use brutal force against him. However, he gets rejected, losing his only chance to make some friends. Again, we feel sympathy for the monster because he tried so hard to create friendship with the family, but his hideous appearance won't allow him. A vengeful spirit of wrath is released in the creature and he decides to locate Victor, as the only human who owes him anything. During his Journey to Geneva to find Victor, he comes across a young girl who was seemingly alone. He quickly hid in some bushes to prevent himself from being seen.

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